F1 Explains is back - in our new home
Go to the F1 Nation podcast feed to hear our first episode of 2026. Christian Hewgill and Lawrence Barretto talk through all you need to know ahead of the new season
Feb 27, 2026•1 min
F1 Explains
{"_":"\n
New episodes of F1 Explains are on the F1 Nation podcast feed in 2026, but you can enjoy our previous episodes right here.
\n\nSend your questions, voice notes and messages to F1Explains@F1.com
\n\nAn official Formula 1 podcast.
\n\n\n","$":{"audioboom:html":"1"}}Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
F1 Explains has joined F1 Nation for 2026
F1 Explains is moving to the F1 Nation podcast feed for the new season. Get answers to your F1 questions from Christian Hewgill and expert guests, plus race reviews and previews with Tom Clarkson - all in one place. Send your questions about the 2026 F1 season to F1Explains@F1.com Search F1 Nation on your podcast app, hit follow or subscribe, and you'll get every new episode of F1 Explains...
Feb 19, 2026•2 min
Driving secrets, pit crew cookies, movie star cars + a Team Principal's toilet - The Best of F1 Explains 2025
Lando Norris' driving style, the food which fuels the Haas pit crew, the Apex GP cars from F1: The Movie and the team boss who lets his drivers use his office toilet. F1 Explains covered all this and much more in 2025 as we answered your questions on how the sport works. Christian and the team have chosen their favourite moments from the season, which include a world-first episode recorded inside a garage during a Grand Prix, F1: The Movie director Joseph Kosinski explaining how the cars used in...
Dec 19, 2025•25 min
The F1 winter - with James Vowles + Lawrence Barretto
In the months between the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi and the five red lights in Australia, Formula 1 teams are still be racing. They're building in factories, testing on simulators and wind tunnels, working flat-out to get their cars ready for a new era. New car design and power unit rules will change the game in 2026, so the work F1 teams do this winter is more important than ever. Williams Team Principal James Vowles and F1 Correspondent and Presenter Lawrence Barretto join Christian Hewgill ...
Dec 12, 2025•36 min
Becoming F1 World Champion - with Mika Hakkinen
What does a Formula 1 driver need to become a World Champion? Can they really approach a title decider as if it’s any other race? And is it better to be leading the way or chasing? Ahead of this weekend’s three-way title showdown between Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, two-time World Champion Mika Hakkinen joins Christian Hewgill in the Yas Marina paddock to explain what it takes to achieve motorsport’s biggest prize. Mika remembers the moment in his c...
Dec 05, 2025•23 min
Ford's Formula 1 return with Red Bull
In a shock reversal of the usual format, this episode of F1 Explains starts with a question that YOU have to answer. It's about an engine company with an incredible winning record in Formula 1. Any guesses? For decades, Ford won in Formula 1. Their engines powered drivers and teams to World Championships. In 2026, the company will return to the grid, partnering with Red Bull on a new F1 engine project. Christian speaks to Mark Rushbrook, Ford Global Director of Racing, to find out how the partne...
Nov 28, 2025•26 min
How Cadillac are getting ready to race in F1
How do you start a brand new F1 team? Does joining at the start of new regulations in 2026 give Cadillac an advantage or disadvantage? What are the team’s goals? Cadillac F1 Team CEO Dan Towriss joins Christian Hewgill to answer your questions and tell us what we can expect from F1’s newest team. Dan also talks about their driver line-up of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, Cadillac’s short and long-term engine plans, the role General Motors and TWG Motorsports play in this project, and whether ...
Nov 21, 2025•27 min
James Hinchcliffe on driving an F1 car + how Laura Winter prepares for an F1 weekend
To answer the latest load of F1 Explains listener questions, Christian is joined F1TV expert James Hinchcliffe, IndyCar race-winner who recently drove an F1 car for the first time, and F1TV lead presenter Laura Winter, who once drove an F4 car but doesn't like to talk about it... Laura and Hinch answer your questions on the differences between F1 and IndyCar machinery, how Cadillac's arrival will change the sport in 2026, how they prepare to cover race weekends and the key people F1 teams try an...
