30 Jul MIA Insights: The Unexpected Use and Influence of Motorsport Technology
Motorsport technology is being increasingly applied across other sectors, with hybrid engines or sustainable fuel being commonly known areas in which we see motorsport engineers developing innovative solutions, which are then adopted by the wider automotive industry. However, the lesser-known story is where else it turns up: in supermarket fridges, hospital trauma bays, and even city planning.
The motorsport industry’s appetite for innovation can be traced back to the Second World War. Britain emerged with a generation of engineers who had spent years solving high-stakes, complex problems to the deadlines imposed by war. Following the war, these highly trained engineers moved on to explore other areas. Several entered the growing field of motorsport, where the ‘solve it fast, solve it under pressure’ instinct is reflected. Many airfields were also repurposed for recreational use- including motor racing, and interest in the sport rose significantly within society.
Motorsport’s reach isn’t about any one technology; it’s grown from a culture shared by generations of engineers who are chasing the next record or achievement – wherever it appears, drawn to competitive, time-pressured challenges.
Motorsport technology saving lives
The Covid-19 pandemic brought with it the greatest challenge of modern day. From that challenge, engineers from seven UK Formula 1 teams banded together to work collectively on Project Pitlane, to urgently design and manufacture breathing aids for the NHS. A prototype was developed within just three weeks – an incredibly fast turnaround and significant achievement for Project Pitlane. This evolved into a CPAP machine, adapted by mechanical engineers at University College London and clinicians at University College London Hospitals with Mercedes-AMG, which acted as a bridge between an oxygen mask and a full ventilator, created using machines normally used to produce F1 pistons and turbochargers, which were repurposed to create this vital medical equipment.
The speed of development, prototype creation and implementation was paramount during this crisis, and reflects the unique ability of the motorsport engineering community and Motorsport Valley to solve and overcome problems.
Interestingly, this was not the first time that F1 has influenced the medical sector. Back in the 90’s, the Ferrari pit crew supported Great Ormond Street Hospital in improving their ICU hand-off process. ICU’s require precision under pressure and an ability to execute a process quickly – skills found in an F1 pit lane crew. Recommendations from Ferrari pit crew on how Great Ormond Street Hospital could improve efficiencies within their process resulted in their error rate reducing by 20%.
Motorsport aerodynamics technology in your grocery shop
Another unusual use of motorsport technology is the aerodynamics originally developed for cooling F1 brakes, which have been leveraged to redesign supermarket fridge cabinets. This project from MIA member, Williams Advanced Engineering (Fortescue Zero) adapted the rear wing design of a race car, originally engineered to direct airflow and provide essential downforce, and applied the same principle to refrigeration shelving. Through redirecting the cold air flow, less of this cold air is lost through leakage, therefore helping to improve energy efficiency, with some supermarkets reporting energy savings of up to 30%.
This became widespread among major UK supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and M&S. Next time you do the weekly shop, take a look and see whether you can spot a blade-like strip attached to the front of the shelves of the refrigerator cabinet – that’s motorsport aerodynamic technology in action.
F1-level computational fluid dynamics – in the city
Computational fluid dynamics expertise is called on by architects, modelling how new skyscrapers disrupt airflow, and temperature and rainfall patterns around existing buildings in city centres. The City of London publishes wind microclimate guidelines for new developments over 25m tall, as these tall buildings can direct high-altitude winds downwards and create uncomfortable conditions for people on the ground. To avoid this, CFD, which is a staple of motorsport engineering, is required by the City of London as part of the building planning process. F1-level simulations also map how rain patterns can be altered and how solar reflection from glass and urban heat interact with these wind patterns.
Civil engineers have also adapted tuned mass dampers (TMDs) influenced by suspension control devices from F1 racing technology. TMDs are fitted in the top floors of tall buildings to counteract building movement caused by winds and earthquakes, however these are usually heavy and span several stories, which makes them a costly building expense. Research from City University London found that lightweight and compact inerters, similar to those developed for the suspension systems of Formula 1 cars, can reduce the required weight by up to 70%.
Motorsport propulsion technology on the water
MIA Member, Williams Grand Prix Technologies, opened a dedicated cross-sector business unit in 2024, and recently announced a battery system developed for marine use. The Williams GPT ES10M battery system was developed to meet the need for improved energy efficiency and alternative propulsion technologies in the marine sector.
“Designed specifically for marine applications, it reflects our commitment to bringing elite motorsport-derived engineering expertise to an industry undergoing significant technological change,” comments Selin Tur, Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer of Williams Grand Prix Technologies.
Final thoughts
While this article highlights the more unusual motorsport-derived innovations, we increasingly see cross-sector applications and technology transfers occurring across motorsport supply chain and other industries. Motorsport engineering is competitive, with engineers striving continuously to improve and develop technology fast, but it is also increasingly collaborative, with specialists working together to overcome challenges- both on the track and in the wider community.
Chris Aylett, CEO of the Motorsport Industry Association commented, “The most successful motorsport engineers are insatiably curious, and that instinct doesn’t switch off once the fuel, aerodynamics or engineering problem is resolved. They simply go looking for the next challenge. The MIA CTS – Motorsport Engineering and Technology Show, on 14-15 October, at Silverstone, provides a platform where we see such technology exchange ideas forming and partnerships developing- especially in areas including marine, automotive, defence and aerospace.”