Maria AlAwadhi Becomes First Bahraini Women at McLaren Racing

Maria AlAwadhi has been selected for a one-year international internship with McLaren Racing, as declared by The American University of Bahrain (AUBH).

Maria is presently in the last year of her Bachelor of Business Administration (Human Resources Management) at AUBH. After graduating in June this year, she will go down in history as the first Bahraini female to be a part of the McLaren Racing Team, thus marking a historic moment not just for the university but also for the entire country of Bahrain.

The renowned program will be conducted at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Surrey, UK. The internship will give Maria an exposure to an innovative motorsport team allowing her to learn about international best practices, cross-departmental teamwork, and high performance working environment, thus enabling her to develop invaluable skills and knowledge of the global industry.

This initiative is seen as a strategically planned collaboration between AUBH and McLaren Racing, both being part of the Mumtalakat Holdings portfolio. This business venture is an illustration of the long-term strategy of Mumtalakat to create synergy among its companies and to develop the human resources of Bahrain. The primary goal of this strategy is to create a link between talented students and excellent companies in order to create future talent in Bahrain.

Key Highlights:

• AUBH student becomes first Bahraini woman to join McLaren Racing
• Maria AlAwadhi secures prestigious one-year internship at McLaren Racing
• AUBH-McLaren partnership opens global career pathway for Bahraini talent

Considering her appointment, Maria spoke highly of the privilege she enjoys in joining McLaren Racing as a turning point in her academic and professional career path. In appreciation of her appointment to such a reputable organization, she said that the internship provides her with a rare chance to develop her capabilities, increase her international outlook, and obtain experience in such an exemplary institution.

Additionally, she gave credit to AUBH for the part it has played in making her a competitive individual internationally. She further said that she hoped that her accomplishment would encourage other Bahraini young women to venture into international careers.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Wafa Almansoori, Interim President and Provost of the American University of Bahrain (AUBH), stated, “The University takes immense pride in AlAwadhi’s selection for this prestigious placement at one of the world’s most iconic racing organizations. This achievement is a testament to the academic excellence maintained by our students and reflects the growing international confidence in the professional competencies fostered at AUBH. The University remains deeply appreciative of its strategic alliance with Mumtalakat, a partnership that is vital to broadening the professional scope for our students and catalyzing their success within the global marketplace.”

September 2026, Maria is scheduled to start her international internship for one year in England. This will see her being a part of the fast-paced organizational culture of McLaren Racing Company. Along the way, she is also scheduled to have firsthand experience of the business operations and high performance culture of McLaren Racing Company. As an intern in McLaren Technology Center, among other professionals in the industry, Maria is set to have experience in business operations and cooperation.