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The Race F1 Podcast

The Race F1 Podcast

719 episodes — Page 2 of 15

Bahrain Testing Day 3: Does F1 have a safety problem with new rules?

The Mercedes pair of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell ended up with a one-two on the timesheets at the end of the Bahrain test. But with the top teams falling over themselves to declare each other the frontrunner, who is really on top at the conclusion of three days of running? And how seriously should F1 take Andrea Stella’s safety warnings? Edd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm and Jon Noble to discuss both of those questions, and reflect on three days of running that left us with as many questions as answers.Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 13, 20261h 9m

Bahrain Testing Day 2: What's behind Verstappen's 'anti-racing' rules comment?

Day 2 of F1 testing in Bahrain was dominated by Max Verstappen’s comments about the 2026 regulations - but what’s prompted him to call them “not very Formula 1-like", "anti-racing" and more like "Formula E on steroids”? Dutch F1 commentator Nelson Valkenburg, of Viaplay Netherlands, joins Edd Straw to give his verdict on Max’s comments, and talk through all the rest of the big stories from the day, including Ferrari’s pace and Mercedes’ struggles. Also in this episode, Scott Mitchell-Malm reports back on Aston Martin’s progress after Lance Stroll claimed the team’s new car was up to four and a half seconds off the leading teams, and Jon Noble checks in to discuss the story he broke on Thursday about a potential change to the F1 start procedure that was blocked by Ferrari.Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 12, 202640 min

Bahrain Testing Day 1: Is Red Bull really the benchmark?

Join Edd Straw and Jon Noble as they discuss all of the big stories from Day 1 of F1 testing in Bahrain, including Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s assertion that the Red Bull is the benchmark car. Edd and Jon also provide some trackside observations of watching the new cars in action, and reflect on Lewis Hamilton’s comments about the new regulations. They also provide an update on every team’s progress on the first day of running. Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 11, 202641 min

BONUS: In-Car Insights - What we're looking for on day one of Bahrain F1 testing

It’s day 1 of the Bahrain test, and as a special bonus, we’re making our first In-Car Insights podcast of the week - a podcast series usually only available to The Race Members' Club - free for everyone to listen to.Our In-Car Insights series is a hugely popular staple of our grand prix weekend output for members, and features the likes of Edd Straw, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Jon Noble discussing the day's news and events as they travel from the circuit back to their hotel.In this episode, join Edd, Scott and Jon in the car as they head to the Sakhir circuit and delve into everything they're looking for on the first day of the first proper F1 2026 test, and marvel at Edd's management of fuel economy and traffic challenges too.Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 11, 202628 min

Why Aston Martin hinted it'll start 2026 behind rivals

F1 launch season has reached its conclusion with Aston Martin and McLaren holding online launches and Cadillac revealing its livery in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. Jon Noble was in Saudi Arabia for the Aston launch, and he tells Edd Straw what he learned and why some of the language coming from the likes of Adrian Newey and Fernando Alonso suggests the team won't be at the sharp end of the grid in 2026 - at least to begin with.There's also chat about McLaren's launch, the latest on the engine compression saga, and our thoughts on Cadillac's expensive TV commercial and interesting split livery concept.Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 9, 202635 min

HILL & HERBERT: Damon and Johnny on testing secrets and mad car launches

With F1 pre-season in full swing, Damon and Johnny return with another episode of Stay On Track, and this time they’re discussing car launches and testing from a driver’s perspective. They share some weird and wacky stories from their own careers, including the time Damon was almost sacked during a car launch and the time Johnny inadvertently found himself part of a space opera! They also discuss how testing has changed over the years, and debate whether the current restrictions on testing have limited opportunities for drivers to experiment with new driving techniques - something that could be a big factor this year, with the new regulations… Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 7, 202654 min

What testing tells us about how F1 racing will change in 2026

F1 has all-new cars in 2026, but how will they change the racing we see on track? That's the big question tackled in this episode of The Race F1 Podcast, as Edd Straw, Scott-Mitchell-Malm and Dutch F1 commentator Nelson Valkenburg, of Viaplay Netherlands, attempt to unpick what we've learned from the limited driver and team feedback we've heard so far.How big is the driving challenge, and has it gone too far in the direction of energy management over pure driving? And will one type of driver excel compared to another?Those are some of the topics tackled, before talk turns to the latest on Williams' delayed start to 2026, what to make of the latest comments from Adrian Newey about Aston Martin starting four months behind the curve, and why Jack Doohan has landed a role as Haas reserve driver.Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 5, 202659 min

