Brunel Solar Team to Start World Championship Solar Race from Third Position

Darwin, 23 August 2025 – The Brunel Solar Team will begin the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, the world championship in solar racing in Australia, from third place on the grid. During today’s qualifying session, Nuna 13 achieved third position on the Hidden Valley circuit in Darwin. This strong result secures the Delft-based student team a favourable starting point for the 3,000-kilometre multi-day race through the Australian outback.

The qualifying session determined the starting positions of all 26 solar cars. Each team had only one attempt to set a fast lap. Representing the Brunel Solar Team, driver Lucas de Jong took the wheel. In preparation, he trained extensively with a professional driver to perfect his racing lines and cornering technique, while also studying video footage of previous laps in detail to ensure he could take every corner as efficiently as possible. De Jong said: “This was the fastest lap I have ever driven. It feels great that the preparation paid off today. I knew the circuit in detail and was able to get the maximum out of Nuna. With only two teams starting ahead of us, we are very satisfied with this position. Overtaking costs a lot of energy, which means we could lose valuable minutes. This spot gives us confidence for a strong opening day.”

Team Sonnenwagen Aachen from Germany claimed pole position, while Top Dutch Solar Racing from Groningen secured second place. Current world champion Innoptus from Belgium finished in twelfth position.

Double fin for aerodynamic advantage

Nuna 13 runs not only on solar power but also makes use of wind energy. The team has developed a double fin: a retractable canopy fin and a daggerboard-style fin, which can be deployed strategically when the wind is favourable. On the twisty Hidden Valley circuit, the fins remained folded away, as they would have created additional drag. The route from north to south Australia runs along the Stuart Highway, a long straight road where these innovations may prove advantageous. “Nuna is designed for the conditions we will face in the coming days. Of course, wind and weather remain unpredictable factors,” says Elias Wawoe, Team Leader of the Brunel Solar Team. “With the fins retracted we are already fast, but with favourable winds we can gain an additional advantage.”

The race can begin

Before the qualifying session, all teams underwent dynamic scrutineering. During this inspection, the solar cars were tested in three ways: a slalom, a figure-of-eight, and a braking test. Nuna 13 passed all tests without issue. Nothing now stands in the way of the start: at 08:00 local time on Sunday morning, the starting signal will sound and the Brunel Solar Team will set off on the 3,000-kilometre route from Darwin to Adelaide. “Now that all tests and qualifying have gone well, we can fully focus on the race,” says Daan van den Dries, Race Manager of the Brunel Solar Team. “We have worked towards this moment for an entire year. We are determined, focused, and very much looking forward to it.”