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At the forefront of motorsport engineering, Oxford Brookes University is shaping the next generation of race engineers through its distinguished Formula Student team, Oxford Brookes Racing (OBR). With an impressive track record of design accolades and a strong alumni presence in every Formula One team, the university stands out as a premier institution for aspiring engineers. This year’s competition, held at the iconic Silverstone circuit, promises to showcase the innovative spirit and technical prowess of its students.
A Hub of Engineering Excellence
On the Headington campus, over 100 dedicated students are immersed in the creation of a high-performance race car for the upcoming Formula Student competition. OBR is recognised as the leading Formula Student team in the UK, having garnered more design awards than any other university in the nation. Their consistent ranking among the top competitors in international events underscores their commitment to excellence and innovation.
The importance of this endeavour extends well beyond the immediate competition. With alumni now working across all major Formula One teams, success in this arena is a critical stepping stone for students seeking careers in a highly competitive field where prestigious engineering roles attract thousands of applicants.
Thomas Cawdery, a third-year motorsports technology student and team manager, emphasised the often-overlooked role of engineers in motorsport. “A lot of the coverage on TV is based around the drivers, but not really the actual engineers,” he noted. “This is what you don’t see in Formula One – the engineers who make it happen.”
Hands-On Experience in Cutting-Edge Engineering
The student-led team operates out of two dedicated buildings, where the atmosphere is charged with creativity and collaboration. In one workshop, students meticulously craft a carbon fibre chassis, while in another, the heat from high-performance computers fills the air as simulations run. This collaborative environment fosters a culture of learning, with students of various levels exchanging knowledge and skills.
While the power output of their vehicles is limited for safety reasons, the complexity of OBR’s designs rivals that of actual Formula One cars. Cawdery pointed out, “They’re the same if not more complex than Formula One cars.” Notably, their designs can incorporate features like torque vectoring, enabling each wheel to be powered independently for enhanced cornering capabilities and improved traction during inclement weather.
Promoting Diversity in Engineering
One of the standout aspects of OBR is its commitment to gender diversity within the engineering field. The team’s composition reflects a more balanced representation compared to the industry average, where female engineers constitute just over 10%. Emma Deery, a first-year mechanical engineering student, highlighted the supportive environment at Oxford Brookes, stating, “We have a lot more women and a lot of women in leadership roles. It’s really encouraging.”
The achievements of students in this programme have not gone unnoticed by industry experts. Ross Brawn, a renowned former team principal in Formula One, remarked on the significance of Formula Student as a platform for innovation, stating, “There are two really innovative forms of motorsport left: one of them is Formula One and the other one is Formula Student.”
Proximity to the Heart of Motorsport
Situated in an area known colloquially as ‘motorsports valley’, Oxford Brookes University benefits from its proximity to several Formula One teams, including Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes-AMG. This advantageous location allows students to conduct test runs at Silverstone during their lunch breaks, fostering a unique synergy between academic learning and professional practice. Sébastien Cavedon, OBR’s operations manager, shared his transformative experience, having moved from Switzerland to pursue a master’s in motorsport engineering. “It’s really life-changing being in a country where motorsport is a major focus,” he reflected.
As the OBR team prepares to compete for top honours this summer, their blend of creativity, technical skill, and collaborative spirit positions them well to make a significant impact within the motorsport community and beyond.
Why it Matters
The work being done at Oxford Brookes University is crucial not just for the students involved, but for the future of engineering within motorsport. By fostering a diverse and skilled workforce, the university is not only equipping its students with the tools to succeed in an ultra-competitive industry but is also helping to reshape the landscape of engineering. As these future leaders of motorsport emerge, they bring with them fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that could redefine the standards of excellence in Formula One and engineering as a whole.
