Jenson Button has called on young people to stick with science and maths in school, backing a campaign run by GSK in partnership with the McLaren Group, called ‘Scientists in Sport’ - using the excitement of sport to inspire young people to study science, technology, engineering and maths. 

Part of the campaign is a ‘Fast Forward Challenge’, where budding scientists are challenged to devise a test which could improve a Formula 1 driver’s reactions.  Winning schools will be given an opportunity to visit the McLaren Technology Centre and put their test into action with one of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team.    

Speaking as the 2013 Grand Prix season is beginning, F1 driver Jenson Button said: “The speed, drama, noise and glamour of Formula 1 may seem very different from a school science lesson, but our sport wouldn’t exist without the tireless work and dedication of some of the world’s cleverest scientists, engineers and mathematicians.

“That’s why I think it’s so important for young people to stick with maths and science at school. In the future they might just find themselves designing a new grand prix car, or working in the pits analysing telemetry data. And, while not everyone can be a racing driver or work in Formula 1, maths and science can open up some amazing opportunities.”

GSK’s Scientists in Sport campaign was officially unveiled at the Big Bang Fair – the national science fair, which ran from the 14th – 17th March and was attended by around 60,000 secondary school students and their teachers.

A new, interactive Scientists in Sport website is now live, visit www.scientistsinsport.com for more information and follow the campaign at @GSKScience.

More about Scientists in Sport

Scientists in Sport was developed and funded by GSK. You can keep up to speed with events by following @GSKScience on Twitter.

The Fast Forward Challenge is an exciting school competition supporting Scientists in Sport in 2013 in partnership with the McLaren Group. Teams of students have to devise a test to help the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers improve their reaction time and concentration. All shortlisted teams will be invited to the McLaren Technology Centre in the summer for a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the world-leading facilities, an opportunity to meet some of the most important people in the world of motorsport, and the chance to present to a panel of expert judges to be crowned champions of the Fast Forward Challenge. The winning team will also receive £1000 worth of school vouchers for new science equipment.