A team of six former Aberdeen Grammar School pupils have picked up awards after competing in a global F1 car design competition in Abu Dhabi.
Team Aeroflux 2.0 took part in the F1 in Schools Technology challenge world final after securing top places in regional and Scottish national heats.
Their task, over the past year, had been to design, analyse, manufacture and test a gas-powered miniature F1 car, which is raced at speeds of over 70km/h.
Competing against 32 other teams from 22 countries, the team made it to the semi-finals, held at Ferrari World indoor theme park, next to the Yas Marina circuit, home of the recent Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
This was after reducing their time down a 20 metre track in the UK finals.
“Our hard work was rewarded and we are delighted with the way both ourselves and our car competed in Abu Dhabi,” said team member Craig Walton.
“We again achieved our aim of reducing our car’s time – from 1.157 seconds at the UK finals to 1.061 seconds, a time which placed us fifth fastest out of the 33 world finalists.
“On the final day of the competition we reached the semi-finals of the intense and exciting knock-out competition, where we were knocked out by just 0.002 seconds.
“These achievements were a highlight of the competition for us and surpassed our expectations.”
While they did not win the top prize, they were given the best team website award and an honour for perseverance in the face of adversity, having got through the competition without help from a teacher or adults.
Mr Walton also thanked their sponsors, including Wood Group, BP and Total, but especially Gulf Marine Services, who gave the team financial support, freighted their equipment and helped them while they were in Abu Dhabi.