The Race F1 Tech Show What makes a good 'technical' driver?
Nov 20, 2025
Gary Anderson, a veteran Formula 1 engineer, shares his insights on what defines a 'technical' driver. He emphasizes the importance of mental capacity for analyzing car behavior and providing effective feedback. Discussions include strategies for improving overtaking and critiquing recent comments from Ferrari's chairman that could affect morale. Gary highlights the relationship between data and driver-engineer communication, suggesting that limiting live telemetry could enhance collaboration. He also ponders the future of F1 powertrains and critiques the decision to remove the MGU-H.
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Prefer Iterative Rule Evolution
- Regulation change should follow a consistent direction of travel rather than radical resets each cycle.
- Gary argues for iterative tweaks instead of large 'light switch' rule overhauls.
Mental Capacity Defines Technical Drivers
- 'Technical' drivers excel when they retain mental capacity to analyse while driving.
- Gary stresses calm, fingertip control lets drivers store sensations and give useful feedback.
Data Can Mislead Without Human Readback
- Heavy reliance on data can reduce direct engineer-driver dialogue and mislead decisions.
- Gary cites Red Bull's Brazil example where data didn't prevent a radical setup change.