Formula One (F1) racing is the most high-profile and technologically advanced motor sport in the world. A number of F1 teams use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software from ANSYS in conjunction with other technologies, such as wind tunnel testing for physical experimentation, to help them design the most aerodynamic and efficient racing car. What differentiates the BMW Sauber F1 Team is that it chose to achieve competitive advantage over more established rivals by making a decisive move to increase its reliance on engineering simulation software from ANSYS by investing in performing simulations on its Intel® Xeon® dual- and quad-core processor-based supercomputer, rather than investing in a second wind tunnel as many other F1 teams have. The decision allowed the BMW Sauber F1 Team to run complex simulations to investigate and analyze performance faster than ever before, helping them design the best racing car possible. The results of the BMW Sauber F1 Team’s strategy to increase investment in its simulation environment including software from ANSYS, Intel-based hardware, and Swiss high-performance computing (HPC) manufacturer Dalco’s know-how and skills were hugely impressive, with the team doubling its points score in last season’s 2007 Constructors’ Championship compared to 2006, giving the team an unprecedented second place final position in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
"Our senior panel of independent judges was impressed with the BMW Sauber F1 Team’s delivery of world-class business improvements, as the entry passed our initial judging process with flying colors. The BMW Sauber F1 Team has shown that by applying software from ANSYS, they have demonstrated excellent return on investment and soft benefits leading to business improvements, cost-cutting and competitive advantage,” said Brian Tinham, editor of Manufacturing Computer Solutions magazine.
“The launch of the supercomputer as well as its upgrades have strengthened our CFD capabilities considerably. We have decided not to build another wind tunnel, like other teams. Instead we have expanded our close relationships with ANSYS, Intel and Dalco to tap the full potential for CFD simulations in an HPC environment,” said Mario Theissen, director of BMW Motorsport.
"We are delighted that the immense value our engineering simulation software can offer clients has been so richly recognized by an independent expert panel of judges,” said Jim Cashman, CEO and president of ANSYS, Inc. “Companies across almost every industry are seeing the same benefits of applying our multiphysics software solutions to reduce design and development times, cut costs and gain a better understanding of design performance.”
For downloadable images, visit http://www.ansys.com/newsimages.
About the MITcon Manufacturing IT Awards
The Manufacturing Computer Solutions magazine’s annual MITcon Awards are aimed at recognizing the very best IT implementations and strategies in manufacturing industry. The 2008 winners were independently judged from a substantial shortlist by a panel of independent judges for their outstanding return on investment; the business benefits, operational improvements, cost-cutting and competitive advantage they enabled; and their potential for transfer to other manufacturing companies in other sectors.
About the BMW Sauber F1 Team
The BMW Sauber F1 Team was consistently the third-strongest team in 2007 and finished the season in second place in the standings following the exclusion of McLaren Mercedes from the Constructors’ World Championship. The team had completed its debut season of 2006 in fifth place in the World Championship. Its drivers recorded two podium finishes in each of its first two years – three third places and one second place. Alongside the unrelenting schedule of the race and testing calendar, the BMW Sauber F1 Team also had to focus on the development of the team in terms of personnel and logistics during its first two years on the grid. Rigorous expansion work has been carried out at its Hinwil base near Zurich since BMW took over the team on 1st January 2006. With its workforce having grown by over 150 to 420, the team moved into the new extension to the Swiss plant in late 2007. The number of employees involved in the Formula One project at BMW’s Munich HQ remains unchanged at some 300.
