The official education challenge of F1 came to the Northwest this week as F1 in School hosted the area's regional final.
Taking place at the University of Bolton, the event was attended by over 75 students from across the region who formed teams of 3-6 to compete for a place In the F1 in Schools National Finals which will take place at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham in March.
Wilmslow High School triumphed the STEM-based competition which sees participants design, make, and race miniature F1 cars, alongside teaching wider skills such as project management, marketing, and sponsorship.
Developed to be accessible to all students, the F1 in Schools competition is segmented into different categories which are tailored to Key Stages of the national curriculum. These are Professional Class (KS4/5), Development Class (KS3/4), Entry Class (KS2), and Primary Class (KS1).
Exhausted Racing from Wilmslow High School, who took the top spot in Professional Class will now progress through to the national stage of the competition are Exhausted Racing from Wilmslow High School, followed by Spark from Cheadle Hulme School, who came in second. They will be joined Sonic, also from Cheadle Hulme School, who placed first in Development Class and REPPN Racing from Sandbach High School, who came second.
Surge Motorsport from Wilmslow High School also showcased their skills to take third spot in the Development Class, narrowly missing out on a place in the National Finals.
If these teams go on to achieve success at the national event in March, they will be in with a chance of competing at the Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals; the global stage of the competition which is held annually alongside an international F1 Grand Prix.
Yusuf, aged 17, Team Principal of Exhausted Racing, commented on their success at the event, "We're so excited to be through to the National Finals! We've had so much fun getting to this point and can't wait to continue working on our car and project work to be in the best possible position for the next stage of the competition."
Tom Milner, UK Project Manager for F1 in Schools, added: "All the teams at the Northwest Regional Final have been brilliant. They've worked so hard, and it really shows in the cars that have been on the track today. Our winning teams definitely faced some stiff competition, so they performed fantastically to take the top spots and progress to the National Finals – we can't wait to see how they do at the event in March!"
