F1 Nation

This episode is sponsored by AWS - Global AI Partner of Formula 1. Jolyon Palmer and Alex Jacques join Tom Clarkson for some energetic debate ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin. With Singapore still fresh in their minds, the guys discuss the strategy call from Lewis Hamilton that cost him a podium and whether a driver should go against their team’s strategic decisions. Lots of listeners disagreed with Jolyon’s take on last week’s podcast about the crash between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the Singapore Sprint race. Having had more time to reflect, has JP changed his view? Looking ahead to Austin, Kimi Antonelli could mathematically become World Champion at the Circuit of the Americas. But do Mercedes have the car to fight for victory? Is their recent form a cause for long-term ‘concern’? And with back-to-back wins from pole position, momentum is fully with Max Verstappen as we head to a track where he’s won four of the last five races. Will he make it five out of six this weekend? Jacquesy and Jolyon discuss the turnaround Red Bull have made since the start of the season and their thoughts on Team Principal Laurent Mekies signing a long-term contract extension. Plus, Haas have announced that Brazilian F2 driver Rafa Camara will drive for them in 2027, replacing Esteban Ocon. What can we expect from the Ferrari Academy driver? And what does his arrival mean for Ollie Bearman?

Packed with drivers, cars, team personnel, media, celebrities and more, their voices drowned out by the noise of passionate fans in the grandstands and engineers at work, the Formula 1 grid before a race start is probably the most exciting, chaotic and loudest places to be in all sport. But what actually happens on the grid before lights out? How are the drivers preparing in those final moments before going into battle? What work is being done on the cars? Christian Hewgill and Molly Hudson, F1 correspondent for UK newspaper The Times, are together on the grid before this year’s F1 Sprint race in Zandvoort to answer those questions and explain the rules everyone has to follow on the grid. Plus, Cadillac Reserve Driver Zhou Guanyu, who drove for Alfa Romeo/Sauber between 2022 and 2024, gives us the drivers’ perspective of what it’s like being in that environment when you’re about to go racing.

Max Verstappen secured back-to-back wins from pole position with his first ever victory at the Singapore Grand Prix. With seven podium finishes from the last eight races, at a range of different tracks, are he and Red Bull now the benchmark in Formula 1? Tom Clarkson is joined in the paddock by Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe to discuss Max’s ‘masterclass’ around the Marina Bay Circuit and what we can expect from Red Bull for the rest of the season. Charles Leclerc claimed his first podium in seven races with P2, but should he have taken the lead from Max at the start after a great launch at lights out? And if he had succeeded, could he have held on to win? There was disappointment on the other side of the Ferrari garage, as Lewis Hamilton’s decision to stay out under the final Virtual Safety Car cost him a podium. He apologised to the team over the radio at the end of the race, but should they have been more forceful in asking him to pit? The guys also discuss Kimi Antonelli’s ‘opportunistic’ drive to P3, the crash between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the Sprint race and Liam Lawson’s future at Racing Bulls after another big points haul for the New Zealander. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... Hexclad: Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 15% off at hexclad.co.uk/NATION! Offer excludes bundles and other items already on sale. #hexcladpartner

Why does every Grand Prix have a different number of laps? How come some F1 teams have fewer employees than others? What are drivers and engineers doing during practice sessions? Those are your questions. Christian Hewgill gets the answers from F1TV Lead Presenter Laura Winter and two-time 24h Le Mans podium-finisher (and budding stylist, apparently) Alex Brundle. Laura and Alex also tackle your questions on tyre rules, whether driver or car is more important, and why a race with every driver in the same car would not tell us who's 'best' Got F1 questions? We'll get you an answer Emails and voice notes welcome at F1Explains@F1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts F1 Nation for race previews + reviews F1 Beyond The Grid for big interviews with big names

Tom Clarkson and F1 Correspondent Lawrence Barretto think Red Bull and Ferrari will be closely-matched at this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, with Mercedes and McLaren also in the mix. Will Max Verstappen win this Grand Prix for the first time in his career? Will the tight corners of the Marina Bay circuit suit McLaren and Ferrari? Will Mercedes' upgrades give Kimi Antonelli a chance of victory, and can George Russell recover from a back-of-the-grid start due to an engine penalty? In the highly competitive midfield, Audi, Racing Bulls and Alpine will be watching Aston Martin closely. The pressure of F1 Sprint, the humidity and the high chance of a Safety Car mean a dramatic weekend is guaranteed. More official F1 podcasts F1 Explains answers your questions about the sport F1 Beyond The Grid brings you in-depth interviews with the sport's biggest stars

