Paul began to learn the skills of his trade 36 years ago, when, as a 15-year-old, he became a yacht and boat-building apprentice. He went on to work in the heavy steel industry, producing helicopter landing decks, pressure vessels and high-pressure water jetting for ships, lighthouses and oil refineries, before joining the legendary Brabham Formula One team in 1984 as a fabricator/welder. Following its demise in March 1992, he joined Activa Technology, which specialised in supplying parts to F1 teams, where he remained until January 2005, when he joined BallRacing Developments.

Married with two teenage daughters, Paul said: “I can honestly say that this is the most enjoyable job I have had because I get to use all of my skills - fabrication work, welding, carbon composites, and carpentry.

“The standards are really high, and we are working to raise the bar all the time. Those standards, coupled with the latest technology, gives the guy in the street the opportunity to really know what it is like to drive a Formula One car.”