Aston Martin pays tribute to F1 paddock legend Mick ‘Biscuit’ Fern

The Aston Martin team is mourning the loss of one of motorsport’s most cherished figures following the passing of longstanding team member Mick Fern, affectionately known to everyone as "Biscuit."

The F1 paddock is often described as a travelling circus – a fast-moving, high-pressure world where teams spend months living out of suitcases far from home.

In that intense environment, it is the unsung heroes behind the scenes who transform a bustling garage into a true family, and Fern was a quintessential stalwart of the sport.

The long-standing Aston team member, who passed away peacefully this week surrounded by his family and friends, enjoyed a career in Formula 1 that spanned an incredible 35 years. His journey with the Silverstone-based team began back in 1999 during its Jordan Grand Prix era.

Over the decades, through the team’s various transformations, Fern remained a familiar and comforting presence, officially rejoining the squad in 2015.

As a key tyre technician, Fern was entrusted with a critical job – managing the rubber on one side of the Aston Martin garage during demanding race weekends, working closely with Lance Stroll in recent seasons.

Yet beyond his meticulous work with thermal blankets and pressure gauges, Fern was best known for his big personality, boundless warmth, and generous spirit.

Whether welcoming guests into the garage with a smile or offering a helping hand to colleagues across the paddock, he brought a deeply human touch to a hyper-competitive environment.

A heartfelt tribute

Noticeably absent from the pit lane during the Hungarian Grand Prix, Fern was in the thoughts of the entire grid as good wishes poured in from across the community. Following his passing, Aston Martin released a deeply emotional social media tribute honoring his legacy:

"The thoughts of the entire team and F1 community are with the family and friends of our teammate, Mick Fern, affectionately known to so many of us as Biscuit, who passed away peacefully today.

"Biscuit was a true stalwart who showed loyalty and support to all those around him. He welcomed everyone with open arms and made our travelling world feel more like home.

"Biscuit spent 35 years in the paddock, and he was respected by all who worked with him. We are all so grateful for our time together and will dearly miss his warmth and humour."

Mick "Biscuit" Fern leaves behind a legacy defined not just by his decades of dedication to motor racing, but by the kindness and humor that made a global sport feel a little more like home for everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

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