Hexagon & Red Bull team up for global skills challenge

Hexagon has announced the launch of a global skills challenge in partnership with Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing, the current F1 Sim Racing World Champions.

The initiative, known as the Future Skills Challenge, seeks to connect the virtual world of esports with the real-world demands of engineering and manufacturing. This competition invites participation from gamers, students, and industry professionals who are passionate about esports, engineering, motorsport, or advanced technology.

Participants will be required to tackle custom puzzles and problem-solving scenarios designed to reflect real-world engineering dynamics, assessing skills in areas such as data analytics, AI-driven decision-making, and the use of digital twin concepts. The competition aims to mirror the fast-paced environment of esports with the core competencies required in high-performance engineering and automotive manufacturing.

Six finalists will be invited to the Red Bull Sim Racing Arena in Milton Keynes for a showcase event in September. This exclusive event will include personalised coaching sessions with elite sim racers from Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing and interactions with advanced driving simulators. Participants will also have the opportunity to see the Red Bull Technology Group's facilities. The ultimate winner of the competition will receive a Fanatec sim racing equipment bundle valued at approximately EUR €4,000.

The collaboration with Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing supports Hexagon's wider mission to address the skills gap seen in engineering and manufacturing. By engaging with the esports community, Hexagon aims to spotlight the exciting and technology-driven careers available in digital manufacturing and engineering, thereby inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Joe Soltysik, Head of Esports, Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology, commented: "We are delighted to be launching this groundbreaking competition with long-standing Oracle Red Bull Racing partner Hexagon. As the engineer role in sim racing becomes increasingly complex, the line between real and virtual has never been so close. By working with Hexagon, we can create new pathways for budding engineers to build a career within esports, manufacturing and beyond. We cannot wait to see talented minds entering the Future Skills Challenge and look forward to hosting the winners at the factory."

Josh Weiss, President of Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division, added: "We're proud to partner with Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing to encourage the next generation of digital engineers. There is increasing synergy between esports and engineering, and sim racing offers an authentic proving ground for several transferable skills, with drivers using data analytics and rapid decision-making, just as engineers do in F1 racing and high-performance automotive manufacturing. With the Future Skills Challenge, we're showcasing how digital capabilities can translate directly into exciting, future-focused careers in manufacturing."

The competition will run from the 1st to the 30th of June 2025 and will feature two age categories: 18-and-under, and 19-and-over. A dynamic leaderboard will be available to track progress in real-time.