INFINITI Academy Engineers continue placements following lockdown

The 2020 INFINITI Engineering Academy candidates commence the second rotation of the unique automotive-to-motorsport placements with INFINITI and Renault DP World F1® Team, as the current edition of the INFINITI Engineering Academy reaches its mid-point.

The seven INFINITI academy engineers, including Middle East winner Raoul Al Samarani, completed the first six month placement under extraordinary circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic, and will now switch positions between the INFINITI Technical Center in Cranfield and the Renault DP World F1® Team Technical Center in Enstone.

Throughout the placements, the engineers have remained active during lockdown, working from home on different projects while in touch with their teams and line managers.

Samarani took his first placement at the INFINITI Technical Centre in Cranfield as at test engineer in the Vehicle Testing Department conducting different kinds of tests including rigidity and heat ageing assessments on new project cars in preparation for them entering the market.

Now in his second placement with Renault DP World F1® Team, Samarani supports as a quality and production efficiency engineer where he is investigating pressure taps on the floor of the R.S.20 race car to help achieve higher aerodynamic performance.

“Working during the lockdown has been unprecedented, however, the engineers at both my placements are always making sure that I’m making the most of my opportunity,” said Samarani. “While working remotely, I continue learning and getting all the guidance I need in order to complete the projects assigned to me by the senior engineers. It’s been a very fruitful year so far – I’m thoroughly enjoying my experience at the academy and I am looking forward to all the experiences that the second part of my placement will bring.”

“2020 has been an exceptional year for everyone. We are very proud of our Academy Engineers – not only for staying focused and making the most of this unique opportunity in the most unusual and challenging circumstances, but also for finding ways to support those affected by the virus and devoting their remarkable engineering talent to such a worthy cause’, said Tommaso Volpe, director, Global Motorsports, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

The INFINITI Engineering Academy is a unique program in its seventh year, and the most successful technical recruitment initiative of its kind. It is the only program to offer a placement in both automotive and F1®. The Academy is unmatched in the range of opportunities and experiences for the seven 2020 winners, selected from INFINITI markets around the world.

For more information about the INFINITI Engineering Academy, please visit academy.infiniti.com.