Jacques Heckstall-Smith

Manager of Alex Albon, Founder & Managing Director at Grip Sports Management

United Kingdom

About

Founder of Grip Sports Management, UK-based agency specialising in professional motorsport. Ingrained in motorsport from the very beginning of his career, Jacques has worked in junior single-seater racing teams through to Formula 1. After working in marketing for several years, Jacques was fast tracked to Commercial & Driver Manager with responsibility for identifying and signing young driving talent. After working with a number of exciting up and coming prospects, he made the move to Formula 1, working with Felipe Massa at Williams Racing. Soon after Jacques was recruited by Red Bull Racing where he worked alongside Alex Albon, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly.

Experience

  • Founder & Managing Director | Manager, Alex Albon at Grip Sports Management
    Mar 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 5 mos

  • Red Bull Racing & Red Bull Technology (3 yrs 5 mos)
    • Senior Communications Manager
      Jun 2021 - Mar 2022 · 10 mos

    • Communications Manager
      Nov 2018 - Jun 2021 · 2 yrs 8 mos

  • Press Officer at Williams Martini Racing
    Jun 2017 - Nov 2018 · 1 yr 6 mos

  • Commercial Manager at THEODORE RACING LIMITED
    Jan 2016 - Jun 2017 · 1 yr 6 mos

  • Status Grand Prix Engineering Limited (Silverstone, United Kingdom)
    • Commercial & Driver Manager
      Apr 2015 - Jan 2016 · 10 mos

    • Marketing Assistant
      Jan 2013 - Mar 2015 · 2 yrs 3 mos

      Following a competitive internship with Status, I was offered the position of Marketing Assistant to help strengthen the team’s commercial department. Working directly under the Commercial Director and Operations Director, I am responsible for managing sponsor accounts, organising hospitality and events, website updates, media, team clothing and developing the company’s marketing materials.