Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes (3rd from right) with the Malaysian students.
LONDON, 23 SEPTEMBER 2009 – Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes, founder of AirAsia and the Team Principal of Malaysia’s first Formula One racing team, Lotus F1, recently witnessed the prestigious F1 in Schools global competition in London, the same event visited by F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.
F1 in Schools is an international competition that challenges high school students to build gas-powered F1 model cars and race them in a competition. The competition involves the display and use of highly complex design, engineering and graphics skills.
Fernandes said, “I am delighted to witness firsthand the amazing work of Malaysian students who were among the teams to win medals. The sheer complexity of the design and engineering process has shown me that building F1 cars in Malaysia is a reality. Our creation of a Malaysia F1 team is all about giving our youth the chance to be the leading engineers of tomorrow. I am so proud to see such talent on display at this competition. Our F1 dream will be open to all Malaysian youths.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Denford, Founder of F1 in Schools, said, “As a global educational initiative, F1 in Schools aims to develop the next generation of engineers through the magnetic appeal of Formula One. Tony’s ambitions for the Malaysia-based F1 are to be congratulated and I’m sure his initiatives will be the foundation for a very successful Formula One industry in the country. In Malaysia, F1 in Schools has the support of the government, which recognizes the important role the program plays in encouraging students to consider engineering as a career and to developing the talent needed by the industry. Tony’s development of a Formula One base in Malaysia will create a demand for top level engineering skills, and I’m sure the F1 in Schools program will help to deliver the personnel needed for its successful future.”
FACT & FIGURES:
- F1 in Schools is the only global multi-disciplinary challenge for students aged 11 to 19.
- The founding constitution of F1 in Schools stipulates that it is, and shall remain, a not-for-profit organisation. Based in London and supported by the IET, funds are raised through sponsorship and invested in administering, developing and expanding the challenge.
- F1 in Schools challenges students to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race their miniature F1 car made from balsa wood and powered by compressed air cylinders.
- Working in teams of between three and six, each student is assigned roles. Aside from designing, creating and racing a model car, the team prepares a business plan, develops a marketing campaign and presents a portfolio of their entry.
- The challenge inspires students to use IT to learn about physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategy, and apply them in a practical, imaginative, competitive and exciting way.
F1 in Schools is an international competition that challenges high school students to build gas-powered F1 model cars and race them in a competition. The competition involves the display and use of highly complex design, engineering and graphics skills.
Fernandes said, “I am delighted to witness firsthand the amazing work of Malaysian students who were among the teams to win medals. The sheer complexity of the design and engineering process has shown me that building F1 cars in Malaysia is a reality. Our creation of a Malaysia F1 team is all about giving our youth the chance to be the leading engineers of tomorrow. I am so proud to see such talent on display at this competition. Our F1 dream will be open to all Malaysian youths.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Denford, Founder of F1 in Schools, said, “As a global educational initiative, F1 in Schools aims to develop the next generation of engineers through the magnetic appeal of Formula One. Tony’s ambitions for the Malaysia-based F1 are to be congratulated and I’m sure his initiatives will be the foundation for a very successful Formula One industry in the country. In Malaysia, F1 in Schools has the support of the government, which recognizes the important role the program plays in encouraging students to consider engineering as a career and to developing the talent needed by the industry. Tony’s development of a Formula One base in Malaysia will create a demand for top level engineering skills, and I’m sure the F1 in Schools program will help to deliver the personnel needed for its successful future.”
FACT & FIGURES:
- F1 in Schools is the only global multi-disciplinary challenge for students aged 11 to 19.
- The founding constitution of F1 in Schools stipulates that it is, and shall remain, a not-for-profit organisation. Based in London and supported by the IET, funds are raised through sponsorship and invested in administering, developing and expanding the challenge.
- F1 in Schools challenges students to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race their miniature F1 car made from balsa wood and powered by compressed air cylinders.
- Working in teams of between three and six, each student is assigned roles. Aside from designing, creating and racing a model car, the team prepares a business plan, develops a marketing campaign and presents a portfolio of their entry.
- The challenge inspires students to use IT to learn about physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategy, and apply them in a practical, imaginative, competitive and exciting way.
