“I am delighted to be a patron of F1 in Schools for Ireland – the scheme gives many youngsters the opportunity to get a feel and appreciate the engineering complexities of top level motorsport”
- Eddie Jordan
Former Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan has become a patron in Ireland of the global F1 in Schools programme.
In the contest, school students from around the world design, build and race their own miniature, wooden F1 cars. The rapidly growing initiative is well supported by the F1 community.
“This is vital to encourage young potential engineers into the world of motorsport,” Eddie says. “It gives them the experience of working in a team in a competitive environment where all aspects of the business are considered – budgeting, engineering, marketing and sponsorship.
“F1 is an extremely competitive business to get into and this scheme can provide the opening for many budding engineers and designers – all for the benefit of the sport and industry.”
Irish finals
In Ireland, more than 100 teams are putting the final touches to their designs for the 2010 regional finals in March.
Current national champions Team Blink, from St Ailbes in Tipperary, will represent Ireland at the World Championships in Singapore next September.
Yas Marina Circuit
Richard Cregan, chief executive of Yas Marina Circuit, has also become a patron of F1 in Schools Ireland.
Richard began his career at Aer Lingus, then moved to Toyota where he enjoyed an illustrious management career spanning rallying and F1.
He now heads up the newly built and much-acclaimed Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
“I am sure that if I had been given the opportunity to take part in this type of competition when I was at school in Ireland I would certainly have enjoyed the challenge,” Richard says.
In Ireland F1 in Schools is supported by Discover Science & Engineering and organised by the Irish Computer Society.
Learn more
Find out more about the F1 in Schools initiative
View a news report from the City Channel on YouTube about F1 in Schools
