Formula SAE Brazil 2026: Global Group Supports the Future of Automotive Engineering

The future of automotive engineering also begins at universities. From July 29 to August 2, 2026, Brazilian and international students will gather in Tatuí, São Paulo, for the 22nd Formula SAE Brazil Competition. Organized by SAE BRASIL, the event will take place at the Ford Development and Technology Center and bring together more than 1,300 students across 66 registered teams, including three international teams.

The 2026 competition will feature 47 prototypes in the Internal Combustion category and 21 in the Electric category. The vehicles are designed and built by university students, who must demonstrate performance, safety, efficiency, reliability, and technical consistency. More than a motorsport competition, Formula SAE Brazil provides a practical engineering experience. Throughout the project, participants transform academic knowledge into solutions for challenges similar to those found in the automotive industry.

What is Formula SAE Brazil?

Formula SAE Brazil is a university engineering competition that challenges students to develop a Formula-style vehicle. Established in Brazil in 2004, the program encourages students to apply classroom knowledge to a complete development project. Each team works through a cycle that includes planning, requirements definition, design, construction, testing, improvement, and validation. To deliver a competitive prototype, participants combine knowledge from several areas, including mechanical design, electrical systems, vehicle dynamics, safety, materials, manufacturing, costs, and project management. The challenge also requires organization, leadership, communication, and teamwork. Developing a vehicle takes more than a good idea. Engineering decisions must be transformed into measurable results.

How are the prototypes evaluated?

The vehicles undergo static and dynamic evaluations. The static events assess engineering design, costs, manufacturing processes, and business presentation. Teams must explain their decisions and demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of their solutions. During the dynamic events, the prototypes are tested in activities that evaluate acceleration, handling, endurance, efficiency, and overall performance. Before entering the track, every vehicle must also comply with the technical and safety requirements established by the competition. This process shows that a strong automotive project is not defined by speed alone. It must also be safe, reliable, efficient, and consistent with its requirements.

From concept to validation

Before the competition, teams spend months designing, simulating, building, and testing their vehicles. Throughout this journey, students identify failures, review decisions, manage costs, meet deadlines, and document their technical choices. The process includes requirements definition, planning, development, simulation, construction, system integration, inspections, testing, improvements, and performance validation. This cycle introduces students to the realities faced by vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and companies specializing in engineering, research and development, testing, and validation.

Internal combustion, electrification, and hydrogen

Formula SAE Brazil will feature internal combustion and electric prototypes, reflecting the technological diversity of the mobility industry.  At the same time, the Ford Development and Technology Center will host the 5th SAE BRASIL Student H2 Challenge. The program includes electric Formula and Baja vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The initiative gives students the opportunity to work with technologies related to electrification, energy efficiency, and alternative propulsion systems.

Global Group supports Formula SAE Brazil 2026

By supporting Formula SAE Brazil 2026, Global Group reinforces its commitment to professional development, innovation, and the advancement of engineering in Brazil. The initiative is connected to the company’s work across the automotive, agricultural, and industrial sectors. Global Group provides solutions in advanced engineering, research and development, technical outsourcing, vehicle testing and validation, benchmarking, quality, and product development.

These activities depend on professionals who can understand requirements, analyze data, conduct tests, and transform technical challenges into reliable solutions. By bringing together academic knowledge, practical experience, and industry interaction, Formula SAE Brazil helps prepare a new generation of engineers for the challenges of mobility. For Global Group, investing in talent also means investing in the future of engineering. More infos in SAE Brazil.