F1 Engineering Scholar reflects on her time with the team

In 2021, Formula 1 announced its Engineering Scholarship programme, continuing its drive to increase diversity within the sport.

Spogmai Bibi is a second-year Aero-Mechanical Engineering student at Strathclyde University.

She was one of the very first people selected for this prestigious scholarship and has recently completed a month based at our Grove headquarters, getting a hands-on insight into motorsport engineering.

“I’ve been able to work across several different departments during my time at the team,” Spogmai shared.

“After an initial introduction, the first department I joined was the Aero Design Team. I was learning how to use a CAD software called NX – it’s not one I’ve used before, so it was nice to learn that skill and I had people around me who were able to support me if I needed it.

“Towards the end of that week, I helped edit a front wing endplate before being shown the process of how the Aero Design Team gets a part manufactured.

“This led nicely onto my time in the model shop the following week, carrying over my work in the Aero Design Team.

“My part was printed for me before I headed to AdM [Additive Manufacturing]. I did the full process from taking out the part, cleaning it, and drying it. My part was for the wind tunnel model, so 60% of the size of the race car.”

Spogmai has been completely embedded into each department she’s worked in, which is pivotal for a STEM student when looking to get as much experience as possible before graduating.

It’s also good to have a supportive team around you, as she learned when she returned to the model shop with her part.

“Another skill I have picked up was how to paint my part in the model shop. Initially, when I started, I clumped up all the paint on my endplate! But they were fine with it, I could wash it and start the process again.

“The second time around it was a lot better because I took my time instead of rushing, I wasn’t worried about making any mistakes.”

“This was one of my favourite parts, just because I had something that I could show to people.

“I had gone through all the processes to make this part, the only thing I couldn't do was test it, but I can see why. I wouldn’t want to waste any of the team's wind tunnel time!”

As Spogmai looks back on her time with the team, she shares how grateful she feels to have learned the skills needed across a range of engineering departments.

“If I had just stuck to one department, I would have been unaware of what other teams go through. For example, if I had purely been in Aero Design and I hadn’t been to the model shop, I wouldn’t have known about the different stages of how a part is made – it’s given me more of an insight.

“As I head back to university I think I’ll definitely be looking into a placement year.

“I’ve spent time with a few of the one-year placement students already here and all of them are saying it’s worth it.”

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