Montreal race winner will receive the first-ever generative AI-inspired F1 trophy
On the eve of the Canadian Grand Prix, Formula One has announced that the title partner of this weekend's Montreal race, AWS will debut the first-ever generative AI-inspired F1 trophy today.
AWS explored a range of traditional, elegant trophy designs and applied generative AI to conceive the perfect award. The result is inspired by the research that went into the development of the 2022 F1 car, where AWS cloud technology was used to help formulate the car design, and represents an F1 car’s aerodynamic wake complete with details that celebrate the race’s home country including a maple leaf and Montreal’s St. Lawrence River.
The trophy was crafted by a silversmith based in the UK, merging new technologies with the rich and elegant traditions of F1.
Moreover, the sport has announced further projects that will incorporate AI technology. It will be used to help Formula One analyse historical data from the F1 archives to supply the broadcast production team with key facts and statistics quicker than ever before.
It will feed the team with answers to specific questions that could include, “When was the last time a driver won their first F1 Grand Prix as a rookie?”, to which Statbot will give the answer: “Lewis Hamilton in 2007 at the Canadian Grand Prix”. Information is currently researched manually in preparation for, and during, race weekends but with the Statbot tool the production team will be able to access relevant information significantly faster during the broadcast.
F1 is also working with AWS to apply generative AI to the process of root cause analysis (RCA) to more efficiently identify and address the underlying cause of technological issues that occur off-track during races. This tool will enable F1 to investigate system errors by asking questions of logged data using natural language, thereby enhancing F1’s ability to maintain peak operational performance during races, minimise downtime and ensure a seamless race for teams, drivers, and spectators.
Commenting on the new trophy, Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer, Formula 1 said: "For over six years, AWS has been an invaluable partner, revolutionising the use of data to enhance how we operate across the sport.
"Our worlds continue to merge as we look to game-changing technologies, like generative AI, to elevate both the on-track competition and off-track experience for fans. AWS’s commitment to innovation enables us to help push the sport forward and we’re excited to see the first-ever generative AI-inspired trophy on display in Canada this weekend and give fans the opportunity to showcase their love for F1 through the design of their own trophy."
Neil Ralph, Principal Sports Industry Specialist, AWS said: “Formula 1 cars generate more than a million data points per second and that’s just the start. F1 captures additional data on the drivers, circuits, weather, and the amazing history of F1 itself. At the core of our partnership is the ability to extract valuable insights from all of this data.
"With AWS’s generative AI capabilities, F1 will elevate its storytelling as historic data is effortlessly analysed alongside real-time events to engage fans with more dynamic and timely commentary. Together, we are redefining the way the sport is watched, raced and managed.”
