The Race F1 Tech Show

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As the fight at the front gets ever closer, The Race F1 Tech Show takes an in-depth look at the relative strengths and weaknesses of F1’s current big four teams. With Gary Anderson away on holiday, host Edd Straw is joined by another man with a penchant for all things technical: Mark Hughes. Together he and Edd take a team-by-team look at Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari, establishing where each has had success, and which negative car characteristics each is trying to solve. They also discuss which of the remaining tracks should suit each team best, before tackling two more questions from listeners, which this week are on tyre management and wheel tethers.  Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace or search for The Race on Apple Podcasts 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

F1 is heading for major rule changes on both the power unit and chassis sides in 2026, but with the battle at the front getting closer and performance in general converging, are these technical tweaks that the sport could do without? That's one of the questions debated by host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson on this episode. Before that, Gary gives his thoughts on Red Bull's struggles in Monaco, and why its car isn't fond of kerbs and bumps. And to round off the show, we have a bumper crop of questions from listeners, including ones on data-gathering, aero regulations and hearing protection. To join The Race Members' Club, click here to sign up, or you can sign up for all of The Race's bonus audio content (but not the other perks of membership) directly in the Apple Podcasts app. 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

On this episode, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson look back on Imola and ahead to Monaco, as they discuss the latest phase in F1’s increasingly intriguing development war.  First, Edd and Gary discuss Red Bull’s difficult weekend in Imola, and whether that, combined with other teams’ gains, hints at the world champion team nearing the development potential of their current concept. Next, they look at the contrasting development fortunes of Aston Martin, McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari, all of whom have added significant new parts to their cars of late, before asking that all important question of whether it's genuinely getting closer at the front. And finally, Edd dives into the electronic postbag and pulls out four questions from listeners for Gary, which this time are on Williams being overweight, F1 simulator use, the challenges of Monaco, closed rear wheels and tyre compound balance shifts. To join The Race Members' Club, click here to sign up, or you can sign up for all of The Race's bonus audio content (but not the other perks of membership) directly in the Apple Podcasts app. 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

On this episode, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson discuss the upgrade package that helped Lando Norris and McLaren snap Max Verstappen and Red Bull's stranglehold on the Miami Grand Prix. They look at what McLaren changed, how it has helped the team, and whether this means McLaren will be able to fight at every kind of track going forward. After that, Edd and Gary switch gears to discuss the other big technical talking point of the moment: What Adrian Newey will do next, with his Red Bull exit now confirmed. Gary explains how a 'big picture' thinker like Newey could fit into a team, without disrupting the apple cart, and gives his view on where he'd like to see the 65-year-old design genius end up. And to round off the show, Gary answers three more questions from listeners, which this time are on simulators, boundary-layer control and power steering. Join The Race Members Club. Click here to sign up or join in Apple Podcast app 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

On this episode, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson look back on the Chinese Grand Prix, and in particular how the teams responded to the new-for-2024 sprint weekend format and revised parc ferme rules. After that, Gary answers a bumper selection of questions from listeners, including ones on the real impact of front wing endplate damage, how teams deal with ride height fluctuations over a race weekend, what leads teams towards a particular design philosophy, and even a multi-part question on paint! Join The Race Members Club. Click here to sign up or join in Apple Podcast app 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

On a special bonus episode of the pod, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson chat to Dr Tom McCarthy, executive director of ASPIRE and a key figure behind the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League aka A2RL. This pioneering autonomous racing series is new for 2024 and pitches eight teams against one another in modified Super Formula SF23 cars chasing a $2.25million prize fund. This new annual race, aiming to stress-test technology for the future of transport, features teams from the UAE, China, Singapore, Germany, Hungary, Italy and the USA. Listen to the chat and then mark your calendar for 27 April 2024, when you can stream the first event live on The Race’s YouTube channel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson cover a lot of ground on the latest episode of The Race F1 Tech Show, starting with a look at Mercedes' latest struggles, before moving onto an analysis of Red Bull's latest upgrades and why cooling has become such an important factor in this era of F1. After that, we hear from Williams team principal James Vowles who gives The Race's Scott Mitchell-Malm a detailed breakdown of how the team has been able to repair their crash-damaged cars and keep racing in the midst of a series of flyaway races. And finally, Gary rounds off the show by answering questions from listeners about DRS, Mercedes' simulation tools and asymmetrical suspension setup. Join The Race Members Club. Click here to sign up or join in Apple Podcast app 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

One of the big stories of the Australian Grand Prix weekend was Williams only being able to field one car in the race after Alex Albon tore a hole in one of its two monocoques with a crash on Friday. He was then given Logan Sargeant’s monocoque for Saturday and Sunday, finishing 11th. But how did a team like Williams find themselves in such a position in the first place, and what can be done to solve the problem? They are two of the questions that host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson attempt to answer, as well as how Williams will go about quickly repairing Albon's damaged chassis for Japan. They also discuss whether DRS issues are holding McLaren back, chat about Ferrari's encouraging start, plus Gary rounds out the episode by answering questions fro, listeners on gearbox setup, DRS in the V10 era, and Mercedes' stuttering start to 2024. Join The Race Members Club and have a free month on us! Click here to sign up 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