The Race F1 Tech Show

Latest Episodes:

FOCUS ON: Secrets of race management + Max’s incredible streak Jun 20, 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, Sean turns his statistical lens towards Max Verstappen's recent domination, and in particular the 224 consecutive laps he's now spent in the lead of Grands Prix. He explains where Verstappen's streak ranks all-time in F1, debates how long it might go on for, and gives his view on how impressive is it given the current regulations.

Following that, Alex gets granular on one of the most frequently used phrases in motor racing: Race management. Using the Canadian Grand Prix as an example, Alex discusses which drivers are best at it in F1, debates whether race management is an innate skill or a craft that can be learned, outlines examples of good and bad race management, and explores the role F1 teams play in helping their drivers.

And in our Aramco Focus, we hear from The Race F1 Tech Show's Gary Anderson, who doubles as Chair of Judges for F1 in Schools - a competition helping to inspire the engineers of the future.

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 hasn't Red Bull's cost cap penalty caused them more pain? Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

One of the biggest off-track stories of last season was Red Bull being hit with a 10% reduction of the aerodynamic testing allowance it was entitled to for the 2023 F1 campaign, for breaking the budget cap in 2021.

Red Bull's rivals might have hoped that the punishment would slow them down, but if anything the world champions look even more dominant this term. On this week's show, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson take inspiration from a listener's question as they explain how Red Bull have mitigated the impact of the ATR restrictions - and why their rivals haven't been able to take advantage.

Before that, Gary muses on the challenges (and potential complications) that lie ahead for Aston Martin, with their upcoming switch from Mercedes to Honda power units in 2026.

And finally, Gary answers two further questions from listeners; the first on which current F1 teams he'd want to join as technical director (and who he'd take with him) and the second on whether experienced drivers can actually make for worse test drivers...

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 F1 driver's complicated relationship with Team Radio Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, after some spicy exchanges over the airwaves in Spain, Alex goes deep on the subject of team radio. He discusses whether drivers talk too much during races, how team radio can help a driver's performance but also quickly become a distraction, why we shouldn't read too much into angry team radio exchanges between drivers and their engineers, and much more.

After that, following Max Verstappen's win in Monaco a couple of weeks ago, which was the 200th in F1 for a car running the number 1, Sean looks into the offbeat topic of race numbers. You'll find out which are the most (and least) successful, which seemingly bring bad luck, and the intriguing stories behind some of F1's more uncommon race numbers.

And finally, we hear from F1 Technical Director Pat Symonds in our Aramco Focus, with the former Benetton and Renault tech boss outlining F1's future fuel plans.

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.

Mercedes' upgrade package - what have they changed and will it work? May 31, 2023

Show notes

This year's Monaco Grand Prix had a bigger technical focus than ever, with Mercedes running its much-anticipated upgrade package for the first time. On this episode of the pod, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson take a close look at what changes Mercedes have made to the W14, the intension of these changes, and whether they'll bring the performance boost the team are hoping for.

Before that, Edd and Gary discuss the other topic that often comes up when contemporary cars race at Monaco: The issue of machinery outgrowing the track, and how they'd go about fixing the problem from a car and track perspective.

And finally, in a bumper edition of our listener's questions segment, Gary answers three technical teasers, including one on a possible overlooked element of Mercedes' upgrade, one on the spy shots rival teams will have got from crashed cars being craned in Monaco, and one on how the effect of exhaust gas is simulated.

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: Pressure-related burnout & Weather-disrupted events May 24, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, after the sad cancellation of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix due to terrible floods in the area, Sean takes a statistical look at other occasions when forces of nature have caused races to be called off or halted, either before or during the weekend - and you'll be surprised by what he reveals.

After that, following Max Verstappen's recent comments that seemed to suggest he could walk away from F1 earlier than expected, Alex goes deep on why drivers who appear to have it all, such as the Dutchman, can become disillusioned or suffer from burnout. Alex also discusses the unique pressure that drivers are under from a young age and why some drivers struggle to cope more than others.

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.

Previewing Imola upgrades + The Tech of TV coverage May 17, 2023

Show notes

Ahead of one of the most interesting races of the year from a car upgrade perspective, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson convene to discuss the changes coming to the cars in Imola and how they’ll be assessed. Of course, there’s a particular focus on Mercedes, with the former world champions set to introduce a ‘course correcting’ upgrade to their troublesome W14.

After that we switch focus to a topic many of you have wanted to hear more about: The tech behind F1’s TV coverage. Edd is joined by Dean Locke, F1’s Director of Broadcast and Media, who has worked for F1 and been heavily involved in the television coverage for a quarter of a century. He offers a unique perspective on the evolution of the coverage, the remarkable technological effort required to bring it to our screens, and what new developments will be coming in the near future.

And finally, Gary answers a couple of questions from listeners; the first on whether it would be feasible to ban front and/or rear wings to improve racing, and the second on the changes the drivers (and teams) can make to the cars during the race.

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: Wins from low grid slots + How we'd change F1's tyre rules May 10, 2023

Show notes

On episode 3 of Aramco F1 Focus, the podcast that shares this feed with The Race F1 Tech Show, host Tim Silvey is once again 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.

This week, after Max Verstappen’s win from ninth on the grid in Miami, Sean takes a statistical look at wins from low grid slots - and why winning from ninth hasn’t happened for so long. He also poses the question as to whether Miami can lay claim to being a ‘perfect’ race, given there were no yellow or red flags, safety cars, or other interruptions for the first time in history.

After that, following accusations from some quarters than F1’s hard tyres have made races boring, Alex delivers his ‘tyre manifesto’ for spicing up the action. And if that wasn’t enough, he then dives into the debate on DRS and how he - as a racing driver - would shape the rules regarding the overtaking aid if he were given carte blanche.

And finally, we wrap up the show with our Aramco Focus in which we hear from F2 and F3 technical director Didier Perrin about how the championships have embraced Aramco’s newly introduced sustainable fuels.

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.

DRS dramas in Baku + Mike Krack on driving Aston Martin’s growth May 03, 2023

Show notes

We have a double-header of sorts on this week’s episode of The Race F1 Tech Show - but with a distinctly Aston Martin flavour.

First up, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson look back on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, and in particular why Aston Martin suffered with DRS issues. Gary explains what happened to the team and why such a problem is so difficult to solve.

He also opines on Alpine’s struggles with bouncing and whether the lack of practice running that was dictated by the new weekend format contributed to both this issue and Aston Martin's.

Edd then introduces our feature interview with Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack, who many may know comes from an engineering background, unlike so many of his peers.

He discusses why his 'unusual' career journey helps him in his current role, before discussing in detail Aston Martin’s meticulous plans for growth, including why both new hires and the team’s upcoming move into a new factory have to be managed so carefully.

And finally, Gary tackles another couple of questions from listeners, including one on fuel-efficient driving styles and another on F1’s attempts to become more environmentally friendly.

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

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

The amazing science of F1 brakes Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we’re taking a deep dive into the world of F1 braking systems - the technology that slows down F1 cars, but is paradoxically key to making them quicker.

As usual, host Edd Straw is joined by former F1 technical director Gary Anderson, who was on the Brabham team when they introduced carbon to F1 brakes in the Seventies.

Gary discusses how braking technology has evolved, why the materials have changed, and some of the challenges involved in making them work effectively.

Following that, Edd chats to a man who is right at the heart of modern F1 braking technology: Andrea Algeri, the Racing Customer Manager of Formula 1 for Brembo Racing, which supplies every team on the grid in one way, shape or form.

He outlines how F1 brakes differ from those on your road car, the variety in braking materials available to the teams and drivers, how F1 brakes wear and must be managed, the way brake-by-wire systems work, the future of the technology, and much, much more.

And on a packed episode, there’s also time for Gary to reflect on his upcoming 50th anniversary of working in F1, and for him to answer two questions from listeners, the first on sustainable fuels and the second on why F1 cars are already becoming harder to follow in just the second year of a rule-set designed to solve that issue.

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 crazy stats and unusual psychology behind red flags Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

On episode 2 of Aramco F1 Focus, the brand-new podcast that shares this feed with The Race F1 Tech Show, host Tim Silvey is once again 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.

This week, following on from a stoppage filled Australian GP, Alex focuses in on red flags, more specifically on how a driver responds to them and how they can affect mindset and performance. Sean, meanwhile, has a bevy of red flags stats up his sleeves, before turning his attention to the subject of driver age in F1 after the rather mature podium we saw in Melbourne.

And finally, we take a deep dive into sustainable fuels with Pierre Olivier Calendini, director of Aramco’s Fuel Research Centre, in our regular Aramco Focus.

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.

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