The 2025 Spain Grand Prix has been much more than a battle in the circuit. While the spotlights focused on the absolute domain of Oscar Piestri in Montmeló (who signed his fifth victory of the season leading a blunt double of McLaren with Lando Norris in second place, and Charles Leclerc completing the podium), in the technological racks of Formula 1 there was also an exciting pulse.
And this weekend has been, once again, a demonstration of how data centers, artificial intelligence and the cloud are redefining the GP experience, both for teams and for the more than 750 million fans around the world.
In conversation with Amie Smith, Head of It Systems and Support of F1, he explained how this invisible infrastructure is articulated that sustains the show: “We are working side by side with Lenovo to carry connectivity, speed and efficiency to the next level. From the track to the data center, everything must be immediate,” he emphasizes.
From its entrance as Global Technology Partner, Lenovo has deployed a combination of mobile servers, work stations, virtualization solutions and motorola devices used by more than 600 F1 employees. The challenge? Operate without failures for 24 races per year, with extreme temperatures, dust, vibrations and pressure at the millimeter. “The AI is already present in our operations. We are testing the new AI PCs to optimize equipment productivity and accelerate creative and analysis processes,” adds Smith.
500 Terabytes de Data by weekend, and sustainability
Formula 1 manages an infrastructure that transfers up to 500 terabytes of data during each event, distributed between the Technical Center (etc.) installed in each circuit and the media & Technology Center (M&T) in the United Kingdom. From the on-board cameras to the timing and telemetry systems, everything is synchronized and processes in real time thanks to an virtualization environment with more than 1,000 CPU nuclei and 200 TB of flash storage.
This weekend has been, once again, a demonstration of how data centers, artificial intelligence and cloud are redefining the GP experience
“Every week we move mobile servers with hundreds of data terabytes. This demands a robust and resilient architecture, capable of enduring a rhythm that no other sport handles”Smith says.
Technology is also at the service of sustainability and the experience of the fan. Motorola, now Global Smartphone Partner of F1, is part of the championship operational ecosystem. And Lenovo, through its asset recovery service (ARS), helps recycle obsolete technology safely and responsible, aligning with the climate objectives of the organization.
Victory for McLaren with the interpretation of the data
While those of McLaren signed a double that confirmed their good moment in the championship, the race made it clear that Formula 1 is played both in the boxes and in the data centers. What happens on the track is only part of the set: each return is supported by thousands of parameters, real -time simulations and strategic decisions supported by high performance technology. “What the viewer sees on television or social networks is only the tip of the iceberg. Behind there is a technical system of surgical precision that works thanks to the power of our technological partners,” explains Smith.
Not all teams, however, managed to take advantage of that deployment. Carlos Sainz lived a uphill top, conditioned by a little effective strategy and a car that did not finish responding. Fernando Alonso, on the other hand, squeezed each opportunity again with the solidity that characterizes him.
It is clear that in 2025, winning in Formula 1 is not only a matter of speed, but of the ability to process, interpret and act on the data.
