Show Notes
When Formula 1 drivers want to go faster, they study squiggly lines on a screen. This is F1 data, showing how drivers accelerate, brake, steer and more. Hidden in the squiggles are the secrets of speed.
Tom Stallard, Race Engineer to Oscar Piastri at McLaren, and former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer join Christian Hewgill to decode F1 data.
Tom answers your questions on what data is recorded, how it is fed back to the teams by hundreds of sensors on each car, and how engineers analyse thousands of pieces of information.
Jolyon explains how F1 drivers study their own data to find improvements, what they can learn from looking at their team mates and rivals' data, and the data drivers need to know during qualifying and races.
Got a question? We'll find the best person to answer it Send your voice notes and emails to [email protected]
Witness the crowning of the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Tickets for Las Vegas now available at f1lasvegasgp.com
Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with the stars of Formula 1 on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert insight before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation
More from F1 Explains
Go to the F1 Nation podcast feed to hear our first episode of 2026. Christian Hewgill and Lawrence Barretto talk through all you need to know ahead of the new season
F1 Explains is moving to the F1 Nation podcast feed for the new season. Get answers to your F1 questions from Christian Hewgill and expert guests, plus race reviews and previews with Tom Clarkson - all in one place. Send your questions about the 2026 F1 season to [email protected] Search F1 Nation on your podcast app, hit follow or subscribe, and you'll get every new episode of F1 Explains
Lando Norris' driving style, the food which fuels the Haas pit crew, the Apex GP cars from F1: The Movie and the team boss who lets his drivers use his office toilet. F1 Explains covered all this and much more in 2025 as we answered your questions on how the sport works.
In the months between the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi and the five red lights in Australia, Formula 1 teams are still be racing. They're building in factories, testing on simulators and wind tunnels, working flat-out to get their cars ready for a new era.
What does a Formula 1 driver need to become a World Champion? Can they really approach a title decider as if it’s any other race? And is it better to be leading the way or chasing?