Williams Martini Racing and Randstad are on a mission to find young engineering talent to develop next-generation Formula One cars, that could perhaps be driven by Felipe Massa one day.

F1 in Schools, a non-profit organisation based in the UK, conducts an annual competition across 40 countries for aspiring engineers to build miniature racing cars, with this year’s world finals held in Singapore.

Eleven students from the shortlisted 25 this year got an opportunity to work with F1 mentors to build an engineering career through the Williams Randstad Engineering Academy (RWEA), announced at the award ceremony earlier this week.

The winning students are based in six countries:

• Ana Andrade (Portugal)
• George Britton & Maximilian Britton (US)
• Devansh Dhard (Germany)
• Aaron Hannon (Republic of Ireland)
• Peter Henderson & Freya King (Australia)
• William Mattar, James Rodger, Rachel Scott & Declan Southern (UK)

The RWEA is an e-learning programme applicable to school students uptil the completion of their university studies in engineering. It includes an essay-based project and coaching from engineers at Williams, apart from an opportunity to visit the Williams headquarters in the UK.

Williams and Randstad have been business partners for close to ten years, but this is the launch year for the Academy.

Claire Williams, deputy team principal at Williams, spoke to Human Resources: “Any race team that wants to be competitive has to have the best talent as part of its business, and this is a wonderful programme to find that next generation talent to have the best cars for the future.”

“It’s very exciting for us to see the talent coming in. This programme allows us to embrace the students at this level of education, rather than waiting till they graduate from university.”

Deb Loveridge, managing director APAC, Randstad, added: “Our part in this is to ensure the students go from education to being employable.”

“Through the Academy we will follow their academic capability and practical skills, but also support them with their CV, job interview skills, and identifying appropriate employers – designed to help them get the best opportunities.”

“There will only be a few who will go through to join Williams, but the rest would have had a journey that is rich, and they will qualify for roles in top firms around the world as a result of this experience.”

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For engineering talent in the region, Loveridge offered some advice: “What hasn’t changed about the job scene is that it is all about experiences, whether you are engaging in an opportunity through social media or face to face in an interview.”

She recommends that young talent avail all opportunities to network and meet people, “even if they don’t appear to be 100% in scope with what you’re looking for”, as it will serve well in the long-term.

Williams also had some top tips for those who want to work on an F1 car: “Work hard. Work hard with integrity. And, be passionate about what you do.”

All 11 finalists on stage. Also featuring Claire Williams, deputy team principal, Williams; Deb Loveridge, managing director APAC, Randstad; and Pat Symonds, chief technical officer at Williams (last three on right).

Lead image: Shutterstock