Bernie Collins is married to Ryan McGarva, a former Mercedes-AMG Petronas pit crew mechanic. The Northern Irish engineer and Sky Sports F1 strategy analyst tied the knot at Cabra Castle in County Cavan, Ireland, in June 2026. Collins spent over a decade engineering race strategy at McLaren, Force India, and Aston Martin before transitioning into broadcasting in 2022.
Source: Getty Images
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Key takeaways
- Bernie Collins married Ryan McGarva at Cabra Castle, County Cavan, Ireland, in June 2026, in a Celtic-themed ceremony.
- She was born around 1986–1987 in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, making her approximately 39–40 years old in 2026.
- Collins held the role of Head of Race Strategy at Aston Martin from 2020 to 2022, leaving to achieve a better work-life balance.
- She joined Sky Sports F1 as a strategy analyst for the 2023 season, debuting at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
- Collins was named in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Europe in 2016 for Manufacturing and Industry.
Bernie Collins' profile summary
Full name | Bernadette "Bernie" Collins |
Date of birth | c. 1986–1987 (exact date unconfirmed) |
Age | Approximately 39–40 (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland |
Nationality | British / Northern Irish |
Profession | TV strategy analyst, broadcaster, author, former F1 engineer |
Education | MEng Mechanical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast (2009) |
Relationship status | Married |
Spouse | Ryan McGarva (wed June 2026) |
Children | None reported |
Parents | Not publicly confirmed |
Zodiac sign | Unconfirmed (birth date not public) |
Height | c. 167 cm / 5 ft 6 in (unverified) |
Net worth | Est. £1–2 million (based on multiple sources) |
Bernie Collins's career in F1
Collins studied mechanical engineering at Queen's University Belfast, graduating in 2009. She applied to McLaren's graduate programme before finishing her final exams. She went on to spend over 13 years across four F1 outfits.
From McLaren to Force India
By 2012 she had become a performance engineer at McLaren. In 2013 she stepped up to the primary performance engineer role at the Indian and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, then held it full-time from 2014, working closely with Jenson Button.
She joined Force India in May 2015 as performance and senior strategy engineer. She worked with Nico Hülkenberg and later Sergio Pérez, helping the team claim a podium at the 2015 Russian Grand Prix and fourth in the 2016 constructors' championship.
Source: Original
Head of Race Strategy at Aston Martin
Collins was appointed Head of Race Strategy when the outfit rebranded as Aston Martin in 2020. She held that role through two of the most closely watched seasons in the team's modern history. Bernie Collins spoke to GPFans:
The 23 races became really difficult and I wanted to achieve more of a home/life balance.
Why did Bernie leave Aston Martin?
Collins decided at the end of 2021 to step away from the pitwall. She worked a six-month notice period, leaving in mid-2022. The growing race calendar and a personal reassessment during the COVID-19 pandemic were the key factors.
Bernie Collins spoke on leaving Aston Martin to GPFans:
You sort of had a bit of a reset and a think about things.
Why did Bernie leave Aston Martin?
Collins decided at the end of 2021 to step away from the pitwall. She worked a six-month notice period, leaving in mid-2022. The growing race calendar and a personal reassessment during the COVID-19 pandemic were the key factors.
The TV personality said,
You sort of had a bit of a reset and a think about things.
Broadcasting on Sky Sports F1
Collins joined F1 TV as an analyst in 2022. She made her Sky Sports F1 on-screen debut at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. She explains strategy, tyre choices, and pit stop timing to viewers. She also contributes strategy breakdowns to F1.com on selected race weekends.
In 2024 she co-authored How to Win a Grand Prix: From Pit Lane to Podium with Maurice Hamilton. Queen's University Belfast awarded her an honorary degree in 2023.
Yes, Bernie Collins married Ryan McGarva at Cabra Castle, County Cavan, Ireland, in June 2026. Photographer Fra Lucchesi posted 20 images to Instagram captioned "Congratulations Bernie and Ryan." The announcement was widely covered across F1 and Irish media.
Source: Getty Images
Who is Ryan McGarva?
McGarva is a former F1 pit crew mechanic and Bernie's longtime partner from the motorsport world. He worked at HRT, Force India, and Mercedes-AMG Petronas, where he serviced Lewis Hamilton's car.
After leaving F1, he became Valkyrie Commissioning Lead at Aston Martin Lagonda. He later founded RDM Racetech, a corporate teamwork and high-performance speaking business.
How did they get engaged?
McGarva proposed during a ski trip to Val-d'Isère, France, in December 2024. Collins described it as a total surprise. She announced the engagement on Instagram in January 2025.
The wedding
The ceremony at Cabra Castle was Celtic in style. McGarva wore a kilt honouring his Scottish roots. Collins wore a high-necked lace gown with a satin skirt, changing into a strappy dress for the reception. Bridesmaids wore green gúnaí.
Sky Sports colleagues David Croft, Karun Chandhok, and Simon Lazenby were among the guests.
Ruth Buscombe, former F1 strategist remarked on Instagram
Absolutely stunning! Congratulations to both of you!
In autumn 2025, the couple had already relocated to Scotland, settling into a 150-year-old stone house overlooking a loch.
Bernie Collins in 2026
Bernie Collins married Ryan McGarva in June 2026, making her wedding one of the most high-profile events from the F1 broadcasting world that summer. She continues her Sky Sports F1 strategy analyst role across the 2026 season, appearing in both the commentary booth and on the grid.
Aston Martin commented on the wedding photos on social media, writing "Congratulations!", a warm gesture given Collins's five years with the squad.
Bernie Collins's net worth
Collins's finances are private. Multiple sources place her net worth in the range of £1–2 million, reflecting her broadcasting contracts and 13-plus years of engineering salaries. Some sites cite higher unverified figures.
Estimated sources of income:
- Sky Sports F1 presenter and analyst fees
- F1 TV analyst contract
- Engineering career at McLaren, Force India, Racing Point, and Aston Martin
- Book royalties from How to Win a Grand Prix (2024)
- Corporate speaking through the F1 community
Frequently asked questions about Bernie Collins
- Is Bernie Collins married? Yes. Collins married Ryan McGarva in June 2026 at Cabra Castle in County Cavan, Ireland.
- Who is Bernie Collins's husband? Ryan McGarva is a former Mercedes-AMG Petronas pit crew mechanic and founder of RDM Racetech.
- Is Bernie Collins in a relationship? Yes, she is married to Ryan McGarva, her long-term partner from the motorsport world.
- Why did Bernie leave Aston Martin? She left in mid-2022 for a better work-life balance. She cited the 23-race calendar and a post-COVID personal reset as the driving factors.
- What happened to Bernie Collins in F1? She moved from team engineering to broadcasting. She is now a strategy analyst for Sky Sports F1 and F1 TV following her departure from Aston Martin.
- How old is Bernie Collins? She was born around 1986–1987 and is approximately 39–40 years old in 2026.
- What is Bernie Collins's net worth? Estimates place her net worth between £1 million and £2 million. Her finances remain private and figures vary across sources.
- Does Bernie Collins have children? No children have been publicly reported.
From evaluating high-stakes pit lane strategies to breaking down races for millions on screen, Bernie Collins has built an extraordinary career. Her June 2026 wedding to Ryan McGarva marks a milestone moment off the track. Balancing broadcast success with personal fulfillment, Collins continues to inspire fans as one of motorsport’s most respected and versatile figures.
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