"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

F1RE 

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)

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 

2023            Max Verstappen             0.999
2022            Max Verstappen             0.982
2021            Carlos Sainz                  0.998
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 F1 Grand 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

2023                Red Bull                      0.938
2022               Red Bull                      0.955
2021               McLaren                      0.966
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