On the final episode of The Race F1 Tech Show for 2024, host Edd Straw helps former F1 technical director Gary Anderson navigate through a bumper batch of questions from listeners. 

Included are questions on whether a loss of platform control was the reason behind Red Bull’s dip in dominance, whether there’s evidence that the windtunnel restrictions are what’s keeping the field close, why Mercedes looked strong in cool temperatures and weak in warmer climates, whether Fernando Alonso should be considered a poor development driver, why Alpine’s performance surged in the second half of the season, and much, much more.  

A big thanks to all of you for listening to the show in 2024. Edd and Gary will be back next year with more technical focused F1 chat. If you’d like to send a question ahead of time, you can reach us on [email protected]

The Race F1 Podcast is doing two live shows in January! Get your tickets today:

London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets

Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets

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On this episode we’re lifting the lid (or should that be peaking under the fuel cap?) of F1 fuel tanks - an area of the car some might assume is fairly basic and uninteresting, but (like everything else in F1) is actually incredibly complex and has a huge impact on performance.

Joining us to share his wisdom is Giles Dawson of Aero Tech Laboratories (ATL), who shares details about fuel tank (or fuel bladder) design considerations, safety considerations, the materials used in their construction, the lessons learned from Romain Grosjean’s infamous fiery crash in Bahrain in 2020, and how the fuel tank influences performance, amongst other things. 

Before that, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson discuss some of the issues arising from the Qatar Grand Prix, including whether F1 needs permanent stewards and why Alex Albon’s wing mirror fell of his Williams, bringing out the yellow flags Lando Norris later failed to slow for. 

And as ever, Gary and Edd round off the show by answering listener questions, which this week are on power unit failures, engine mapping, and Cadillac's windtunnel test programme.

Got a tech question? Drop Edd and Gary a question via [email protected]

Buy tickets to The Race F1 Podcast LIVE in London and Birmingham:

• London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets
• Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets

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The battle for the 2024 drivers' world crown may be all but over, but on the constructors' front the battle is still raging, with the final three races set to decide whether McLaren, Ferrari or Red Bull take top honours (and the considerable prize money that goes with it).

On this episode of The Race F1 Tech Show, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson cast an eye over each team, assessing the job they've done over the course of the season and assessing which of the remaining tracks will suit which car.

There's also an in-depth discussion about Aston Martin, following the news that Dan Fallows will be leaving his role of technical director, just as Adrian Newey prepares to join. Gary explains his theory as to why Aston have struggled this season, and with car development in seasons before, and offers his thoughts about the direction the team should adopt going forwards.

And finally, Edd and Gary dive into another batch of questions from listeners, several of which focus on changes to Formula 1's technical regulations...

 Got a tech question? Drop Edd and Gary a question via [email protected]

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On this episode of The Race F1 Tech Show, host Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson cover a raft of topics that came up over the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, including wet weather set-ups, red flag tyre changes (and whether they should be allowed), and Aston Martin's miserable performance level - especially compared to its similarly powered and funded rival McLaren.

They also dive into the latest technical tit-for-tat between Red Bull and McLaren, with the emergence of a new theory of alleged tyre trickery. But what exactly is Red Bull alleging, how would a team go about doing it, and - in the absence of any proof - is it realistic to think any team would seriously contemplate it?

And as ever, before closing out the episode, Gary answers a handful of questions sent in by listeners. This time they're on wet weather ride height, a new F1 engine formula, low-tech F1 components, and the current state of F1 simulation tools.

Got a tech question? Drop Edd and Gary a question via [email protected]

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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!

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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 [email protected]

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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 [email protected]

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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 [email protected]

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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 [email protected]

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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 [email protected]

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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.

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