F1 launches global education programme ‘Learning Sectors’ with British Council

As a sport with a foundation in engineering, technology and innovation, Formula 1 is on a mission to encourage young people to consider subjects that can lead to a career in motorsport – and today, in collaboration with the British Council, it is launching ‘Learning Sectors’, a new education programme to inspire young people around the world to get involved in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

The year-long programme – starting in January 2025 – will work with young people aged seven to 16 in 700 schools across Brazil, India, South Africa and the UK, reaching more than 130,000 students.

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In India, South Africa and the UK, schools will team up with a counterpart in one of the other countries and students will work together on Formula 1-inspired STEM projects for the duration of the school term. In Brazil, schools will take part in separate coding-related activity to help students develop critical skills in science and technology.

The programme’s resources have been designed to be incorporated into the everyday classroom curriculum, so all students can participate in the activities. The British Council will work closely with its global network to support with the programme’s delivery and maximise impact. In turn, Formula 1 will utilise its network of engineers and other key professionals within the paddock, to give students a better understanding of STEM subjects and bring the sport to life.

To launch the programme, a special event took place in Brazil ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix where local students, teachers and government officials received a special behind-the-scenes experience, visiting the circuit and meeting with drivers and professionals from across the sport. They also received special tours of the paddock and pit lane.

As the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities, the British Council has delivered meaningful education programmes around the world for 90 years. Learning Sectors will foster strong international connections between the participating schools and give students the opportunity to learn about different cultures and collaborate with their peers across borders.

Learning Sectors is the latest education programme supported by Formula 1 as part of the sport’s wider commitment to inspiring the next generation and leaving a positive legacy.

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Other initiatives include a formal partnership with Mission 44, a charity set up by Lewis Hamilton, to advocate for greater representation, diversity and inclusion in motorsport to create meaningful change for young people facing social injustice through education, empowerment, and employment opportunities, and the Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship, which covers the entire tuition and living costs of undergraduates from underrepresented groups.

To date, it has supported 30 students since its launch in 2021 and will support 50 in total by 2025. Additionally, more than 400 UK secondary school students have taken part in Formula 1’s STEM Challenge Days workshops, which sees experts from across the sport come together to get students excited about STEM subjects and show them how they are applied in a motorsport career.

Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1, said: “Education forms the foundation of Formula 1. It is from the great minds of talented engineers, scientists and mechanics that the sport has evolved to become the pinnacle of innovation and technology that it is today.

“Formula 1 is incredibly proud to launch the Learning Sectors programme alongside the British Council, which will reach hundreds of thousands of children and young people across schools in Brazil, India, South Africa and the UK. We look forward to bringing Formula 1 directly into the classroom and igniting a passion for STEM in the next generation.”

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Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council, commented: “At the British Council, creating opportunities for young people has been at the heart of our mission for the last 90 years. We are delighted to be working with Formula 1 to help more young people develop the knowledge, skills and passion for future careers in science, technology and engineering.

“With almost three quarters of young people worldwide lacking the skills to thrive in future employment, it has never been more important to support them to build skills for the workplace and break down barriers to future careers.” 

Registration for the 2025 programme is now open.