Meet The Team: Jack Gardiner

Jack is the Head of 2027 Development for Imperial Formula Racing. Read below to find out more about Jack and his team for the 2025-2026 season.

I’m in ME4, come from South London, narrowly avoiding Croydon, and I’ve been with the team for 3 years. In my spare time, I enjoy photography (macro especially is my favourite) and have recently built a 3D printing setup at home for my own projects.

I joined in first week of ME1 and worked to complete the pedalbox manufacture with the chassis team, interfacing with the electronics team’s throttle control system for the old EV design. I stayed loyal to chassis team in ME2 and ME3 where most recently I led the suspension subteam, strengthening the design and getting it race ready. I have also helped get the car in the correct setup window for comp.

My favourite moment so far was seeing the car running on track for the first time and getting great photos of all the drivers’ runs (plus the suspension didn’t break – a good day all round)

This year I am Head of 2027 Development, in charge of a brand-new spaceframe, suspension and steering design. My main goals of the year involve a 20% mass reduction compared to the current IFR01, creating a spaceframe that is purpose built to house the IC engine, and ensuring all elements of the design have adjustability (allowing for multiple setup options and manufacturing limitations). As well as this we should be on track to manufacture the new spaceframe in June 2026. I am looking forward to solving the annoyances that the team has had to work around for years with the existing design, something that can only be done with a completely blank slate.

Those interested in design heavy tasks, focusing first on general vehicle dynamics and then on practical embodiment in CAD should join my team this year. If you want something of yours on the car short term then go make spacers in the STW with another team, but if you want to help create a solid foundation for long term success then there is no better place.

If you're interested in joining the 2027 Development team this year, follow our socials to stay updated when our recruitment opens in October.