Podcast
F1 Nation
Hosted by Formula 1 · EN
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
37episodes
Episodes
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Has Hamilton’s ‘historic day’ put Ferrari in title fight? – Barcelona-Catalunya GP Review
6d ago00:46:53Tap to summarizeTom 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.
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F1 Explains: how a Grand Prix gets started
1w ago00:24:57Tap to summarizeFive 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
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How pressure and expectation is changing for Kimi + George – Barcelona-Catalunya GP Preview
1w ago00:29:22Tap to summarizeTom 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?
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‘Fearless, peerless’ Kimi + ‘bamboozled’ Russell – Monaco GP Review with Laura Winter + Lawrence Barretto
2w ago00:55:21Tap to summarizeTom 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
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F1 Explains: Monaco mastery, pole positioning + 'more power' - with Alex Jacques
2w ago00:33:07Tap to summarizeWhy 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
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Are Ferrari favourites? – Monaco GP Preview with Palmer + Hinchcliffe
3w ago00:43:31Tap to summarizeTom 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
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F1 Explains: brain training for F1 drivers - with an expert coach
3w ago00:30:41Tap to summarizeIt'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
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'Flashpoint' at Mercedes, ‘magic’ Lewis + Franco's finest - Canadian GP Review with Jolyon Palmer + Alex Jacques
4w ago00:43:54Tap to summarizeTom 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
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F1 Explains: how drivers reach F1 – with Juan Pablo Montoya
May 2100:26:33Tap to summarizeWhy 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
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Will Kimi’s momentum continue? Big weekends for George, Lewis + Charles? - Canadian GP Preview with Palmer + Hinchcliffe
May 1700:56:55Tap to summarizeTom 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.
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