Fireside Chat w/ Shubham Sham - Episode Summary and Transcript

Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast episode.

Summary

**Overview of the Podcast Episode:**

The podcast episode features Shubham Sangodkar, the co-founder of United Motorsports Academy. He shares his journey from working in Formula One to creating the academy, which aims to provide education and opportunities for students interested in motorsports. Shubham discusses their advisory board, the Motorsports Accelerator Program, and their long-term goals. He also talks about Formula 1 aerodynamics and his experience interacting with Adrian Newey.

**Key Points and Insights:**

* Shubham's decision to leave Formula One and pursue other interests, including education, led to the creation of United Motorsports Academy.
* The academy aims to provide a comprehensive educational platform for students in India, addressing the lack of opportunities and resources in the country.
* United Motorsports Academy has an international advisory board, including experts from various fields in motorsports, such as Peter Windsor, William Lloyd, and Ian Wright.
* The Motorsports Accelerator Program is a three-month online course followed by a one and a half month hands-on training program. It is designed to upskill students and prepare them for careers in motorsports.
* The academy has partnered with F4 to offer internships and employment opportunities to students, providing them with practical experience in the field.
* Shubham emphasizes the importance of targeting the highest skill set, such as that required for Formula One, to ensure employability even if opportunities in F1 do not materialize.
* The academy plans to expand its offerings to include courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and composites, catering to a wider range of disciplines within motorsports.
* Shubham's decision to step back from Formula One was influenced by his desire for flexibility, personal fulfillment, and the opportunity to contribute to society through education.

**Important Quotes and Statements:**

* "I've been in India for a while and I've been trying to take a step back to assess what I really want from my life going forward and how I can use my skill sets in the most effective way." - Shubham Sangodkar
* "We are creating like a world class platform and a motorsport industry ecosystem for the first time in this country." - Shubham Sangodkar
* "Our first target audience would obviously be students who want to pursue masters while we develop the ecosystem in our country." - Shubham Sangodkar
* "We wanted to kick off the entire United Motorsports Academy by asking ourselves, how do we actually deliver value to everybody?" - Shubham Sangodkar
* "So we said, okay, let's create something thorough. Our first target audience would obviously be students who want to pursue masters while we develop the ecosystem in our country." - Shubham Sangodkar
* "We are doing India's first race engineering workshop, which is going to be a four day workshop done in two cities in Mumbai in the last two weeks of October." - Shubham Sangodkar
* "For the first time in India, out after this year, you'll have a student whose profile will say that he's done one season of internship with a professional F-14 and for me that is big." - Shubham Sangodkar
* "My personal goal is, after three years, I should be able to at least place 5 to 10 students who have not spent 40,000 pounds to work in F1. They should be skilled enough that they can crack an F1 interview from India itself." - Shubham Sangodkar
* "I think the core of it is because I anyways knew I would quit F1 in five years." - Shubham Sangodkar
* "I always saw myself, something here and there's something that I always wanted to contribute back to the society." - Shubham Sangodkar

**Controversies and Insights:**

There were no controversies or particularly insightful moments highlighted in the transcript.

**Overall Message:**

The overall message of the podcast is that United Motorsports Academy is a pioneering initiative aimed at providing education and opportunities for students interested in motorsports in India. The academy has a strong focus on upskilling students, providing hands-on training, and creating pathways for them to pursue careers in the field. Shubham Sangodkar's journey from Formula One to education highlights the importance of following one's passions and making a positive impact on society. # **Navigating the World of Formula One Aerodynamics and Education: A Conversation with Shubham**

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Formula One aerodynamics and education with Shubham, the co-founder of United Motorsports Academy. Shubham shares his journey from working in Formula One to establishing the academy, which aims to provide education and opportunities for students passionate about motorsports.

**Key Insights:**

1. **Aerodynamic Innovations:** Shubham highlights the innovative double diffuser concept employed by Red Bull, which resembles two diffusers within one floor. This design allows for intricate pressure gradients, sustaining vortex structures, and enabling the car to run lower.

2. **Favorite Aero Innovation:** Shubham expresses his admiration for the y250 vortex, a concept used in previous-generation Formula One cars. This vortex, generated by sharp front wing edges, aided teams in achieving exceptional aerodynamic performance.

3. **Adrian Newey's Approach:** Shubham describes Adrian Newey's remarkable ability to listen and absorb feedback from engineers, even junior ones like himself. Newey's willingness to engage in discussions and consider diverse perspectives demonstrates his openness to learning.

4. **Adrian Newey's Humility:** Shubham emphasizes Adrian Newey's humility and lack of condescension, despite his legendary status in Formula One. Newey's willingness to engage with and value the contributions of younger engineers serves as an inspiration for aspiring professionals.

5. **United Motorsports Academy:** Shubham discusses the United Motorsports Academy's mission to provide education and opportunities in motorsports. The academy offers programs such as the Motorsports Accelerator program, which aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in the industry.

6. **Long-Term Goals:** Shubham envisions United Motorsports Academy as a platform that empowers individuals to pursue their dreams in motorsports, regardless of their background or circumstances. He hopes to create a network of professionals and enthusiasts who can contribute to the growth of the sport.

**Memorable Quotes:**

* "I want to become like a contact point for anybody and everybody who has a motorsport dream and use my contacts to give people experience." - Shubham

* "It's easier for me to say this after having done all of this. I always call it that I've climbed the mountain of my dreams and now I came down to climb a bigger mountain which is called the mountain of purpose in a way." - Shubham

* "It's okay if you fail. Because I remember I did not back then in India there were only four big IITs that taught aerospace engineering." - Shubham

* "I think the biggest bit was, when I was eventually leaving Red Bull, I said, okay, let's sign the book and take it." - Shubham

* "So that people like you get impressed when they are..." - Shubham

**Overall Message:**

Shubham's journey and the establishment of United Motorsports Academy embody the spirit of innovation, education, and inclusivity in the world of Formula One. His passion for aerodynamics and his commitment to fostering opportunities for aspiring professionals make him an inspiring figure in the sport.