Virgin Racing strengthens relationship with Technology Partner CSC

The Marussia Virgin Racing are redoubling their efforts in every area ahead of their second season in the Formula One World Championshp and their digital car design and development process is no exception.

On the opening day of the Autosport International Show in Birmingham, Virgin Racing were delighted to announce that they have strengthened their existing relationship with Technology Partner CSC for 2011 and beyond. This enhanced partnership will see the world’s leading independent IT Services company helping the team to double the computing power of our all-digital racing car development facility.

The impressive new computer suite, which will be housed at the Banbury base of Technical Partner, Wirth Research, means that we can make more changes, more quickly, at less cost than any other team, to improve and optimise on-track performance.

The size and power of the new computer means the smallest design improvements can be validated in a few hours, adjusted as needed, and re-tested. This is significantly faster, more cost effective and less wasteful than prototype production and wind tunnel testing.

The investment means that Virgin Racing can use the maximum amount of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) capacity allowed under the Formula One Resource Restriction Agreement (RRA) - which is likely to be more than any other F1 team in 2011.

As was the case in 2010, CSC will also provide IT services and support for the racing operation at all Grand Prix events and at the team’s operational headquarters in Dinnington, South Yorkshire. CSC will be upgrading and creating key trackside systems, factory IT services, sponsor and social media projects. For example, we will be incorporating mobile data services and cloud based solutions to enhance sponsor and fan experiences in the areas of live data and track information at races.

As part of the enhanced relationship, the CSC logo will now be proudly displayed on the 2011 race car - which will be launched next month - as well as on the clothing of trackside personnel, the race trucks and garages, and the 2011 range of team merchandise.

Graeme Lowdon, CEO of Marussia Virgin Racing, commented: “We are delighted that the partnership we enjoyed with CSC in our debut season has developed into an even stronger relationship and one which will have a more direct influence on the performance of our race car design and development. 12 months ago we launched the first Formula One car to be designed entirely using CFD to demonstrate that, over time, a new team operating with a smaller and more sustainable budget can enter the sport and be competitive. These are exciting times at Marussia Virgin Racing and with CSC’s support and an enhanced technical capability, we can embark on our second season with renewed ambition and pursue our longer-term performance objectives with confidence.”

Andy Williams, President at CSC in the UK, commented: “The all-digital approach Marussia Virgin Racing takes allows us to be part of a story that shows how technology can transform business models and processes - an idea that reflects our position as an innovative company that uses IT to help our customers change the way they do business. We’re delighted to be supporting a young team with great ambitions for the future.”