Grapevine: Brawn joins F1 in Schools project

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn is the latest big name to throw his weight behind the 'F1 in Schools' initiative

Following a successful launch in London earlier this week for the project, which acts as a global motorsport design challenge for school children, Brawn has now joined F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, technical directors Sam Michael and Mike Gascoyne and TV commentator James Allen in becoming a patron.

Speaking about his involvement, Brawn said: "My career in engineering started as a youngster because of an enthusiastic father and a Meccano set. 'F1 in Schools' takes the idea to another level and contributes enormously to the education and enjoyment of these young people.

"There is such a broad range of disciplines along with the need to be part of a team within a competitive environment. You can see the sheer enthusiasm they have and it is great that all this enthusiasm is channelled into engineering and Formula One. These are our engineers of the future and our future is engineering."

'F1 in Schools' is a technology and engineering challenge founded in 2000 in which teams of school children design, test and manufacture - using computer technology - miniature C02-powered Formula One cars, which are then raced at regional, national and international competitions.