University motorsport team engineers F1-ready students
Students from the University of Adelaide will compete with their very own Formula-style open-wheeled car this week during Formula SAE-A, the world鈥檚 largest student engineering competition.
Adelaide University Motorsport Team's 2025 car.
Every year, thousands of students from across the world design, build and race electric cars as a part of Formula SAE-A, developing invaluable industry skills.
Founded in 2001, the Adelaide University Motorsport Team (AUMT) competes annually, with 60 members ranging from first-year undergraduates to PhD students. While most study engineering, the team also includes business students.
AUMT Team Leader Erin Pereira, who is studying a double degree in Mechanical Engineering and Banking and Finance, says the competition is both a challenge and a career springboard.
鈥淲e鈥檙e feeling pretty confident this year. We have a switched-on team and a great car,鈥 Pereira says.
鈥淣ot only does being part of the team let us pursue our interest in motorsport, but it also builds strong and wonderful connections through both industry and friendships.鈥
The competition, which will be held from 11鈥14 December at Calder Park Raceway in Victoria, is divided into three static events: business presentation, cost, and design; and four dynamic events: acceleration, skidpan, autocross, and endurance.
Points are tallied across all seven events, with the highest-scoring team declared the winner.
鈥淵our car needs to be not only the quickest, but also the most robust. You need to have the most switched-on drivers,鈥 Pereira says.
AUMT Chief Engineer, Hamish Trehearne, a mechanical engineering student majoring in aerospace, says a core requirement of the competition is that teams must change at least 40 per cent of their car each year.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not feasible for us to build a completely new car every year, so we take apart the previous year鈥檚 car and reassemble it with significant design changes,鈥 Trehearne says.
鈥淟ast year, we introduced a new wing package. This year鈥檚 changes include moving away from a space-frame-style chassis to a monocoque, which is a first for our team. We鈥檝e also made smaller improvements across the car.鈥
AUMT Business Lead, Alicia Vale, who is studying mechanical engineering and Finance and Banking, says the team鈥檚 industry engagement is invaluable 鈥 whether that鈥檚 from generous sponsors or through the team鈥檚 SA volunteering initiatives, including Adelaide Rally and Adelaide Motorsport Festival.
鈥淭here are a number of sponsors who make this project possible, either through direct funding or in-kind support. They also give us design advice, feedback on areas to improve, and guidance on potential issues. Being part of the Adelaide University Motorsport Team has provided immense opportunity for future careers,鈥 Vale says.
Students are often recruited for industry exposure, with alumni going on to engineering roles through industry connections, including international opportunities such as the Mercedes F1 Team.
Current student and AUMT Aerodynamics Leader, James Gurney, recently returned from a year-long internship with Red Bull F1 in the UK.
鈥淚 worked across all car areas, from designing aerodynamic surfaces that have gone onto Max Verstappen鈥檚 world championship-winning cars to details on Yuki Tsunoda鈥檚 helmet spoiler. It was an incredible experience,鈥 Gurney says.
Following the completion of his studies this year, Gurney hopes to return to the UK to continue with Red Bull F1.
鈥淒esigning cars for the Adelaide University Motorsport Team gave me the foundations in aerodynamics that employers in Formula One are looking for,鈥 he says.
Keep聽up to date with Adelaide University Motorsport Team on their , , and .聽Find out more on the Formula SAE-A . See a video on this year鈥檚 AUMT car build project .
Media contact:
Johnny von Einem, Senior Media Officer, University of Adelaide. Phone: +61 0481 688 436, Email: johnny.voneinem@adelaide.edu.au