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A group of twenty promising engineering students in the UK and Italy will become the latest recipients of the Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship over the course of 2024 and 2025, with the programme entering its fourth year.
A flagship initiative under F1’s wider education programme, the scholarships were founded in 2021 and provide crucial financial, academic, and career support for students from underrepresented backgrounds, whilst offering them an unrivalled insight into the motorsport industry.
The programme addresses some of the key barriers to higher education for these students, including the financial burden and accessing opportunities.
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The entire cost of the student’s tuition is covered, together with living expenses for the full duration of their degree, and scholars can access support that will set them up for their careers.
This includes work experience at one of the 10 F1 teams during their second year of study, as well as career workshops and mentoring.
To date, the scholarship has helped 30 students from partner universities across the UK and Italy, and will see 50 students in total supported through their studies by 2025.
The impact of the F1 Engineering Scholarship Programme
Earlier this year, F1 welcomed the current group of scholars to its Media & Technology Centre in Biggin Hill, where they toured the world-leading broadcast centre and received insightful career talks from leading engineers and production colleagues.
This year’s cohort are already students at Strathclyde University, Imperial University, The University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and The Motorvehicle University of Emilia-Romagna (MUNER), with their selection made against a number of criteria set out by the participating universities who consider applications from lower socio-economic and underrepresented groups, including women and people from minority ethnic groups.
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The Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship is one of several schemes designed to build a more diverse and inclusive sport by breaking down barriers and encouraging all people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or social background, to get involved.
“I am incredibly proud that the Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship has opened the door to F1 for a new wave of talented students with fresh ideas and a drive to take our sport forward,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
“F1 is a place for everyone, regardless of your background and it’s our job to create meaningful opportunities for underrepresented groups to achieve their dreams.
The Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship includes work experience at an F1 team, with all ten teams offering placements
“I hope the scheme serves as an example of our strong commitment to make the sport more diverse and inspires more intelligent young people to pursue a career in motorsport.”
Patrick Okedion, F1 Engineering Scholar at the University of Strathclyde since 2021, added: “The Formula 1 scholarship certainly enhanced my university experience. Right from first year, stationery, transport and food costs have not been a problem. This enabled me to focus on my studies and perform well in course work and exams as I was able to cut down my work shifts.
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“The highlight of the scholarship so far was my work placement last summer. Working in the Powertrain and Integration Department for Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 team was a crucial learning point for my motorsport experience.”
Spogmai Bibi, also an F1 Engineering Scholar at the University of Strathclyde since 2021, added: “This scholarship has opened my eyes to an entirely new field which I would never have imagined myself gaining the opportunity to be a part of at the beginning of my university journey.
“Being a Formula 1 scholar has truly been a tremendous blessing not only in terms of easing my financial burdens, but also in enriching both my academic and professional journey in a profound way.”
F1 Engineering Scholars Welcome Event
Sean Mata, F1 Engineering Scholar at the University of Oxford since 2021, said: "The F1 scholarship has completely transformed my university experience. Through the scheme I have met many amazing people; from the intelligent, creative, and inspiring colleagues I worked with at Haas, to my fellow network of scholars.
"The help this scholarship has provided me has given me the resources and confidence to pursue my desires and get the most out of my university education."
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"The principal benefit I’ve experienced thanks to the scholarship is the added time that gives me time to focus on my studies and extracurricular activities," added Katia Zykova, an F1 Engineering Scholar at Imperial University since 2023.
"Hearing from my fellow scholars and F1 staff during the welcome event at the Media & Technology Centre was really motivating and a great eye-opener. I am very grateful for the scholarship. It motivates me to work even harder towards my mechanical engineering goals and provides me with invaluable connections."
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