'Chalk Talk' demystifies F1 science

Formula 1 describes itself as "the pinnacle of motorsport" for good reason: top teams have budgets of $400 million a year and build cars that delivery mind-boggling performance. 

A closeup of the Red Bull F1 car shows 31 pitot tubes used to measure air flow toward the rear of the car during race testing.The engineering behind such machines is staggering, and Speed TV's Steve Matchett is among the geeks who marvel at the technical details that deliver the 10ths of a second that separate winning cars from backmarkers. 

Before each F1 race, Matchett records "Chalk Talk," a SpeedTV.com web series that delves deep into racecar engineering. This most recent "Chalk Talk" episode is among Matchett's best, and describes how one minor bit of craftsmanship in an aerodynamic device can be the difference in a legal racecar (Ferrari) and illegal (Red Bull). 

If it sounds geeky, it is. But hardcore F1 fans will find it fun viewing.