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Over 200 students from 34 school teams from across the UAE are set to go head to head at the F1 in Schools National Championship this upcoming Sunday, 6th May at Yas Marina Circuit. The F1 in Schools programme, which aims to introduce engineering into the classroom through the excitement of F1 racing, has seen widespread success in the UAE with over 1300 students participating in the programme since it began locally in 2010.
The upcoming national championship will see student teams compete in a series of challenges that include designing, building and racing small-scale F1 cars. In addition to design and engineering, the F1 in Schools programme also sees students gain skills and experience in marketing and entrepreneurship as they are also tasked with, and judged on marketing their project and securing sponsorships.
Up for grabs at the national finals will be the title of UAE Champions and an invitation to represent the UAE at the world championship later this year. The team placing second will also have the opportunity to compete at the international level at the world championship by forming a collaboration team with another 2nd place team from another country.
Richard Cregan, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit said that the F1 in Schools championship is not only about developing the UAE’s next generation of motorsport fans but also its next generation of engineering, technology and design professionals: “F1 in Schools takes young people out of the classroom and into a fun hands-on learning environment where they can learn about engineering, design, science and technology through the excitement of F1 racing.”
“Judging from the impressive line-up of student teams, it’s clear that UAE schools and students have embraced F1 in Schools enthusiastically. This Sunday’s championship is bound to be an exciting one.”
Among the teams competing in the national championship on Sunday are the Racing Divas from JESS Jumeirah in Dubai. The team, managed and coached by teacher Rick McIntyre, are among one of three all-girls teams to compete.
“Since enrolling in the F1 in Schools programme, we’ve seen a dramatic shift in how our students, and in particular our female students, view science and engineering,” said Mr. McIntyre. “Team Racing Divas have been working very hard in preparation for the national finals on Sunday and we’re very positive about our chances.”
Since the program began in 2010, Yas Marina Circuit has worked closely with Mubadala, a major sponsor of F1 in Schools UAE to promote and support the program. Amina Taher, Head of Community Engagement at Mubadala, said that Mubadala’s sponsorship of F1 in Schools stems from the company’s socio-economic mandate of diversifying the Emirate’s economy and workforce: “Through fostering a greater appreciation for engineering, science and technology amongst the nation’s youth within programs like F1 in Schools, we’re equipping future leaders with the key life and management skills that will help them champion Abu Dhabi’s beating business and sustain new industries.”
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