Formula Student has been running in the USA as Formula SAE, organised by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), since 1981. In 1998 Birmingham was one of two UK and two US teams to participate in a demonstration event at MIRA Proving Ground. The event was judged a success and the IMechE took on the task of organising the annual UK Formula Student competition.

Since 2007 Formula Student has been run at Silverstone, the home of British Motorsport. The event continues to grow in popularity, with 95 teams from around the world competing at FS2008.

Since 2006, the Hockenheimring has held Formula Student Germany. In 2010, 76 teams took part in the Combustion Class at Formula Student Germany, increasing to 78 for 2011. For more details on Formula Student Germany visit their website www.formulastudent.de. The Staufenbiel Institut have also previewed this year's competition on their website. For information in German for application, finding the first job and career
advice for engineers: www.staufenbiel.de/ingenieure.