52 TEAMS WIN BIG AT THE ADNOC YAS IN SCHOOLS NATIONAL FINALS 2025

• National STEM champions crowned across five programs with F1 winners now heading to the 2026 World Finals.
• Event sees record participation from 1,400+ students representing 113 UAE schools.
• 52 winning teams span engineering, sustainability, innovation, and design – spotlighting the UAE’s future talent pipeline.

Abu Dhabi, UAE, July 14, 2025

More than 1,400 students from across the UAE competed in the 2025 ADNOC Yas in Schools National Finals – the country’s largest youth STEM event – held at Yas Marina Circuit’s Yas Conference Centre. Over the course of a high-energy week, 310 teams from 113 schools took part in five national competitions: F1 in Schools, Formula Ethara, 4×4 in Schools, Test Driver, and Ethara Go.

Designed to mirror real-world challenges, the event saw students build and race model cars, deliver technical portfolios, and present sustainability and business strategies to expert judges. Livestreamed to a growing audience, this year’s Finals drew over 31,000 online views – a 41% increase from 2024 – across six shows and 46 hours of total coverage.

Participation is also on the rise in classrooms. Ethara Go saw a 56% increase in team registrations year-on-year, while Test Driver grew from 54 to 64 teams – with over half of participants coming from Dubai. The growing momentum highlights the programme’s role in building real-world skills and national pride among students across the country.

A total of 52 winning teams were recognised across the five programs.

• F1 in Schools awarded 22 trophies across categories like Engineering, Fastest Car, Verbal Presentation and overall Professional and Rookie Champions.
• Formula Ethara saw 17 winning teams recognised for design, identity, presentation and performance.
• 4×4 in Schools named 9 winners across Professional, Development, and University levels.
• Test Driver celebrated a national top 3.
• Ethara Go honoured 3 student champions in its individual racing format.

Among the standout winners: HYPERNIX from Private International English School were crowned F1 in Schools Professional Champions and will now represent the UAE at the 2026 STEM Racing World Finals. Apex Racers from Jumeirah College secured Rookie Champion and Verbal Presentation awards, while MENA Racing dominated the Fastest Car and Engineering categories. In other divisions, Project Nova from Dubai College won the 4×4 in Schools national title, and ERA Racing from Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai topped Formula Ethara.

Ali Al Beshr, General Manager of Yas Marina Circuit, said:
“The National Finals have become a launchpad for young talent in the UAE. Every year, we see students push the boundaries of what’s possible  and now, they’re taking that momentum to the world stage. Watching this year’s champions prepare to represent the UAE at the 2026 STEM Racing World Finals is a powerful reminder of what this programme is building toward.”

The Yas in Schools initiative is led by Ethara and ADNOC to develop the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators – using motorsport as a platform to unlock skills, ambition, and leadership from the classroom up.

For the full list of winners or additional commentary, please contact ethara-pr@wearetheromans.com.