The Race F1 Tech Show

Latest Episodes:

FOCUS ON: Winning at the slowest possible speed + The stats behind sudden slumps Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

Host Tim Silvey is joined by Sean ‘Virtual Statman’ Kelly and our resident racing driver Alex Brundle to bring you fresh perspectives, performance insights and statistical surprises to enhance your enjoyment of Grand Prix racing.

On this episode, Alex explains the rationale behind the old motor racing adage, of trying to win a race at the slowest possible speed, and why in F1 going fast is sometimes about going slow.

Following that, Sean opens his statistical archives and looks back on those rare occasions when usually dominant teams suddenly have an unexpected blip.

And in our Aramco Focus, we hear from Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough, who explains how teams go about extracting performance from their cars.

Get in touch with the show! Use the hashtag #AramcoF1Focus on social media or email podcasts@the-race.com

Brought to you by Aramco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why F1's latest flexi wing clampdown matters Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Flexible bodywork: It's been a big talking point in F1 for years, with the rules technically outlawing it, but the teams forever drawn towards exploiting 'aeroelasticity' for performance gain.

On this week's episode of The Race F1 Tech Show, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson dig into the subject, ahead of the new technical directive issued to teams by the FIA ahead of the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix.

Amongst other things they discuss what the new directive says, what it aims to stamp out, why a certain amount of flexibility in wings and other bodywork is allowed (but others isn't), and who stands to benefit or lose on track.

Before that, Gary opines on why we saw a return of porpoising at Monza, and gives his view on the various intra-team on-track battles we saw, having witnessed with many in his own career on the pit wall.

And there's also time for Gary to answer another batch of YOUR questions, including ones on part sharing between teams, running repairs, and bespoke engines.

The Race F1 Tech Show, brought to you by Aramco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOCUS ON: F1's complicated relationship with dominance AND team orders Sep 10, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, Sean digs into the stats to discuss F1's sometimes complicated relationship with dominance, where highly successful teams and drivers can be both celebrated for their achievements and disliked for upsetting the competitive balance.

Following that, Alex dives into the topic of how team-mates should battle each other on track, and in particular whether it's better for an F1 squad to apply strict team orders or adopt a more relaxed 'let them race' philosophy.

And in our Aramco Focus, we hear from the founder and chairman of F1 in Schools, Andrew Denford, fresh from the Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals in Singapore.

Get in touch with the show! Use the hashtag #AramcoF1Focus on social media or email podcasts@the-race.com

Brought to you by Aramco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How 3D printing has taken over F1 Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

When 3D printing technology started to creep into F1 in the late 1980s, nobody would have foreseen how widespread its use would become.

Host Edd Straw is joined by Matt Jones from Stratasys, who tells us all about how additive manufacturing is used in F1 today and how much the technology has evolved over the years. It might surprise you to hear just how many parts are made using such techniques.

Former F1 technical director Gary Anderson also offers his insight into 3D printing, something he first started to use with Jordan, as well as hailing McLaren's latest design innovation and tackling F1's wet tyre troubles.

We also answer a trio of questions from readers related to F1 engines, the possibility of using augmented reality to help visibility for drivers and the velue of studying onboard camera footage.

The Race F1 Tech Show, brought to you by Aramco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The secrets of F1 simulators Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

On this week’s episode of The Race F1 Tech Show we’re taking a deep dive into the world of F1 simulators.

We’ll hear from Kia Cammaerts, the founder and technical director of Ansible Motion, providers of the kind of high-fidelity Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulation tools used by F1 teams. He tells us how the technology has developed and evolved, how teams use simulators as a performance tool, and even where the technology might take the sport in the future.

Before that, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson discuss the F1 summer shutdown, before Gary gives his opinion on Aston Martin’s recent dip in relative performance.

And finally, Gary answer a bevvy of questions from listeners, including ones on hydraulic systems, Mercedes upgrades and measures for reducing spray.