Nov 14, 2025•34 min
Ask Haas - with Ocon, Bearman, Komatsu, Mueller + Crone
How many members of an F1 team does it take to answer the latest batch of your questions? 5, as it turns out! Haas drivers Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon, Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, Race Engineer Laura Mueller and F1 ACADEMY driver Courtney Crone sat down with Christian Hewgill at the US Grand Prix in Austin. Ayao took questions about the parts Haas buys from Ferrari, and what he thinks about Cadillac's entry into F1 in 2026. Laura explains how F1 teams fix car problems during a Grand Prix. Co...
Nov 07, 2025•39 min
How data helps F1 drivers go faster - with McLaren's Tom Stallard + Jolyon Palmer
When Formula 1 drivers want to go faster, they study squiggly lines on a screen. This is F1 data, showing how drivers accelerate, brake, steer and more. Hidden in the squiggles are the secrets of speed. Tom Stallard, Race Engineer to Oscar Piastri at McLaren, and former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer join Christian Hewgill to decode F1 data. Tom answers your questions on what data is recorded, how it is fed back to the teams by hundreds of sensors on each car, and how engineers analyse thousands of pie...
Oct 31, 2025•35 min
David Coulthard + Mika Hakkinen explain F1 team mate title battles - LIVE at the US Grand Prix
Once McLaren team mates fighting for the Formula 1 World Championship, now legends of the F1 Paddock, Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard know how it feels to be in the middle of a title battle. The pair join Christian Hewgill and F1 Explains listeners live on stage in Austin, Texas, to answer your questions. David and Mika explain how McLaren handled their title rivalry in the late 1990s, compare their experiences to this year's intensifying battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and discu...
Oct 23, 2025•32 min
Gabriel Bortoleto explains F1 driving tricks, F2 v F1, steering wheels + driving in the pit lane
What does ‘lift and coast’ mean and why do drivers use this technique? How do they reduce their speed under a Virtual Safety Car? Why do they use a different engine mode when driving in the pitlane? And what do the buttons on an F1 steering wheel do? Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto joins Christian Hewgill in the paddock at the United States Grand Prix to answer your questions. Gabriel also reveals what has surprised him the most about teammate Nico Hulkenberg, how he feels about racing his manager Fe...
Oct 16, 2025•28 min
Marshals: The ‘first line of safety for F1 drivers’
Without marshals, we wouldn't be able to go racing. In their bright orange jumpsuits, they're hard to miss. Hundreds of them are dotted around the track to ensure the safety of all the drivers competing in every series during a Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend. So how do they keep drivers safe? What roles are different marshals performing at different parts of the circuit? How do they know which flags to wave? What’s the process they go through when responding to incidents on track? And how do they ...
Oct 09, 2025•31 min
The Medical Car: 'the world's fastest ambulance'
When F1 drivers crash, the FIA Medical Car rushes to the scene. It's a high-performance machine with a racing driver at the wheel and a doctor in the passenger seat. The Medical Car crew, Dr Ian Roberts and driver Bruno Correia, answer your questions about their vital jobs. They tell Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill about responding to crashes, assessing driver injuries and the part of a Grand Prix when they're most likely to be called into action. Dr Ian explains how he went from working in ...
Oct 02, 2025•36 min
Alex Albon explains F1 night races, car numbers + helmet designs
How different is driving at night compared to racing during the day? What impact does being a celebrity have on an F1 drivers’ life? How are car numbers decided? And what’s the process behind designing a special helmet? Williams’ Alex Albon joins Christian Hewgill in the Formula 1 paddock to answer your questions. Get your question answered on the podcast Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at ...
