ChannelLife Australia - Industry insider news for technology resellers
Story image
Aston Martin Aramco & NetApp continue data partnership for F1 success
Thu, 8th Feb 2024

The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team and NetApp, an intelligent data infrastructure business, have announced the continuation of their collaborative relationship, reinforcing NetApp's role as the team's Global Data Infrastructure Partner.

Since 2021, when Aston Martin Aramco marked its return to Formula One racing after a hiatus of over 60 years, NetApp has been a fundamental partner. The renewal builds on three years of successful partnership that has allowed Aston Martin Aramco to utilise NetApp's acclaimed storage technology, promptly conserving, managing, and retrieving massive amounts of data that the team requires to enhance its performance.

Data is a crucial ingredient in the recipe for success in the high-stakes world of Formula One racing, powering the simulations that assist teams in planning and reacting to potential race situations such as weather changes or unexpected pit stops. During each race, Aston Martin Aramco gathers data from hundreds of separate sensors, including real-time statistics like track temperature, tyre degradation and aerodynamics. The data enables the team to adjust its strategy and respond swiftly, both on track as well as at the state-of-the-art AMR Technology Campus (AMRTC). Given the crucial role data plays in the team's successes, data storage and management are identified as a critical function.

Clare Lansley, Chief Information Officer of Aston Martin Aramco, expressed delight at continuing their partnership with NetApp, entering their fourth season together in Formula One. "NetApp has been with us all the way on this journey together and are fundamental to our trackside operations and at our Headquarters at the AMRTC in Silverstone. We use data to improve our performance and go faster and NetApp's work with the team is vital to this success," Lansley said.

In the 2023 Formula One season, through harnessing the data managed and stored by NetApp, the Aston Martin Aramco team ascended the podium eight times and secured 280 points, ranking fifth in the Constructors Championship. Their Global Data Infrastructure Partner, NetApp, will continue to support data storage and analysis, including speed, reliability, observability, security, and scalability.

Gabie Boko, Chief Marketing Officer at NetApp, highlighted the shared goals of both NetApp and the Aston Martin Aramco team in striving for cutting-edge performance and innovation. She said, "When Aston Martin returned to the Formula One circuit after more than 60 years away, they needed a technology partner to help them rise to every moment, both on and off the track. NetApp provides Aston Martin Aramco with an intelligent data infrastructure that runs at the speed of Formula One."

Ultimately, the speed at which Aston Martin Aramco can apply its stored data offers the team a distinct competitive advantage. NetApp's data solutions enable the team to fuel its constant pursuit of innovation, design quicker vehicles, and optimise its race strategies.