Bernie Ecclestone presents his trophy to newly crowned 2011 F1 in Schools World Champions

Bernie Ecclestone presents Pentagliders with the 2011
F1 in Schools Bernie Ecclestone World Champions trophy

Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO, Formula One Management, presented the newly crowned 2011 F1 in Schools™ World Champions with the trophy which he commissioned especially for this global educational initiative, meeting the winning Australian team, Pentagliders, in the paddock at the Singtel Formula 1™ Singapore Grand Prix. 

Bernie autographs the team's car

The 2011 F1 in Schools World Champions were delighted to meet Ecclestone and receive their trophy, with Team Manager of Pentagliders, Amy Winter, saying, “We are so proud to have been presented with our trophy by Mr Ecclestone, who is such a legendary personality in Formula 1. Visiting the paddock at the Singapore Grand Prix was an awesome prize anyway, but this moment is truly special for all of us and I don’t think we’ll ever forget it! 

“When Mr Ecclestone held the trophy above my head I was a bit worried that he might drop it, as it is very heavy, but luckily he didn’t. We gave him one of our merchandising items, which was a stress ball in the shape of Australia and suggested that he could use it whenever he was stressed. I’m sure he has a high pressure job, so maybe he will use it. As well as presenting the trophy to us he autographed our winning F1 in Schools model car and our portfolio, so these will be very cherished items now. We have had such an exciting time, it’s been amazing.”

Bernie Ecclestone has been a long-time supporter of F1 in Schools, commissioning an impressive glass trophy to be given to the World Champions each year. Last year Ecclestone visited the F1 in Schools World Finals event when it was held in Singapore, saying of the programme, “It is super, super for the kids, it’s really great and it gets them interested in Formula One and a lot of adults as well are asking what this (F1 in Schools) is all about.” He was also supportive of the initiative’s focus on engineering, saying, “It’s magic. These guys will go somewhere, for sure,” and he also believes they will end up in Formula One, adding, “Yes, for sure, absolutely, they get exposure, people know them and they will get a good position.”