Amazon Web Services (AWS) Secures Global FIA Partnership

Motor racing’s FIA governing authority has sealed a recent global partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the tech arm of the global e-tailer behemoth.

Under the deal, AWS has become the FIA’s official AI, cloud computing, machine learning, and cloud infrastructure partner.

The governing authority will use AWS’s technology to “shape the future of motor sport”, from aerodynamic simulations to digital infrastructure. AWS is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the technical regulations for the next generation of Formula 1 cars.

The FIA runs its aerodynamic simulations on AWS’s High Performance Computing technology. This enables the FIA to test how air flows around a car virtually without building physical parts, translating to the FIA innovating faster while reducing costs and environmental impact. 

Apart from the above mentioned simulations, AWS will also provide the FIA’s technical and engineering teams with AI tools to cement the federation’s ability to develop regulations that advance safety, performance, and sustainability across the sport.  

The collaboration further develops on the Digital Licensing Platform that AWS and the FIA launched last year.

The AWS partnership will play a critical role in the FIA’s wider digital transformation, a key focus of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s manifesto when he was re-elected in December last year.

More business applications and hosted services will move to AWS over the coming years as part  FIA’s modernisation strategy. 

Ben Sulayem, stated, “Technology is changing every part of our sport, and the FIA must lead that change. Our new partnership with AWS will support everything from the cars of the future to the grassroots clubs where so many careers begin.”

“By bringing world-class cloud and AI technology into the heart of the FIA, we can make it simpler for drivers, officials, and volunteers to take part, help our member clubs work more efficiently, and move closer to our ambition of doubling global motor sport participation.” 

AWS joins the FIA Global Partner Programme alongside Hankook, DHL, Rolex, and AlphaTauri.

Under this programme, AWS will also be an official partner of the annual FIA Awards. AWS has also been designated an official partner of the FIA Sustainable Innovation Series. 

According to ASN data, AWS has invested US$218k in the Asia sponsorship market since Q124, with a quarterly average investment of US$18k+ during this period. However, its spends have dipped to zero since Q324, and its recent global FIA deal is certain to push its numbers up.