HIGH speeds and precision design were the order of the week for one Wantage teenager on work experience.

Lucky Gabriel Day from King Alfred's academy was selected along with nine others from hundreds of applications to spend time with the Williams Formula One Team.

The 15-year-old from Denchworth was able to spend time alongside the team of world-class engineers at their HQ in Grove and see what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Working with carbon fibre, the teenager was allowed specialist techniques to create his own racing helmet.

The pupils also got to meet Williams driver Felipe Massa.

He said: "I have always had a passion for cars and it was fantastic to be here this week.

"One of the things I have learned is the amount of effort you have to put in to make a single small correction, but which can then make a huge change in the car.

"I've enjoyed it all, but making a biker helmet was good. I also liked going to the Williams museum which has all the old Formula One cars in.

"I'm getting really into Formula One the idea and I really want to go into engineering."

As well as producing a Formula One car at Grove, Williams also has an Advanced Engineering centre.

Opened in 2014 by former Prime Minister David Cameron, the centre provides world-class engineering, testing, and manufacturing services to deliver energy efficient performance in not just the motorsport industry, but also civil aerospace, defence, sports science and energy.

So varied is the work done at the centre that the racing team's pit stop technique has also been used to help deliver babies safely.

Scott Pinnell, the engineer who works with the pupils and was an apprentice at Williams himself said it "invigorates" his team to show the youngsters the ropes.

The Grove resident, who has worked for the team for 21 years added: "We don't get a lot of local people so this is great. We get pupils from all over the country.

"They get to see the whole company and go through the developments from design to making to the finish.

"It's good to show them this business has so many opportunities that can pursue."

The taster week is organised by group HR director Nicola Salter, who the aim was to "bring to life" engineering at a Formula One team like Williams.

She added: "It's a very hands on experience for them. It's a week in the life of an engineering company and business.

"It's a great programme."

The taster week takes place in July each year and can be applied for at www.williamsf1.com/pages/careers/whatweoffer