COMPETITION
At Formula Student Switzerland, following dynamic disciplines are tackled:
SKIDPAD (MAX. 75 PTS):
In an 8-figure track, the car completes two circular laps on each side, with the second circles counted as valid timed laps. Cones limit the circuit and the more are hit, the higher penalty will be added to the lap time. Two drivers per team need to complete this event, which highlights cornering performance and lateral acceleration.
ACCELERATION (MAX. 75 PTS):
On a 75 m straight track, two drivers per team must put two timed sprints on the board and aim to perfection every thousand of a second.
DRIVERLESS VEHICLE SKIDPAD (MAX. 225 PTS):
Cars with autonomous driving systems follow the identical path mentioned above.
DRIVERLESS VEHICLE ACCELERATION (MAX. 225 PTS):
Cars with autonomous driving systems follow the identical path mentioned above.
AUTOCROSS (MAX. 100 PTS):
On a corner-filled track with straights no longer than 60 m, car handling is tested. Again, two drivers per team need to absolve two separate runs and the quickest lap, with regard to cone-penalties, counts.
ENDURANCE (MAX. 325 PTS):
The most intense event is 22 km long. At the halfway mark, one driver change takes place and no adjustments to the vehicle are permitted in-race. A track similar to AUTOCROSS rewards the most complete car, as all lap times and penalties are summed up to determine the results. Moreover, the efficiency is praised in a separate classification during this event, with decisive points on the table.
Monday - Race Day 1
Testing out on Sunday evening and Monday morning, from 2pm things get serious at FS Switzerland: DV SKIDPAD sees the green flag. A premiere in the Alps, the Driverless Cup sees five teams at the start, though solely three have already passed pre-inspection. During the three hours, race control notes each run and subsequent penalties from hitting cones. Contemporaneously, timekeeping and speakers offer live updates to the spectators, with teams directly knowing what to improve on. Then, it is time for FSCH's trademark: the night SKIDPAD. Nearly half of the grid make it on track and pushes boundaries, with close gaps deciding the prizes.
Tuesday - Race Day 2
Next up: DV ACCELERATION and ACCELERATION. Both see a new team entering the stage with respect to the day before, and two sessions per event are run. Finishing off in the early afternoon, there is little time to rest before AUTOCROSS starts. Three ulterior teams have passed their inspections meanwhile, but others encounter new issues, preventing them to run. After the flag fell, joy and heartbreak emerge, as one event is still up for grabs, with vehicle states and spirits being in various universes across the field. Yet, the first part of the Award Ceremony takes place in the evening. Here, most static disciplines are rewarded and all team member gatherd together again emit a new feeling of motivation, with a team in particular winning and winning back enthusiasm...
Wednesday - Race Day 3
One final task for FSCH 2026 is left. ENDURANCE: the most long, exhaustive and crucial event of all. The first two starters are forced to retire, as will be the case for further three equipes. However, a tight battle for P1 gains attention, as the two cars are chasing each other on the damp circuit. In fact, menacious clouds cover the sky and rain drops intensify right before the lunch break. Nonetheless, as they are dissappering, the two remaining outfits are on a mission to bring their machines home and eventually do, with a very, very nail-biting finish.
Testing out on Sunday evening and Monday morning, from 2pm things get serious at FS Switzerland: DV SKIDPAD sees the green flag. A premiere in the Alps, the Driverless Cup sees five teams at the start, though solely three have already passed pre-inspection. During the three hours, race control notes each run and subsequent penalties from hitting cones. Contemporaneously, timekeeping and speakers offer live updates to the spectators, with teams directly knowing what to improve on. Then, it is time for FSCH's trademark: the night SKIDPAD. Nearly half of the grid make it on track and pushes boundaries, with close gaps deciding the prizes.
Tuesday - Race Day 2
Next up: DV ACCELERATION and ACCELERATION. Both see a new team entering the stage with respect to the day before, and two sessions per event are run. Finishing off in the early afternoon, there is little time to rest before AUTOCROSS starts. Three ulterior teams have passed their inspections meanwhile, but others encounter new issues, preventing them to run. After the flag fell, joy and heartbreak emerge, as one event is still up for grabs, with vehicle states and spirits being in various universes across the field. Yet, the first part of the Award Ceremony takes place in the evening. Here, most static disciplines are rewarded and all team member gatherd together again emit a new feeling of motivation, with a team in particular winning and winning back enthusiasm...
Wednesday - Race Day 3
One final task for FSCH 2026 is left. ENDURANCE: the most long, exhaustive and crucial event of all. The first two starters are forced to retire, as will be the case for further three equipes. However, a tight battle for P1 gains attention, as the two cars are chasing each other on the damp circuit. In fact, menacious clouds cover the sky and rain drops intensify right before the lunch break. Nonetheless, as they are dissappering, the two remaining outfits are on a mission to bring their machines home and eventually do, with a very, very nail-biting finish.
Now, it is time for the awards... right? Well, after post-inspection. What happens next is that... all ENDURANCE podium finishers are disqualified! Protests may be accepted, thus nobody is certain of the outcome...
Finally, at 9 pm, the second part of the Award Ceremony begins, the cheerful ambience is greater than ever, as the students show during their celebrations. Next to the mentioned disciplines, Special Awards praise the dedication and the playful side of the demanding competition.