New Exhibition puts Science Museum in Pole Position for 2009 F1 Season
16/02/09
Fast Forward: 20 ways F1™ is changing our world
On March 11, a few days before 2009's Formula 1 ™ season kicks off in Australia, the Science Museum will be opening a new exhibition showing how Formula 1™ technology can be transferred outside the racetrack and applied to other fields of research and innovation.
‘Fast Forward: 20 ways F1™ is changing our world', will be exclusively available to corporate clients (outside of museum opening hours), in conjunction with a diverse range of galleries, including the dramatic Energy Gallery and contemporary Wellcome Wing - home of Mika Hakkinen's McLaren Mercedes F1 car - for receptions and gala dinners combined with private views of this exciting exhibition.
Showing how manufacturers and researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines are embracing the Formula 1TM spirit and finding new exciting ways to bring race track innovation and technology into our everyday lives, 20 innovative by-products of Formula 1TM will be displayed in an elegantly designed gallery overlooked by the chassis of the McLaren MP4-21 suspended from the ceiling.
The exhibition will feature some rare and unique items such as:
The McLaren MP4-21- a technical and engineering masterpiece designed down to microscopic detail. Built by McLaren Racing for the 2006 season, it is made up of over 11,000 components and took sixteen months of hard work and dedicated research to put together. This is also the car that Lewis Hamilton tested in late 2006 and opened the doors to his Formula 1TM career with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team.
K2 All Terrain Wheelchair - at the heart of every modern racing car is an incredibly strong carbon fibre shell known as the ‘monocoque'. A British engineering company has used their experience of manufacturing parts for Formula 1TM cars to create the world's first production ‘monocoque' wheelchair. This will change the way we think about wheelchair design forever.
"British engineers, designers and strategists are at the forefront of Formula 1TM. They are world experts at pushing the boundaries of materials, technology and teamwork. The outcome is not only a formidable presence on the Grand Prix track, but a stream of products and innovations that spin out into the world around us, improving our quality of life and the UK's commercial competitiveness. This new exhibition gives a fascinating insight into the lesser-known benefits of the McLaren Group and Formula 1TM." said Prof. Chris Rapley CBE, Director, Science Museum.
Ron Dennis, CEO and Chairman of McLaren Group added: "F1 complies with unbelievably high standards delivered under extreme pressures, when the difference between success and failure is measured in few tenths of a second. Today this incredible engineering asset is available to other fields of research and innovation to the benefit many people in their everyday lives. The spirit of innovation and continuous research that British teams, mechanics and engineers have fostered over the decades in the world of motorsport and even outside is phenomenal: as Chairman and CEO of the McLaren Group I believe that this expertise can become an example for many of the UK's hi-tech industries as we aim to ‘power through' these difficult times in the ascent out of recession."
Lewis Hamilton's crowning as 2008 Formula 1TM World Champion continues a long and proud heritage of British racing triumph, but motorsport's more than the Grand Prix winners - there is a wealth of winning technology too. British teams, engineers and mechanics have shown themselves to be at the forefront of Formula 1TM, a world where human skill, innovation and cutting-edge technology are pushed to the extreme.
-ENDS-
For further media information please contact Alicia Dickinson (Communications Manager - NMSI Events) on 0207 942 4308 or email Alicia.dickinson@nmsi.ac.uk
Notes to Editor
The Science Museum is home to more than 15,000 objects and provides a fascinating insight into the worlds of science, technology, medicine and industry. Hands on galleries, drama characters and science shows bring to life the past, present and future of human scientific ingenuity. See and interact with major scientific advances from the last 300 years, from original working steam engines to the actual Apollo 10 command module, all spread over seven floors in a building ¼ mile long. A giant IMAX cinema and exhilarating simulator rides make the Science Museum a thrilling event venue. In addition, the Dana Centre, the Science Museum's annex dedicated to discussing contemporary and controversial science, brings live debates, science art installations, experiments and stand-up comedy to everybody over 18 who wants a thought-provoking night out. The museum was established with the profits from The Great Exhibition of 1851 and is now one of the top visitor attractions in the UK. Visit www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/functions
The Science Museum is grateful to McLaren Marketing Limited for their expertise and support in developing this exhibition.
In conjunction with the "Fast Forward: 20 Ways that F1TM is changing our world", the Science Museum is offering decorative prints of the early days of automotive racing and classic automobiles. Please visit www.ssplprints.com to view our automobile gallery.
F1, FORMULA 1 and FORMULA ONETM are trade marks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One Group company. All rights reserved.