The key tech trends of F1's 2026 cars

Now that almost all of the 2026 cars have broken cover, we take an in-depth look at the technical and design trends that have stood out so far in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Ex-F1 technical director Gary Anderson and Mark Hughes join Edd Straw to work through the key areas and explain the various design choices taken by teams. We take a close look at the approach to active aero, in particular the choices made by teams like Mercedes only to adjust one element of the front wing. The sidepod designs and bargeboard details at the front of the floor are also delved into, as a well as a look at the bold suspension geometries chosen by teams - particularly Aston Martin. We also ask why the Racing Bulls airbox intake is so massive, and what the reason is for the slots in at the back of the floor leading into the diffuser on some cars. Finally, we pick out the best and worst performers from testing, and nominate the most interesting, and most concerning, of the 2026 cars. Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 2, 202655 min

Newey’s Aston Martin catches the eye - but who was the real winner of F1's shakedown test?

Aston Martin dominated the headlines in the final part of the Barcelona shakedown test when its aggressive Adrian Newey creation broke cover, while Lewis Hamilton ended the five days of running with the fastest time for Ferrari. But does the Aston Martin’s speed match its looks, and is Mercedes really the team in front?On this episode of The Race F1 Podcast, Edd Straw is joined by Jon Noble and Scott Mitchell-Malm to mull over these questions, and cast an eye over the progress of each of the teams that ran in Spain this week.Fill out a quick survey about your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26 and you could win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 30, 202641 min

Mercedes’ ominous form, McLaren’s debut, and more on Williams’ shakedown absence

On the latest episode of The Race F1 podcast, Edd Straw - fresh off a plane from Barcelona - is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm to discuss the latest from F1’s private shakedown test in Spain. Top of the agenda is Mercedes’ ominous form, but there’s also chat about McLaren’s first run with its new car, Red Bull’s test plans after Isack Hadjar’s unfortunate crash on Tuesday, and updates on every other team that ran on Wednesday.There’s also further explanation of why Williams are missing the group shakedown, with Scott reporting back on what team principal James Vowles told him and select media on Wednesday.And finally, Edd is joined by Spanish journalist Jorge Peiró (@JPEIR0) for a final perspective on what it was like to cover the test on-site, albeit outside the circuit…Fill out a quick survey about your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26 and you could win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 28, 202651 min

What we learned on day 1 of F1's frustrating private test

F1’s first group test of 2026 got underway in Barcelona on Monday in a strange locked down environment, completely free of media and fans. The Race’s Edd Straw and Jon Noble were amongst a handful of hardy journalists who spent the day trying to observe from a distance while evading over zealous security guards, and on this episode of The Race F1 Podcast they report back on what they found.They discuss which teams ran (and which didn’t), who lapped the most, and who set the benchmark time, and also share their initial thoughts on what the new cars look and sound like on track. They also explain why they were left with the impression that the whole event was a big missed opportunity for F1. Fill out a quick survey about your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26 and you could win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 26, 202637 min

Alpine unveils new livery on cruise ship - but will the team sink or swim in 2026?

In one of the most unique launches of 2026, Alpine chose to kick-start its 2026 campaign with a livery unveiling aboard a cruise ship. The Race F1 Podcast's Edd Straw and Jon Noble were both on hand to witness events first-hand and speak to the key players, and they report back on what they found in the latest episode.Amongst the topics discussed are whether Alpine is poised to benefit from its switch to Mercedes power units for 2026, plus what we should expect from drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.Fill out a quick survey about your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26 and you could win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 24, 202632 min

Ferrari launches new car + Why Williams are missing crucial first test

The latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast discusses the fortunes of two teams with huge championship pedigree who have been starved of title success in recent times: Ferrari and Williams.Ferrari unveiled the SF-26 on Friday, before Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc gave the new car a brief shakedown at the Italian team's Fiorano test track. Edd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm to discuss the new machine, its initial running, and what the team had to say after its launch.After that, Edd and Scott turn their attention to Williams, who announced on Friday that it would be missing the upcoming 5-day private test in Barcelona due to delays getting its 2026 car ready. So what's happened, and how big a blow will it be for the team? Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 23, 202638 min

Mercedes’ F1 car reveal and McLaren’s ‘clever’ upgrade strategy

On Thursday it was the turn of Mercedes to release the first images of its 2026 F1 car, the W17. Mercedes has long been tipped as a favourite, largely because of paddock rumours that its development for the new engine regulations was going extremely well. But what more can we glean now we've seen imagery of the car?From an airport bar, Edd Straw is joined by Jon Noble to discuss that topic, before talk turns to McLaren. The world champion team has announced that it will miss day 1 of the private test in Barcelona as part of a wider plan on upgrades that seem to run counter to what its rivals are doing. Tune in to hear why Edd and Jon think it could prove a clever move in the long term, plus we share the latest we know about the upcoming meeting on engines, where the compression ratio saga will be discussed. Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 22, 202637 min

Why Audi and Honda managed expectations at respective launch events

It was another busy day in F1 on Tuesday as Audi had its season launch in Germany and Honda held its own event in Japan. Linking them was a common message - that of managed expectations for 2026, as Edd Straw, Valentin Khorounzhiy and Scott Mitchell-Malm discuss on this podcast.First, we join Val in the party atmosphere of the Audi launch in Berlin. After speaking to various members of the team, he tells us what messages the team were sending out on the eve of the new season.Then we hear from Scott on Honda, who reports back on an event in Tokyo in which the Japanese manufacturer revealed its new 2026 Formula 1 engine - but kept part of the design hidden for now...Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 20, 202644 min

Haas and Cadillac F1 cars break cover - our reaction

Haas became the latest F1 team to release imagery of its 2026 F1 challenger on Monday, days after F1’s newest team, Cadillac, ran its first ever car at Silverstone - and on this episode of The Race F1 Podcast we discuss both.Scott Mitchell-Malm joins Edd Straw to chat about what we’ve learned about each team, including what the prominent Toyota branding on the Haas means and whether Cadillac's successful early debut says anything about its prospects for the coming campaign.After that, former F1 technical director Gary Anderson joins Edd to discuss some of the technical details on display in the renders Haas released, and how what can be seen on the car compares to what could be gleaned on the similarly Ferrari-powered Cadillac.Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 19, 202641 min

When should an F1 driver retire? - The Undercut with Damon Hill and Mark Hughes

When should an F1 driver retire? It has been a big topic of late, with F1's two most experienced competitors, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, struggling with unwieldy and uncompetitive machinery as they bid to recapture former glory.When is the right time for them to hang up their helmets? That's the subject debated by 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill and renowned F1 journalist Mark Hughes in the latest episode of The Undercut, the podcast where we give the duo a thought-provoking starting topic and then see where the conversation takes them...Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 18, 202650 min

BONUS: Indycar at war! Ep. 3 - Peace in our time

While the F1 world is a little quieter, we’re dropping a special three-part series into the feed as a winter bonus, all about the barely believable story of how Indycar racing was torn apart in the mid-90s.The third and final episode deals with how the CART/IRL war finally came to an end after more than a decade of fighting - but not before one of the most controversial Indy 500 finishes of all time…We hope you’ve enjoyed this small foray away from F1. We’ll be back to cover the rest of what should be a thrilling F1 pre-season very soon.Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 17, 20261h 24m

Red Bull and Verstappen kick-off F1 launch season - but what did we learn?

Red Bull kicked off F1’s launch season with a flashy event in Detroit, revealing a glossy revised livery and giving us some hints about expectations for 2026. But what did we learn about the hopes for its new power unit and how big Ford’s involvement really is? And did Max Verstappen give anything away about how he's feeling heading into what's likely to be a crucial year for his future?Edd Straw is joined by Jon Noble to discuss all of this and more, plus reflect on the much more low-key launch of Racing Bulls' 2026 season. With the junior team given less than 15 minutes in the spotlight during the launch event, is it a case of 'Scuderia Afterthought', or will the Italian-based outfit kick-on and become more than a 'talent incubator' for the main squad?Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 16, 202632 min

What's active aero and will the Mercedes engine be best? We answer your questions on F1 2026

With the first car launch events imminent, we answer your questions on F1 2026 in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.Edd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm and Jon Noble to pick over a large selection of questions sent in by The Race Members' Club, including ones on how active aero will really work, which drivers are best suited to thrive under the new regs, and whether the full works teams will steal a march on customer outfits.The guys are also tasked with putting their money where their mouths are and coming up with an expected power unit pecking order - no easy task when a wheel is yet to be turned!Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 14, 20261h 4m

BONUS: Indycar at war! Ep. 2 - The nightmare attempt to rival the Indy 500

While the F1 world is a little quieter, we’re dropping a special three-part series into the feed as a winter bonus, all about the barely believable story of how Indycar racing was torn apart in the mid-90s.Episode 2 deals with CART's US 500 nightmare as it attempted to go head-to-head with the first 'IRL' Indy 500 in 1996. Glenn Freeman, Edd Straw and John Oreovicz then look back on CART's strength in the late-1990s, and the IRL's struggles to become established. Then at the turn of the century, Chip Ganassi Racing became the first big hitter from CART to go back to Indianapolis, starting a gradual shift of more teams crossing the divide each May, which eventually led to the first big full-time defection to the IRL.We hope you enjoy this little sideways step into another area of motorsport, but if it’s not for you, fear not we’ll be back with more F1 coverage very soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 13, 20261h 2m