Sep 25, 2025•20 min
How strategy is influenced by tyres, drivers, crashes, AI and more – Quickfire Questions with Bernie Collins
What are race strategists doing during a Grand Prix? How are strategies decided for each driver within a team? What happens to that strategy when something unexpected happens, like teammates colliding with each other? And is Artificial Intelligence used when deciding the best tactics for a race? Bernie Collins, former F1 strategist at Aston Martin and McLaren, joins Christian Hewgill in the paddock to answer your questions about the sport. Bernie also explains why teams change their engine power...
Sep 18, 2025•36 min
Ask a Team Principal with Sauber's Jonathan Wheatley
2025 is a year of change for Jonathan Wheatley. He left Red Bull in the UK to join Sauber in Switzerland. He also stepped up from Sporting Director to Team Principal. Jonathan answers your questions about moving from a World Championship-winning team to one seeking success. He tells Christian how he leads the hundreds of people working at Sauber's factory and at the racetrack, including drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. More change is ahead for Jonathan and Sauber in 2026, as Audi-t...
Sep 11, 2025•30 min
Forza Ferrari – Why Ferrari are F1’s ‘most famous’ team
Ferrari is synonymous with Formula 1 around the world. They’ve won more World Championships than any other team in the sport’s history. But is that success why they’re regarded as one of the most iconic names in F1? Or is there more to it? F1 Explains is at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza to find out what makes Ferrari so special. Christian Hewgill is joined by ESPN F1 journalist, Nate Saunders, who is also the author of ‘Forza Ferrari: How F1’s most famous team can win again’, and 2012 GP2 cham...
Sep 04, 2025•46 min
Meet a Formula 1 pit crew - with Haas
The driver hits the brakes. The car stops in the pit lane and 20 people go to work. Wheel guns roar. Tyres spin. The car speeds back into the race. An F1 pit stop is 2 seconds of precision under pressure. F1 Explains meets the people who make lightning-fast pit stops happen. Christian Hewgill puts your questions to Haas pit crew members Matt Thompson, Monique Hurrell and Marcus Farrer. Matt, Monique and Marcus explain how they became part of the pit crew, what happens during a stop, and what the...
Aug 28, 2025•24 min
How F1 teams find future stars – with Mercedes
Where do Formula 1 teams spot the drivers of the future? What are they looking for in young racers? And how did Mercedes guide Kimi Antonelli from karting to F1? F1 Explains explores junior driver programmes, which exist to find talented young drivers and support them as they climb the motorsport ladder. Most F1 teams have these academies. Red Bull signed a young Max Verstappen, Ferrari supported Charles Leclerc and Oliver Bearman, Lando Norris was part of the McLaren programme, and Mercedes dev...
Jul 31, 2025•48 min
Ask Stefano Domenicali – F1 President and CEO answers your questions
Being the boss of Formula 1 is a big job. F1 teams, drivers, race promoters, sponsors and more than 825 million fans worldwide rely on Stefano Domenicali to lead the sport forwards. It’s a huge responsibility, so how does he keep everyone happy? Speaking to Christian Hewgill, Stefano explains exactly what his job involves and how the role compares to his time as Ferrari Team Principal. He also answers your questions about the cost cap, the calendar, the points-scoring system, the sport’s growth ...
Jul 24, 2025•33 min
Esteban Ocon explains F1 training, post-race weigh-ins + racing focus
He's a race-winner, a Haas driver and he lays claim to being the tallest person on the F1 grid (hairstyle permitting). Esteban Ocon joins F1 Explains to answer the latest batch of listener questions. Among the topics in our inbox: how drivers prepare mentally and physically, why they get handed a little paper ticket at their post-race weight check, how being tall affects the job of an F1 driver, and whether fireproof underwear is comfortable. Esteban also talks about working with his Haas race e...
Jul 17, 2025•36 min
Ask Ayao Komatsu LIVE at the British Grand Prix
How do F1 teams help new drivers settle in? What are the secrets of Silverstone? Could Taylor Swift help Ollie Bearman go faster? Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu answers these questions and more in the latest F1 Explains live show, recorded at the British Grand Prix. F1 Explains listeners Eilín from Ireland, Maya from New York and honeymooning couple Amie and Sam join Ayao and Christian Hewgill on-stage. They ask Ayao how Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman adapted to their new team, the differences...
