Does History Matter? Applying Predictive Analytics to Formula 1

Authors

  • Kieran Davis

Keywords:

Sports, Probability/Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, Forecasting, Team Performance, Formula 1 (F1)

Abstract

Predicting reliability in Formula 1 is challenging, because team performance is determined by both technical conditions and long-term organisation within the teams. This study tests if the historical data of a constructor (and its lineage in F1) could be used in predictive analytics to forecast 2026 DNF (Did Not Finish) rates. Using these, I will be attempting to create short term forecasts by three different modelling methods, assessing the most accurate, and then applying it to the upcoming season to attempt to apply predictive analytics to Formula 1.

References

Cash, J. (2026) Motor-racing-Alonso 'couldn't feel hands or feet' during Chinese Grand Prix. Reuters. [Online]. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/sports/formula1/motor-racing-motor-racingalonso-couldnt-feel-hands-or-feet-aston-martin-retires-2026-03-15/ [Accessed: 3 April 2026].

Loník, I. & Kotrba, V. (2024) The key importance of spending on research and development in Formula One, Managerial and Decision Economics, 45(1), pp. 70-79. DOI: 10.1002/mde.3983.

Formula 1 (2026) The family tree of F1's 11 teams and how they came to be. Formula 1. Available at: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/the-family-tree-f1-11-teams-and-how-they-came-to-be.2QBA1PPMf0bC8mp2xxqZeq [Accessed: 3 April 2026].

Kanal, S. (2023) TEAM GUIDE: Aston Martin's complex F1 roots – and how they're aiming to fulfil lofty title ambitions. Formula 1. Available at: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/team-guide-aston-martins-complex-f1-roots-and-how-theyre-aiming-to-fulfil.465QgZKQ9XcBDcD54VT4xR [Accessed: 3 April 2026].

Jolpica F1 contributors (2026) Jolpica F1. Available at: https://github.com/jolpica/jolpica-f1 [Accessed: 16 March 2026].

Hyndman, R.J. & Athanasopoulos, G. (2021). Forecasting: Principles and Practice, OTexts, Chapter 8.

Holt, C.C. (1957) Forecasting seasonals and trends by exponentially weighted moving averages, ONR Memorandum, Vol. 52, Carnegie Institute of Technology, pp. 1-52.

Seabold, S. & Perktold, J. (2010) Statsmodels: Econometric and statistical modeling with Python, Proceedings of the 9th Python in Science Conference, pp. 92-96. DOI: 10.25080/Majora-92bf1922-011

statsmodels developers (2026) statsmodels.tsa.holtwinters.SimpleExpSmoothing. Available at: https://www.statsmodels.org/stable/generated/statsmodels.tsa.holtwinters.SimpleExpSmoothing.html [Accessed: 16 March 2026].

statsmodels developers (2026) statsmodels.tsa.holtwinters.Holt. Available at: https://www.statsmodels.org/stable/generated/statsmodels.tsa.holtwinters.Holt.html [Accessed: 16 March 2026].

Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (2024) FIA 2026 Formula 1 Financial Regulations for F1 Teams. Available at: https://api.fia.com/sites/default/files/fia_2026_f1_regulations_-_section_d_financial_-_f1_teams_-_iss02_-_2024-12-11.pdf [Accessed: 3 April 2026].

Downloads

Published

08.04.2026

How to Cite

Davis, K. (2026). Does History Matter? Applying Predictive Analytics to Formula 1. Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics, 13(1). Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/jist/article/view/5257

Issue

Section

Articles