BWT Alpine F1 Team and Microsoft host Melbourne students for Race Into STEM activation at Australian Grand Prix

BWT Alpine F1 Team and Microsoft have officially rolled out the first Race Into STEM event of the 2024 season with a track activation ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

The team, in collaboration with its Official Partner, Microsoft, continued their global initiative, aimed at promoting gender diversity in motorsport, in Melbourne. Thus far, the programme has held STEM events in Mexico City and London with over one hundred participants, and many more students have been able to participate through the digital Race into STEM platform. The digital platform is available worldwide and provides free resources including curriculum curated by Girls on Track UK and video testimonials from key figures working at BWT Alpine F1 Team.

As the next pit stop for the programme, the team hosted eight female students from Braybrook College, in hand with local non-profit organisation, the ABCN - Australian Business and Community Network, on Thursday at Albert Park. All of the participants have a passion for motorsport, and the programme aims to inspire the young women to pursue their passions and create a pathway for a future career in motorsport and STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics].

As part of the ongoing Race Into STEM events, the activation in Melbourne saw the group of students given the opportunity to experience the Formula 1 Paddock at Albert Park in the lead up to the Australian Grand Prix. Receiving a tour of BWT Alpine F1 Team’s garage as well as advice from a selection of women working at the team, the young women experienced behind the scenes insight into working in Formula 1.

The students interacted with Annalisa Aicardi (Race Support Engineer), Katy Bell (Electronics Systems Engineer) and Megan Sampson (HR Talent Business Partner). They discussed the women’s careers to date, journeys into Formula 1, and advice on pursuing a career in motorsport.

In honour of Women’s History Month and to raise awareness for the mission of the Race Into STEM initiative, BWT Alpine F1 Team and Microsoft also collaborated to feature the names of women working at Enstone and Viry on the A524 car for the Australian Grand Prix weekend.

David Gendry, VP, Chief Commercial Officer BWT Alpine F1 Team & VP Communications Alpine Brand: We are delighted to support our Official Partner Microsoft in activating the Race Into STEM project in Melbourne. At Alpine we are trailblazers in championing equality in our sport with our Rac(H)er programme. Supporting this activation at Albert Park is another step in a positive direction and we are very pleased to play our part in inspiring the next generation into careers in motorsport and STEM. We look forward to conducting more activations like this in the near future and maintaining our pride in promoting diversity globally.

Monica Robbins, Director of Sports Partnerships at Microsoft: We're excited to reach the newest destination in the Race into STEM adventure, where we're working with BWT Alpine F1 Team to use the fast paced world of F1 to ignite curiosity and foster a love for STEM and STEM related fields like motorsports. By giving girls the chance to hear the stories of some of the amazing Alpine F1 team members that are showcased on the car, we hope to motivate their own exploration of STEM.

Visit the official website to learn more about Race into STEM Powered by Microsoft.