Formula Student

Because sustainability plays a major role at Furtwangen University, our Formula Student Team is building a fully electric race car. The team consists of two divisions – engineering (based in Schwenningen) and management (based in Furtwangen). In some faculties, the Formula Student project is offered as an elective course and students can earn ECTS credits for it depending on their field of study. This can also be discussed individually with the relevant dean.

The engineering team has divided itself into nine sub-teams, each of which works on specific topics such as “outer skin,” “sensors,” or “chassis.” The management team has sub-teams such as “marketing,” “sponsoring,” and “technical purchasing.” A project meeting is held once a week. Regardless of this, the teams continue to work on the project in their free time.

One challenge with a student project that spans several semesters is the changing composition of the participants: every semester, results must be secured and handed over to new team members at the beginning of a new semester. Another challenge is that our team is currently working on its first race car.

In the current winter semester, 37 students are participating in Formula Student, doing everything they can to implement the first roadworthy vehicle model by mid-2026. Then it's time to optimise — and finally, the demanding process of qualifying for the competitions.

Formula Student not only evaluates student projects based on their fulfillment of technical requirements. They must also impress with their overall design, racing performance, business plan, and marketing.

The various disciplines:

Statics: Business Plan, Cost Report, and Engineering Design

Dynamics: Skidpad, Acceleration, Autocross, and Endurance

Whether it's assistance with purchasing materials, technical support, or help with travel expenses for competitions such as FSG Hockenheim or FSA at the Red Bull Ring, attracting sponsors is also part of the project in order to finance the construction of the HFU racing car. Companies can get involved as bronze, silver, or gold sponsors. This not only supports an exciting and interdisciplinary team, but also puts the company's own name in the spotlight.

At this point, we'd like to say a big thank you to our sponsors!

HFU students and staff −regardless of their field of study − can get involved in Black Forest Performance at any time. The racing car is a reliable crowd-puller at public events such as our Campus Day or the Hochschulkontaktbörse university career fair.

As a special highlight, for example for corporate events, the race car can also be borrowed as an exhibit upon request.