Formula One teams race to help beat Alzheimer's

Scientists researching ways to beat dementia are to receive help from Formula One racing teams in an attempt to accelerate the number of breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of the disease.

Sir Jackie Stewart, the three times F1 world champion, has launched a £2 million project to see how the high-tech motor racing industry can help academics process data, promote rapid innovation and use artificial intelligence to boost research.

The scheme, which sees Sir Jackie’s Race Against Dementia and Alzheimer’s Research UK join forces, will create a series of academic fellowships to promote the work of young scientist eager to help the 850,000 people in the UK living with the condition.

Formula One teams from McLaren and Red Bull Racing will act as mentors to the scientists and show how their research techniques can be applied to the laboratory.

It is hoped the teams behind a racing driver’s success will be able to also promote a collaborative and dynamic culture to speed up the pace of discoveries.

The move follows Sir Jackie and his family’s experiences of seeing his wife, Lady Helen Stewart, suffer from the condition.

She was diagnosed with the condition four years ago which resulted in Sir Jacke’s family’s world being “turned upside down”.

He said: “The Race Against Dementia is the greatest challenge of my life, but with the right people and the right approach we can encourage and accelerate a new way of thinking and cross the finish line with success.

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“With these new research fellowships, we want to attract the best new talent from every corner of the world and not only catalyse their research with funding, but to throw open the door to a whole range of opportunities that will support a can-do mindset and accelerate a new generation of scientists to beat this horrendous illness.”

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity said: “These new fellowships are targeted at up-and-coming scientific global talent and will stimulate the careers of researchers with the drive and ambition to make breakthroughs possible that will transform lives.”

Three years ago, McLaren Applied Technologies teamed up with the University of Oxford to try to use pitstop technology and their efficient trackside teamwork to improve treatment in emergency departments.

The latest research investment comes on top of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s support for research projects worth more than £27 million in leading British universities.