F1 Nation

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 podcastsAlex Albon talks making Williams history on F1 Beyond The GridF1 Explains explores the race start procedure - on this feed nowThis episode is sponsored byLeesa - upgrade your sleep with an award-winning mattress, designed and assembled in the USAGo 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 themEmails and voice notes welcome - F1Explains@F1.comListen to more official F1 podcastsF1 Nation's preview and review of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix is on this feedAlex Albon talks making Williams history on F1 Beyond The GridKeep up with the Formula 1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand PrixFollow @F1 on social mediaDownload 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/f1nationSaily: 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 questionsSend emails or voice notes to F1Explains@F1.comTell us what you think of Official F1 Podcasts - you could win a Charles Leclerc posterAnswer some questions and find Terms & Conditions at f1fanvoice.comMore 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 archive 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 questionsSend emails or voice notes to F1Explains@F1.comListen to more Official F1 PodcastsIn-depth conversations with big F1 names on F1 Beyond The GridExpert opinion every race weekend on F1 Nation - find the latest episode here on this podcast feedThis November, F1 takes over Las VegasThe 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 

Why do some drivers move across the world to pursue their racing dreams? How important is it to compete in different series on the motorsport ladder? And what mentality do you need to make it to Formula 1? Seven-time Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya joins Christian Hewgill to talk about the route to F1 – a journey he completed successfully and one he's reliving again through his son Sebastian, who's currently competing in F2.Juan talks about leaving Colombia at a young age, how Sir Jackie Stewart helped him in his early racing days, and what Sebastian needs to make that final step up to F1. Plus, Juan Pablo shares his advice for young kids hoping to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.Picture: Clive Mason/ALLSPORT/Getty Images

Tom Clarkson, Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe are back to preview this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix. After three wins on the bounce, Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by 20 points at the top of the World Championship standings, so how crucial is it for George to beat Kimi in Montreal? If he doesn't and more teams get in the mix, will Mercedes have some tough decisions to make? For Ferrari, is Canada a defining moment in Lewis Hamilton's season? Will Charles Leclerc be thinking about his future if they're unable to fight at the front in this next run of races? Plus, the guys debate the topic of driver insecurities and share their personal experiences after Jenson Button discussed the topic on the latest F1 Beyond The Grid podcast.  Listen to more Official F1 PodcastsDrivers tell their stories on F1 Beyond The Grid - click here for latest episodesExperts answer your questions on F1 Explains - right here on this podcast feedLAS VEGAS. FORMULA 1. LIKE NOTHING BEFORE.The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns November 19th – 21st, 2026.Get your tickets for the fastest weekend of the year at f1lasvegasgp.com/tickets.

You've seen them standing alongside F1 drivers in TV interviews. They're holding phones, recording every word the driver says. Who are they and what are they doing?F1 Press Officers and Communications teams arrange the interviews you see and hear every race weekend. They're the link between the team, the drivers, the media and fans around the world. Sophie Ogg, who was formerly F1 Communications Director at McLaren, joins Christian Hewgill to explain what's involved in the job: dealing with media requests, working with adrenaline-fueled F1 drivers and reacting to breaking news - all with the aim of letting fans know what's going on inside a Formula 1 team.F1 Explains is here to answer your F1 questionsSend them to F1Explains@F1.comListen to more Official F1 PodcastsIn-depth conversations with big F1 names on F1 Beyond The GridExpert opinion every race weekend on F1 Nation - find the latest episode here on this podcast feedThis 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

With an intra-team title battle brewing between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at Mercedes in 2026, Tom Clarkson is joined by Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe to chat about some of the greatest teammate rivalries in F1 history.The guys discuss Lewis Hamilton's battles with Nico Rosberg at Mercedes and Fernando Alonso at McLaren, the major flashpoints during Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber's time at Red Bull, and the politics between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at McLaren. Why were those rivalries so fierce? What are the key ingredients for an intense fight between teammates? How much involvement should the team have? And of the current grid, which driver pairing do Tom, Jolyon and Hinch think would have the most heated rivalry if they were competing for a title?LAS VEGAS. FORMULA 1. LIKE NOTHING BEFORE.The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns November 19th – 21st, 2026.Get your tickets for the fastest weekend of the year at f1lasvegasgp.com/tickets. 

