A golden ticket – how STEM Racing continues to prepare students for a career in engineering

“I’ve always been passionate about engineering, always loved the smell of engineering” – that, in a nutshell, is at the heart of why Andrew Denford launched a not-for-profit STEM competition for students that has now flourished into a worldwide programme and retains the support of Formula 1.

2024 was a big year for the project, as it celebrated 25 years while also rebranding from F1 in Schools to STEM Racing, supported by Formula 1 and at the same time reaching 29,000 schools across 64 countries, while continuing to count on the support of all 10 teams on the grid.

Students are tasked with creating their own version of an F1 team, working together, and assigning roles and responsibilities for specific areas – such as design, manufacturing and branding.

Once developed, the teams compete in STEM Racing events as well as presenting their effort to a team of judges, which in the past has included members of F1 teams.

“I’m really proud of how we bring Formula 1 into the classroom,” Denford told Autosport.

“Our free resources make it easy for teachers to use and ensure every student has the opportunity to get involved. It’s all about making STEM exciting, accessible, and showing how it connects to the real-world innovation and teamwork in F1.”

STEM Racing, Supported by F1

Photo by: Liberty Media

The events starts out at a regional level, before progressing to national events and eventually, the best of the best compete against other countries at the World Finals

In 2024, the World Finals were held in Saudi Arabia, supported by Aramco and, with a special appearance by Fernando Alonso, the event inspired students and showcased the programme’s global reach and impact.

“In interviews, having STEM Racing on your CV is almost a golden ticket through to the next stage of the process,” said Denford.

“I set it up because I am an engineer. I did an apprenticeship after messing up my A-Levels, went to Huddersfield Polytechnic and realised nobody in my year wanted to be an engineer – there was a massive shortage.

“It was founded due to a gap in the education around engineering and creating that narrative. Obviously, it’s been around for 25 years now, and back when it was founded, STEM wasn’t really on the radar, it was a big gap in the UK education system.

“I love anything about engineering and machine shops and so we set up, what was then the Jaguar F1 Team in Schools as a not-for-profit – but it was hell on earth to begin with, I can’t even begin to tell the family how tough it was in the first six or seven years, it was sleepless night stuff.”

It turned out the knight in shining armour that Denford required was then-F1 commercial rights holder and all-round shrewd operator, Bernie Ecclestone.

“Once we got Bernie in, he got the teams involved,” explained Denford. “I met all the team principals and then suggested we got trophies, goodie bags and factory and garage tours for winners – and they all came on board.”

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin

Photo by: Liberty Media

Now known as STEM Racing, supported by F1, the programme is setting itself up to show it will continue to develop students in the future.

“The name change is something that we’ve embraced as a business, because we are a non-profit organisation separate to Formula 1,” added Denford.

“Although we’ve been around for 25 years, and we are a name that all the teams support, they actually see the association with Formula 1 as, I guess, a financial one.

“So I think this new era for us is one that will distinguish us completely as a separate non-profit organisation, and while we still will harness the full support from Formula 1 and all the F1 teams, that distinction is one that I think is important to draw, because we are a non-profit, and what we do is benefiting students.”

President of Motorsport business James Allen, who chaired the judging panel for the Pioneering and Innovation Award and is a patron of STEM Racing in F1, has been closer than most to the programme over the years.

“For over 20 years F1 in Schools has been an amazing project,” he said. “Prior to the takeover of F1 by Liberty Media, it was effectively F1’s CSR strategy, helping youngsters to engage with F1 and encouraging girls to consider STEM subjects and engineering careers.

“It has touched the lives of millions of children worldwide, some of whom have gone on to work in the sport. As it now rebrands to STEM Racing, the series goes from strength to strength.”