Jolyon Palmer and Alex Jacques join Tom Clarkson from the F1TV commentary box to debrief an epic Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Max Verstappen secured his first victory of 2026 and the first win for Red Bull’s own power unit. How did Max recover from a slow start? Why were Red Bull so competitive in Sepang? And just how far have they come this year? Meanwhile, there were mixed emotions at Mercedes, with Kimi Antonelli coming home in P2 but George Russell retiring due to an engine issue. Now 84 points behind championship leader Kimi, are George’s title hopes well and truly over? How should he approach the rest of the season? Having gambled on soft tyres while his rivals stuck to inters at the start, Lewis Hamilton dropped from second to eighteenth in the opening stages, before fighting back through the field to third for his first podium since Silverstone. Why did Ferrari start both drivers on the softs? How did Hamilton complete such an impressive comeback? And how much did Team Principal Fred Vasseur need a result like that? The guys also discuss a champion’s drive from Fernando Alonso to score his best result of the season for Aston Martin with P8, why McLaren weren’t in the mix in Malaysia and their Driver of the Day. Big names and expert insight on official F1 podcasts F1 Beyond The Grid - in-depth interviews with F1 stars F1 Explains - experts answer your F1 questions THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... Claude: Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today on any paid plan at claude.ai/nation Shopify: If you’re ready to launch your business before Black Friday, go to shopify.com/nation to start your free trial.

Days after driving a modern Formula 1 car for the first time, Jamie Chadwick joined F1 Explains to answer your questions. She tells Christian Hewgill what surprised her the most when she tested the 2025 Williams F1 car at the Portimao circuit in Portugal, and compares the experience to driving in W Series, Indy NXT and Le Mans. Jamie also talks about working with Williams, supporting F1 ACADEMY drivers and her ambitions for her racing career, all while signing a flurry of caps thrown on stage by the Baku crowd... Got questions? We'll get the answers Send emails or voice notes to F1Explains@F1.com More Official F1 Podcasts Expert race reviews on F1 Nation In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid

Tom Clarkson and 1996 World Champion Damon Hill preview this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Damon competed in the very first F1 race at Sepang back in 1999 so tells Tom what we can expect from the track, the weather conditions and who will be competitive here. The guys also discuss what George Russell will take into the weekend from his dominant victory in Baku, why Ferrari have felt the need to publicly reaffirm their support for Team Principal Fred Vasseur, and their thoughts on Fernando Alonso’s decision to continue racing with Aston Martin in 2027. Plus, TC ponders what’s next for Esteban Ocon and Haas after they announced they’ll be parting ways at the end of the year. Big names and expert insight on official F1 podcasts F1 Beyond The Grid - in-depth interviews with F1 stars F1 Explains - experts answer your F1 questions

Tom Clarkson, James Hinchcliffe and Alex Brundle sit down in the Baku paddock to dissect a thrilling Azerbaijan Grand Prix. George Russell may have only won the race by a tenth after a dramatic drag race with Max Verstappen to the finish line, but he was dominant all weekend to take his third victory of the season. Why was George back to his best in Baku? Has he finally got to grips with the car? And what does this result mean for his title challenge? Kimi Antonelli recovered from his crash in qualifying to climb from P16 to P5. Given the Mercedes’ straight-line speed, why wasn’t he able to cut through the field as successfully as he did in Monza? And was this the first time we’ve seen Kimi race with the championship in mind? The guys also discuss Red Bull's first double podium since China 2024 - whether Max could have won had he qualified higher up, the team orders between him and Isack Hadjar, and just how impressive the latter’s performance was after missing the previous three races with a wrist injury. Elsewhere, there was mayhem in the midfield as Franco Colapinto took out Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren’s Lando Norris at the first Safety Car restart, when Arvid Lindblad also hit his Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson. So what will the debriefs at Alpine and Racing Bulls look like? Also on the agenda: Esteban Ocon’s future after leading Haas to a double points finish, a much-needed point for Williams, disappointment for Oscar Piastri having been in podium contention and an anonymous race for Ferrari. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY IM8: Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

They're the racing series which prepare drivers for Formula 1. F2 and F3 are where Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, Gabriel Bortoleto and many more F1 stars have honed their skills behind the wheel. How are these categories different, what do the drivers drive, and what does it take to win? 2026 Formula 3 champion Ugo Ugochukwu tells Christian Hewgill the key to topping a competitive field of 30 drivers, what he learned from racing on F1 weekends and how he hopes to make the step up to F2 and beyond. Formula 2 Technical Director Pierre-Alain Michot answers your questions on how the F2 car is different to F1 machinery. He also explains how the updated F2 car for 2027 will give drivers the best possible preparation for F1. Got a question about Formula 1? Curious about cars? Wondering about wings? Send your question on any F1 topic to F1Explains@F1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with Formula 1 stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert opinion, analysis and reaction on F1 Nation Follow Formula 2 and Formula 3 Official Formula 2 website Meet F2 rising stars in Chasing The Dream F2 Highlights on YouTube F2 social media Official F3 website Ugo's crowning moment on YouTube F3 social media

