This F1 team runs on Microsoft Excel

Inside IndyCar's $1 million challenge

Mar 21, 2024

Hi friends,

Today is Ayrton Senna’s birthday; he would have been 64. It’s been 30 years since he died in Imola, and I can still remember how horrified my uncle was while watching it. His presence is so deeply ingrained in F1 culture that it sometimes feels like he’s still here.

Senna always dreamed of but never raced for, Ferrari. However, Luca di Montezemolo, then president of the Italian team, revealed that intense negotiations had begun as early as 1994 to make this happen. “He wanted to come to Ferrari and I wanted him on the team.”

Lewis Hamilton’s hero is Ayrton Senna, and him making the move to Ferrari next season feels like he’s completing this arc for Ayrton.

Senna Sempre 🇧🇷

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The Lead

One of the most interesting stories I read this week was about a Formula 1 team that still uses Microsoft Excel. Yes, you read that right... Microsoft Excel.

The Williams F1 team, a legacy name in the sport with 47 years under its belt, has been navigating the complexities of building one of the world's most advanced machines with the help of a tool most of us use for budgeting or tracking our workouts.

Of course, anyone who has worked in a corporate environment knows that many parts of the world utilize it.

But in the high-octane world of Formula 1, where cutting-edge technology and billion-dollar businesses collide on the racetrack, it seems almost unthinkable that the backbone of one team's operations hinges on

Credit © Jamey Price/@jameypricephoto

Under the new leadership of team principal James Vowles and CTO Pat Fry, Williams embarked on a mission in early 2023 to revamp their entire car design and construction process.

Their goal?

To better keep up in the current F1 arms race, both technologically and operationally. But they hit an unexpected speed bump: a massive Excel spreadsheet detailing around 20,000 parts of their car, described by Vowles as "impossible to navigate and update."

It sounds remarkably similar to trying to assemble a spaceship with instructions written on a napkin.

This spreadsheet saga isn't just a quirky anecdote; it's a stark illustration of how even the most advanced organizations can get tangled in the web of legacy systems. Williams' tale is a microcosm of a broader theme that spans multiple industries, where the allure of familiar tools can hinder innovation and efficiency. The team's reliance on Excel for such a critical part of their operation highlights a reluctance to let go of the devil you know, despite the apparent limitations and risks associated with it.

The implications of sticking with this outdated method were tangible: missing pre-season testing in 2019, parts lost in the factory's abyss, and prioritizing the wrong components. The shift to a modern tracking system, although costly, was necessary, not just for the sake of efficiency but also for the safety of the drivers who push these machines to their limits.

Not an Uncommon Occurrence

In 2017, Sebastian Anthony was on assignment with the Renault team for Ars Technica. He found that the Excel spreadsheet Renault used for the design and build process was 77,000 lines long — triple what Vowles found at Williams.

F1 2017: Behind the Scenes with Renault Sport Formula One Team & Microsoft Cloud | WIRED

I recall reading an article in 2013 in Forbes that posited Excel could be "the most dangerous software on the planet." I wonder if James Vowles and Pat Fry finally got around to checking it out.

Williams' story is a cautionary tale. It reminds us that innovation is just as much about how you create something as it is what you create. In a sport defined by milliseconds and millimeters, relying on outdated tools isn't only inefficient but also a competitive disadvantage.

Inside IndyCar's $1 Million Challenge

Amid the arid beauty of the Sonoran Desert lies a gem that's about to sparkle like never before. The Thermal Club, known for its luxurious allure and exclusivity, is setting the stage for an event that promises to blend speed, strategy, and spectacle into one unforgettable experience. It's not just any race; it's IndyCar's $1 Million Challenge, a contest that has both drivers and fans on the edge of their seats.

The Thermal Club - Private Pavement

An Experience Like No Other

It's not just the drivers who are in for a treat. Fans, whether in the luxurious surrounds of the Thermal Club with a $500 ticket in hand or watching from the comfort of their homes via NBC's broadcast, are poised to witness motorsport history.

The Thermal Club itself is a marvel in its own right. Nestled near Palm Springs, California, this private motorsports country club boasts not just a karting track, autocross facility, and an array of tuning and detail shops, but also a race course that's a marvel of engineering and design. The Twin Palms layout, a 19-turn, three-mile circuit, is one of the longest and most challenging in North America, promising a spectacle of speed and skill that's rare to find.

Why It's a Big Deal

Similar to NASCAR’s Shootout at the Coliseum, IndyCar is having its first a non-championship race since 2008 at Surfers Paradise, Australia. In reality, though, IndyCar is attempting its first special event since the Marlboro Challenge at Nazareth Speedway in 1992.

The event weekend includes a crucial two-day Open Test, group qualifying sessions, two heat races and a 12-car “all-star” race with $1.756 million at stake – the largest purse for an IndyCar Series race outside of the Indianapolis 500.

As mentioned, only 12 drivers will participate in the feature race, creating a more focused and competitive environment. The limited field can increase the intensity of the competition as every maneuver becomes critical to securing a top position.

The event format is pretty unique, as well. It will feature a 20-lap race with the main event split into two 10-lap segments separated by a 10-minute "halftime" break. This format, along with two 10-lap heats leading up to the main race, offers a different strategic dimension for teams and drivers.

Positioned between the season opener in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the next points race in Long Beach, California, this event provides teams and drivers with valuable track time during a long inactive stretch. It also offers IndyCar a unique broadcasting slot during a weekend filled with NCAA tournament games, potentially drawing in viewers looking for alternative sporting events.

Scott Dixon, a six-time series champion, voiced cautious optimism, recognizing the potential of the event to be a spectacle but also acknowledging the challenges of racing on a track not designed for easy overtaking. It's a sentiment echoed by team owner-driver Ed Carpenter, who praised the innovation behind the event while noting the strategic dimensions it adds to the racing calendar.

The 2024 IndyCar $1 Million Challenge at Thermal Club will be covered on NBC broadcast television, Peacock, and the INDYCAR Radio Network, starting at 12:30 PM ET on Sunday, March 24. The qualifying session begins at 8 PM ET on Saturday, March 23.

An Experience You Won’t Want to Miss

I’m excited about this one, not just for obvious reasons, but because it’s one of those collaborations that offers an upscale experience without forgetting to pay homage to the series’ history.

The Legends Lounge | Schumacher sets out to celebrate the legend himself and his illustrious Formula One legacy. The lounge commemorates 30 years since his first championship win.

You’ll dive into an exclusive showcase featuring rare artifacts, Schumacher's iconic cars, and special guest appearances. Experience the extraordinary with behind-the-scenes insights into Michael's unparalleled career and the resilience that made him a legend.

You’ll also have the opportunity to attend "An Evening for Michael," a unique dining experience with F1 legends, sharing untold stories and auctioning precious memorabilia to benefit the Keep Fighting Foundation.

Read the official press release here.