F1 Nation

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 [email protected]

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!

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)

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).

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)

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 slowly to go faster', ultimately deciding to leave the team he grew up with and whether Fernando Alonso was faster.

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)

TC and Alex discuss the driver market (00.16) including another trademarked Yuki Tsunoda update before three time Turkish Grand Prix winner Felipe Massa talks about his surprise at Lewis Hamilton's domination, Stefano Domenicali's strengths as a manager and whether he'd rather return to Istanbul or Interlagos. (07:19) Finally TC recounts his many nightmares at the circuit, turn 8 excitement and the 2010 drama is revisited (25:03).

TC and Alex debate if Mercedes owe Nico Rosberg for their seven consecutive constructor titles (5:32), find out what Daniel Ricciardo said to F1 journalists after being ignored in the post race press conference (13:22) and Alpha Tauri technical director Jody Egginton explains balancing the demands of next years car with huge rule changes for 2022, how racing cultures differ from country to country and the raw emotion of that Monza win (20:23).

TC and Alex consider if Lewis Hamilton's win total can ever be caught with the upcoming rule changes (1:53), then there's a dive into the mailbag to debate the dramatic driver market (4:31), Christian Horner explains how Alex Albon can save his seat (5:26) and finally Romain Grosjean picks his greatest races as he nears the end of his F1 career (22:17).

Dario Franchitti starts a debate about the best-looking F1 car ever (6:02), a mailbag question accidentally creates an F1 book club (13:40) and Emanuele Pirro drops by to talk about the harshness of being a elite driver compared to other sports, the energy required to break records, and the conflict of being an F1 steward (19:20).

TC and Alex speak to Mercedes trackside performance director Andrew Shovlin (9:06), who describes Lewis Hamilton's personal improvements to reach the win record, and why Red Bull are once again closing the gap as the season progresses. Then veteran German journalist Michel Schmitt (17:49) compares the driving talents of Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, explains how Mick Schumacher is already getting more mainstream press attention than Sebastian Vettel, and why the Nurburgring is dreaming of F1 returning to the Nordschleife.Finally, Ferrari sporting director Laurent Meckies explains why the prancing horse is awash with young talent knocking on the door to F1 (32:25).

TC and Alex are joined by F1.com senior writer, Lawrence Barretto to assess Honda’s shock withdrawal. They debate whether the manufacturer has repeated their 2008 mistake (10:32), how will Verstappen respond (12:09), if Red Bull can build their own engine (15:06), why a return to Renault cannot be ruled out (17:37), the knock on effect for the driver line up (18:41), how the entire Milton Keynes outfit will require changes (19:34) and whether this ends Yuki Tsudoda’s F1 chances? (22:52)Then after seven years away, F1 Nation guides you through the challenge of the Nurburgring (27:55).

TC and Alex welcome Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff (18:00) to hear why he thinks Ferrari would have blocked him from taking the F1 CEO role, why Stefano Domenicali is perfect for the job, what factors are delaying him re-signing with Mercedes and what Hamilton taking the win record would mean for the Schumacher legacy.PLUS the boys unpack the Russian GP, including ballads with Bottas (7:53), mind games at Renault (11:04), the battle for 3rd in the constructors (14:35) and why Hamilton's reaction to Russia explains a lot about elite sports person mentality (4:12).

Alex Albon joins TC to talk overtaking around the outside, forgetting Eminem lyrics 14:35, celebrating his first podium with a dinner for one 19:49, and the 'unwritten rule' of ignoring your friends on track 21:52. Plus memories of F1's only Grand Prix at Le Mans 6:07, your mailbag questions answered 9:07, and the night Kimi Raikkonen's honesty left TC back peddling at Yas Marina 31:24.

TC and Alex reflect on the season so far with a mid-season report on every F1 team and driver (14:57).Then Davide Valsecchi drops in to review Ferrari's campaign, (20:26) unpicks whats putting Giovinazzi under pressure (28:32), why he's so impressed with Mick Schumacher (30:31) and which driver on the grid is back to his very best (24:07).

On the newly renamed 'Gasly Nation' we delve into the Frenchman’s past to highlight when his F1 chances hung by a thread and what pulled him through (10:47) then Andrew Shovlin explains why Mercedes made the race defining error and what they'll change for this weekend (21:50), finally paddock legend Ane Bradshaw (23:56) and four time champion Alain Prost (28:07) reveal the truth about the Williams F1 era.

TC and Alex discuss Ferrari's collapse after their worst result in 40 years (1:43). They're joined by 1979 champion Jody Scheckter (12:50) to hear how things were even worse in 1980 before McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl drops by to explain his management philosophy and how it's been informed by Bayern Munich (18:54).

This week Tom and Alex are joined by Mark Blundell to hear how to win in America (10:30), why Williams were so good in their heyday (14:10) and which driver reminds him of Senna (20:44). Plus why F1 could return to Indianapolis (3:32) and how Takuma Sato (6:32) owes a lot to the designer of the 2002 Jordan.

