Aeros Racing, U-High’s F1 in Schools team, placed first at the National Finals in Charlotte, North Carolina, April 7-9, earning a spot in the World Finals in Singapore in September.
The team won four awards at the competition: best verbal presentation, best team identity, knockout race champions and the project management award. The team also had the fastest car but did not receive the award due to a performance penalty.
This is the team’s second national championship appearance. Due to the increased number of schools starting their own F1 teams, the success felt much more rewarding to the team this year than in previous years.
“The amount of competition in the U.S. has increased so much, and I feel that this is a much more meaningful achievement because back then, it felt like we were gifted it,” team student mentor Jashanjeet Gill, a senior, said.
The members of the Aeros Racing team are vastly different from those last year, giving the team a new feel and dynamic.
“I was really determined for our team to take a fresh start and stance as our team had been very focused on being down to the wire, which created so much stress, adding on to worlds,” said team manager Taara Sajdeh, a sophomore. “With us having such a new team, it was really nice because everybody felt a little bit more refreshed, and we had a nice reset.”
Throughout the competition, the team combated challenges together and grew closer, ultimately contributing to their success.
“The team performed at such a high level this year, and I’m very proud of everybody,” Jashanjeet said. “Our portfolios were the highest quality they have ever been, our car at the best speed it’s ever been, and overall it was a great experience.”