Tom Clarkson, Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe look ahead to this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The guys reflect on how different Kimi Antonelli’s European leg of the season was this year compared to last, before discussing how much the Italian’s success this season is down to his own progress and how much can be attributed to George Russell’s struggles. With Lewis Hamilton now over 100 points adrift of championship leader Antonelli, are his title hopes now over? If so, how should Ferrari approach the rest of this year? After their strong pace in Madrid, what are McLaren’s chances of fighting Mercedes for victory? Oscar Piastri’s championship challenge started to fall apart with a DNF in Baku last year, so will he bounce back? And what can we expect from Williams’ upgrades this weekend? Plus, after Max took just 14 laps to beat 100 karters at Silverstone last week, Tom, Jolyon and Hinch remember the craziest races they’ve been involved in and discuss whether Max can take his first F1 win of the season in Baku. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: IM8 Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

Every driver wants to stand above their rivals, hear their national anthem, life the trophy and spray the champagne on the Formula 1 podium. It's a moment of celebration which takes careful planning and is governed by strict rules... like a wedding... in race suits. We've put your podium questions the two people who work together to make it all happen: Linda Boudabous – Master of Ceremonies and Special Operations Co-ordinator at the FIA, and Katalin Bukor – Head of Ceremonies & Protocol at Formula 1. They tell Christian Hewgill about broken trophies, keeping VIPs dry and what happens when real champagne can't be sprayed on the podium. Send us your F1 questions - F1Explains@F1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts F1 Nation for weekly race previews and reviews F1 Beyond The Grid for in-depth interviews with the biggest stars of F1

Tom Clarkson is joined by journalists Albert Fabrega and Julianne Cerasoli to reflect on the first Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring circuit. The Virtual Safety Car came at just the wrong time for race leader Lando Norris on lap 15, costing him victory after he’d made a great start from pole. Could McLaren have pre-empted the VSC? Why did Lando pit after the VSC ended? Could he have stayed out on the medium tyre? Tom, Albert and Julianne discuss those talking points and you’ll hear reaction from McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella. Kimi Antonelli capitalised on Lando’s misfortune to take his eighth victory of the season and move 81 points clear of Mercedes teammate George Russell at the top of the World Championship. And Max Verstappen came home in P2 for his sixth podium of the year. But could he have won the race if Red Bull hadn’t asked him to let Lewis Hamilton past after their opening lap incident? THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: IM8 Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

How did the Madring come to life? What makes it such a unique track compared to the rest of the F1 calendar? And why is ‘La Monumental’ the corner everyone’s talking about? As we head to the heart of Madrid for the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, Christian Hewgill has been finding out more about F1's newest circuit. He's joined by F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto, who was Carlos Sainz's passenger as he drove the very first lap of the track earlier this year, and the Madring’s Chief Operating Officer, Carlos Jimenez, to answer your questions about this exciting new challenge for the drivers.

Formula 1 is heading to a brand-new circuit in Madrid this weekend, as the Madring hosts the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time. Tom Clarkson and F1TV lead commentator Alex Jacques discuss the unique challenges this track will present the drivers, why we could be treated to a chaotic race and which teams will be competitive there. Jacquesy tells Tom why George Russell can still stop his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli from becoming World Champion, despite the Italian’s 66-point lead at the top of the standings. And you’ll hear what Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had to say at media day in Madrid, after their tense opening lap battle in Monza. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: IM8 Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

Tom Clarkson is joined by Lawrence Barretto and Davide Valsecchi to analyse an extraordinary Italian Grand Prix, which saw Kimi Antonelli climb from 19th on the grid to become the first Italian Formula 1 driver to win their home race in 60 years. How did Antonelli complete such an incredible comeback? Where does his victory rank among the greatest drives in F1 history? And what will be going through George Russell’s head after failing to capitalise on Kimi’s grid penalty? Lewis Hamilton has suggested that Ferrari need to introduce rules of engagement after he felt Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc pushed him off into the gravel at Turn 2 on the opening lap. The guys share their thoughts on that incident, what they think caused Leclerc’s race-ending crash on the following lap and how Team Principal Fred Vasseur needs to address the situation between his drivers. Also on the agenda: how did Max Verstappen secure his fifth podium of the season? Did McLaren exceed expectations in Monza? And what does Pierre Gasly’s remarkable pole position tell us about Alpine’s progress? THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: IM8 Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

What’s the difference between a high-speed track and a low-speed track? What challenges do both types of circuit present drivers? How does driving style and car setup differ between the two? Christian Hewgill is joined by former F1 driver and F1TV pundit Jolyon Palmer to answer your questions about speed.