The Race F1 Tech Show, brought to you by Aramco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spray guards, Red Bull's record run, and untangling the chasing pack Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

On this week's show, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson jump into discussing several technical matters of the moment, including the FIA's recent 'spray guard' trial, which aims to use clip on attachments to improve visibility in wet weather racing. Gary gives his thoughts on the design, and suggests a possible improvement after reports of an unconvincing first trial.

Edd and Gary then discuss Red Bull's record run of 12 consecutive victories, noting how impressive an achievement it is, but why it shouldn't be compared to other eras. And after McLaren's continued revival in Hungary, they debate whether it's the Woking team who are now leading the charge behind Red Bull, or someone else.

And finally, Edd and Gary catch up on more of your correspondence, including technical questions on windtunnels and airboxes, and an email from listener Steve Griffiths, who owns the Gary-designed Jordan 195 whose smoky Silverstone show run was discussed on the previous episode!

The Race F1 Tech Show, brought to you by Aramco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOCUS ON: Early title wins + The psychology of mid-season driver swaps Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, Alex discusses mid-season driver swaps, and in particular how it affects the person behind the wheel when their seat is under threat or if they are given the boot after a handful of races.

Following that, Sean gets his teeth into the subject of early title successes, with the possibility that Max Verstappen could wrap up this year's championship with more races remaining than any driver in history.

Get in touch with the show! Use the hashtag #AramcoF1Focus on social media or email podcasts@the-race.com

Brought to you by Aramco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

McLaren’s revival, trackside observations, and inside Aston's new factory Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

Having had the chance to watch cars on track together at Silverstone, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson open this week’s podcast with some eye-opening observations about this year’s pack.

They then get into the big topic of the British Grand Prix weekend - McLaren’s upgrades and subsequent jump in performance. They discuss what new parts the team introduced, how they’ve managed to make such big strides forward so quickly, and what this says about the Woking squad’s long term prospects.

After that, we take a trip to Aston Martin’s new factory, where Edd and Gary give share their thoughts on the state-of-the-art facility after being treated to a guided tour.

And finally, there’s time to answer another question from a listener, which this week focuses on whether it’s better, with stable regulations, to continue to develop a current car or start work on a new design.

If you'd like to have your tech question answered on the show, send an email or voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com

The Race F1 Tech Show, brought to you by Aramco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FOCUS ON: The politics of upgrades & the stat F1 got wrong Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, Sean explains why F1 stats aren't always what they seem to be as he reveals how an oft-mentioned historical stat about consecutive laps led was discovered to be wrong - just as Max Verstappen was set to eclipse it.

Following that, Alex dives into the thorny subject of car upgrades, and in particular the politics that often play a part behind the scenes and can have a considerable impact on driver psychology and performance.

And in our Aramco Focus, we hear from Roger England of Valvoline about the lubricant company's recent link up with Aston Martin.

Get in touch with the show! Use the hashtag #AramcoF1Focus on social media or email podcasts@the-race.com

Brought to you by Aramco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Williams slipped back - and how to make them competitive again Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

On this week's show host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson shine a spotlight on Williams, a team that once were perennial championship winners, but have spent the last decade struggling for competitiveness at the wrong end of the grid. Gary explains where Williams have gone wrong in recent times and details the steps he thinks they can make to move back towards the front, taking into account the limitations of the cost cap.

Before that, Gary shares his thoughts on F1's tyre situation, with reports surfacing that Bridgestone may be interested in dislodging Pirelli as the control tyre supplier from 2024.

And finally, Gary wades through a host of fantastic questions from listeners, ranging from how well a team might do if they focused all their efforts on building a car for one specific circuit, to whether F1 would have a more competitive fight at the front without the cost cap in place.

If you'd like to have your tech question answered on the show, send an email or voicenote to podcasts@the-race.com

The Race F1 Tech Show, brought to you by Aramco.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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