compare_telemetry
Compare telemetry data between two Formula 1 drivers in the same session to analyze speed differences, time gaps, and sector performance.
Instructions
Compare telemetry between two drivers on the same session.
Data source: FastF1 Live Timing Coverage: 2018-present
Set export_path=True when the user wants the comparison data for
analysis (notebook, pandas, ML, "plot where one driver gains time",
"save the comparison"). Comparisons at the default 200 sample size
also auto-export.
Args:
year: Season year (2018+)
event: Race name or round number
session: Session type (R, Q, S, FP1, FP2, FP3)
driver1: First driver code (e.g., "VER")
driver2: Second driver code (e.g., "LEC")
lap: Lap number or "fastest" — applied independently to each driver
sample_size: Telemetry points per driver (default 200, max 500)
export_path: If True, write the per-distance comparison array to
a CSV in the configured export directory (default
./fastf1-exports/, override via FASTF1_MCP_EXPORT_DIR)
and omit comparison from the response. Pass a string
for a custom directory or .csv file path.
Returns: { "driver1": {"code": "VER", "lapNumber": 18, "lapTime": "1:10.123"}, "driver2": {"code": "LEC", "lapNumber": 20, "lapTime": "1:10.456"}, "comparison": [ {"distance": 0.0, "speed1": 280.0, "speed2": 275.0, "speedDelta": 5.0, "timeDelta": 0.0}, ... ], "summary": { "lapTimeDeltaSec": 0.333, "maxSpeedDelta": 8.2, "sectors": { "S1": {"driver1": "0:00:28.123", "driver2": "0:00:28.456", "deltaSec": -0.333}, "S2": {...}, "S3": {...} }, "driver1Telemetry": {"maxSpeedKph": 325.0, "brakingZones": 7, ...}, "driver2Telemetry": {"maxSpeedKph": 320.5, "brakingZones": 8, ...} } }
Example: compare_telemetry(2024, "Monaco", "Q", "VER", "LEC")
Note: timeDelta is the cumulative time gap at each distance point, computed from speed integration. Positive = driver1 is ahead. Comparison is aligned to driver1's distance axis.
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| year | Yes | ||
| event | Yes | ||
| session | Yes | ||
| driver1 | Yes | ||
| driver2 | Yes | ||
| lap | No | fastest | |
| sample_size | No | ||
| export_path | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No arguments | |||