F1 Nation

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?Send 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

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.

Cadillac have made a solid start in F1. The challenge now is to make their car faster. With a long break before the Miami Grand Prix, there's time for hard work at the factory... and for Team Principal Graeme Lowdon to answer your F1 questions.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 at the team's bases in the US and UK during race weekends help the team at the track?Graeme also gives his assessment of Cadillac’s first three races in F1 and tells Christian Hewgill what the team are working on during the April break.Listen to more official F1 podcastsF1 Beyond The Grid - in-depth interviews with F1's biggest namesF1 Nation - expert views on the latest F1 news

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.This episode is sponsored by: Quince: go to Quince dot com slash NATION for free shipping and 365-day returns. That's a full year to build your wardrobe and love it.Indeed: get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation Saily: get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code F1nation atcheckout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/f1nation

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