Backnanger students Blue Wolves” win World Cup ticket – but where does the money come from?

Backnanger students Blue Wolves” win World Cup ticket – but where does the money come from?

The “Blue Wolves” student team from Backnang won the German championship in the mini Formula 1 race on June 17, 2025. With this victory, they qualified for the World Championship in Singapore, which will take place from September 27th to October 2nd, 2025, parallel to the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Over 40 nations will take part in this prestigious competition known for its technological innovations, as Formula 1 reports.

However, the competitive conditions are challenging. The cost of participation is over 40,000 euros, which includes entry fees, flights, accommodation and materials. To cover these high expenses, the team launched a crowdfunding campaign on Gofundme.com. Leandro Radenkovic, one of the team members, highlighted the importance of financial support to enable participation in this important event, as did Stuttgart News.

STEM Racing and the Blue Wolves team

STEM Racing is an international educational competition in which students design and build miniature racing cars. These vehicles are powered by CO₂ gas cartridges and tested on a 20-meter-long track. The evaluation is based on criteria such as speed, design, marketing and team presentation. The “Blue Wolves” team is made up of six students from grades 6 to 12 at the Taus high school: Luka Radenkovic, Linus Pfister, Alexander Schwarz, Lana Radenkovic, Larissa Dreier and Elias Hoque. Before their current triumph, the “Blue Wolves” had already won the German championship title in the junior category two years in a row.

The competitive event in Singapore will not only provide teams with the opportunity to showcase their skills, but will also take place as part of Formula 1's 75th anniversary celebrations. The program promotes teamwork, innovation and problem-solving skills, as highlighted by Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1. Teams are encouraged to create their own identities, similar to professional Formula 1 teams, encouraging participants to contribute creatively.

Awards and recognition

For the first time, the Aramco STEM Racing World Champions Trophy will be awarded to the best teams. There are also more than 20 category awards awarded for various achievements and supported by Formula 1 teams and industry partners. Khalid A. Al Zamil from Aramco emphasized that this event aims to nurture young engineers for the future and celebrate their achievements in an exciting finale.

The “Blue Wolves” team is therefore faced with a unique challenge that will test not only their technical skills, but also their ability to work as a team. Preparations for the competition in Singapore are in full swing, but the question of financial support remains a crucial factor in the implementation of their participation.