Inside Lenovo's Yamato lab: How ThinkPads survive Formula 1's pressure

Time of India

23-04-2025

How ThinkPads survive Formula 1's pressure.
When you think of Formula 1, it's easy to picture aurally soothing engines, 'Oh-my-god' moment overtakes, and all the courage the drivers bring with them to the track. But behind all that action is an equally thrilling digital race; one where speed, precision, and reliability matter just as much. Powering this side of the sport is Lenovo, Formula 1's Global Technology Partner. As part of this partnership, the Japanese tech giant has to ensure that every broadcast, data feed, and live stream runs without a hitch, no matter where the race goes. We recently visited Lenovo's
Yamato Lab
in Yokohama, Japan, where the company designs and tests its ThinkPads - a big part of what it supplies to Formula 1 through its partnership. But before we get going into the details, here's a quick overview of this deal.
Lenovo and Formula 1 partnership
Lenovo joined hands with Formula 1 in 2022 as an Official Partner, helping meet the sport's growing tech and broadcast needs. Their relationship deepened in 2024 when Lenovo was named the Global Partner and Global Technology Partner for the 2025 season onwards. Motorola, which is part of the Lenovo family, also became F1's Global Smartphone Partner.
Lenovo provides its computing solutions, edge technology, and 'hybrid' AI systems to F1, which have become an integral part of how the widely popular motorsport runs. The company supports real-time decisions and data collection on the tracks and processes it at F1's headquarters in the UK simultaneously with minimal latency.
Tech-engine behind F1 and how Lenovo fuels it
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Every Formula 1 weekend is a massive tech operation. Over 470 devices are deployed across the circuit, including ultra-high-definition cameras, microphones, and in-car cameras - as many as nine on a single car! These devices capture everything from the driver's pedal work to the slightest steering inputs.
To support this, F1 operates two major technical centres. The Event Technical Centre (ETC), one of the most complex mobile tech setups in the sport, stretches across 25m by 15m and houses 750 devices that run more than 40 software systems. Each race weekend, it processes hundreds of thousands of transponder events and moves up to 400 GB of data.
Then there's the Media and Technology Centre (MTC) in Biggin Hill, UK. This hub handles everything from live camera feeds to post-production work. It runs on Lenovo's virtualisation platforms, operating 270 virtual machines and processing up to 500 terabytes of data every weekend. More than 400 Lenovo monitors are used in its broadcast gallery alone. The ETC and M&TC transfer around 500 terabytes of data per event weekend, with bandwidth peaking at around 8.5 Gbps at the start of an event.
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Formula 1 is a tough environment, therefore the tech has to be tougher. Lenovo provides the sport with ThinkPad laptops, high-performance workstations for editing and design, edge computing gear for instant data handling, and Motorola smartphones for on-the-move communication. Besides that, servers and computing units support everything from live broadcasts to command centre operations.
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More than 600 F1 personnel - from engineers to media crews - use Lenovo devices every weekend. And now, Lenovo's AI-powered PCs are being tested in the F1 setup, potentially boosting speed and collaboration even further.
Yamato Lab: Visiting the hub where the tough tech is born
By now, you have a fair idea of what goes around in the tech-race part of F1. Let's now come back to the topic in hand - how does Lenovo ensure the reliability and robustness of its devices to prepare them for the toughest of real-life tests there is?
Well, the reliability of these machines comes from years of rigorous development, much of which happens at Lenovo's Yamato Lab in Yokohama, Japan. This lab has been the heart of ThinkPad innovation. During our visit, we saw how seriously Lenovo takes testing. In the Camera Design Lab, devices are tested in real-world lighting and usage conditions to ensure top-quality video performance. In wireless and audio testing rooms, devices undergo checks for VoIP clarity and wireless strength in signal-free zones designed to isolate and detect even the smallest issues.
For example, we saw the ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 (2024) which is designed with a focus on repairability and robust security. Its easy-open base cover with captive screws and QR-code-guided instructions makes servicing straightforward, even for customers, thanks to its CRU (Customer Replaceable Unit) battery and tool-free access. Security is equally advanced—featuring base cover tamper detection that logs events in the BIOS, halts boot-up on unauthorized access, and notifies IT admins. Additionally, the device sports a redesigned speaker system placed under the keyboard, optimizing space and sound while reducing overall size and weight.
There are also labs where devices face repeated drop tests, vibration simulations, dust exposure, and even static electricity discharges of over 10,000 volts. Laptops are tested for hinge durability, LCD pressure, and thermal stability in conditions that mimic extreme shipping environments ranging from freezing cold to intense tropical heat.
After seeing the Yamato Lab in action, it's easy to understand why ThinkPads are trusted in the fast-paced world of Formula 1. Just like in racing, where precision, reliability, and performance matter most, we saw Lenovo put ThinkPads through intense testing to make sure it delivers under pressure.
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