For an F1 car to be competitive, it has to be driven to the absolute limit of its performance potential and it also has to be designed to the very limit of performance, with every single part built to get the very most out of it, in terms of speed and reliability. The optimum solution produces the most speed with that required level of reliability.

This is where the Calculations Group comes in. "Our expertise lies in structures and stress analysis," says Paul Foster, who heads up this group. "For Structurally Significant Components, which amounts to most of the parts on the car, we work closely with the various designers, helping them to optimise their designs. We achieve this by using computer programs to simulate how a component or assembly of components, reacts to the forces generated by the car. By analysing different designs, we determine the best type of material a component should be made from, where to use it and how much of it is needed. In the case of carbon fibre composite, we also work out in which direction it should be aligned. The main computer tool we use for this work is known as 'Finite Element Method.'"

How does all this work? It’s probably best not to ask, as one needs a brain the size of a giant watermelon to get the hang of it, but essentially, the computer programs are based on lots of highly complex mathematics and physics.

Although the Calculation Group analyses virtually all areas on the car, every year it concentrates its efforts on aspects of the car's performance which are identified as being a priority, in terms of looking for improvements. On EJ12 for example, the monocoque has seen a lot of work, not just in terms of its design and construction, but also the speed at which it can be manufactured.