What it takes to be world champion

From navigating tough new race regulations to braving Australia’s wild winter weather and fierce competition, the Brunel Solar Team pushed boundaries, broke barriers, and brought home the win. Now, they share what it really takes to become world champion. 

Held every two years, Opens in a new tabthe Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is one of the most prestigious solar-powered car races in the world. Covering over 3,000 kilometres from Darwin to Adelaide, it challenges university teams to design and build ultra-efficient vehicles powered solely by the sun. The race is not just a test of speed, but of strategy, endurance, and cutting-edge innovation in renewable energy.

Eighteen students from the Technical University of Delft make up the Brunel Solar Team—some of the brightest minds in engineering and innovation. Together, they designed, built, and raced their own solar-powered car across the Australian Outback, competing against top teams from around the world. 

Their mission? To show how innovation can drive progress in technology and sustainability. 

Seeing what this group of highly motivated students has accomplished together is truly amazing and something we can all be proud of, they are an example to me of how we can keep pushing innovation—not just in sustainability, but in everything we do.

- said Mark Pieter de Boer, Chief Commercial Officer, ING Wholesale Banking. 

As proud sponsor, ING congratulates the Brunel Solar Team on their resilience, creativity, and teamwork—both in the lead-up to the race and throughout the challenge. Their journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we combine purpose with innovation.