Bringing aerospace technology to the track
In pursuit of performance and efficiency-focused innovation, McLaren has long looked to other technologically advanced industries for inspiration. Since the 1960s we’ve worked closely with the aerospace industry, from employing its engineers to using its composite materials to break new ground in Formula 1. Computer simulation technology, used to train pilots, has provided us with yet another opportunity to innovate and lead.
In 1997, Martin Whitmarsh, now Team Principal of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team, saw the potential in the technology and introduced it to the team. Back then it was little more advanced than the driving computer games you see today, although the technology was very helpful in familiarising the team’s drivers with circuits. Soon, Dick Glover, now McLaren Automotive’s Technical Director, recognised its greater potential as a car design tool and accelerated its development.
Now we have an immensely powerful driving simulator to help us to predict and refine dynamics, safety and performance. Widely regarded as the most sophisticated in the industry, details of our simulator remain a closely guarded secret, even within the McLaren Technology Centre.