Singapore firms can have role in F1

SINGAPORE — Formula 1 teams do not only take part in races in circuits all around the world all year round. They also consistently develop cutting-edge technologies in collaboration with partners to drive their cars faster. And McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh strongly believes that Singapore firms should capitalise on such opportunities to work with these teams.

In an interview over the weekend at the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, he told TODAY that local companies can either work with the F1 teams directly or with companies like those under the McLaren Group.

McLaren Applied Technologies (MAT) last Thurday opened its Asia-Pacific base in Singapore.

MAT innovates for motor racing, but a large part of its work is in collaborating with partners to produce technologies for a range of industries from oil and gas, information technology and pharmaceuticals.

Its technology also helped Britain’s cycling team defend its top-nation ranking with eight gold medals at the 2010 Olympics.

In terms of an F1 car, several of its components — from aerodynamics, gearbox, exhaust systems, electronics, engines and chassis — are specially designed and developed by independent companies in partnership with F1 teams.

Noting the availability of good technology, talent and education in Singapore, Whitmarsh said companies here should find ways in which they can innovate for F1 teams.

“If you are an engineer in Singapore, you need to study the Formula 1 regulations and look at the challenge of Formula 1,” said Whitmarsh, who is also the Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman of the McLaren Group.

“Find out what the performance differentiators in the sport are and see how you can contribute an idea, a technology or a concept and bring that to an F1 team.”

Whitmarsh, who is also an aircraft engineer, said this was what McLaren Electronics, a division of the group, did for the United States Nascar racing series.

The British company met US teams two years ago and convinced them to use McLaren technology to get better performances out of their cars.

It resulted in the Nascar teams ending the use of carburettors after 63 years, and replacing them with McLaren’s fuel injection systems and electronic control units to manage their fuel and ignition last year.

Said Whitmarsh: “In terms of Singapore, there are good technologies here and there are good educated people who can lead.

“If you want a customer in F1, understand what the customer values, what is going to bring him value and what is going to differentiate for him.

“Then, take to him the concept, the technology or the product that is going to deliver that and once you got in with something, you have established a relationship, and you can work to broaden and build that over the years.”

MAT Managing Director Geoff McGrath also said the Singapore Grand Prix is the perfect venue for local companies and engineers to network with chiefs of companies who develop technology not only for F1 but other high-tech industries.

“Heads of these companies from all over the world are here,” said McGrath. “I treat the Grand Prix as a trade show, to network with them.

“I’ve been here for the night race for the last five years and we decided to set a base here because we’ve got some contracts, and there is a huge opportunity to collaborate with Asian companies in developing technologies.

“We work with partners to develop a range of technologies and if tech companies here have ideas for F1, we (would) like to work with them.”