{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"F1 Explains: Race Engineers - with Haas F1 Team's Laura Müller","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/f1-explains-race-engineers-with-haas-f1-team-s-laura-muller","audioUrl":"https://pdst.fm/e/arttrk.com/p/ABMA5/pscrb.fm/rss/p/prfx.byspotify.com/e/clrtpod.com/m/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/audioboom.com/posts/8899395.mp3?modified=1778059417&sid=5024396&source=rss","description":"\nWhy do they say 'box, box, box', not 'pit, pit, pit'? What makes them fume on the radio? How has their job changed in 2026? F1 Race Engineers are the voice in the driver's ear, passing on information, listening to feedback, working together to get the best result possible. Laura Müller, Race Engineer for Esteban Ocon at Haas, joins Christian Hewgill to laugh a lot and also to answer your questions on F1 car set-up, how teams know how fast their rivals are, how she became a race engineer and why a Safety Car can make her very happy or very annoyed...F1 Explains is here to answer your F1 questionsSend them to F1Explains@F1.comListen to more Official F1 PodcastsIn-depth conversations with big F1 names (including Laura) on F1 Beyond The GridExpert opinion every race weekend on F1 Nation - find the latest episode here on this podcast feedThis November, F1 takes over Las Vegas The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns November 19 - 21, 2026 — and tickets are on sale now! Be there for the fastest weekend of the year. Click here for tickets"},"annotations":[{"startTime":14.2,"endTime":23.1,"type":"topic","title":"race engineer","url":"/glossary/race-engineer","quote":"usually the only person to speak to a driver while they're in the cockpit is their race engineer. It's one of the trickiest jobs in the sport, so you really need your wits about you.","canonicalId":"topic:race-engineer","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In Formula One, the race engineer is the key engineer who communicates with the driver during a race. They translate car and track data into instructions—like setup changes and strategy calls—so the driver can adapt in real time.","simplifiedExplanation":"A race engineer is the person in F1 who talks to the driver during the race. They use information from the car to help the driver make the right decisions while driving."}},{"startTime":19.4,"endTime":23.1,"type":"term","title":"cockpit","url":"/glossary/cockpit","quote":"usually the only person to speak to a driver while they're in the cockpit is their race engineer. It's one of the trickiest jobs in the sport, so you really need your wits about you.","canonicalId":"term:cockpit","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.6,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In racing, the cockpit refers to the driver’s enclosed seating area inside the car. It’s where the driver controls the car and receives communications during a race.","simplifiedExplanation":"The cockpit is the driver’s seat area inside the race car. It’s where the driver sits and operates the car."}},{"startTime":28.6,"endTime":34.0,"type":"topic","title":"new era of Formula One","quote":"But now in this new era of Formula One, has it become even more challenging? [34.0s] Welcome to F1 Explains.","canonicalId":"topic:new-era-of-formula-one","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The “new era” of Formula One refers to a period of rule and technical changes that affect how teams design cars and run races. Those changes can make communication and race engineering more complex because the car’s behavior and strategy constraints shift.","simplifiedExplanation":"The “new era” means F1 has changed its rules and car technology. Those changes can make the engineer’s job harder because the cars behave differently and strategy is different too."}},{"startTime":324.0,"endTime":326.2,"type":"term","title":"new regs","url":"/glossary/new-regs","quote":"Lou's question. [324.0s] What are these new regs like for race engineers? [326.2s] I think they're quite similar, difficult or interesting as for the drivers because, you","canonicalId":"term:new-regs","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.72,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Regs” is short for regulations. In Formula 1, new technical regulations can change how cars are designed and how race engineers set up and manage the car.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Regs” means the rules. When F1 changes the rules, engineers have to adjust how the car is built and tuned."}},{"startTime":347.0,"endTime":351.02,"type":"term","title":"MG UK","url":"/glossary/mguk","quote":"OK, so you have an MG UK, which is a electrical motor. [347.0s] OK, so you have an MG UK, which is a electrical motor.","canonicalId":"term:mg-uk","priority":0.8,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"MG UK refers to the “Motor Generator unit – Kinetic” used in F1’s hybrid system. It can both generate electricity during braking (harvesting energy) and provide electric torque to help accelerate.","simplifiedExplanation":"MG UK is part of the hybrid system in F1. It can capture energy when you slow down and then help power the car when you accelerate."