Tom Clarkson, Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe turn their attention to the Temple of Speed for this weekend's Italian Grand Prix. With championship leader Kimi Antonelli taking a grid penalty at his home race, can the Mercedes driver still fight his way through the field to win? How big an opportunity is this for George Russell? Can Lando Norris make it three wins in a row, or will Monza expose McLaren's weaknesses? And after going two races without a podium for the first time this season, can Ferrari find form again and give the Tifosi a race to remember? There's also reaction to Franco Colapinto extending his contract with Alpine for 2027 and the team remember when Jolyon upset Fernando Alonso at Monza. Listen to more Official F1 Podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid - Charles Leclerc coming soon! Expert answers to your questions on F1 Explains This episode is sponsored by: IM8 Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

He spent more than a decade in the F1 pit lane, winning multiple World Championships and seven consecutive DHL Fastest Pit Stop Awards, but former Red Bull Racing mechanic Calum Nicholas has never faced your Formula 1 questions... until now! Calum joins IndyCar race-winner James Hinchcliffe and Christian Hewgill to explain what pit crew members do when they're not changing tyres, how they know to be ready for a stop, and why their every move in the garage is being watched by the sport's rule-makers, the FIA. Hinch gives us a guide to the cost cap which limits how much teams can spend. Then, in a new and unlikely-to-be-repeated feature, we translate F1 terminology to that used in North American racing. Get your question answered on the podcast Send it to F1Explains@F1.com Want more Hinch? He's one of many big names on F1 Beyond The Grid And he gives his expert opinion on F1 Nation

Tom Clarkson is in the Zandvoort paddock with F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto and F1TV expert Alex Brundle for reaction to a chaotic Dutch Grand Prix. Back-to-back wins for Lando Norris means he’s now 83 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli with 11 races to go, so is the McLaren driver back in the title fight? Despite being behind him for most of the weekend, Kimi Antonelli got the better of his Mercedes teammate George Russell on race day. Why didn’t George have the pace when it really mattered? Were Mercedes right to issue team orders to get George out of Kimi’s way in the closing stages? On the topic of team orders, Lewis Hamilton was very frustrated that Ferrari didn’t ask Charles Leclerc to let him past. Did that cost Hamilton a podium? And what does his fiery team radio and post-race reaction tell us about the seven-time World Champion’s mindset? Plus, the guys discuss home race heartbreak for Max Verstappen after he crashed out on lap one, the impact Fernando Alonso’s second points finish of the season will have on his future with Aston Martin, and a dramatic end to the weekend for Williams as Carlos Sainz crashed into teammate Alex Albon. Listen to more Official F1 Podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid - Sergio Perez coming soon! Expert answers to your questions on F1 Explains This episode is sponsored by: Hexclad Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at hexclad.co.uk/NATION! Offer excludes bundles and other items already on sale. #hexcladpartner Betterhelp You don't have to navigate life's changes alone. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/F1NATION IM8 Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

After the huge success of the LEGO Drivers’ Parade at Miami in 2025, the driveable LEGO cars returned at Silverstone for this year’s British Grand Prix. And this time, all 22 drivers had their own car to race in – creating even more chaos than the first time! Who designed and built the cars? Where does the construction happen? What contribution do the F1 teams make to the creation of the cars? And how are they powered? Christian Hewgill is joined by Senior Designer from the LEGO Group, Jonatan Jurion – who shares brilliant insight into how these extraordinary vehicles come to life and the fascinating facts about them – including the number of bricks used and the top speeds they can reach.

Max Verstappen has signed a new deal with Red Bull Racing that will see him stay with the team until the end of 2030 at least. Why has he committed his future to Red Bull? How significant is this for the team? And what does Max’s decision mean for the driver market in general? Tom Clarkson is joined by F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto in the Zandvoort paddock to answer the key questions.

Tom Clarkson, Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe look forward to the return of Formula 1 at the Dutch Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli leads the F1 World Championship by 50 points, but his rivals are still in the fight. The guys discuss whether the young Italian can continue his stellar season under growing pressure in the second half of the year. After some 'sloppy' mistakes in recent races, can Ferrari challenge Mercedes? Will Lando Norris, our most recent race-winner, become a factor in the title fight? Also in this episode, what's behind a change of Team Principal at Cadillac? And will Aston Martin make another leap forward at Zandvoort? This episode is sponsored by: Claude Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — Claude.ai/nation. Betterhelp You don't have to navigate life's changes alone. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/F1NATION IM8 Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

