A group of school children have become some of the first people to play the new motorsport version of the world-famous video game Minecraft.

Pupils from Middle Barton Primary School in Oxfordshire visited the headquarters of Formula 1 team BWT Alpine to see the new mini-game up close.

It transforms the F1 team’s base into a Minecraft world, allowing players to explore the facility and learn how to create and race a modern Formula 1 car – all in 8-bit.

The game is part of Alpine’s support for the Race into STEM campaign, which aims to get more women involved in motorsport and provide educational content to young people.

Made in partnership with Microsoft, owner of Minecraft and sponsor of Alpine.

In the game, players will be able to interact with video game versions of real-life members of the team, including the head of production and testing, chief financial officer, and team manager Oliver Oakes.

Away from the world of Minecraft, the real-life Mr Oakes told the BBC: “I think when you’re young everyone sees Formula 1 as essentially the drivers but actually there’s everything involved – engineering, technical production and processes, all the subjects you study at school.

“I hope from today they get an idea of ​​all the possibilities as a career path.”

The game also stars aerodynamicist Paula Gutiérrez, who said it was “quite a funny experience” to see herself recreated in video game form.

“It’s great that we can hold these events and let kids know what opportunities are available to them,” he said.

The mini-game can now be played online for free on the Minecraft Education platform.

Alpine, headquartered in Enstone, currently sits sixth in the F1 constructors’ championship.

The team achieved its best result of the season in Brazil last season, where both divers (Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly) were on the podium.

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