16/11/2005
NEWS STORY
MF1 Racing, the Formula One team owned and operated by The Midland Group, is pleased to welcome Metris as official industrial supplier to the team for the 2006 season. Colin Kolles, Managing Director of MF1 Racing, and Bart Van Coppenolle, CEO of Metris, finalised the deal today.
Metris will supply MF1 Racing with high technology optical measurement systems for dimensional quality control, testing and reverse engineering. These systems will enable the team to speed up the R&D processes it uses to fine-tune their F1 car for optimal car geometry for aerodynamics and torsional analysis for improved driving stability, as well as ensure compliance with the regulations set out by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile). The dimensions of an F1 car's bodywork are subject to strict regulations with respect to height, distance, shape etc., and the Metris systems will expedite race preparation and assist the team in optimising their cars' specifications.
"Metris is very proud to be an official industrial supplier to the Midland team," commented Bart Van Coppenolle, CEO of Metris. "It is both a great honour and a major responsibility for us to work together with MF1 Racing and to accompany its high-profile entry into the highest level of motorsports. Formula One activities are an excellent platform on which to showcase breakthroughs for emerging technologies such as the Metris' optical metrology solutions to commercial automotive manufacturers."
Colin Kolles, Managing Director of MF1 Racing, says: "The co-operation between Metris and MF1 Racing is progressing very well and we are pleased to confirm this partnership for the 2006 F1 season. Having a team partner like Metris matches perfectly with our goal of continuous improvement and we look forward to advancing up the grid with their assistance."
Metris has a long history of Formula One partnerships, supplying systems to major F1 teams which have utilised Metris solutions during R&D, testing and production. The FIA has also installed a Metris system to perform legality checks on the dimensions of F1 cars during every Grand Prix race.
Metris is also supporting Jeffrey van Hooydonk, an ambitious Belgian race driver who will test for MF1 Racing on the Spanish racetrack of Jerez in the second week of December.