As Spa-Francorchamps delivers a washout, Tom and Natalie wring out their socks to join Damon in discussing one of the weirder weekends in F1 history. And despite the lack of race action there’s much to chat about, including whether it was right not to start the race, Lando Norris’s big crash at Eau Rouge, George Russell’s qualifying heroics - and just what this weekend means for the title race. And the gang also look ahead to the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, where the weather forecast thankfully l...
Aug 31, 2021•59 min
It’s race week! After what feels like an eternity, F1 is almost back, with the teams and drivers heading to the awesome Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the Belgian Grand Prix. And who better to look forward to the action than three-time Belgian GP winner Damon Hill and Tom Clarkson, who this week are joined by Eddie Jordan, Damon’s former boss who enjoyed his first F1 win with the 1996 world champ in Spa in 1998! They discuss the unique challenge of the circuit, who the track is likely to favour, ...
Aug 24, 2021•51 min
It’s STILL the F1 summer break, so for the second and final time Damon, Tom and Natalie are back for another boredom-busting Ask Damon special. This week the 1996 F1 world champion answers your questions on his favourite sounding engine, extra-terrestrial goings on in a racing car, his favourite music, his most evocative smell and more! And don’t forget to tune in next week when normal service resumes with our Belgian Grand Prix preview episode!
Aug 17, 2021•27 min
It’s the F1 summer break, and that means it’s time for something different on The Nation. As the gang enjoy a well-earned rest, we’ve got a couple of special Ask Damon episodes to keep you entertained. On this week’s show 1996 world champion Damon Hill is joined by Tom Clarkson and Natalie Pinkham as he answers YOUR questions on who he swapped helmets with, what he used to eat before a Grand Prix, who his ideal team mate is, and what it was like to film a Pizza Hut commercial with Murray Walker ...
Aug 10, 2021•22 min
Damon and Tom look back on another thrilling, crash-affected race that produced a brand-new winner: Esteban Ocon! They discuss how the Frenchman was able to hit the jackpot, unpick the opening lap crashes that proved catastrophic for Red Bull and Ferrari, discuss Lewis Hamilton’s exhausting fight back from a questionable strategy call, and why Sebastian Vettel impressed, despite his disqualification. Tom also shares some behind the scenes perspective on THAT spiky press conference answer from Ma...
Aug 03, 2021•1 hr 13 min
After the thrills and spills of Silverstone, Damon and Tom return to preview the final race before the summer break, in Hungary. First up they discuss the continuing fallout from Hamilton and Verstappen’s clash in Britain, including that 1.8m dollar damage bill that Red Bull have revealed. Then F1 Nation’s Dutch correspondent - Jack Plooij from broadcaster Ziggo - joins the boys to discuss the view from the Netherlands, plus to offer some insight on how Verstappen might approach the Hungarian ra...
Jul 27, 2021•53 min
What a weekend that was in Silverstone! From Friday qualifying to Saturday’s Sprint and THAT incident in Sunday’s race, there wasn’t a dull moment. Fresh from the circuit, Damon, Tom and Natalie reconvene to digest all the action, starting of course with that controversial clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Whose fault was it and was the penalty fair? They also discuss Charles Leclerc’s superb race for Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel’s litter-picking and whether they enjoyed F1’s first e...
Jul 20, 2021•54 min
Forget about the football, this week is all about F1 at Silverstone and the British Grand Prix. To celebrate, Tom and Damon are joined by Williams’ young superstar George Russell to look ahead to his home race – and the exciting arrival of F1 Sprint and a new weekend format. He also discusses his F1 future and whether there’ll be any announcements this weekend… To guys also share anecdotes from the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, reminisce on memories of Silverstone past, and debate who might...
Jul 13, 2021•57 min
And just like that, the triple header is over! After the third race in three weeks, Damon, Natalie and Tom reconvene to pick over events at the Red Bull Ring - including those much debated penalties to Lando Norris and Sergio Perez. They also discuss Max Verstappen’s dominance, Lewis Hamilton’s new contract, Fernando Alonso’s bromance with George Russell and much more - including a few behind the scenes stories from the paddock. Plus there’s the latest instalment of Ask Damon, where The Champ an...
Jul 06, 2021•1 hr 3 min
The Red Bull Ring lived up to its name as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen eased to victory over Lewis Hamilton in the Styrian Grand Prix. Tom and Natalie unpack how it all played out, and are joined by Mercedes’ Technical Director James Allison to discuss the Silver Arrows’ defeat and how they plan to respond at the same track next weekend. There’s also chat about Charles Leclerc’s driver of the day performance, Daniel Ricciardo’s homesickness, George Russell’s heartache and Fernando Alonso’s continue...
