Engineering in the Fast Lane by Valeria

Engineering in the Fast Lane by Valeria - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

Passion and intellectual curiosity make my heart throb, but staying in the range of interest for several years is a difficult concept to wrap my head around. I mourn, and will forever mourn for the past concepts and theories I abandoned after the promise of “this will always be part of me”. Others can be definitive with a scale of “1-10” . I like this concept and these are “number one priorities” in life. However, just as much as I wave goodbye to past tries, I embrace the newness with open arms…and Formula 1 is exactly what I needed to get lost in my world.

Formula 1 is considered one of the highest classes of international motorsport since the 1950s with various teams competing in multiple grand prix. The sport is year-round with constantly changing regulations, united teamwork and complex strategies, promotions and sponsorships, integration of new mechanics, and intense research on data and aerodynamics design. Complex. I was captivated by the speed, the sounds, the crowds, the cars that looked so unbelievable that being placed in that seat was a fine line between insanity and exhilaration.
And I didn’t just watch, I learned. Ferrari tire degradation caused a slowdown. Mercedes W13 airflow stall caused porpoising, and Red Bull's disastrous double DNF at the start of the season was because of the fuel pressure system failure. Technical terms such as diffuser, DRS, V6 engine, flo vis, and aero rakes became part of my vocabulary. Although I attempted to absorb all, my mechanical knowledge was surface level. Hundreds of components and hours are placed in the building process, a single error causes everything to tumble down, a setback but not a complete failure.

And that’s when I realized, I wanted to do something about it, to be a part of something equally grand piece of ingenuity…to earn a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering with a dual degree in Modern Languages to become a motorsport engineer.

And here I am, one year later, making the first steps into pursuing my dream. I got accepted to Lehigh University, a prestigious university across the country for their Arts - Engineering dual program. Meaning, I am currently studying for my Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering and Bachelors of German Language and Culture. I also entered another program called Passport to Success to helpfully navigate the legalities and paperwork on how to receive my passport, my responsibilities on how I use this passport, and be able to apply later on for more study abroad programs. In addition to my studies, I also became involved in a program called Global Impact Fellowship with the Metal Matter team to enhance my knowledge of metal sustainability, creative problem solving on tackling Phillipeans metal waste and economics impacts, and learn to collaborate with a diverse team filled with excellent people and mentors. Finally, I became a member of Lehigh Racing, a club that partakes in Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) annual international competition where universities from around the world design and manufacture small, open-wheel race cars. Which then are judged based on performance, design, innovation, and cost-effectiveness of the car via several dynamic and static events such as acceleration, autocross, endurance, and design and business presentations. Every program I become involved in and information I consume simply brings me closer and closer.

Although the chances of myself being involved in the upbringing of Formula 1 may be impossible, there are other motorsports striving for greatness with renown international appraise. The latest example is the new F1 Academy, similar to F1 but featuring an all-female grid of drivers with brand-new teams. Despite the success of inspiring other female drivers a chance for a seat and engineering, analysis, and other opportunities…a lot of work needs to be done. Lack of broadcast and media management, constant negotiations for sponsorships, calls for personnel. The World Rally Championship is seeking another pair of hands willing to test their vehicles in gravel, tarmac, snow, ice- that could also be equally applied to commercial vehicles. World Endurance, in which the limits of hypercars tested to beyond its limits. Formula E, exploring electric vehicles for more sustainable events. Even similar local and regional leagues varying in open-wheel, closed-wheel, and go-karting are popping up in North America everyday.

The spark was lit. A call of manpower has been emitted.

Manpower I will provide someday.

No doubt, starting with minimal knowledge is going to be challenging. Shifting from a desk and laptop in the classroom to all out wrrrsss and bzzzzs in a garage, getting adjusted and up to speed, I’m bound to get a little lost. However, no matter what, I will make the most of being better equipped. As I continue to immerse myself in the world of motorsports, I am excited for the future, knowing that each step I take is one closer to becoming a motorsport engineer who will shape the future of this exhilarating sport.