The 2012 F1 in Schools World Finals are to be held in Abu Dhabi from 29th October to 31st October to coincide with the nation’s fourth Grand Prix.

It is the eighth time that the prestigious event has taken place, and this year’s host could not be more fitting with the Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi as a very suitable back drop.

The F1 in Schools challenge was set-up in 1999, aiming to make the teaching of engineering and technology more exciting for young people. They aim to stimulate the notion of team work and creativity in a sporting context by making each team completely responsible for every aspect of the challenge. Each team develops a car on Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, which can then be tested for aerodynamic efficiency using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. Cars can then be built and tested for improvements in wind tunnels, before taking to the track for the final sprint.

In 2012 there will be 40 nations competing in the World Finals and each of the National Champions will be invited to compete in the grand finale at the Ferrari World theme park, with National runners-up also taking part by joining up with the runner-up from another country.

As well as displaying their innovativeness and engineering skills, team members will be able to witness Formula One cars up close; potentially acting as a stimuli to these skilled young engineers becoming the masterminds behind future World Champions.

“We are privileged to have the support of the Formula 1 fraternity and the Formula One Group, so it is only fitting that we showcase the F1 in Schools programme to them.  Hosting the event just before a Grand Prix also offers the students a chance to attend one of the most exciting, technologically innovative sporting events in the world, and as these participants have been living and breathing Formula 1 as they compete in the F1 in Schools challenge and prepare for the World Finals, it is a great opportunity for them to experience the reality of the sport,” said Andrew Denford, founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools.

Each team must create their own car to be showcased on a specially designed 20-metre track. They must also create a development portfolio and a verbal presentation to display the processes they used to create the fastest car possible. The World Finals winning team will be chosen by a panel of judges, receiving the coveted Bernie Ecclestone World Champions trophy and an automotive and motorsport engineering scholarship to City University London for each team member.