Jun 29, 2021•54 min
Merci beaucoup, Paul Ricard! Damon, TC and Pinks re-live a thrilling French Grand Prix and marvel at Red Bull’s winning strategy. Damon gives his take on Valtteri Bottas’ radio fury, Max Verstappen’s Turn 1 wobble and Mercedes’ chassis swap. The gang also discuss a great weekend for McLaren and try and get to the bottom of Ferrari’s tyre woes. With two races in Austria coming up, the team debate whether Red Bull or Mercedes are the favourites. Plus, why Pinks wants to swap lives with Yuki Tsunod...
Jun 22, 2021•57 min
It’s triple header time! Yes, this weekend the French GP kicks off a run of three races in three successive weekends, and Damon and Tom can’t wait! They discuss who the Paul Ricard track is more likely to suit: Mercedes or Red Bull, Ferrari or McLaren, and share some memories of the circuit. Then four-time world champion - and six-time French GP winner - Alain Prost joins to discuss Alpine’s progress and what it was like to be Damon’s team mate in 1993. And finally, Ask Damon returns with a musi...
Jun 15, 2021•59 min
Fresh from his plane back from Baku, Tom joins Damon and Natalie to look back on a thrilling Azerbaijan Grand Prix which saw Sergio Perez claim his first win for Red Bull after Max Verstappen’s spectacular exit. They pick apart all the drama of that accident, Hamilton’s error at the restart, Vettel’s brilliance for Aston Martin, Gasly’s elbows out duel with Leclerc and much more. Plus there’s another edition of Ask Damon, including questions on tech gizmos and reading material. To ask the champ ...
Jun 08, 2021•51 min
After an off-weekend, TC and Pinks can’t wait for another action packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as they look ahead to this year’s race in Baku. They’re also joined by Alpine reserve driver Daniil Kvyat to discuss what it takes to do well at the street track, as well as who he’d fight in the F1 paddock... And finally Alfa Romeo boss Fred Vasseur jumps on to chat about the team’s recent progress, Antonio Giovinazzi’s growing star, and whether he’d give an F1 drive to a 17-year-old...
Jun 01, 2021•40 min
Ok, so there wasn’t much overtaking, but Monaco still served up some great talking points - and Damon, Natalie and Tom are back to discuss them all! From Charles Leclerc’s qualifying crash to Mercedes’ off colour day and Max’s perfect weekend, they dig into it all. Plus there’s chat on Sainz’s progression, Norris’s continued excellence and whether Sebastian Vettel has finally found his mojo. And if that wasn’t enough, Damon answers another listener question, this time on the harsh realities of s...
May 25, 2021•56 min
It’s Monaco race week! TC and Damon are very excited this week as they preview the classic street race - especially when Monaco master Sir Jackie Stewart joins to discuss how to win in the Principality, and who might triumph this year. The Scot also hangs around for the latest instalment of Ask Damon, as the ‘96 champ fields your questions once more - and reveals why he turned down the chance to drive for Jackie’s team! If you want to ask Damon a question, send a voice message to AskDamonHill@gm...
May 18, 2021•58 min
On this week’s show Damon returns to look back on an intense Spanish Grand Prix with Tom and Natalie. They discuss Hamilton’s 100th pole - and his response to Damon’s hyperbolic tweet about him! - plus the Briton’s strategic victory over Verstappen in the race. They also discuss that spicy start, Mercedes team orders, and TC shares some interesting behind-the-scenes observations on the title protagonists. Then there’s chat on Leclerc, Ricciardo and Gasly, plus reaction to the surprising thing th...
May 11, 2021•1 hr 2 min
On this week’s episode of The Nation, TC and Pinks look back on the Portuguese Grand Prix and Hamilton vs Verstappen Round 3. Joining them (from an airport in the Algarve) to discuss how Hamilton bounced back from an early mistake to take victory is F1.com Senior Writer Lawrence Barretto, who also gives his views on Ferrari’s form and Raikkonen’s error. Then French journalist Julien Billiotte, for the country’s best selling motorsport magazine Auto Hebdo, joins to discuss Alpine’s upsurge in for...
May 04, 2021•42 min
After a weekend without F1, TC and Damon look ahead to the Portuguese GP with special guest, F1 race winner and notorious prankster Gerhard Berger. Together they share some of their most memorable moments and hilarious anecdotes from the race - including several massive shunts, a famous overtake and Ayrton Senna’s maiden win. Then they look ahead to this year’s race and the next instalment of Hamilton versus Verstappen, before another instalment of Ask Damon, this week with a theme of racing dri...
Apr 27, 2021•57 min
Well, what a race that was! After a terrific Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Damon, Natalie and Tom discuss all the important issues - including the latest shift in the Verstappen vs Hamilton rivalry, and why we saw SO many driver errors. There’s also chat on Lando Norris, Ferrari, Yuki Tsunoda, and of course that massive shunt between George Russell and Valtteri Bottas. And it wouldn’t be an episode of F1 Nation without another round of Ask Damon! To ask the Champ a question, however silly, send a v...
