A Formula One education program was launched in Shanghai on Wednesday, inspiring China's younger generations to pursue careers in fields related to motorsports through immersive STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities that featured technical exhibitions, demonstrations and discussions centered around F1 racing and innovative pathways towards a cleaner future.

Students experience the thrill of racing firsthand by driving go-karts during the "Make A Mark" initiative in Shanghai, April 17, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Aramco]

"We aim for a future with lower greenhouse gas emissions, and we plan to progress towards this goal together. We hope to ignite the innovative, inclusive and passionate potential within Chinese youth," said Rania Biltagi, Aramco manager of marketing, partnership and sponsorships. Aramco is a Saudi Arabian oil company and, according to their website, an international leader in both energy integration and transition.  

Twenty local students were invited to participate in the "Make A Mark" event, a collaborative initiative between Aramco and the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team. These Shanghai students experienced a day of immersive tutorials, featuring technical exhibitions, demonstrations and discussions on F1 racing, aerodynamic design, material innovation and the future of lower-emission fuel technologies.

"I'm very happy to be here and to always have direct contact with the new generations. It is very inspiring for us to see the passion in your eyes and to be able to explain what motorsports are and why motorsports should be part of your future as well," Pedro de la Rosa, Aston Martin Aramco F1 team ambassador, told the students. The former Spanish Formula One driver is one of the most experienced test drivers of all time.

De la Rosa, along with the team's driver ambassador Jessica Hawkins, later led a karting tutorial, sharing their remarkable journeys and insights with the students in attendance, contributing to the next generation's education in motorsports, technology, science and innovation.

(From left to right) Pedro de la Rosa, ambassador for the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, Jessica Hawkins, driver ambassador for the team, and Ashraf Al Fagih, vice president of public affairs for Aramco Asia, attend the "Make A Mark" initiative in Shanghai, April 17, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Aramco]

The joint effort between Aramco and the Aston Martin F1 team seeks to push the limits of possibility both on and off the track. Experts from both organizations have been working closely together to develop a series of joint STEM initiatives to engage and motivate the next generation of technicians, engineers and drivers.

Kate Smithson, Aston Martin Aramco F1 team director of partnerships, noted that initiatives like "Make A Mark" aim to promote diversity and participation in motorsports and technology. "We eagerly anticipate more initiatives like this, which have the potential to draw more young enthusiasts into motorsports in China and beyond," she said.

This event was held just before the upcoming 2024 F1 Chinese Grand Prix, which sees its return after four years of being canceled due to COVID-19. At this year's race, Zhou Guanyu, China's first F1 driver, will make his home debut. Born in Shanghai, Zhou moved to England at the age of 12. 

The 2024 F1 Chinese Grand Prix will take place from April 19 to 21 in Shanghai, celebrating its 20th anniversary.