McLaren Electronic Systems receives Queen’s award for enterprise

McLaren Electronic Systems, an independent trading company of the McLaren Group, has today been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, which is widely viewed as the UK’s most prestigious accolade for business-related achievement and performance.

The Award has been bestowed for the design, manufacture and deployment of the standard Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for the Fédèration Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Formula One World Championship for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 racing seasons. The ECU is the complex power train control and primary data logger used by all of the competitors in this championship. It was introduced for the start of the 2008 racing season as a means of reducing the cost of competing in the sport, whilst maintaining and improving upon the spectacle by removing certain electronic driver aids, such as traction control and automated starts. McLaren Electronic Systems won the contract to become official ECU supplier, along with its technical partner Microsoft Corporation, in July 2006.

“We at McLaren Electronic Systems feel honoured and privileged to have received a Queen’s Award,” said Dr Peter van Manen, Managing Director. “It is a prestigious and independent recognition of our commitment to innovate and push technological boundaries for which we feel a tremendous sense of pride and humility. It has only been possible through dedication, passion and a lot of hard work from every member of the McLaren Electronic Systems workforce, the help and assistance from our technical partner, Microsoft, and the terrific support that we have received throughout from the FIA and all of the teams competing in the championship.”

Today’s announcement is timed to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s birthday. McLaren Electronic Systems will be formally conferred later in the year. The Awards are made each year by The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisting by an advisory committee that includes representatives of Government, industry and commerce and the trade unions.

20-Jun-08: Massa and Alonso Make the Most of Friday in France

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Today is the 20^th June 2008 and you’re listening to F1 Minute.

A lot to get through today, but let’s start with Free Practice for France. Massa led the way in a very quiet first session, with the only incident really being Alonso’s engine blowing up out on track. However, in the second session, the Renault was much better with Alonso topping the timesheets.

Not the most action we’ve seen on a Friday, which could be blamed on the circuit. Magny-Cours have, however, unveiled their plans for some major upgrades to the circuit including new pits, paddock and hospitality facilities. They’re calling the project Magny-Cours 2.

At the end of Free Practice, the drivers that were still out on track took part in the new ECU safety car ruling test, apparently with mixed feelings. GPDA president Pedro de la Rosa said some are happy and some are not, and it’s still early days. De la Rosa also said there was no talk of a strike amongst drivers, which is good because Hamilton said, whilst he supports the cause, he wouldn’t be taking part in one.

That’s everything for today, join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

05-Jun-08: Ferrari Chief Changes His Mind on Mosley

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Welcome to F1 Minute for the 5^th June 2008.

Yesterday, Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo said he felt Max Mosley should resign. He said for “credibility’s sake” Mosley needed to step down. Today, however, Montezemolo has changed his mind, saying: “I am happy Max Mosley has been confirmed as president of the FIA. Through the years he has done an excellent job for Formula One. With regards his future, it will only be up to him to decide if and when to take a step back.” There’s no apparent reason for his change of mind.

Elsewhere, today, it was announced that the new safety car regulation proposals will be tested out during the French Grand Prix weekend. The new system involves making use of the standard ECU to monitor the speed of the cars out on track, therefore allowing the pit lane to remain open throughout a safety car period. It had been intended to be tested at Monaco, but was pushed back to allow the teams more time to get used to the software. It will now be tested during Friday practice to see if it should be implemented.

That’s all for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.