The 2026 Formula 1 racing season begins in March, and Middleton High School’s Racing Team members have their eyes on the Formula Student USA National Track Day.
Formula Student USA is a national engineering and fabrication competition for high school students that challenges teams to design, build, and test open-wheel style cars. Middleton High School’s team of 11 students is meeting weekly to prepare for the two-day national track event in May.
The team will compete at Road America near Elkhart Lake, after having one of the fastest cars at last year’s event.
Club advisor and engineering and technology teacher Mr. Eric Wheeler, senior Matthew Lanear and junior Isaac Zander recently talked with WKOW 27 and WMTV 15 about the team’s preparations for the time trial event.
“The two days at the track event is just fantastic," Wheeler told WKOW 27. "Things break. We don't know what to do. The kids sort of band together, figure it out, and then another team's car will break, and they'll go help the other team. So it's just sort of a big family up there just trying to have fun and race some cars."
Wheeler said the event empowers the team to problem solve in a high-pressure environment: “It’s impressive watching them come together with a single goal in mind: get the cars on the track so everyone can have fun.”
Zander agreed: "It's a really good feeling to see the cars out on track.”
Team members are currently working on three cars. Each season, team members build a new car from scratch or heavily modify one of their existing cars.
Lanear noted that team members learn everything from welding skills to using computer numerical control, or CNC, machines. In addition to developing their technical skills, team members strengthen their leadership and problem-solving skills.
The team has several business sponsors supporting their work and would like to secure more. Businesses interested in sponsoring the Racing Team can email Wheeler at ewheeler2@mcpasd.k12.wi.us.
Follow the team on Instagram to watch their progress and learn more.