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Journalism of Courage
Despite the heavy rain in August, the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, the track that hosted Formula 1 between 2011 and 2013, roared back to life. But this time it was not world champions in their million-dollar machines.
It was student engineers from across India, racing their self-built cars in Supra SAEINDIA 2025, one of the country’s most prestigious Formula Student competitions. Team Maverick from Pune’s PVG’s College of Engineering, Technology and Management (COETM) emerged as the best in the country.
From August 13-16, more than 48 teams from Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and leading technical colleges competed in seven tiring tests, both static and dynamic. Over four days, cars were judged not just on acceleration and endurance, but also on design, costing, budgeting, material procurement and even social media management.
The competition also featured an all-women’s team, highlighting that motorsport now sees equal interest and competence from both boys and girls.
Amidst this tough field, PVG’s College of Engineering, Technology and Management (COETM), Pune, raced ahead with its 390cc engine. Team Maverick secured All India Rank 1 with a total of 862 points, also winning four individual events. This is the college’s third consecutive podium finish and their most emphatic yet, earning them Rs 2.7 lakh in prize money and four trophies. The 28-member team, including 26 boys and two girls, celebrated the victory with felicitation ceremonies at their college on August 19 and at the Lions Club on September 13.
The long road to victory
For team captain Ramkrishna Vibhute, the triumph was nothing short of redemption. “Last year we finished second, missing out on the top spot by single-digit points. This time it was God’s plan. Consistency gives you results,” he told The Indian Express.
The car itself was the result of months of work by 20 mechanical engineering students, who handled everything from design and manufacturing to testing. “When I joined, I had zero knowledge. Today, as a fifth-semester student, I’ve already gained hands-on experience that normally comes in the eighth semester,” said one team member. “The adrenaline in Supra is no less than Formula 1 – competence, speed, and teamwork drive it all.”
Vice-captain Shreyas Kelkar pointed out the larger significance. “F1 is the pinnacle of automotive technology, and that’s why I watch it. For me, it’s about career aspirations. Events like Supra are a gateway.” He also noted the growing fanbase in India, F1 claims it has over 60 million followers in the country, with youth driven by passion, status symbol and even FOMO.
F1 craze meets campus
Many students credit their love for racing to childhood memories of Hot Wheels, go-karting, the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’ and the F1 movie released in 2025.
“F1 is not just entertainment anymore. For many of us, it is a career dream,” said a student who aspires to work in the aero department of a Formula 1 team someday. His favourite driver is from McLaren, though he roots for Red Bull as a team.
This mix of fandom and ambition reflects a wider cultural shift. India’s motorsport base is young, urban and aspirational. Sim-racing cafes, fan clubs and late-night watch parties are growing, even as students like those at Supra see the sport as a testbed for their skills.
Beyond trophies, towards careers
Supra SAEINDIA, organised with support from industry giants like Maruti Suzuki, BPCL and Pioneer, also serves as a bridge between academia and industry. Cars are assessed not just on track performance but also on cost reports, business viability and innovation — areas that mirror real-world automotive challenges. The growing electric vehicle segment also signals the future, with nine EV teams participating this year alongside combustion cars.
As India’s F1 fanbase swells and student engineers sharpen their craft, the possibility of the country once again hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix no longer seems far-fetched. “India can definitely host another F1 race, given the growing fanbase,” said Kelkar.
“We may not have our Verstappen yet, but we are building the cars that could take him on.”
In the end, as the dust settled on the Buddh circuit, what emerged was not just the thrill of speed, but a story of learning, resilience and ambition. For the students of PVG, Supra was never just about points. It was about proving that in India, too, dreams can move as fast as the machines that carry them.
Viraj Mandar Paranjape is an intern with The Indian Express.
