An even more promising second edition

Excellence Mécanique Alpine is a national competition in France for students studying Automotive Maintenance and Automotive After-Sales, at BAC and BAC+1 level. Registration is open from 3 to 24 January 2023 on the website: www.concours-excellence-mecanique-alpine.fr.

 

THE VALUES OF AN INCLUSIVE COMPETITION

 

The first edition of the Excellence Mécanique Alpine competition highlighted the expertise and people skills of the young students and apprentices who took part. Achille Thurotte and Robin Chaillard, the prize-winning duo from the first outing of the competition in 2022, did their internship at the BWT Alpine F1 Team mechanical assembly workshop in Viry-Châtillon.

 

The 1st edition of the Excellence Mécanique Alpine competition allowed students studying Automotive Maintenance and Automotive After-Sales, at BAC and BAC+1 level, to take a step into what is often seen as the impenetrable world of Formula 1. 1,111 students tried their luck, in a competition over three stages to select 18 finalists in 9 pairs. The stages that the pairs went through put the selected candidates in the shoes of a professional F1 engine mechanic within the team. They were therefore assessed both on the excellence of their know-how and their people skills, in particular their teamwork. In addition to the experience they gained from the trials and the opportunity to work in unique situations and with exceptional mechanical parts, the time they spent talking with the team’s mechanics during the regional stages and the final really opened the candidates’ eyes to professional and personal opportunities.

 

Like the first edition, the 2nd Excellence Mécanique Alpine competition will consist of three stages:

 

  • A digital general knowledge test on automotive mechanics to select 128 candidates for the semi-finals (2 February 2023)
  • A practical held in 8 Renault Group training centres all over France to select 16 finalists (between 10 and 31 March 2023)
  • The final practical test and an opportunity for meetings & discussion on the BWT Alpine F1 Team site in Viry-Châtillon (12 and 13 May 2023)

 

A 3-month internship in the Alpine F1 Team mechanical assembly workshop will be awarded to the duo who win the final, which could later be converted into an apprenticeship contract. The duo will get the chance to work on the engine for the 2023 Formula 1 season and to be an integral part of the team for the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship.

 

Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1 Team driver:  “ It is an honour and a pleasure to sponsor the Excellence Mécanique Alpine competition for its 2nd   edition. It is an honour because encouraging young people in the mechanical trade to dare to live their dream, to push themselves and to believe in themselves without letting anybody put them off allows me to pass on what I have learnt in my own life. It is a pleasure because watching them at work, with the desire to surpass themselves, the wonder in their eyes with obvious pleasure, whilst remaining focused, and working as a team in their duo is something that makes me happy”

 

Registration is open from 3 to 24 January 2023 on the website:  www.concours-excellence-mecanique-alpine.fr.

 

Key figures from the 2022 edition:

 

  • 1,111 participants registered
  • 128 candidates selected for the regional practicals
  • 8 Renault Group training centres made available in the regions
  • 70 panelists who are teachers from vocational colleges or Apprentice Training Centres for the regional stage and the final
  • 9 finalist duos
  • Two 3-month internships at BWT Alpine F1 Team for the winning duo
  • 1 apprenticeship contract signed (Achille Thurotte)

 

Patrick Toulmet, Inter-ministerial Delegate for apprenticeships for young people from priority areas of cities, French Ministry for Work, Full Employment and Inclusion:  “Young mechanics, I am very happy to be able to accompany you for this 2023 edition of the Excellence Mécanique Alpine competition. Regardless of the village, town, city or region you come from, this is your chance to follow your dreams and enter the highly exclusive world of Formula 1. Perhaps your talent as a mechanic will make you an excellent engineer. Good luck to you all!”

 

Arnaud Sautier, Head of Network Training France, Renault Group:  “The first season was a great success thanks to three major achievements: in terms of equal opportunities with a win based on merit, “self-belief” to achieve excellence, and of course “teamwork”, whether it be in terms of the candidate duos or the teams from Renault Group, Alpine and those of our partners like the Ministry for Work, the Ministry for National Education, OPCO Mobilités and ANFA. We are thrilled to launch the second edition of the Excellence Mécanique Alpine competition under the banner of pleasure, excellence and training. Our aim is to offer young people hope, to create interest in mechanics and above all to guide our distribution network in the energy transition with a new generation of people.”

 

Cédric Caret, Alpine Sustainable Development Director:  “The continuation of the Excellence Mécanique Alpine competition and the launch of this 2nd edition illustrate the commitment of Alpine, of BWT Alpine F1 Team and of our partners to the young apprentices and students in automotive mechanics. It demonstrates the desire to promote the sector and to make it appealing and inclusive, especially for women, and durable, looking towards the future of mobility. We want this competition to become a ‘subject of collective interest’ for young people, guided by meritocracy and sharing expertise”