Inside Formula 1’s Media and Technology Centre: Lenovo and F1’s Race to Redefine Broadcasting

When you think of Formula 1, the first images that come to mind are roaring engines, world-class drivers and the intense energy of race day. But behind every second of action lies a world just as fast-paced and demanding, writes Damian Hall.

The Formula 1 Media and Technology Centre is where that world comes together. I was invited to Biggin Hill for a rare look behind the scenes of the broadcast operation that brings every Grand Prix to life.

It is a well-oiled machine in every sense, a place where split-second communication and precision teamwork are essential. With Formula 1 Media leading with the vision and Lenovo providing the speed, reliability and technical expertise to keep everything running at full throttle, the partnership operates much like a race team, one leading from the front, the other ensuring every system performs at its peak.

The centre itself was built out of a need for efficiency and sustainability

The centre itself was built out of a need for efficiency and sustainability. By creating a permanent base in the United Kingdom, Formula 1 drastically reduced the amount of broadcast equipment that needed to travel to each race. Chris Roberts, Director of IT at Formula 1, explained that “by moving to this system, we’ve cut down what we travel with by about seventy per cent.” The central hub not only saves on freight emissions and costs but also helps staff maintain a healthier work–life balance, allowing them to work local shifts rather than travelling across continents week after week.

Although much of the broadcast operation is now centralised at the Media and Technology Centre (MTC), there is still a scaled-down trackside presence at each circuit known as the Event Technical Centre (ETC). The ETC serves as the broadcast hub on-site, managing signal acquisition, local camera feeds and data before transmitting everything back to the MTC for full production.

Stepping inside, the scale of the operation becomes clear. Every room is a hive of focus and coordination. I got to see the commentator booths, the room dedicated to the team radios and the individuals responsible for the messages fans hear on broadcast. It was fascinating to learn that those team radio messages are still transcribed manually in real time during races, a process that requires exceptional speed and focus.

As part of the visit, I also got to step onto the set familiar to many F1 TV Pro viewers, the studio where Jolyon Palmer and the team film their post-race analysis and breakdowns.

Despite the scale of the operation, the control room remains surprisingly calm on race day. Staff told us it stays quiet and focused, even in the most intense moments. The room itself resembles mission control, with rows of screens and glowing data feeds that could easily be mistaken for a space launch centre.

Inside the Broadcast

I got to sit down with the man responsible for how Formula 1’s story is delivered, Dean Locke, the sport’s Director of Broadcast, Media and Digital. He first joined Formula 1 fresh out of university after writing his dissertation on the sport and even interviewing Bernie Ecclestone. “I came from university with a slight bit of BBC drama in there,” he recalled. “I’d written my dissertation on Formula One and interviewed Bernie Ecclestone, and then it was mentioned to me that he was forming a broadcast entity. His TV guy, Eddie, asked me to come and work with them.”

More than twenty-five years later, Dean is leading the evolution of how the world sees Formula 1. More than anything, he wants the broadcast to reflect the culture and diversity of the places the sport visits. “The culture around some of the places we go to now is quite important,” he explained. “We try to bring that in. If you look at the pre-grid shots, we grab a few shots from the fan zones and those areas to show the local atmosphere. It’s not always when the broadcasters are tuned in, but we offer a load of those clips for them to use. We need to maximise that potential.”

That focus on diversity extends behind the scenes too. Dean and his team are always looking for bright, enthusiastic people who share a genuine passion for Formula 1. “We’re always interested in smart, keen, enthusiastic people,” he said. “You have to be passionate about the sport to work in this environment.” For Dean, enthusiasm for Formula 1 is the key ingredient that connects everyone in the building, from the engineers fine-tuning the broadcast to the editors shaping the highlights that reach fans around the world.

Dean also shared a glimpse into what’s next for Formula 1’s broadcast innovation.

Augmented reality will play a key role in the future, enhancing the viewing experience for fans around the world. He revealed that new camera systems are in development, including upgraded on-car and 360-degree cameras that will be integrated into the live feed rather than used solely for highlights.

“We’re doing quite a lot of work on the cameras on the car,” Dean said. “For 2026 in particular, we’re hoping to have a better pipe off the car so we can have more cameras switched on, potentially some 360 off the car. When we use it in post-production, it’s great, so it’ll be really good to bring that into the live feed.”

In simple terms, that “pipe off the car” refers to the wireless connection that sends video, audio and data from the car back to Formula 1’s systems. Improving that connection means more bandwidth and faster, more reliable data transfer, allowing multiple onboard cameras to stream live at once. It would give fans even more dynamic views from the driver’s perspective as the race unfolds.

Depending on the country, Formula 1 can change the advertising boards in real time using virtual advertising technology

Technology and Innovation

On the topic of live feeds, you might be surprised to learn that the banners on the side of the track are not the same for everyone watching around the world. Depending on the country, Formula 1 can change the advertising boards in real time using virtual advertising technology. It allows the sport to tailor sponsorships for each market, displaying brands that are relevant to the audience in that region, a seamless use of augmented reality that viewers rarely notice.

Chris Roberts, Director of IT at Formula 1, explained that much of the software behind these systems is developed internally. “All of the software is built in-house,” he said. “We even take a software engineer to each event, just in case there’s a requirement for them. There are around four million lines of bespoke code that make up the operation in terms of the applications deployed.”

