Oxford Brookes Racers Aim for Podium Finish at Silverstone

In the bustling workshops of Oxford Brookes University's Headington campus, over 100 dedicated students are hard at work, laser-focused on designing and building the ultimate race car for this year's Formula Student competition. Oxford Brookes Racing (OBR) is the UK's most prestigious and accomplished Formula Student team, with a long history of design awards and top finishes in the international competition.

Formula Student is the world's largest educational motorsport competition, challenging university teams to conceive, design, build, and race a single-seat racing car. For OBR, this annual challenge represents the pinnacle of their engineering education, a chance to put their classroom knowledge into practice and compete against the best student racers from around the globe.

"The level of detail and engineering that goes into these cars is truly impressive," says Sarah Thompson, the team's project manager. "We're not just designing a car, we're creating a Formula 1-level machine that has to meet rigorous performance, safety, and efficiency standards."

This year, the OBR team is aiming for nothing less than victory at the Silverstone Circuit, the iconic home of the British Grand Prix. "Our goal is to build the fastest, best-handling car on the track," says Tom Wilson, the team's chief engineer. "We've poured countless hours into aerodynamics, powertrain optimization, and lightweight construction to give us the edge."

The Formula Student competition challenges teams not only in the technical aspects of racing car design, but also in project management, marketing, and business planning. OBR has consistently excelled in these areas, earning a reputation as one of the most well-rounded and professional teams in the competition.

"It's not just about building the fastest car," explains Sarah. "We also have to create a detailed business plan, build a strong brand, and demonstrate our ability to function as a real-world engineering company. That's what makes Formula Student such a valuable learning experience for all of us."

As the OBR team puts the finishing touches on their 2023 race car, the anticipation is palpable. With their proven track record of success and the dedication of their student engineers, they are poised to once again make their mark on the Formula Student competition and bring home the top prize.