Solved

Technical director

Are they only useful for spying on other teams?

I have the strongest car in my (weak) Pro league, so I’m not gaining any research points. 

Is that why I’m not getting any spying info?

I just levelled up, so have upgraded my CD, but I think there’s no benefit of upgrading my TD. Is that right?

Thanks in advance. 
Simon 

Your star rating between both TD/CD impacts research gains. 

Also, need to make sure you pick the right things to research. Sometimes less is more, hint hint 

I have just had several higher lvl teams join the league, so I will have plenty to research again.

But my car was strongest in all apsects until today, so I guess that's why I couldn't gain anything?

That is correct