Apr 20, 2021•47 min
On this week’s show TC and Pinks discuss whether this season will see a return of the classic Ferrari-McLaren rivalry, in the company of Felipe Massa’s former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley. Then Italian correspondent Davide Valsecchi joins to help preview the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, with the trio giving their podium predictions and more! Don't forget, if you want to ask Damon a question, send a voice note to askdamonhill@gmail.com
Apr 13, 2021•50 min
On this week’s pod, with Natalie on hols, Damon and TC take a closer look at the Mercedes vs Red Bull rivalry, and how it compares to Williams’ legendary battles with Benetton in the mid-90s. Then Pedro De La Rosa joins the boys to give his view on Alonso, Sainz and all things Spanish in F1, not to mention share some fantastic anecdotes. And finally we have another edition of Ask Damon, where the Champ answers YOUR questions... Want to ask Damon a question? Send a voicenote to AskDamonHill@gmail...
Apr 06, 2021•44 min
After a breathless F1 season opener in Bahrain, Damon, Natalie and Tom pick apart the big talking points - including Max Verstappen surrendering the lead back to Lewis Hamilton, and just where the victory ranks in Hamilton’s best races. There’s also chat on Norris, Ricciardo and Sainz, some more Yuki Tsunoda love, plus the second instalment of Ask Damon. Oh, and keep an ear out for a cameo from Sky pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz too... If you want to ask Damon a question, send a voice note to ask...
Mar 29, 2021•38 min
On the first episode 2021, Tom Clarkson and new team mates Damon Hill and Natalie Pinkham preview the upcoming F1 season – with plenty of laughs along the way. Dutch broadcaster Jack Plooij joins to discuss Max Verstappen’s chances of dethroning Lewis Hamilton, the gang discuss Valtteri Bottas’s cheeky appearance in Drive to Survive, plus Damon faces his first fan question in the brand-new ‘Ask Damon’ segment. If you want to ask Damon a question, send a voice note to askdamonhill@gmail.com...
Mar 23, 2021•45 min
F1 Nation, your weekly dose of light-hearted F1 chat and fun, returns for a new season on March 23. And this year there’s a new presenting crew! Tom Clarkson returns with two new co-hosts – 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill and Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham. Be sure to hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode!
Mar 19, 2021•2 min
In the closing episode of 2020 TC and Alex welcome Ross Brawn to hear his thoughts on a year like no other (07:54) then Rosanna Tennant returns to review the season and set one last challenge. (28:25) Finally as Alex bids farewell to F1 Nation we hear both the highlights and the occasions when things didn't go to plan when making the podcast. (59:43)
Dec 15, 2020•1 hr 8 min
On the newly renamed 'Perez Nation' Tom Clarkson and Alex Jacques relive an incredible F1 week. They debate if Mercedes might consider George Russell replacing Valtteri Bottas for 2021 (3:53) and hear why victory slipped away with Andrew Shovlin (12:12). Then there's a review of Sergio Perez's stunning last to first win, plus whether it will keep him on the grid for 2021 (20:57), finally hall of fame F1 journalist David Tremayne reflects on the strangest of F1 seasons (31:45).
Dec 08, 2020•48 min
TC and Alex are joined by Dr Ian Roberts and Alan Van Der Merwe to hear about making sense of an accident scene with every second counting, practicing for worst-case scenarios, how unseen footage detailed Romain Grosjean's escape after the 53g impact and why they’re not surprised Romain wants to return to racing (6:53). Then hear from McLaren technical director James Key as the team juggle three years worth of car projects at once. (21:49)
Dec 01, 2020•39 min
TC and Alex finally present F1 Nation from the same place and discuss how Renault will cope swapping Daniel Ricciardo with Fernando Alonso (2:01), why the change in safety car will feel strange (5:48) and how will F1 cope with a knight on the grid in 2021 (7:18). Plus TC sits down with McLaren's Principal Car Performance Engineer, Mark Temple (10:27) to reveal the unseen pressures of Lewis Hamilton's early F1 years including: adjusting to fame, coping with Jenson Button, learning to 'drive slowl...
Nov 24, 2020•37 min
TC and Alex go behind the scenes of a historic triumph for Lewis Hamilton and consider the sports people he now sits alongside after his 7th title victory. (10:39) Then George Russell talks 5k times, advice from Hamilton after Imola, and the painful reality of the Turkish Grand Prix behind the wheel (20:09). Finally TC recalls a trip to the gym with F1 boss Chase Carey (33:11) and explains why you want your tarmac from Shropshire if you're resurfacing a race track. (16:03)
Nov 17, 2020•38 min
