Mexican Tec graduate creates simulators for Formula 1

San Luis Potosí Tec graduate Ramiro Fidalgo is CEO and Founder of APEX, the oldest simulation and training company in Mexico.

At APEX, they develop simulators for training transport and logistics drivers.

They’ve collaborated with Formula 1 at the Mexican Grand Prix and companies such as Coca-Cola FEMSA, Danone, and PEMEX.

“My father took me to races from an early age. Since then, I’ve been in love with car racing,” said Ramiro.

The Business Creation and Development graduate from the Tec’s San Luis campus developed his first simulator in his 3rd year of high school, inspired by a racing car.

“I got taken to races from an early age, which gave me a passion for the world of car racing."

Follow your passion

Ramiro is an example of following his passion. From an early age, he was so passionate about the world of racing that he became a professional driver.

Fidalgo, who hails from San Luis Potosí, was a professional driver for NASCAR Mexico Stock V6, where he was proclaimed champion in 2014, racing for the Roshfrans Racing Team.

“Having been a racer really helped me to be able to convey that knowledge within the simulators, so as to create a more realistic experience when driving,” Ramiro said.

“Having been a racer really helped me to be able to convey that knowledge within the simulators."

Never stop innovating

In its early days, APEX only produced race car simulators. Today, it has an extensive catalog of simulators, which shows that they’ve never stopped innovating.

According to Fidalgo, the most popular simulator is the one for heavy transport (trailers), which has been purchased by companies such as Coca-Cola FEMSA, Danone, and PEMEX in order to train their drivers on this type of transport.

A year ago, APEX launched its forklift simulator, which was sold to the Nissan plant in Aguascalientes in order to train all their forklift operators

“Where there’s a need for training, there’s a need for simulation.

“Where there’s a need for training, there’s a need for simulation, because simulation helps you train better. That’s why it’s a business that never stops reinventing itself,” said Ramiro

Mexican Grand Prix

In 2015, APEX became the official supplier of simulators for the Mexican Grand Prix, procuring a contract until 2023.

Ramiro said that in the weeks leading up to the Mexican Grand Prix, different brands hold public relations events to promote their sponsorship of Formula 1, to which they invite different drivers.

That’s how they managed to get key figures such as Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas, and Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez to test the APEX simulator.

“A simulator is the closest way a fanatic can get to being a driver.

“A simulator is the closest way a fan can get to being a driver. That’s why we take great care in making the details as realistic as possible, so that they have a great experience,” concluded Ramiro.

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