F1 in Schools

Pupils from The Manchester Grammar School have demonstrated outstanding engineering and project management skills in the prestigious F1 in Schools competition, with one team securing a coveted place in the UK National Finals.

Two Sixth Form teams—Mogul Motorsports and MGS Altitude—delivered remarkable performances at the F1 in Schools North West Regional Finals, held on Wednesday, 26th February 2025. This highly competitive STEM challenge, which mirrors Formula 1 in its intensity and demands, sees students from across the country design, build, and race miniature F1-style cars while also developing branding, marketing, and enterprise strategies.

Mogul Motorsports achieved an impressive 2^nd place overall, earning accolades for both the Fastest Car and Best Engineered Car, securing their place in the Lenovo F1 in Schools UK National Finals later this year. They will now compete against the top 60 teams in the country at the National Finals, scheduled to take place at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in late March. This event will determine the UK Champion, who will earn a prestigious place at the F1 in Schools World Finals, an event that attracts the most talented young engineers from around the globe.

Meanwhile, MGS Altitude put in a strong performance, securing 3^rd place overall and winning the Fastest Reaction Time award. Their efforts place them in contention for a wildcard entry to the National Finals, with the top two highest-scoring third-place teams across the country set to be selected for the competition.

Reflecting on their journey, members of Mogul Motorsports shared their experiences: "Our Formula 1 in Schools journey was far from perfect. It was a bumpy road all the way, filled with failure, resilience, and determination. So we want to first give a big thank you to the MGS Parents’ Society, who have donated an enormous amount of money to give us the best chance possible at success in F1."

"Mogul started in September 2023—it was the first year that the school enrolled in the prestigious F1 in Schools competition. None of us truly knew what we were getting into. We thought it would just be a fun engineering challenge—maybe something useful for our personal statements. We were just a group of friends taking a stab in the dark."

"Expectably, we came second to last at our regional final in 2023/24. We tried to reassure ourselves with excuses such as ‘We didn’t try,’ or ‘Other teams had more funding,’ but deep down we knew the truth. We had not given it our all. So in 2024, we came back wanting more, with a new mindset and fresh faces, determined to do better."

Highlighting the complexity of the competition, the team noted: "When people hear that the competition is ‘Formula 1,’ they think it is purely about engineering, perfecting aerodynamics, and getting the fastest car. However, this could not be more wrong. Out of 990 points available, only 390 points are directly involved with the result of our engineering. The rest are marked on brand identity, project management, a verbal presentation, and portfolio work."

The team successfully raised over £500 in sponsorship from companies such as Porsche, Arlingclose, and The Blair Project, helping them refine their design and marketing strategies. Their innovative car design incorporated aerodynamics that reduced resistive forces, enhancing speed—a crucial factor in securing their victories.

Describing the moment of triumph at the Regional Finals, they added: "On race day, we were filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. It was great fun meeting our fellow competitors and seeing months of hard work in action. After completing all our presentations, showcasing our pit display, and racing our car, it was time for the awards ceremony. We had spent the day surrounded by tough competitors and would not have been surprised to see them on the podium instead of us. It was a shock to not only be on the podium but also to win the ‘Best Engineered Car’ award and ‘Fastest Car’ too."

"Looking back on our journey, it has been one of perseverance and growth. We have gained invaluable skills that we will keep for life. Although our campaign did not start well, we have learned the invaluable lesson that hard work pays off. Now we are set on our next challenge—nationals, no matter how bumpy the road may be."

Members of MGS Altitude also reflected on their experience in the competition: "Throughout our year and a half being a part of Altitude, we have found both challenge and success, and learned valuable lessons that will carry us forward through university and future careers."

The team was founded in September 2023 by team leader Conor, after learning about the competition at another school’s open day. He was joined by Designer Engineer Maximo, Graphic Designer James, Design Engineer Ben, Testing Engineer ZJ, and Manufacturing Engineer Rueben.

With no prior experience in F1 in Schools, the team had to navigate a steep learning curve. Maximo refined his CAD (Computer-Aided Design) skills, ZJ familiarised himself with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software, and Conor researched project management techniques to ensure smooth team operations. Their efforts ultimately paid off with a much stronger performance in their second season.

The team highlighted the importance of both hard and soft skills gained through the competition: "Communication and coordination are vital skills, as no engineer can work alone. Collaborating on the long-term project of Altitude, with many complex deliverables, made this all our first proper experience of engineering."

Their improved pit display, superior build quality, and project management strategies contributed to their 3rd-place finish. With two wildcard spots available for the highest-scoring third-place teams, MGS Altitude remains in contention for a place at the National Finals.

The success of both teams marks a tremendous achievement for The Manchester Grammar School. Their dedication, resilience, and strategic approach to the competition have led to outstanding results—with Mogul Motorsports officially through to the National Finals and MGS Altitude hopeful for a wildcard entry.

Well done to both teams on their remarkable accomplishments, and best of luck to Mogul Motorsports as they prepare to compete at the National Finals in March!