Tom Clarkson is joined in the paddock by F1TV expert and IndyCar race winner, James Hinchcliffe, to reflect on the Hungarian Grand Prix. Lando Norris converted pole position to take his first Grand Prix victory of the season and his first as a World Champion. Why was Lando back on top in Budapest? Is he driving better this year than last year when he won the title? And can he now regularly fight with Mercedes and Ferrari to defend that title in 2026? Max Verstappen was pleasantly surprised to finish P2 and secure his third podium in the last four races. So how did Max end up on the rostrum? And what did Tom and Hinch think of his incredible overtake of Lewis Hamilton on lap 16? It was another mixed weekend for Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli climbed from seventh on the grid to third, extending his championship lead further, while George Russell suffered an anti-stall issue at the start before fighting back for a points finish. How different will Kimi and George’s mindsets be going into the summer break? Plus, the guys discuss a missed opportunity for Ferrari and a much better weekend for Aston Martin, whose upgrades helped Fernando Alonso reach Q2 for the first time this season. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... HexClad: Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at hexclad.co.uk/NATION! Offer excludes bundles and other items already on sale. #hexcladpartner IM8: Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to im8health.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

Neck training, positive energy and Belgian mussels are on the menu as Red Bull Test and Reserve Driver Yuki Tsunoda joins Christian Hewgill on stage in Belgium. Yuki answers questions from F1 Explains listeners about why F1 drivers need to be physically fit, the advice he'd give his rookie self, what he learned from teammates including Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, and his favourite race weekend food. Send your questions, we'll get you the answers Emails and voice notes welcome - F1Explains@F1.com Thanks for listening to F1 Explains so far in 2026. We'll be back after the summer break WIN TICKETS FOR F1 IN MADRID Official F1 Podcasts are giving you the chance to win one pair of weekend grandstand tickets for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2026 You must be 18+ to enter. Competition closes on 31 July 2026. To enter and for full terms and conditions, visit f1.com/podcast-win-madrid

With chassis set to be more important than power unit at the Hungaroring, will Ferrari have a more competitive car than Mercedes in Budapest? If so, who will come out on top between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton? And could George Russell benefit as he looks to close his 50-point gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli? F1 correspondent and presenter Lawrence Barretto joins Tom Clarkson in the paddock to answer the key questions ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. Tom and Lawrence also discuss what we can expect from the big upgrades Aston Martin are bringing to this race and how they could shape Fernando Alonso’s decision on his future. Plus, will McLaren and Red Bull be in the mix for victory? WIN TICKETS FOR F1 IN MADRID Official F1 Podcasts are giving you the chance to win one pair of weekend grandstand tickets for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2026 You must be 18+ to enter. Competition closes on 31 July 2026. To enter and for full terms and conditions, visit f1.com/podcast-win-madrid THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... IM8: Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to im8health.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

Tom Clarkson is joined by race-winner Kimi Antonelli, F1TV lead presenter Laura Winter and two-time Le Mans podium finisher Alex Brundle to review the Belgian Grand Prix. Kimi converted pole to secure his sixth win of the season and move 45 points clear at the top of the World Championship. 12 months on from last year’s Belgian Grand Prix, one of his most challenging weekends of the 2025 season, how has the 19-year-old made such an incredible transformation? Kimi joins us in the Mercedes motorhome to reflect on his victory and a close fight with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. You’ll also hear reaction from George Russell, whose DNF after a collision with Lewis Hamilton on lap 1 leaves him 50 points adrift of Antonelli. What do the guys make of that incident, the comments George has made about his car’s problems and where he goes from here? Tom, Laura and Alex also discuss how surprised they were by Ferrari’s pace, Max Verstappen’s third podium of the season, and whether Lando Norris could have won without his grid penalty. Listen to more official F1 podcasts Drivers, in-depth on F1 Beyond The Grid Your questions answered by experts on F1 Explains - right here on the F1 Nation podcast feed This episode is sponsored by: IM8 - give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

How do drivers enable Overtake mode and active aero? What’s the secret to a quick flying lap? And how do they know when to launch on a practice race start? Williams' Carlos Sainz and Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto join Christian Hewgill in the F1 paddock to answer your questions about Formula 1. You’ll also hear how they find the perfect balance between clean and dirty air when following another car, their race weekend routine and whether everyday normal driving in road cars has any impact on their racing. Plus, Gabi puts an end to the podcast's pasta-based controvesry, and Carlos responds to a claim made by his manager and cousin Carlos Onoro on a recent episode. Got a question for an F1 driver? Send emails and voice notes to F1Explains@F1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid - including Carlos Sainz + Gabriel Bortoleto Expert race previews and reviews - right here on the F1 Nation podcast feed

Tom Clarkson is joined by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe to preview this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. Having failed to score points in two of the last three Grands Prix due to car problems, Kimi Antonelli has seen his championship lead cut from 66 points to just 25. So what is the biggest threat to Kimi’s hopes of becoming World Champion this year? His teammate George Russell, Ferrari or Mercedes’ reliability issues? On a recent episode, Jolyon suggested that Ferrari need to back Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc if they’re to fight Mercedes for the title. After Leclerc’s victory at Silverstone, has his opinion changed? The guys also discuss an ‘upset’ Max Verstappen, why things could get ‘spicy’ at Racing Bulls, and Carlos Sainz’s reaction to a disappointing weekend for Williams at the British Grand Prix. You’ll also hear their podium predictions for Spa and how wet weather could mix things up. Listen to more official F1 podcasts Drivers, in-depth on F1 Beyond The Grid Your questions answered by experts on F1 Explains - right here on the F1 Nation podcast feed This episode is sponsored by: Leesa - go to Leesa.com for 25% off select mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code NATION, exclusive for our listeners. IM8 - give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

