Formula Student Germany

Actually, I’m not really that interested in motor racing. I always felt it quite senseless to drive in circles and produce exhaust fumes with hellish noise. Not a good prerequisite for taking pictures at a student design competition for formula racing cars.

Sponsored by industrial companies, teams from various universities compete every year at the Hockenheimring for victory in this construction competition for racing cars. In addition to the technical aspects of the cars, cost management and team presentation are also evaluated. Since 2010 there is a class for electric driving and since 2017 also for autonomous driving. Future engineers, business economists and marketing specialists are responsible for cooling and grind on the aerodynamics, simulate drive trains, receive electric shocks and set a world record in acceleration for electric vehicles: 1.779 seconds from 0-100 km/h. I have changed my mind: it’s never pointless to compete as a team.

Team members of all teams look from the spectators' side at the cars driving in the race.

A combustion racing car is waiting for its start.

A racing car starts its run at the race track for acceleration measurement. Spectators are in the foreground.

A racing car starts its run at the race track for acceleration measurement.

Most team members are men. Nevertheless there are also some women among the audience.

Most of the team members watching here are men.

One of the participating electric racing cars in the box. The driver sits in the cockpit.

One of the participating electric racing cars in the box.

Two race cars of the combustion class are brought to the start. Team members accompany them on foot.

Two race cars of the combustion class are brought to the start.

A racing car on the circuit, where its characteristics and the driver's ability are measured.

A racing car on the circuit.

Students and racing cars are everywhere on the paths between the pits and the race tracks.

On the paths between the pits and the race tracks.

On the way to the race, the driver already in the cockpit is protected by his team mates with an umbrella against the heat of the sun.

On the way to a race.

An electric racing car is maintained in the pit by the team. The students have surrounded the vehicle.

An electric racing car is maintained in the pit by the team.

A team from Pakistan is working in the pits on its combustion class vehicle.

A team from Pakistan is working on its combustion class vehicle.

A racing car is brought into the pits together. Above the gate hangs the German flag.

A racing car is brought into the pits together.

A race car with combustion engine is maintained by its American team in the pit tent. The driver sits in the cockpit with blue reflective sunglasses.

An American racing car with a combustion engine.

Two students lie asleep between stacked tyres and material.

Two students sleep in the pit.

A racing car is brought to the start at the speed test track.

A racing car at the speed test track.

A racing car at the exit track of the speed measurement. In the background the racetrack.

A racing car measuring speed.

Start for speed measurement. The start flag is waved.

Start for speed measurement.

A racing car strays off the track on the circuit and guiding cones fly through the air.

A racing car strays off the track on the circuit.

View of the racetrack, other spectators and helpers, and a racing car.

View over the shoulder of applauding spectators.

A racing car during acceleration measurement. In the foreground, viewers blurred by dragging the camera.

A racing car during acceleration measurement.