Confluent has announced a multi-year partnership with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB) Formula 1 team to deliver real-time data intelligence, supporting faster race-day decision-making and advanced engineering development.
The collaboration was unveiled at the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, where the VCARB 02 car debuted Confluent’s branding on its halo and upper sidepods. The partnership brings Confluent’s data streaming technology into the high-pressure world of Formula 1, where speed and precision are critical.
Real-time intelligence for racing and engineering
Formula 1 teams depend heavily on data to optimise performance and strategy. Each car produces more than a million data points every second, covering everything from tyre wear and aerodynamic forces to driver performance and vehicle handling. By using Confluent’s platform, VCARB can channel these data streams into a single connected system that links the car, pit wall, and engineering base.
This approach allows the team to respond faster to on-track conditions and improve post-race analysis. Beyond race day, the insights also feed into the design and testing of next-generation cars, enabling quicker development cycles and better resource planning.
“In Formula 1, winning isn’t just about the car; it’s about the data flowing through every part of the team,” said Jay Kreps, CEO and co-founder of Confluent. “This partnership with VCARB shows what’s possible when real-time data streaming becomes as central to racing as the engine itself. Every lap generates insights that fuel human decision-making today and train the AI and machine learning models that will shape tomorrow’s cars and race strategies.”
Turning data into competitive advantage
For VCARB, the ability to act on data in real time is vital. The team uses live telemetry and simulation information to refine pit stop strategies, track conditions, and car performance while races are under way. It also supports long-term performance analysis and development planning.
“Every lap teaches us something new, and the faster we can learn, the better we get,” said Tim Goss, Chief Technical Officer of VCARB. “With Confluent, data becomes a competitive edge that not only helps us make smarter decisions during a race but also guides post-race analysis and even car design. Together, these insights help us close the gap to the front of the grid.”
Beyond racing: a testbed for data innovation
The partnership also positions Formula 1 as a real-world testing ground for advanced data infrastructure. The extreme demands of racing provide an environment where Confluent’s platform can be pushed to its limits, helping refine its use for other industries where speed and precision are crucial.
Both companies share a challenger mindset and a focus on pushing boundaries. They aim to demonstrate how real-time data can create advantage not only in motorsport but in any business looking to respond quickly to change and outperform competitors.
