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What will F1's switch to a 60-40 power split bring? The drivers give their verdict

Formula 1
Canadian GP
What will F1's switch to a 60-40 power split bring? The drivers give their verdict

Ferrari is down on power "even to Ford", says Leclerc

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Ferrari is down on power "even to Ford", says Leclerc

Super Formula announces extra Fuji race as Autopolis replacement

Super Formula
Super Formula announces extra Fuji race as Autopolis replacement

How McLaren’s early years set the team on the path to success

Feature
Formula 1
How McLaren’s early years set the team on the path to success

Alonso: “I am the best, I don't need to prove anything”

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Alonso: “I am the best, I don't need to prove anything”

Piastri "flattered" by rumours of Red Bull F1 interest

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Piastri "flattered" by rumours of Red Bull F1 interest

NASCAR great Kyle Busch dies at 41 after illness

NASCAR Cup
Charlotte
NASCAR great Kyle Busch dies at 41 after illness

Verstappen: 2027 engine changes “definitely” help me stay in F1

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Verstappen: 2027 engine changes “definitely” help me stay in F1
Podcast

JA on F1 Podcast: How Mercedes' Antonelli signing compares to Liverpool's Salah acquisition

Rob Smedley is the latest guest on the James Allen on F1 podcast.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Reserve Driver, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Reserve Driver, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

This week we are doing something a little different. We explore how F1 teams make key decisions on areas like driver recruitment, development and race strategy and compare it with how things are done at a top Premier League football club.

 

F1 is a sport built around technology, whereas in football the smartest teams have begun only in the last decade to use it for recruitment, strategy, in-game tactical decisions and so much more.

With Smedley able to compare how Mercedes recruited Kimi Antonelli to how Liverpool FC discovered Mo Salah, we have two experts in their fields.

Smedley, former race engineer to Felipe Massa and head of track engineering at Williams, now runs the Smedley Group which advises across the F1 spectrum on data and AI.

And Dr Ian Graham, of Ludonautics and most famously head of the data department at Liverpool FC for 11 years. His data analysis played a key role in building the Jurgen Klopp team that won the Premier League and Champions League. His book, 'How to win the Premier League' is a brilliant guide to the way decisions get taken in an elite sport.

Send your comments or questions to: @jamesallenonf1 on X/Twitter or jamesallenonf1@autosport.com.

A Motorsport Studios production for Autosport

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