Of course, those systems still depend on powerful hardware to bring everything together. Behind it all lies an intricate network powered by Lenovo technology, built for flexibility, reliability and speed. “We need that massive amount of reliability, but we also need a global brand that we can plug into anywhere in the world,” said Chris. “If we’re going to five continents for nine months and have to move our infrastructure around, having a brand that is globally placed gives us a massive amount of confidence.”

That reliability is built on communication and a shared understanding of what Formula 1 needs to deliver week after week. Lenovo works closely with the broadcast and technology teams to create tailored systems that match the demands of one of the fastest-moving sports in the world. Every solution is tested and refined to ensure it works first time, every time, no matter the location.

In a sport that moves as fast off the track as it does on it, milliseconds matter. Chris explained that “in terms of getting data back to the technology centre in the UK from the circuit, it only takes around 130 milliseconds from Austin, Texas. That kind of latency allows us to make decisions and deliver content almost instantly.”

The technology available now allows the media team to control and adjust camera settings remotely, even from a completely different continent and time zone. The system is so advanced that operators can monitor feeds and make adjustments in real time without interrupting the broadcast. It is one of the clearest examples of how Lenovo’s infrastructure supports both innovation and reliability at the heart of Formula 1’s operations.

Amie Smith, an IT Service Delivery Manager at Formula 1, highlighted how Lenovo’s devices have changed how staff work at race weekends. “We had members of staff who would travel with a laptop and remote back onto a really high-powered desktop in the office because a laptop couldn’t handle the processing,” she said. “They can now do that with Lenovo laptops. The flexibility of the two-in-one devices also helps, because the same people who used to carry both a laptop and a tablet can now annotate drawings or make changes directly on one device.”

The Power Behind the Partnership

All of that reliability and innovation is the result of a close partnership between Formula 1 and Lenovo, one that extends far beyond technology. It is driven by people who see themselves as part of the same team, working towards the same goal.

Lara Rodini, Global Sponsorships and Activation Director at Lenovo, described it as a true technology partnership built on trust and collaboration. “From the beginning, we have worked together daily,” she said. “Formula 1 is one of the most technologically advanced sports on the planet, and our technology supports not just the business or the show itself, but also the operations that make the sport possible.”

She also highlighted a shared focus that extends well beyond performance metrics. “Behind everything we do, there’s a common goal, to bring Formula 1’s more than 800 million fans closer to their passion.”

Alberto Spinelli, EMEA Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Lenovo and Motorola, described it as “a job that combines technology, understanding products and understanding solutions.” He said it is a partnership he is proud of because “it’s not just about placing a logo on the racetrack. It’s about developing a partnership where there is a common goal of continuing to innovate and deliver new experiences for the fans.”

Alberto also highlighted Lenovo’s involvement not only in Formula 1 but also in MotoGP, though in a different capacity. “With Formula 1 we are partners of the event organiser,” he explained. “With MotoGP we are with the Ducati Lenovo Team. It’s two different scenarios, but both are about helping them perform at their best. With Ducati it’s about the technology needed to win the championship, and with Formula 1 it’s about how we power the broadcast and serve the data that the event organiser needs.”

Beyond the control rooms and broadcast suites, Lenovo’s innovation was on full display

We also heard from seven-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez, who briefly reinforced how Lenovo brings the right people together through technology. He spoke about the company’s ability to find the solutions needed to work more efficiently, introduce new innovations and share knowledge between Formula 1 and MotoGP. The same advancements that support Formula 1’s global operation helped Ducati win their championship and will continue to drive their pursuit of future titles.

Technology on Display

Beyond the control rooms and broadcast suites, Lenovo’s innovation was on full display. The team showcased new devices that push the boundaries of flexibility and design, mirroring the same spirit of advancement seen in Formula 1.

Two devices in particular stood out in Lenovo’s showcase. The first was the rollable-screen laptop, a concept that first appeared in 2023 and has now evolved into a more refined version. With the press of a button, the display expands from 14 inches to roughly 16.7 inches, transforming from a compact portable device into a larger, desktop-style workspace.

The second was the VertiFlex, another innovative concept that allows the screen to swivel from a traditional landscape layout to a vertical orientation. It is designed to suit different working styles, whether for editing, coding or managing live data streams. Both devices demonstrated Lenovo’s continued focus on flexibility, design and innovation.

Bringing Fans Closer to the Action

Every part of Formula 1’s Media and Technology Centre runs with the same precision and teamwork seen on the grid. Formula 1 Media leads with the vision, while Lenovo powers that vision with the technology and expertise that keep the world feed alive from one race to the next. Together, they form a partnership built on trust and innovation, one that mirrors the perfect team dynamic found between a driver and their race engineer.

What makes this partnership remarkable is not just the technology itself, but the shared purpose behind it. Both Formula 1 and Lenovo are united by a goal that extends beyond performance or efficiency. It is about bringing fans closer to their passion, making them feel part of every lap, every story and every race weekend, no matter where in the world they are watching from.

It is also about the people. Spend any time around them and you realise how natural their working relationship feels, almost like a big family. As in any family, there may be differences or debates, but the sense of shared purpose keeps everything moving forward. It is a connection that most teams could only wish for, one built on trust, respect and a genuine love for what they do.

www.lenovo.com/gb/en/sports-partners/formula1