R&D in Motorsport - Examples

Motorsport and R&D go hand in hand. From the heights of F1, IndyCar and the World Rally Championship, to air racing, motorcycle competition, and even drone racing, the motorsport industry hinges on continued innovation in the pursuit of performance, sustainability, and entertainment.

The engineered performance seen in motorsport is a result of the constant investment and tireless innovation of thousands of companies worldwide, whose R&D pushes the envelope across all areas of motorsport.

Examples of R&D in motorsports

Here are some examples of the types of R&D in motorsport:

Here we look at how R&D is continuing to contribute to the development of extraordinary feats of motorsport engineering.

R&D and motorsport performance

Almost all motorsport is predicated on the simple premise of going as fast as possible, whether on a track, down a mountain, or across a lake. Some of the world’s leading engineers work tirelessly to extract every drop of performance from engines, aerodynamics, tyres, drivetrain, and other components.

R&D and improving engine performance

Almost all motorsports start with the engine, and an engine designed for sport performance is extraordinarily complex. R&D enables companies to develop new and improved components designed to optimise the conversion of kinetic and heat energy into vehicle power.

This ground-breaking R&D, and historical engineering pedigree has enabled the UK to become a world leader in motorsport engine technology, with several Formula 1 teams choosing the UK as their base of operations. These teams include 2021 World Champions Mercedes, McLaren, Aston Martin, and Williams.

High-performance tyre innovation

For the sports that use them, tyres are another component that is crucial to motorsport performance. R&D helps tyre manufacturers to develop high-performance tyres that maximise grip on (or off) the track, while providing a competitive lifespan across a range of weather conditions.

R&D and aerodynamic engineering

For higher speed motorsports, such as F1, IndyCar and drag racing, as well as air sports, aerodynamics allow vehicles to travel faster than ever while maintaining stability and/or grip.

Formula 1 cars, for example, are built with hugely complex aerodynamic features, and R&D enables manufacturers to optimise airflow around the car, generating sufficient downforce to glue the car to the track while cornering at tremendous speeds.

R&D and motorsport sustainability

As the international climate picture becomes clearer, pressure has been mounting on major motorsport governing bodies to make their sports more sustainable. From the environmental impact of performance fuels and the logistical carbon footprint to the impact on biodiversity and air quality, there are several areas motorsport is attempting to address through R&D.

Innovation in fuel sustainability

Without fuel, motorsport cannot happen. Unfortunately, fuelling is one of the most damaging environmental factors of motorsport. That is why motorsport and fuel engineers all around the world are investing in R&D to ensure fuels can be more sustainable, without compromising on performance.

The R&D engineers of Formula 1 and ARAMCO are investing heavily in ‘sustainable biofuels’, which aim to deliver 100% sustainability by the mid-2020s.

According to the FiA (Formula 1’s governing body): F1’s sustainable fuels will feature an advanced component that comes from either a carbon capture scheme, municipal waste or non-food ‘biomass’ – and, most importantly of all, which will achieve greenhouse gas emissions savings relative to fossil-derived petrol of at least 65%.

Elsewhere, Formula E and Extreme E are major flag bearers for the wider electrification of motorsport and the auto industry at large, reducing emissions while maintaining competitive performance.

How motorsport R&D impacts the wider auto industry

It has long been acknowledged that hi-tech motorsport is the origin of many of the world’s automotive technologies. While initially for the benefit of motorsport teams and manufacturers, the innovative technologies developed and proven in a high-performance environment can be applied to the wider automotive industry.

From engines, aerodynamics and tyres to fuel technology, suspension and even safety cell technology, the R&D that is so prevalent in motorsport has a major impact on the future of everyday vehicle design and engineering.

Motorsport R&D is about much more than sporting success and the corporate interests that underpin it – high-performance motorsport also serves as the perfect testing ground for new tech, processes, and components, so that they can be applied to everyday vehicles.

Motorsport R&D Examples – Rally Cars

The Radius R&D Tax Reliefs team worked with a leading motor engineering manufacturer, who invested in R&D for the development of a rally car in a heavily regulated sector.

Areas of development included minimising weight of the vehicle, maximising safety, increasing efficiency and reliability, and reducing costs. The R&D addressed several uncertainties to achieve such constraints whilst adhering to strict automotive regulations. Overcoming these challenges involved using specialist CAD software, prototype development and testing.

This manufacturer was rewarded for their efforts and R&D investment, not just with their innovative learnings and new tech, but through a £90k government-backed R&D Tax Relief saving.