Motorsport is becoming part of the classroom in the UAE.
From the 2026/27 academic year, the GEMS School of Research and Innovation (SRI) will launch a dedicated Motorsport Academy, creating one of the country’s first school programmes centred around the business, technology and competitive side of motorsport.
Initially available to students from Years 4 to 9, the academy has been designed as an enrichment programme that extends beyond traditional school sports. Rather than focusing solely on driving, it aims to introduce students to the wide range of disciplines that power modern motorsport.
Weekly Sessions at Dubai Autodrome
A key part of the programme will see students travel to Dubai Autodrome for weekly practical sessions, where they will gain first-hand exposure to the environment of a professional racing circuit.
Alongside the track activities, students will study subjects linked directly to the industry, including motorsport engineering, simulator racing, race strategy, business and performance analysis.
The programme combines classroom learning with practical experience, giving students the opportunity to explore how different areas of motorsport operate together.
Reflecting the UAE’s Growing Motorsport Industry
The academy arrives as motorsport continues to expand across the UAE.
With Formula 1 at Yas Marina Circuit, international endurance racing, regional championships, karting programmes and the rapid growth of sim racing, the country has established itself as one of the Middle East’s leading motorsport destinations.
That growth has also created increasing demand for careers beyond the cockpit.
Modern racing teams rely on specialists across engineering, software development, aerodynamics, data analysis, media production, marketing, commercial operations and sports science—making motorsport one of the most multidisciplinary industries in sport.
The new academy has been developed to expose students to these career pathways from an early age while encouraging practical problem-solving, collaboration and technical thinking.
Motorsport Beyond the Driver’s Seat
While racing drivers often receive the spotlight, every successful team is built by hundreds of professionals working behind the scenes.
The academy reflects that reality by introducing students to the wider ecosystem that supports a racing programme, from designing race cars and analysing performance data to developing commercial partnerships and producing digital content.
Students will also develop transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership and decision-making through project-based learning inspired by real motorsport environments.
A New Direction for School Enrichment
The initiative also represents a broader shift in how schools approach extracurricular education.
As student interests continue to diversify, specialist programmes connected to real industries are becoming an increasingly important part of modern learning. Motorsport offers a unique platform where science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business and creativity naturally intersect.
Interest from families has already been strong, with enrolment set to remain limited to allow smaller coaching groups and a more personalised learning experience.
The school also plans to explore opportunities to integrate elements of the Motorsport Academy into its wider educational curriculum in the future, further strengthening links between classroom learning and one of the world’s fastest-growing sporting industries.
