By: Reuters
| Updated on: 11 Nov 2024, 08:03 AM
The highly anticipated Saturday night race is set to unfold on November 23, 2024, on a captivating street circuit that weaves along the iconic Nevada City Strip. A victory in this race would secure a historic championship title for Max Verstappen with two races still left in the season, solidifying his dominance in the sport.
- The highly anticipated Saturday night race is set to unfold on November 23, 2024, on a captivating street circuit that weaves along the iconic Nevada City Strip. A victory in this race would secure a historic championship title for Max Verstappen with two races still left in the season.
As Verstappen arrives in Las Vegas in pursuit of a fourth consecutive Formula One title, he will be navigating a brilliantly illuminated track that his Red Bull Racing team has meticulously simulated an astonishing eight billion times.
Red Bull’s partnerships group lead, Jack Harington, disclosed to Reuters that the team conducts an extraordinary four billion simulations before even setting foot on the track, leveraging advanced technology provided by their title sponsor, Oracle.
These simulations are part of a rigorous strategic preparation, where data collected from the first and second practice sessions (FP1 and FP2) is incorporated to run the simulations an additional four billion times.
With Verstappen currently enjoying a 62-point lead over his nearest competitor, McLaren’s Lando Norris, there is little doubt about who is expected to claim the championship this year.
Harington explained, “There’s always that saying that you have to sometimes just stick your hand out to see if it’s raining in the pitlane, but there are always variables that can surprise you.” He emphasized the importance of running multiple simulations to see various scenarios, enhancing their ability to react swiftly and efficiently.
Red Bull utilizes Oracle’s high-performance cloud infrastructure to conduct these extensive simulations, seeking to fine-tune their strategies and ensure they are ready for any situation that arises during a race.
Moreover, Red Bull is gearing up to develop their own engine for the 2026 season, and according to Taylor Newill, Oracle’s senior director of product management, high-performance computing is essential in this development process.
Throughout the racing season, various simulations are conducted, particularly when pivotal decisions need to be made—like when to take an engine penalty, as Verstappen did recently in Brazil, where he impressively surged from 17th to first place amidst challenging conditions.
The race held in Brazil featured adverse weather, resulting in crashes, red flags, and safety car deployments, and Red Bull made daring strategic calls, such as having Verstappen remain on track during a safety car period while his rival Norris opted to pit. This bold move ultimately paid off as worsening race conditions led to a suspension.
For effective in-race strategic planning, Red Bull begins their detailed analysis approximately two weeks before the event. Senior race strategy engineer Stephen Knowles shared that their preliminary simulations explore a broad spectrum of potential outcomes based on tire and car performance, along with possible incidents and their timing.
This meticulous planning allows the team to optimize their approach for the weekend, specifically regarding tire usage, with the primary aim of maximizing point acquisition while ensuring there are contingency plans in place to handle unforeseen circumstances.
Harington highlighted the advantages of using Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) not only for its performance but also for its cost and sustainability benefits, especially under the strict financial caps imposed on teams. He explained, “We can switch on the cloud ahead of a race weekend to run these vast simulations and then turn it off, making it much more cost-efficient.” He noted that every race-winning strategic decision they’ve made since 2021 has been executed using OCI.
Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.
First Published Date: 11 Nov 2024, 08:03 AM IST
**Interview with Jack Harington, Partnerships Group Lead at Red Bull Racing**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Jack. Excitement is building for the upcoming Saturday night race in Las Vegas on November 23. Can you share what fans can expect from this unique event?
**Jack Harington:** Absolutely, it’s going to be a spectacular venue! The Nevada City Strip will be transformed into a captivating street circuit, and racing under the lights always brings a special atmosphere. If Max secures a victory, it will mark a historic moment as he aims for his fourth consecutive championship title.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of Max Verstappen, he currently leads the championship by 62 points. How does that impact your team’s strategy going into this race?
**Jack Harington:** Max’s lead certainly gives us a favorable position; however, we always prepare as though every race is crucial. Our extensive simulation work—over eight billion runs—enables us to strategize effectively and adapt to potential surprises during the race.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned those impressive simulation numbers. Can you explain a bit about your process?
**Jack Harington:** Initially, we conduct about four billion simulations before we even arrive on track, and then we run an additional four billion simulations based on data gathered from the first two practice sessions. This allows us to anticipate various scenarios and contingencies, helping us make informed decisions quickly.
**Interviewer:** That sounds incredibly detailed! How does Oracle’s technology enhance your simulations?
**Jack Harington:** Oracle’s high-performance cloud infrastructure is instrumental. It allows us to process immense amounts of data swiftly, refining our strategies and ensuring we’re prepared for any situation that arises during the race. It’s a key factor in maintaining our competitive edge.
**Interviewer:** Besides immediate race strategies, I’ve heard that Red Bull is looking to develop its own engine for the 2026 season. How essential is high-performance computing in this venture?
**Jack Harington:** It’s absolutely vital. As we move towards developing our own engine, high-performance computing will play a crucial role in testing and refining designs. This is an exciting time for Red Bull Racing as we aim to innovate and lead in all aspects, not just the track.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what’s the atmosphere like within the team as you approach this landmark race?
**Jack Harington:** There’s a palpable excitement. The team is incredibly focused and motivated, and there’s a shared belief in our strategies and Max’s driving skills. We’re ready for the challenge and eager to put on a show for the fans!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Jack! Best of luck to you and the team in Las Vegas!
**Jack Harington:** Thank you! We’re looking forward to it!
