During Grand Prix weekends the racing drivers are the recognised stars as they receive the attention of fans and international media. But in the garages behind the scenes works a horde of engineers, technicians and mechanics who make everything happen, responsible for ensuring that the Jordan Ford EJ13s are primed and ready for action.

The mechanics' work often goes unnoticed externally, but like the drivers, these talented individuals also perform at the top of their profession in some of the most demanding conditions. Mick Gomme is Jordan's spares co-ordinator, looking after all the car parts, drivers' kit and is also responsible for putting on and taking off the right front tyre blanket during on-track sessions.

Now in his thirties, Gomme - who joined Jordan five years ago - caught the motor sport bug early and admits he's not a frustrated racecar driver who turned into a mechanic. "I've always been interested in racing since I was a kid," Gomme told F1jordan.com in the Montreal paddock. "I've always liked motor sport but my desire was not to become a driver. I got into racing with smaller formulas, touring cars and sport prototypes. Most mechanics work their way up through the lower formulas to get to Formula 1. Just like for the drivers, it is a goal to go in F1. It is the pinnacle of motor sport, isn't it?"

Jordan mechanics work long hours under considerable pressure, whether it is at the workshop in Silverstone or at the GP circuits. "When you're looking at it from the outside, you get a different perspective of what the job is really like. It is very hard work. A lot of people think it is a very glamorous job but it is not as sensational as they think...," he said.

The work schedule is quite hectic. "When we're back from a Grand Prix, we first unload the trucks, service the race cars, clean and paint the bodywork, and that's taking a whole week of work. Normally, we must have this finished by Friday night so the trucks are ready to leave on Saturday or Sunday," Gomme explained. "Coming to Canada is quite difficult because the equipment is only back in UK by Thursday. We have to unload everything and all the crates and put everything back into the trucks for the next race in just two days. It's quite a tight schedule to have an overseas race like here in Canada between two European races."

The mechanics work during long hours, even at the race shop in Silverstone. "Here for example, we leave the hotel at 5:45 in the morning. At the race shop, we actually start at 8:30 but the day depends on the amount of work that needs to be done - we can be there late at night. It's always nice to be away around six or seven o'clock in the evening. But when there's a lot of work you have to be there until it's done. If it's really busy you can be there until midnight."

Gomme explained that test sessions can often mean longer days. "We run the car all day and then we have to turn it around overnight and on the next day we do the same. So, in testing, you work 16-hour days for three consecutive days." Travelling around the globe is also exhausting. For most mechanics, what they see from the countries they visit are the airports, the hotels and the circuits. "It seems you're always waiting in line in airports," Gomme told us. "It's not always fun to live in your suitcases all the time. Especially with the travelling we do at the first couple of races in the season, Australia and Malaysia. It means we're away for three weeks. This asks for a very tolerable family."

Despite the dangers linked to filling up an hot racecar during a Grand Prix, Gomme said that he really enjoys his role as refueller in the pit stops. "That's the best part of the weekend! It gives you a shot of adrenaline. It's really exciting because we're given full responsibility at that moment." Many F1 mechanics have hobbies that take their minds off F1. What about Mick? "Humm, Hobbies? Not really any more. I liked to watch motorcycle racing on TV but we spend so much time travelling and at the factory that there very little time to do anything else really..."

When do Jordan mechanics take a break? "Normally at the end of the season. We do have a three-week gap in the calendar so we all try to take a week off during that gap. However, it's not always possible to do that because sometimes you're making something at the factory. Most people take a week off after the last race, in Japan, and then take two or three weeks off and a little bit of time around Christmas. You can't really go on vacation during the season."

For most Jordan mechanics, the best race of all is the British Grand Prix. "Because we get to go home at night!"