For over seven decades, Formula 1 ® has been not only an arena of speed and sporting ambition, but also a testing ground for engineering innovation. From the first aerodynamic solutions to the complex pit-stop miscalculations, each race is a testing ground for new technologies. Data plays a key role here: thousands of car and team parameters are collected and analyzed in real time, and decisions are made with millisecond precision.
At this intersection of racing tradition and digital technology, Formula 1’s modern identity is being shaped. Artificial intelligence, seamless global collaboration and real-time visualization systems are making the sport even more precise and spectacular.
Lenovo’s involvement in Formula 1’s key technology processes spans the entire lifecycle, from telemetry collection and processing to global broadcasts. The company provides servers, compute platforms and peripherals, deploying a robust infrastructure both on the racetrack and at the Media and Technology Centre in Biggin Hill, UK.
Lenovo consumer and business devices — workstations, tablets, smartphones—are used throughout the organization to enhance productivity and mobility in their daily work, while sustainability programs are implemented to give old equipment a second life through upgrades or recycling.
The scale is impressive: more than 1.6 billion viewers per year watch the championship, and it is Lenovo technologies that ensure the smooth operation of this global chain. This includes real-time data processing, stable video streams for broadcasters, and new interactive formats for fans. As a result, the company's digital solutions not only enhance the competitive part, but also form a new standard for how modern sports communicate with their audience.
Lenovo is ranked #196 on the Fortune Global 500 list, has 18 R&D centers and over 30 manufacturing sites worldwide, enabling it to transform technology into a practical tool for teams and, at the same time, into content for millions of fans.
Speed like on the tracks: how the Lenovo and F1 partnership evolved
The partnership between Lenovo and Formula 1® was officially announced in March 2022 and has quickly become a benchmark for how industry leaders can successfully integrate technology into the sport. Now in its fourth season, Lenovo has taken it to the next level as a Global Technology Partner of Formula 1.
Behind the titles, champagne and flashy broadcasts is a vast technology ecosystem: server complexes, advanced services and powerful devices that support the championship at every level — from headquarters to the paddock. Lenovo integrates its solutions into the daily operations of Formula 1: from powerful servers and computing platforms for processing big data to telemetry data collection devices on the track.
Lenovo’s technology support not only impacts the race results and organization of the competition, but also the engagement of fans. Its solutions ensure more stable broadcasts, improve multi-stream data visualization and make digital content more interactive. This creates a fundamentally new viewing experience: fans gain access not only to spectacular racing, but also to expanded knowledge and unique perspectives that were unthinkable just a few years ago.
Formula 1 is currently at the center of a digital transformation — and Lenovo is helping to drive this change. By implementing innovative solutions into the day-to-day operations of the organization, F1’s broadcast, media and technology teams can make strategic decisions faster, rely on a reliable infrastructure, and unlock new tools for engaging with their audiences.
Lenovo's role in the digital transformation of F1 racing
Today’s Formula 1 is a high-tech ecosystem where the thrill of the track is defined not only by engines and aerodynamics, but also by the power of the sport’s digital infrastructure. Data processing systems, AI-enabled hardware and sustainability programs are now core elements of the championship. Lenovo offers a full range of technologies, from high-performance computing systems and peripherals to user workstations and equipment recycling services.
HPC, servers and edge devices: the basis of data processing
Every race weekend generates millions of data streams: car telemetry (overload, throttle response, steering angles, braking), camera and microphone signals, and sensors around the track. Lenovo processes these streams using HPC solutions, servers, and peripherals. This allows F1 teams to instantly transform the information into analytics and visuals that reveal hidden aspects to fans that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Laptops, monitors, smartphones and computing stations: smart technologies for the F1 team
Alongside server systems, the organization uses Lenovo laptops, workstations, monitors and tablets, as well as Motorola smartphones, in its daily operations. These devices ensure productivity, content creation and coordination during each race weekend.
Full cycle of technological infrastructure: on the roads and in data centers
Each race weekend takes place in a different location, requiring a full infrastructure deployment. Up to 60 km of fiber optic cables are laid for each event, with data transfer speeds reaching 10 Gbps. Over 600 terabytes of data can be collected in one weekend, which is processed on Lenovo platforms and transmitted to the UK Media and Technology Center, where international broadcasts are created. Hundreds of servers and over 180 special software applications running on Lenovo’s virtualization platform ensure smooth operation even in difficult logistical and weather conditions.
Artificial intelligence-based technologies
During the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN CHINESE GRAND PRIX 2025, Formula 1 tested the ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition laptop with built-in AI. The device operated in a mobile Event Technical Center (ETC), which was deployed at each race to collect and initialize data. The data was then sent to the Media and Technology Center (M&TC) in the United Kingdom. The testing showed that integrating AI into PCs can speed up data processing, improve team coordination, and enhance the quality of visual content for spectators. In addition, the energy efficiency of such devices can help reduce the amount of equipment transported between races.
Sustainable development: equipment renewal and waste recycling
Lenovo is also contributing to Formula 1’s ambitious sustainability goals. More than 95% of F1’s old equipment has already been recycled or disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. To date, Lenovo Asset Recovery Services has helped recycle more than 800 devices.
The Formula 1 and Lenovo collaboration is an example of how engineering excellence combined with digital solutions can transform the sport on a global scale. It is a synergy that unites the tradition of racing and digital transformation. The result is a new level of immersion in motorsport for fans around the world that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.
