Information magazine of the Department of Industrial Engineering
Università di Trento
Information magazine of the Department of Industrial Engineering
Università di Trento
Founded in 2016 within the Department of Industrial Engineering (DII) at the University of Trento, E-Agle Trento Racing Team represents the university in Formula Student, the international competition that challenges students from around the world to design and build high-performance electric race cars.
Born in the DII laboratories, the project has grown over time to involve students from nearly every department of the university, while keeping its technical and engineering core. Alongside mechanical, electronic, and energy aspects, the team also includes economic, managerial, and communication roles — a mix that perfectly reflects the multidisciplinary approach promoted by the Department and the University.
The 2025 season confirmed the strength of the team’s journey: E-Agle TRT took first place overall in the Junior Cup of Formula Student Switzerland, excelling in the static events and earning a remarkable result for the Trentino group.
The team deliberately chose to compete in the Junior Cup rather than the Main Cup, presenting only the car design “on paper” without racing a physical prototype. This decision is part of the broader two-year plan “Two Years One Vision,” aimed at testing a new design and organizational approach before tackling more complex competitions in 2026.
“We decided to start from scratch, building a structured and well-documented design process capable of overcoming the limits of past technical choices,” explained outgoing team leader Chiara Sabaini.
In the three static events, the team achieved prestigious results: first in the Engineering Design Event, second in the Business Plan Presentation, and third in the Cost Event. These podiums secured E-Agle TRT’s overall victory in the Junior Cup.
“I’m very proud of the entire team’s work. The results at FS Switzerland show we’re on the right track. We’ve made huge progress, laying solid foundations for even more ambitious goals,” added Sabaini, stressing that daily commitment is the key to success.
At Formula SAE Italy in Varano de’ Melegari — the “home race” hosted by Dallara — E-Agle TRT confirmed its strong performance, reaching the podium in two out of three events: Business Plan Presentation and Engineering Design Event.
In the Business Plan event, the judges praised the quality and structure of the presentation, offering valuable feedback for achieving an investor-ready level.
“If we can give you a little spoiler, we’ve already started thinking about next year’s Business Plan,” said the team members enthusiastically, highlighting their forward-looking mindset.
Positive feedback also came from the Design Event, especially for the overall vehicle concept and dynamics, where the team achieved the maximum score (25/25). These were precisely the areas most intensively developed throughout the year.
Regarding the Cost Report, as often happens, the judges noted variability in scoring criteria between competitions — feedback that will help refine the team’s methodology for the future.
“The Varano event was crucial for the team’s growth,” commented new team leader Nicolò Marconi. “This year, about 75% of the members joined at the end of 2024, so for many, it was their first competition. Preparing for the static events and experiencing the race week firsthand was essential to truly understand what Formula SAE means. Seeing the challenges up close taught everyone the importance of adaptability.
As for results, we can be satisfied: a third place overall is a great milestone. Personally, I set two goals — building a united group and receiving positive feedback on our work — and I believe we achieved both.”
The Department of Industrial Engineering is not only a place for theory and methods but also the workshop where E-Agle TRT’s race cars come to life.
Chimera, built in the DII’s workshops and labs, marked the team’s first step into Formula Student.
With Fenice, developed during the pandemic, the team overcame logistical hurdles and parts shortages, debuting at FSG Germany in Hockenheim, Europe’s most prestigious Formula Student competition.
At FSAE Italy in Varano, the team achieved strong results in the dynamic events. The latest prototype, Hydra, represented a decisive leap forward, featuring a liquid-cooled battery and advanced control algorithms developed with the department’s academic and technical support.
A strong network of collaborations surrounds E-Agle TRT, providing spaces and tools for advanced prototyping. Within this network, the DII maintains a central role, ensuring continuity between education, research, and practical application.
Being part of the team offers a true professional training ground: members not only apply what they learn in class but also develop managerial and interpersonal skills valuable beyond engineering.
This is demonstrated by the team’s outreach and educational initiatives, such as their participation with Randstad at JOB&Orienta, where the DII and the University of Trento engaged high school students with the world of STEM.
