F1 Explains How data helps F1 drivers go faster - with McLaren's Tom Stallard + Jolyon Palmer
24 snips
Oct 31, 2025 Jolyon Palmer, a former F1 driver and current analyst, joins McLaren's race engineer Tom Stallard to delve into the fascinating world of F1 data. They discuss how drivers decode telemetry to enhance performance, and Tom reveals the sheer volume of data collected from sensors. Jolyon shares insights on how drivers balance instinct with data analysis, and they both emphasize the importance of collaboration within teams. From rival intelligence to the evolution of data usage since 2008, their conversation highlights the intricate relationship between performance and technology in Formula 1.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Scale Of F1 Telemetry
- A single F1 car generates around 4,000 processed data channels and teams run mission control and factory analysts to handle it.
- Tom Stallard says teams supplement track staff with ~80+ remote engineers to analyse the volume in real time.
Sensors Cover Driving And Aero
- Sensors cover steering, throttle, brakes, slip angles and suspension to reveal driver inputs and car position.
- Hundreds of pressure sensors map aerodynamic performance and reveal damage effects on lap time.
Justify Sensors By Weight
- Justify every sensor by its weight because even grams matter for car performance.
- Create derived channels by combining sensors since virtual channels add no physical weight.