Peter van Manen

Biography

Peter van Manen was an MD at one of motorsport’s most famous and successful names, McLaren. Leading innovation in the company’s electronics, data and technology division, he developed live telemetry, modelling, and electronics that became standards within Formula 1, as well as Nascar and IndyCar. In a sector that pioneered the use of data well before AI, he also saw how the data and analytics applications transferred from motorsport to a variety of industries from health to defence to entertainment. He considers how rapid change and innovation is managed and how data can be most effectively used in a team.

An engineering and business leader, Peter spent over 20 years at McLaren working in a world where innovation is fundamental to the relentless pursuit of success. Since leaving the company he’s worked with start-ups focused on real-time data processing, AI and edge computing. He’s also worked in defence and security on systems applying AI to delivery autonomy in uncrewed aerial vehicles.

Peter considers the power of innovation, not just to create new processes and products, but also to solve problems so that resources can be dedicated to other areas. He looks at how F1 teams work within changing rules and regulations governing technology alongside balancing safety, competitiveness and cost. Away from motorsport, he also looks at what working with data has taught McLaren in order to help other sports and industries. He examines the use of F1 methods in applications like the intensive care baby unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital, where the use of real time data analysis saw a 25% decrease in life-threatening incidents. He also looks at how technology will be used in the smart city of the future, adopting data platforms and systems to monitor environment, transport, energy, utilities and infrastructure.