There’s been a lot of buzz lately about the possibility of Michael Andretti returning to Formula One as a car owner, and about young American racers who might become F1 drivers.
But what about the less-glamorous but vitally important jobs in Grand Prix racing as engineers who design, build and maintain the cars? What about Americans in those roles?
That possibility may have taken a big step forward in the last few days as Genius Garage has unveiled the donation of a fully running 2013 Lotus T125 F1 car from a group of anonymous benefactors.
The Genius Garage, based in Bowling Green, Ohio, is a non-profit educational program designed to provide hands-on motorsports experience to college students studying automotive and aerospace engineers. The garage was founded in 2014 by designer and racing driver Casey Putsch.
In addition to being briefed on the vehicle systems and procedures needed to start and operating the car, the program received a supply of spares and support equipment for the Lotus.
“We were shocked to be receiving such an amazing contribution,” Putsch is quoted in the Genius Garage announcement. “This catapulted our dreams of starting an F1 education program for the betterment of engineering education and the future of motorsports in the U.S.
“I can’t say enough about the people who have provided us with the ultimate teaching tool and share our passion for educating engineering students and opening the doors to numerous opportunities in the world of motorsports.
Students get close-up look at Cosworth racing engine 
“This is not the last time you will see and definitely hear of this Lotus T125. We have big plans for it and will shortly share with everyone how we plan on leveraging this amazing opportunity.”
The gift to the program included the T125 equipped with a 640-horsepower C3.8-liter Cosworth F1 V8 that revs to 10,300 rpm.
