Coventry University student to gain hands-on experience in Formula 1 through exciting scholarship

Coventry University student receives Formula 1® scholarship to combine study with work placement with elite racing team 

Coventry University student Muaaz Shah will get to work with a Formula 1® team during his studies after being selected for a Formula 1® scholarship as he pursues his dream of working in elite motorsport.  

The scholarship programme was launched by Formula 1® as part of their WeRaceAsOne campaign last year, which was aimed at addressing the societal issues facing motor racing and the world through sport. It specifically seeks to break down barriers to the industry and address the issue of under-representation in the sport.  

Coventry University was chosen by Formula 1® as part of a small, carefully-selected group of universities to award the unique scholarship, and just ten students in the UK and Italy have been given the opportunity. 

Now, 20-year-old Muaaz from Birmingham, an avid Formula 1® fan and aspiring engineer, is setting his sights on a career in one of the sporting world’s most exciting and lucrative industries as he combines his BSc degree in Motorsport Engineering alongside a work placement with a Formula 1 team. 

He said: “Honestly, I’m so excited. Words can’t describe this opportunity that I’ve been given – I feel really honoured to have been given this chance. Grateful isn’t even the word – I can’t stress enough my gratitude for being given this opportunity by Coventry University and Formula 1.  

“With all the equipment here at Coventry University I’m spoilt for choice. We have racing simulators, state-of-the-art facilities – we practically have our own Formula 1 garage here. I have every confidence that this course can help me pursue my dream of working in research, development and design within the F1 industry.”  

Patricia Ashman, Associate Head of School for Recruitment and Marketing in the Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing at Coventry University, said:

“Diversity and inclusion are crucial values to any profession or industry and engineering and motorsport are no exceptions to that. It’s an exciting time for Muaaz and we’re thoroughly looking forward to working with him as he takes his first steps towards pursuing a dream career in F1.  

“We’re delighted that Formula 1 have selected us to be one of just a handful of universities who will have the opportunity to award this scholarship, and the fact we’ve been chosen is a great compliment to our facilities as well as our engineering and motorsport courses.”  

Richard Nicholson, Course Director for Motorsport Engineering at Coventry University, said: 

“Placements are a vital part of our courses, because gaining that industry experience is so important – it’s that level of professionalism and experience that students get on placement that really does help them to push on. Being able to team up with Formula 1 directly to offer Muaaz a placement and insights into the elite motorsport industry takes that offering to a new level and will be invaluable both to the student and to us as a university.”