Anthropic: 'Thinking Partner' to Atlassian Williams F1

AI is now thinking its way to the F1 racetrack.

Pioneer of Gen AI Anthropic has unveiled a multi-year partnership with world leading Formula 1 team, Atlassian Williams.

The F1 team now boasts Anthropic’s Claude as the team’s Official Thinking Partner, with its support spread across the entire Williams organisation.

Atlassian Williams will integrate Anthropic’s frontier AI model into team’s racing strategy to help the team think, plan and perform better with Claude. 

Claude will also contribute to developing cars and enhancing operations to “make the improvements that count”.

“We are thrilled to welcome Anthropic to Atlassian Williams F1 Team and Claude as our Official Thinking Partner,” says James Vowles, Team Principal of the Atlassian Williams F1 Team.

“At a time when our team is on a journey to the front, this partnership is an opportunity for us to show what’s possible when you combine elite human talent with the right frontier models.

“We know that there are no shortcuts to success and look forward to working with Anthropic to continue building long-lasting performance.”

Frontier AI Models in racing 

Motorsports fans will know that the difference between success and failure is marked by milliseconds. 

With models that can analyse large amounts of data from the racetrack, car design and performance, AI can help spot and build those changes that can buy back those precious seconds. 

As the Williams F1 team’s title partner Atlassian also brings AI capabilities to the team, the new partnership with Claude will open doors to accelerated technology development and optimisation. 

Mike Krieger, Co-Lead of Anthropic Labs, says: “Formula 1 is ultimately about the pairing of human endeavour and technical excellence. 

“I’ve watched Atlassian Williams F1 Team find ways to punch above their weight for years, that’s exactly the kind of team Claude is built for.”

Claude for high stakes ingenuity 

Williams, with nine Formula One World Constructors' Championships, ranks as the third most successful team in F1 history. 

With the new partnership with Anthropic as the team starts to think with Claude, the F1 powerhouse has big ambitions for 2026: “to take the next step towards returning to the front of the grid”.

“We chose Atlassian Williams F1 Team because they’re one of F1’s last truly independent teams – they compete on the quality of their thinking and their attention to detail,” says Andrew Stirk, Head of Brand Marketing at Anthropic. 

“When we met James and his team, we recognised that immediately. 

“They are world class problem solvers, focused on the smallest details, that’s the same drive that animates Anthropic. It’s why this partnership felt right from the first conversation.”

As the organisations look forward to combined success in the racetracks, Atlassian Williams F1 Team’s FW48 cars, drivers and team kit now carry Claude branding.

With this partnership cemented, Anthropic and F1 reinstates the various high-stakes, performance intensive areas in which AI can deliver real-world value. 

Williams finished fifth in the last season with drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon. With Claude on their side, the team is gearing up for a fabulous 2026 showdown.