This is the earliest the team has ever completed a car with the car hitting the track for its first run on April 1. “Thanks to extensive track testing and continuous development, we’ve managed to build a truly competitive machine,” says Team Captain Harry Aus.

The event will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the development process, with the team's engineers sharing how they managed to build a world-class vehicle in just nine months.

Formula 1-inspired active aerodynamics

FEST26 is the 19th formula student car built by the joint team of TalTech and Tallinn University of Applied Sciences, representing a massive leap forward from its predecessors. The car features a completely redesigned aerodynamics package, highlighted by the introduction of active aerodynamics. To cut drag, two profiles on the rear wing can open—a system closely mirroring the DRS (Drag Reduction System) used in Formula 1. This allows the car to run faster and more efficiently on the on straight sections of the track by significantly reducing air resistance.

Another major breakthrough is the fully custom-built high-voltage inverter, which acts as the heart of the car. The inverter converts direct current (up to 600 V) from the battery pack into the alternating current needed to power the motors. Very few student teams worldwide develop this component in-house, and the custom solution is also substantially lighter than any off-the-shelf alternative.

Every gram counts

Weight is a critical factor in racing, and the team has gone to great lengths to shed every possible gram. Driven by more energy-dense battery cells, a lighter inverter, and a host of smaller engineering refinements, FEST26 weighs nearly 10 kilograms less than its predecessor. The car's total mass is now under 165 kg.

The official unveiling is a major milestone for the team, kicking off a new season aimed at strong finishes on the international stage. In July, the team will head to its first competition in the Czech Republic, followed by races at world-famous circuits in Austria, Spain, and Germany.

On Sunday, Vabaduse väljak will also welcome back FEST12—the team’s fifth car, built in 2012, which which was its final internal combustion engine model. A lineup of older cars will also be on display, offering a unique look at how the technology has evolved over the years.

The team’s main sponsor is Milrem Robotics, with gold sponsors including Harju Elekter, Oshino Electronics Estonia, Threod Systems, Norma, and GPV. The team's operations are further supported nearly one hundred other companies.