Beyond the Grid: How true partnership drives success for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team and HPE

In Formula One, success is measured in milliseconds. The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team knows this better than anyone, with a relentless drive to push the boundaries of technology, innovation, and performance. During each season, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team continuously develops its cars with the goal of shaving one tenth of a second with each race. This is the result of a non-stop cycle of performance enhancements to stay ahead on the grid. But Formula One isn’t just about precision engineering and driver skill on the track, it’s also about the strength of partnerships off the track. For Mercedes, the collaboration with HPE is more than a vendor relationship; it’s a true partnership that fuels their competitive edge. Together, we share a commitment to cutting-edge technology, stringent regulatory compliance, and advancing sustainability, making this collaboration the epitome of teamwork.

Staying Ahead of the Technology Curve or Where Data Becomes Design

Formula One is a sport where technological stagnation isn’t an option. The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team operates in an environment where every race is an opportunity to shave tenths—or even hundredths—of a second off lap times. To achieve this, their IT infrastructure must deliver unparalleled performance, agility, and reliability.

CFD, or Computational Fluid Dynamics, is the backbone of aerodynamic design in Formula One, enabling engineers to simulate airflow and optimize car components for maximum speed and efficiency.  Before the roar of engines at race day, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is racing against time in the digital realm. Each week, up to 50 terabytes of CFD data—imagine the equivalent of 25 million high-resolution photos—is generated to shape the future of their cars. With this data, engineers can analyze the finest details of bodywork and components, ensuring every millimeter contributes to speed and efficiency. By leveraging HPE ProLiant AMD-based servers and high-performance compute (HPC) platforms, HPE expects the team to see an approximate 30% improvement for CFD workloads.

HPE’s innovative solutions, combined with AMD’s advanced processing capabilities, ensure that Mercedes can remain at the forefront of technological innovation. Whether it’s real-time telemetry during races or predictive analytics for race strategies, the latest and greatest technology from HPE empowers Mercedes to make data-driven decisions with confidence.

Navigating FIA Budget Constraints with Flexible Solutions

In Formula One, innovation must operate within strict limits. The FIA-imposed budget cap for Formula One teams requires the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team to meticulously manage costs while maintaining their competitive edge. Every dollar spent must be justified, documented, and optimized for maximum return on investment.

HPE understands these challenges and has designed tailored solutions to help Mercedes comply with FIA regulations. Through HPE GreenLake, Mercedes benefits from a flexible consumption model that aligns technology investments with their operational needs. Powered by HPE Financial Services, the GreenLake platform provides not only operational flexibility but also financial security and predictability. By serving as the financial engine behind GreenLake, HPE Financial Services enables Mercedes to optimize cash flow, manage budgets effectively, and maintain a clear path to meeting the Formula One Financial regulations cost cap requirements. The pay-as-you-go consumption model ensures cost efficiency, allowing Mercedes to dynamically scale their IT resources based on real-time needs while avoiding overprovisioning or wasted spending. Complementing this financial flexibility, HPE GreenLake Flex provides a centralized management platform for IT resources. This platform empowers Mercedes to monitor, optimize, and control their technology usage with precision, ensuring transparency in spending and further reducing unnecessary costs.

What sets this partnership apart is the shared mindset of co-engineering solutions to address Mercedes’ unique challenges. HPE’s deep understanding of Formula One’s regulatory landscape and our ability to adapt to evolving requirements means we operate as an extension of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team—not just as a technology provider. Together, we’ve turned constraints into opportunities, enabling Mercedes to focus on what they do best: winning championships.

Driving Sustainability Through Circular Economy Leadership

For the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives are integral to their long-term strategy. As a team driven by precision and efficiency, Mercedes is committed to reducing its environmental impact while maintaining peak performance.

HPE plays a critical role in supporting Mercedes’ sustainability goals through innovative solutions and services that align with their ESG priorities. A cornerstone of this support is HPE Financial Services’ Asset Upcycling Services, a comprehensive IT asset disposition (ITAD) program designed to securely and sustainably manage technology end-of-life. This program ensures that retired IT equipment from Mercedes is refurbished, repurposed, or recycled, contributing to a remarkable 99% reuse rate. These efforts are documented in the HPE Circular Economy Report, an impact reporting document that provides Mercedes with visibility into critical environmental data, including CO2 reduction, energy savings, and material reuse achieved through upcycling.

The insights provided by the Circular Economy Report not only reinforce Mercedes’ commitment to sustainability but also serve as a valuable tool for showcasing their achievements to investors and stakeholders. By demonstrating how their technology lifecycle is managed responsibly, Mercedes underscores their dedication to social responsibility while enhancing their reputation as an ESG leader.

Additionally, HPE’s energy-efficient solutions further optimize Mercedes’ IT infrastructure for sustainability. Leveraging AI-driven workload management, HPE ensures that compute resources are utilized as efficiently as possible, reducing energy consumption and supporting the team’s broader sustainability objectives. This holistic approach to ESG aligns perfectly with Mercedes’ values and solidifies the shared commitment that defines our partnership.

Beyond the Grid: A Partnership Built on Trust and Innovation

The partnership between Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team and HPE is a testament to what can be achieved when two organizations work as one. It’s not just about providing technology; it’s about understanding the unique challenges of Formula One and collaborating to overcome them. From staying ahead of the technology curve to navigating budget caps and driving sustainability, our partnership is built on trust, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence.

At HPE, we are proud to play a part in the success of one of the most iconic teams in motorsport history. As Formula One continues to evolve, so will our partnership. With new FIA regulations on the horizon and the increasing importance of sustainability, we look forward to helping Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team write the next chapter of their success story.