Squadra Corse Driverless (Student team)

Student Motorsport Project – Squadra Corse Driverless

For over a year and three months, I was proud to be part of Squadra Corse Driverless — the autonomous racing team of Politecnico di Torino. This Formula Student team builds and races electric self-driving formula-style vehicles.

My main role in the team was material selection and analysis. I worked with Ansys Granta to carefully evaluate material data sheets, and helped ensure our choices complied with Formula Student Germany regulations. From carbon fiber for the sidepods to aluminum for the side brackets and steel for the chassis, our goal was lightweight durability with full regulatory compliance.

As materials engineers on the team, we were constantly consulted by other departments — whether it was for impact resistance, thermal performance, or composite bonding. It was a great chance to work collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary, professional, and fast-moving environment.

Being part of this project taught me more than technical skills. I grew as a communicator, learned to manage responsibilities under pressure, and developed a deep appreciation for what professional teamwork really looks like. Every material we selected wasn’t just for function — it was for performance on the track.

Note: If you’d like to know more about the materials strategy behind this race car or are working on a similar project, feel free to get in touch.