Sauber’s Kaltenborn joins F1 in Schools 26 Apr 2012
F1 in Schools, the Formula One technology challenge, has enlisted Sauber CEO Monisha Kaltenborn as the global educational initiative’s latest, high profile patron.
Kaltenborn joins an impressive roll call of F1 names which includes McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh, Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey, Caterham’s technical head Mike Gascoyne, and Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn.
“F1 in Schools is an excellent educational programme which is introducing students to the many disciplines needed for careers within motorsport, offering an exciting and practical competitive environment to learn key skills used in racing, particularly within the engineering sector,” commented Kaltenborn.
The first woman to head up the business operation of an F1 team when she was appointed in 2010, Kaltenborn is also involved in the FIA’s Women in Motorsport Commission (WMC) founded in April 2010 and headed by Michele Mouton. The WMC recently agreed to support F1 in Schools and will be presenting a trophy recognising female talent at the forthcoming 2012 F1 in Schools World Finals.
“As a member of the Women in Motorsports Commission, I’m delighted to see that the Commission is now collaborating with F1 in Schools,” added Kaltenborn. “I truly believe that this initiative will help to attract girls to be engaged in motorsports. I don’t see any reason why girls should not be successful there. What they need is the necessary level of support from their environment. I really hope to see a woman competing in Formula One in the future, fighting for victories.”
F1 in Schools aims to help change perceptions of engineering, science and technology by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Students are given a brief to design a model compressed air powered F1 car of the future using CAD/CAM. Cars are then manufactured on a CNC machine. Each team of between three and six students brings together their work to present to a judging panel with a verbal and written presentation to support their model car, which is raced on a specially designed test track.
For more information on F1 in Schools and to register to participate, see www.f1inschools.com.
