Solved

research power in realtion to staff skill

I thought the more stars you had in research, the more research power you get. But it seems to have stayed the same at 46% research power.
Also, does research power fully rely on research stars or does it also rely on manager level. I feel it would be super unfair if a level 1 manager could gain 50% on someone in front but then I (an 18 level manager) gains less, I don't think it should be like this...

I believe lower level managers do have higher research % gain, simply because they get less design points.

If your car has around less than a 10dp deficit compared with the car that's highest in that area, and you research all or almost all stats, spreading your % to all those stats, you'll just get mostly a +1 gain from research regardless of your % anyhow.