In Formula 1, the margin between victory and defeat can be a fraction of a second. To stay ahead in such a high-stakes environment, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team relies heavily on simulation technologies and digital twins. These tools have become fundamental to how the team prepares, performs, and optimizes — both on and off the track.
At the heart of this strategy is a highly advanced simulator located at the team’s factory in Brackley, UK. This digital twin of the actual race car replicates not only the physical dynamics of the vehicle but also the race conditions, allowing drivers and engineers to test, prepare and adapt without turning a single wheel on the asphalt.
Digital Preparation for Physical Performance
According to Steve Riley, Head of IT Operations and Service Management at Mercedes-AMG Petronas, the simulator plays a critical role during race weekends. “Every time a new circuit gets added to the calendar, or even for existing tracks, the simulator allows us to familiarize the drivers and engineers with the conditions,” he explains. “That’s especially important for new drivers or evolving race formats.”
The team’s simulator integrates a full digital twin — a mathematically modeled version of the actual F1 car that adheres to FIA regulations. It reflects real-world behavior with high fidelity. “It allows us to test new parts, setups, and strategies before we even get to the track,” Riley says. This digital groundwork helps ensure that the car arrives at the circuit already optimized for performance — a significant advantage in a compressed race weekend where actual track time may be limited.
Remote Collaboration
Supporting this complex infrastructure is TeamViewer, a remote connectivity platform that has become an integral part of Mercedes’ digital workplace — both at the factory and trackside.
“TeamViewer enables engineers across our Brackley facility to connect in real time to the simulator sessions,” Riley says. “Previously, only a small group could be involved directly. Now, broader teams contribute remotely, improving collaboration and bringing in more performance-critical insights.”
TeamViewer also facilitates reliable remote access to hardware and systems, even under the demanding conditions of a global race calendar. “We operate in over 24 locations a year,” Riley continues. “Whether we’re in Silverstone or Singapore, TeamViewer gives us the ability to support our systems without delay.”
This includes critical systems like the “driver drop-downs” — monitors mounted on the car’s nose in the garage, which display key information like strategy updates, competitor data, and weather. “These systems are time-sensitive and must be 100% reliable,” Riley notes. “A driver might only have seconds between qualifying runs to absorb new information. That flow must be seamless.”
Testing and Tuning with Real-Time Data
The simulator doesn’t just offer theoretical projections; it reacts to real-world data. On Fridays, during practice sessions, the team collects telemetry from the actual car on the track. This information is fed back into the simulator in near real-time, allowing engineers to further refine the car setup before qualifying and race day.
“We simulate variations like track surface changes, weather conditions, or component behavior,” Riley explains. “This means even when the car is in the garage, the virtual car is still generating performance improvements.”
Behind the scenes, the simulator runs on a dedicated IT infrastructure with a local data center, high-speed networks, and compute systems. Engineers can access this infrastructure remotely using TeamViewer without having to physically move the data. “That avoids lag and allows us to respond instantly,” says Riley.
Cost-Cap-Driven Choices
F1 teams now operate under a financial cost cap, which has added new pressure to justify every technological investment. “Every tool we use must deliver performance per pound,” Riley explains. “We now scrutinize every contract and vendor to ensure they bring measurable value. That’s why our decision to upgrade from basic desktop support to TeamViewer Tensor was based on both performance and reliability.”
The relationship has matured into a collaborative partnership. Mercedes’ IT teams work closely with TeamViewer’s developers to optimize functionalities. For example, after encountering limitations in controlling some proprietary configuration software remotely, the issue was resolved with direct input from TeamViewer’s product team.
Supporting Safety and Reliability
Simulations also play a significant role in driver safety. “Knowing a track well in advance helps drivers operate more safely and confidently,” Riley says. But the safety element extends far beyond the cockpit.
In Mercedes’ testing and development department, components undergo stress tests before they ever see a racetrack. “We use TeamViewer to monitor these test benches remotely,” Riley adds. “We can simulate the kinds of forces and strains the car will endure during a Grand Prix, including homologation testing pre-season.”
Additionally, augmented reality tools integrated via TeamViewer help engineers position components in test rigs precisely, ensuring accurate and efficient test runs.
Simulation as a Competitive Edge
Asked whether simulation gives Mercedes an edge over its rivals, Riley acknowledges that many F1 teams use similar digital strategies on the surface. “But it’s in the detail where we differentiate,” he says. “For example, how we use CFD (computational fluid dynamics), or how we integrate simulation into our culture and decision-making.”
He also emphasizes the critical role of the drivers themselves. “They give detailed feedback on everything — from brake behavior to software usability. That feedback is systematically distributed across the organization to improve every element of performance.”
IT and Logistics: Keeping the Show on the Road
With a grueling schedule of back-to-back races — including “triple headers” across continents — technology also plays a vital role in logistics. “During those tight turnaround windows, everything must move efficiently — cars, parts, and all the IT,” Riley says.
Mercedes uses digital tools to plan, track, and execute these logistics. “We monitor where our trucks are in real time, ensure all tech gets decommissioned, packed, and shipped correctly, and set it up again at the next venue — often within hours.”
Failures or delays in this process aren’t an option. “If we cause a delay in setup or connectivity, we’ll know about it very quickly,” Riley adds with a smile.
The Future of Simulation in F1
Simulation and digital twins are set to play an even greater role in Formula 1 — especially with new engine regulations on the horizon and a growing emphasis on sustainability and efficiency.
“Simulation isn’t just about raw speed anymore,” Riley concludes. “It’s about reliability, safety, cost-effectiveness, and staying competitive under new constraints. The more we can model and optimize in the virtual world, the more prepared we are in the real one.”
For Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, the combination of digital precision, remote collaboration, and real-time adaptability may well be the formula for future championships.
Photo: Mercedes
