F1 cars equipped with 300 sensors will be the subject of a study to assess their reliability and performance.

Sensors collect data that Amazon Web Services aggregates and then transmits to the teams responsible for developing the cars.

When we think of Formula 1, it's usually the roar of the engines and the sleek aerodynamics that allow the cars to negotiate corners that come to mind first. Yet behind the spectacle, engineers, mechanics, and drivers spend countless hours meticulously studying data. Modern equipment and cutting-edge technologies give teams access to increasingly accurate information. The growing popularity of the sport attracts significant funding, which in turn fuels continuous improvements in the cars' onboard electronics, far beyond purely mechanical components. AWS, Amazon's cloud computing and data analytics division, is a key partner of Formula 1. It collects all the data from the track and transmits it to the teams and Formula One Management (FOM) for telemetric analysis.

300 sensors monitored At the start of a race, each car is equipped with around 300 sensors, a number that has increased significantly with technological advances. During testing, when additional Pitot probes and other devices are used, a car can carry up to 600 sensors.

“We generate thousands and thousands of data points every millisecond, and we run tens of millions of simulations on every lap to try to optimize the vehicle and its efficiency,” Rob Smedley, technical consultant at AWS, explained to Clubic. A Formula 1 powertrain consists of a combustion engine, two electric motors, a turbocharger, a battery, and the electronic control components that connect everything together. Hundreds of sensors monitor these components, recording temperature, RPM, flow, pressure, vibration, voltage, and more. Other sensors monitor tire condition, flat bottom, GPS position, acceleration, braking, and differential. “It's totally surreal compared to what we were doing in the 1990s. Teams now assimilate and understand performance data much better. This level of analysis gives a very detailed picture of the cars, teams, drivers, and the race,” explains Smedley, a British engineer who worked for Jordan, Williams, and Ferrari and served as F1's data director until 2022 before joining AWS. ### Making mechanics more reliable Pit engineers and headquarters staff monitor the condition of key components in real time. By preventing tires from overheating, for example, they extend their life and avoid risky adjustments that could lead to failures. Thanks to these advances in data, modern single-seaters are much more reliable than their counterparts in the 1990s, when mechanical failures were common. Simulations now allow teams to test settings and components in a wide range of conditions, so that, barring accidents, drivers rarely have to retire from a Grand Prix.

“F1 is much more professional and reliable today, with more cars finishing races, which is better for the spectacle and, ultimately, for the fans. The more finishers there are, the closer the competition is, and data has been a key factor in this success,” noted Smedley. Discovering new circuits in advance

The wealth of data also helps teams prepare for new circuits. This season, information gathered from previous street circuit races facilitated preparations for the first Las Vegas Grand Prix, whose layout shares some characteristics with previous events. Simulators allow drivers to familiarize themselves with the circuit before they even get there. “Thirty years ago, drivers were still learning the circuit on the first lap. Data is crucial for new circuits, especially street circuits, because it allows drivers to anticipate how the car will behave,” explains Smedley. ### Feeding fans and viewers Data isn't just for teams; spectators love statistics too. Broadcasters regularly display figures such as the predicted impact of pit stops, allowing fans to interpret the race through their own lens.

AWS is already considering integrating virtual reality experiences with this data. Smedley envisions a “Matrix-like” F1 where viewers could wear glasses and display specific data from their couch or the stands, perhaps using a second or third screen to personalize their viewing experience. As the 2024 winter tests approach, teams will continue to refine their settings using the massive data streams at their disposal.