How has F1 changed since Damon Hill won the World Championship? What happened to make him report rival Michael Schumacher to the stewards? Why does he share an unusual car number record? 30 years after his title-winning season, Damon joins Christian Hewgill on stage at the British Grand Prix to answer these questions and more from F1 Explains listeners. Lyndsey from Maine and Toby from Manchester ask Damon about making his F1 debut relatively late in life, and what his former team Williams need to do to return to the front of the grid. F1 Explains LIVE at the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix Special guest Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Reserve Driver F1 Fanzone Stage | 1025 am | Friday 17th July Send questions to F1Explains@F1.com - we could make you part of the show Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid - including Damon Hill Expert race previews and reviews - right here on the F1 Nation podcast feed

Tom Clarkson is joined by F1TV commentary duo, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and lead commentator Alex Jacques, to reflect on a dramatic British Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc capitalised on more misfortune for championship leader Kimi Antonelli to take his first victory since Austin in 2024. After such a difficult run of races, why was he back to his best and how significant is this win for Charles? Reliability issues mean Antonelli has seen his championship lead cut from 66 points to just 25 over the last three rounds, but is he leaving Silverstone happier than George Russell despite the Brit taking home P2 and closing the gap to Kimi? Jolyon, Alex and Tom share their thoughts on George’s continuing struggles against his teammate and the team radio message from Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff at the end of the race. Plus, the guys discuss why Lewis Hamilton might be ‘scratching his head’ despite securing a fourth podium finish of the season and gaining more ground on Antonelli. Listen to more official F1 podcasts Lando Norris on F1 Beyond The Grid Your questions answered by experts on F1 Explains - right here on the F1 Nation podcast feed This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - Don’t let stigma stand in the way of support. Start therapy with BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com/f1nation Shopify: You put in the work. Time to get paid like it. Free trial at shopify.com/nation Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/NATION and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. Anthropic: For problems worth solving — get started with Claude at Claude.ai/nation

What makes one Formula 1 driver faster than another? How does an F1 team work out when and where to bring upgrades to their car? What happens when one team thinks an opponent has broken the rules? How do the 11 F1 Constructors vary in size? And what difference does that make to performance? Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu welcomes Christian Hewgill into his motorhome office at Silverstone to answer your questions about Formula 1. DAMON HILL JOINS F1 EXPLAINS LIVE AT THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX 1996 World Champion Damon Hill will be joining Christian on the Silverstone main stage at 1020 BST on Saturday 4th July, so come along and watch if you’re at the race!

Tom Clarkson and F1TV Lead Commentator Alex Jacques look ahead to F1 Sprint and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Will Mercedes' George Russell win in front of his home crowd to close the championship gap? Can Kimi Antonelli hit the ground running on an F1 Sprint weekend and return to the top step of the podium? Will the upgraded Red Bull allow Max Verstappen to challenge for victory on Silverstone's fast corners and long straights? After Ferrari's 'reality check' in Austria, will Silverstone suit their car better? Tom and Alex also discuss how Racing Bulls have become regular points-scorers. Listen to more official F1 podcasts Lando Norris on F1 Beyond The Grid Your questions answered by experts on F1 Explains - right here on the F1 Nation podcast feed

Tom Clarkson is joined in the Red Bull Ring paddock by F1TV experts James Hinchcliffe and Alex Brundle to analyse the Austrian Grand Prix. George Russell got back to winning ways for the first time since the season-opener in Australia. He retakes second place in the championship standings, reducing the gap to leader Kimi Antonelli to 40 points. How did George overcome the threat of Max Verstappen in the Red Bull? What does this win mean for his title challenge? And how impressive was his racing IQ to take pole position? On the other side of the garage, Kimi Antonelli overcame a tricky start and brake issues to finish third. But with George taking 28 points out of his lead over the last two races, how will Kimi be feeling about his own title hopes? Verstappen secured his best result of the season with P2, so why was he back in contention at the front and does this mean he’ll be consistently competitive going forward? Plus, the guys discuss a frustrating race for Ferrari after winning last time out in Barcelona and whether pressure is building on McLaren having also been off the pace in Spielberg. This episode is sponsored by: IM8: Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/NATION and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order.

