Pirelli extends F1 in Schools partnership to Italy
During the championship, Pirelli track engineers often meet groups of students (Photo: Pirelli)
F1 in Schools is an international STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) competition for school students in which teams work together to design a miniature, compressed air-powered F1 car. The programme originated in the UK a quarter century ago and currently operates in more than 40 countries. Pirelli is a partner of the UK competition and has now announced becoming an Official Partner of F1 in Schools Italy.
The Italian series is now in its second year, bringing children closer to the world of Formula 1 from a technical point of view and stimulating their interest in a possible professional career in motorsport. Students design model cars using CAD systems and manufacture them with CNC machines and 3D printers. All these cars wear Pirelli-branded wheels as ‘standard’, with the edges customised to resemble the Pirelli P Zero tyres worn by real F1 cars.
As in F1 itself, the teams employ computational fluid dynamics software to virtually test their model’s aerodynamics and then later test it in a smoke-filled wind tunnel. The proof of the pudding is in the launching, however, with the models, fitted with compressed air cartridges, propelled down a 24-metre straight to determine the fastest design.
Opening new professional paths
Pirelli has set up online seminars that students will be able to follow in the coming weeks to better understand how tyres work in Formula 1. The seminars also share details of the data the Milan-based company’s engineers use to develop tyres for the world’s most prestigious championship.
“For years, Pirelli has been an enthusiastic supporter of projects aimed at informing the younger generation about the many opportunities that motorsport can offer,” says Mario Isola, head of motorsport at Pirelli. “During the championship, our track engineers often meet groups of young students who are interested in learning more about certain STEM subjects, also to consider a career in racing. By listening to the experiences of our team members, we hope that they can gain inspiration for what could be their professional future, in a stimulating and highly competitive environment that can be incredibly rewarding.”
Teams participating in F1 in Schools Italy, each consisting of a maximum of six students, face a qualifying round at the end of February. The top two shortlisted teams will later represent Italy at the World Finals in late 2025.
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