Making history

Formula Student UPV, the team belonging to Design Factory, has achieved it: it has risen to the top of the podium in one of the most demanding international competitions with its single-seater car built at the UPV. And it has been the first Spanish team to achieve this historic feat.

Over 100 universities worldwide gathered for the most important international combustion competition, held from 14 to 17 May in Michigan (United States).

On her return to Valencia, the team captain, Nieves Maicas, shared "the excitement of being the first Spanish team to achieve this", emphasising that "throughout the competition, our prototype has reflected months of work, effort, and passion for innovation and learning".

As she explains, one of the biggest challenges has been international logistics: "Send the prototype and all the competition equipment to Michigan, and once there, tune the car and adapt it to the different track and weather conditions. In addition, we had to adjust the design of the prototype to comply with two different sets of regulations, European competition regulations and Michigan competition regulations". These obstacles have been overcome "thanks to prior preparation, teamwork and the experience we have gained".

After this milestone in the history of university single-seaters, Formula Student UPV faces the final stage of the season with its sight set on the European competitions this summer

Their vehicle FSUPV11

The single-seater car with which they achieved victory is an internal combustion engine, designed and manufactured entirely by the team. It has a carbon fibre monocoque chassis, which reduces weight and improves structural stiffness.

Besides, it also incorporates a complete aerodynamic package that allows it to achieve high cornering performance and a 4-cylinder engine that delivers 87 hp and a top speed of 120 km/h. The entire system has been developed to reach maximum performance on the track while maintaining reliability, safety, easy maintenance and efficiency.

About the competition

Formula SAE Michigan is one of the world's most important automotive engineering competitions at the university level. It is part of the international Formula Student, where teams design, manufacture and compete with a single-seater car developed entirely by students. Both dynamic tests (acceleration, braking, manoeuvrability, endurance, efficiency, etc.) and static tests (design, costs, business presentation) are evaluated.

Formula Student UPV

FSUPV is a project made up of 50 students from different schools who share their passion for taking on new challenges. The goal is to design and manufacture a Formula SAE-type competition vehicle.

The competition focuses not only on speed but also on innovations, efficiency, and project management. The teams have to submit detailed technical reports and give presentations to a panel of judges to explain and justify their designs.