Young Slovenian engineers are setting new benchmarks in speed and innovation. The Superior Engineering team from the University of Ljubljana achieved an outstanding result at the prestigious Formula Student ATA 2025 competition in Varano, Italy, taking 7th place overall, breaking two team records, and returning to the Autocross podium for the first time in years. Bringing together 37 students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 25 from Electrical Engineering, 3 from Mathematics and Physics, 2 from Computer and Information Science, 2 from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, and 1 from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, the team competed among more than 60 university teams worldwide.
Formula Student is a global proving ground for next-generation engineering talent, where teams design, build, and test an electric race car from the ground up. Success is measured not only in lap times, but also in design innovation, business planning, cost efficiency, and endurance. This year, Superior Engineering excelled in dynamic disciplines: Skidpad – 6th place with a new team record of 4.702 seconds; Acceleration – 6th place with a record 3.568 seconds; Autocross – an exceptional 3rd place with 57.22 seconds, marking a long-awaited podium comeback. “Our proudest achievement is the team itself,” emphasized Team Leader Lan Jenčič. “Their commitment, technical skill, and countless hours of work resulted in an exceptional race car and a major step forward for the project—an ideal springboard for the next season.”
A key milestone of the season was the transition to four-wheel drive, requiring the design of new planetary gear sets, a completely redesigned chassis, and advanced electronic controls, including a torque-vectoring algorithm that optimizes power distribution to each wheel. Despite facing challenges—from the first-ever metal mold for the carbon-fiber chassis to an unexpected electronics issue in the Endurance race—the team demonstrated remarkable persistence and problem-solving ability.
The team’s success reflects months of intensive work alongside academic commitments, supported by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, which provides workspace and technical guidance, as well as industry partners offering materials, technology, funding, and mentorship. The most memorable moment? The final and fastest lap in Autocross and the tense wait for the official results. Top rivals included Race UP Electric Padova, TU Wien Racing, and UPBracing Team Paderborn.
With the 2025 season complete, Superior Engineering is already designing the next-generation race car—aiming for a lighter, more reliable machine, refined control algorithms, and a new modular carbon-fiber mold. The team welcomes new members from all technical fields eager to gain cutting-edge interdisciplinary experience and help shape the future of high-performance engineering.
Superior Engineering’s success proves that Slovenian students can compete head-to-head with the world’s best in advanced engineering—strengthening the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Mechanical Engineering’s reputation as a hub of innovation and excellence.
Foto: arhiv Superior Engineering
