Ayao Komatsu Named Official Ambassador of STEM Racing Japan

Ayao graciously accepted the role in recognition of his passion for education and his alignment with the mission of STEM Racing Japan. His wealth of experience and dedication are expected to inspire the next generation, offering them hope and powerful encouragement to take on new challenges.

“It’s a real privilege for me to be appointed as a STEM Racing Ambassador in Japan,” shared Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team. “The opportunity to bring STEM subjects to students and engage with them in a way that’s truly inspiring through a project like STEM Racing is something I’m genuinely passionate about. I really wish there had been an initiative like this that I could have been involved with when I was growing up in Japan.”

“As someone who then moved to Europe and pursued a dream to become an engineer and work in Formula 1, I’m grateful to have an opportunity like this where I can give back to the next generation by sharing my experiences and supporting their own STEM ambitions. I’m thrilled to know there are already three Japanese teams in the STEM Racing World Finals in Singapore in September – I look forward to cheering them on and supporting STEM Racing’s growth in Japan in the future.”

The world’s largest STEM education competition, STEM Racing, is now officially launching in Japan. The program will be operated locally by STEM Academy, a general incorporated association established in July 2025. By combining education, motorsports, and international career, STEM Racing provides Japanese students with opportunities to step out of the classroom and take on real-world challenges. 

Targeting students aged 6 to 19, STEM Racing is an international competition supported by Formula 1, in which participants design and build their own miniature F1-style cars and race them along a 20-meter straight track powered by compressed air cartridges. The program goes beyond speed, allowing students to gain practical experience in engineering, design, marketing, teamwork, and problem-solving. 

This competition, in which students around the world use their STEM knowledge and creativity as their tools, has engaged more than 60 countries, approximately 29,000 schools, and over 1.8 million participants to date (about 33 percent female). STEM Racing is highly regarded not only in motorsports but also as a platform for learning that supports diverse career paths in automotive, aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, and technology industries.