Aramco and F1 in Schools: inspiring a new generation of engineers

• F1 in Schools is a global not-for-profit education initiative that encourages students to embrace science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) 
• Aramco’s partnership with F1 in Schools is aligned with our efforts to promote STEM education
• The Formula 1-backed program offers students the chance to attain university scholarships and secure career opportunities with F1 teams

F1 in Schools is a global educational program that aims to raise awareness of STEM in school students through a competition to develop a miniature F1 car. Endorsed by Formula 1, the globally popular motorsport championship, and organized by UK-based company F1 in Schools Ltd, the main objective of the program is motivating students aged 9 to 19 years to develop a positive perception of STEM subjects and an informed view about careers in engineering.

The competition, which began in the year 2000 with just 8 schools in the UK, had grown to more than 1.8 million participants from 28,000 educational institutions, globally, taking part in its 2023 edition.

Partnering to inspire global youth

Since the 1940s, Aramco has been investing in training and development programs especially for young minds. As an extension of our long history of initiating and supporting educational programs, in 2020, we established a long-term partnership with F1 in Schools to become title sponsors of the F1 in Schools World Finals event, which is held at a different location annually, in conjunction with a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

 

 “At Aramco, we aim to accelerate the ability of young people to make a difference, enabling them to deliver solutions that help their communities make the next leap forward. Through our partnership with F1 in Schools, we are achieving new levels of engagement by connecting with young people around the globe.” 

 

 Nabil A. Nuaim
Aramco’s Senior Vice President of Digital & Information Technology

 

Design, build, test — and learn

To get started with F1 in Schools, students need to form a team of three to six competitors, with each individual taking ownership of a specific area, such as designing the car, manufacturing it, testing it, branding it, or even becoming the Team Principal.

They are provided with access to cutting-edge technology including advanced engineering design software, helping them gain proficiency in areas such as computational fluid dynamics, and finite element analysis, which is the use of calculations, models, and simulations to understand how an object behaves under various physical conditions.

Teams then use specialized design and manufacturing software to build and test their miniature F1 cars that are powered by a single compressed air cartridge containing 8 grams of pressurized gas. The real test for students is to use their own designs, materials, and manufacturing techniques to make their model cars unique.

Alongside this engineering work, teams also prepare business plans for building their miniature cars which include obtaining sponsorship for their projects, preferably by networking with local companies.

Once they have developed their car and wider project work, they are able to compete in F1 in Schools events, which begin at a local level, termed regional finals.

Racing to the finish line

At the F1 in Schools regional finals, teams are asked to put together an informative pit display showing their work through different stages of the project. Their cars are then evaluated by engineering experts on how they were manufactured and why a particular design was chosen. Mirroring the technical inspection of F1 cars, each miniature car is measured, weighed and checked against F1 in Schools technical regulations. Teams are also asked to make an oral presentation to evaluate their public speaking skills. And finally, students race their miniature cars on the racing track.

The top performing teams from the regional competitions progress to national competitions. National-level winners are then invited to compete at the annual F1 in Schools World Finals.

In 2023, 68 teams representing over 26 countries participated at the 18th Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals held in Singapore, making it the largest competition to date.

Teams that secure the top places at the Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals receive an array of prizes, from exclusive Grand Prix experiences where students gain a behind-the-scenes look at the garages of F1 teams, to scholarships with prestigious educational organizations such as University College London.

Beyond racing cars

The concept of F1 in Schools extends beyond racing cars and the global Grand Prix circuit.

“It is not just for F1 fans, but for any and all students interested in learning about STEM in an exciting environment. And though the program is primarily geared towards the promotion of STEM subjects and careers, it also teaches the participants important additional skills including project management, marketing, communication, and how to work in a team.”

Andrew Denford
F1 in Schools Founder and Chairman

While a number of former F1 in Schools participants are now working with Formula 1 teams in a number of rewarding roles, others are pursuing careers in scientific fields ranging from biogenetics to chemistry.

As the global stage provided by the F1 in Schools competition continues to showcase the most incredible STEM talent from across the world, Aramco remains committed to supporting the program — helping equip aspiring students with the tools they need to turn their ideas into reality.

_{The Aramco F1 in Schools 2024 World Finals will take place at Dhahran Expo on November 23 - 26. This will mark the first time the competition has been held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during F1 in Schools’ 24-year history.}