Jul 10, 2025•22 min
75 Years of F1: How the sport arrived and thrived - with Damon Hill + Alex Jacques at the British GP
1996 Formula 1 World Champion, Damon Hill, and F1TV’s lead commentator, Alex Jacques, join Christian Hewgill at the British Grand Prix for an F1 history lesson - 75 years since the World Championship began at Silverstone in 1950. How did the pinnacle of motorsport begin? What did the first World Championship look like in terms of the cars, the calendar and the Constructors? Who were the sport’s biggest superstars in the early decades? What have been the biggest technological advances? How has sa...
Jul 03, 2025•52 min
This Friday: F1 Explains LIVE at the British Grand Prix
F1 Explains will be live on-stage at the British Grand Prix with two special guests: Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, and F1 legend David Coulthard will join Christian Hewgill to answer your questions. See you there! F1 EXPLAINS LIVE AT SILVERSTONE Friday 4th July Main Stage 1115-1145 Free to all British Grand Prix Friday or weekend ticket-holders Send your questions for Ayao and David to F1Explains@F1.com Get your question on the podcast! Send voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com F1: TH...
Jul 01, 2025•1 min
F1 commentary, team radio + qualifying questions - with Alex Jacques + Jolyon Palmer
How do F1 commentators call races? What do F1 team radio messages mean? How do drivers make sure their laps in qualifying are as fast as possible? In this 'mega' episode, F1TV commentary duo Alex Jacques and Jolyon Palmer explain how they do their jobs - the camera shots and data they look at during a Grand Prix Alex and Jolyon also help Christian Hewgill decode F1 team radio messages, and break down how teams approach qualifying. Get your question on the podcast! Send voice notes and emails to ...
Jun 26, 2025•29 min
How F1 The Movie was made - with director Joseph Kosinski
Filmed on real F1 racetracks, in the middle of real F1 action, F1 The Movie is the most authentic racing movie ever. Director Joseph Kosinski tells Christian Hewgill how the movie was made - how it all started with an email to Lewis Hamilton, how the team modified real race cars to film the spectacular racing sequences, and how he shot scenes on the grid, on the track and in the pit lane during F1 race weekends. F1 The Movie – in cinemas June 25th internationally, June 27th in North America Find...
Jun 25, 2025•29 min
Planning your F1 trip - choosing a race, buying tickets + picking seats
Watching F1 on TV is incredible. Seeing the action live is even better. With 24 amazing races, different ticket options and viewing positions to choose from, how do you plan a trip to a Formula 1 Grand Prix? Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill speak to Gavin and Megan, F1 fans from Colorado who are going to this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix during their honeymoon. They want advice planning their weekend - what to take to the track, where to sit, and what to do besides watching the races. F1 Exp...
Jun 19, 2025•41 min
Lando Norris explains F1 driving styles, champagne slams + special helmets
What is a ‘driving style’ and how many different ones are there? What’s the secret to executing a champagne pop on the podium? And how do F1 drivers come up with ideas for special helmet designs and create the final product? McLaren driver Lando Norris joins Christian Hewgill at the Canadian Grand Prix to give you the answers. Lando also tells us what he likes to eat for breakfast, why he has to get up so early on race day, his guilty pleasures, what he’d be if he wasn’t an F1 driver, and why he...
Jun 13, 2025•26 min
F1's greatest drivers + improving safety | Ask an F1 World Champion - with Sir Jackie Stewart
He's a legend of Formula 1, a three-time World Champion who fought to make the sport safer. Sir Jackie Stewart's good work continues today with his charity Race Against Dementia. Sir Jackie joins Christian Hewgill to answer your questions on how F1 has changed since the 1960s and 70s, the great drivers of the past and how F1 cars and racetracks have become safer over the decades. Lady Helen Stewart, Jackie's wife, was once his timekeeper. She stood at the side of the track with a stopwatch to re...
Jun 05, 2025•32 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android