Scarborough UTC students celebrate two honours at F1 in Schools challenge in Abu Dhabi

At the end of the three-day event, it was announced that Hana Hinton, the UTC team's graphic designer and design engineer, has been selected to join the prestigious Unilever Williams Engineering Academy.

The team was also nominated for Best Team Project Management Award and Sustainability Award, against competition from 60 international teams.

Hana's selection was announced during the F1 in Schools World Finals gala dinner by Williams’ Group HR director Nicola Salter, and ROKiT Williams Racing Team manager Dave Redding.

She had undergone practical and written challenges set by Williams engineers before the assessment panel selected 10 successful students from the 600 potentials to join the academy.

The Unilever Williams Engineering Academy identifies talented young engineers and the high-profile programme gives students from around the world life-changing careers by providing advice, mentoring and guidance.

In the spectacular event on Yas Island, the UTC's Avidity Racing raced their 1/20th scale model compressed air-powered cars along a 20 metre long track in around a second, and had to explain their design concept and project in detail.

Hana and colleagues Reanne Adnitt, Matthew Morley, Missy McCardle, Jess Bailey and Conor Wilcox were already among the UK champions, and attended the event with UTC staff Rob Shepherd, director of engineering, and Natalie Griffiths, assistant principal.

The team didn't win the event but they "were fantastic ambassadors for Scarborough, the UTC and engineering," said Lee Kilgour, college principal.

He said: "They were among the UK champions at the world final, a fantastic achievement, and we are utterly proud of them.

"They have enjoyed the experience of a life-time, they spent months on the F1 in Schools project and learned a great deal about real-world engineering, design, marketing, graphics, physics, aerodynamics, manufacture, branding, sponsorship, leadership/teamwork, media skills and financial strategy, and apply them in practical, imaginative ways.

"We can't wait to see them back at college - and to celebrate their huge efforts. It shows what a unique college Scarborough UTC is in the area's education landscape and caps a great 2019, especially with our students' superbly improved exam results."

A reception is being planned for next week at the Town Hall, as well as other events to mark their achievement as world finalists and flying the flag for Scarborough.

The teenagers aged from 14 to 18 are staying on to watch this weekend's Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix.

The £25,000 costs of the trip to cover research, accommodation and transport has been organised by the Scarborough Business Ambassadors, creators of the UTC and who contributed £15,000.

Scarborough UTC is for 14 to 19 year-olds, covering all the usual school subjects and has its own a sixth-form, as well as engineering, robotics and cyber-security with backing from leading employers, and an intake that includes Scarborough, Whitby, Filey, Bridlington and Ryedale.