The Latest Breaking News from Pat Symonds

Symonds has been part of the F1 organisation since 2017, having worked as part of a team that shaped grand prix racing's technical regulations to improve the racing.

The phenomenon of boiling, twisting vortices being generated by winged F1 machines has been an issue through the generations.But in the championship’s moves to improve its entertainment spectacle, particularly over the last 20 years or so, the desire to clean-up outwash airflow generated by cars to allow following drivers to…

The planned increase in electrification, with a 50/50 power split from the battery and combustion engine, has prompted concerns about drivers running out of energy on the straights and needing to change down gears to recharge. 

Concerns have emerged in recent weeks about the risks of a wrong step with the new cars in 2026 ruining the spectacle. 

Mercedes’ ongoing troubles in F1’s new ground-effect era are the subject of GP Racing’s cover story this month, written by Pat Symonds – formerly Michael Schumacher’s race engineer and one of the consultants responsible for F1’s new ruleset.

It was the first time that the two had fought so closely for a race victory all the way to the chequered flag, and Alonso’s superb win appeared to signal a changing of the guard.

Just like in any other sport, in Formula 1 if drivers don’t follow the rules set out by the FIA, then they can be penalised for it.

As part of its push to hit a net carbon zero target by 2030, F1 is introducing all-new engines that will run of sustainable fuel when the current rules formula ends after 2025.

F1 is pushing ahead in abandoning fossil-based products from 2026, as it makes the commitment for cars to be fuelled by 100% sustainable fuel.