Motor sport regulator FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) has selected Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its official AI and cloud computing partner.

Under the agreement, AWS will provide AI and cloud services to FIA for innovation across motorsport at every level, including Formula 1.

In other cloud-sport partnerships, Alibaba Cloud is partnering with the International Olympic Committee to bring its cloud and AI technology to the Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 in Senegal.

FIA x AWS

FIA will use AWS' compute for workloads, including the aerodynamic simulations that underpin future single-seater regulations, as well as acting as the digital infrastructure that governs the sport.

FIA has historically required computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation workloads for teams to run on-prem to meet regulation requirements. Similarly, the regulations stipulate that only CPU compute be used.

In 2023, FIA's Dominic Harlow told DCD: “The decision to use CPUs was based on the discussions we had quite a while back with the teams, independent industry experts, and our own specialists on how to quantify the amount of compute used for a CFD simulation. We came up with a metric that is effectively based around a core hour.

“For GPUs particularly, it's obviously an enormous number of cores potentially and quite difficult to define a core, similarly for Field Programmable Gate Arrays, or other types of processors that you might use for CFD. CPUs are by far the most common, and it was the most practical implementation to regulate.”

This is set to change, with GPUs officially allowed to be used for both CFD and aerodynamic simulations from January 1, 2028.

The partnership with AWS is part of a broader effort from FIA to improve performance, governance, sustainability and strengthen support for Members. More business applications and hosted services will move to AWS over the coming years as part of the FIA’s modernization strategy.

H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, said: "Technology is changing every part of our sport, and the FIA must lead that change. Our new partnership with AWS will support everything from the cars of the future to the grassroots clubs where so many careers begin. By bringing world-class cloud and AI technology into the heart of the FIA, we can make it simpler for drivers, officials and volunteers to take part, help our Member Clubs work more efficiently, and move closer to our ambition of doubling global motor sport participation. I am delighted to welcome AWS to the FIA family." 

Kristin Shaff, global director of events, sports & entertainment, AWS said: "Motor sport is one of the most demanding and data-rich environments in the world, and the FIA sits at the center of it — governing the sport, shaping the regulations, and creating opportunities for people to participate at every level. We're proud to become the FIA's Official AI Partner and bring AWS's cloud and AI capabilities to support their mission, across every level of the sport." 

Alibaba Cloud supports the Youth Olympics

Meanwhile, Alibaba Cloud has revealed that it will serve as the cloud and AI partner for the Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.

The Dakar 2026 Organizing Committee will deploy a private cloud built on Alibaba Cloud's Apsara Stack for the Games' digital operations. This platform will be for ticketing and e-visa processing, including supporting the processing of one million tickets across all seven venues and the official Festival Site.

The cloud platform will be handed over to Senegal to serve as a national cloud platform once the Games are over.

Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, president of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (YOGOC), said: “We want Dakar 2026 to feel ambitious, welcoming and unmistakably Senegalese. The right technology will help us run the Games smoothly and give young athletes, visitors and audiences a connected experience from the moment they arrive. It will also leave us with stronger digital capabilities to support future events and public services.”

Toby Xu, CFO, Alibaba Group, added: “Sport is now a truly digital experience, and audiences expect more ways to follow and engage with the action. Cloud and AI capabilities are helping the industry respond by making services easier to scale and adapt. As a Worldwide Olympic Partner for nearly a decade, Alibaba has consistently helped drive the Olympic Movement forward-moving from digitalization to intelligence through technological innovation. For Dakar 2026, we look forward to seeing how these technologies continue to shape the future of the Olympic Movement and beyond.”

Alibaba typically uses third-party data centers for deployments. Senegal's Dakar is home to seven facilities, with operators including PAIX, Sonatel, Yas, Onix, Stellariz, and Free au Senegal.

In Diamniadio, there is also a National Data Center operated by Senegal Numérique SA.