Brunel Solar Team holds on to lead despite changing weather in the Australian outback

Coober Pedy, 26 August 2025 – After three days, the Brunel Solar Team continues to lead the world championship of solar racing in Australia. Today, Nuna 13 crossed the border from the Northern Territory into South Australia, officially passing the halfway point of the 3,000-kilometer race. Despite a tense start with technical problems during static charging and heavy cloud cover, the team managed to maintain its lead.

Once on the road, Nuna 13 proved to be in top condition, with rival Innoptus Solar Team close on their heels. On the way to Alice Springs, a thrilling tactical duel unfolded, with both teams cleverly navigating busy traffic situations.
“We knew the traffic around Alice Springs would be heavy, so we planned our driving strategy in advance,” says Kees Broek, driver for the Brunel Solar Team. “While driving, I changed lanes a few times to keep up the pace. At one traffic light we ended up side by side with Innoptus, but because we had deliberately chosen the left lane, we were able to accelerate just a bit quicker when the light turned green and took the short corner. That allowed us to enter the control stop first.”

After the first stop, Nuna was able to extend its lead. With tightly executed control stops, where the team gained valuable time over the competition, their position was reinforced.
“The secret to a good control stop is a lot of practice,” says Thijmen Scheffel, structural engineer at the Brunel Solar Team. “We have clear protocols, and the whole team executes them down to the second. The driver gets out, then the panel has to be tilted immediately at the right angle to the sun, and as a team you hit the ‘time button’ as quickly as possible. From that moment, the mandatory thirty minutes of static charging begins. In these moments you really notice how crucial preparation and teamwork are.”

Several times during the day, the team deployed the canopy fin, designed to provide extra propelling power. As the race moves further south, the shifting climate is also becoming noticeable. Heavy clouds and cooler temperatures made the race even more challenging. “With cloudy skies, we constantly have to weigh speed against energy consumption,” says Ruben Zuidgeest, strategist at the Brunel Solar Team. “Less sun means less energy coming in, so we adjust our pace accordingly. It’s a continuous process of switching and looking ahead.”

When the Innoptus Solar Team had to stop for a tire change, Solar Team Twente moved into second place. With an estimated two race days still to go, the top teams continue to chase each other at close distance.