F1 in Schools Thailand, led by Dr. Chakraphad 'John' Pitakthararuay (4th from left), CEO & President of 1 Action Education Co., Ltd. and Kaew Chakraphad Foundation, the official In-Country Delivery Partner of F1 in Schools, recently organised a press conference to announce the upcoming National Finals to be hosted for the first time in Bangkok and in the 8-year history of F1 in Schools Thailand at True Digital Park from 27- 29 September 2024. This country-level competition, open to students aged 9 to 19, will field top local teams to participate in the F1 in Schools World Finals 2025. So far approximately 20 teams have registered to compete in the 2024 national finals.
As regards the F1 in Schools World Finals 2024, a total of four teams, three from Thailand (Phayu Racing, Intanin Racing, and Team Veg) and one from the Philippines (Agilas team) are going through intensive training and coaching and designing their miniature compressed air powered cars made from F1 model block, supported by F1 in Schools Thailand's hands-on and immersive approach in preparation for the competition which will take place in Saudi Arabia in November 2024.
F1 in Schools Thailand serves as a bridge between academia and industry, fostering collaboration between educational institutions, corporate partners, and government agencies. Through strategic partnerships such as with Cambridge-based Summatic, for the first time, any learner of any age will be able to access the F1 in Schools Thailand competition and academic programme, anywhere, at any time on any device. Learners will receive quality, personalised learning support through Summatic, and will complete the programme ready to compete on the track and in the exam room.
Since 2017, a total of 16 teams from Thailand have participated in the F1 in Schools World Finals and have been recipients of eight major awards including clinching of "First Place in Knockout Seeding" by Kinnaree Racing Team in the F1 in Schools World Finals 2023 held in Singapore.
Pictured from left are: Mr. Daniel Appleby, Chief Operating Officer/Co-Founder of Summatic (developed by Cambridge University academics); Akapat Thammongkol (Gere), Thailand's Pursuit Racing team member (2018 World Finals); Mrs. Patama Thammongkol (Gere's mother); Dr. Chakraphad 'John' Pitakthararuay; Mr. Robert 'Bobby' Ortiz, In-Country Coordinator, F1 in Schools Thailand; Mr. Suraphong Oudomying, parent of member of Pursuit Racing team (2017 & 2018 World Finals); Sandy Hanusaha, emcee and parent of Pursuit Racing team member (World Finals 2018); and Siwakorn Chinpongsuwan (Pookhao), Pursuit Racing team member (World Finals 2018).