F1 in Schools: The Main Straight

A familiar face alongside McLaren Formula 1 Team superstar Lando Norris on race weekends, Jose Manuel López García was the driver’s Performance Engineer for three years, before taking up a new role within the team at the start of 2024. Now Head of F1 Testing, Jose is responsible for the incredibly rigorous and complex assessments an F1 car must go through before it is considered race worthy; ensuring every component has been developed for optimal performance. And, in a sport in which milliseconds can make or break a Championship, the importance of advance preparation cannot be understated - which host Tom Deacon learns all about in this informative discussion with one of the best in the business, Jose.

In an incredibly exciting episode of The Main Straight, host Tom Deacon speaks with Sven Smeets, Sporting Director at one of the world’s leading F1 teams, Williams Racing. With an illustrious career history that spans three decades, Sven has experience across almost every aspect of the sport. Now responsible for the sporting governance and representation of the Williams Racing team, he is instrumental in supporting the drivers, as well as ensuring that the optimal culture, resources, and environment are in place to achieve success. In this illuminating discussion, Sven shares his invaluable advice on how F1 in Schools students can achieve their dream roles within the sport, the lessons he has learnt throughout his career, and provides an unmissable behind-the-scenes insight into his role within the iconic Williams Racing.

You may not have heard of computational fluid dynamics, CFD for short, or, if you’re currently competing in F1 in Schools, you might be a whiz in the field already, but whatever your skill level, this episode of The Main Straight is sure to be an interesting listen. Host Tom Deacon chats to the team at Ansys, the official CFD partner of F1 in Schools, to learn about the software that has transformed F1 teams’ ability to test a car's performance before it gets anywhere a racetrack. Enabling the simulation of variable factors such as air pressure, temperature, and turbulence, and for minute bodywork and component details to be examined and analysed for impact, F1 engineers are able to design with more precision than ever before - and it definitely shows, as Susan and Vishal of Ansys explain.

Being Chief Engineer for one of the best teams in F1 history sounds like a dream role for thousands of F1 in Schools students, and in this unmissable episode of The Main Straight, Tom Deacon speaks with the one and only Paul Monaghan - who you may also know as ‘Pedals’ - to find out just what it takes to achieve such phenomenal success. Covering everything from his career journey to the work involved in creating a car and team that delivers 21 wins in a single season, and providing invaluable insights into the steps aspiring engineers can take to follow in his path, this episode is a must-listen.

Hot on the heels of the release of the brand-new technical regulations for the Aramco F1 in Schools 2024 World Finals, host Tom Deacon catches up with with the fantastic Gary Anderson, Chair of Judges at F1 in Schools and former Jordan and Jaguar F1 Technical Director, and the team at Off the Track to discuss what’s new, what’s stayed the same, and what’s going to pose a challenge for competitors. So, if you’re set on making it to the global stage of F1 in Schools, this episode is not be missed - packed with insight, filled with information, and even including a few top tips, it’s definitely one for the must-listen list.

Each F1 in Schools car begins life as an idea in a students’ mind. The hard part? Bringing it into reality - taking that concept and converting it into a design that can be made, and raced. And that’s where computer aided design (CAD) comes into play. As the official CAD partner of F1 in Schools, Autodesk powers the designs of our future engineers and pioneers, with thousands of F1 in Schools students choosing Fusion 360 to create their cars every year. And in this special episode, host Tom Deacon catches up with Mike Westlake, Senior Manager GTM Strategy, and Donny Wong, Manufacturing Specialist (and F1 in Schools alum), to find out why. Fresh from overseeing the F1 in Schools activation at Autodesk University in Las Vegas, Mike and Donny discuss everything from the benefits of learning CAD at a young age, the role it plays in the competition, and the incredible things it makes possible in the world - whether that’s greener buildings, smarter products, or record-breaking cars.

In this exclusive collaboration episode, The Main Straight comes together with Off The Track to discuss everything that happened at the Aramco F1 in Schools 2023 World Finals! Featuring an exclusive interview with the newly-crowned World Champions, Recoil Racing, this episode provides a 360° look at the event from the perspective of a team, a judge, and the hosts themselves - makng it your one stop listen to catch up and deconstruct everything that happened in Singapore this September.

If you’re wondering what’s in store for Singapore, this episode of The Main Straight is for you. Covering everything you need to know about the Aramco F1 in Schools 2023 World Finals this September, host Tom Deacon chats to David Howes, Director of Communications & Events, and Nelson Vale, Head of International Operations to find out what’s coming up at this year’s event. Discussing the introduction of the halo, inaugural Nose Cone Challenge and optional new stopping system, this jam-packed episode also features a Q&A from listeners as Dave and Nelson share their thoughts on the questions you’re dying to know the answers to - such as, is there such a thing as having too many sponsors? How are the Rules & Regulations developed? And, of course, what are all-important afterparty plans? Listen now to find out. 

