When Lewis Hamilton won the 2024 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, his Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team’s IT department celebrated his victory. While the race engineers received much of the credit for the team’s success, IT director Michael Taylor’s technology team also played a vital role.
Taylor, who has been in F1 since 2002 and leading the IT team at Mercedes since 2020, acknowledges the importance of technology in the sport and emphasizes the role of the stopwatch as a key metric.
The IT team’s responsibilities during a race week include setting up mobile data centers, ensuring network connectivity across various areas of the race track, supporting engineers, and running tests. They also focus on using technology to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual tasks.
Taylor mentions the increasing importance of AI in F1 but remains guarded about specific details to maintain a competitive edge. He stresses the need for innovative solutions that save time and enhance performance.
The Mercedes team heavily relies on computational tools, such as computational fluid dynamics, CAD/CAM systems, and digital twins, to make minute improvements to the race car. These tools help optimize the car’s performance and provide crucial data for decision-making during races.
During races, the IT team collects over seven billion data points from the cars’ sensors, which are crucial for developing strategies on the pit wall or in the race support room. Technology plays a significant role in processing vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently to make timely decisions that can impact race outcomes.
Taylor and Riley, who came from varied IT backgrounds before joining Mercedes, emphasize that opportunities exist for IT professionals to transition into Formula One careers. They encourage aspiring individuals to pursue their passion and apply for positions within the industry.