The 2005 Altran Engineering Academy came to a close this week with the Final Presentation at the Renault F1 Team's Technical Centre in Enstone, Oxfordshire (UK).
The winner is 22 year-old Spaniard Isaac Prada. He sped past the seven other finalists who flew in from three continents with his project which aims to improve power and performance through the Bend Energy Storage Transmission (BEST) concept. Cornering is a crucial aspect of vehicle performance, and each team aims to achieve the best possible acceleration on corner exit. The proposed concept stores energy during the braking phase and delivers it while driving out of the corner, significantly increasing the power available. Calculations indicate the idea is highly promising for F1 cars. Much like in Altran's technology partnership with the Renault F1 Team, Isaac's passion for innovation made the difference.
Claude-Emmanuel Boisson, Chief Technological Officer of Altran, Dr Robin Tuluie, Head of R&D at the Renault F1 Team, and Patrick Chareyre, consultant in the Altran Group and an Altran Awards Fellow, were unanimous in their selection. Come September, Isaac will begin a 6-month placement within the R&D department of a team fighting for the World Championship. Included in his prize are accommodation nearby, a company car and a comfortable salary. To help him settle and focus on his mission, Isaac will have support from an Altran expert who will act as his mentor.
This second edition of the AEA has been a resounding success, thanks to its unique concept of offering young talent in science and technology from around the world a opportunity to enter a very selective, demanding environment. Altran's focus is always on the future, which makes them the logical organisers of this global competition, and interest has been growing steadily: thousands of people visited the official website and hundreds of registrations were received from candidates in more than twenty countries hopeful of working for the top team in Formula 1. There's no doubt: the passion for F1 lives on.
