Whittle Wonders team top podium at F1 final

The Whittle Wonders, made up of Ed Pirtnieks, Robin Turner, Jonathon Taylor, Sam Bayliss and Harry Guest, did the famous jet engine inventor after which their team was named proud when they won the Rookie Class Award at the F1 in Schools UK National Finals last month.

Throughout the competition the team got a taste of what it is like to be part of a Formula 1 racing team by designing, building and then racing a model car.

Andrew Denford, chairman and founder of F1 in Schools, said: “It has been very rewarding to see the standards achieved by the students.

“This year we have continued to see the ever-increasing standards of work presented by the teams.

“And this has been right across the board, from the engineering approach, the research and design employed, the quality of the written portfolio and pit display, as well as the team’s verbal presentations given to the judging panel, which is probably one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the competition.

“The learning experience of F1 in Schools is almost unnoticed by the students as their enthusiasm and motivation to produce the best entry possible takes over.

“It is only when they reach this stage and reflect on their work that they realise how their skills have improved, whether that is confidence, 3D computer modelling expertise, leadership, time management, or knowledge and understanding of the STEM subjects which the programme is based around.”

The team, who had already won three awards for innovative thinking, fastest car and best rookie team at the Central Regional Final at Loughborough University in February, were presented with a trophy and tickets to the British Grand Prix.