- 5,196
- Kuala Lumpur
- CHVRCHES_GTP
It'll be a combination of local air density and harmonic beat frequencies.
To clarify, in the case of the former, the cars will be approaching their aerodynamic speed limit - the speed at which they cannot physically go any faster because they have run out of sufficient power to overcome air resistance. If they pass through pockets of higher or lower air density - specifically turbulent air that is coming off other cars, or shady spots of track - air resistance will be different and they will either be able to go a hair faster (if it reduces) or will be forcibly decelerated by air density (if it increases). A one percent change in air density will result in a change of air resistance by one percent (at those speeds in those cars, it's nigh-on 20lb change in almost a ton's worth of air resistance) and it'll result in a change of around 200rpm in best and worst case scenarios.
For the latter, the engines are spinning at 17,500rpm and are quite high frequency. This will interact with other sound frequencies (even the commentators!) and possibly even the frequencies at which the recording equipment captures sound. Superimpose two sound waves of differing frequencies on top of each other and a third frequency, called a "beat" frequency, emerges producing a sound at a frequency equal to the difference between the other two.
Sound. It's a funny old business.
If he's listening in Surround sound then it could be a binuaral beat effect (A slightly different sound played in each ear that creates a beating effect).
Pretty long explanation but that could well be the case. Thanks mate!
And no mate, I'm not listening in Surround mode.