Steve Riley on working as an IT specialist in Formula 1

      In an interview with Computerweekly, Mercedes F1 IT department head Steve Ralegh spoke about the specifics of his work...

      Steve Ralegh: "Like any other function, IT plays its role in the team's success. Some aspects are more obvious than our contribution in other areas, but every component of the car is produced on the platform we've developed.

      To those who join us, we always say: 'Don't think that in the IT department you don’t have a direct impact on the race outcome. Part of your work might be dedicated to this weekend’s race, and part might be focused on the future, ensuring results in 12 months.

      If you have professionalism and passion, why not try to combine these two things? I've been here for almost 10 years, and I must say that time flies faster in the team than anywhere else.

      Our racing team interacts closely with specialists at the base during Grand Prix, exchanging a vast amount of information. The team has experienced partners in this field, the best in their area.

      I don’t know what equipment other teams have, but I know we have a simulator we can be proud of. For us, it’s an indicator of efficiency. In Formula 1, there's always movement among specialists; people come to us from other teams, and they are generally impressed by what we have.

      We view regulations not as limitations but as an opportunity to gain an advantage that others do not see.

      We use AI for data analysis, but I can't reveal more. In Formula 1, competition is very high. Like other teams, we study how the second driver's technology can improve performance.

      I'm lucky with my job. I get to race on the track and spend time with one of the best teams. It's an incredible privilege to have such access as part of my work. Before I joined the team, I could only dream of this."