Why do they say 'box, box, box', not 'pit, pit, pit'? What makes them fume on the radio? How has their job changed in 2026? F1 Race Engineers are the voice in the driver's ear, passing on information, listening to feedback, working together to get the best result possible. Laura Müller, Race Engineer for Esteban Ocon at Haas, joins Christian Hewgill to laugh a lot and also to answer your questions on F1 car set-up, how teams know how fast their rivals are, how she became a race engineer and why a Safety Car can make her very happy or very annoyed...F1 Explains is here to answer your F1 questionsSend them to F1Explains@F1.comListen to more Official F1 PodcastsIn-depth conversations with big F1 names (including Laura) on F1 Beyond The GridExpert opinion every race weekend on F1 Nation - find the latest episode here on this podcast feedThis 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 F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto and F1TV expert James Hinchcliffe to reflect on an action-packed Miami Grand Prix weekend. Kimi Antonelli made it three race wins in a row to extend his championship lead to 20 points. Was this the toughest win of Kimi's career and what does that tell us about him? On the other side of the Mercedes garage, how will George Russell be feeling about the title fight after losing out to his teammate again? And what do the guys make of George's comments about the Miami track not suiting him? Also on the agenda: why Lando Norris missed out on victory, Charles Leclerc's final lap spin that cost him a podium, Red Bull's turnaround and a very special day for Franco Colapinto. Plus, the guys pay tribute to former F1 driver and Paralympian Alex Zanardi, who has passed away at the age of 59. And if you'd like to hear Alex Zanardi's incredible life story, listen to him in conversation with Tom Clarkson on F1 Beyond The Grid back in 2020. 

What's the difference between a ‘Test Driver' and a ‘Reserve Driver'? Well, who better to answer that than Cadillac Test Driver Colton Herta and Reserve Driver Zhou Guanyu?Colton and Zhou join Christian Hewgill ahead of Cadillac's first home race in Miami to answer your questions about Formula 1.How does F2 compare to Colton's previous career in IndyCar? What's it like working with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez? Who replaces a driver if they are injured or ill? How close is simulator performance to the real car? And why do drivers sometimes plunge themselves into ice baths after a race?

Can a 'completely new' McLaren take victory in Miami? Tom Clarkson, James Hinchcliffe and Jolyon Palmer think it's the papaya team's best chance of the season so far. F1 is back after a break from racing, and everything could be different! Tom, Jolyon and Hinch debate which team will make the biggest leap forward in Miami, and how the second F1 Sprint weekend of the year puts pressure on drivers to get back up to speed quickly. Can McLaren get ahead of Mercedes? Have Ferrari got special upgrades? Will Red Bull rise back to the front? Plus, the team celebrate the news that F1 is returning to Istanbul Park - a 'modern classic' which always produces exciting racing. We're already looking forward to the 2027 Turkish Grand Prix...

What happens in a Formula 1 team's garage during a race? In a world-first episode, recorded inside the Haas garage during the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, mechanics, engineers and strategists tell F1 Explains what they do while the cars are racing.How are the pit crew told it's time for a pit stop? How do strategists make their calls? How do mechanics make sure new tyres are ready to go? Christian Hewgill explains it all from an exclusive position surrounded by data screens, engineers and equipment.Plus, we listen in to team radio channels, learn what F1 tyres are recycled into after each race, resist the urge to eat the pit crew's mid-race treats and rub shoulders with a rock music legend... F1 Explains LIVE at the Miami GP Fan FestWednesday 29th April | 4pm | Miami BeachSpecial guests: Colton Herta + Zhou Guanyu from Cadillac F1 TeamFor details, terms and conditions and to register for free tickets go to f1miamigp.com/fan-festSend your F1 questions to F1Explains@F1.comExperience F1 live in 2026Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.comListen to more official F1 podcastsIn-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The GridExpert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

Verstappen's mentality? Schumacher's teamwork? Alonso's intelligence? Tsunoda's physique? Tom Clarkson is joined by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe to build the ‘perfect' F1 driver. They debate the key attributes needed to become the best in the pinnacle of motorsport and which drivers from past and present are closest to perfection. Plus, the guys chat about the possible driver market ramifications if Max Verstappen does leave Red Bull Racing and they share their standout moments from the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix over the years.Listen to more official F1 podcastsF1 Beyond The Grid - in-depth interviews with F1's biggest namesF1 Explains - expert answers to your F1 questionsThis episode is sponsored by:IndeedGet a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation QuinceRefresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to quince.com/nation for free shipping and 365-day returns.

