About

I’m an economics graduate who did an awful lot of data analysis at university (or, to use jargon, econometrics), and quite surprisingly I actually enjoyed it.

I decided to start watching Formula One in 2021, picking an incredible season to start doing so, and almost from the get-go I started making charts and graphs to keep track of the season as it unfolded.

Now, having learned Python, I’m able to take that analysis to the next level using the FastF1 package, and think it’s probably interesting enough that other people might like to see it too!

My Biases

No article or analysis is ever free from bias, so I feel as if I must declare mine.

Growing up, my parents got my brother and I an F1 game for the Wii – I can’t remember which one, maybe 2011 or 2012 – but it was when Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button were in McLaren together, and so since then I’ve been a McLaren supporter. That red and silver Mercedes/Vodafone livery will forever be iconic.

Starting to watch F1 properly in 2021 and that incredible underdog story culminating in their Monza 1-2 only cemented my support of the team.

That very brief introduction to F1 in the early 2010s at the height of Vettel’s power and my proper fandom since 2021 has meant I’ve only ever known one team to win the World Drivers’ Championship: Red Bull. Due to this, they’ve achieved a Galactic Empire-like status in my mind. The evil overlords that must be defeated by the our brave heroes in their papaya/silver/red cars.

Who can blame me? Since I’ve started watching every race, they’ve won 51 of 68 races. 75% of the time.

That being said, I don’t really dislike the team, and I actively like both drivers. I’d just like to hear anthems other than the Dutch and Austrian ones. Pretty please?

Onto drivers I like now, and going with my McLaren fandom, Piastri has had a soft spot in my heart since he posted that infamous tweet, and solidifying it as he proved that he’s been worth the hype. On a side-note, was he the original catalyst that’s resulted in what we’re seeing at Alpine?My original love though was none other than Valterri Bottas. An underdog at Mercedes, an amazing accent, and awe-inspiring fashion, and it love at first sight. While he’s mostly faded into the background of TV broadcasts, I still cheer for him whenever he’s on.

My final driver of choice is none other than the man, the myth, the legend, Fernando Alonso. I would love for him to win another race, and if Aston can put the right car together I’m in no doubt he could pull it off. His winning celebrations are also the stuff of legend. I am particularly a fan of the cat ears.

If you watch the Sky coverage and are finding this season particularly boring, maybe take a shot every time you hear the phrase “wily old fox”. I think you’ll be on the floor after only a short while.