High hopes

Formula Bharat 2024 ends, sees participation from 57 teams of which 26 used combustion cars and 31 used EVs

ORMULA BHARAT held from January 19-24 has come to an end. Formula Bharat is the only Formula Student race in South Asia recognised by the FS World Rankings. This year’s event was held at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore, featuring 26 combustion teams and 31 electric teams from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Competitors were tasked with building a Formula racing car from the ground up within the prescribed competition regulations.

Judging their efforts was a jury of representatives from the motorsport, automotive, and supplier industries based on parameters like engineering design,

FTop: 57 teams took part in the competition. Below, left and right: The Vishwaracers team won the combustion class; the IIT Bombay Racing team won the electric class overall cost, marketability and dynamic performance. Formula Bharat aimed to give student engineers a chance to prove their skills in real life instead of on a sheet of paper. Given the practical nature of the event, it also hosted recruitment drives aimed at identifying talent. The event was also open to the public through guided tours and a Red Bull F1 car on display.

The winners were announced at an awards ceremony on the final day. The combustion class was won by the Vishwaracers. In second was Team Maverick with Team Fateh in third. The EV class was won by IIT Bombay Racing, with Raftar Formula Racing Electric in second, followed by Team Kratos Racing Electric in third.

The 2024 Formula Bharat race gave Indian motorsport aspirants an experience inspired by the real thing. India has seen a rise in the popularity of motorsport with various international franchises making their way to the country. Formula Bharat might have just given us our next great racing talent, and we’re excited to see what the future holds. ⌧