Rules reference: Formula Student Rules 2027 v1.0, checked 28 October 2026. Event-specific handbooks may differ. EV totals include autonomous Skidpad and Acceleration points.
WHAT IS FORMULA STUDENT?
Formula Student challenges university teams to design, build and compete with formula-style cars. Static and dynamic disciplines assess engineering and vehicle performance.
Formula Student gives students the opportunity to prove their technical abilities already acquired in class regarding the design and manufacture of a prototype race car, but additionally an adventure of such scale allows advancing practical knowledge, and learning entirely new fields and skills in teamwork, finance and management. The performance of the competing vehicles is tested in both Static and Dynamic Events. The Static Events, mostly focused on the technology implemented, rate the Engineering Design, the Cost Management and Business Plan of the vehicle. Whereas the Dynamic Events target the physical capabilities of the car such as its Acceleration, Energy Efficiency during the race, Endurance, Handling, and overall performance.
Registration and qualification requirements vary by organizer and season. Consult the event handbook.
Electric Vehicle Competition – 1000 points
Static Events –
325 points
Formula Student isn’t just about racing. It is above all an Engineering competition. Out of 1000 points, 325 points can be awarded for the Static Events.
- Business Plan Presentation 75/325 23%
- Cost and Manufacturing 100/325 30%
- Engineering Design 150/325 46%
During the presentation, two students will present a fictitious Business Plan to potential investors. The project idea must be innovative and the car must be at the heart of the development.
The Cost and Manufacturing event will assess the team’s understanding of the manufacturing processes they used for their different parts, and the cost associated.
The Engineering Design event gathers automotive industry and motorsport experts around the car, whose smallest bolt will be carefully examined. The most elegant and efficient designs will be awarded the best grade.
Dynamic Events –
675 points
Two thirds of the points are awarded during the Dynamic Events.
- Skidpad — 50 manual + 75 autonomous / 675 18%
- Acceleration — 50 manual + 75 autonomous / 675 18%
- Autocross – 100/675 15%
- Endurance – 250/675 37%
- Efficiency – 75/675 11%
Skidpad is a 8-shaped track, where the car turns at the limit of its grip abilities.
Acceleration measures the car’s fastest time on a 75-meter straight.
Autocross is a 1-km sprint.
Endurance is a 22-km time trial, this is the most intense race, as it tests the good resistance of the mechanical parts of the car to an extended drive, as well as the good cooling of the brakes, the motor, and the battery pack.
Efficiency measures the energy used for the endurance race, as well as the energy recovered under braking. The most energy-saving cars are awarded the best grade.
Driverless cup
The additional Driverless Cup evaluates autonomous vehicle development. Its 600 points comprise Engineering Design (150), autonomous Skidpad (75), Acceleration (75), Autocross (100) and Trackdrive (200).
static Events –
150 points
- Engineering Design — 150/150 100%
Engineering Design evaluates the autonomous vehicle and its engineering decisions.
Dynamic Events –
450 points
Autonomous starting, stopping and safety procedures are discipline-specific; refer to the official rules.
- SkidPad – 75/450 17%
- Acceleration – 75/450 17%
- Autocross – 100/450 22%
- Track Drive – 200/450 44%
Driverless Skidpad tests autonomous cornering on a figure-eight course.
Driverless Acceleration tests the autonomous vehicle on a straight course.
Driverless Autocross follows the dedicated course and procedures specified in the current rules.
Trackdrive evaluates autonomous driving over multiple laps.
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