The Race F1 Podcast Tech Show: Why wind plays havoc with F1 cars + Explaining Red Bull’s recent renaissance
Sep 25, 2025
Gary Anderson, an experienced Formula 1 engineer known for his work on the Jordan 191, joins to explain how gusty winds in Baku challenged drivers' car balance, as headwinds increase downforce while tailwinds reduce it. He discusses the differences in wind sensitivity among cars and the role of turbulent airflow in grip loss. Anderson also reveals how Red Bull's recent gains come from smarter setups and improved driver feedback, predicting that these advantages will carry over to the upcoming Singapore track.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
How Gusts Shift Car Balance
- Gusty wind causes rapid, large swings in aerodynamic downforce that shift balance unpredictably.
- Headwinds increase overall downforce while tailwinds rapidly reduce rear downforce, upsetting stability.
Turbulence Is Like Airplane Turbulence
- Wind creates airflow separation and turbulence akin to an airplane hitting turbulence, causing sudden loss of grip.
- Built environment like city tunnels amplifies gust effects and makes certain corner entries especially hazardous.
Examples Of Gusts Causing Crashes
- Drivers described qualifying gusts catching them out at specific corners, making lap outcomes a lottery.
- Gary cites Albon's wall hit and Verstappen's reactive corrections as examples of split-second gust consequences.