Brunel Solar Team win 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

“Unbelievable, we actually pulled it off, what a battle,” said Martijn Boonen, who drove Nuna 13 across the line. “These last kilometers were nerve-racking with heavy rain, lots of traffic, and our rivals right on our tail. We gave everything, and now we are world champions. I’m super proud of our team.”

The final day began early in the morning with 238 kilometers still on the clock and a heavily overcast sky above southern Australia. While Innoptus Solar Team departed later due to a lower battery charge, the team from Twente launched their pursuit. Just tens of kilometers before the finish, the gap was down to only two kilometers. By following the best strategy and cleverly using the innovative canopy fin, Nuna 13 managed to widen the gap again and be the first to cross the finish line. 

The Brunel Solar Team had already been seven-time world champions, but their last victory dated back to 2017. The Delft students are therefore euphoric after the hard-fought triumph. 

“We went all in for the win,” says Elias Wawoe, team leader of the Brunel Solar Team. “This is truly a team achievement, and the fin on Nuna 13 has proven its worth in the wind. It’s fantastic to bring the eighth title back to the Netherlands, and especially special because it’s our anniversary year: a crowning achievement of 25 years of solar racing.”