The team’s lightest car to date, at just 205kg.
The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2.5 seconds with a driver – and under two seconds without one.
The project entailed over 25,000 hours of work.
Each time new technical information was announced, applause filled the Great Hall of Instituto Superior Técnico, celebrating the achievements of the Formula Student team (FST Lisboa). The event held on 18 June marked the rollout of the FST14, the latest prototype from this students’ organisation.
‘I still can’t help but get emotional when I see this Great Hall so full’, shared Rogério Colaço, the president of Técnico, at the opening ceremony. Emphasising that these prototypes are ‘designed, built and tested’ by Técnico students, Rogério Colaço highlighted how ‘the educational impact of such initiatives on student development is immeasurable’. According to the professor, ‘technical knowledge, teamwork, leadership, resilience and perseverance’ are qualities ‘that can’t be learnt in a classroom, which is why Técnico supports these initiatives’.
With 61 members primarily studying Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Computer Science and Engineering at Técnico, along with students from other fields like Industrial Engineering and Management, FST Lisboa ‘operates like a company – not a small company – that develops cutting-edge technology’. Rogério Colaço recalled that FST Lisboa’s staff changes frequently due to students graduating, members leaving and joining, often resulting in a complete renewal of members after two years. The professor also recalled ‘many other project teams’, Students’ Organisations which serve as ‘training and experience vectors by national standards’ – with ‘Formula Student being the initial team’.
The longest ovation of the evening was reserved for Luís Sousa, described as “a father of the project” and a professor who has supported the team’s activities for over 20 years. The FST Lisboa team, occupying the entire north wing of the Great Hall, extended their applause for Luís Sousa (with some members cheering loudly). “What was impossible a year ago is no longer impossible”, said Luís Sousa, referring to the execution and completion of FST14. He also expressed gratitude to the families of team members for their understanding of the time and effort required from the students.
The new vehicle features a redesigned monocoque chassis for maximum rigidity and safety, an advanced aerodynamic package that improves downforce (enhancing cornering stability) and efficiency, a sophisticated damping system designed for agility on the track, and more refined autonomous driving capabilities.
As usual at this time of year, FST Lisboa is gearing up for another competition season, both domestically and internationally, with upcoming events at FS Portugal (Castelo Branco), FS Spain (Barcelona), and FS Germany (Hockenheim). Regardless of the results, Nuno Lynce Silva, the FST Lisboa Team Leader and a Mechanical Engineering student, believes that “if they are the ones who have learnt the most, they will be the best in the world”. “Técnico trains the best engineers in Portugal and the whole world”, he added.
Pedro Afonso, CEO at Vinci Energies Portugal, referred to FST Lisboa as “an elite formed within an elite ecosystem”. This is evidenced (not only by their achievements in national and international competitions) is the “ability to get things done”. He recalled a situation where a power supply broke down just three weeks before a race, and the issue was resolved in time for the event. This year marks the first year of the company’s sponsorship of FST Lisboa and Rogério Colaço saluted his colleagues at Vinci, who ‘have been a remarkable and extraordinary support for their commitment’. The relationship between Vinci Energies Portugal and Técnico also extends to the professional field, with Pedro Afonso pointing out that Vinci Portugal employs more than 70 Técnico alumni.
After the speeches and group photos were taken, the atmosphere in the Great Hall shifted, focusing on the FST14. With crowds lining the Alameda campus car park, the FST14 took to the road, navigating a tight course marked by cones with impressive speed and precision. At the end of its final lap, the celebration included not only applause for the vehicle and its driver but also a champagne shower to commemorate the beginning of another promising sporting season.
