Saudi Students Race to the Finish Line in F1 in Schools National Championship

Saudi Arabia’s brightest young minds showcased their engineering and innovation skills at the F1 in Schools National Championship finals.

Teams from Dhahran emerged victorious, claiming both the top and fourth-place finishes in the competition held at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) over the weekend. Shaheen from Dhahran secured the coveted national champion title, while Oryx, another Dhahran team, received the newly introduced fourth-place award. Rounding out the podium were Venture from Al-Ahsa (2nd place) and Clad from Riyadh (3rd place).

Global Competition Awaits

The winning teams will have the honor of representing Saudi Arabia at a global F1 in Schools competition held later this year within the Kingdom.

The F1 in Schools program is a global educational initiative that challenges students to design, construct, and race miniature Formula 1 cars. This year’s theme, “Overtake the Impossible,” encouraged students to push boundaries and showcase their creativity.

Ithra Fosters Young Talent

Maha Abdulhadi, head of F1 in Schools at Ithra, emphasized the program’s role in empowering young people. She highlighted the collaboration between Ithra and F1 in Schools, providing students with the knowledge and experience to develop skills necessary for a bright future.

Ithra’s Great Hall transformed into an F1 hub for the competition weekend, offering immersive experiences for visitors of all ages. Eight racing simulators allowed participants over 15 to experience the thrill of driving an F1 car, while a virtual reality experience provided a taste of high-speed racing action.

Celebrating Teamwork and Dedication

The ceremony not only celebrated the winning teams but also recognized the trainers and judges who traveled from around the world to contribute to the event. The dedication of local judges was also acknowledged.

Over the past six months, student teams from various schools worked together, developing car prototypes under the guidance of 38 professional mentors. The STEAM-based program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) encouraged participants to hone both technical and non-technical skills.

Students explored a broad range of subjects, from physics and aerodynamics to design, manufacturing, branding, and graphics. The program also emphasized important life skills, including marketing, leadership, social media usage, and financial planning.

Expanding the Program

This year saw an increase in participating cities, with Abha joining Dhahran, Al-Ahsa, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah. A total of 120 students divided into 20 teams participated in the competition. To showcase local culture, the ceremony featured a performance by folk dancers from each of the six represented cities.

Ithra’s partnership with F1 in Schools began in 2021. Since then, Ithra has spearheaded the national competition and established learning hubs across the Kingdom to support student training and development for the F1 challenge.

Girls in STEM

The competition saw a significant number of female participants, mirroring the trend observed in previous years. This year’s competition awarded prizes in 12 categories, including fastest car, best verbal presentation, and sustainability.

Reflecting Ithra’s commitment to recycling, workshops were held where participants created car molds using melted plastic bottle caps. Molds specifically designed for F1 in Schools projects were also made available throughout the week. A unique exhibit showcased a car constructed from 90% recycled or repurposed components, including water bottles, steel, and acrylic sheets.

Engaging Activities for All

A 10-day series of events ran alongside the competition, featuring interactive activities, workshops on paper car making and mixed reality experiences, and opportunities to meet with F1 experts.

David Howes, representing F1 in Schools, commended the event’s organization and the caliber of the competing teams. He highlighted the growth of the global F1 in Schools program and expressed his excitement about witnessing a world-class competition in Saudi Arabia.

Applications are now open for the next edition of the F1 in Schools National Championship. Interested students can apply through the Ithra website, which also provides a full schedule of ongoing activities related to the competition.