F1 in Schools

F1 in Schools Competition Track

F1 in Schools is an international STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) competition for school children (aged 11–18), in which groups of 3–6 students have to design and manufacture a miniature car out of the official F1 Model Block using CAD/CAM design tools. The cars are powered by CO₂ cartridges and are attached to a track by a nylon wire. They are timed from the moment they are launched to when they pass the finish line by a computer.^[1]

The cars have to follow extensive regulations, in a similar fashion to Formula 1 (e.g. the wheels of the car must be in contact with the track at all times). The cars are raced on a 20m long track with two lanes, to allow two cars to be raced simultaneously.^[2] Software called F1 Virtual Wind Tunnel was designed specifically for the challenge. F1 Virtual Wind Tunnel or F1 VWT uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate air resistance on the "cars" made in the CAD.^[3]

The competition is currently operational in over 40 different countries.^[4] The competition was first introduced in the UK in 1999.^[5] The competition's aim is to introduce younger people to engineering in a more fun environment.^[6] The competition is held annually, with Regional and National Finals. The overall winners of the National Finals are invited to compete at the World Finals, which are held at a different location each year, usually held in conjunction with a Formula One Grand Prix. In the UK competition; there are 3 classes of entry. Formula One Class aimed at 11-to-19 year olds, Rookie Class aimed at 11-to-15 year olds from new schools and The Jaguar Primary School Challenge aimed at 5-to-11 year olds.

The current F1 in Schools World Champions (as of 2018) are Horizon, Australia.

Union Racing International were the first team to beat the one second barrier and set a new World Record at the World Finals 2015 in Singapore of 0.977 seconds.^[7] However, one year later Infinitude from Australia broke the world record with a time of 0.916 seconds. The other teams to have broken the 1 second barrier were Infinite Racing from Greece, Fast Payce from Australia and Aeolus Racing from Greece.

After safety issues concerning the use of extended canister chambers coupled with the Launch Energy Recovery System (LERS), the controversial device was banned globally from the 2017 World Finals season onwards.

In 2018, the competition's logo was updated to incorporate Formula One's updated logo. Consequently, the Bernie Ecclestone World Champions trophy was replaced, with the new World Champions trophy incorporating the new logo.

Aspects of the competition

Specification judging Specification judging is a detailed inspection process where the race car is assessed for compliance with the F1 in Schools Technical Regulations. Scrutineering is conducted within the confines of parc fermé where judges use a series of specially manufactured gauges and accurate measuring tools to check the car's compliance.

All of the rules and regulations season can be found at F1 in Schools website.^[8]

Engineering judging The scheduled engineering judging interview session focuses on the application of CAD CAM analysis, CAD data organisation, orthographic drawing, 3D render and use of CNC machining. This is an informal interview where judges ask the team to demonstrate their CAD / CAM work and query teams on what they have done.

Portfolio & Pit Display Judging

Each team of students is required to produce an enterprise portfolio, engineering portfolio as well as a pit display. The portfolios are A3 size and should contain information about the team, their car design and manufacturing process, marketing techniques, project management, teamwork and team identity. Teams are given an area to set up a pit display which is judged alongside their design portfolio by a panel of judges.

Verbal presentation judging In advance of the competition, teams prepare a timed verbal presentation to present to a panel of judges, outlining their project. Teams usually use a PowerPoint presentation as a visual aid when presenting to the judges. The length of the verbal presentation varies depending on the level of the competition. At World Finals Level teams are required to prepare a 10-minute presentation.

Racing

Teams race their cars against each other on the official 25 metre F1 in Schools competition track. Points are awarded for reaction time racing as well as manual launch racing.

Defining car features

Although regulations vary from regional to national to world finals, the basic features, resembling a real F1 car, are consistent.

Front and rear wing

The cars have to include a front and a rear wing that does not cover the wheels if seen from the side or the top in the technical drawing. The front wing can not cover the wheels higher than 15mm relative to the track surface.

Cartridge chamber

The cars feature a chamber to hold the CO₂ cartridge. It has to be parallel to the track surface.

Wheels

The cars have to include four wheels with a given scope of width and radius that are in contact with the surface of the track at all times. The wheels must be entirely visible in the technical drawing from the right or left side and from the top. There is a 15mm long exclusion zone behind the width of the wheels.

Car body

The cars have to incorporate a virtual cargo hotizontal to the track surface in between the centre of the axis of the wheels. This renders many "catamaran" designs insufficient. Cars have to be symmetrical to a vertically oriented reference plane. Cars also have to feature side boxes big enough to hold the F1 in schools decal similar to Formula 1.

Participating countries

F1 in Schools is an internationally recognised competition with schools participating from the following countries:

F1 in Schools World Final results

Generally, Regional Champions are invited to compete at their country's National Final, with the in-country organising authority inviting other teams to the National Final through the use of wildcards. The National Champions are invited to represent their country at the World Finals. The in-country organiser is permitted to invite up to 3 other teams to the World Final, one of which is generally either an in-country or international collaboration team. The winner receives the crystal Bernie Ecclestone F1 in Schools World Trophy. The World Final podium places and Best Engineered Car are outlined below.

