The Islamic University of Technology (IUT) Automobile Society’s FSAE Racing Team, Formula IUT, is preparing a second-generation racing car for the Formula Student China competition in November, aiming to strengthen Bangladesh’s presence in global student motorsport engineering.
After becoming the first Bangladeshi team to compete last year, the squad is now executing an accelerated eight-month development cycle to complete the new vehicle. This contrasts with the three years it took to build its debut Formula Student car.
The Formula IUT project began in 2022, when students under the IUT Automobile Society launched the initiative. Their first car marked Bangladesh’s initial participation in Formula Student China alongside the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) team. The debut car earned three technical inspection badges and ranked eighth in a segment during the 2025 competition in Zhengzhou, China, which featured 73 teams from around the world.
For the 2026 season, the team has undertaken a full redesign, introducing a new engine and suspension system alongside multiple performance upgrades. Critical components such as the engine and wheels are sourced externally, while students fabricate much of the car in-house, including the chassis, suspension system, bodywork, intake system, and rear axle with differential. A notable change is the adoption of professional slick tyres, aligning the vehicle with international racing standards.
Financial constraints remain a significant challenge. International Formula Student teams typically operate with budgets of Tk50 lakh to Tk60 lakh, while the IUT team works with just Tk6 lakh to Tk8 lakh. The limited funding has compelled the team to rely heavily on local sourcing, self-manufacturing, and modest sponsorship support.
“We often have to spend extra time finding alternative ways to get things done because we lack proper manufacturing facilities and sufficient funding,” said Farhan Ibtahsum, Team Lead of Formula IUT.
Beyond competition, Formula IUT serves as a hands-on engineering platform, providing students practical experience in automotive design, vehicle dynamics, fabrication, and problem-solving. The team noted that international exposure has already opened doors for alumni. One former member secured an internship at Red Bull through connections made during Formula Student participation.
As chassis manufacturing progresses, the team is eyeing future competitions, including Formula Student Japan and other global editions. Asked about their long-term vision, the team said their goal extends beyond competing internationally: they aim to demonstrate that Bangladeshi students can build world-class automotive engineering projects and inspire other universities to enter the field.
Formula IUT’s efforts highlight the growing potential of hands-on technical education in Bangladesh. By combining ingenuity with limited resources, students are establishing a credible presence on the international motorsport stage while fostering skills essential for the country’s evolving automotive and engineering sectors.
