News
Sprint weekends: how the format works and what it changes
Sprint weekends compress practice and add a second race. Here is the schedule, the points and the strategic trade-offs.
Author
FormulaKite
The FormulaKite editorial desk covers Formula 1 news, race weekends and technical analysis. Every story is checked against primary sources before publication.
Race
Safety car or virtual safety car: what changes for strategy
Neutralisations can hand out free pit stops. We explain the difference between the SC and VSC and how teams react.
Analysis
Undercut versus overcut: when pitting first wins
Fresh tyres can gain time, but not always. We explain the conditions that make each move work.
Tech
Brakes at 300 km/h: carbon discs and brake-by-wire
F1 brakes run at extreme temperatures. We look at carbon materials and the rear brake-by-wire system.
Interviews
Tyre engineer: managing rubber across a race weekend
A demo interview format with a tyre engineer role on pressures, blankets and data.
News
Penalty points and race bans: how the licence system works
Drivers collect penalty points for incidents. Reach the limit and a race ban follows. Here is how the system counts.
Race
Wet races: intermediates, full wets and the crossover point
Rain turns strategy into guesswork. Here is how teams judge the moment to switch tyres.
Analysis
Top speed versus downforce: reading speed trap data
Speed traps reveal setup choices. A low drag car may be quick on straights and slow in corners.
Tech
Wind tunnel and CFD limits: the aerodynamic testing handicap
Aero testing allowances scale with championship position. Here is how the sliding scale works.
Interviews
The team doctor: fitness, heat and recovery in F1
How drivers prepare for heat and g-forces, in a demo interview format.
News
Why grid penalties for power unit parts keep catching teams out
Each driver has a limited pool of engine components. Exceed it and grid drops follow. We explain the allocation and the tactics.
Race
Parc fermé rules: why setup is frozen after qualifying
Once qualifying starts, cars enter parc fermé conditions. Here is what can and cannot change before the race.