}},{"startTime":347.0,"endTime":351.02,"type":"term","title":"electrical motor","url":"/glossary/electrical-motor","quote":"OK, so you have an MG UK, which is a electrical motor. [347.0s] OK, so you have an MG UK, which is a electrical motor.","canonicalId":"term:electrical-motor","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"An electrical motor is an electric machine that produces rotational power using electricity. In modern F1 hybrid power units, electric motors work alongside the combustion engine to provide extra propulsion and energy recovery.","simplifiedExplanation":"An electrical motor is a motor that runs on electricity. In hybrid race cars, it helps drive the car and can also store or reuse energy."}},{"startTime":351.32,"endTime":356.5,"type":"term","title":"Motor generator unit kinetic","url":"/glossary/motor-generator-unit-kinetic","quote":"Motor generator unit kinetic.\nSo you've got that.\nSo we've used to have that.\nWe still have it.","canonicalId":"term:motor-generator-unit-kinetic","priority":0.85,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In F1, the motor-generator unit (MGU) can harvest energy from the car’s motion. The “kinetic” part refers to recovering energy during braking and other deceleration phases, then using it later to add power.","simplifiedExplanation":"F1 cars have a system that can “store” energy. This part uses the car’s movement—especially when slowing down—to capture energy and then release it later for extra acceleration."}},{"startTime":356.5,"endTime":361.6,"type":"term","title":"horsepower","url":"/glossary/horsepower","quote":"It's just it's increased in priority because obviously it has to deliver more of your horsepower.\nSo, you know, now you just have to focus yourself away from your engine power more to your kinetic\npower.","canonicalId":"term:horsepower","priority":0.8,"confidence":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Horsepower is a measure of engine power output. In this context, the MGU’s recovered energy must be sufficient to deliver more of the car’s overall power, so energy management becomes a key performance limiter.","simplifiedExplanation":"Horsepower is a way to describe how much power the car can make. Here, it matters because the energy system has to provide enough extra power to keep the car fast."}},{"startTime":361.6,"endTime":441.0,"type":"concept","title":"energy management","url":"/glossary/energy-management","quote":"So, you know, now you just have to focus yourself away from your engine power more to your kinetic\npower. And, yeah, it's just, you know, your focus changes a bit.\nYou're still trying to make the fastest car now, of course, with the limitations of where\nyou're recharging, where you're charging and all this stuff.","canonicalId":"concept:energy-management","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.82,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Energy management in modern F1 is about deciding when to harvest energy and when to deploy it for acceleration. Because the car can only recharge and use energy in certain places, the race engineer and driver must optimize the lap around those constraints rather than just chasing peak speed.","simplifiedExplanation":"Energy management means deciding when to save energy and when to use it to go faster. In F1, you can’t always recharge or deploy energy everywhere on the track, so strategy and driving have to match those limits."}},{"startTime":373.5,"endTime":382.5,"type":"term","title":"recharging","url":"/glossary/recharging","quote":"You're still trying to make the fastest car now, of course, with the limitations of where\nyou're recharging, where you're charging and all this stuff.\nSo you just you've just added another limitation or option to how you set up your car.","canonicalId":"term:recharging","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Recharging” refers to the process of storing energy back into the hybrid system during specific driving phases. In F1, it’s constrained by braking and traction events, so where and when you can recharge directly affects how much power you have later.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Recharging” is when the car stores energy again. You can only do it at certain times on track, so it affects when you can get extra boost later."}},{"startTime":404.9,"endTime":414.0,"type":"concept","title":"deploy","url":"/glossary/deploy","quote":"They have to kind of understand how\nto work with this new regulations, you know, where to deploy more or this stuff.