Gary Anderson given honorary degree

Former Formula 1 engineer Gary Anderson, who now serves as a technical advisor for AUTOSPORT, has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Ulster.

Anderson was made an honorary doctor of science in a graduation ceremony at the university's Coleraine Campus on Tuesday. The doctorate is in recognition of his achievements in motorsport, which make him a role model for students graduating from the university.

Although Anderson embarked on a long and distinguished career in motorsport without any formal qualifications, producing racewinning cars for both Jordan and Stewart, he is quick to stress the importance of education.

"When I was young, education was not very high on my to-do list and at Coleraine Secondary School, to be honest my aim was to leave there as soon as possible," Anderson said. "So it was a great honour to go back to my home town to receive this honorary degree from the University of Ulster.

"In the late 1960s/early 1970s, it was difficult to find work in Northern Ireland and I decided to move to England. From leaving school at 15 to starting work for Bernie Ecclestone at Brabham at 22 I had nine different jobs, from a building site dump truck driver to a mechanic on Massey Ferguson tractors

"I have experienced most things but as they say when you get involved in a job that you love you never work again. In a way that's what happened to me but I had to work hard.

"I questioned and listened to everything and in motorsport I had some great tutors, Bob Dance, Gordon Murray and Gordon Coppuck are three that I would like to mention. It was through people like this and my determination that I got the opportunities that I did.

"When I moved into the design side of things I was employing people to work for me with vastly higher qualifications than I had. I believe that combining education and experience and getting them to work together is a stronger combination than either individually."

As well as his time at Jordan and Stewart/Jaguar as technical director, Anderson has worked for Brabham, McLaren and Ensign in F1.

Originally on Autosport.com