In 1981 the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) launched the Formula SAE ® competitions in the United States. By now about 140 teams from all over the world are taking part in the competitions every year.
In 1998 the competition started in Great Britain, shortly after in Australia, Japan, Italy and Brazil.
In 2000 the first German team was founded. Up to date there are about 60 German teams and 475 teams worldwide. Mainly in Australia, Japan, Great Britain, Canada, Germany and the United States the competitions are enjoying great popularity.
In 2006 the Association of German Engineers (VDI) arranged the first Formula Student Germany Cup. Since then there has been a competition every year, where the teams from all over the world come to Germany to measure their constructions against each other and to show their ability to the industry.