Data Driven Avanade Issue 5 | Page 7

AND BY NOVEMBER’S FINALE IN BRAZIL AVANADE HAD INSTIGATED OVER 200
SOFTWARE RELEASES AND THE TEAM HAD MADE MORE THAN 1,300 PERFORMANCE
ENHANCEMENTS TO THE CAR OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON.

Since coming on board in January, Avanade’s 20 staff
at Enstone have enjoyed the unique environment of
working with a Formula One team and seeing their
efforts influence the cars’ performance and results. It’s a
source of great pride and inspiration.
“We wanted them to feel part of and act like members
of the team, with no distinction between Lotus F1 Team
and Avanade people,” says Taylor. “They’ve done this
extremely well and exhibited all of the characteristics we
value most; passion, tenacity, openness and technical
excellence.”
Teamwork is everything. F1 is very rarely about the
blinding moments of inspiration (although they do
happen). It’s teamwork that drives the continuous cycle
of improvement needed to be successful at the track. “IT
is no different to any other part of the team – we all have
to be at the top of our game.”
There may be no racing but winter is the busiest time
of the year for the factory. “We need an all-new car
ready for testing at the end of January. We need the

strategy system adapted for the huge rule changes
which take place in 2014. Plus the trackside software
needs adapting to take account of the new GPS and
marshalling system being introduced next season. We
also need to factor in new FIA wind tunnel restrictions
which come in in January.”
The current period is critical and, with Avanade on
board and very much part of Enstone’s core team, Lotus
F1Team is able to gain a competitive advantage against
its rivals by adapting faster and with greater accuracy
in a period of technical discovery for this most high
pressure and innovative of sports.

“WE’VE MADE OVER
1,300 IMPROVEMENTS TO
TRACKSIDE SYSTEMS SINCE
RACE 1, SOME LARGE,
SOME SMALL.”
Michael Taylor
Lotus F1 Team’s
Deputy IT Director

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