Formula Student volunteer

We invite you to join us in helping hold another exciting year of Formula Student as over 130 teams from around the world prepare to compete in the 26^th competition held on 17-21 July 2024 at Silverstone Circuit, Northampton in the UK.

Each year hundreds of volunteers from across a wide variety of industries come together to make Formula Student the successful event it is. Without the commitment, enthusiasm and expertise of the FS Volunteer community the event would simply not happen. Many volunteers are Formula Student-alumni who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the event, returning year on year to work alongside their industry peers to deliver world class competition.

While many volunteers have been student competitors or judges before, Formula Student is just as accessible for those judging for the first time. Newcomers are often paired with experienced hands to get used to the processes involved so they can get up to speed and enjoy being a part of the Formula Student community during the event.

What you will do

Eligibility to apply

Specifically for the ‘static’ judging roles (Artificial intelligence, Business Presentation, Cost and Manufacturing and Engineering design) Formula Student cannot accept applications from faculty advisors of any competing university or institution, nor from any full-time undergraduate or postgraduate* students. *PhD students are welcome to apply providing they are able to demonstrate no conflict of interest with any competing university or institute. This is in the interest of transparency and fairness and to avoid any conflicts of interest during the competition. For all other volunteer opportunities, anyone who is aged 18 or older with an interest in the event is welcome to apply.

FS Volunteers Code of Conduct

How to apply

We have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available, with each one requiring different skills and experience. Below you will find an introduction to the different opportunities, to find out more information and to apply you should click on the corresponding link which in turn will give you access to the on-line application form.

Important note: you are welcome to apply for multiple volunteer roles, however we encourage all applicants to consider applying for the role that best suits their experience and skills, and which they are most interested in, rather than completing multiple applications.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) judging

FS-AI challenges university teams to build and develop the driving systems to run a fully autonomous vehicle. Teams compete in four static events similar to the main FS competition, Design and Business Plan Presentation but with Cost & Manufacturing replaced by a Real-World Autonomous event. Volunteers involved in judging of the AI competition should have experience in the world of autonomous vehicle development.

Business presentation judging

Student teams try to convince a panel of judges to invest in their race car business proposal. Presentation Judges have very diverse backgrounds and experience including knowledge of automotive / motorsport markets, automotive engineering, race team operation, business finance and management, product design, manufacturing, project management.

Download the Role Description document for more information
Business presentation judging – online application

Dynamic testing

This team works out on track alongside the safety marshals, reporting in on hit cones or off track excursions by the competing cars. Volunteers don’t need any specific experience to apply as those with less experience will be paired with experienced event captains and full training and support will be given to all volunteers. Knowledge of the FS rules, which can generally be gained from either studying them or from familiarity gained when designing a car in previous years.

Electric vehicle scrutineering

With more electric vehicles in the competition than ever before the need for EV Scrutineers continues to increase. Scrutineers inspect and appraise the components of the car for safety and rules compliance, assisting teams with an objective, proactive and common sense approach to help the teams proceed to the dynamic events. To be an EV Scrutineer you need knowledge of the FS rules, which can generally be gained from either studying them or from familiarity gained when designing a car in previous years. Furthermore you should have experience in the field of electric vehicles or another similar, relevant field. Those who are a first-time scrutineer will be placed with a more experienced scrutineer.

Engineering Design judging

Design Judging concentrates on assessing the design engineering of the car from concept through to manufacture, assembly and testing. Design judges have broad engineering knowledge. Specialist knowledge can be very useful, including: engine mapping/traction control strategy, broader powertrain (structure, cooling, lubrication, gearing), and alternative powertrain technologies.

Marshalling

Each year Formula Student is supported by a fantastic team of volunteer marshals from Motorsport UK.
For more information on volunteering please visit their website.

Media operations

Each year a team of volunteer photographers, videographers and editors record and present amazing footage and coverage of the live event. Media operations volunteers should possess experience in photography and/or videography, experience in editing, and ideally an interest in motorsport and/or engineering.

Technical Scrutineering

The key objective of the Scrutineers is to assist the teams to conform to the rules which ensure driver and spectator safety is optimised. The Scrutineers take an objective, proactive and common sense approach to help the teams proceed to the dynamic events. To be a Technical Scrutineer you need knowledge of the FS rules, which can generally be gained from either studying them or from familiarity gained when designing a car in previous years. Those who are a first-time scrutineer will be placed with a more experienced scrutineer.

Meet Formula Student volunteers

• 

  Michael and Suzanne Royce

  Michael and Suzanne have officiated at over 70 FSAE, Formula Student and Formula Hybrid competitions in the UK, USA, Italy and Australia.

• 

  Lee Wall

  Lee is the current Deputy Cost and Manufacturing Judge and has been involved in the UK competition for many years.

• 

  Holly Watson-Nall

  Holly is the Former Head Judge for the FS-AI competition and has previously taken part in FS as a student.

• 

  Alastair Stevenson

  Alastair is an experienced member of the scrutineering team and originally competed with University of Strathclyde.

• 

  Beth Harrod

  Following her time with the team at Sunderland University, Beth volunteers as part of the Design judging team.

• 

  Puja Hazelhurst

  Puja is a familiar face in the design and business presentation judging teams and has been a volunteer judge for over ten years.

• 

  Inma Andres

  After being invited to view the competition, Inma joined as a judge for the Cost and Manufacturing event in 2019.

• 

  Neill Anderson

  Neill is one of the longest-serving volunteers on the organising committee and has been Chief Design Judge for well over 10 years.

How you will benefit

• Enjoy a dynamic and exciting event
• Give back to the engineering community and support development in higher education
• Help develop the next generation of professional engineers
• Meet with like-minded experts across multiple industries
• Continue to be a part of the student competition