\nThey have to kind of organically understand what loses them time and what doesn't, because","canonicalId":"concept:deploy","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.72,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In F1 energy terms, “deploy” means using stored hybrid energy to add power at the wheels. The driver and race engineer coordinate deployment timing so the car is fast where it matters without wasting energy that could be used later.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Deploy” means using the stored extra energy to make the car accelerate harder. The goal is to use it at the right moments so you don’t run out too early."}},{"startTime":419.1,"endTime":425.4,"type":"concept","title":"efficiency","url":"/glossary/efficiency","quote":"Because for those new to F1, we should remind our listeners that the race engineer is the\nonly person the driver can hear when they're out on track.\nShould hear or being well.\nSo I'd say a lot falls on the driver as well, because they have to kind of understand how\nto work with this new regulations, you know, where to deploy more or this stuff.\nThey have to kind of organically understand what loses them time and what doesn't, because\nlike a lot of times now it's not about how fast you can exit a corner, but how efficient\nand all these kind of things.","canonicalId":"concept:efficiency","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.6,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Here, “efficiency” means getting the most performance out of limited energy and traction rather than simply maximizing raw speed. With hybrid constraints, small losses in how you manage energy and corner exits can cost more time than before.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Efficiency” means using the car’s limited energy in the smartest way. Instead of just being the fastest, you try to avoid wasting energy so you keep the car quick lap after lap."}},{"startTime":459.2,"endTime":466.0,"type":"term","title":"batteries charge before the hot lap","url":"/glossary/batteries-charge-before-the-hot-lap","quote":"for race engineer, particularly with making sure the batteries charge before the hot lap. How's qualifying been?","canonicalId":"term:batteries-charge-before-the-hot-lap","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.72,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In Formula 1, the car’s energy system has to be managed so the battery state is ready for the single fastest run (“hot lap”). Race engineers plan energy usage so the driver can deploy maximum performance when it matters most.","simplifiedExplanation":"F1 cars don’t just use fuel—they also store energy in batteries. The team tries to make sure the battery has enough charge so the driver can use the car’s best power for the one quick lap that counts."}},{"startTime":468.0,"endTime":472.0,"type":"term","title":"launch","url":"/glossary/launch","quote":"at some tracks, you really have to to get the moment right where you we call it launch. So where you go on full throttle, just because of, you know, the deployment regulations","canonicalId":"term:launch","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In this context, “launch” means the moment the car accelerates hard from the start of a qualifying run. Engineers focus on getting the timing and power delivery right so the driver can go full throttle without wasting limited energy early.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Launch” here is the critical moment when the car starts accelerating hard. The team wants it timed perfectly so the driver can use the car’s power efficiently right away."}},{"startTime":472.0,"endTime":475.4,"type":"term","title":"full throttle","url":"/glossary/full-throttle","quote":"So where you go on full throttle, just because of, you know, the deployment regulations, you don't want to deploy any energy before you actually need it.","canonicalId":"term:full-throttle","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Full throttle” means the driver is requesting maximum engine power by fully opening the throttle. In qualifying, engineers coordinate full-throttle moments with energy limits so the car accelerates strongly without violating deployment rules."}},{"startTime":499.5,"endTime":503.0,"type":"term","title":"partial","quote":"where to, you know, go on full throttle, where to, you know, do partial and all this kind of stuff.","canonicalId":"term:partial","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.6,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Partial” refers to using less than maximum power during parts of the lap. Engineers use partial-throttle/partial-power phases to stay within energy deployment limits while still setting up the driver to hit full performance at the right moment.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Partial” means not using the car at its absolute maximum power all the time. The team uses gentler power in some sections so the driver can save the best performance for later in the lap."