TC and Alex welcome Red Bull team principal Christian Horner (08:38) to hear why he backs 'deep thinker' Alex Albon (15:14), why an experienced team mate would offer nothing extra to Max Verstappen (13:59), and why his team won’t give up on the title.

TC and Alex are joined by Nico Hulkenberg (14:02) to hear what he made of his welcome from other drivers, why he’d love another ‘date’ with Racing Point and those links to Alfa Romeo for 2021. Plus Ferrari repeat old mistakes with Charles Leclerc (08:13), why Sebastian Vettel is so on edge with his future sorted (11:05) and Andrew Shovlin on why Merecdes are relishing the challenge to fix their tyre issues before Sunday (30:10)

TC and Alex welcome Renault F1 driver Esteban Ocon to hear what lessons he learned from Lewis Hamilton, why he was thinking about tyres before Sunday's race and why he's more Bane than Hannibal Lecter.

TC and Alex are joined by former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan to discuss which drivers he'd like to manage, why he'd favour a young gun over signing Vettel and his memory of breaking into Silverstone to watch the Grand Prix.

TC and Alex welcome Claire Williams, to discuss the team's painful years, her memories of Williams old champions and why the British Grand Prix will feel incomplete without thousands of fans. Then F1TV's Rosanna Tennant, Will Buxton and Lawrence Barretto reflect on the strangeness of the last three races.

Tom and Alex are joined by 1996 World Champion, Damon Hill to hear how Sebastian Vettel's driver market problems mirror his own experience, why Fernando Alonso's behaviour will be different during his last F1 chance and why Valtteri Bottas will have to resort to mind games to beat Lewis Hamilton to the title.

Tom and Alex speak to ten time Grand Prix winner, Gerhard Berger who outlines the changes he'd make at Ferrari; then we hear from Mercedes' Andrew Shovin about his team's reliability concerns and Andreas Seidl details Lando Norris' constant improvement at McLaren.

In the last show of pre-season, Tom and Alex welcome Zak Brown to hear why McLaren will require two years before they can return to the front; Antonio Giovinazzi talks about keeping the next generation at bay, and Pierre Gasly tells Rosanna Tennant why he’s ignoring the 2021 driver market and focusing on Austria.

Tom and Alex speak to Daniel Ricciardo who re-lives his 'foreign' feeling driving again, then Davide Valsecchi details why he's hopeful for a mega Italian summer of F1 but fears for Ferrari’s season, and finally TC turns quizmaster in Rosanna Tennant's latest challenge.

Tom and Alex are joined by Mark Webber to hear why he believes neither Vettel nor Alonso will be on the grid in 2021. Then Racing Point team principal, Otmar Szafnauer talks about the most competitive car his team have produced in a decade, and finally Rossana Tennant re-lives F1’s esport journey with Tom Deacon and Matt Gallagher.

TC and Alex hear why Lando Norris has tested an F3 car in preparation for the season ahead, Mercedes' James Allison explains which of the new rules he would rewrite, and Lawrence Barretto from F1.com outlines why he believes the new calendar favours a new champion. Finally, Rosanna Tennant faces her toughest challenge yet.

On this week’s show TC and Alex check in with double world champ Mika Hakkinen, who talks is through his famous Spa 2000 overtake on Michael Schumacher, and gives his views on the driver market. Then F1 consultant Rob Smedley hops on the line to talk about Sainz’s move to Ferrari - and why F1 needs Sebastian Vettel. And as usual Rosanna Tennant faces up to another challenge, this time whilst interviewing Racing Point’s Sergio Perez...

On this week’s fun-filled show the boys are joined by David Coulthard who shares his views on everything from winning in Monaco to Sebastian Vettel’s future and his esports debut. Then Rosanna Tennant is back to face her latest challenge: trying to make Johnny Herbert sing. And finally, legendary F1 journalist Maurice Hamilton hops on the line to remember the late Niki Lauda, whom he’s just written a book about.

After a mad few days in the driver market, TC and Alex are joined by F1.com’s Lawrence Barretto to unpick Ferrari’s signing of Carlos Sainz in place of Sebastian Vettel, and Daniel Ricciardo’s move to McLaren. Then Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner joins the boys to discuss, amongst other things, his starring role in Netflix’s F1: Drive to Survive. And where would F1 Nation be without Rosanna Tennant, who faces up to her next challenge with Esteban Gutierrez...

On a bumper all-star 70th anniversary episode, TC and Alex are joined by three-time world champ Sir Jackie Stewart to chat about F1’s evolution - and his famous exchange with Senna. Then hall-of-fame journalist David Tremayne hops on the line to discuss F1’s most influential person, before Rosanna Tennant catches up with four-time world champion Alain Prost for a special challenge...

F1 Nation bursts off the line with an all-start cast and plenty of F1 chat, including an exclusive update from Ross Brawn on the 2020 F1 calendar and the possibility of double headers. Then journalist and presenter Will Buxton joins TC and Alex for a chat about the best corners in F1, before Williams’ George Russell hops on the line to update us on what an F1 driver does under lockdown…

Introducing F1 Nation, the new weekly F1 podcast full of chat, guests and laughs. The first episode will be dropping soon - subscribe today to make sure you don’t miss out!