Ever wondered how F1 teams, composed of hundreds of people, achieve peak performance both on and off the track? How do they hit every milestone, stay within the cost caps, and avoid those game-changing milliseconds that can make or break a race? The answer is Project Management – the secret engine driving success in the fast-paced world of motorsport. In this episode, Tom Deacon dives deep into Project Management with Mitchell Fong, Board Chair of the Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF). Discover how F1 in Schools leverages PMIEF's mission to enable youth to realize their potential and transform lives through project management. Learn how the principles of project management are not just essential in racing but also invaluable life skills. Mitchell shares insights on how competitors can craft a winning strategy for the Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals, and what it truly takes to manage a successful project from start to finish. Tune in to understand the mechanics behind high-octane performance and get inspired by how mastering project management can lead to incredible achievements in future careers!

More than STEM, F1 in Schools creates careers in an incredible array of industries - and you’d be hard pressed to find a team that typifies this better than UK Competitors Unity. Competing in both the 2017 World Finals in Malaysia and 2018 World Finals in Singapore, they illustrated that different strengths and individual passions make for the strongest of teams, and the most diverse of careers. From securing roles in the Williams Academy to launching a tech start-up, each member has carved their own path, with the help of one shared passion - F1 in Schools.

In a thought-provoking discussion around the ever-increasing importance of sustainable thinking in motorsport, engineering, and education, host Tom Deacon speaks with the person leading the Sustainability Strategy of Formula 1® itself - Ellen Jones - and Erina Wan Zul, an F1® in Schools’ alum who now sits on the prestigious The Earth Prize Youth Board. Between these current and future drivers of change, we hear about the incredible work F1 is doing to make the sport green, clean, and accessible to all, and the ways in which the next generation of engineers looks set to make an impact on our planet and our people.

This week’s episode has a record-breaking number of guests as we speak to all six members of Hydron - our 2022 World Champions! Join us as we hear Will, Alastair, Ben, Alex, Tim, and Andrew discuss what it takes to reach that place on the podium; and the highs and lows they experienced on the way. From last-minute engineering changes and internal disputes, they tell host Tom Deacon about some of the behind-the-scenes dramas that happened on their journey to Silverstone, and the unwavering passion and incredible teamwork that got them there.

This month’s episode of The Main Straight is a special one. Why? Because our guest for episode 6 is the Head of R&D at Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team, Andrew Brown. Giving an unmissable insight into what goes on behind the scenes of a Formula 1 racing team, Andrew chats to host Tom Deacon about what it takes to engineer one of the world’s most powerful cars, the career journey that led him to the top of the motorsport industry, and the role F1 in Schools can play in helping you get there too. Tom also catches up with Max from F1 in Schools AKA PDC to hear about how the team is gearing up for this year’s incredible World Finals in Singapore.

In this months episode of The Main Straight, Tom chats to Frederique Trouvé. With a career spanning over 19 years within the FIA and a decade of her life spent dedicated to her role at F1 in Schools France, Frederique shares the reasons behind her love for running the competition in France and her passion to get more women to work in motorsports. Tom also reunites with his 2022 World Finals Co-host, Amy Martin to discuss her experiences with F1 in Schools as a woman and what the future brings for her as a result of getting involved. Don't forget to follow us on social media @F1inSchoolsHQ !

On episode 4 of The Main Straight, Tom dives into the imminent release of the 2023 technical regulations with Head of International Operations, Nelson Vale. Our Chair of Judges, Gary Anderson brings his unique perspective and vast motorsport experience to the table, giving us an in-depth look at his career in Formula 1 and what's to look forward to in the future engineering of F1 in Schools cars. We also talk about the next location for the ARAMCO F1 in Schools World Finals.  This is an episode you don't want to miss! Make sure to follow and tag us on social media @F1inschoolsHQ and let us know what you thought of this months episode of The Main Straight!

Coming at you with a mid month special recorded directly from the Lenovo F1 in Schools UK National Final 2022 at Autosport International. Tom takes a break from the show to focus on hosting the event, so Max takes the mic and gets all the gems from the teams along with exclusive interviews with ScarbsTech and Head of Research & Development for Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team, Andrew Brown.

Happy New Year! New year, new month and new episode! In episode 2 of The Main Straight, Tom interviews Scarborough UTC's Rob Shephard who has taken his teams to multiple National and World events. Rob tells us all about what its like to be a teacher involved with F1 in Schools and aims to inspire other teachers to get involved in the STEM challenge.

In our first podcast, Tom Deacon interviews Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools, about his journey in creating the most exciting STEM challenge. This will cover the entire 22-year journey that began in Brighouse, UK, and has seen F1 in Schools travel around the world providing opportunities for young people to showcase their STEM skills. Co-host, Max Fearnley discusses with Tom all things F1 in Schools and brings you the latest news from around the world.

F1® in Schools presents, The Main Straight! An exciting podcast hosted by comedian and F1 E-Sports Presenter, Tom Deacon. On the first Monday of every month Tom will be giving you the ins and outs of F1 in Schools around the world with each episode bringing you a special guest!