FIA Names AWS Its Official AI and Cloud Partner, With a Role in Future F1 Rules
Motor sport's governing body will use AWS computing for aerodynamic simulations and AI tools for writing regulations, and will move more of its systems to AWS.
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The FIA, motor sport's global governing body, has named Amazon Web Services its Official AI and Cloud Computing Partner. Announced Oct. 28, the deal gives AWS a role in shaping the technical regulations for the next generation of Formula 1 cars. It also covers the FIA's digital licensing and administrative systems. Financial terms were not disclosed.
What the deal covers
Simulations behind the rules. The FIA says it already runs its aerodynamic simulations on AWS high-performance computing. That lets it test how air flows around a car virtually, without building physical parts. The FIA says this helps it work faster while cutting cost and environmental impact.
AI tools for rule-writers. AWS will give the FIA's technical and engineering teams AI tools. The FIA says they will strengthen its ability to develop regulations that advance safety, performance and sustainability.
Licensing and administration. The deal builds on the Digital Licensing Platform that the FIA and AWS launched last year. It is expanding to more national sporting authorities (ASNs), with multilingual support, FIA University integration and licence renewals. Event management tools for volunteers and officials are planned. The FIA ties this to its goal of doubling global motor sport participation.
Moving to the cloud. More FIA business applications and hosted services will move to AWS "over the coming years."
Sponsorship. AWS joins the FIA Global Partner Programme and becomes an Official Partner of the FIA Awards and the FIA Sustainable Innovation Series.
The release names AWS's role two ways. Its summary says "Official Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Machine Learning and Cloud Infrastructure Partner," and the body says "Official AI and Cloud Computing Partner." We use the shorter title.
What they said
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: "Technology is changing every part of our sport, and the FIA must lead that change. Our new partnership with AWS will support everything from the cars of the future to the grassroots clubs where so many careers begin."
Kristin Shaff, AWS's Global Director of Events, Sports & Entertainment, said: "Motor sport is one of the most demanding and data-rich environments in the world, and the FIA sits at the center of it — governing the sport, shaping the regulations, and creating opportunities for people to participate at every level."
Background: AWS is already in the paddock
AWS isn't new to Formula 1. In June 2018, Formula 1 named AWS its official cloud and machine learning provider and moved most of its infrastructure to AWS. At the time, Formula 1 said its aerodynamics team would run simulations on AWS as it worked on new car design rules. In June 2021, Ferrari chose AWS as its official cloud, machine learning and AI provider, a deal that includes the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team.
What's new is the regulator. Formula 1's commercial side, which runs the championship and sells its media rights, is separate from the FIA, which writes and enforces the rules. This deal puts AWS directly with the rule-maker.
Analysis: what AI-assisted rulemaking could mean
The most important part of the deal is the link between simulation and regulation. Testing aerodynamic concepts virtually lets the FIA try many more rule options before teams build cars. In principle, that could help it predict side effects, such as whether a change helps cars follow each other closely.
Some questions are still open. The release doesn't say what the AI tools will do, how their output will be checked against real track data, or how the FIA will handle a supplier that also works with Formula 1 and at least one team. None of these points is a problem by itself. They're the details teams and fans will want to see as the next rules take shape.
What to watch
- Whether the FIA explains how AI tools are used in its technical rule-making process.
- Which ASNs get the expanded licensing platform next.
- Whether contract length or value is disclosed.
How we reported this
We read the FIA's full release and checked every claim and quote in this article against it. Background on AWS's earlier deals with Formula 1 (2018) and Ferrari (2021) was checked against AWS's original press releases. The analysis section is DailyMech's own.
Sources
- FIA, "FIA Partners with AWS to Drive Innovation Across Global Motor Sport" (Oct. 28, 2026): https://www.fia.com/news/fia-partners-aws-drive-innovation-across-global-motor-sport
- AWS, "Formula 1 Selects AWS as its Official Cloud and Machine Learning Provider" (June 29, 2018): https://press.aboutamazon.com/2018/6/formula-1-selects-aws-as-its-official-cloud-and-machine-learning-provider
- AWS, "Ferrari Selects AWS as its Official Cloud Provider to Power Innovation on the Road and Track" (June 2021): https://press.aboutamazon.com/2021/6/ferrari-selects-aws-as-its-official-cloud-provider-to-power-innovation-on-the-road-and-track
DailyMech used AI tools to help research and draft this article; it was fact-checked by our editors.