Qinetiq technology joins BMW Williams on F1 grid

Qinetiq is to enter the world of Formula One, following an agreement with BMW Williams that will see its technologies used in racing car development.

The UK company said it will initially employ systems used in its defence work. Materials developed for military aircraft, for example, are stronger and more heat-resistant than conventional materials used in F1 cars, so fewer should be needed. This means vehicles will be lighter, the company claimed.

Predictive software — introduced to determine the aerodynamic properties of stealth aircraft — could also be used to improve existing car designs or develop alternative options.

And GPS technology, originally developed to land military aircraft automatically, will be used to determine the exact position of the car on the track to an accuracy of 2.5cm, providing the team with useful data.

Qinetiq’s chief executive Sir John Chisholm said he hoped the partnership will act as a showcase for UK technology.