Host City	World Champions	Second Place	Third Place	Best Engineered Car
2018 Singapore	Horizon 878.4 Points Brighton Secondary School (SA)	CJJ AutoVinco 860.0 Points St. Brigid’s College	Perspective 834.7 Points Palmetto High School	Horizon Brighton Secondary School (SA)
2017 Kuala Lumpur	Hyperdrive 906.7 Points Trinity Grammar School	/ Aurora 887.5 Points Brighton Secondary School (SA) & Fichte-Gymnasium Hagen	Pioneers 873.0 Points Gymnasium Kronshagen	Hyperdrive Trinity Grammar School
2016 Austin	Infinite Racing 852.3 Points Mandoulides School	Infinitude 837.8 Points Brighton Secondary School (SA) & St Bede's College (VIC)	Endeavour 770.5 Points Gymnasium Unterrieden Sindelfingen (BW), Karl-Friedrich-Gymnasium (BW) & Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium (BW)	Knight Hawks The Indian High School, Dubai
2015 Singapore	/ Union Racing International Alexander-von-Humboldt Gymnasium Greifswald (MV) & Lexington High School (MA)	Mustangs	Team AIB Racing	Laminar Racing
2014 Abu Dhabi	Colossus F1 Robert May's School	Gamma Raycing Magdalene Catholic High School (NSW)	Boreas Racing Gymnasium An der Stenner Iserlohn (NRW)	Colossus F1 Robert May's School
2013 Austin	A1 Racing Phoenix P-12 Community College (VIC) & Pine Rivers State High School (QLD)	Allegiance Racing Southeast High School (FL)	Unlimited Acceleration Lessing-Gymnasium Winnenden (BW)	Bardahl Racing St David's Holy Faith Secondary School
2012 Abu Dhabi	Cold Fusion Brighton Secondary School (SA)	Team Ignite	Rush Robert May's School	Cold Fusion Brighton Secondary School (SA)
2011 Kuala Lumpur	PentaGliders Brooks High School (TAS)	BETAGREEN Gymnasium Grootmoor	Unitus Racing Southeast High School (FL) & James Madison Middle School (VA)	PentaGliders Brooks High School(TAS)
2010 Singapore	James Madison Middle School (VA)	/ Zer0.9 Pine Rivers State High School & The Indian High School, Dubai	Aixtreme Racing Einhard-Gymnasium Aachen	Basilisk Performance Sebastopol College (VIC)
2009 London[9]	The Koni Kats St. David's Secondary School	Redline Racing Trinity Christian School (ACT)	/ AC Racing Noosa District State High School (QLD) & Miles MacDonell (MB)	Redline Racing Trinity Christian School (ACT)
2008 Kuala Lumpur[10]	Pulse Devonport High School for Boys	Goshawk Trinity Christian School (ACT)	Impulse F1 Barker College (NSW)	Impulse F1 Barker College (NSW)
2007 Melbourne[11]	FUGA Coleraine Academical Institution	Lighting Blairgowrie High School	Mercurial Ace SMK Convent Bukit Nanas	Trinity College, Perth
2006 Birmingham[12]	Stingers Trinity Grammar School (VIC)	Flash St Alban's College	Turbo Bloomsburg High School (PA)	Stingers Trinity Grammar School (VIC)
2004 Coventry[13]	Turbo Bloomsburg High School (PA)	Flash St Alban's College	Thunder Down Under Cheltenham Girls High School (NSW) & Noosa District State High (QLD)	Thunder Down Under Cheltenham Girls High (NSW) & Noosa District State High School (QLD)

F1 in Schools in UK media

F1 in Schools has been featured in UK print media and on television.^[14]

2012 F1 in Schools feature on Sky Sports F1.^[15]

2005 F1 in Schools appeared in Newsround (13 January). The programme featured Mathew Hughes, from Welsh team "Atomic Jo's", explaining the F1 in Schools scheme.^[16] The interview was recorded at the UK National final in London 2005.

2004 F1 in Schools appeared on the BBC Politics Show (10 October), BBC Central News (3 October) and BBC Northern Ireland TV (7 January). An article on F1 in Schools was in the Education Guardian (6 January).

2003 F1 in Schools appeared on HTV News (11 December), BBC News Wales (11 December) and BBC 1 Newsround (10 January).

2002 F1 in Schools was reported by The Sun (27 November), RPM Motorsports (November) and appeared on Techno Games on BBC1 in March.

2001 F1 in Schools was reported by The Mirror (22 February) and appeared on Blue Peter in June.

Partners

The challenge has many supporters and sponsors which include the following:

• Airbus
• Bloodhound SSC
• City University London
• CREST Awards
• Denford Ltd.
• Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
• Edge Foundation
• FIA Women in Motorsport Commission
• Formula Student
• Jaguar
• Ranstad Williams Engineering Academy
• Silverstone Circuit
• The Institution of Engineering and Technology
• Tomorrow's Engineers

References

External links

• UK F1 in Schools Website
• Australian F1 In Schools Website
• German F1 in Schools Website
• French F1 in Schools Website
• Czech F1 in Schools Website
• Irish F1 in Schools Website
• United Arab Emirates F1 in Schools Website
• United States of Americas F1 in Schools Website
• South African F1 in Schools Website
• Singapore F1 in Schools Website
• ITV Article
• Newsround article
• BBC Article
• List of awards, challenges, event and courses related to D&T
• SST's article on F1 in Schools
• Australian news article (on the Today Program) on F1 in Schools
• Short article reporting on the F1 in Schools challenge
• Short article from Newsround summarising "Atomic Jo's" F1 experience
• A video on how F1 in Schools is being used to promote engineering in Australia
• F1 in Schools - Cairo American College