Porsche Motorsport

Imagine the scene. A Porsche race car roars down the straightaway, and every inch of the vehicle is brimming with data, pouring vital information into a complex data web. Lightning-quick decisions must be made in the control center to maintain the edge on the track. You feel the tension and adrenaline. Welcome to Porsche Motorsport, where data processing speed is as crucial as lap time.

Porsche has notched victories across prestigious racing series like the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). 

The group is a dominant force in global motorsport, renowned for technical innovation and precision engineering. In elite competitions, quick refinements are critical. That’s why Porsche Motorsport relies on insights from telemetry data on the track. Processing vast amounts of data in real time, the team can make strategic adjustments, optimize vehicle performance, and stay ahead of rivals.  

Porsche faced the daunting challenge of seamlessly connecting numerous track-side operations with data centers in Weissach, Germany, and Mooresville, North Carolina. Before partnering with NetApp, barriers like network latency, scattered information, and security risks hindered their progress. 

The demand was urgent: an intelligent data infrastructure capable of delivering instantaneous, secure, and seamless access to vital information. This system would enable split-second decisions, resolutions that could ultimately determine the difference between victory and defeat. 

For Porsche Motorsport, success hinges on real-time insights from telemetry monitoring data collected by race cars while hurtling around the track. This IoT data, encompassing everything from tire degradation to energy consumption, must be transmitted to a simulator stationed at Porsche’s headquarters in Weissach, Germany.

The challenge? Bridging the physical gap between European and North American data centers and racetracks often located thousands of miles away.  

The trackside team desired instantaneous access to this sensor data for effective decision-making during races. However, the team faced some hurdles: 

• Data delays: Significant latency hindered access to critical race insights.  
• Siloed data: Information was scattered across different locations, complicating collaboration.  
• Security risks: With sensitive data at stake, robust protection was non-negotiable.  

Recognizing the need for a reliable, high-speed solution, Porsche Motorsport sought an intelligent data infrastructure to accelerate decision-making and gain a competitive edge. 

Porsche Motorsport faced a crucial challenge in enabling real-time, location-agnostic access to critical data for its Formula E and endurance racing teams. Data latency and backup issues were stalling their ability to operate with the speed and precision demanded by world-class racing. To overcome these obstacles, Porsche turned to NetApp, its exclusive Intelligent Data Infrastructure provider, to develop a cloud-based solution tailored to the team’s unique needs.  

With NetApp’s expertise, Porsche unified its storage systems and implemented an advanced technology suite that streamlined data flow across global operations. This innovative solution resolved latency and backup challenges and delivered real-time insights at the speed of racing. 

Together, these technologies afforded Porsche Motorsport a seamless, secure, and ultra-fast data ecosystem modified to the rigors of motorsport. 

Data isn’t just driving the cars; it’s steering the success of Porsche Motorsport. Let’s dive into specific benefits.

Faster access

By implementing advanced technologies, Porsche Motorsport continues its data-driven transformation, achieving a significant reduction in the time to retrieve and analyze trackside data. What used to take minutes now takes seconds, allowing the team to make faster and more informed decisions.

This enhanced speed and efficiency gives the team a competitive advantage, allowing them to quickly identify irregularities, make real-time adjustments, and refine strategies on the go. As a result, they can improve a car’s performance during the race and adapt to rapidly changing conditions.

Streamlined storage

Adopting a unified storage system marks a crucial milestone. Breaking down data silos and establishing a centralized repository facilitates collaboration between specialists in Weissach and trackside crews. This seamless integration allows shared analysis and instant changes, all aimed at optimizing racing performance. This saves valuable time and strengthens teamwork, empowering the entire team to operate as a cohesive unit, united in its pursuit of success on the track.

Reliability and security

A reliable backup system provides essential data protection. Knowing that critical data is safe from potential loss or corruption, the team can focus wholeheartedly on racing, confident that data is protected, and downtime will be minimized.

With faster access to critical insights, streamlined collaboration, and enhanced data security, Porsche Motorsport acquires a unique advantage on the racetrack. NetApp's innovative solutions continue to propel the group towards greater success.

In racing, winning really is about being the fastest on the track, but that speed is only achievable with uninterrupted access to accurate, intelligent data. Porsche Motorsport’s collaboration with NetApp showcases how critical real-time data is to success. You can build the fastest car, but victory slips away without the ability to maintain and optimize it during the race.

With technology, Porsche doesn’t just win races, it pushes the boundaries of innovation in motorsport.

Moving forward, Porsche aims to integrate AI-based analytics into its racing strategy. With unwavering confidence built into NetApp® technology, Porsche will expand its ability to optimize costs and leverage Keystone for on-premises solutions to complement its cloud systems.