Cognizant welcomed Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team driver Lance Stroll and driver ambassador Pedro de la Rosa to its GAR campus in Hyderabad as part of its ongoing ‘Celebrating Cognizant’ initiative—a six-month series of sporting and cultural events aimed at uniting employees around shared values and accomplishments.
During the visit, Lance and Pedro engaged with Cognizant’s leadership and interacted with hundreds of associates, sharing insights on how Cognizant’s digital innovation supports the Aston Martin F1 team—particularly in preparation for the upcoming 2026 regulations and the future of the sport.
“It was a pleasure to visit the Cognizant offices in Hyderabad and meet so many of the team. Hearing first-hand about Cognizant’s technology and services was valuable, and we felt incredibly welcomed by everyone we met,” said Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team Driver.
“Today’s celebration with Lance is a proud moment for our associates and a powerful reminder of how far we have come in shaping the future of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team through innovation. I am inspired by what we have achieved together and optimistic about the promise this partnership holds for the future,” said Rajesh Varrier, President – Global Operations and Chairman & Managing Director, Cognizant India.
A key highlight of the event was an invigorating fireside chat featuring Lance and Pedro in conversation with Rajesh. They underscored the transformative role that technology plays in F1®, the Cognizant partnership and engaged with enthusiastic associates through a lively Q&A session.
Complementing the on-ground celebrations, Cognizant hosted a virtual multi-week hackathon that brought together nine teams from three organizations supported by its Outreach program—Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Basar; Vizag Volunteers Association; and Kalam Dream Labs. The participants competed to develop creative, low-code or code-based solutions that will help shape Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team’s Ai.lonso avatar into a dynamic, emotionally engaging digital companion for the team’s fans.
The top two teams—Team Ask Alonso from Vizag Volunteers Association and Team Infinity Loopers from Kalam Dream Labs—won cash prizes, were invited to attend the fireside chat and earned the opportunity for a photo session with Lance and Pedro.
Cognizant, a global leader in technology and professional services, began its partnership with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team in 2021, marking the Aston Martin’s return to Formula 1®. Since then, Cognizant has played a pivotal role as the team’s digital transformation partner, strengthening IT infrastructure and streamlining daily operations.
