A mini F1 car just 20cm long reached a top speed of 80 kilometres per hour — and it happened right on the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Designed by a team of students from India, this pocket-sized racer stunned everyone with its performance. Even more impressive? It was inspired by the shape and aerodynamics of an eagle.
The car was not part of a toy competition. It was part of the F1 in Schools global challenge, a worldwide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) competition that turns young students into real-world innovators.
What is the F1 in Schools Challenge?
The F1 in Schools challenge is a global competition where teams of students design, build, and race miniature Formula One cars. These are not remote-controlled cars — they run on CO₂ canisters and are tested for speed, design, and innovation.
Each car must follow strict rules, including size and weight limitations. The cars are then raced on a 20-metre-long track, often at speeds faster than most can imagine for something so small.
This year, Yas Marina Circuit hosted the F1 in Schools World Finals, bringing in top student teams from across the world.
The Indian Team Behind the Speed Machine
A team called Aquila, from India’s Narayana Group of Schools, designed the record-setting 20cm mini F1 car. Aquila means “eagle” in Latin — and that’s exactly what inspired the car’s shape and design. The team studied the body of an eagle to make the car as aerodynamic as possible.
“The eagle’s wing and body shape helped us understand airflow,” one of the team members explained. “We took that idea and applied it to the design of the car.”
And it worked. Their car not only passed all technical checks but also became one of the fastest in the finals, clocking an incredible 80kmph in testing.
Why Yas Marina Circuit Matters
Yas Marina Circuit is famous for hosting the final race of the Formula One season. It’s a symbol of speed, precision, and elite racing. For students, racing their designs on this iconic track is a dream come true.
The mini F1 cars were raced indoors at the venue, but still, the excitement was very real. A professional setup ensured that the experience felt just like a real F1 qualifying event.
The circuit also hosted learning sessions, workshops, and networking events for students, giving them a taste of the motorsports industry from multiple angles.
The Science Behind the Speed
Creating a mini F1 car that can reach 80kmph is no easy task. The car must be aerodynamic, lightweight, and strong enough to handle high acceleration.
The Aquila team used 3D design software and tested their designs using wind tunnel simulations. They also used a CNC machine to manufacture the body of the car, making sure every curve and edge helped improve speed.
To reduce drag, they even modified the front and rear wings — similar to how actual F1 engineers make changes to gain split-second advantages.
The car runs on a CO₂ canister that releases gas, pushing it forward at high speed along a straight track. Timing gates measure how fast it travels, and every fraction of a second counts.
More Than Just Racing — It’s About Innovation
The F1 in Schools competition is not just about building fast cars. Teams are judged on a wide range of areas:
- Engineering Design
- Team Identity and Branding
- Verbal Presentations
- Portfolio Work
- Sponsorship and Marketing Strategy
This makes it a complete learning experience that helps students build skills in engineering, communication, marketing, and teamwork.
For the Aquila team, designing the fastest car was only one part of their journey. They also created detailed portfolios, ran social media pages, and pitched their project like a startup to judges.
Global Reach, Real-World Impact
Over 17,000 schools from more than 50 countries participate in F1 in Schools each year. It’s one of the most widely recognised school-based STEM competitions in the world.
The winners often get scholarships to engineering universities or even internships with F1 teams. Some past participants now work with big racing names like Mercedes, Red Bull, or McLaren.
Even if students don’t end up in motorsports, they gain hands-on experience in fields like mechanical engineering, product design, and business development — all before finishing school.
Support from F1 Legends and Institutions
The event has backing from Formula One itself, as well as major companies in technology and education. Past winners have even received awards from F1 drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.
Yas Marina Circuit’s involvement this year made the event even more special. The track is managed by the Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM), which has focused on making motorsports more accessible and educational.
Mohamed Al Falasi, a representative from ADMM, said, “We are proud to support young minds who are building the future of engineering and motorsports.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers
For students in the UAE and beyond, this competition is more than a race. It’s a stepping stone toward careers in science and technology.
The event sparked interest from schools, universities, and even tech startups who came to see what the students had built. Parents, teachers, and officials were equally impressed.
One parent said, “I’ve never seen my child more passionate about learning. This event turned his curiosity into real-world skills.”
What’s Next for the Aquila Team?
With their mini F1 car hitting 80kmph and turning heads globally, the Aquila team now has big dreams. They’re already planning their next design and are hopeful to take part in future competitions — possibly even building tech used in actual motorsports one day.
They’ve also caught the attention of Indian tech universities and companies, which are now looking to support student innovation in engineering.
Conclusion: Small Car, Big Future
The story of the 20cm-long mini F1 car that hit 80kmph is about more than just speed. It’s about how young minds, given the right tools and inspiration, can achieve world-class feats. Inspired by the shape of an eagle and brought to life on the Yas Marina track, the Aquila team’s creation is a symbol of what education, creativity, and passion can achieve.
The F1 in Schools challenge is proving that the next generation of engineers, designers, and thinkers are already on the starting line — and racing ahead.
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