How do Formula 1 teams get all their kit to Grands Prix? What's the difference between Reserve, Test and Development drivers? And how do team members working back at base during a race weekend help the team at the track?Cadillac Team Principal Graeme Lowdon joins Christian Hewgill on F1 Explains to answer your questions about the sport.Graeme also gives his assessment of Cadillac's first three races as an F1 team and tells Christian what the team are working on during the April break.

Tom Clarkson is joined by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe to discuss the news that Max Verstappen's race engineer, GianPiero Lambiase, will leave Red Bull Racing in 2028 and join McLaren as their Chief Racing Officer.What does Lambiase's departure mean for Red Bull? How will it affect Verstappen's future at the team? And what will GP bring to McLaren?Plus, the guys are joined by McLaren's Technical Director of Performance, Mark Temple, who says Mercedes are 'beatable' in 2026 and tells us about the upgrade work being done at the factory before the Miami GP.THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: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

So much has changed for the 2026 F1 season. How has it affected the job of a race strategist?  The new cars and new tyres mean teams have to think differently when planning their pit stops. Race-winning strategist and Sky Sports F1 expert Bernie Collins joins Christian Hewgill to explain it all.Bernie also answers your questions on what F1 teams are doing during the April break in racing, how much it costs to race in F1, and what happens when drivers don't set a time in qualifying.Send us your question, we'll find the best person to answer itEmail F1Explains@F1.comListen to more official F1 podcasts F1 Beyond The Grid - in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names (including Bernie!)F1 Nation - expert race previews, reviews and reaction to breaking news - right here on this feed

Tom Clarkson is joined by former F1 driver, Jolyon Palmer, and IndyCar race winner, James Hinchcliffe, to look back on what we've learned from the first three races of the season and what we can expect from Miami onwards.The guys discuss the battle between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, why Oscar Piastri and McLaren were better in Japan, and what they and Ferrari need to do to catch Mercedes.Red Bull Racing find themselves in the midfield battle, so will they regret their decision to not switch full focus to 2026 when Laurent Mekies joined as Team Principal last season? Could Max Verstappen's frustration benefit his teammate, Isack Hadjar? And with Haas and Alpine above Red Bull in the Constructors' Standings, is it clear who the fourth fastest team on the grid is?Plus, Hinch thinks Fernando Alonso is the most positive person at Aston Martin right now, Tom suggests a somewhat contentious reason why, and Jolyon isn't having any of it!THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY...Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/nation BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com/f1nationIndeed: Get a £100 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at indeed.com/f1nation

Who overtook who? Which driver is in the gravel? Formula 1 commentators put on-track action into words. They need to be accurate, fast and entertaining to make sure you always know what's happening. F1TV and Apple TV commentator Alex Jacques is the voice of Formula 1 around the world. He welcomes Christian Hewgill into the commentary box to answer your questions. From the screens he can see and the research he does to the role of co-commentators and finding the right words at the biggest moments, Alex tells all about his job.Send us your questions for episodes on race strategy and race engineersF1Explains@F1.comF1 Nation - weekly episodes every Monday with Tom Clarkson and expert guestsF1 Beyond The Grid - Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies on the 2026 challenge

F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto and Aston Martin Third Driver Jak Crawford are Tom Clarkson's guests in the Suzuka paddock for F1 Nation's review of the Japanese Grand Prix.Kimi Antonelli made it back-to-back wins to become Formula 1's youngest ever World Championship leader. How much pressure has he put on Mercedes teammate and title rival George Russell? With Oscar Piastri finishing P2 and Charles Leclerc also on the podium, the guys discuss where McLaren and Ferrari need to improve if they're to battle Mercedes for wins this season.Elsewhere, there's plenty of praise for Alpine's Pierre Gasly after scoring points in every race so far this season. Could they challenge the frontrunners this year? And Lawrence gives us the lowdown on what's going on at Audi after Jonathan Wheatley's sudden departure as Team Principal.

Is it tyres or tires? Either way, they're very important. The temperature and condition of a driver's tyres have a huge impact on their performance. 2026 sees all-new tires in F1, so what's changed? How do Pirelli choose which tyres to bring to each Grand Prix? How does the company and the FIA ensure tire fairness?Pirelli is the Official Tyre Supplier of Formula 1. The company's Head of Motorsport, Mario Isola, joins Christian Hewgill to answer your questions. Mario explains what's different about this season's rubber, the number of tires Pirelli brings to each race and how they are allocated to the drivers. Why don't F1 tyres have tread? Do all types of tire weigh the same? Who pays for them? Mario has the answers.Send us your questions for episodes on race strategy and race engineersF1Explains@F1.comF1 Nation - Japanese GP Preview out now. Race review coming Monday on this feedF1 Beyond The Grid - Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu on the team's ambitions

As Formula 1 heads to Suzuka, Japan,  a teammate battle is brewing. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have driven the pace-setting Mercedes to one win each. How will they race each other this season? How will Mercedes handle their drivers? Max Verstappen has been linked to Mercedes in the past, so are George and Kimi also racing to keep their place in the team? Tom Clarkson, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe talk about the magic of Suzuka, the early season competitive picture and how the race weekend will unfold. Is there ‘magic in the air' for Ferrari? Can McLaren and Red Bull find more performance? At Haas, is Ollie Bearman driving towards a future in red?This episode is sponsored by Indeed: Indeed: get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation 

It's the heart of F1, a circus of speed which tours the racetracks of the world. Drivers mingle with VIPs and engineers. Mechanics push tyre trollies past crowds of reporters and camera crews. Inside hospitality buildings, Team Principals meet sponsors and guests. To enter this exclusive area you usually need a paddock pass, but F1 Explains can get you in...Christian Hewgill is your guide for a tour of the F1 Paddock to answer your questions about what happens there during a Grand Prix weekend.Send your questions to F1Explains@F1.comF1 Nation and F1 Explains have teamed up for 2026Get weekly race reviews and previews right here on this podcast feedExclusive in-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The GridLatest: How Jacques Villeneuve shook up F1Coming soon: Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu on Ollie Bearman's future

F1TV commentator and former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer joins Tom Clarkson in the Shanghai paddock to reflect on an action-packed Chinese Grand Prix.Kimi Antonelli became the second youngest Grand Prix winner in F1 history, leading George Russell to the second consecutive Mercedes 1-2 of 2026. So can Kimi fight his more experienced teammate for the title this year? Kimi's race engineer Pete ‘Bono' Bonnington joins the pod to share what this victory means to them and where the Italian goes from here. Lewis Hamilton claimed his first Grand Prix podium for Ferrari, after an epic battle with teammate Charles Leclerc for third place. After a strong start to the new era of F1, is Lewis back to his best? Why did he have the better of Charles in China? And have we seen more evidence that Ferrari can fight with Mercedes for wins this year? The guys also discuss another big result for Ollie Bearman at Haas, double points for Alpine, a fighting performance from Carlos Sainz in the Williams and more difficult weekends for McLaren, Red Bull and Aston Martin.

What do the red flashing lights on F1 cars mean? When do drivers attack and defend? How do F1 mechanics fix crashed cars so quickly? F1 Explains answers your questions after the first race of 2026.F1 Correspondent and Presenter Lawrence Barretto joins Christian Hewgill to explain battery recharging, the way drivers are using Boost and Overtake modes, and what the new active aero front wings have in common with electric toothbrushes...And, after Mercedes showed their speed in Australia, we look at how power unit manufacturers work with their customer teams.Get your question answered on the podcastSend your questions to F1Explains@F1.comF1 Explains + F1 Nation have teamed up for 2026Find the latest race previews and reviews on this feed - 2026 Chinese GP Preview out now with Tom Clarkson and Jolyon PalmerThis week on F1 Beyond The GridCadillac CEO Dan Towriss talks about launching the team

'Mercedes will have less of an advantage... I think there's some magic in the air for Ferrari'. Tom Clarkson and Jolyon Palmer chat through the big talking points ahead of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix.What makes the Shanghai International Circuit such a challenge, and how will the racing be different to what we saw in Australia? Will we see Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren get closer to the pace-setting Mercedes?The first F1 Sprint weekend of 2026 means less preparation time for everyone, including last year's Chinese Grand Prix winner, Oscar Piastri. Will he 'pay the price' for not racing in Melbourne?Can Aston Martin unlock more performance, and will Mercedes-powered Williams and Alpine show more speed in Shanghai?F1 Nation and F1 Explains have teamed up for 2026Listen to episodes right here on this feed, and send your F1 questions to F1Explains@F1.comThis week on F1 Beyond The GridCadillac CEO Dan Towriss on the team's first Grand Prix

