In extending its technology partnership, the team explains how digital technologies are raising performance on and off the circuits.
The recently crowned eight-time FIA Formula One World Constructors’ Champions—the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team—has announced the expansion of its ongoing partnership with a technology firm for continual digital transformation.
The F1 team attributed its recent performance results to advanced digital technology for critical operations such as up-to-the-minute car setup and configuration decisions during race simulations; detailed cost-value analyses to comply with FIA cost cap regulations; and the use of digital twins to gain a better understanding of new and modified race circuits.
According to the team’s IT director, Michael Taylor: “Racing has become so much more than just the car. We need to provide our drivers with all the information they need to get the best out of the car on that day, that circuit, and in those conditions, which all comes from data.”
Taylor mentioned how his team had used data to create a better view of each race through simulations, and gained insights across design to manufacturing to on-track performance (in terms of value and cost), when planning and executing each race, across the season. Using TIBCO Software Inc solutions, the team were able to analyze the simulations and assess the effects of tunable car configuration parameters, including suspension, rear and front wings, and aerodynamics, on car performance.
Working with digital twins of the cars, the team were able to run millions of simulations to set up the cars and to configure them for optimal results throughout the race weekend. This capability was of central importance to car performance, especially in the last set of races in the Americas and the Middle East, in a highly competitive battle for the championship.
Said Michael O’Connell, Chief Analytics Officer, TIBCO: “As the season came down to the wire, the team’s use of digital twins and race simulations played a critical role in optimizing car performance, and securing crucial championship points in a highly competitive environment.”
