Putting bright young engineers on the start line

Formula Student (FS) is one of Europe’s largest educational motorsport events. It aims to inspire the next generation of engineers by challenging university students to design, build and compete as a team with their own single seat racing car.

Run by the Institution, FS is backed by industry and high profile engineers such as its Patron, Ross Brawn and Ambassadors, including James Allison and Bob Bell.

About the competition

The competition starts at the beginning of the academic year when teams start designing, with the brief to produce a prototype car for the non-professional autocross or sprint racer sales market. To encourage innovative thinking there are very few restrictions on the overall vehicle design.

Successful teams produce a fast, reliable, low-cost, easy-maintenance car. Its marketability is enhanced by factors including aesthetics, driver comfort and the use of common parts.

The teams’ hard work culminates in July at the FS event at Silverstone. In a series of static and dynamic events, they demonstrate to the judges that their car is fit for purpose, and present a business plan that sells their concept to potential investors.

Low carbon

For the low carbon category, which raises awareness of alternative fuels and green technology, teams compete in the same dynamic events as the petrol powered cars but greater attention is paid to the amount of carbon emissions produced, and they have to calculate the CO2 and energy used during the manufacture of the car.

Get involved

Compete

FS enables students to hone both their technical, engineering design and manufacturing skills, and their ‘softer’ skills such as team work, time and project management. This experience means that once they graduate, participants are very employable, with many enjoying successful careers in Formula One and a wide range of industry sectors including aerospace, automobile and energy. Find out more about the competition.

Partner the event

Becoming a partner or sponsor gives you unique access to the best, most motivated engineering graduates. Find out more about our range of sponsorship opportunities.