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Student Engineers Outpace Industry Norms
3 Apr
Summary
- Oxford Brookes Racing team designs complex race cars, similar to F1.
- Success in Formula Student leads to industry recruitment for engineers.
- The team boasts a better gender balance than the male-dominated F1 industry.
At Oxford Brookes University, over 100 students are actively engaged in designing and building a high-performance race car for the annual Formula Student competition. This prestigious team, Oxford Brookes Racing (OBR), is recognized for its numerous design awards and strong international performance, making it a key talent incubator for Formula One. The competition provides a platform for students to showcase their engineering prowess, bridging the gap between academic learning and professional industry expectations.
The OBR cars incorporate sophisticated technologies, comparable in complexity to Formula One vehicles, including torque vectoring for enhanced cornering. Beyond technical achievements, OBR is setting a precedent for gender diversity within motorsports engineering, a field typically dominated by men. This inclusive approach fosters a more equitable environment for women in engineering roles, with many holding leadership positions within the team. The university's location, within the 'motorsports valley' region, offers proximity to major F1 teams and suppliers, facilitating collaboration and real-world testing opportunities.
