F1 in Schools: The Ultimate Dream for Young F1 Fanatics

F1 in Schools is an international competition in which students in a group of 3-6 design and develop a miniature car by using CAD and CAM technology tools. The competition currently takes place in about 34 countries and has expanded constantly ever since it first took place in the UK in1999. It is an annual competition where the winners of regional competition compete in the national finals of the member countries and the national winner competes in the international finals.

F1 in Schools is a nonprofit company which is established to provide an exciting and educational experience with the attracting appeal of Formula 1 to the young children. F1 in Schools is becoming a global educational program which is increasing Formula 1 awareness among the children between the age of 9-19 in every country and continent.

The objective of this unique educational programme is to increase the awareness of engineering, science and technology and to educate the young bloods about careers in Formula 1, science, marketing, and technology. This programme is developing an informed view about Formula 1 engineering among young students.

F1 in Schools: An Exciting Challenge for Students

F1 in Schools is the only global challenge for students between the ages of 9-19. In this championship each team develops its own miniature gas powered car model which is made from balsa wood. The team is also responsible for designing, analyzing and manufacturing the cars with the help of CAD and CAM software. Then comes testing of the models and racing.

Each team uses 3-D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software to design its car and the aerodynamics of the cars are analyzed in a virtual reality wind tunnel with the help of Computational Fluid Dynamics Software (CFD). The teams also use 3D CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) software in order to evaluate the machining strategy for the car. Aerodynamics of the car is tested in the wind tunnel or in the smoke tunnel.

Teams also raise funds and sponsorships and work their own budget. Students are encouraged to fund their research, travel and accommodation on their own or with the help of sponsors. The challenge to fund and accommodate everything on their own inspires students to learn physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership/teamwork, media skills and financial strategies. Students not only learn these skills but also apply them practically in an exciting way.

From the time when the F1 in Schools programme has started many students have realized their dream of working with the F1 teams and working in Formula 1. Matt Cruickshank, a 20 year-old student from Sydney, Australia realized his dream of working in Formula 1 when he got a one year long industrial placement with Red Bull Racing team after winning the 2008 edition of the programme. Cruickshank and his team represented Australia in the World Championship final in Malaysia. In the finals the team finished third and picked up the best-engineered car award.

20 year old Matt Cruickshank said,

“I wouldn’t have got this far without F1 in Schools. My experience in the program led me to secure a work placement at Red Bull Racing and I’m having the most amazing year with this world championship winning team.”

Matt Cruickshank began his journey from Barker College in Sydney, he was the part of the team which used space age engineering software technology. While talking to Formula1.com he said,

“F1 in Schools brought out the passion I had for motor sport and engineering. It also gave me a unique insight into F1 and taught me a lot about the industry which was vital when I applied for this job. F1 in Schools taught me general engineering skills, how to solve problems and showed me various ways to interpret rules and regulations and thinking outside the box. It also taught me a lot about how to work as a team to achieve goals which is important when working in industry.”

“One of the most important areas F1 in Schools helped me with was presentation skills. It gave me practical experience with presenting in public and having interviews, both of which are key skills to have when applying for jobs. When I was at school I always wanted to work in F1 but ultimately I saw it as a long term goal. I certainly never imagined working in F1 in my second year of university, let alone in one of the best teams in the paddock. It all came about in a very short period of time. If you had told me a year ago that I would be working for the world champions of Formula One I probably wouldn’t have believed you.”

Founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools Andrew Denford said that F1 in Schools has benefited the students who have taken part on it greatly. The students who take part in it end up directing their careers towards the right path just like Matt did. Denford also mentioned that he has been seeing a steady increase of the number of students coming into motorsports engineering across the globe to achieve their ambition.

Andrew said,

“As the F1 in Schools program develops and entrenches itself within industry and Schools, we are seeing more and more students benefit from taking part. Our ‘graduates’ have used the experience to direct their careers down a particular path, to win university places, to secure placements such as Matt has done and ultimately, to achieve their ambitions. I am sure we will see more students entering motorsport engineering and, in particular, Formula One, as a result of their participation in F1 in Schools, across the globe.”