Abu Dhabi: Yas Marina Circuit has acquired the United Arab Emirates franchise for F1 in Schools, the world's leading multi-disciplinary challenge for nine to 19-year-old students.
The circuit will host an invitational national final of the competition in early June, which will see a UAE school team attempt to qualify for the 2010 World Championships in Singapore in September.
F1 in Schools challenges students to use software to design, build and race a miniature Formula 1 car made from balsa wood and powered by a single compressed air cylinder. Working in teams of three to six, the students must also prepare a business plan, develop a marketing strategy and make a presentation to a panel of judges.
Teams get points for aspects of their project and the overall winners will receive the Bernie Ecclestone F1 in Schools World Championship trophy at the finals. Members of the winning team will also receive a four-year university scholarship.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of Yas Marina Circuit, said: "...It gives UAE [school] students a genuine opportunity not only to design and create a car but also to develop an understanding of teamwork, organisation, business and finance. It is an example of how Yas Marina Circuit is becoming both a global centre of motorsport excellence and an integral part of the community year-round."
