Aramco STEM Racing World Finals 2026: Understanding the Technical Regulations
Curious about how STEM Racing ensures the World Finals remain fair, exciting, and cutting-edge, year after year? We sat down with Nelson Vale, Head of International Operations at STEM Racing, to get the inside scoop on how and why the Rules & Regulations evolve. From the structured review process to the latest technical updates, Nelson explains how feedback, safety, and engineering excellence shape the challenge, and what this year’s teams can expect when they hit the track.
Nelson at the Aramco STEM Racing World Finals 2025
How are the rules & regulations updated each year? Could you talk us through the process?
“Each year, the Rules & Regulations go through a structured review process led by STEM Racing HQ, working closely with the Rules Committee, which includes experienced judges, technical specialists, educators, and industry partners.
The process starts with feedback from the previous season. This includes judge observations, common compliance issues, safety considerations, and feedback from teams. We also review how effectively the regulations supported learning outcomes, innovation, and fair competition.
The goal is evolution, not disruption - keeping the challenge exciting while remaining accessible, fair, and consistent.”
What’s new for this year’s teams within the technical rules & regulations?
“This year’s Technical Regulations include a number of refinements rather than wholesale changes, which is very intentional.
There is a stronger focus on clarity and consistency, particularly in areas that previously caused confusion during scrutineering. Several definitions, diagrams, and test procedures have been updated to remove ambiguity.
We have also introduced updates that reinforce safety, including revised safety tests for wheels, the halo, and tether guides. In addition, there are refinements to dimensional and visibility rules that encourage better engineering decisions.
Overall, the updates reward teams who apply strong engineering principles, accurate CAD work, and close attention to detail.”
Car of Lunar, the Aramco STEM Racing World Champions 2025
We hear there’s a new pit stop Challenge – what will that involve and why has it been introduced?
“This year, we have introduced a new Pit Stop Challenge focused on the wheel–axle interface, with the clear objective of reducing wheel breakage and enabling teams to replace wheels quickly and easily if damage occurs.
Teams may design a reusable wheel mounting system that allows rapid, non-destructive wheel changes without the use of adhesives or permanent fixings, instead using sound mechanical solutions such as pins, fasteners, or positive interlocking features. All designs must remain fully compliant with Article 7 regulations.
While this challenge is optional for 2026, there is a Pit Stop Award up for grabs for teams that choose to take part. To demonstrate effectiveness, a single wheel replacement must be completed in under 60 seconds. This will be verified during live scrutineering, with judges assessing robustness, clarity of the mechanism, and replacement time.”
What advice or tips would you give teams when looking at the rules & regulations for this year’s World Finals?
“The biggest piece of advice is simple: read the regulations carefully.
Teams should read the full document thoroughly, even if they have competed before, and pay close attention to the definitions, text, and diagrams. Many penalties do not come from ambitious designs, but from small oversights or assumptions.
It is also important to understand why a rule exists, particularly safety and performance rules. Teams that design with the intent and spirit of the regulations in mind are far more likely to succeed.
Finally, teams should integrate the regulations into their workflow early: checking compliance during CAD, before manufacturing, and again before submission. Scrutineering should be treated as part of the engineering process, not an afterthought. Teams should use official Mitutoyo measuring equipment to check all relevant dimensions in accordance with the regulations.”
Scrutineering in action at the Aramco STEM Racing World Finals 2025
Download your copy
Ready to take a look? Be first off the starting line by downloading the Aramco STEM Racing World Finals 2026 Technical Rules & Regulations here.