Choosing Sides: F1

Last season on Choosing Sides, we established unequivocally that  F1 is the pinnacle of motoracing. We helped co host Michael Kosta choose his team and driver and then we sent you on his jolly way. But as it turns out, F1's newest fan is still a little confused. But we think we know what his problem is. He hasn't figured out what kind of F1 fan he is. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's here: The season finale of Choosing Sides: F1. In this episode, Michael and Lily watch a race together and then Michael (at long last!) decides on the team and driver he wants to support as he begins his Formula 1 fan journey. Let's go!Special thanks to all of our guests this season. This episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is the Supervising and Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we get the finale ready for your waiting ears, we thought we'd take a quick moment to look back at Michael's journey - in his own words. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At long last, we've reached the final team on the grid! Ever sowing the seeds of chaos, the Haas Formula 1 team has a short history filled with sketchy sponsors, firery crashes, and radically different drivers. Will it become a last-minute favorite for Michael ahead of our final episode? Listen to find out.Special thanks to our guests: Alanis King and Elizabeth BlackstockThis episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alfa Romeo is often one of the forgotten "A" names on the grid, but that doesn't make it any less important. In this latest installment of Choosing Sides: F1, Lily tells Michael all about Alfa's strange history as well as its two drivers — one of whom is a favorite of hers. But will Michael agree?Special thanks to our guests: Tatiana CalderonThis episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The time has finally come for Michael to meet Williams, the F1 team that has most intrigued him over the course of the season. Will he fall for its rich history and passionate former leader Sir Frank Williams? Or much like the rest of the grid, will he leave Williams in the dust? Tune in to find out.Special thanks to our guests: Byrd PinkertonThis episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time to dive into a true billionaires' playground! This week, Lily and Michael unpack the bizarre history of Aston Martin (or as it's been known in recent years, Force India, Racing Point Force India, and Racing Point). They talk about the Richie Richies who've made this team what it is today and the strange 2022 Aston Martin driver lineup of Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll. However, because Seb announced his retirement after this year last month, Lily will also introduce Michael to the concept of silly season — a wacky time in the F1 calendar year that's unfolding right as this episode airs.Special thanks to our guests: Nicole Sievers and Kate Lizotte.This episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another week, another midfield team that begins with an "A"! In this latest installment of Choosing Sides: F1, Lily and Michael discuss Red Bull's sister team AlphaTauri and what it even means to be a "sibling" to RBR. They also talk about the team's two very likable drivers, including fan-favorite Pierre Gasly and delightful (and ever off-the-cuff) Yuki Tsunoda. But at this point in both of their careers, these racers are facing a lot of questions — including how long they want to stay at team that'll perpetually be in Red Bull's shadow.Special thanks to our guests: Ashley Kalita, Magnus Greaves, and Tatiana Calderon.This episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wow, we're now comfortably in the midfield of the F1 grid! On today's episode, Lily and Michael dive into the confusing, inconsistent, and sometimes scandal-ridden history of Alpine, otherwise known until rather recently as Renault. You'll get to hear all about a second -gate called Crashgate and meet two very intriguing (and different!) drivers in the legendary Fernando Alonso and the scrappy Esteban Ocon. --Production Note -- This episode was recorded prior to the August 1, 2022 news that Fernando Alonso is moving to the Aston Martin team for the 2023 season. Everything in the episode is still pretty relevant and super fun, but we'll talk more about that announcement when we discuss Aston Martin in a few weeks! (WHEW.)Special thanks to our guests: Josh Revell.This episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After three weeks of two-parters, it's time for our first single-team episode. This week, Lily and Michael discuss the storied history of McLaren, which spent decades at the top of the standings before struggling in recent years. In addition to covering the very contentious Spygate scandal, the pair also address McLaren's two drivers: The rising star Lando Norris and the perennial favorite — and struggling — Daniel Ricciardo. Special thanks to our guests: Josh Marsh and Nicole Sievers.This episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of their look at Ferrari, Lily and Michael talk about the two drivers who race for the team: The speedy (and high-cheekboned) Charles Leclerc and steadfast (and thirst trap-y) Carlos Sainz. Don't let their fun banter as teammates fool you: Both of them want to win and believe they have what it takes to get to the