School teams from Faversham and Canterbury were among those to take top honours in the London Regional Finals of the acclaimed F1 in Schools STEM Challenge, earning places at the National Finals.

The competition with three classes – entry, development and professional – challenges students to prepare business plans, design, analyse, make, test and race a scale model Formula 1 race car.

Winning at national level will bring the teams the opportunity to represent their country at the World Finals to be held alongside an international Formula 1 Grand Prix.

In addition, the F1 in Schools UK champions will receive engineering bursaries to the value of £5,000, a trip to the British Grand Prix with an exclusive paddock tour, and the UK champions trophy.

“Eclipse” from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Faversham, were named London North regional champions in the professional class, also winning the sponsorship and marketing award.

“Hex Racing” from Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury placed second in the development class and won the fastest car award.

The judges’ assessments of their written portfolios, verbal presentations, engineering drawings and designs produced high marks for the teams.

Andrew Denford, founder and chairman of F1 in Schools, praised the winning teams.

He said: “It’s great to see hard work, innovative design and passion for learning being recognised in the F1 in Schools STEM challenge.”

The teams have earned places at the National Finals at the Autosport International Show, NEC, Birmingham, next January.