Formula SAE Italy 2026: engineering, teamwork and learning by doing in the Motor Valley
From 2 to 6 September 2026, the Riccardo Paletti Circuit in Varano de’ Melegari will host the 21st edition of Formula SAE Italy, bringing together university students from around the world for five days of engineering, competition and teamwork.
Organised by ANFIA, the event will involve around 1,600 students from 13 countries and 51 universities, representing 53 teams. Students will compete with electric, internal combustion and driverless prototypes, putting their technical and organisational skills to the test through both static and dynamic events.
Four universities, one shared approach
For MUNER – Motor Valley University of Emilia-Romagna, Formula SAE represents a natural expression of our learning by doing philosophy.
MUNER brings together partner universities across Emilia-Romagna, connecting academic excellence with the expertise and opportunities of the Motor Valley ecosystem. Hands-on learning is a fundamental part of this approach, and Formula SAE and MotoStudent are among MUNER’s flagship activities. Each partner university has one or more racing teams in which MUNER students actively participate throughout the year.
Through these teams, students have the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice, working on the design, development and testing of competition vehicles while developing valuable skills in teamwork, problem-solving, project management and engineering.
From the classroom to the track
Formula SAE was created to give university students the opportunity to apply what they learn during their studies to the design and construction of a racing prototype.
This is precisely what makes the competition so meaningful in the MUNER educational experience: theory meets practice, engineering meets teamwork, and ideas are transformed into real vehicles.
The 2026 edition will feature 24 electric vehicle teams, 12 internal combustion teams and 5 driverless teams, alongside teams competing in the project-only Class 3 and the combined driverless/electric category.
For MUNER, Formula SAE is therefore more than a competition. It is an opportunity for students to experience first-hand the challenges of engineering and to develop the skills needed to shape the future of mobility.
Four universities. One ecosystem. A shared passion for engineering and racing.
And this week, the Motor Valley takes to the track. 🏎️🏁
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