Formula SAE is a student design competition which involves the departments of engineering of the Universities worldwide organized by SAE International (previously known as the Society of Automotive Engineers, SAE). It arrived in Europe in the early 2000s, based on the American model which made its debut with the first edition in 1981.

Italy saw its first edition in 2005, organized by ATA (Associazione Tecnica dell’Autoveicolo) which took place in the FIAT Auto Circuit in Balocco (VC); during the years have been made few location changes, first it has been used the circuit Ferrari Fiorano in Maranello (BO) and then the circuit Riccardo Paletti di Varano ‘de Melegari (PR) which is the current location for the event.