Returning to SZE: in Search for Experts

Dávid Szegletes, an alumnus of Széchenyi István University, is among the few Audi Hungaria employees contributing to Audi Formula Racing GmbH’s preparations for the four-ring brand's Formula 1 debut. Recently returning from the company’s Neuburg development centre to Győr, Dávid was invited to the Formula Student Symposium held at Széchenyi University to share insights about his work as a constructor.  

The 28-year-old engineer has had a remarkably dynamic journey. He completed his bachelor’s and English-taught master’s degrees at Széchenyi University, gaining early exposure to the racing world as a member of the SZEngine team. Simultaneously, he began working as an intern at Audi’s Győr plant. Two years ago, his career took an exciting turn when he joined the Volkswagen Group’s Formula 1 project, set to debut in 2026. Returning to Győr for the Formula Student Symposium, the young engineer from Nagykanizsa reflected on dreams, inspiration, key factors to success, and the feeling of coming back as an expert to the Institution that once fuelled his own aspirations.  

Did you ever imagine, when you started your undergraduate studies in Vehicle Engineering at Széchenyi,  that you'd return years later as an engineer for Audi’s F1 project?

"Not at all," Dávid begins with a smile. "Though I’ve wanted to be a vehicle engineer since childhood, and I’ve always been drawn to cars and exciting technical solutions, the world of Formula 1 captured my imagination during the Schumacher era. I chose this university deliberately because it offered numerous opportunities for students to gain practical experience in Győr."

What, beyond your university education, do you think contributed the most to securing a spot on the newly formed Audi F1 project team?

"My university years provided a solid foundation, but being part of the SZEngine team played a significant role as well. It gave me hands-on experience in the world of racing and race preparation. I was involved in every stage of the process: designing parts, selecting manufacturing methods, overseeing the production of finished components, and even travelling with the team to competitions. Those few years taught me a lot—not just technical knowledge but also how to handle real-world challenges that students rarely encounter during their studies. Through team dynamics, taking on responsibilities, giving presentations, and managing tasks independently, I gained a comprehensive set of practical skills. I even based my theses on my work with the student competition team. And, of course, it didn’t hurt that I was confident in English. German—he laughs—is still a work in progress."

How did the opportunity come about?

"I’d been working at Audi Hungaria for a few months when the former Director of Technical Development at AUDI AG gave a recruitment talk at the company. I felt this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and decided to apply. I like to say I was in the right place at the right time and seized the moment."

How similar are your current tasks to what you were doing on Audi Hungaria’s electric drivetrain development team?

"In Neuburg, as a constructor, I focus on drivetrain components. There’s some overlap with my previous responsibilities in Győr, such as analysing and evaluating test results. However, my primary task now is designing components. The team is very international—more than 360 of us work on drivetrain development at the centre. My colleagues include Italians, Spaniards, Ukrainians and Brits. Seven of us came from Audi Hungaria when Audi Formula Racing GmbH began operations in early 2023. The team is predominantly young, but having experienced members who were part of Audi’s Le Mans project is incredibly valuable."

What does the Formula Student Symposium mean to you? Why did you feel it was important to participate as an expert?

"It’s an honour to be invited as an expert speaker and to return to my University in this capacity. It wasn’t that long ago that I was attending the FS Symposium as a student, so it means a lot to be able to inspire current students. Participating in professional discussions is a joy in itself and the event also provides fantastic networking opportunities."

What advice would you give to young engineering talents dreaming of a similar career path?

"I transitioned straight from high school to the University’s engineering studies and initially worried that I lacked the hands-on technical experience that some students brought from vocational schools. But when I applied to join the student competition team, I realized that agility, enthusiasm, dedication, and openness to learning and new ideas are what really matter. This is my advice as well: stay persistent, remain open, and seize opportunities confidently. Joining SZEngine was a pivotal decision for me—it provided invaluable experiences and knowledge. Similarly, my internship at Audi taught me a great deal and shaped my career path."

What future goals do you have? Would you consider joining the future Formula 1 team as a race engineer if the opportunity arises?

"For now, I’m focused on the period leading up to 2026. My priority is ensuring that the transmission I’m responsible for is the best it can be. I want to maintain my openness to opportunities. I can see myself continuing my career here in Neuburg, potentially in a coordination role, but I’m also drawn to the world of racing. It’s a completely different lifestyle—spending most of the year travelling from one location to another. While it offers countless experiences and fresh impulses, it’s also quite demanding and far from family-friendly. That said, as long as I’m young and not yet at the stage of starting a family, I’d love to try my hand as a race engineer."

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