“Top technology, innovations, and efficiency – this is what our customers in the automotive industry appreciate about Continental. And that is exactly what the Formula Student teams we sponsor have at their disposal. The combination of Continental technology and expertise and the commitment of the team members has us, year after year, marveling at new and impressive achievements on global racetracks. Those with a penchant for highly innovative work of this nature will also find their groove at our company once they start their careers,” noted Elke Strathmann, Executive Board member for HR.
This year was the eighth time the Hockenheimring hosted the major VDI event Formula Student Germany. Future engineers from international universities had a year to design and build a one-seater prototype on their own. Experts from the automotive industry evaluated the creations in three static categories and five dynamic disciplines.
In addition, the students compete not only in the domain of classic internal combustion engines but also vie against one another with electric vehicles (EVs). The Formula Student Electric requires that the teams design a competitive racing car equipped full powered by an electric engine plus battery.
In this electric racer competition, the KA-Racing team from KIT Karlsruhe took the honors in the autocross discipline and placed third in the overall standings. In the classic Formula Student competition among vehicles powered by combustion engines, the racing team from the University of Stuttgart was able to nail down second place in the overall standings with components from Continental.
This year, the Formula Student teams sponsored by Continental once again had the chance to win some extra money for their end-of-season party via the Continental Career fan page (facebook.com/ContinentalKarriere). In keeping with the slogan “Deine Stimme für Dein Team” (Your Vote for Your Team), the page let fans pick their favorite team and thus help it win €1,500 for the party. The nine teams taking part mobilized over 1,200 supporters on their behalf. The Fast Forrest team from Deggendorf University had the most followers. The members received a check from Continental’s Elke Strathmann on Saturday.
The teams supported by Continental have been invited to an “after race” on September 6 and 7 at the ContiDrom test track near Celle. The future engineers will have a chance there to test their racing cars. The event also provides the opportunity for participants to share their experience with other teams and engineers from Continental. Initial ideas and plans for the Formula Student Race 2014 are, moreover, also to be developed at the event.
With sales of €32.7 billion in 2012, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems, and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires, and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 175,000 employees in 46 countries.
What is more, Continental is hiring around several thousand graduates and young professionals worldwide in 2013. The international automotive supplier will be recruiting mainly chemists and mechanical and electrical engineers. Via its more than 600 ambassadors, Continental reaches out to 250 universities all around the globe. Each year, another 600 or so young people start a work-study program leading to a traineeship or a bachelor degree at Continental. Throughout Germany, the international automotive supplier offers 18 work-study programs and 20 traineeships.
