This week, Kingham Hill Cadets and Sixth Form Engineers had the unforgettable opportunity to experience cutting-edge technology and innovation at Williams Racing. At the headquarters, in Grove, Oxfordshire, pupils were treated to a guided museum tour and esports simulator session.
In the Heritage Museum, pupils admired the iconic cars that have delivered victories since Williams' first season as a constructor in 1978, right through to present day challengers. As the group handled various car components and appreciated the thought behind each element, the evolution of Formula One technology was explained by tour guide, Daniel. The group was even fortunate enough to examine the steering wheel from the car that took George Russel to the podium at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix!
In the esports lounge, pupils put their own racing skills to the test, competing across Abu Dhabi, Silverstone, Austria and Monaco — the impressive simulators require around half the pedal force of a genuine Formula One car. A competitive and growing industry, Williams Racing employs 30 professional esports drivers. Winners can be split by a tenth of a second!
From behind the wheel to the boardroom, pupils were tasked to build crumple zones for car nose cones. As a team of designers, mechanical engineers, finance managers and project managers, the groups designed, built, tested and refined their products from composite materials. Each team was required to adhere to size regulations and a budget of £100,000 for developing, manufacturing, and testing on the Williams Crash Test Rig. STEM Program Facilitator, Georgina, applauded the application of physics and maths throughout the task, and the confidence of pupils when presenting their protoypes.
The day provided a fantastic insight into the motorsport industry and career opportunities available to individuals who study STEM subjects. Whilst Third Form begin to carefully consider their GCSE options, pupils in the Sixth Form continue to explore their post-school pathways.
View photos from the day:
