F1 in Schools


F1 in Schools is an international STEM competition for school children, 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.
The cars have to follow extensive regulations, in a similar fashion to Formula 1. The cars are raced on a 20m long track with two lanes, to allow two cars to be raced simultaneously.
Software called F1 Virtual Wind Tunnel was designed specifically for the challenge. F1 Virtual Wind Tunnel or F1 VWT uses computational fluid dynamics to simulate air resistance on the "cars" made in the CAD.
The competition is currently operational in over 40 different countries. The competition was first introduced in the UK in 1999. The competition's aim is to introduce younger people to engineering in a more fun environment. 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: Professional Class aimed at 11-to-19-year olds; Development Class aimed at 11-to-19-year in their first year; and Entry Class aimed at 11-to-14-year olds.
, the F1 in Schools World Champions are Evolve, UK.
The F1 in Schools World Record was set in 2016 by the Australian team and is 0.916 seconds.
After safety issues concerning the use of extended canister chambers coupled with the Launch Energy Recovery System, the controversial device was banned globally from the 2017 World Finals season onwards, after being innovated in 2014 by Colossus F1.
Denford Ltd. unveiled a new track and timing system that debuted at the 2017 World Finals. All components are now manufactured in-house, resulting in a lower overall cost in comparison to the Pitsco produced track that it succeeds. The track's launching mechanism has had numerous reliability issues since its introduction.
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 and the car of the 2017 World Champions, Hyperdrive.

Aspects of the competition

Specifications judging
Specifications 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.
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 20-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 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. The rear wing cannot cover the rear wheels if seen from above.
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 from the right or left side and from the top. There is a 15mm long exclusion zone behind the width of the front wheels.
Car body
The cars have to incorporate a virtual cargo horizontal 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 feature side boxes large enough to hold the F1 in schools decal.

Participating countries

F1 in Schools is an internationally recognised competition with schools participating from the following countries:
AustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahrainBermuda
BrazilBruneiCanadaChinaCyprus
Czech RepublicEnglandFranceGermanyGreece
Hong KongIndiaItalyJapanJordan
KazakhstanKenyaKuwaitMalaysiaMexico
NetherlandsNew ZealandNigeriaNorthern IrelandNorway
OmanPeruPortugalQatarRepublic of Ireland
RussiaRomaniaSaudi ArabiaScotlandSingapore
SlovakiaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainThailand
United States of AmericaUnited Arab EmiratesVietnamWales

F1 in Schools World Final results

Generally, Regional/State 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 winning team receives the F1 in Schools World Championship Trophy as well as scholarships for engineering degrees at UCL, the University of Huddersfield and City, University of London. The World Final podium places and Best Engineered Car are outlined below.
Host CityWorld ChampionsSecond PlaceThird PlaceBest Engineered Car
2004
Coventry		 Turbo
Bloomsburg High School 		Flash
St Alban's College		 Thunder Down Under
Cheltenham Girls High School & Noosa District State High 		Thunder Down Under
Cheltenham Girls High & Noosa District State High School
2006
Birmingham		 Stingers
Trinity Grammar School 		Flash
St Alban's College		 Turbo
Bloomsburg High School 		Stingers
Trinity Grammar School
2007
Melbourne		 FUGA
Coleraine Academical Institution		 Lighting
Blairgowrie High School		 Mercurial Ace
SMK Convent Bukit Nanas		 Race A Roos
Wesley College Perth
2008
Kuala Lumpur		 Pulse
Devonport High School for Boys		 Goshawk
Trinity Christian School 		Impulse F1
Barker College 		Impulse F1
Barker College
2009
London		 The Koni Kats
St. David's Secondary School		 Redline Racing
Trinity Christian School 		/ AC Racing
Noosa District State High School & Miles MacDonell 		Redline Racing
Trinity Christian School
2010
Singapore		James Madison Middle School / Zer0.9
Pine Rivers State High School & The Indian High School, Dubai		 Aixtreme Racing
Einhard-Gymnasium Aachen		 Basilisk Performance
Sebastopol College
2011
Kuala Lumpur		 PentaGliders
Brooks High School
:de:Gymnasium Grootmoor|Gymnasium Grootmoor		 Unitus Racing
Southeast High School & James Madison Middle School 		PentaGliders
Brooks High School
2012
Abu Dhabi		 Cold Fusion
Brighton Secondary School 		Team Ignite Rush
Robert May's School		 Blazing Arrow
Woburn C.I. / SATEC
2013
Austin		 A1 Racing
Phoenix P-12 Community College & Pine Rivers State High School 		Allegiance Racing
Southeast High School 		Unlimited Acceleration
Lessing-Gymnasium Winnenden 		Bardahl Racing
St David's Holy Faith Secondary School
2014
Abu Dhabi		 Colossus F1
907.7 Points
Robert May's School		 Gamma Raycing
844.2 Points
Magdalene Catholic High School 		Boreas Racing
840.5 Points
Gymnasium An der Stenner Iserlohn 		Colossus F1
Robert May's School
2015
Singapore		/ Union Racing International
Alexander-von-Humboldt Gymnasium Greifswald & Lexington High School 		Mustangs Team AIB Racing Laminar Racing
2016
Austin		 Infinite Racing
852.3 Points
Mandoulides School		 Infinitude
837.8 Points
Brighton Secondary School & St Bede's College 		Endeavour
770.5 Points
Gymnasium Unterrieden Sindelfingen, Karl-Friedrich-Gymnasium & Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium 		Knight Hawks
The Indian High School, Dubai
2017
Kuala Lumpur		 Hyperdrive
906.7 Points
Trinity Grammar School		/ Aurora
887.5 Points
Brighton Secondary School & :de:Fichte-Gymnasium Hagen|Fichte-Gymnasium Hagen		 Pioneers
873.0 Points
Gymnasium Kronshagen		 Hyperdrive
Trinity Grammar School
2018
Singapore		 Horizon
878.4 Points
Brighton Secondary School 		CJJ AutoVinco
860.0 Points
St. Brigid's College		 Perspective
834.7 Points
Palmetto High School		 Horizon
Brighton Secondary School
2019
Abu Dhabi		 Evolve UK
855.5 Points
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School		 Fusion
826.8 Points
Gymnasium Unterrieden Sindelfingen		 Aflex Hose Centurion Racing
816.2 Points
Rishworth School		 Ascension
Mount View High School & Penrith Christian School

F1 in Schools in UK media

F1 in Schools has been featured in UK print media and on television.
The challenge has many supporters and sponsors which include the following: