2022 Austrian GP w/ Craig Scarborough

This episode is a special one because we have a celebrity on the show. Craig Scarborough aka @ScarbsTech is in the house. Craig Scarboroughis an institution of technical knowledge in F1. He hosts the F1's official Tech Talk show on F1TV and has been an lifelong F1 fan too! He is the "go to" person for tech in F1 and has been a powerhouse on Twitter answering everyone's questions.

The 2022 Austrian GP sees some great battles. The Ferrari of Charles wins but other other Ferrari ends up in literal flames. The RBR of Max makes it through the finish line but Perez DNF’s. Mick’s best finish, Strolls great drive and the super amazing 5 way battle. 

We have special insights from Scarbs on the race events and beyond. Stick to the end to get future of F1 insights too!!! 

In this Episode we discuss:

1. Scarb's Tech Corner 🤓 

Follow Scarbs on his socials:

Instagram: @scarbstech 

Twitter: @ScarbsTech 

Reddit: u/scarbstech

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Music:

Intro: Howling (Sting) - Gunnar Olsen

Outro: Your Intro by Audionautix

**Introduction**

* This episode of the F1 Fan Fiction podcast features a special guest, Craig Scarborough, also known as Scarbs Tech, a renowned F1 journalist and technical expert.

**Race Highlights**

* The Austrian Grand Prix witnessed exciting battles throughout the race.
* Ferrari's Charles Leclerc secured the victory, while his teammate Carlos Sainz suffered a fiery retirement.
* Max Verstappen finished the race, but his teammate Sergio Perez faced a DNF.
* Mick Schumacher achieved his best finish of sixth place and was awarded Driver of the Day.
* Lewis Hamilton's winless streak extended to 12 races, marking his longest drought in Formula One.

**Scarb's Favorite Moment**

* Scarbs highlights the entertaining five-way battle in the midfield, resembling a Moto3 race, as his favorite moment of the race.

**Technical Insights from Scarbs**

* Scarbs emphasizes the importance of overtaking in Formula One, given the difficulty in getting close to other cars due to the new regulations.
* He commends the two recent races for delivering fantastic racing, showcasing the positive impact of the regulation changes.

**Stats and Trivia**

* Esteban Ocon reached his 100th Grand Prix and climbed to eighth place in the Driver's Championship, surpassing Valtteri Bottas.
* Alain Prost's record of wins at the Styrian Grand Prix remains unbroken.
* Mick Schumacher's sixth-place finish was his best career result.
* Lewis Hamilton's winless streak reached 12 races, the longest in his career.
* Michael Schumacher is the only Austrian to have won on this track.

**Scarb's Perspective on Stats**

* Scarbs downplays the significance of certain statistics, as they can be manipulated to fit narratives.
* He finds Ocon's rise in the Driver's Championship surprising, given Alpine's disappointing season.

**Alonso's Strategy and Sainz's Retirement**

* Scarbs acknowledges Alonso's effective strategy of forming trains, allowing him to gain points consistently.
* He attributes Sainz's retirement to a turbocharger failure, similar to the issue Leclerc experienced in Baku.
* Scarbs expresses concern about the reliability issues faced by both Ferrari and Red Bull, which have opened the door for Mercedes to challenge for the championship.

**Max Verstappen's Car Issues**

* Scarbs explains Verstappen's inconsistent performance during the race, attributing it to the Red Bull car's sensitivity to track conditions and wind changes.
* He contrasts Verstappen's ability to cope with a challenging car with Perez's preference for a more predictable car.

**Flex Floor Controversy**

* Scarbs discusses the upcoming technical directive aimed at addressing the flex floor controversy, which involves teams using disappearing skid blocks and two-piece floor planks to gain an aerodynamic advantage.
* He highlights the difficulty in determining which teams are exploiting these loopholes, as the regulations are ambiguous.
* Scarbs emphasizes the need for clarification and enforcement of the regulations to ensure fair competition.

