Ben Waterhouse and Craig Skinner: the secrets behind the Team’s performance and design

Nicola Hume speaks to Head of Performance Engineering, Ben Waterhouse and Chief Designer, Craig Skinner on The Official Oracle Red Bull Racing Podcast, brought to you by HP Poly – delivering exclusive unrivalled access to the Team.

In this episode, Ben and Craig lift the lid on how they work everyday to improve the Team’s performance. They share what life is like in Milton Keynes, and the subtle differences between what the performance team do and what the design team do.

Also, they each bring an item to enter in our 'Oracle Red Bull Racing in 100 Objects' hall of fame, they answer a stack of your fan questions, plus we have a little game for them courtesy of HP Poly.

# Talking Ball: A Conversation with Ben Waterhouse and Craig Skinner

In this episode of the Talking Ball podcast, host Nicola Hume engages in a captivating discussion with Ben Waterhouse, Head of Performance Engineering, and Craig Skinner, Chief Designer at Oracle Red Bull Racing. They delve into the intricate world of Formula One racing, shedding light on their roles, the challenges they face, and the strategies they employ to maintain the team's winning streak.

**Key Insights:**

1. **Performance Engineering:**
- Ben Waterhouse leads a team that optimizes car performance for short-term race weekends, in-season developments, and long-term goals, including the upcoming 2026 regulation changes.

2. **Balancing Risk and Reward:**
- The team carefully evaluates risk versus reward when making decisions, considering factors such as car performance, driver safety, and reliability.

3. **Collaboration between Design and Performance Teams:**
- Craig Skinner, formerly a CFD engineer, transitioned to the design office to bridge the gap between aerodynamic aspirations and practical engineering solutions.

4. **Constant Innovation and Improvement:**
- Both Waterhouse and Skinner emphasize the relentless pursuit of performance gains, even in championship-winning cars, driven by the understanding that competitors are always pushing boundaries.

5. **Handling Pressure and Making Tough Decisions:**
- Waterhouse and Skinner acknowledge the pressure to deliver results but maintain open and honest conversations to find common ground and make the best decisions for the team.

6. **Importance of Data-Driven Decision-Making:**
- Simulation tools play a crucial role in evaluating performance and making informed choices, balancing the input from aerodynamicists, performance engineers, and stress engineers.

7. **The Art of Compromise:**
- The design process involves constant negotiation and compromise to reconcile the often-conflicting demands of different engineering disciplines.

8. **Learning from Failures:**
- Both experts agree that failures are valuable learning opportunities, leading to significant advancements and a higher chance of positive steps in the future.

9. **Focus on Continuous Improvement:**
- The team remains focused on incremental improvements rather than drastic changes, recognizing that small gains accumulate to make a substantial difference.

10. **Adapting to Changing Regulations:**
- The team is actively preparing for the 2026 regulation changes, particularly in the power unit area, while balancing current performance demands.


**From Exhaust Innovations to Revolutionary Designs**

Craig Skinner, with his expertise in aerodynamics, shares a remarkable story about an exhaust innovation that unlocked a significant performance boost for Red Bull Racing. This modification, initially dubbed with a humorous nickname, proved to be a game-changer, adding substantial speed and earning a place in the Hall of Fame of Red Bull's accomplishments.

Ben Waterhouse, on the other hand, takes us back to his early days at Red Bull, working on the RB1, his first Formula One car project. He reflects on the eye-opening experience of witnessing the entire process from start to finish, solidifying his passion for vehicle dynamics and steering his career toward defining suspension characteristics.

**Navigating the Challenges of Design and Engineering**

The discussion delves into the complexities of Formula One design and engineering, with both experts highlighting the challenges they face. Skinner emphasizes the importance of understanding the problem at hand before employing AI, as it requires teaching the system what to look for. Waterhouse, on the other hand, grapples with managing a large team, ensuring that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goal.

**The Art of Balancing Performance and Aesthetics**

When asked about the interplay between design and aesthetics, both experts agree that performance takes precedence over looks. They assert that if a component improves the car's speed, it will be incorporated, regardless of its appearance. The best-looking car, in their view, is the one that is the fastest.

**The Importance of Driver Feedback**

The role of driver feedback in the performance engineering process is also explored. Waterhouse emphasizes the crucial marriage between the vehicle and the driver, highlighting the need for compatibility and confidence in the car. He explains how driver characteristics and driving styles influence setup adjustments, ensuring that the car aligns with the driver's needs.

**Choosing Red Bull: A Journey of Passion and Expertise**

Skinner and Waterhouse share their reasons for choosing Red Bull as their professional home. Skinner was drawn to the opportunity to work with Adrian Newey, a legendary figure in Formula One design. Waterhouse, having worked with Toro Rosso, Red Bull's junior team, was eager to return to the organization due to its strong reputation and unique team dynamics.

**The HP Poly Challenge: A Test of Recognition**

The episode concludes with a fun challenge presented by HP Poly, Red Bull's partner in video and voice solutions. The challenge involves identifying four voices from a montage of Red Bull personnel. Despite their initial struggles, the experts eventually manage to correctly identify Checo, Mark Webber, Vittantonio Liuzzi, and Paul Moynihan.