ONE of motor racing’s finest minds has visited Huddersfield students to pass on his wisdom.

Former Formula 1 engineer Steve Hallam visited the university to accept an honorary degree and spoke to students as they prepare for their own F1 showdown.

A group of engineering students dubbed Team Hare are set to compete in the Formula Student competition at Silverstone on Thursday.

The contest pits them against student engineers from around the world in a challenge to build and race a prototype car.

Steve, who left his role as McClaren operations chief to work in the American NASCAR series in 2008, was given the degree in recognition of the backing he has given the university’s motorsports project.

He said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to be here to interact with the students and the staff and to understand what is being achieved here.

“Projects like this really give the students the opportunity to get involved with a real vehicle.

“When I did my degree 30-years-ago this competition wasn’t about and we dreamed of building a car at university.”

Steve, who has worked with top F1 drivers including Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen, said he was impressed with the students’ car and would be passing on some of his expertise.

He said: “What I see here is an exceptionally well produced car.

“It’s a bit late for tips for this year’s car, but I’d like to give them some tips for next year.”

And Steve said he was also looking forward to talking about motor racing with university chancellor Sir Patrick Stewart at the honorary dinner.

He added: “I was very pleasantly surprised to see him at Silverstone so I’m looking forward to having a chat.”

Sir Patrick said he had admired Steve’s work on Lotus and McLaren teams for many years.

He said: “Formula 1 is my real passion. I’ve always enjoyed driving but I didn’t have a car until I was well into my twenties.

“I get a great kick out of a driving and a great kick out of trying to drive well.

“Some years back I was invited to take part in a motor race on the Formula 1 grand prix course at Long Beach in California.

“We had four days of race training and I fell for it completely.”