Aston Martin has announced the death of Mick Fern, a veteran Formula 1 tyre technician affectionately known throughout the paddock as "Biscuit."
Fern passed away peacefully on Wednesday, the team confirmed in a statement. He was absent from last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, with Aston Martin revealing at the time that he was "fighting his own battle off track."
The 56-year-old spent 35 years working in Formula 1, having been part of the Silverstone-based outfit through its many transformations — from Jordan, through Midland, Spyker, Force India and Racing Point, to the current Aston Martin team, which he rejoined in 2015.
"Biscuit was a true stalwart who showed loyalty and support to all those around him," the team's statement read. "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."
A wave of tributes poured in from across the F1 community. Esteban Ocon, who drove for the team during its Force India days in 2017 and 2018, wrote on social media: "A truly wonderful human being. I will never forget our time together and all the laughs we shared. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. RIP Biscuit you legend."
Sky Sports F1 analyst Bernie Collins, formerly a strategist at Force India, also paid tribute: "Rest in peace Biscuit. Hopefully you have a good cup of tea on the go. You will be missed and the paddock is sadder for your absence."
Fern was widely regarded as one of the paddock's most warm and familiar figures, known for his ever-present smile and the nickname that became synonymous with the team's travelling circus across two decades.
He leaves behind his family, friends, and an entire Formula 1 community that considered him far more than a colleague.
Sources
- https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1101997/1/aston-martin-pays-tribute-true-stalwart-after-death-f1-team-member
- https://www.racefans.net/2026/07/30/aston-martin-announces-death-of-veteran-team-member-mick-biscuit-fern/
