Formula 1 Uses Machine Learning To Deliver In-Race Predictions To Fans Posted on : Jul 02 - 2018

Formula 1 plans to use cloud technology and machine learning to deliver more engaging statistic and even predictions to fans watching races on television and on its digital platforms.

Cloud giant Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been signed up as an official technology partner, with its technology used to crunch the data and deliver it in a more meaningful way to fans and commentators.

Each Formula 1 car produces huge amounts of data that the teams use to optimise their strategies and it is this database that Liberty Media believes can be turned into something valuable for the audience.

After all, this is a sport that claims to have been ‘doing’ big data since before the term was coined.

Better data

Data scientists are using 65 years’ worth of historical race data to train deep learning models that can make race predictions and give fans an insight into why a team has adopted a particular strategy. It will also be possible to identify the optimum pit stop window.

Using the AWS platform, Formula 1 will also be able to analyse data in real time, giving fans an idea of whether a driver is pushing themselves to the limit. The first product of the partnership is ‘F1 Insights’ which helped to inform fans at the Austrian Grand Prix this past weekend.

The changes form part of a wider digital push within the sport that has seen an overhaul of on-screen graphics and the official website, as well as the launch of an over-the-top video platform. There has been a renewed focus on social media and a new brand was introduced at the end of last season.

Although the sport has made progress in recent years, there was a general recognition that the previous management was behind the times when it came to digital. It was only in 2012 that an official connectivity partner, Tata Communications, was brought on board.

Liberty Global has made digital a priority ever since it acquired the sport in 2016 and appointed Frank Arthofer as global head of digital and new business back in May 2017.

“Several years ago was the right time [to invest in digital] but it never happened,” Ross Brawn, managing director (sporting) at Formula One Management (FOM) said at an event last year.

“I don’t think there was a push … The management of Formula One back then weren’t convinced by the opportunity.” View More