The Honda Racing Formula One (F1) Team is overhauling the technology used to design its racing car to ensure compatibility with systems used by its Japanese parent company.

Since purchasing the team in September 2005, Honda has designed the engines for its cars in Japan while the chassis is designed in the UK.

This has created problems because data shared between designers has to be transferred and translated, says Honda Racing F1 IT director David France.

‘We lost a lot of time because we translated engine data, but moving to the same system makes the exchange of data much easier,’ he said. ‘It will improve collaboration as we develop the race car for 2008.’

Honda F1 is introducing Catia computer-aided design and Enovia data management tools from Dassault Systemes.

‘The Catia tools will allow us to see the design and assembly of the car in a virtual setting and examine how the components work together,’ said France.

The Enovia tools will store and manage data so it can be accessed and shared more effectively, allowing Honda to translate designs into reality much faster.

France says speed is critical in F1 to ensure new innovations reach the track quickly and support rapid installation of design changes imposed by F1 regulating body Federation Internationale De l’Automobile.

IBM is integrating the new systems into Honda’s design and production processes. The tools were introduced in January and staff will gradually start using them as work on this season’s race car finishes.

Moving to the same systems makes sense, says Butler Group analyst Mark Blowers.

‘F1 racing is dynamic and the technology changes from one season to the next,’ he said. ‘If system processes are seamless, Honda will be able to move on new designs quickly.