What is Formula Student?

The origins of Formula Student date back to 1981, when the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in the United States launched the Formula SAE competition. The main purpose of this competition is to encourage university students to design and develop small, single-seater racing cars as if they were working for a real automotive company. Participants are not only engaged in engineering design but also deal with cost analysis, business planning, team organization, and project management. In this way, students gain a holistic experience, preparing them both technically and entrepreneurially to work like real engineers or managers.

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Today, Formula Student has become one of the most prestigious student engineering competitions, held in many countries across Europe, Asia, America, and Türkiye. The competition covers categories for internal combustion, electric, and autonomous vehicles, with hundreds of university teams participating each year. In recent years, electric and autonomous vehicle projects have become increasingly prominent, turning Formula Student into a platform that drives the technologies of the future.

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The competition is not only about rivalry but also serves as a critical platform for knowledge sharing, testing innovative ideas, and discovering young engineers who will shape the future of the automotive industry. Formula Student consists of two main parts: Static and Dynamic Events, with the total score usually amounting to 1000 points (though this may vary slightly depending on the competition).

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Static Events (~325 points)

These events focus on business and engineering aspects and are evaluated before the car hits the track:

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• Engineering Design Report (150 points)

This is the document in which the team explains the design process of their car in detail. It includes the engineering choices, calculations, and analyses made for each subsystem. The purpose is not only to show how the design was carried out but also to justify why it was done in that particular way. During the competition, the jury bases much of the design evaluation on this report, assessing the team’s engineering approach, technical knowledge, and problem-solving ability.

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• Cost & Manufacturing (100 points)

This section presents a systematic breakdown of all expenses and manufacturing processes related to the car’s development. Teams prepare a detailed report calculating the cost of each component and production step. This allows the jury to evaluate not only the car’s technical success but also its economic feasibility. Teams are assessed on their ability to devise cost-reducing solutions and their capacity to plan production processes with realistic and industrial perspectives.

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• Business Plan Presentation (75 points)

This event requires the team to present their car not only as a racing vehicle but also as a potential business concept. Teams prepare a business model that includes the marketability of the car, target customers, and cost and revenue projections. During the presentation, the jury evaluates how well students combine engineering knowledge with entrepreneurial and managerial skills to provide value to potential investors. This event tests not only technical expertise but also strategic thinking and communication skills.

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Dynamic Events (~675 points)

These are the on-track tests where the car’s real-world performance is measured:

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• Acceleration (75 points)

This event measures the car’s acceleration performance over a 75-meter straight in the shortest possible time. It demonstrates the car’s power-to-weight ratio, traction capability, and drivetrain efficiency. Highly exciting for both the jury and spectators, the acceleration test is also a key indicator of how well the powertrain and power management systems have been designed.

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• Skid Pad (75 points)

This event evaluates the car’s cornering ability and lateral acceleration. The car drives in a figure-eight (∞) pattern on a track consisting of two adjacent circles, and the best lap time is recorded. Skid Pad showcases the effectiveness of the suspension design, tire choice, and overall vehicle stability, highlighting the car’s cornering performance rather than just its straight-line speed.

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• Autocross (100 points)

Autocross tests the car’s overall agility and driving dynamics on a short, technical track filled with corners, evaluated through a single timed lap. It measures acceleration, braking, handling, and maneuverability. The best lap time determines the team’s grid position for the Endurance event. As such, Autocross is a crucial test of both engineering design and driver skill.

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• Endurance (250 points)

Endurance is the toughest and most rewarding event, where the car competes in a continuous race over approximately 22 kilometers. This test evaluates not only speed and performance but also the reliability, energy efficiency, and durability of the car over long periods. With a mandatory driver change and the risk of disqualification due to any failure, Endurance is widely regarded as the ultimate test of a team’s engineering quality and the overall robustness of their vehicle design.

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• Efficiency (100 points)

Efficiency measures the car’s energy consumption and effective use of resources. Typically assessed alongside the Endurance event, this scoring is based on the amount of fuel or electrical energy consumed during the race. The goal is not only to build a fast car but also one that achieves high performance with minimal energy consumption. This is especially crucial in the electric category, where battery management, powertrain efficiency, and driving strategy are tested in depth.​​​