For F1 drivers, being in the right team at the right time is crucial. Competition for a seat in a leading car is fierce. Moving teams is career-defining decision, and not always one the driver can fully control. To negotiate the best deal available, and to organise the rest of their busy lives, drivers have mangers. They're a mix of agent and advisor - someone the driver trusts to help make decisions. Carlos Onoro, manager and older cousin of Williams driver Carlos Sainz, sits down with Christian Hewgill to explain his role, which involves far more than doing deals. He looks back on negotiating Carlos' move to Williams, and explains why maintaining good relationships are key to success. Read more about Carlos Onoro's job on F1.com F1 Explains LIVE at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix Special guest 1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill F1 Fanzone Stage | 1020 am | Saturday 4th July Send questions to F1Explains@F1.com - we could make you part of the show Listen to more official F1 podcasts Incredible personal stories on F1 Beyond The Grid - including Carlos Sainz Expert race previews and reviews - right here on the F1 Nation podcast feed

Tom Clarkson is joined by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe to preview this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. With Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Barcelona putting him just 41 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, do Ferrari and Mercedes have some tough decisions to make? If Charles Leclerc doesn’t bounce back in the next few races, could Ferrari ask him to play a supporting role in a Hamilton title challenge? How would Charles respond to that? And with the threat of Ferrari lurking, will Mercedes change their approach to how they let Antonelli and George Russell race each other? Plus, the guys discuss what challenge the Red Bull Ring provides and share their podium predictions. Will Red Bull be strong at their home track? Are McLaren getting closer to a Grand Prix victory? And why might reliability be a particularly hot topic in Spielberg? THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... Indeed: Get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation

Brand new hospitality unit perfect for F1 drivers, engineers and mechanics. Three floors, two kitchens, multiple meeting spaces, lounges, racing sim room and roof terrace. Great central F1 Paddock location. Close to racetrack, garages and media centre. Comes with chef and two coffee machines. Takes just two days to build and deconstruct. Can be moved wherever you need it (Europe only) by truck. Ideal for European racetracks with no permanent team buildings For inquiries please contact Christian Hewgill or Audi Racing Director Allan McNish who can answer all the questions you have about this and other Formula 1 team motorhomes hospitality units. F1 Explains is here to answer your F1 questions Send them to F1Explains@F1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts Incredible personal stories on F1 Beyond The Grid - including Allan McNish on his F1 career Expert race previews and reviews - right here on the F1 Nation podcast feed

Tom Clarkson is joined by ESPN’s Albert Fabrega and Brazilian journalist Julianne Cerasoli to reflect on Lewis Hamilton’s first Grand Prix victory for Ferrari in Barcelona. What does this victory tell us about Lewis after such a challenging first year with Ferrari? Why did their three-stop strategy get the better of Mercedes? And are Ferrari now a big threat to them in the title race? You’ll hear reaction from Hamilton and Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur. George Russell came home in second place, closing the gap to teammate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli after the Italian suffered a late retirement. But after starting on pole and being the lead Mercedes driver for the majority of the race, George was overtaken by Kimi late on before his DNF. So while George did make some much-needed progress, will he leave Barcelona worried? And how costly could Mercedes’ continuing reliability issues be in their season? Listen to more official F1 podcasts Alex Albon talks making Williams history on F1 Beyond The Grid F1 Explains explores the race start procedure - on this feed now This episode is sponsored by Leesa - upgrade your sleep with an award-winning mattress, designed and assembled in the USA Go to Leesa.com for 25% off select mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code NATION, exclusive for our listeners.

Five red lights go out and the race is on! The start of a Formula 1 Grand Prix is a high-pressure moment - not just for the drivers, but for the woman who controls the start. Rebecca Lee is the Head of Single-Seater Operations at the FIA and the F1 Permanent Starter. She joins Christian Hewgill to answer your questions about the race start procedure. What are the rules at the start of a race? How does she keep everyone safe? Most excitingly, how does she decide when to push the button which turns the lights off, and send 22 Formula 1 cars into battle? Send us your F1 questions - we'll find the best person to answer them Emails and voice notes welcome - F1Explains@F1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts F1 Nation's preview and review of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix is on this feed Alex Albon talks making Williams history on F1 Beyond The Grid Keep up with the Formula 1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix Follow @F1 on social media Download the F1 app or visit F1.com

Tom Clarkson is joined in the paddock by IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe to preview this weekend’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. With Kimi Antonelli on a run of five wins in a row, and leading his teammate George Russell by 68 points in the World Championship, how is the pressure and expectation now changing for both Mercedes drivers? The guys also discuss why they think Lewis Hamilton ‘has his mojo back’ at Ferrari and what Charles Leclerc needs to get out of his recent difficult patch. Plus, as Alex Albon prepares to become the driver with the most race starts in Williams history on Sunday, what does that milestone tell us about Alex?

