Bettina Szelezsán came to Széchenyi István University for the high standard of its Master’s degree in Vehicle Engineering, where she gained valuable experience thanks to the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Engineering and the Arrabona Racing Team student team. Today, the young professional works in Germany as an engineer for Hyundai Motorsport, while also sharing her expertise with current students of the Győr-based University as a lecturer in its Master’s programme in Motorsport Engineering.
During her Bachelor’s studies in Mechanical Engineering, she joined the Formula Student movement – a decision that proved to be decisive for both her further studies and her career. She applied to Széchenyi István University for its English-taught Master’s programme in Vehicle Engineering, but ultimately, her years in Győr gave her far more than she had initially expected. Bettina’s story is an excellent example for all students: dedication and making the most of the opportunities offered by the University can lay the foundations for a successful international career.
“I definitely wanted to continue my studies in a field that complemented my previous education and dealt with vehicles from a systems perspective. I was also looking at foreign universities when I came across Széchenyi’s English-taught Master’s in Vehicle Engineering. I completed it as a dual study programme, working at Audi Hungaria Zrt. in Győr until my final semester,” she began. She explained that at first, she had no plans to continue with activities related to the Formula Student competition series, but during one of her first classes, she was invited to visit a workshop, which soon led to her joining the Arrabona Racing Team student team. She revealed that she still considers the team’s 2022 season to be her greatest professional success to date, as the members achieved outstanding results, finishing among the top in the field.
“I really enjoyed studying at the University in Győr – this period gave me so much, beyond the lectures as well. After I finished the dual study programme, I began working in the Dean’s Office of the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Engineering alongside the former Dean, Dr Barna Hanula, and thanks to him – and Professor Dániel Feszty – I was able to work on projects that had a decisive impact on my later career. Thanks to them, I was also involved in tasks outside the Formula Student world, which greatly supported my professional development,” Bettina explained.
.webp "Bettina Szelezsán now shares her experience with Széchenyi István University students as a lecturer (Photo: András Adorján)")
Bettina Szelezsán now shares her experience with Széchenyi István University students as a lecturer (Photo: András Adorján)
Her mentors also encouraged her to gain experience abroad, which – thanks to her professional English skills and the knowledge she had acquired through the Formula Student series – seemed like a natural next step for her. “If we want to work in the world of motorsport, it is worth joining its international circuit after acquiring strong foundations. With the wide range of series and teams, there are countless opportunities,” she said.
She applied to several places before being accepted by Hyundai Motorsport, which competes in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
She joined the company at the end of 2023, following her significant contribution as project leader to the success of the international professional event, the Formula Student Symposium, hosted at Széchenyi University. At Hyundai Motorsport, which has its headquarters in Germany, she works as a systems and data engineer, primarily supporting the team during testing. “Last year, we competed with an existing design, while this year, developments have been made on the mechanical side, and we adapted the electronic system accordingly. During testing, it is my job to set up the software environment to suit road and weather conditions, ensuring that the car’s various systems work properly. At such times, I am responsible, among other things, for the sensors and data analysis,” she described her work on the team, which currently holds second place in the manufacturers’ standings of WRC.
She emphasised that what she enjoys most about her role is the variety, which is most evident in solving problems arising through teamwork. She travels a great deal, as tests are usually held at various tracks across Europe. As she explained, these are demanding and energy-intensive periods, during which engineers perform highly important tasks. “This responsibility is motivating for me, as the results of the work can be felt in the team’s performance,” she said.
Bettina has been living for more than a year and a half in a small German town near Frankfurt, where she has made a home with her partner, also a Széchenyi graduate. Her connection to the University, however, remains close to this day: since February this year, she has been one of the lecturers on the English-taught Master’s programme in Motorsport Engineering, helping current students develop their professional skills. “On the Master’s programme, I teach a module on electronic systems – the same topic I wrote my thesis on. I gained most of this knowledge through my Formula Student experience, so my classes are much more about systems thinking than basic electrical questions,” she said. She added that she finds the programme highly interesting and unique, and believes that in the future it could become a key training ground for the next generation in motorsport.
