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The UK’s world-class motorsport industry is miles ahead, as Lorraine Shah reports

hether you are a motorsport fan or not, when the new Formula 1 (F1) season gets underway

this month you should take pride in the fact that one of the UK’s greatest industry success stories of recent times is grabbing the attention of millions of spectators and viewers around the world. You have probably heard of successful British drivers, past and present, such as Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell. However, you may be unaware that these champions are merely the crowning glory of the wider UK motorsport industry, which provides the globally renowned expertise and infrastructure needed to manage and serve F1 and other international racing series across the globe.

Unique in combining sport, advanced engineering and innovation, the UK motorsport industry contributes more than £6bn per annum to the UK economy, of which more than 60 per cent comes from export. Regarded internationally as a technological trailblazer, it offers a wealth of world-class design, precision and high-performance engineering companies, whose steady fl ow of new ideas continually pushes the boundaries of global motorsport. UK companies conceive, develop, design and manufacture everything from high-tech chassis, seats, cockpits, seatbelts and helmets, to market- leading engines, gearboxes, brakes, transmissions, clutches, suspension systems, telemetry and a seemingly limitless range of precision components. They are backed by a fi rst-class R&D infrastructure, incorporating full-size wind tunnels, circuits and extensive testing

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