Development
Formula Student is the European answer to the American Formula SAE. Formula SAE was founded in the USA in 1981 by the Society of Automotive Engineers as a university competition.
With this example the Formula Student was established in the UK in 1999. The regulations are very close to those of the Formula SAE, allowing teams to participate at both events. Additionally, the categories project management and project presentation were introduced to the European competition.
New competitions started in 2005 in Italy and 2006 in Germany at the Hockenheim race track.
In the meantime, there are currently nine competitions worldwide (see venues).
The expanding number of participants around the globe and especially in Germany demonstrates the increasing popularity of the Formula Student.
Background
Students design, construct and build a race car according to regulations for the competition in one year. After the completion of the car the students meet at the worldwide events to present their car to a professional team of judges and to compete against each other in various disciplines.
Participating students gain practical experience during their studies and supplement their theoretical knowledge gained in lectures. Besides the academic fields of design, construction and assembly, the students also improve their teamwork, project management and marketing skills.