A record 68 teams will compete in the 2023 Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals ahead of this year’s FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2023. The record-breaking number of entries reflects Formula 1’s increasing global popularity among younger and diverse audiences.

F1 in Schools is a not-for-profit social enterprise which aims to improve educational opportunities in STEM subjects globally, as well as increase diversity in motorsport and engineering among underrepresented groups. Through global competition, F1 in Schools looks to change the perception of STEM-subjects, with students taking part in a multi-disciplinary challenge, where they must use CAD software to design, analyse, manufacture, test, and race miniature air-powered cars.

This year’s World Finals, supported by F1 Global Partners Aramco and Qatar Airways will take place between 10-13 September in Singapore.  Students aged 11-19 from around the world that have succeeded in school, regional and national contests will compete to be crowned world champions. In teams of three-to-six, they will use cars that they have designed and manufactured themselves to a comprehensive set of technical regulations using professional CAD software.

The 2023 Finals will also see the addition of the Halo device and a driver to the model cars, offering a fresh challenge to the teams and making their designs more closely reflective of the F1 cars on which they are based. Teams will also be able to take part in an optional challenge to develop a car with a nose that can be dismantled and replaced in the shortest possible time, mimicking the famous F1 pit stop.

A panel of expert judges, chaired by former Jordan and Jaguar F1 Technical Director Gary Anderson will determine this year’s winner, with the judges marking each team on project management, marketing, teamwork, innovation, and communication. Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft will once again host the World Finals award ceremony.

The increase in interest in F1 in Schools is reflective of Formula 1’s increased popularity amongst younger and diverse audiences. F1’s TV audience aged 12-17 saw the biggest increase in 2022 (49% year-on-year) * and F1 in Schools offers this age group the opportunity to engage in the sport whilst learning Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. In addition, 34% more women tuned in, echoing F1 in School’s push for diversity in its entries with a 60-40 split between male and female participants in the 2022 World Finals.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said:

“F1 in Schools is a great programme that feeds the passion for engineering and Formula 1 among students around the world. It is exciting to see a record number of entries for this year’s competition and I look forward to seeing the results and hopefully many of the competitors working in an F1 paddock in the future.”

Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools said:

“The 2023 Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals is set to be the biggest edition of our global STEM challenge to date. With F1’s growth and an increasing interest in STEM activities, we have been able to branch into new territories and that has been reflected in a record number of entries. We are eagerly anticipating the week of the Singapore Grand Prix to crown our new world champions.”