In March, we covered Infiniti’s unique contest through their Performance Engineering Academy. In just its second year, it’s already become a recognizable hub for the next generation of top engineers. Qualified candidates are given a lifetime opportunity with Infiniti and their Formula One Red Bull Racing team for one year.
Five global areas were selected, with one winner chosen from Russia, Western Europe, China, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
Thousands of students registered but only 10 finalists in each region were selected to attend a final event.
“The caliber of entrants this year was very high, which made for a tough selection process,” ~ Tommaso Volpe, Global Director, Infiniti Formula One.
After a detailed assessment with a panel of judges from Infiniti and Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Alex Allmandinger, a 22-year-old engineering student from the University of Illinois, is one of five winners.
Allmandinger will work at the Infiniti Red Bull Racing headquarters in Milton Keynes, UK, starting next month. He will spend eight months in vehicle design and four months at Infiniti’s European Technical Center in Cranfield.
Allmandinger will also contribute in the areas of electronics and aerodynamics.
“It still hasn’t sunk in, but I am incredibly excited about joining the Infiniti Performance Engineering Academy. It really is a dream come true and I can’t wait to get started. It will be the best 12-month learning experience of my life.” ~ Alex Allmandinger
Formula One technology is becoming increasingly viable to everyday cars and Allmandiner is expected to facilitate communication and collaboration between the race team and Infiniti’s street legal product line.
Allmandinger will do the bulk of this work at Infiniti’s European Technical Center.
“With F1 becoming more and more relevant to the automotive industry – and an increased focus of the placements this year being on the road car development – we are training a new generation of engineers who will play a key role in the crossover between the two industries.” ~ Tommaso Volpe
Allmandinger, a Crystal Lake, Illinois native, says he is looking forward to experiencing a new culture in the UK and hopes to travel to other parts of Europe. Despite the recent opportunity, Allmandinger says he hasn’t done it alone, citing his friends and family as his greatest supporters.
“It’s amazing being surrounded by people who want you to succeed as badly as you do.” ~ Alex Allmandinger
Infiniti Red Bull Racing is a four-time winner of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
