While the F1 season may just be warming up for another year, the pressure was very much on for the regional west final of the F1 in Schools and STEM programme, held at Bicester Motion which saw 110 children, and teams with participants ages ranging from nine to 14-years-old, from around London attend the event.

The F1 in Schools and STEM programme is developed to introduce students to STEM careers, with teams assuming different roles and project managing the delivery and race of a miniature F1 car. Motorsport UK’s Girls on Track UK programme is a partner for the UK-wide initiative.

The event was judged by volunteers, all with careers within the motorsport and automotive industries, with entries judged across a range of categories from marketing and design to quality of verbal presentation and the fastest car.

Nelson Vale, Director of International Operations, F1 in Schools and STEM, comments “The regional west final is one of the steps where the students compete in the UK season, trying to get a pathway to the national competition. These students have to design, analyse, make and then test and race a miniature Formula 1 car, while also creating a team identity and simulate job roles. From marketing to design, to physics and maths, everything is applied to the competition. The team with the greatest number of points overall is recognised with the podium place, ultimately, they are trying to reach the national final to compete against even more teams – all with the team of reaching the world finals.”

Lawrence Vynes, an engineering student at UCL and previous participant in the F1 in Schools, credits the programme for his choice of studies and opportunities he has received at Williams as part of the Williams Engineering Academy, “I started taking part in F1 in Schools when I was in Year 11 at school. I was a massive fan of F1, and it was a great way for me to pick up experience in areas such as 3D design.”

Jenny Fletcher, Girls on Track UK Programme Manager adds, “Formula 1 in Schools – STEM Challenge introduces children from primary school upwards to the world of F1, through activities that are designed to trial and test their competencies through the creation of their very own race team. It was a pleasure to host them here at our Bicester Motion home and have Motorsport UK colleagues take part in the judging process.”