}},{"startTime":585.3,"endTime":598.58,"type":"term","title":"car setup","url":"/glossary/car-setup","quote":"I've just been listening to the latest episode with Bernie Collins, and she mentioned car setup. And it made me wonder, what does she mean by car setup and what's involved in setting up the cars?","canonicalId":"term:car-setup","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In Formula 1, “car setup” is the set of adjustments engineers make to match the car to a specific driver and track. It typically covers things like suspension settings, aerodynamic balance, and tire pressures so the car behaves predictably in corners, braking, and on exit.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Car setup” means tuning the race car for a particular track and driver. Engineers change settings so the car turns, grips, and brakes the way the driver wants."}},{"startTime":633.3,"endTime":641.8,"type":"term","title":"suspension setup","url":"/glossary/suspension-setup","quote":"So the setup of the car broadly means the suspension setup of the car, the ride hides, the downforce, all these kind of things.","canonicalId":"term:suspension-setup","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Suspension setup” refers to the configuration of the suspension system—how the car’s springs, dampers, and geometry are adjusted. In F1, it strongly affects grip, tire wear, and how the car stays stable under braking, acceleration, and cornering.","simplifiedExplanation":"Suspension setup is how the car’s shock absorbers and related settings are adjusted. It changes how the tires stay in contact with the road, which affects handling and tire life."}},{"startTime":636.0,"endTime":638.8,"type":"term","title":"ride hides","quote":"So the setup of the car broadly means the suspension setup of the car, the ride hides, the downforce, all these kind of things.","canonicalId":"term:ride-hides","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.45,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Ride hides” appears to be a transcription error for a suspension/ride-related term (commonly “ride heights” in F1). Ride height is the car’s ground clearance, and changing it affects aerodynamic performance and how the suspension works.","simplifiedExplanation":"This sounds like a mis-heard phrase for “ride height.” Ride height is how high the car sits off the ground, and it can change both handling and aerodynamics."}},{"startTime":638.8,"endTime":641.8,"type":"term","title":"downforce","url":"/glossary/downforce","quote":"So the setup of the car broadly means the suspension setup of the car, the ride hides, the downforce, all these kind of things.","canonicalId":"term:downforce","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Downforce is the aerodynamic force that pushes the car toward the track. In F1, it’s generated mainly by wings and body aerodynamics, and it increases tire grip—especially in high-speed corners—at the cost of aerodynamic drag.","simplifiedExplanation":"Downforce is the “suction” effect from the car’s shape and wings that presses the car onto the track. More downforce usually means better grip in corners, but it can slow the car down on straights."}},{"startTime":667.1,"endTime":678.0,"type":"term","title":"mechanical loads","quote":"But you decide like how to how to balance your your error loads, how to balance your mechanical loads and stuff. I don't know how deep you want me to go into it.","canonicalId":"term:mechanical-loads","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.6,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Mechanical loads are the forces the car structure and suspension experience from driving conditions—like cornering forces, braking forces, and impacts from the track. Engineers balance these with aerodynamic effects so the car stays stable and the tires operate in the right window. The segment frames it as part of balancing the car’s overall “loads.”","simplifiedExplanation":"Mechanical loads are the physical forces the car has to handle while driving—like when you brake hard or turn hard. Engineers try to balance these forces so the car stays stable and the tires work properly. It’s about making sure the car isn’t being stressed in the wrong way."}},{"startTime":690.3,"endTime":696.0,"type":"term","title":"tyre degradation","url":"/glossary/tyre-degradation","quote":"And then you also have to balance out your tyre degradation with, you know, one lamp performance, all these kind of things. So you need to think a lot not what's like best right now,","canonicalId":"term:tyre-degradation","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Tyre degradation is the gradual loss of tire performance as the tire heats up and wears during a stint. In F1, engineers must plan around how grip will drop over time, not just what the car feels like at the start. The guest highlights balancing tire degradation against other performance factors for the race outcome.","simplifiedExplanation":"Tyre degradation means the tires get worse as the race goes on—usually because they heat up and wear. That means grip can drop over time. Engineers plan strategy around how fast that happens."