FROM APOLLO’S SPACE PROGRAMME TO McLAREN’S LAND SPEED RECORD ATTEMPT
If music composers are a reflection of their times, so do F1 technical leaders, with the role gradually changing from solo artist to orchestra conductor over the years. Bell’s rich and diverse life journey epitomises this evolution. Fascinated by the Apollo space programme, he also used to build soapbox cars as a child. Bell then graduated from the Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with a doctorate in aeronautical engineering, which did not take him to the stars though.
After a brief spell working in aeronautics at Short Brothers, Bell joined McLaren in 1982 to work in aerodynamics at a time when the subject was still in its initial stages. As the team’s sole aerodynamicist, he was busy defining bodywork volumes, building models and overseeing windtunnel testing at the military grounds of Teddington (no team had its own facilities back then).
Bell helped design the iconic MP4/4, working in harmony with Steve Nichols and Neil Oatley under John Barnard’s hard-nosed leadership. An advocate for teamwork and general interest, Bell has always sought to stay away from the limelight, preferring the design offices and satisfaction of a job well done to TV interviews and self-promotion.
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BACK AND FORTH AT ENSTONE
In 1988, Bell set up a Research and Development department at McLaren. Besides data acquisition and simulation tools, he introduced computer-aided design and manufacturing at Woking where there was only one computer… for the sole purpose of managing pay slips!
Looking for a fresh challenge in 1990, Bell, who is also keen on motorcycling and fine arts, took part in Ron Dennis’ “MAVerick” land speed record project that became public knowledge in 1993.
Despite reaching an advanced stage, the plan fell through two years later when it became clear that Richard Noble’s rival project, Thrust SSC, had more momentum. Bell was not willing to go back to McLaren’s R&D department and so ended a 14-year tenure in amicable fashion.
He moved to Benetton in 1997 and his first stint at Enstone saw him work as senior aerodynamicist alongside technical director Pat Symonds and Nick Wirth, who had been recently promoted to the role of chief designer in the wake of Ross Brawn’s departure to Ferrari.
A couple of years later, Bell had already moved on to another role, becoming head of vehicle technology at Jordan under the stewardship of tech boss Mike Gascoyne… whom he had previously hired at McLaren.
