Things you wanted to know about F1 tech but were too afraid to ask

It’s a Techtime special as Trumpets is joined by Matthew Somerfield, technical editor at Motorsport.Com as they get busy explaining all the complicated words they use . From aero concepts to tyre toe and camber (not a cheese) to who is going to win next season’s testing, no CFD testing restriction gets exceeded in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast.

Please consider supporting us on patreon. We exist only because of our patron support:

Missed Apex F1 is creating Podcasts

Or use our Tip Jar to support our 2024 advertising campaign and help us grow the podcast 

Intro music by Gareth Machray

All enquiries for custom music for TV, Games,  Podcasts and more email: [email protected]

Spanners Ready Spanners���� (@SpannersReady)

[email protected]

Spanners 🔧🔧 (@spannersready) • Instagram photos and videos

Spanners 🔧🔧 (@spannersready) on Threads

Matt Trumpets mattpt55 (@mattpt55)

[email protected]

Matt Trumpets (@[email protected])

Matt Trumpets (@mattpt55) on Instagram

Matt Trumpets (@mattpt55) on Threads

Matthew Somerfield: Matthew Somerfield 🅢🅞🅜🅔🅡🅢Ⓕ① (@SomersF1) / X 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

**Navigating the Technical Complexities of Formula One: A Comprehensive Discussion with Matthew Somerfield**

In this episode of Missed Apex Podcast, host Matt Trumpets delves into the intricate world of Formula One technology with special guest Matthew Somerfield, technical editor at Motorsport.com. The discussion explores various technical concepts, including aero concepts, tire toe and camber, and predictions for the upcoming 2024 season.

1. **Whole Car Aero Concept:**
- Definition: Whole car aero concept refers to the overall aerodynamic design philosophy adopted by a team for their Formula One car.
- Significance: At the start of a new regulation set, teams explore various aero concepts to optimize performance. These concepts can range from side pod designs to suspension layouts.
- Factors Influencing Concept Choice:
- Circuit characteristics, such as high-speed straights or low-speed corners, can influence the choice of aero concept.
- Power unit efficiency and energy deployment strategies also play a role in determining the optimal aero concept.

2. **Floor Design and Spy Photography:**
- Importance of Floor Design: The underbody performance of a Formula One car, particularly the floor design, has become a key differentiator in recent seasons.
- Spy Photography: Teams often engage in spy photography to gain insights into their rivals' floor designs and aerodynamic innovations.
- Limited Usefulness of Photographs: While photographs can provide valuable information, teams can only glean so much from static images.
- Data Acquisition and CFD Analysis: Teams rely on data acquisition and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to fully understand and optimize their floor designs.

3. **Tire Toe and Camber:**
- Toe and Camber Explained:
- Toe refers to the angle at which the tires point in or out relative to the car's centerline.
- Camber refers to the angle at which the tires tilt inward or outward from the vertical.
- Impact on Performance:
- Toe and camber settings affect the tire's contact patch with the road surface, influencing grip, tire wear, and overall handling.
- Teams fine-tune these settings to optimize tire performance for specific track conditions and car setups.

4. **McLaren's Resurgence and Mercedes' Challenges:**
- McLaren's Strong Performance:
- McLaren has made significant progress in the 2023 season, closing the gap to the top teams and challenging for podium finishes.
- The team's aerodynamic updates, particularly the adoption of a Red Bull-inspired side pod design, have contributed to their improved performance.
- Mercedes' Struggles:
- Mercedes has faced challenges with their W14 car, which has been dubbed a "Franken car" due to its hybrid design elements.
- The team started the season with a zero-pod concept but later shifted to a more conventional side pod design due to performance issues.
- Mercedes is working on a parallel development plan for 2024, aiming to converge their design philosophy with that of McLaren and Red Bull.

5. **Predictions for the 2024 Season:**
- Uncertainties:
- Predicting the outcome of the 2024 season is challenging due to the ongoing development of all teams' cars.
- Teams may introduce significant changes to their designs during the off-season, making it difficult to make accurate predictions.
- Potential Contenders:
- McLaren and Mercedes are expected to make further progress and challenge Red Bull for the championship in 2024.
- Ferrari remains a contender, but their history of strategic errors and reliability issues raises questions about their ability to sustain a title challenge.
- Red Bull, with their current dominance and strong development capabilities, is a formidable opponent for the upcoming season.