**Conclusion**

* The podcast concludes with a reminder of the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, where the new technical directive will come into effect. # Austrian Grand Prix: Analyzing the Action

**Introduction:**

This episode of the podcast features a special guest, Craig Scarborough, also known as ScarbsTech. ScarbsTech is a renowned expert in Formula One technical knowledge, hosting the official F1 Tech Talk show on F1TV and sharing his insights on social media platforms. In this episode, ScarbsTech joins the hosts to discuss the Austrian Grand Prix, offering unique perspectives on the race events and providing insights into the future of Formula One.

**Race Highlights and Insights:**

- Charles Leclerc's victory in the Austrian GP, despite damage to his front wing endplate, is attributed to the reduced impact of the endplate on downforce due to the new regulations.

- Mick Schumacher's improved performance is seen as a culmination of his one-and-a-half-year learning process, similar to his career trajectory in lower categories.

- Stroll's strong race is attributed to his comfort with the Aston Martin car, which suits his driving style and allows the team to optimize setups and tire strategies.

- The battle royale involving Alonso, Ocon, Schumacher, Norris, and Magnussen is hailed as a testament to the improved racing facilitated by the new regulations.

- The DRS system is discussed, with ScarbsTech suggesting a potential rule change to limit the number of DRS applications per race to make it more tactical.

**Technical Insights and Innovations:**

- ScarbsTech highlights the Ferrari side pods as the most interesting innovation of the season, as their unconventional design has proven effective.

- The trend of teams adopting and adapting ideas from other constructors is noted, leading to a convergence of designs and potentially two distinct camps next year.

- The challenge of science communication in Formula One is addressed, with ScarbsTech emphasizing the need to strike a balance between simplifying concepts and maintaining technical accuracy.

- The upcoming gearbox regulation changes are discussed, with ScarbsTech speculating that teams may make adjustments to their gear ratios, particularly those that have significantly altered their philosophies.

**Future of Formula One:**

- ScarbsTech shares his thoughts on the future of Formula One, suggesting that the sport may move towards more standardized components and a focus on sustainability.

- The potential impact of new technologies, such as active suspension and AI, on Formula One is also explored.

**Overall:**

This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the Austrian Grand Prix, featuring expert insights from ScarbsTech on various aspects of the race, technical innovations, and the future of Formula One. The discussion is informative, engaging, and offers a unique perspective on the sport. # Formula One: Austrian Grand Prix Recap and Future of F1 Insights

## Overview:

* The Austrian Grand Prix featured exciting battles, including Charles Leclerc's victory, Carlos Sainz's unfortunate retirement, and Max Verstappen's successful finish despite Sergio Perez's DNF.
* Special guest Craig Scarborough, also known as ScarbsTech, provided expert insights on the race events and offered his perspective on the future of Formula One.

## Scarb's Tech Corner:

* ScarbsTech highlighted the technical aspects of the race, such as the potential impact of teams changing final drive gearing ratios for Monza and the challenges of managing fuel consumption and tire wear.

## Engine Regulation Changes for 2026:

* Formula One is introducing significant engine regulation changes in 2026, aiming for more sustainable fuels and a focus on electric power.
* The new regulations will eliminate the NGUH hybrid motor and enhance the MG UK's power, resulting in a more balanced power distribution between combustion and recovered energy.
* Cost-saving measures will include a spec crankcase and a focus on developing cylinder heads.

## Chassis Regulation Changes for 2026:

* The 2026 regulations aim to make cars shorter, lighter, and more sustainable.
* Reducing the wheelbase and implementing active suspension and active aero are being considered to improve performance and efficiency.
* The goal is to create cars that are more agile, fuel-efficient, and environmentally friendly.

## ScarbsTech's Concluding Remarks:

* ScarbsTech expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming changes and emphasized the importance of looking beyond 2026 to explore innovative powertrain options and drive configurations.
* He encouraged fans to continue following Formula One and enjoying the exciting racing action.

## Overall Message:

The podcast provided an in-depth analysis of the Austrian Grand Prix and offered valuable insights into the future of Formula One. ScarbsTech's expertise and passion for the sport made this episode informative and engaging for Formula One enthusiasts.