PHOTO: COURTESY

FATIMA ASHRAF

The student Formula team from the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), MIST Blitz, will be taking part in Formula Student China in Henan province, Zhengzhou this October. Within a year, the crew had built their automobile and successfully test-drove it in August, demonstrating how far they had come in such a short period of time despite their inexperience.

Many in Bangladesh still confuse Formula Student with Formula 1, but the two are very different. Formula racing is not limited to Formula 1; there are also Formula 2, 3, 4, 5, Formula E, and Formula Student. While Formula 1 is a professional motorsport, Formula Student is an international engineering competition where university students design, build, and race small single-seater cars.

The focus is not just speed but also design, innovation, efficiency and engineering skills. Events are split into two parts: a static round where teams present their engineering design report to experts, and a dynamic round where cars must pass strict technical inspections before going on track.

MIST Blitz began last year but has already shown promise. At Formula Bharat 2024, they placed first in two static events. Though political instability prevented them from attending the occasion in person, they continued to grind, culminating in their first test drive last month. Building on this progress, their car uses an independent double wishbone suspension for stability and grip, an anti-Ackermann steering system refined through simulations, and a triangulated chassis built for strength and practicality.

Formula Student gives students hands-on experience in design engineering, vehicle dynamics, and problem-solving which they can take straight into the industry when they graduate, particularly as electric vehicles are expected to grow rapidly. In Bangladesh, where the automotive sector is still focused on assembly rather than design, this exposure is rare.

However, looking ahead, Blitz plans outreach programmes in schools and universities to inspire future engineers. They also hope to expand partnerships with sponsors and the industry for both financial and technical support. For now, their focus is on China, where they will compete alongside international teams, present their design to judges, and learn from the global Formula Student community.

Fatima Ashraf is a contributor for Campus, The Daily Star.