"MIRCE Science is a theory of the motion of working systems through MIRCE Space, caused by any functionability action whatsoever, used for Managing In-service Reliability, Cost & Effectiveness. Dr J. Knezevic, 1999

      Formula 1 Research & Education (F1RE) Centre

 

Opened on 6th December 2000, by Nigel Mansell; Grand Fellow of the MIRCE Akademy, to facilitate MIRCE Science based approach to F1 Grand Prix Racing process with the following objectives:

1: To understand the time evolution of functionability of  F1 Racing System 

To achieve this objective the Centre continuously collects and analyses, available after-race functionability data, by applying MIRCE Science methods, developed at the MIRCE Akademy, to understand the natural and human actions that shape the functionability performance like  driver, rolling-chases, engine, tyres, circuit, regulations, team, competitors, weather and many other elements of the functionability.

2: To Predict F1 Functionability Performance

To achieve this objective the Centre applies MIRCE Science probabilistic methods, developed at the MIRCE Akademy, to derive mathematical models for the prediction of the F1 functionability performance for a given design, tactical and environmental conditions, at design stages when changes are possible at no extra cost and time.  This is equally powerful and needed as CFD models and calculations, which have fundamentally, change the F1 design process, but still ignored functionability events (failure and repair processes, natural environment on the day and the impacts of drivers and teams).

3: To annually recognise the Formula 1 Functionability Champion Team and Driver

To achieve this objective the Centre has developed a special method for calculating the Teams and Drivers F1 Champions for each season, based on the publicly available FIA information. Thus, the Centre produces annually the F1 Functionability Table as a basis for the Award of the F1 Driver Functionability Champion and the F1 Team Functionability Champion.  

Formula 1 Functionability 

Formula 1 Functionability analysis is on going research performed at the Akademy that facilitates the scientific understanding of physical mechanisms and human actions that generated occurrences of functionability events through the Grand Prix Racing Process. As results of these analyses the MIRCE Akademy annually recognises the Team and the Driver who were the most successful, from functionability point of view, by presenting two F1 Functionability Awards entitled:

  • The F1 Driver Functionability Champion
  • The F1 Team Functionability Champion

The Awards are based on the corresponding F1 Functionability Tables, which are produced by the Akademy, based on the official FIA organised Formula 1 World Championship data. (see www.formula1.com)

To see the illustrative history of F1 Functionability Awards please click here.

F1 Functionability Award for Drivers

MIRCE Science defines the F1 Driver’s Functionability: “The ability of the Driver to successfully cross the finish line in all F1 Grand Prix races in the FIA organised Formula One World Championship season.”

The MIRCE Akademy Regulations: A Driver will be awarded one point for every race finished, or a portion of it. For every unfinished race, caused by the Team’s error, the driver will be awarded the proportion of the point corresponding to the portion of the race completed. For every unfinished race, caused by the Driver's error,  no portion of a point will be awarded. All races count. The Drivers’ title of the F1 Driver Functionability Champion will be awarded to the Driver(s) who is placed at the top of the F1 Functionability Table for Drivers, produced by the MIRCE Akademy, compiled at the end of the each season.

F1 Driver Functionability Champions

F1 Season                 Driver Functionability 
2020            Kimi Raikkonen 0.975
2019            Louis Hamilton         1.000
2018            Louis Hamilton         0.994
2017            Louis Hamilton         0.991
2016            Daniel  Ricciardo         0.999
2015            Sergio Perez              0.978
2014            Jenson Button         0.988
2013            Jenson Button         0.996
2012            Kimi Raikkonen         0.999
2011            Jenson Button         0.965
2010            Felipe Massa         0.946
2009          Rubens Barrichello              0.988
2008           Nick Heidfeld         0.996
2007           Nick Heidfeld         0.966
2006           Fernando Alonso           0.923
2005          Tiego Monteiro         0.944
2004          Rubens Barrichello         0.944
2003          Michael Schumacher         0.935
2002          Michael Schumacher         1.000
2001          Jean Alesi          0.941
2000          Mika Hakkinen         0.921

 

 

F1 Functionability Award for Teams

MIRCE Science defines the F1 Team’s Functionability as: “The ability of the Team to successfully cross the finish line in all F1Grand Prix races in the FIA organised Formula One World Championship season.” 

The MIRCE Akademy Regulations: A Team will be awarded one point for every race finished by each driver, or a portion of it. For every unfinished race, caused by the Drivers’ error, the team will be awarded the proportion of the point corresponding to the portion of the race completed. For every unfinished race, caused by the Team’s error, no portion of a point will be awarded. All races for both drivers count. The Teams’ title of the F1 Team Reliability Champion will be awarded to the Team(s) that is placed at the top of the F1 Functionability Table for Teams, produced by the MIRCE Akademy, at the end of the each season.

 F1 Team Functionability Champions

F1 Season Team Functionability
2020 Mercedes AMG Petronas         0.949
2019 Mercedes AMG Petronas         0.990
2018 Mercedes AMG Petronas         0.994
2017 Mercedes AMG Petronas         0.934
2016 Mercedes AMG Petronas         0.928
2015 Mercedes AMG Petronas         0.921
2014 Scuderia Ferrari         0.918
2013 McLaren-Mercedes         0.942
2012 Scuderia Ferrari         0.941
2011 Red Bull Racing - Renault          0.949
2010 Scuderia Ferrari         0.968
2009 Brawn-Mercedes         0.941
2008 BMW Sauber         0.983
2007 McLaren Mercedes         0.974
2006 Scuderia Ferrari        0.876
2005 Panasonic TOYOTA        0.813
2004 Scuderia Ferrari        0.997
2003 BMW Williams F1        0.863
2002 Scuderia Ferrari        0.853
2001 Marlboro Ferrari        0.832
2000 Mclaren-Mercedes        0.8125

  

  Morris - Williams

N. Mansell, Mr Morris (BMW WilliamsF1), Dr. Knezevic

  P Brown - Ferrari

N. Mansell, Dr. Knezevic & P. Brown (Ferrari)

  Toyata Relaibility Presentation

Panasonic Toyota presentation for Functionability - N. Mansell and Dr Knezevic, 2005

 

 Presentation to Annuck

Ms Annuck receiving the Drivers Functionability Award for 2005 on behalf of Tiego Monteiro

F1re-centre-2008

Dr Knezevic presenting the F1 Team Functionability Award for 2008 to Dr Mario Theissen, BMW Team Principal, and Nick Heidfeld, the F1 Driver Functionability Award, for 2008 the BMW Sauber Centre,in Hinwil , Switzerland.

Dr Knezevic presented F1 Team Functionability Award for 2012 to Lanzone, Production Director of Scuderia Ferrari, Direzione Gestione Corse