This is not Kimi’s F1 racecar.
In town for the 2016 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari driver Kimi Räikkönen and Singapore tertiary student participants of Shell Eco-marathon Asia engaged in an interactive dialogue about innovative, real-world driving solutions that deliver performance on the track with the right balance of power, performance and efficiency.
For example, Formula 1 provides the perfect test bed for Shell to develop its fuel and lubricant products, not just for the most successful team in the motorsport’s history, but for Shell customers around the world. Shell Eco-marathon is a unique competition which challenges students to design, build, drive and compete to create the world’s most energy-efficient vehicles.
The 2007 Formula 1 World Champion said: “I‘m always impressed by how advanced Shell Eco- marathon student cars are and the passion the drivers and engineers show in building them. It was fun chatting to all the teams today and I wish them well for next year’s event in Singapore.”
In turn, the three student teams from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) shared about technical innovations, drawing on their experience from participating in Shell Eco-marathon Asia in March 2016.
Team Nanyang Venture 8 from NTU, talked about their 3-D printed car made from approximately 150 pieces and their experience at the Drivers’ World Championship 2016 held in London. They shared with Kimi their learnings and driving tips that allowed them to maximise their fuel efficiency.
Team Nanyang Venture IX, also from NTU, showcased to the Finn their award-winning battery fire suppression system, which utilises CO2 to prevent the battery from igniting as a result of overheating.
Team EcoTraveller from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) spoke about their car’s teardrop outer shell which, when coupled with ceramic wheel bearings, enables them to reduce road friction greatly. This is a car that can travel from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on just 21 cents worth of electricity.
“Kimi provided us with a wealth of experience. We were so excited to be given an opportunity to present our car and our innovations to him. It was interesting to see how efficiency plays such an important role in two very different competitions: Formula 1 and Shell Eco-marathon,” said Muhammad Haikal Bin Mohd Azminsham from the Institute of Technical Education representing team EcoTraveller.
“It was a great privilege to be able to speak to a former Formula 1 World Champion and to exchange learnings from our experiences on the track,” said Ng Kok Choong from Nanyang Technological University representing team Nanyang Venture VIII. “We can definitely see some of his advice coming to life at the next Shell Eco-marathon. We wish him all the best in his upcoming race!” 
Read about Shell’s fuel-sipping city car concept.
