Rob Smedley (Middlesbrough, 1973) an engineer by training, is the director of F1 data systemsposition to which he arrived after going through several teams such as Jordan, Williams or Ferrari He attends AS before the Spanish GP to explain the importance of the datathose that show us on the screen in relation to when a car will overtake another or the chances of success of the maneuver, among others and explains the collaboration between AWS (Amazon Web Services) and the F1 that helps to better understand the behavior and performance of cars through numbers.
-What changes has technology brought to F1 over the years?
-Technology has always played an essential role in Formula 1. It has always raised competition to new levels and better experiences. If we look back we can see that, over the years, the evolution of Formula 1 cars has been faster than that of any other vehicle. That’s because we operate in a very competitive environment, where it’s vital to gain and capitalize on any potential competitive advantage. For that we must be constantly innovating and constantly developing technology. This is precisely what we have tried to enhance through the collaboration between Formula 1 and AWS; the great importance of technology in Formula 1, in the sport itself. Technology has always played a very important role and will continue to do so. I hope the fans can see how important our use of technology is to Formula 1.
-What types of data and technologies have you worked with in your time as an F1 engineer?
-In the beginning we started with data technology. My generation, in the mid-90s, was really the first to exploit and make intensive use of data to get a better understanding of cars. And with that knowledge of the cars, we were able to understand how to make them faster. We started with a fairly simple data analytics, which has evolved to the current situation where all teams rely much more heavily on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), full simulation technology, neural networks, etc. to try to solve very, very complex problems, because a Formula 1 car always seeks maximum optimization. We always look for the most efficient and optimal way to use the cars to achieve the best times. There are thousands of parameters that we can adjust to try to improve times and that is the perfect environment for neural networks and Machine Learning; take a lot of data and use it to determine the optimal state. In this way, we get cars to perform faster. In my case, I have been very involved in this aspect from the beginning, starting with a very simple data acquisition and analytics, and evolving to the current situation. Today we collect multiple petabytes of data and analyze it using neural networks and machine learning to guide us towards new solutions.
-Can you explain to us what the collaboration between AWS and F1 consists of?
-The collaboration between AWS and Formula 1 is very strong. It is a collaboration that has already accelerated the evolution of Formula 1 to make better use of data. To be able to use the data in a more efficient and effective way, both to produce a better competition for the future, and to elevate the experience of the fans. We can see it from the perspective of two groups; On the one hand, we have Formula 1, the manager of the competition, with enormous experience in this area, and on the other, we have technology companies, in this case AWS, and by combining them, an extraordinary synergy is created that allows us to face challenges technology and produce various solutions. I think the new insights gained on the new 2022 cars through the partnership between Formula 1 and AWS represent a great example of this technology collaboration. At this moment we are developing multiple projects that will come to light little by little. The relationship between Formula 1 and AWS is very strong and beneficial.
-What impact does this technology have on the fan experience?
– The impact has been considerable, because the goal has always been to use data to represent technology, to better explain the complexity of Formula 1. In this way, we seek to connect with fans in a more intense way, immerse fans in the Formula 1 experience. When we look at the feedback we’ve received, using this insight into the data, it’s extremely positive. It’s not that every single fan loves every piece of insight we provide (F1 Insights powered by AWS), but they certainly love the concept of using data to augment their experience and help them connect with sport, discovering and explaining some of the most complex aspects. That’s the best example I can think of; how fans have been able to further connect with Formula 1 through this data.
-Which pilot or pilots are the ones that most demand this type of technology or those that most help and collaborate in the data collection and analysis process?
-The first thing we need to understand is that both the teams and the drivers have always had very, very sophisticated data analytics, because they are always looking for ways to gain an advantage over their rivals. Therefore, they have always been at the forefront of technology and have always been strong advocates of data analytics to help them better understand and guide the best decisions in order to create faster cars. Until the moment that Formula 1 decided to share the data, this whole aspect of the competition was never visible to the fans; for them it was a black box. So, I can’t say that this relationship has benefited the teams in a new way, since they were already very advanced in that aspect. The main beneficiaries have been the fans, because they have finally been able to lift the veil and discover a new face of Formula 1 and this has allowed them to better understand the sport through the use of data.
-Through all these new technologies and precise data, could it be established who are the fastest and most complete drivers on the grid, regardless of the cars they drive?
-We have used the knowledge obtained to develop a Machine Learning system called “The fastest pilot in history”. This was a project developed together with the AWS team using machine learning and the result of this insight is that the “fastest pilot in history” was Ayrton Senna. In the top three we have Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, so in my opinion the analysis worked very well. We would also have Fernando Alonso in the top 10, so we can say that Fernando Alonso has been one of the fastest drivers in Formula 1, the analytics, the algorithms and the data prove it. (the Asturian is fifth in that ‘classification, behind the three mentioned and Max Verstappen).
-How has cloud technology helped in the development of cars?
-In Formula 1 we always seek to produce cars that allow a close distance, improvements that reduce the separation between the cars to create a better show for the fans. To achieve this, we have had to take a different approach than has existed in the past and we have had to work with the FIA, the Federation that decides the rules. We had to develop a regulation in which the designers of the Formula 1 teams could create cars that adapted to the concept determined by the Federation. Aerodynamically, the final concept was very different from previous years, so we used a simulation tool called Computational Fluid Dynamics, which consumes a huge amount of computing resources, even to perform simulations of medium. car. But the Formula 1 simulations are carried out with two cars and in that case the necessary computing capacity is immense, really enormous. So we reached out to AWS to help us better understand the issue and come up with a solution. Now, by using its cloud technology, we have been able to speed up simulations and increase design efficiency by almost eight times. So now we are eight times more efficient and eight times faster when it comes to designing and building Formula 1 cars. This has greatly facilitated the goal of creating races with closer distances between vehicles.
-Do you have more innovations planned for the future of F1?
-Yes, we always keep our eyes forward. We have to continue to innovate, in all aspects of the sport, but especially in the connection with the fans. We have to maintain the level of interest, increase the audience, attract a younger and more diverse audience. A surefire way to connect with younger fans is through more immersive experiences. The majority of young people, from Generation Z, enjoy video games, they are gamers. So we want to combine the world of gaming with that of Formula 1 to create a more immersive experience, through augmented reality or virtual reality. That would be the next area of innovation to attract the next generation of young fans who will enjoy Formula 1.