}},{"startTime":723.9,"endTime":729.0,"type":"term","title":"data","url":"/glossary/data","quote":"That must be a really important part of the job, especially during the session, because you obviously have data. So you look at squiggly lines, you see what's happening on the car.","canonicalId":"term:data","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In F1, “data” refers to the live telemetry and sensor readings the team uses during a session to understand what the car is doing. Engineers interpret trends to diagnose issues and guide setup decisions. The guest describes using “squiggly lines” to see what’s happening on the car.","simplifiedExplanation":"In racing, “data” means the numbers and signals the team gets from sensors on the car. Engineers use it to understand what the car is doing in real time. It helps them make better decisions than guessing by feel alone."}},{"startTime":792.38,"endTime":869.48,"type":"concept","title":"safety car","url":"/glossary/safety-car","quote":"Kimmy Antonelli mentioned on the radio that he got lucky with the safety car because of when Oscar pitted... Laura, why is the safety car both friends and foe for you guys during the race?","canonicalId":"concept:safety-car","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In Formula 1, the safety car is deployed when there’s danger on track (like debris or an accident). It controls the pace of the field by forcing everyone to drive slower, which changes the timing and “value” of pit stops.","simplifiedExplanation":"The safety car is used to slow everyone down when the track isn’t fully safe. Because the whole field is going slower, it can make pit stops happen at a better moment than usual."}},{"startTime":847.3,"endTime":860.4,"type":"term","title":"time loss for a pit stop","url":"/glossary/time-loss-for-a-pit-stop","quote":"But basically, so under a safety car, the time loss for a pit stop decreases by around about 10 seconds... if everybody is pitted already and you can then pit, you gain 10 seconds on everybody.","canonicalId":"term:time-loss-for-a-pit-stop","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Time loss for a pit stop” is the amount of time a car spends slower than racing speed while entering, stopping, and exiting the pits. In F1, that loss is measured relative to the cars on track, and under safety car conditions the relative loss can shrink because the rest of the field is also slowed.","simplifiedExplanation":"Time loss is how much time you give up when you go into the pits. Under a safety car, the other cars are going slower too, so your pit stop can hurt less than it would during normal racing."}},{"startTime":900.0,"endTime":909.7,"type":"term","title":"tires","url":"/glossary/tires","quote":"What we're thinking, how the tires are holding up, this kind of stuff.\n[909.7s] But for me, like as soon as a safety car comes out,","canonicalId":"term:tires","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In F1, tire performance is central to pace and grip, and teams constantly monitor how tires are “holding up” as the race progresses. Tire condition affects lap times, braking stability, and how aggressively the driver can push."}},{"startTime":909.7,"endTime":917.7,"type":"term","title":"strategy guys","url":"/glossary/strategy-guys","quote":"as soon as a safety car comes out,\n[912.2s] my first call is to the strategy guys to be like, do we pit now or not?\n[915.7s] If we haven't just pitted.","canonicalId":"term:strategy-guys","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In F1, the “strategy guys” are the team members focused on race strategy—especially decisions around pit stops, tire timing, and how to respond to race events like safety cars. Their guidance heavily influences what the race engineer tells the driver in real time.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Strategy guys” are the people on the team who plan when to make calls during the race. They help decide things like when to pit and what to do next based on what’s happening on track."}},{"startTime":912.2,"endTime":917.7,"type":"term","title":"pit now","url":"/glossary/pit-now","quote":"my first call is to the strategy guys to be like, do we pit now or not?\n[915.7s] If we haven't just pitted.","canonicalId":"term:pit-now","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Pit now” refers to the immediate decision to enter the pit lane for a pit stop, typically to change tires and/or make other adjustments. Timing matters because safety cars can reduce the time lost relative to staying out.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Pit now” means the team wants the car to come into the pits right away. Teams do this mainly to change tires, and the timing can be especially important during a safety car."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Formula 1","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/f1-explains-race-engineers-with-haas-f1-team-s-laura-muller/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}