The visual transformation compared to last year's CTU.25 car is visible at first glance. "The wing is 10 centimeters lower," specified Bc. Marko Matoničkin, team spokesman and head of the autonomous section. Even more important, however, is that the current formula is 10 kilograms lighter than the previous model. The team achieved this thanks to the use of new types of carbon fiber materials, design tuning, inspiration from current industry trends and experience from previous developments. "In terms of weight reduction, the biggest change compared to last year occurred in the monocoque, whose weight decreased by two kilograms. When developing the new formula, we did a simulation and the result is that the current monocoque is more durable and complex, as it consists of more aerodynamic elements and technological gadgets," emphasized Matoničkin, who is studying the Cybernetics and Robotics program at the FEL.
Another fundamental change is the total transformation of the cooling system. “The current formula has air cooling on the front engines. Last year it was water,” described Marko Matoničkin. What does this mean for the function and operation of the car? “The current system is less efficient, so we had to work more with thermal simulation to cool the engines. But on the other hand, one entire water circuit has been eliminated. In last year’s formula, there were left and right, now there is only the rear one. So we have one less pump, there is no water – and all this leads to another significant reduction,” said the spokesman and developer.
The end and the start of a generation
The development and construction of a new type of formula in a period of less than half a year is very demanding every year. And this time, the team has also started to solve other major challenges. “First of all, a lot of experienced members left us this year. So it was necessary to effectively pass on the know-how to the younger generation,” noted Matoničkin. “And there is also the fact that in 2027 we will launch a completely new car in terms of concept. The CTU.26 is the last model of the current generation. Specifically, it is the third improvement of a generation, the design of which is now gaining its greatest potential. So we have already started working on a new concept so that we have almost two years for development, and not just four months,” summed up Matoničkin. Although the organizers of the most prestigious Formula Student Germany races announce detailed requirements for a racing car every year in October, you can still get a head start by preparing early.
While within a single generation of the formula, the team usually “just” recycles, lightens and optimizes some parts of the formula and only newly develops monocoques, now the new car will be created from scratch. “We sat down with a blank sheet of paper and started thinking about what could be adapted to make it more effective than the previous concept from the ground up. If a technological path in the current concept turns out to be incorrect or problematic, we will learn from it and look for better procedures. Simply a fresh start,” summed up Marko Matoničkin.
The EFORCE Prague Formula team will go on a total of four races in Europe this year. They will start the season on home soil at the Formula Student Czech Republic competition, which will be held at the polygon in Most from July 19 to 24. Then EFORCE will have a road trip around Europe in the form of two races in different countries right behind each other. The first is Formula Student Spain at the renowned Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunia from August 1 to 7. This is followed by the legendary Formula Student Germany race at the Hockenheimring, which will take place between August 11 and 16. This year's season will be concluded between September 2 and 6 with the Italian Formula Student ATA race at the Riccardo Palleti circuit near the town of Varano de Melegari.
Interestingly, all of this year's races where the team has registered also include a competition in the autonomous category. "This is another challenge for the team, but also a great opportunity to show that we are among the world's top in the autonomous category," said Marko Matoničkin.
The team had a very successful racing season with the CTU.25 formula last year. Its highlight was third place in the autonomous category of the Formula Student Germany (FSG), the most prestigious race in Europe, in August. The team also had a great season in 2024 with the CTU.24 model, the first of the current generation, when it won bronze in the piloted category at the FSG and also achieved great success at the Formula SAE Italy. There, the team dominated in all dynamic disciplines of the unmanned category and took home a silver medal in the static discipline of the Engineering Design Event. In 2024, the EFORCE formula also achieved first place in the autonomous category at the FS home races in Most.