Formula One announces new collaboration with British Council

Formula 1 has announced a new collaboration with the British Council, with the partnership set to launch ‘Learning Sectors’, a new education programme to inspire young people around the world to get involved in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).

The year-long programme will start in January 2025, and will work with young people aged 7 to 16 in 700 schools across Brazil, India, South Africa, and the UK, reaching more than 130,000 students. In India, South Africa, and the UK, schools will team up with a counterpart in one of the other countries and students will work together on Formula 1 inspired STEM projects for the duration of the school term. In Brazil, schools will take part in separate coding-related activity to help students develop critical skills in science and technology.

The programme’s resources have been designed to be incorporated into the everyday classroom curriculum, so all students can participate in the activities. The British Council will work closely with its global network to support with the programme’s delivery and maximise impact. In turn, Formula 1 will utilise its network of engineers and other key professionals within the Paddock, to give students a better understanding of STEM subjects and bring the sport to life.

Learning Sectors is the latest education programme supported by Formula 1 as part of the sport’s wider commitment to inspiring the next generation and leaving a positive legacy.

Other initiatives include a formal partnership with Mission 44, a charity set up by Lewis Hamilton, to advocate for greater representation, diversity, and inclusion in motorsport to create meaningful change for young people facing social injustice through education, empowerment, and employment opportunities, and the Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship, which covers the entire tuition and living costs of undergraduates from underrepresented groups.

Reflecting on the announcement, F1's President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “Education forms the foundation of Formula 1. It is from the great minds of talented engineers, scientists, and mechanics that the sport has evolved to become the pinnacle of innovation and technology that it is today.

"Formula 1 is incredibly proud to launch the Learning Sectors programme alongside the British Council which will reach hundreds of thousands of children and young people across schools in Brazil, India, South Africa, and the UK. We look forward to bringing Formula 1 directly into the classroom and igniting a passion for STEM in the next generation.”

Speaking of the new initiative, Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council, said: “At the British Council, creating opportunities for young people has been at the heart of our mission for the last 90 years.

"We are delighted to be working with Formula 1 to help more young people develop the knowledge, skills, and passion for future careers in science, technology, and engineering. With almost three quarters of young people worldwide lacking the skills to thrive in future employment, it has never been more important to support them to build skills for the workplace and break down barriers to future careers.”