Aspiring Formula 1 engineers in the UAE were given a taste of life in the fast lane as they participated in an automotive competition at Yas Marina Circuit.

Students from across the emirates were asked to create their own F1 team and to design, build and race scale model cars.

The aspiring engineers had to work within strict design and budgetary limits to produce cars that were as powerful and aerodynamic as possible. They also marketed their projects, managed a budget, and tied up sponsorship deals.

Expert judges assessed the quality and performance of the cars and also looked at factors including team uniforms, design portfolios, verbal presentation skills and promotional pit displays.

Team Neutrino from Cambridge International School Dubai were crowned National Champions in the Professional category, with the Blu Comet Racing team from GEMS World Academy Dubai named champions in the Rookie category.

The winners will fly the flag for the UAE against hundreds of students from all over the world at next year’s F1 in Schools World Championship finals in Singapore.

Abdulla Al Shammari, community manager at Yas Marina Circuit, said: “This year’s National Finals was a bigger and better than ever with more schools competing from both private and public sector schools.

“All of the students who took part have been working towards this event for a long time and on the day they showed exceptional talent in conceptualizing, designing, and building both their teams and cars, not to mention racing against each other on the track.

“Each of the youngsters who took part have proved they have developed their science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, all of which will be of great importance after they graduate and start on their path toward a successful career.”