Imola, June 25, 2024 – In the prestigious setting of the Imola Autodrome, UniBo Motorsport and UniBoAT presented their new prototypes for the current season in front of their partners.
The event began with a conference attended by over 300 participants, including students and representatives of local companies. Moderators Veronica Gubian and Andrea Fabbri from JEBO welcomed the speakers of the evening’s first roundtable discussion: Professor Nicolò Cavina, Faculty Advisor of UniBo Motorsport and UniBoAT, Deputy Rector of the University of Bologna Simona Tondelli, President of Formula Imola Dr. Gian Carlo Minardi, Emilia-Romagna Regional Councillor Dr. Vincenzo Colla, and the Mayor of Imola Dr. Marco Panieri.
During this debate, the necessity to value and invest in education and initiatives like UniBo Motorsport and UniBoAT was emphasized, as they encourage young people to apply the knowledge acquired during their studies. Additionally, the importance of having spaces to test the prototypes they design and build, and to share these activities, was highlighted. The municipality of Imola and its Autodrome have been committed to providing the team with the paddock and track for years.
Following this, the microphone was passed to Iacopo Roncuzzi, Team Leader of UniBoAT, who presented the new hydrogen-powered catamaran prototype developed by the team over the past year.
Next, Riccardo Lutti, Team Leader of UniBo Motorsport, presented the innovations in the team’s new projects, starting with the new carbon fiber swingarm of Nemesi, the world champion MotoStudent Electric prototype, and then moving to the conversion of the combustion vehicle into a hybrid, thanks also to the collaboration with the Ducati Foundation. He concluded by presenting the main innovations in the new electric vehicle, such as the new steering system that completely eliminates play and makes the car much more drivable and high-performing, and the ambition to introduce autonomous driving, integrating students from the F1-tenth project into the development process. Confirming the participation of the electric vehicle in the Formula Student competitions in Austria, Spain, and Italy, he also thanked all the partner companies present in the room, without whose support these advancements would not have been possible.
The second roundtable was then introduced by the hosts, bringing to the stage UniBo Motorsport ambassador Pier Luigi Santi along with some representatives of the team’s main partner companies: Ducati CEO Ing. Claudio Domenicali, Automobili Lamborghini Huracan Product Line Director Ing. Paolo Racchetti, Enginium Managing Director Ing. Mario del Vecchio, and Alma Automotive Electric Powertrain Engineer Ing. Marco Cini. This segment focused on the technological transition from combustion engines to electric mobility, also discussing the compromise of hybrid propulsion, highlighting the difficulties in finding the right trade-off between performance and minimal weight.
In this context, the theme of research and development is crucial, with students being the main resource pool, and projects like UniBo Motorsport and UniBoAT serving as excellent examples. Additionally, the relationship between these companies and the team was emphasized, particularly regarding innovation and the interaction between industrial realities and such young yet professional students. Lastly, the future looks promising for companies that place their trust in students and these projects, as evidenced by the satisfaction and excellent results achieved together.
The evening concluded with another thank you from Lutti and the screening of the unveiling video of Athena, the new electric vehicle created by the Bologna Racing Team students.