Tom Clarkson is joined in the Monte Carlo paddock by F1TV lead presenter Laura Winter and F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto to dissect a dramatic Monaco Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli secured his fifth win in a row, extending his championship lead to 66 points. What did we learn about Kimi this weekend? And is he proving to be a ‘generational talent’? On the other side of the Mercedes garage, a drive-through penalty left George Russell out of the points. He says he’s ‘bamboozled’ by his recent struggles. So what’s going wrong for George? Where does he go from here? And is he fighting for more than just the title now? Ferrari also endured mixed fortunes in Monaco. Lewis Hamilton scored his second P2 in a row, while Charles Leclerc crashed out late in the race. The guys discuss why Lewis is starting to gain momentum in the team and the ‘emotional rollercoaster’ Charles is currently riding, after announcing a new multi-year deal with Ferrari. Also on the agenda, Isack Hadjar’s first podium for Red Bull, Max Verstappen’s retirement on lap 1 and more reliability concerns for McLaren. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... Indeed: Get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation Saily: Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code F1nation at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to saily.com/f1nation

Why do F1 cars need a pre-race warm-up? How do drivers master the streets of Monaco? Why does pole position swap sides at different circuits? These are just some of the questions we're answering in our latest quickfire special. Christian Hewgill is joined by Alex Jacques - F1TV commentator and lover of Canadian cuisine. Also answered: what do F1 drivers mean when they ask their team for 'more power'? What happens when tyres start 'graining'? Why is damaging a rear wing a race-ending incident? We love your F1 questions Send emails or voice notes to F1Explains@F1.com Tell us what you think of Official F1 Podcasts - you could win a Charles Leclerc poster Answer some questions and find Terms & Conditions at f1fanvoice.com More Official F1 Podcasts F1 Nation's Monaco GP Preview with Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe - right here on this feed F1 Beyond The Grid has in-depth interviews with F1 stars

Tom Clarkson is joined by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe to look ahead to this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. After Canada, Lewis Hamilton said he thinks Ferrari will be strong in Monaco. So, could this be the first Grand Prix of 2026 that Mercedes don’t win? Are Ferrari the favourites in Monte Carlo? Jolyon, Hinch and Tom discuss the Scuderia’s chances and what mindset Charles Leclerc is in before his home race, after describing Canada as the ‘most difficult weekend of my Formula 1 career’. With Kimi Antonelli looking for a fifth win in a row to extend his 43-point championship lead, where has he made a step forward in 2026? And do we need to rethink how we view George Russell’s performances against his Mercedes teammate? The guys also react to the announcement that Gucci will become Alpine’s title sponsor in 2027. And we look back in the archives to commemorate Jolyon’s first F1 race in Monaco 10 years ago. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... Shopify: Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com/nation BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com/f1nation

It's race week. You've got a flight to catch. You need to score points this weekend or you might lose your seat. Fans want selfies at the airport. Your engineer needs your thoughts on car set-up. A pundit just said something about you on a podcast. Your Team Principal is calling you... This is the high-pressure life of a Formula 1 driver. To cope, they need to be mentally strong. How do they train their brains to handle the demands of racing at the very top, and who helps keep their minds in shape? Christian puts your questions on this to an expert on how F1 drivers' brains work. Dr Tommy Wood is Lead Scientist for Motorsport at Hintsa Performance - a company which provides coaches and sports psychologists for many drivers on the grid. Tommy tells us how F1 drivers block out distractions and focus on their on-track performance and explains the coaching which helps them do it. Does age affect a driver's mental abilities? And do off-track friendships between drivers have an effect when battling wheel-to-wheel? F1 Explains is here to answer your F1 questions Send emails or voice notes to F1Explains@F1.com Listen to more Official F1 Podcasts In-depth conversations with big F1 names on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert opinion every race weekend on F1 Nation - find the latest episode here on this podcast feed This November, F1 takes over Las Vegas The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns November 19 - 21, 2026 — and tickets are on sale now! Be there for the fastest weekend of the year. Click here for tickets

Tom Clarkson is joined by F1TV commentary duo Jolyon Palmer and Alex Jacques to reflect on an eventful Canadian Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli capitalised on George Russell’s DNF to claim his fourth win in a row and move 43 points clear of his Mercedes teammate at the top of the World Championship standings. What did the guys make of their wheel-to-wheel battles in Montreal? Will Mercedes ask them to dial it down? And how does this result change the mindset of the two title contenders? Behind Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton overcame a tense battle with Max Verstappen to score his best result as a Ferrari driver. Was this Lewis’s best weekend since joining the team? And will he continue to avoid the simulator before races? Tom, Jolyon and Alex also discuss Franco Colapinto’s best finish in Formula 1 and share their thoughts on McLaren’s decision to start both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on intermediate tyres. How much responsibility for that call lies with the drivers? THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... Indeed: Get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation