Step inside the Formula 1 Paddock for race previews, reviews, interviews and analysis with Tom Clarkson and expert guests. Get answers to your questions on F1 Explains with Christian Hewgill. Email F1Explains@F1.com An official F1 podcast. For in-depth F1 interviews, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid
Max, Lewis + Fernando shine in Sepang - Bahrain GP in Malaysia Review
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…
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…
1 Oct 2026 · 26 min
Who will rise to the challenge in Sepang? - Bahrain GP in Malaysia Preview
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…
28 Sep 2026 · 51 min
Has George ‘cracked the code’? – Azerbaijan GP Review
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…
24 Sep 2026 · 27 min
F1 Explains: Formula 2 + Formula 3 with 2026 F3 champion Ugo Ugochukwu
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…
21 Sep 2026 · 50 min
Kimi’s transformation + redemption for Oscar in Baku? – Azerbaijan GP Preview
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…
17 Sep 2026 · 26 min
F1 Explains: the secrets of the podium
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…
14 Sep 2026 · 44 min
Kimi wins, Lando loses out, but could Max have won? - Spanish GP Review
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…
11 Sep 2026 · 28 min
F1 Explains: Making the Madring
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.
10 Sep 2026 · 26 min
'A total curveball'. Who will master the Madring? – Spanish GP Preview
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…
7 Sep 2026 · 1 hr
How home hero Kimi made history at Monza – Italian GP Review
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…
3 Sep 2026 · 34 min
F1 Explains: High-Speed v Low-Speed tracks - with Jolyon Palmer
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.
30 Aug 2026 · 44 min
Will Kimi or Ferrari be home heroes? Can McLaren challenge? - Italian GP Preview
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…
27 Aug 2026 · 27 min
F1 Explains: pit crews + 'straights' vs 'straightaways' - with James Hinchliffe + Calum Nicholas
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,…
24 Aug 2026 · 51 min
‘The fight is still on’. Is Lando in the title race? – Dutch GP Review
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…
21 Aug 2026 · 21 min
F1 Explains: LEGO Drivers’ Parade minicars
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…
20 Aug 2026 · 23 min
Verstappen commits to Red Bull – reaction + what next in the F1 driver market?
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.
17 Aug 2026 · 50 min
Can Kimi stay cool as F1 returns? Dutch GP Preview
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…
27 Jul 2026 · 50 min
‘Sublime’ Lando, the ‘Max factor’ + Fernando’s ‘fire’ – Hungarian GP Review
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?…
23 Jul 2026 · 32 min
F1 Explains: Yuki Tsunoda talks F1 training, learning from teammates + food
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…
23 Jul 2026 · 24 min
Advantage Ferrari? Aston upgrades key to Fernando’s future? – Hungarian GP Preview
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…
20 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
‘Cool’ Kimi, Ferrari full of surprises + a reset for Russell? – Belgian GP Review
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…
16 Jul 2026 · 29 min
F1 Explains: Sainz + Bortoleto on flying laps, race starts + clean v dirty air
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…
12 Jul 2026 · 57 min
Russell, reliability or Ferrari? What is Kimi’s biggest threat? – Belgian GP Preview
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…
9 Jul 2026 · 29 min
F1 Explains: racing in the 1990s, snitching on Schumacher + unusual F1 records - with Damon Hill
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…
6 Jul 2026 · 35 min
Leclerc ‘transforms the narrative’ + more Mercedes drama – British GP Review
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…
2 Jul 2026 · 24 min
F1 Explains: Ask a Team Principal - with Ayao Komatsu
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…
2 Jul 2026 · 23 min
Can Max fight Mercedes at Silverstone? - British Grand Prix preview
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…
29 Jun 2026 · 45 min
‘Resilient’ Russell + resurgent Max – Austrian GP Review
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…
25 Jun 2026 · 40 min
F1 Explains: how driver managers do deals - with Carlos Onoro Sainz
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…
About F1 Nation
Step inside the Formula 1 Paddock for race previews, reviews, interviews and analysis with Tom Clarkson and expert guests. Get answers to your questions on F1 Explains with Christian Hewgill. Email F1Explains@F1.com An official F1 podcast. For in-depth F1 interviews, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid
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