F1 Explains

Priceless cars, team headquarters, crucial equipment, thousands of spare parts, tyres, fuel... and the Team Principal's favourite coffee. Every item F1 teams need to compete is moved from race to race by an amazing team of logistics experts. Formula 1's Global Logistics Partner, DHL, moves the sport around the world. It's a year-round, tight deadline task which is being achieved more sustainably than ever before - using bio-fuelled trucks and efficient freighter aircraft. Paul Fowler, DHL Vice President of Global Motorsport, tells us how the company gets F1 from track to track. Giorgia Tirabassi, DHL Trackside Co-ordinator - reveals the behind-the-scenes work to make sure F1 teams have everything they need in time to race, and how she handles the unexpected challenge of a last-minute delivery Every Formula 1 team has its own logistics staff. Alfa Romeo's Deputy Head of Race Part Logistics, Josef Pfandl, explains how he moves tens of thousands of parts from race to race. Plus, how F1 team motorhomes are transported, and what it's like to drive a truck packed with invaluable F1 equipment across Europe. Got a question about how F1 works? Christian, Katie and our team of experts would love to answer it. Record a voice note on your phone or write us an email and send it to Why@F1.com Check out our previous episodes: How F1 racetracks are designed - with the masterminds of Miami How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.

High-speed corners or tricky hairpins? Flat-out straights or tight chicanes? Every Formula 1 racetrack is a unique challenge for the drivers and teams, and the work to create them is a blend of artistry and engineering. F1 Explains how F1 circuits go from a sketch on a piece of paper, through state-of-the-art digital simulation, to reality. What are the challenges of building a racetrack? How are they designed to allow close racing, overtaking and interesting strategy? Christian and Katie put your questions on track design to the team from Apex Circuit Design, who were behind the Miami International Autodrome: Dafydd Broom - Managing Director Andrew Wallis - Engineering Director We want to answer your F1 question. Record a voice note on your phone or write us an email and send it to Why@F1.com Check out our previous episodes: How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.

Ferrari is red, Red Bull is blue... F1 car liveries are much more than paint and stickers. They're part of a team's identity, they're worth money to sponsors and they can even affect how the car performs on track.  F1 Explains how F1 car liveries are created with the help of two experts: Markus Höpperger tells us how Alfa Romeo's livery is designed and how paint schemes, sponsor placement and graphics are chosen McLaren's Louise McEwen explains why the team turned papaya and how they decide when to run special liveries like the 'chrome', 'Triple Crown' and 'stealth' looks from 2023. Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne talk paint, carbon fibre, sponsors and stickers and explore how liveries can affect laptimes on-track. We want to answer your F1 question. Record a voice note on your phone or write us an email and send it to Why@F1.com Check out our previous episodes: The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.

Experts Pete McKnight and David Coulthard discuss the mental challenges faced by F1 drivers, including the importance of mentality, staying calm under pressure, the role of performance coaches, and the significance of self-belief and feedback in dealing with crashes and traumatic events.

Each one is different, but they're all high-tech pieces of equipment made of military-spec materials, designed to work in extreme conditions. F1 steering wheels do so much more than turn the car.  Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne explore steering wheels with the help of two expert guests: Jose Manuel Lopez, Mclaren Principal Race Engineer Jolyon Palmer, former F1 driver with Renault and GP2 champion Jose and Jolyon tell us how wheels are designed, what all the buttons do, how drivers learn their wheels, how they make sure their unique wheel works best for them, and what happens if a driver hits the wrong button.  If you have an F1 question you'd like answered, write or record it and email it to Why@F1.com Level-up your F1 knowledge with our previous episodes: DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.

Who decides where F1 teams do their pit stops? How do F1 cars and racetrack corners get their names? How much is F1's prize pot? Race-winning strategist Bernie Collins and award-winning F1TV commentator Alex Jacques are back with Katie and Christian to answer more of your questions. Along the way you'll hear which F1 car is named after a team founders' wife, the different ways F1 corners get their names, and why drivers leave it until the last possible moment to do their qualifying laps. We'd love to answer your question about F1. Whatever the topic, record it as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to us at Why@F1.com Listen to our other quickfire question specials: Trophies, travel + 'pace in the car' - with Will Buxton + Bernie Collins F1 cars, upgrades + 'copycats' - with Bernie Collins + Will Buxton Tyres, Championship points + car set-up - with Bernie Collins + Lawrence Barretto 'Undercuts', red lights + F1 jobs - with Lawrence Barretto + Bernie Collins For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.

How do F1 race starts work? Can you score a podium in F1 Sprint? What are the rules on teams sharing reserve drivers? You ask, F1 Explains with the help of F1TV commentator Alex Jacques and F1 strategist Bernie Collins.  The team explains why F1 Grands Prix start when five red lights go out, explore the history of F1 race starts, and Alex reveals the secrets to commentating on the action-packed opening moments of a race.  Plus, how is a top 3 finish in F1 Sprint officially recorded, which teams have deals to share their reserve drivers, why are F1 rule changes announced years before they come into effect, and how do race strategists like Bernie work out how fast their car will be in a race? Send Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill your latest Formula 1 question and F1 Explains will tackle it in a future episode. Write an email or record and attach a voice note and send it to Why@F1.com F1 Explains tackles a different F1 topic every week. Check out our previous episodes using the links below: DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.

Emel Cankaya, McLaren Aerodynamics Specialist, explains the physics of DRS and why it makes cars go faster. The podcast discusses the introduction of DRS, its impact on overtaking, and the strategic use of DRS in Formula 1 racing. They also explore the effects of slipstream and dirty air on aerodynamic performance and tire/engine temperature.

Former F1 racer Jolyon Palmer and Mario Isola, Head of Motorsport for Pirelli, discuss the importance of F1 tires, including compounds, wear, and selection process. They explore the differences between F1 and road tires, sustainability efforts, and the surprising performance of intermediate tires in the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix.

Racing more regionally. New power for the F1 Paddock. Game-changing fuels for F1 cars and, potentially, your car. Big things are happening to help make Formula 1 more sustainable. Christian and Katie ask F1's Head of Sustainability, Ellen Jones, why re-organising the race calendar for 2024 will help reduce the sport's carbon footprint. Ellen also reveals how F1's trialling new ways of reducing the amount of energy used at races and developing a game-changing sustainable fuel with potential to transform the way we all travel in the future.  McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, and Sustainability Director Kim Wilson reveal how Lando Norris' race seat and the lake outside their factory are helping the team cut carbon.  We'd love to answer your F1 question. Record or write it, then email it to Why@F1.com Why not listen to another episode? Trophies, travel + 'pace in the car' - Your Questions Answered Your F1 Car Questions Answered by Bernie Collins + Will Buxton Why are F1 wind tunnels top secret? Why do F1 drivers need race engineers? with Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu Why are pit stops so important?  Why do F1 teams need simulators? with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023? Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.