How data helps F1 drivers go faster - with McLaren's Tom Stallard + Jolyon Palmer

How data helps F1 drivers go faster - with McLaren's Tom Stallard + Jolyon Palmer

From F1 Explains by Formula 1

October 31, 2025 · 35 min

About this episode

The episode explores how F1 drivers use data to improve their performance on the track.

When Formula 1 drivers want to go faster, they study squiggly lines on a screen. This is F1 data, showing how drivers accelerate, brake, steer and more. Hidden in the squiggles are the secrets of speed. Tom Stallard, Race Engineer to Oscar Piastri at McLaren, and former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer join Christian Hewgill to decode F1 data. Tom answers your questions on what data is recorded, how it is fed back to the teams by hundreds of sensors on each car, and how engineers analyse thousands of pieces of information. Jolyon explains how F1 drivers study their own data to find improvements, what they can learn from looking at their team mates and rivals' data, and the data drivers need to know during qualifying and races. Got a question? We'll find the best person to answer it Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com Witness the crowning of the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Tickets for Las Vegas now available at f1lasvegasgp.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with the stars of Formula 1 on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert insight before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

People in this episode

Host: Christian Hewgill

Guests: Tom Stallard, Jolyon Palmer

Topics covered

  • F1 data analysis
  • driver performance
  • race engineering
  • data interpretation
  • qualifying strategies

Keywords

  • F1
  • data
  • drivers
  • performance
  • engineering
  • qualifying
  • sensors
  • analysis

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: McLaren, Formula 1

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