GENEVA, Sept. 24, 2003 - HP (NYSE:HPQ) announced today the BMW WilliamsF1 Team now runs one of the most spectacular high-resolution aerodynamic models on a cluster of Linux-based industry-standard HP ProLiant servers. The solution models the aerodynamics of the existing BMW WilliamsF1 Team car and the new car design which will be unveiled next year in time for the 2004 F1 season. Delivering intensive analysis in motor racing, the new solution is part of an evolving integrated IT strategy that places the BMW WilliamsF1 Team in pole position for infrastructure power and system performance.
HP has worked with BMW WilliamsF1 Team over the course of 2003 to enhance simulation capabilities by a factor of three, making car model analysis more efficient than ever. These new capabilities enable more detailed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, allowing a wider range of solutions to be explored during the team's tight development timescales. Already, the team has been able to reduce elements of the design process from three days to 14 hours. This new supercomputer has the flexibility to run one large model or to run multiple smaller models separately.
"The newly deployed HP ProLiant server cluster running Linux has significantly contributed to recent performance increases." Said Naethan Eagle, senior CFD aerodynamicist, WilliamsF1. "It allows us to cut design, development and testing time by half, while, at the same time, to provide us with more capacity to experiment new car design concepts."
Aerodynamic modeling helps design teams make minute adjustments that balance the need to use airflow to keep the car on the road with the need to avoid unnecessary drag.
Aerodynamic performance is crucial to car performance and competitive advantage. Of the four fundamental dynamics outside the immediate control of the driver - tyres, engine power, chassis and aerodynamics - aerodynamics has historically been the variable most difficult to control. This represents a significant development for the team, as BMW WilliamsF1 Team is now able to better exploit this design element with high fidelity aerodynamics modeling.
"The benefits this solution offers are by no means confined to the Motor Sports field. The BMW WilliamsF1 Team solution is also raising the bar for commercial sectors, such as the automotive and aerospace industries," said Andrew Collis, Director of Corporate Sponsorships and Global F1, HP. "The combination of powerful standards-based HP server technology and its leadership in Linux enables customers to solve a range of complex modeling challenges with greater flexibility and agility and to evolve as their needs change."
The system is installed at the race team's headquarters in Grove, UK.
About the sponsorship
HP entered its fourth year as principal sponsor to the BMW WilliamsF1 team during the 2003 season. HP enables the team to focus on racing by providing products, technologies, solutions and services that support car design, performance management, manufacturing and testing telemetry.
Contactpersonen voor
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Of
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Perlita Fränkel
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perlitaf@monogram.nl
Hewlett-Packard Company
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About HP
HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing for consumers, enterprises and small and medium businesses. For the last four quarters, HP revenue totaled $71.8 billion. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com. © 2003 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained