Episodes

  • Red Bull's bib adjuster - what is it and why are rivals upset?

    Red Bull's bib adjuster - what is it and why are rivals upset?
    Oct 22 2024
    The main topic for this episode of The F1 Tech Show was an obvious choice, after Red Bull admitted in Austin that it has a device that can adjust the height of the ‘bib’ at the front of the floor but denying that it was ever – or could ever have been – used to make changes during parc ferme. Edd Straw is joined by former F1 technical director Gary Anderson to explain why bib height is so important, how the adjuster tool works, and why Red Bull's rivals are annoyed. Also on the show, Gary gives his opinion on Mercedes' US Grand Prix struggles, after its latest upgrade failed to deliver consistent results, plus he answers another handful of questions from listeners, including one sent in by a NASA systems engineer! Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • The pros and cons of Renault ending its F1 engine programme

    The pros and cons of Renault ending its F1 engine programme
    Oct 2 2024
    On this episode of the pod, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson discuss the news that Renault's Formula 1 engine programme will cease ahead of Alpine's expected move to customer Mercedes power from 2026. They discuss why Renault is making this move (and why now), and the potential positives and negatives that such a move might bring in the short- and long-term. Before that, Gary dives into the subject of flexible aero, and in particular why the flexible rear wing aero that caused such a stir when it was seen on the McLaren in Baku might not have been something the team was actually trying to achieve. And to round of the show, Gary answers three more questions from listeners, which this week are on tyre management, Alpine engine oscillations and measuring the slipstream effect. Got a tech question? Drop Edd and Gary a question via podcasts@the-race.com Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • Why current rules have sparked a windtunnel arms race

    Why current rules have sparked a windtunnel arms race
    Sep 17 2024
    Computer simulation technology may have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, but the windtunnel still remains an essential and hugely important tool in an F1 team's development arsenal. McLaren have recently invested significant money in a windtunnel overhaul, and Aston Martin's brand new windtunnel facility - set to be fully functional early next year - is said to be one of the key factors that attracted Adrian Newey to the team. On this episode of the pod, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson explain why windtunnels remain so important and why the current ruleset is forcing teams to invest so heavily in them. There's also chat about what Adrian Newey will bring to Aston Martin, plus our regular Q&A section, in which Gary answers questions from listeners on windshields, sensor technology, tyre beads and, in really niche territory, the Jordan 199's fuel injectors! Got a tech question? Drop Edd and Gary a question via podcasts@the-race.com Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • Explaining Red Bull's decline + F1's latest flexi wing controversy

    Explaining Red Bull's decline + F1's latest flexi wing controversy
    Sep 3 2024
    On this episode of the pod, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson dig into two of the big technical talking points from the Italian Grand Prix in Monza: Red Bull's sharp decline in form, and fresh concerns - from Red Bull and Ferrari - about the flexibility of the front wing used by Formula 1 pacesetter McLaren. After those discussions, Gary tackles another batch of questions from listeners, including ones on Red Bull spec reversion, adjustable aero and Mercedes' anti dive experiments. Got a tech question? Drop Edd and Gary a question via podcasts@the-race.com Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Revealing F1's battery technology battleground

    Revealing F1's battery technology battleground
    Aug 21 2024
    On this week's episode, we're diving into the world of battery technology. The 2026 engine regs have placed a greater emphasis than ever before on battery power, and with the help of Gavin White and Kieran O'Regan, the co-founders of About:Energy, a company that provides world-leading expertise in battery testing and software, we'll explain where the technology is moving and why this area will be a key battleground for power unit manufacturers. And as if that wasn't enough, former F1 technical director Gary Anderson is on hand to answer another three tech questions from listeners, which this week are on the parc ferme rules, rear wings, and intellectual property... Send Gary a question via podcasts@the-race.com Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Lifting the lid on F1 helmet technology

    Lifting the lid on F1 helmet technology
    Aug 6 2024
    On this episode of The Race F1 Tech Show, we lift the lid on F1 helmet technology, as host Edd Straw chats to Stephane Cohen, CEO of Bell Helmets, the brand used by 13 of 20 drivers on the F1 grid. They discuss how F1 helmets have developed in recent years in terms of both design and materials used, and explain why helmets are akin to shoes. Before that, former F1 technical director Gary Anderson opines on Mercedes' recent upgrade package, before introducing the helmet segment by discussing how a driver's helmet interacts with a car's aerodynamics. And as usual, Gary is here to answer YOUR questions. This week he tackles teasers on whether cameras will replace wing mirrors, why Mercedes are thought to be ahead on their 2026 engine, what contributed to so many engine failures in the early 2000s, and what goes through a tech director's mind when they see their driver suffer a crash as a result of car failure. Send Gary a question via podcasts@the-race.com Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Will Red Bull's latest upgrades be enough to counter McLaren's growing strength?

    Will Red Bull's latest upgrades be enough to counter McLaren's growing strength?
    Jul 23 2024
    On this episode, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson turn the spotlight on Red Bull, after the world champion team introduced new upgrades at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Gary gives his thoughts on Red Bull's 'mix and match' approach to bodywork at each circuit, and discusses whether these updates will help Red Bull stem the tide against McLaren, who are seemingly going from strength to strength. Ahead of that, Gary gives his view on the McLaren team orders situation at the Hungaroring, drawing parallels to his own experience of dealing with similar scenarios from the pit wall. And to round off the episode, Gary answers four more questions from listeners, on steering wheel tyre modes, aerodynamic testing restrictions, what Gary would change about the 2026 regulations, and whether there are any historical precedents for a team swapping between such visually distinctive bodywork arrangements in the same season, as Red Bull have. Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • What's going wrong at Ferrari?

    What's going wrong at Ferrari?
    Jul 9 2024
    Edd and Gary are back, fresh from their trip to the British Grand Prix, where they got the chance to take a close look at the cars on track. As ever, Gary made some shrewd observations, which he reports back on in the first part of the podcast. Then, for our main topic, Edd and Gary turn the spotlight on Ferrari, after another troubling weekend where it turned its back on recent upgrades and had to revert back to an older specification to find performance and eliminate bouncing at high speed. But why has the car suddenly started bouncing, how can it be eliminated, and what does it mean for the rest of 2024 and beyond? And finally, Gary answers questions from listeners on battery power, the fragility of front wings and Mercedes' concept change. Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins