DONUT and Formula Student Alpe Adria connect drifting with the future of engineering
The same proving ground is home to two very different approaches to performance.
At DONUT, drivers and teams prepare their cars for precision, speed and driving at the limit of grip. At Formula Student Alpe Adria, students begin with a blank sheet of paper, using their own knowledge to design a racing car, build its systems and test it on track.
The approaches may be different, but they are connected by the same curiosity, technical knowledge and desire to get more out of a car.
That shared mindset forms the foundation of the partnership between DONUT and Formula Student Alpe Adria.
What is Formula Student Alpe Adria?
Formula Student is an international educational project in which student teams design, engineer and build their own racing cars.
Their work is not evaluated solely according to speed on the track. Teams must present the vehicle’s design, explain their technical solutions, manage costs and develop a business concept before their cars take part in a series of static and dynamic disciplines.
Formula Student Alpe Adria is the Croatian edition of this international project and one of Europe’s leading competitions of its kind.
Its ninth edition is taking place from 18 to 23 August 2026 at the Bugatti Rimac proving ground in Mičevec. According to the organisers, this year’s event brings together more than 2,500 participants and a record 94 teams from over 20 countries.
Electric, hybrid, combustion-powered and autonomous cars all meet in one place, alongside students developing technologies that will shape the future of the automotive and motorsport industries.
Formula Student Alpe Adria at DONUT 7
The first part of the partnership was brought to life during DONUT 7, held at the Bugatti Rimac proving ground at the beginning of the season.
Formula Student Alpe Adria set up a simulator corner and an information area for visitors interested in engineering, emerging technologies and student motorsport.
Visitors had the opportunity to try the simulator, learn more about the Formula Student project and discover what goes into the racing cars that students develop and build themselves.
Alongside drifting, the DONUT audience could therefore explore another side of motorsport—one that begins with engineering, computer models, electronics, aerodynamics and long hours spent working in student workshops.
DONUT as a partner of FSAA 2026
The partnership continued at this year’s Formula Student Alpe Adria, where DONUT is participating as an official event partner.
As part of the event at the Bugatti Rimac proving ground, we displayed a BMW M3 E92 powered by a 2JZ engine. Surrounded by electric powertrains, autonomous systems and advanced engineering solutions developed by student teams, the drift car represents a different approach to building a competition vehicle.
Students and visitors can see a car developed for an entirely different form of motorsport up close and take a short break from their own racing cars, technical inspections and competition programme with a genuine high-octane example.
Why is connecting with the academic community important?
The development of motorsport does not depend solely on drivers and event organisers.
Behind every car are people who understand mechanics, electronics, aerodynamics, data, materials and manufacturing processes. Today’s Formula Student teams include the future engineers, designers and project leaders who will shape the next generation of the automotive industry.
For DONUT, it is therefore important to build relationships with the academic and engineering communities and support high-quality events that allow young people to apply their knowledge in real-world conditions.
DONUT provides drivers and teams with a platform for developing the competitive drift scene, commercialising their projects, working with the industry and entering other motorsport disciplines and the wider automotive culture. Formula Student Alpe Adria provides students with a platform to develop engineering skills, test and validate their cars, present their projects and connect with the industry and potential future employers.
Different cars, the same drive for progress
At first glance, a Formula Student car and a BMW M3 powered by a 2JZ engine may not appear to have much in common.
One is created through an academic project, calculations and the development of new systems. The other is built for driving at the limit and close battles between two cars on the track.
Yet both are driven by the same need to learn, test and continuously improve.
We therefore see this partnership as an opportunity to bring different parts of the automotive community closer together and show the public just how much knowledge, work and how many people stand behind every car that reaches the track.
