Hexagon launches Future Skills Challenge with Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing

New competition will bridge esports and real-world engineering to inspire the next generation of digital talent

• Hexagon inaugurates Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing partnership with a new competition that connects esports and real-world engineering
• Gamers, students and industry professionals are invited to solve skills-based challenges, with finalists earning an exclusive experience at the Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing Erena
• Initiative aligns with Hexagon’s mission to empower the future manufacturing workforce and address skills gaps, highlighting how esports skills translate into digital engineering careers

Hannover, Germany – 2nd April 2025 – Hexagon announces its partnership with the Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing team, which recently won the Teams’ and Drivers’ titles in the F1 Sim Racing World Championship – the pinnacle of virtual motorsport – with a global challenge to find the next generation of digital-native engineering talent.

The partnership underpins Hexagon’s dedication to inspiring a new wave of talent while championing digital innovation and future-ready skills in engineering and manufacturing. To inspire the next generation, Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division and Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing is launching the Future Skills Challenge, an innovative competition open to gamers, students, and industry professionals with a passion for esports, engineering, motorsport, or advanced technology.

Six talented finalists will earn an exclusive invitation to a high-energy showcase event at Red Bull’s state-of-the-art Sim Racing Erena in Milton Keynes this September. There, they will experience personalised coaching sessions from Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing’s elite sim racers, engage with advanced driving simulators, and get a rare behind-the-scenes look at Red Bull Technology Group’s groundbreaking facilities. The overall winner will also take home an exceptional Fanatec sim racing equipment bundle worth approximately €4,000.

To enter, individuals will complete a set of custom puzzles and problem-solving scenarios. The test will simulate real-world engineering dynamics to evaluate cognitive skills and technical ability, encompassing data analytics, AI-driven decision-making, and digital twin concepts. The challenges will reflect how the fast-paced environment of esports parallels core competencies in high-performance engineering and automotive manufacturing.

The collaboration with Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing supports Hexagon’s broader mission of addressing the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing. The industry continues to face significant challenges in attracting young talent, often due to outdated perceptions of traditional career paths. By engaging with the esports community, Hexagon aims to highlight the exciting, technology-driven opportunities available in digital manufacturing and engineering, inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Joe Soltysik, head of esports, Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology, said: “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 at Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, said: “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.”