F1 Explains Fernando Alonso, Pedro de la Rosa + Tom McCullough explain F1 car set-up
May 3, 2024
Pedro de la Rosa, a former F1 driver and current Aston Martin ambassador, teams up with Fernando Alonso and Performance Director Tom McCullough to decode the art of F1 car setups. They liken a Formula 1 car to a finely tuned instrument, discussing how aerodynamics and suspension tweaks can drastically affect performance on varying tracks like Miami. The trio shares fascinating insights on balancing driver feedback with engineering challenges, emphasizing how small adjustments can lead to big wins in the high-stakes world of racing.
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Setup Is About Behavior, Not Parts
- Setup means making the car behave how you want while being as fast as possible.
- Engineers adjust aero, dampers, springs, roll bars, ride heights and geometries to achieve that balance.
Aero And Tyres Drive Lap Time
- Aerodynamics and tyres are the two biggest performance differentiators on track.
- Suspension is used mainly to fine-tune the aero-tyre interaction rather than generate large lap-time gains.
Prioritise Quick Changes And Simulate First
- Prioritise front wing flap angle and anti-roll bars during limited practice time.
- Use simulation and correlating tools beforehand to save track time and guide setup decisions.