Sutton Park students have the formula 

FOUR Northside students are heading to Singapore this week to take part in an international competition.

Omar Salem (17), Tim Farrelly (17), David Deneher (17) and Lucy Quinn, 18, from Sutton, will be taking part in the F1 in Schools World Finals (September 9-12).

F1 in Schools challenges students to create their own Formula 1 team which is commissioned to design, construct and race the fastest miniature Formula 1 Car of the Future, a 21cm long race car built from the F1 in Schools modelling block and powered by a compressed air cylinder. 

At the World Finals each team brings along a pit display, their cars and a written portfolio, as well as having prepared a verbal presentation for the judges. Each team will race their car on the official F1 in Schools track. 

The title brings with it scholarships for top UK universities and a VIP trip to the 2018 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, including paddock access. The World Finals will feature the top 50 teams from 22 countries. 

The team from Sutton Park School, ‘Fm-1 Racing’, will be putting their bespoke design of F1 in Schools race car to the test.

They have put in thousands of hours of work to be ready for the ultimate challenge of pitting their car against the best from across the globe.  

Team manager Omar Salem said: “Our motivation, dedication, innovation and ability to learn from our mistakes is what stands us out from our competitors. 

“Our team understands that with enough commitment and hard work, we can achieve anything. 

“Our biggest challenge in this competition is trying to improve the standard of our car and team from one of Ireland's finest to one of the world's finest. “We've only just begun our journey from the bottom to the top.”

Omar said they are really excited about the prospect of meeting the other teams from around the world. 

“We all come from different backgrounds but we all share the same interests, goals and dreams,” he said. 

“We can't wait to see how different teams took on the challenge and to see how our car sizes up to the rest.

“F1 in Schools has changed the way we see the world, from learning how design and manufacturing processes work, to becoming part of a wider industry of technology and design through our online presence.”

Andrew Denford, F1 in Schools founder and chairman, pioneered the competition to engage students in the key STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects and with the power of the Formula 1 sport, open their eyes to the myriad of career opportunities that STEM offers. 

“The World Finals is the pinnacle of F1 in Schools and is the goal for many of the students who compete,” said Mr Denford.

“Not only is it a prestigious competition, the students are given a memorable visit, this year to the beautiful country of Singapore, and will share experiences that are educational and inspirational. 

“I have no doubt that all the students will have worked extremely hard to present highly professional F1 in Schools teams and showcase their skills to the world. 

“It will be a fantastic event next month and I wish all the students a safe trip to Singapore.”