Formula Student
Formula Student is the world’s most prestigious engineering competition of its kind. Its goal is to educate and develop students through the design and construction of a race car, while each team’s success is evaluated by experienced engineers from the automotive industry and motorsport. The student team independently organizes the entire season, including learning, design, development, marketing, fundraising, assembly, testing and, finally, competitions.
Formula Student regulations define the design of the vehicle through a comprehensive rulebook whose main purpose is to ensure driver safety and promote innovative approaches to vehicle engineering.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
The Formula Student competition, then known as SAE Mini-Indy was first held in 1979 at the University of Houston, USA, organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International). During the 1980s, the official name of the competition became Formula SAE, the rules evolved, and almost all major universities across the United States became involved in the competition.
In Europe, the competition was held for the first time in 1998 and was organized by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), receiving the official European name Formula Student. Since then, the competition has become highly established and recognized by many universities worldwide, including the University of Belgrade. Events are held in numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the United States, Brazil, Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
FS ELECTRIC
The trend toward reducing the use of fossil fuels led to the appearance of the first electric Formula Student vehicles in 2008. During the following three years, these competitions were part of the Alternative Fuels category (Class 1A). Since 2012, when SAE International announced the creation of the Formula SAE Electric competition series, these vehicles have competed in Class 1 alongside vehicles with internal combustion engines.
Today, FS Electric includes more than 450 teams successfully presenting their formula cars, with full freedom to innovate in technology and a strong awareness of the environmental advantages of electric vehicles.
DISCIPLINES
Cost Analysis
- Students prepare a detailed report covering all costs related to materials, manufacturing and assembly of the vehicle.
- Points are awarded based on the final vehicle cost and the quality of the report.
Business Plan
- The business presentation aims to present potential investors with a business case designed to sell the concept of the developed race car.
- It must highlight the car’s key features and advantages, the design process, production feasibility and business proposal.
Design
- The most demanding discipline in this group is the design defense.
- Participants must be ready to explain to engineers from the world’s leading motorsport companies how and why they used specific materials, components and systems, why they integrated them in that particular way, and how their solutions meet market needs.
- The race car must demonstrate strong engineering solutions.
Technical Inspection
- This part of the competition does not award points, but it determines whether the team may continue.
- If the vehicle satisfies all requirements prescribed by the Formula Student rulebook, it is considered safe and ready for the track.
Acceleration
- This discipline focuses on engine and drivetrain performance as well as suspension, which should provide maximum tire grip.
- Acceleration time is measured over a 75-meter section from a standing start.
Skidpad
- The car is driven on a figure-eight course, giving teams the opportunity to demonstrate how their vehicle behaves in corners.
- The car must have strong lateral grip to complete the course as quickly as possible.
Autocross
- This event is modeled after Formula 1 training sessions and tests the car’s handling and maneuverability on a narrow 800-meter track.
Efficiency
- Fuel consumption is measured during the endurance test.
Endurance Test
- The time required for the vehicle to complete a 22-kilometer course, similar to a slalom track, is measured.
- After 11 kilometers, the drivers switch, requiring the vehicle to stop and restart, while repairs or refueling are not allowed.
- This is the most demanding discipline and tests the reliability of both the engine and the vehicle.
What Formula 1 Engineers Say
“What I like most about Formula Student is that it encourages innovation, because the competition rules give participants complete freedom in design. This is best seen in the many different solutions to the same problem. From my own experience, I know that practical experience stands behind a good engineer. Formula Student combines practical and theoretical knowledge, while also training students to plan budgets, work in teams and manage projects. Whether team members later work in motorsport or in another branch of engineering, taking part in such a competition is invaluable experience that will be useful everywhere.”
Ross Brawn
Formula Student patron, Formula 1 Managing Director of Motorsports
“Formula Student graduates come to our company full of ideas they want to apply to a Formula 1 car. That is the advantage of coming from a closely connected team, and it is something we value highly. The energy Formula Student team members bring with them reminds us every time what a great job we have and how fortunate we are to do it.”
James Allison
Designer, engineer and former technical director of Scuderia Ferrari
“I consider the Formula Student concept brilliant because it gives students a complete and concise picture of what it is like to work in motorsport, but also in a company in general. Everyone has to deal with financial and resource constraints, deadlines and difficult decisions from the beginning to the end of the project.
Students also have to roll up their sleeves and learn the practical side of building and driving a car. I enjoy seeing the many ways teams refine solutions to a complex problem — there is always something surprising and positive to see.”
Willem Toet
Formula 1 engineer
