The Motor Valley confirms its role once again as the cradle of future automotive talents. From the 2nd to the 6th of September 2026, the “R. Paletti” Circuit in Varano de’ Melegari will host the 21st edition of Formula SAE Italy, the international event organised by ANFIA. Partnered with SAE International and the Motor Valley Association, the event brings the ingenuity and passion of young university students from all around the world onto the track.

The 2026 edition in numbers

This year, the event gathers approximately 1,600 engineering students, representing 53 teams from 51 universities and 13 countries. The teams will compete in designing and building single-seater prototype racing cars across different categories:

• Class 1EV (Electric Vehicles): Represents the largest entry category with 24 participating teams.

• Class 1CV (Internal Combustion Engine): Follows with 12 teams, three of which feature non-plug-in hybrids.

• Class 1DV (Driverless): Includes 5 teams whose vehicles will run autonomously during dynamic events.

• Class 3: 6 teams focused on project presentations without physical prototypes.

• Dual Entry (1DV+1EV): 6 teams competing in both classes.

Motor Valley excellences as the absolute protagonists

As partners and sponsors, the prominent automotive companies of our territory will support the students, offering a total immersion into advanced technology and sports design:

• Automobili Lamborghini will display two standout models: the new Temerario (a high-performance hybrid supercar – HPEV – delivering 920 CV and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds) and the Temerario GT3, the brand’s first GT racing car designed and developed entirely in-house in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

• Dallara will exhibit a Dallara road car, a symbol of aerodynamics and pure driving pleasure without compromising superstructures or electronics. The company will also award a special prize for the car with the best balance between cost and performance.

• Ferrari will showcase the 296 Speciale Livrea Pilota and the 849 Testarossa Rosso Fiammante, while the Ferrari Museum will exhibit the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso. The Prancing Horse will also award a prize to the winning teams in Classes 1EV and 1CV for the Endurance & Efficiency dynamic test.

• The Track Show, scheduled for Friday, September 4th (from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.), will feature an extraordinary lineup of iconic and high-performance vehicles on the circuit. Students will have the unique opportunity to experience a hot lap with professional drivers aboard the legendary Lancia Stratos, the Dallara Stradale, the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, and the Maserati GT2 Stradale, the road-legal evolution of the racing GT2.

A 360-degree educational competition

Formula SAE is not just about competing. Teams face static assessments (including Engineering Design, Business Plan Presentation, and Cost & Manufacturing) and dynamic track tests (Acceleration, Skid Pad, Autocross, and Endurance, which is replaced by the Trackdrive test for the Driverless class). The goal is to simulate a real-world commission from an automotive company for a non-professional user, helping students develop technical expertise, problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills.

Visitor information

The event is open to the public throughout all five days. Paddock access tickets are available for purchase online at www.ciaotickets.com/it/biglietti/formula-sae-italy-varano or in person at the circuit entrance during the event. For the complete event programme and additional details, visit the official website: www.formula-ata.it/.