The backwards evolution

Regardless of the desired outcome, the starting point for reverse engineering is invariably measurement

The FIA’s recent ban on reverse engineering practices in Formula 1 brought the subject into motorsport headlines after the arrival of the ‘Pink Mercedes’ in 2020, courtesy of the then Racing Point, now Aston Martin team. Outside of such high-profile cases, the uses for reverse engineering techniques within racing are many and varied, with the technology to aid the process constantly evolving.

There are a host of reasons why one might want to reverse engineer a part, and the desired outcome – be it simply creating a surface form or generating CAD data for a mechanical part – will dictate the processes used and subsequent data manipulation. For example, one could be working without easy access to CAD chassis data, as is often the case for Touring Cars based on a roadgoing platform. In this situation, being able to create a model of the ’shell is very useful when developing bodywork or revised suspension components.

Alternatively, one might have the case of an irreplaceable historic racecar, where it is desirable to create a ‘digital twin’ so if parts are damaged, or rendered unserviceable, they can be more easily replaced.

Regardless of the desired outcome, the starting point for reverse engineering is invariably measurement. This can be as simple as noting down with a pencil readings taken with a string line and a tape measure, through to gathering millions