Tom Clarkson is joined in the Albert Park paddock by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and Channel 10's Richard Craill to reflect on an entertaining season opener in Melbourne. Mercedes took the first victory of this new era of Formula 1, with George Russell leading Kimi Antonelli to a 1-2 finish. George might be the favourite to become World Champion, but could Kimi challenge him for the duration of the season? Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished third, ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton in fourth. Can they take the fight to Mercedes this year? And could we see Hamilton back on the top step? Plus, the guys discuss how far behind Red Bull and McLaren are, a sensational F1 debut from Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad, points for Audi in their first race, and why there may be signs of encouragement for Aston Martin after a very challenging start to the season. F1 Nation and F1 Explains have teamed up for 2026Scroll down to find Williams Team Principal James Vowles answer your questionsThis episode is sponsored by:Indeed: get a $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/podcast

After a long winter, we're finally going racing this weekend in Melbourne. Ahead of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, Williams Team Principal James Vowles explains how the team has prepared for the weekend, his favourite things about the 2026 regulations, and whether the first race will really tell us who's fastest.James joins Christian Hewgill on the F1 Fanzone stage at Albert Park to look ahead to a mouth-watering new season and to answer questions from F1 Explains listeners Sophie, Victoria and Karen.And James also tells us what jobs he'd give to Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon if they weren't drivers.We want your questions about how Formula 1 works! Email F1Explains@F1.comF1 Explains and F1 Nation have teamed up for 2026. Subscribe to this feed for race previews and reviews every Monday with Tom Clarkson and guests.F1 Beyond The Grid with Carlos Sainz - out now

James Hinchcliffe, Jolyon Palmer and Tom Clarkson look ahead to the first race of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the Australian Grand Prix.Are Mercedes favourites? Are fast-starting Ferrari title contenders? How will McLaren's teammate battle develop now Lando Norris is reigning champion? Can Max Verstappen put Red Bull in the mix? There are so many questions at the start of a new era of racing. Hinch, Jolyon and TC debate it all.Plus, how will Williams and Alpine perform? Can Aston Martin recover after a difficult winter? Is 2026 a big chance for Haas? Which of the new teams – Audi or Cadillac – will have a stronger season? And the team make their pre-season predictions: who will win in Melbourne, and who will be the 2026 F1 World Champion?F1 Nation and F1 Explains have teamed up for 2026Scroll down to find Christian Hewgill + Lawrence Barretto explaining all you need to know about the new F1 seasonThis episode is sponsored by: BetterHelp: sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com/F1NATIONShopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/nation Indeed: get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation 

Boost your knowledge ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Christian Hewgill and F1 Correspondent + Presenter Lawrence Barretto run through the key terms and new rules of the sport's new era.Plus we answer your questions on how drivers will recharge their brand new batteries, how the arrival of Cadillac will change qualifying and the new advanced sustainable fuel powering the new cars.We want your questions about how Formula 1 works! Email F1Explains@F1.comF1 Explains and F1 Nation have teamed up for 2026. Subscribe to this feed for race previews and reviews every Monday with Tom Clarkson and guests.And check out the new season of F1 Beyond The Grid. New episodes start Wednesday 4th of March with Carlos Sainz

F1TV commentator and former Renault driver Jolyon Palmer joins Tom Clarkson to reflect on pre-season testing, as Formula 1 gets set for a very exciting new era.The teams and drivers have had a shakedown in Barcelona, followed by two, three-day tests in Bahrain, ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March.So what have we learned about the new cars? Which teams look competitive? Who still has a lot of work to do? And what do we think the pecking order is heading to Melbourne?What Next?F1 Nation is back next Monday with our big season preview before the Australian Grand Prix. And F1 Explains returns for 2026 this Friday on the F1 Nation feed. Presenter Christian Hewgill is joined by F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto to answer your questions about the new cars and regulations. Send them in to f1explains@f1.com

F1 Nation is back for 2026 and we're teaming up with F1 Explains - the podcast which answers your questions about the sport.On Mondays F1 Nation will bring you expert reaction to F1 action, and insider views on breaking news from Tom Clarkson, Jolyon Palmer, James Hinchcliffe + more F1 insiders.On Fridays, F1 Explains will tackle your questions on the sport. Christian Hewgill gets the answers from drivers, team bosses and the men and women who work behind the scenes. Send your questions to F1Explains@F1.comF1 Nation and F1 Explains - all in one place. New episodes start on Monday February 23rd

