Delft students win eighth world title during Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

After five days and over 3,000 kilometers across the Australian outback, the Brunel Solar Team crossed the finish line in Adelaide today. In a nerve-wracking finish, the Delft student team held off the competition from Solar Team Twente and the Belgian Innoptus Solar Team to win the solar racing world championship. This eighth world title makes the anniversary year even more spectacular.

The final day began early in the morning with 238 kilometers remaining and a heavily overcast sky over southern Australia. While the Innoptus Solar Team departed later due to a low battery charge, the team from Twente gave chase. Tens of kilometers before the finish, the gap was only two kilometers. By following the best strategy and cleverly utilizing the innovative canopy fin, Nuna 13 managed to increase the lead again and cross the finish line first. “Unbelievable, we just did it, what a battle,” says Kevin van Hese. “These last kilometers were nerve-wracking with downpours, heavy traffic, and the competition right on our backs. We gave it our all, and now we are world champions. I’m incredibly proud of our team.”

Anniversary year gets a golden edge

The Brunel Solar Team was a seven-time world champion, but its last victory dates back to 2017. The Delft students are therefore euphoric after the hard-fought victory. “We went all out for the win,” says Elias Wawoe, team leader of the Brunel Solar Team. “This is truly a team effort, and the fin on Nuna 13 proved itself in the wind. It’s fantastic to bring our eighth title home to the Netherlands, and especially special because it’s our anniversary year: a crowning achievement for 25 years of solar racing.”

About the Brunel Solar Team

The Brunel Solar Team is a team of Delft students who build a solar car every two years to compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge: the world championship solar racing event in Australia. Since its founding in 1999, the team has competed twelve times, finishing eight times as world champion. Combining innovation, sustainability, and teamwork, the team’s mission is to contribute to a future of clean mobility with its solar cars.

Images: Hans-Peter van Velthoven and Jorrit Lousberg