Pirelli has become the official partner of the 2024 edition of F1 in Schools Italy, a competition where student teams collaborate to design compressed air-powered miniature F1 cars.
The Italian series, part of the global F1 in Schools championship, involves schools from 60 countries and aims to enhance students’ understanding of STEM subjects and their connection to Formula 1, and potentially inspire a career in motorsport.
The tire manufacturer will provide online seminars for students to delve deeper into Formula 1 tire mechanics and understand the data used by the company’s engineers in tire development for the championship.
Student-designed model cars, created using CAD systems and manufactured with CNC machines and 3D printers, feature ‘standard’ Pirelli-branded wheels that are customized with graphics resembling the Pirelli P Zero tires used in real F1 races.
Similar to real F1 car development, aerodynamics are simulated using computational fluid dynamics software and test designs in a wind tunnel filled with smoke before the models are launched down a 24m straight track, powered by compressed air cartridges, to determine the fastest design.
Mario Isola, head of motorsport at Pirelli, said, “During the championship, our track engineers often meet groups of young students who are interested in learning more about certain STEM subjects, also to consider a career in racing. By listening to the experiences of our team members, we hope that they can gain inspiration for what could be their professional future, in a stimulating and highly competitive environment that can be incredibly rewarding.”
F1 in Schools Italy, born from a collaboration between Innovation Farm and Dallara, will host a qualifying round at the end of February, with participating teams comprising a maximum of 6 students. The top two groups will eventually be able to represent their country at the World Finals at the end of 2025.