F1TV experts Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe join Tom Clarkson in the Yas Marina paddock after Lando Norris was crowned Formula 1 World Champion for the first time. He was 34 points adrift after round 15, so how did Lando complete such an incredible comeback in this title fight? Has he broken the mould in terms of what we imagine a World Champion to be like? And how will being champion change Lando?  You'll hear reaction from the man himself, as he talks about turning his ‘struggles into strengths' and winning this title 'the Lando way'. His race engineer Will Joseph also joins the pod to discuss how they overcame a challenging first half of the season and where they go from here. On the other side of the garage, Oscar Piastri came home in P2 but fell short of the title by 13 points. Why did Oscar lose out after leading the championship for most of the season? What does he need to work on to take the next step? And is there a chance that Oscar will become second favourite at McLaren now that Lando has a title to his name?  Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for his eighth race win of the season, but misses out on what would have been a fifth title in a row by just two points. Could Max and Red Bull have done anything differently to put more pressure on McLaren in this race? Has this been Max's best season in Formula 1? And will Red Bull's transformation in the second half of the year give Max more reason to commit his long-term future to the team? Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... Aura Frames: For a limited time, go to AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura's best-selling Carver Mat frames. Just use promo code NATION at checkout. Indeed: F1 Nation listeners can get a $75 sponsored job credit at Indeed.com/nation F1 Store: Treat the F1 fan in your life this festive season with exclusive gear from the Official F1 Store. Shop now at f1store.formula1.com

F1 correspondent and presenter Lawrence Barretto joins Tom Clarkson in the Yas Marina paddock to reflect on a high-stakes qualifying for Sunday's title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The three title contenders make up the top three on the grid – with Max Verstappen on pole, championship leader Lando Norris in second and Oscar Piastri in third. How can Max make life difficult for Lando and Oscar behind? What can we expect from the McLaren drivers at the start into turn 1? Will team orders come into play? And what impact could the likes of George Russell in P4 and Charles Leclerc in P5 have on the fight at the front? 

F1TV experts Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe join Tom Clarkson in the Yas Marina paddock to preview this weekend's thrilling three-way title showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Just 16 points separate the top three of Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. So what does each driver need to win the title? And how will each of them approach such a huge occasion? The guys discuss all the different scenarios that could shape the outcome of this title fight  and whether the McLaren drivers will help each other if in a position to do so. Plus, Tom, Hinch and Jolyon react to Red Bull's announcement that Isack Hadjar will replace Yuki Tsunoda for 2026. 

F1TV commentator Jolyon Palmer and Alpine Reserve Driver Paul Aron join Tom Clarkson in the Lusail paddock to reflect on another huge twist in this year's title race.  The guys talk about the decisive moment of the Qatar Grand Prix, when everyone except both McLaren drivers pitted under the Safety Car and Max Verstappen took full advantage to ensure the championship fight goes down to the season-finale in Abu Dhabi.  What was McLaren's thinking behind that strategy? Why did it cost them victory? And how should they have reacted differently?   Tom, Jolyon and Paul also discuss why Oscar Piastri was back to his best in Qatar and why Lando Norris wasn't quite at the level he's shown in recent weeks. And with just 16 points now separating Lando, Max and Oscar, what will their mindset be in the build-up to this mouth-watering title showdown at the Yas Marina Circuit? Also on the agenda: Carlos Sainz's incredible performance to secure his second podium for Williams, another weekend to forget for Ferrari and a strong result for Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin following the news that Adrian Newey will become their Team Principal in 2026. Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... F1 Store: Treat the F1 fan in your life this festive season with exclusive gear from the Official F1 Store. Shop now at f1store.formula1.com Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/f1nation. 

Spanish journalist Albert Fabrega joins Tom Clarkson in the Qatar paddock to discuss the news that Adrian Newey will become Aston Martin Team Principal from 2026. Why have Aston appointed the legendary designer to this new role? How well suited is Adrian to leading a team? And what do Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll make of the decision?  Tom and Albert also discuss the championship permutations going into the penultimate round of the season. What does Lando Norris need to be crowned World Champion this weekend? With Max Verstappen closing in, will McLaren change their approach? And who could benefit from the mandatory tyre stints Pirelli have introduced for this race?

The 2025 World Championship took another huge twist in Las Vegas, with Max Verstappen winning and both McLaren drivers being disqualified from the race after their cars were found not to comply with technical regulations. Why exactly were McLaren disqualified? And what does this mean for the title race? F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto joins Tom Clarkson in the paddock to explain the dramatic events that unfolded in the hours after the chequered flag. Tom and Lawrence also discuss the Battle for P2 in the Constructors' Championship, as Mercedes gained from McLaren's misfortune to score a double podium, while Ferrari's struggles continued.  And Doriane Pin tells us how it feels to have been crowned F1 Academy champion after beating Maya Weug to the title in Vegas. Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains

