Mercedes battles IT woes at Hungarian GP following global outage

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The Hungarian Grand Prix got off to a rocky start for Mercedes on Friday, not because of car troubles, but due to a global IT outage from their partner, CrowdStrike.

An update rolled out by the cybersecurity firm caused widespread issues across various industries, impacting air travel, banking, healthcare, and even Formula 1. Sky Sports, the official F1 broadcaster in the UK, also faced problems.

The Mercedes F1 team wasn't immune. Working closely with its partners to avoid disruptions, the Brackley squad scrambled to ensure their trackside operations wouldn't be hampered before the first practice session.

Thankfully, their efforts paid off. Relevant fixes were implemented, and Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were able to hit the track as planned.

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In today's F1, smooth operations rely heavily on robust computer systems. Real-time data analysis is crucial for making split-second decisions that can influence the outcome of the race.

Communication and data exchange between the Hungarian track and team headquarters, including information for simulator drivers to optimize performance, are also critical factors.

Meanwhile, CrowdStrike is actively working to rectify the situation. CEO George Kurtz assured everyone that the issue stemmed from a faulty update for Windows systems, not a security breach or cyberattack.

"CrowdStrike is actively working with customers impacted by a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts,” commented Krutz, a racer in his own right.

"Mac and Linux hosts are not impacted. This is not a security incident or cyberattack.

"The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.