Pakistan Reaffirms EU Trade Ties Under GSP Plus
February 11, 2026
Ever wondered what it would be like if engineering and motorsport collided in the classroom? That’s exactly what Formula Pakistan is doing. This student-focused initiative challenges participants to design and race miniature Formula-style cars, about 10–11 inches in size, while learning much more than just technical skills. From teamwork and strategy to branding and performance evaluation, the competition turns every student into a well-rounded problem solver. By combining hands-on engineering with real-world application, Formula Pakistan not only brings the thrill of motorsport to students but also shows just how relevant and exciting engineering can be beyond the classroom.
Image source: Formula 1 Pakistan
A Bold Idea Born from Experience:
Founded by Mateen and a team of fellow engineers from NUST, all participants of international competitions, Formula Pakistan was found after its founders spotted a glaring gap. Pakistani students possessed the technical ability to compete globally. What they lacked was the platform to prove it.
Inspired by the global Formula 1 model, the initiative brings the thrill of motorsport to students through miniature F1-style cars with sizes of just 10 to 11 inches, yet enormous in what they demand. Design, engineering, teamwork, branding, strategy: participants must master them all.
“In Pakistan, engineering is often seen as having limited scope, but initiatives like this are proving otherwise.”
Mateen, Founder, Formula Pakistan
From Zero to Thousands: A Movement Gains Momentum
The journey of Formula Pakistan has been nothing short of thrilling. It all started with the first event, where students got their first look at the miniature F1 cars, a sneak peek that instantly sparked curiosity and excitement. The second event officially launched Formula Pakistan, turning anticipation into action and giving students a glimpse of the world they were about to dive into. And then came the big moment: January 31, the day of the major competition. Thirty-three teams from schools and universities across the country faced off, not just to race their cars, but to test their skills, creativity, and teamwork under real pressure.
Formula Pakistan has organized three impactful events, each one building on the last, and student participation has grown to over 4,000. More than just numbers, this growth reflects a shift in how young Pakistanis are starting to view engineering, not just as a subject, but as a space for creativity, challenge, and real-world achievement.
Image source: Formula 1 Pakistan
More Than Machines: Building Complete Engineers
What separates Formula Pakistan from a typical science fair is its insistence on the full picture. Teams are judged not only on the performance of their cars but on how they communicate ideas, collaborate under pressure, and present their innovations. It is, by design, a mirror of industry.
The founders are careful to frame the initiative as a complement to formal education, not a competitor. The goal is simple: give students exposure, confidence, and visibility that classrooms alone cannot provide.
As Mateen put it, talent was never the issue in Pakistan.
“Pakistani students are just as capable as global competitors.”
What they needed was access and exposure.
The Road Ahead:
So, what’s on the horizon for Formula Pakistan? The founder shared that they’re taking the initiative nationally, with exciting workshops lined up in Islamabad and Lahore.
Formula Pakistan is no longer an experiment; it is a national platform in motion. With participation growing at every event, students from both school and university levels are finding a space where engineering feels exciting, urgent, and possible.
The initiative has transformed from a one-time competition into something far more enduring: proof of concept for what Pakistani engineering talent can achieve.
“Formula Pakistan is not just an event, it’s a journey.”
Mateen, Founder, Formula Pakistan
The message from the founder is clear and unambiguous: the potential has always been here. The only thing missing was the right opportunity. Formula Pakistan is that opportunity, and it is only accelerating.
