February 4, 2025: The University of Balamand Racing Team (BRT) has officially secured a place in the Formula Student 2025 competition in the Formula Student Class. Among 94 teams selected from all over the world, BRT stands as the only Lebanese team to be accepted and the only team to apply in person, marking a significant achievement for motorsports innovation in the region.
Formula Student, organized by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in the UK and other international organizations, is a globally recognized engineering competition that challenges university students to design, build and race small formula-style race cars. The competition evaluates not only technical excellence but also students’ capabilities in business strategy, project management, and team work.
The team’s primary focus was to participate in Formula Student UK (FSUK), with potential alternatives including ATA Italy and FS Germany – all highly regarded within theFormula Student series. This achievement was instantly supported during a meeting held on October 15th withUniversity President Dr. Elias Warrak andVice President and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Rami Abboud. During the meeting, team leadersHanna Lakkiss and Ameer Abi Ezzeddine, both Mechanical Engineering students, along with their advisorDr. Chawki Lahoud (Assistant Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department), presented their vision for the project. Their dedication and expertise earned them full institutional support, granting the team the green light to move forward.
According to the competition rules, participants must not only construct a high-performance vehicle but also present their design, business plan, and project management strategy to a panel of judges. The competition is divided into various categories, including static events -such as design and cost presentations- and dynamic events, which include acceleration, skid pad, autocross, and endurance tests. Teams are scored based on their performance in both static and dynamic events, with an emphasis on creativity, engineering excellence, and teamwork. Formula Student provides a unique opportunity for students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, preparing them for future careers in the automotive and engineering industries. The experience gained from this competition is instrumental in shaping the next generation of engineers and innovators in motorsports.
With a team of around 25 highly motivated students from Mechanical, Aeronautical, and Electrical Engineering programs (BS and BE tracks) at the Faculty of Engineering, BRT has now entered the development phase of their own race car, with the number 37 proudly chosen as their car number to commemorate the University of Balamand’s 37th anniversary.
Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Rami Abboud expressed his heartfelt congratulations to both Ameer, Hanna as well as their advisor for this remarkable success stating: “The Faculty of Engineering, and I am sure the whole of Lebanon, will be looking forward to witnessing their continued progress as they bring their vision to life. The entire UOB community stands behind them as they take on this prestigious challenge, setting new benchmarks for future generations of engineers and innovators”.