A TEAM of talented students will travel to Abu Dhabi to represent their school in the world final of an engineering contest.

Robert May’s School has a history of success in the F1 in Schools competition, and this year’s team, who were declared English champions, are no exception.

Team Colossus FI competed in the national final where they qualified for the 2014 World Finals which will be held in the United Arab Emirates capital in November.

F1 in Schools is a not-for-profit company with the aim of changing the perception of science, technology, engineering and maths through an exciting and challenging educational experience based on the appeal of Formula One.

Its annual international competition invites students to design an F1 car of the future and secure sponsorship to fund the project.

More than 40 countries are involved worldwide, and over 20 million students have participated.

Vicky Waterfield, part of the team of six at Robert May’s, in Odiham, said: “Competitors are required to design, manufacture, test and race small gas powered F1 cars as well as prepare a business plan, devise a budget and raise sponsorship to allow them to take part in the competition.

“Participants learn life-long career-enhancing skills and also develop their teamwork and communication skills.”

Vicky, who left Robert May’s in the summer and now studies at Farnborough Sixth Form, said the school’s success in the competition over the last seven years has meant that knowledge can be passed down to the next team.

The 16-year-old added: “During this time, our collective knowledge of what is required to succeed has only grown. The school has been to the world finals three times, most recently with Rush in 2012 where the team came third in the world.”

Team Colossus F1 now needs to raise a huge £25,000 through sponsorship to cover the costs of competing in the world final.

Vicky said: “We have been raising funds through various activities, the next one of which is a quiz night in October which we are holding with an F1 theme.

“We are keen to get as much promotion as possible in the hope that we can make the night a success and ensure it helps us to reach our target.”

The event, taking place today, will be held at the school and start at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5 and can be bought from Robert May’s or by emailing colossusf1@hotmail.com.