Missed Apex Formula 1 Podcast Key F1 Strategy in 2026 So Far
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Mar 18, 2026 Mike Caulfield, former F1 chief strategist for top teams, breaks down the 2026 regs from a strategist’s POV. He covers tyre behaviour, overheating shifts, and how battery deployment changes race plans. Short chats explore undercut relevance, lapped-car tactics, telemetry limits, and how teams coordinate energy and tyre strategies.
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Tyres Still Decide Races In 2026
- Tyres remain crucial because they're the only contact with the road despite energy changes and lower cornering speeds under 2026 regs.
- Mike notes less overheating overall but greater issues at low-energy tracks like Baku where tires may fail to turn on.
Plan For The One To Two Stop Margin
- Leave strategic flexibility by designing races that straddle a one- and two-stop window so you can switch plans mid-race.
- Mike says a borderline two/one-stop race forces choices that create opportunities to gain places.
Driver Style Shapes Tyre Life
- Driver style and experience affect tyre drop-off under new ground-effect cars; rookies from F2/F3 often manage softer tyres better.
- Mike highlights Antonelli's F2/F3 tyre management tricks versus older F1 habits.