F1TV expert and six-time IndyCar race winner, James Hinchcliffe, joins Tom Clarkson to preview this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix. Lando Norris leads Oscar Piastri at the top of the World Championship by 24 points. With three races and one F1 Sprint to go, there are still 83 up for grabs.  So how will Lando and Oscar approach this triple header? Hinch shares his thoughts on the mindset of both McLaren drivers and tells Tom why it's still all to play for despite Lando's advantage. Max Verstappen is now 49 points adrift of Lando but, while his title hopes look slim, will he and Red Bull still be fighting for wins and have a say in the championship outcome? Plus, Ferrari have been on the Vegas podium two years in a row. Could this be the track where they score a first Grand Prix win of the season? After their double DNF in Brazil, Ferrari chairman John Elkann said Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc need to ‘talk less and focus on driving'. How does Hinch think those comments will impact the team? Watch F1 cars race down the Las Vegas Strip at 200mph LIVE Get tickets at f1lasvegasgp.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/f1nation. 

F1TV lead commentator Alex Jacques and Brazilian commentator Felipe Giaffone join Tom Clarkson in the Interlagos paddock to analyse an eventful race in Brazil. Converting two pole positions into Grand Prix and Sprint wins, Lando Norris produced a perfect weekend to move 24 points clear of teammate Oscar Piastri at the top of the standings. With just three rounds left of the 2025 season, does Lando have one hand on the title now? What did Alex and Felipe make of Oscar's 10-second penalty? And how will the Australian be feeling after losing more ground in the championship? After his sensational win from P17 in Sao Paulo last year, Max Verstappen fought back in emphatic style again – this time from the pitlane to P3. How did he and Red Bull execute that incredible comeback after such a difficult qualifying session? Despite that remarkable recovery, Max lost more ground on Lando, but did close the gap to Oscar, so where do his hopes of becoming a five-time World Champion this season lie now? Plus, the guys also reflect on impressive performances from Kimi Antonelli, Ollie Bearman and Liam Lawson, a challenging first home race for Gabriel Bortoleto, and a very disappointing double DNF for Ferrari. Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains Experience the 2025 F1 title fight Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

F1TV commentator and former Renault driver Jolyon Palmer, and De Telegraaf journalist Erik van Haren, join Tom Clarkson to preview this weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix. With four races and two F1 Sprints to go, Lando Norris leads Oscar Piastri at the top of the World Championship by just one point. How has Lando turned around a 34-point deficit to Oscar since his DNF in Zandvoort? Will the pressure change now he's gone from ‘hunter' to ‘hunted'? And having not been on the podium in the last four races, can Oscar regain momentum? In Mexico, Max Verstappen gained more ground in his late push to win a fifth championship in a row. Now 36 points off the lead, are Max's title chances in his own hands? And if he was to complete an incredible comeback, where would that achievement rank among his other successes? Erik also shares insight into Red Bull's transformation under Team Principal Laurent Mekies and what Max's future may hold after 2026. Plus, the guys discuss how the incredibly tight battle between Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull for P2 in the Constructors' Championship could play out. Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains Experience the 2025 F1 title fight Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

F1TV expert James Hinchcliffe and former F1 driver Esteban Gutiérrez join Tom Clarkson in the paddock to dissect a chaotic Mexico City Grand Prix. A dominant Lando Norris converted pole into victory to lead the World Championship for the first time since Bahrain. He's now a point clear of Oscar Piastri with four races and two F1 Sprints to go, so how will the mentality of both McLaren drivers change now they've swapped positions in the standings? Max Verstappen finished third to score his sixth podium in a row, but having said Red Bull would need to be ‘perfect' for the rest of the season if he's to complete a sensational comeback in this title race, will Max leave Mexico the least satisfied out of the three championship contenders? Ferrari had a mixed weekend, with Charles Leclerc securing back-to-back podiums and Lewis Hamilton unable to convert his best ever qualifying for the team into his first podium. The guys discuss his 10-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, and whether Lewis will have learnt any lessons from his battle with Max. Plus, how did Haas rookie Ollie Bearman deliver a career-best finish of P4? And could Mercedes have fought for a podium had they let George Russell pass Kimi Antonelli earlier in the race?  Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains Experience the 2025 F1 title fight Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