top. The question is, who will Ferrari prioritize when push comes to shove?Special thanks to our guests: Jennie Gow, Kate Lizotte, and Aldas Kavaliauskas.This episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time to leave the land of energy drinks and switch gears to the world of the Prancing Horse. In part one of this two-parter, Lily and Michael take on the long history of Ferrari, the only team on the grid that's participated in every season of Formula 1. But before we get to who's driving the cars, let's meet the man at the center of the team and much of its controversies: The legendary Enzo Ferrari.Special thanks to our guests: Josh Revell and Aldas Kavaliauskas.This episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back with the second episode in our Red Bull two-parter, and it's time to talk drivers. On one side of the garage is reigning World Drivers' Champion Max Verstappen, a young racing prodigy known to never back down from a fight — sometimes to his own detriment. On the other side is Sergio "Checo" Perez, a veteran driver who's consistency and reliability initially earned him a spot on one of the grid's fastest teams. The Red Bull team functions with a clear number-one and number-two driver setup. How has it fared for them with this duo?Special thanks to our guests: Jennie Gow, and Aldas Kavaliauskas.This episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strap on your parachute and jump in to the first of our Red Bull two-parter. On today's episode, Lily and her crew of guests take Michael on a journey to give him wiiings — and by that, we mean tell him the interesting history of the Red Bull energy drink company as well as the F1 team. We'll also meet two very well-known shit stirrers in the Formula 1 paddock by the names of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko. Bonus: There may or may not be a Spice Girl involved in this operation.Special thanks to our guests: Jennie Gow, Toni Cowan-Brown, Aldas Kavaliauskas, Josh Revell, and Sarah Levenson.This episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this second episode of our Mercedes two-parter, Lily and Michael dive into the drivers at Mercedes. On one side of the garage is Sir Lewis Hamilton, the fashionable seven-time world champion, activist, and GOAT of Formula 1 who holds the distinction of being the sport's first and only Black driver. On the other side is George Russell, the young gun who finally took his rightful place on the Mercedes throne after three years toiling away at Williams — only to join the team right as they hopped on the struggle bus in 2022.Special thanks to our guests: Jennie Gow, Hazel Southwell, Aldas Kavaliauskas, and Sarah LevensonThis episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that Michael knows the basics of Formula 1, it's time to get into the teams. On the first episode of this two-parter, Lily and Michael learn all about the eight-time World Constructors' Champion Mercedes. After spending the better part of the 2010s and the very early 2020s dominating the sport, Mercedes has hit a bit of a rough patch. But before they get to that, the pair will talk about the team's early tragic history in Formula 1 and the guy at the head of the program whom the masses call Daddy Toto.Special thanks to our guests: Jennie Gow, and Toni Cowan Brown.This episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's get this party started! On this inaugural episode of Choosing Sides: F1, comedian Michael Kosta (of Daily Show fame) and walking pop-culture encyclopedia Lily Herman start a hilarious, engrossing journey into the world of Formula One. Our resident-F1-expert Lily takes our resident-F1-novice Michael through the basics of what makes F1 just so dramatic and obsession-worthy. They'll dive into big questions such as, why does everyone in this sport have a massive ego? Why are there only 10 teams and 20 drivers? And why are Americans suddenly invested in F1 en masse?Special thanks to our guests: Tatiana Calderon, Hazel Southwell, and Toni Cowan Brown This episode was produced by Lily Herman and Senior Producer Yochai Maital. Sound Design by Yochai Maital. Mastering by Sela Waisblum. Recording at The Cutting Room Studios by Rob O'Leary II. At SI Studios, Max Miller is Executive Producer and Brannan Goetschius is Head of Audio. At iHeartRadio, Sean Titone is Executive Producer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the deal with Formula 1 racing? Is it just a bunch of European adrenaline junkies with a death wish? And how does it differ from something like the American-based NASCAR or IndyCar series? In reality, there's way more to it. F1 combines some of the world's great engineering feats, drivers with the athleticism of Olympians, and a captivating billionaire's playground. But while there's never a dull moment in this sport, how do you even get started as a viewer? Comedian Michael Kosta (The Daily Show) is here to do all of that heavy lifting for you. Each week, F1 expert-in-residence Lily Herman will take him — and you — on a different team's journey, all in the hopes of figuring out who's worthy of his — and your — support. From Sports Illustrated Studios and iHeart Media, this is Choosing Sides: F1. The new limited series, launches June 28th, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday. Available on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.