Ferrari selects TCS for F1 pole position

TCS to provide infotech solutions for developing F1 car.

Tata Consultancy Services has tied up with Formula One racing car maker Ferrari to provide information technology services for the development of the team's racing car for the next season, which begins on March 6, 2005.

Under the multi-million dollar deal, TCS will be providing infotech solutions and engineering services for the development of the Formula One racing car.

"Exceptional delivery systems, domain capability in engineering design and ease of business were the factors that worked in favour of TCS," N Chandrashekaran, executive vice-president, TCS, told Business Standard. Chandrashekharan was involved in negotiations with the Italian company.

S Ramadorai, CEO and managing director, TCS, said: "The F1 car is based on the most complex and advanced platform in the market, packing research into aero-dynamics and engine technology. We are delighted that Ferrari has chosen TCS technology and solutions to help it retain its pole position."

The deal makes TCS the first Indian company to enter the F1 arena, which boasts of 19 Grand Prix races in 17 countries across four continents with an average 250 million viewers per race.

TCS will work on a host of areas, including car electronics, safety, aerodynamics, trouble-shooting, during and in between races.

Fiat-owned Ferrari expects to start the next season with an interim version of their F2004 car, which led the Italian team to its sixth successive constructor's title in 2004.

Chief designer Rory Byrne said late last month that Ferrari could bring the new car out from the first race of 2005 but was not in a hurry because the team wanted to go deeper into research and design. He expected the new car to make its debut between the third and fifth races.

The company was at the forefront in providing software solutions to Eropean clients for the transition to Euro. It also used offshore development methodology to deliver solutions to companies in Europe.

Speaking on the proposed ADR offering announced earlier, Chandrashekaran said no firm timeframe was decided yet as it was only in August 2004 that TCS had hit the Indian market.

The IT firm, which has a presence in 32 countries with 10 development centres, services clients from sectors like banking, financial services, retail, manufacturing, telecommunications and transportation.

Chequered flag

• TCS will be providing IT solutions for the development of the F1 racing car
• The F1 circuit boasts of 19 Grand Prix races in 17 countries across four continents
• The F2004 car led Ferrari to its sixth successive constructor's title in 2004