THE ACE-
ENGINEERS
03
Thibault
Arnal
Aiming for a championship win with
DS PENSKE as a Formula E race engineer.
#GoingToBeTheFastestInTheWorld
#PursueTheMechanicsAndStructureOfThings
#CanTelepathicallyCommunicateWithDriversAndCars
Thibault is a prominent race engineer in the world of Formula E, which is the most prestigious race for electric cars. He works with the esteemed DS PENSKE team and is responsible for developing tools and analyzing data. Thibault also communicates with drivers and makes technical decisions that impact the team's performance. His ultimate goal is to help the team become the fastest in the world and win the championship title.
PERSONALITY
- Name
- Thibault Arnal
- Company
- DS PENSKE Formula E-Team
- Department
- Race Engineer
- Career History:
- After graduating from an engineering school in France earlier than his classmates, he moved to Germany to work in automotive engineering and parts manufacturing. He pursued further studies in engineering and management as well as aeronautical research and development at a graduate school in England. He is now working for DS PENSKE, where he is challenging to be the fastest in the world.
- Achievements:
- Race management and development of performance tools
- World Driver's Champion (Jean-Eric Vergne)
- Team World Champion (DS Techeetah)
- Hobbies / Interests:
- Time spent with family
- Traveling
- Running
How are you different from others?
The courage to accept challenges and difficulties in a positive manner, without fear of the unknown.
What does your job mean to you?
For me, work is something that should always be done with a long-term goal in mind, not just the immediate one.
What is your motto or a phrase that has stayed with you?
Don't doubt yourself, just do it.
What is the biggest failure and lesson you have learned in your life?
Not being able to major in aerospace engineering as a student left me despondent, but because of that, I got my foot in the door of the industry I am in today. It is important to take a long-term view of life, even if things don't go the way you want them to in the short term.
Tell us a secret confession.
When I first joined the team, my relationship with my driver JEV (Jean-Eric Vergne) was strained due to my lack of experience. However, over time, we have developed a strong partnership based on mutual trust and respect.
What special skills have you acquired as an engineer?
I can sense what the driver wants, almost like telepathy.
If you could make anything, what would it be?
I have an interest in aerospace-related fields, so I would like to be involved in the development of rocket engines and other technologies that will advance humankind.
What do you do on your days off?
During the off-season, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. We love going out to lunch, taking leisurely walks on the beach, and talking about what happened while I was away during the race season is the best way for me to relax.
What is your most prized possession?
There is a car part called a bump rubber, which is responsible for minimizing the impact of a collision. One time, just before a race, our car was involved in an accident, and it seemed like there was no hope for us to win. However, the entire team did their best, and we ended up winning the race. The bump rubber that we used during that race has become a cherished keepsake of my first victory, and I value it as a symbol of the importance of perseverance and never giving up.
INTERVIEW
School Days
Childhood fascination with
the world of racing.
I have loved motorsports for as long as I can remember. From the cars running at incredible speeds to the unique atmosphere of racing, everything about it has always been thrilling to me. I used to build and play with miniature cars, and I was very interested in the mechanics and structure of things, which led me to aspire to become a racing engineer. As a student, I studied mathematics, physics, and engineering, which taught me crucial problem-solving skills that I still use to this day.
In Formula E, the skills of engineers in craftsmanship and system development are crucial, and they can determine the fate of the team. Unlike other engineers, race engineers always aim for victory. Although the world of competition is demanding, and there are many challenges, I find it incredibly rewarding to work towards the title of the fastest car.
Impressive Episode
Through a positive approach, we can grow even in a difficult environment.
In the past, I was asked to work in a position that wasn't my preferred role. Instead of being a race engineer responsible for overall race management and decision-making, I was tasked with being a performance engineer in charge of specialized areas such as machine setup. I was perplexed initially because it was different from the career I had built up, but the experience of relearning in a new job and environment proved to be a valuable experience. When I eventually became a race engineer again, I found it easier to understand my team members' perspectives, and I think I grew a lot as a person.
As an engineer, I enjoy doing field work such as software development. I believe that this technology will eventually be applied not only to Formula E but also to consumer vehicles, making it a useful and environmentally friendly new automotive technology in the future. Moreover, as a person, I value building trusting relationships with drivers and teams. I feel the enjoyment and satisfaction of both, and I am continuing my trial-and-error process to help the team achieve victory.
FUTURE VISION
Solving one problem at a time and aiming to be the fastest in the world.
While I dream of one day working on space-related technologies that can advance humanity, my primary goal is to win the Formula E championship. As a race engineer, I have achieved good results, but I have yet to win the season championship. I believe that there is still a lot we engineers can do to improve the performance of the car through energy efficiency and system improvements. We will tackle each issue one by one and work as a team to achieve the best performance. And I would like to capture the ultimate glory of being the fastest in the world.
To learn more, please visit:
DS PENSKE
THE ACE-ENGINEERS
Unveiling the minds, passions,
and visionaries shaping tomorrow.
ENGINEERS’ PICKS
Discover content recommended by engineers,
for engineers.
Uncover resources for personal growth, exploration,
professional development, and more!
PARTNER’S VOICE
Conversations with engineering experts
from Kyocera's collaborative network.
Insights, motivations, and glimpses into
the future projects driving innovation.
Comment from a fellow colleague
Guillaume Argy
- DS PENSKE / Performance Leader
Thibault and I have been working together for 5 years now and we are like friends. I can sense his motivation and passion every day, as well as his unwavering dedication to achieving success. Thibault's contributions to the team extend beyond his role as a race engineer; his meticulous attention to detail and thoughtful consideration are greatly appreciated.