Space meets Silverstone: ESA project astronaut Wandt returns FIA flag
The Formula 1 world at Silverstone witnessed a unique event on 5 July. ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt, a Formula 1 enthusiast himself, returned a very special FIA flag to its President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
This wasn't your ordinary handover. The FIA flag in question had been on an extraordinary voyage! It had accompanied Wandt on his mission to the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this year, in a collaboration between ESA and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to celebrate FIA's 120th anniversary.
Just five months later, Wandt, was back on Earth and a guest of FIA, experiencing the thrill of a Grand Prix. He used this opportunity to highlight the surprising similarities between motor sport and space exploration. Both FIA and ESA, he noted, are at the forefront of pushing boundaries in science, technology, and engineering. Their success also relies on highly skilled teams who support astronauts and Formula 1 drivers.
Sharing knowledge and promoting careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are core values for both ESA and FIA. This event, along with Wandt's role as an ambassador, has significantly boosted media interest in this shared mission.
Emmet Fletcher, Head of ESA's Branding and Partnerships Office, commented: "A shared passion for innovation and pushing boundaries makes ESA and FIA natural partners. The British Grand Prix provided a fantastic platform to share ESA's spirit of curiosity and exploration with a whole new audience."