It's the question all F1 fans are asking: can Max Verstappen win this year's Formula 1 World Championship? Haas driver Ollie Bearman gives Tom Clarkson his view and looks forward to what he hopes will be a strong weekend for him personally. Bearman is on a roll, aiming to score points for Haas for the third weekend in a row. Ollie explains the changes he's made to how he approaches race weekends, the challenge of the high-altitude, low-downforce track in Mexico City and how he's preparing for the long run to the first corner at the start of the Grand Prix. Tom also asks Ollie his thoughts on the intensifying three-way World Championship title fight between McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and a resurgent Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Which driver is in the best position, who copes the best with pressure, and which of the Red Bull or McLaren car would Ollie pick to race in this weekend? Follow the Mexico City Grand Prix News and analysis on F1.com and the F1 app Updates on F1 social media Highlights on the F1 YouTube channel Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains Experience the 2025 F1 title fight Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

F1TV expert and six-time IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe joins Tom Clarkson in the Austin paddock to dissect all the action from the United States Grand Prix.  Max Verstappen dominated the weekend with victories in the Grand Prix and F1 Sprint to make up more ground on the McLaren drivers. He's now just 40 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, and only 26 adrift of Lando Norris, with five rounds to go.  Having now gone three races without a podium, what's causing Oscar's dip in form? How crucial could Lando's overtake of Charles Leclerc in the latter stages be to the outcome of this title fight? And, if Max and Red Bull's resurgence continues, will McLaren have to favour one of Oscar and Lando to ensure they win a first drivers' championship since 2008? Hinch also shares his thoughts on the ‘repercussions' Lando Norris said he'll face until the end of the season after his collision with Oscar in Singapore. Leclerc secured his and Ferrari's first podium since Belgium, six races ago. Why did his strategy to start on the soft tyres work so well? How did Ferrari turn their performance around after a challenging Friday? And will fourth-placed Lewis Hamilton see this as a missed opportunity to have scored his first podium for the team? Plus, Tom and Hinch discuss Mercedes' announcement that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will drive for the team in 2026.  Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY… Square: Right now, you can get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/f1nation. (https://squareup.com/us/en/campaign/audio)

Tom Clarkson is joined by former Renault driver and F1TV commentator, Jolyon Palmer, and ex-Ferrari race engineer, Rob Smedley, to discuss the big talking points ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix. With just six races and three F1 Sprints to go this season, only 22 points separate championship leader Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Now that McLaren have wrapped up the Constructors' title, will we see a different approach from Oscar and Lando in their fight to become World Champion?  Mercedes are expected to confirm George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as their driver line-up for 2026 very soon. Jolyon and Rob share their thoughts on how long those contract negotiations have taken for George and what his long-term future might look like. And a year since Charles Leclerc led Carlos Sainz to a sensational 1-2 in Austin, Ferrari are still searching for their first Grand Prix victory this year. Rob provides fascinating insight into what it's like being at the team's Maranello factory when things aren't going well and how they can return to winning ways. Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY... Indeed: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves at indeed.com/nation

Tom Clarkson is joined in the Marina Bay paddock by F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto and Australian motor racing journalist Greg Rust to reflect on the Singapore Grand Prix. McLaren have become World Champions for the second year in a row, but the big talking point was the opening lap contact between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Will that incident change how their championship battle plays out in the final six races, especially now the team have wrapped up the Constructors' title?  George Russell converted a stunning pole into his second win of the season with a dominant performance from lights out. But as his wait for a new contract with Mercedes continues, why does Lawrence think Russell is in a similar situation to the one Carlos Sainz found himself in at Ferrari?  Behind George was Max Verstappen in P2. It's his fourth podium in a row and, given Red Bull's previous struggles in Singapore, does this result confirm they've finally turned a corner with their car? And if Max does significantly close the gap in the title fight this year, will McLaren favour one of their drivers over the other to ensure they win a first Drivers' Championship since 2008? Also on the agenda, the guys discuss another frustrating weekend for Ferrari, while celebrating impressive points finishes from Sainz, Fernando Alonso and Ollie Bearman. Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

Former Renault driver and F1TV commentator, Jolyon Palmer, joins Tom Clarkson to preview this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix. Max Verstappen has won the last two races in Baku and Monza, so will Red Bull's resurgence continue on the streets of Marina Bay? And with his gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri down to 69 points, with seven races and three F1 Sprints to go, can Max really still win a record-equalling fifth title in a row?  Jolyon shares his thoughts on Verstappen's chances and analyses the mistakes Oscar made in Azerbaijan that have put Max back in the conversation.  Plus, after Carlos Sainz scored his first podium with Williams last time out, Tom and Jolyon discuss whether they can be frontrunners in 2026. Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The Grid Your F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 Explains It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com