LEMO – Connecting The Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen

Written by LEMO

Developing and operating Formula One cars is a mission under very high pressure. For sure, Sauber Motorsport knows something about this: it designs and manufactures the C42 of the Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN. Every component is well thought, analyzed and tested. But also the electric and electronic parts, including connectors.

“The space available on a Formula One car is reduced to a minimum, every square centimeter counts” explains Davide Spagnol, Head of Systems Engineering at Sauber Motorsport. “So does every gramme, since performance depends greatly on the weight of the car. Like all the rest, connectors need to be as small and as lightweight as possible.” They must also be very robust. “In order to withstand extreme conditions during races and the handling by mechanics who connect and disconnect them often under stressful conditions!”

Formula One is one of the extreme environments that LEMO perfectly masters. LEMO has even developed dedicated solutions, the F Series launched in 1995 and the M Series in 2006. They have been rather successful since both series have been adopted by the FIA and are on board all Formula One cars. The M Series equip even a crucial part, the ECU (electronic control unit), which controls, among other systems, the engine, the throttle pedal, the gear box or even the energy recovery system – in addition to the transmission of masses of data to the team.

Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN uses no fewer than twenty different types of LEMO connectors. “Those on the systems which are common to all cars, as well as the ECU and the HIU (hub interface unit), but also on some sensors” explains Davide Spagnol. Others connect the teams communication equipment – “you can find them under the control screens and portable radios.” The drivers even wear them: “The interface to the drivers’ earplug and microphone is also equipped with LEMO connectors.”

According to the Davide Spagnol, Sauber has been using LEMO solutions for 25 years. The two Swiss technological groups – sharing the same quest for excellence and a true passion for motorsport – have further strengthened their cooporation this year. They have signed a partnership contract on exchanging products and engineering in view of developing new solutions.

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