Overall, the podcast episode provides an informative and engaging discussion on various technical aspects of Formula One, offering insights into the complexities of car design, tire performance, and the competitive dynamics between teams. **Missed Apex Podcast Episode Transcript Summary**

**Hosts:** Matt Trumpets, Matthew Somerfield

**Key Discussion Points:**

* Technical intricacies and jargon used in Formula One racing
* Detailed analysis of aerodynamic concepts, tire toe and camber, and predictions for the upcoming testing season

**In-Depth Summary:**

1. **Technical Jargon Demystified:**

- The podcast aims to explain complex technical terms and concepts used in Formula One racing.
- Hosts Matt Trumpets and Matthew Somerfield provide insightful explanations and engage in lively discussions to simplify these concepts for listeners.

2. **Aerodynamic Insights:**

- The episode delves into the world of aerodynamics, focusing on aspects like aero-elasticity, front wing and rear wing designs, and their impact on car performance.
- Technical directives issued by the FIA to address issues related to bending and flexing of aerodynamic components are analyzed.
- The impact of these directives on teams like Red Bull, Aston Martin, and McLaren is discussed.

3. **Aston Martin's Performance Struggles:**

- The podcast explores the reasons behind Aston Martin's loss of performance during the season.
- Factors such as development cul-de-sacs, U-turns on design decisions, and the team's pursuit of the "water slide" concept are examined.
- The impact of these issues on Aston Martin's overall performance is analyzed.

4. **Pushrod vs. Pullrod Suspension Systems:**

- The episode compares the advantages and disadvantages of pushrod and pullrod suspension systems in Formula One cars.
- The discussion highlights the trade-offs teams face in terms of weight distribution, packaging, and aerodynamic efficiency.
- The impact of these suspension systems on car stability and overall performance is analyzed.

5. **Haas's Major Upgrade and Ferrari Connection:**

- The podcast discusses Haas's significant upgrade package for the Circuit of the Americas race.
- The team's decision to rent a special garage to expedite the build process is examined.
- The potential impact of the upgrade on Haas's performance is analyzed.
- The question of whether Haas is moving away from its reliance on Ferrari components and taking a more independent design direction is raised.

6. **Technical Innovations and Future Outlook:**

- The episode concludes with a brief discussion about the potential for further technical innovations in Formula One.
- The hosts speculate on areas where teams might focus their development efforts in the future.
- The importance of finding marginal gains and pushing the boundaries of performance is emphasized.

**Overall, the podcast provides an informative and engaging exploration of various technical aspects of Formula One racing, offering insights into the challenges and complexities faced by teams in their pursuit of performance and success.** # Missed Apex Podcast: Tech Time Special

## Summary:

* **Intro:** Hosts Matt Trumpets and Matthew Somerfield discuss the complexities of technical terms used in Formula One racing and how they will simplify these concepts for listeners.

* **Main Discussion:**

* **Aero Concepts:**
* Somerfield explains the significance of aerodynamics in F1, particularly the role of the front and rear wings in generating downforce.
* He emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between downforce and drag to optimize car performance.

* **Tire Toe and Camber:**
* Somerfield clarifies the difference between tire toe and camber, which are crucial factors in optimizing tire contact with the track surface.
* He explains how these adjustments can affect tire wear and overall car handling.

* **2024 Car Development:**
* Somerfield sheds light on the upcoming 2024 car regulations, which will bring significant changes to the design and performance of F1 cars.
* He mentions that teams are already working on developing these new cars, focusing on areas that will be affected by the regulation changes.

* **Circuit-Specific Updates:**
* Somerfield discusses the practice of teams bringing circuit-specific updates to improve car performance on certain tracks.
* He highlights that these updates are designed to optimize downforce and drag levels for specific circuit characteristics.

* **McLaren's Use of Recycled Carbon Fiber:**
* Somerfield acknowledges McLaren's efforts in utilizing recycled carbon fiber in their car components.
* He explains that this initiative aims to reduce the environmental footprint of the team and potentially lead to cost savings.

* **Energy Deployment and Tire Degradation:**
* Somerfield addresses Ferrari's recent comments about improving tire degradation by optimizing energy deployment.
* He explains the relationship between energy deployment and traction, suggesting that Ferrari may have found a better way to manage energy usage, resulting in reduced tire wear.

* **Conclusion:**

* Trumpets and Somerfield wrap up the discussion by emphasizing the importance of understanding technical concepts in F1 to appreciate the intricacies of the sport.
* They encourage listeners to engage with the podcast and ask questions about any technical aspects they find confusing.