HILL & HERBERT: Who will be 2026 F1 champion? Damon and Johnny's verdict

Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert are back for the first 2026 episode of their F1 podcast, Stay On Track! They discuss the impact winning the F1 world title will have on Lando Norris (and his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri), and share their view on the mindset Isack Hadjar needs to have going into Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen. They also weigh up which team will get the new regulations right, and who might get them wrong, and what impact multiple exits will have on Red Bull. There's also talk of Lewis Hamilton's pivotal second Ferrari season, plus Hill and Herbert make their champion predictions for 2026...Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 11, 20261h 2m

BONUS: Indycar at war! Ep. 1 - The insane story of how a sport was split apart

While the F1 world is a little quieter, we’re dropping a special three-part series into the feed as a winter bonus. As you might have guessed from the title, it's not about Formula 1, but we think it’s such an incredible tale that many of you will enjoy it, and possibly even be amazed by it. It features our very own Edd Straw, alongside host Glenn Freeman and US racing expert John Oreovicz, and it tells the barely believable story of how Indycar racing was torn apart in the mid-90s, shortly after Nigel Mansell had helped make the North American series so popular that Bernie Ecclestone saw it as a threat to F1.Episode 1 deals with the immediate aftermath of Indianapolis Motor Speedway boss Tony George announcing, in early 1994, that he would be forming his own competitor to the hugely popular CART Indycar series. We hope you enjoy the show, and we’ll be back with episodes 2 and 3 very soon (in between the usual F1 episodes!). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 9, 20261h 4m

What to expect from F1's weird 2026 pre-season

We untangle how F1's strange 2026 pre-season will work in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Jon Noble and Josh Sutill join Edd Straw to explain what the car reveals and testing can and cannot tell us, and reveal the significance of ‘the bucket of knowledge’.We run through through the launch events and pick out the ones that might be the most significant and impactful, including F1’s dalliance with the Super Bowl, and explain why the unusual behind-closed-doors Barcelona test upsets the rhythm of this process. There’s also a look at how pre-season testing will be approached with the new cars, as well as what can be learned from the on-track running. Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 7, 202651 min

F1 2026: The big stories to watch for

It's 2026, and what better way to start the new year than with an episode of The Race F1 Podcast! And there's no better place to start than with a look ahead to what the 2026 Formula 1 season has in store. Jon Noble and Scott Mitchell-Malm join Edd Straw to explain what to expect in 2026, in particular in terms of the quality of the racing on track. We look at the impact the energy demands of the new power units will have on how the season plays out, and what on-track battling might look at.The question of how likely it is a team will start in dominant form, Brawn 2009 or Mercedes 2014 style, and how quickly others can catch up. We also run through the key questions of the year, including Lewis Hamilton’s prospects, the chances of the new Red Bull power unit being a hit or miss, Aston Martin’s hopes and whether Cadillac will be anything more than a backmarker. Plus, in a special segment with Shell, we explore the 2026 changes to fuel. Learn more about race fuel via the Shell Motorsports Website and follow @shellmotorsport on Instagram Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 1, 20261h 7m

Explaining the 2026 engine loophole controversy

It’s not even 2026 yet but the first controversy of the new regulations has already erupted, as we discuss in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Jon Noble joins Edd Straw to explain what Mercedes and Red Bull are understood to be achieving in terms of the compression ratio of their V6 and how its rivals to react to it. We explain what we know about the benefit in terms of power and efficiency, and why rivals are questioning it. We also look into what the FIA might do about it in either the short or the long term, and how the politics of the situation might play into it. Finally, we ask if it’s a problem given pushing the limits of the regulations has always been what motorsport is about.Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 22, 202532 min

How will the outgoing cars - and the racing they produced - be remembered?

We ask how the cars of the 2022-2025 rules era will be remembered in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Mark Hughes and Jon Noble join Edd Straw to judge how well they worked against their key objectives in terms of improving raceability and closing up the competition.We also explain why the most significant legacy of this rules set might be something only indirectly related to the cars on track. And we reflect on the teams that made the biggest impact with these ground effect cars, and those who underachieved.Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 22, 202556 min

And Colossally That's History: The tragic coronations of America's only F1 champions

For the season finale of And Colossally That's History, Matt and Richard tell the twin stories of Phil Hill and Mario Andretti; two American drivers who couldn't have been more different, but who'll be forever linked by the eerily similar, eerily tragic similarities between their crowning moments.There were 17 years between Phil Hill becoming America’s first F1 world champion at Monza in 1961 and Mario Andretti being crowned the second - also at Monza - in 1978. But rather than being able to celebrate their triumphs unconditionally, both men's title success was overshadowed by their team-mate being involved in a fatal crash in the very same race.Matt and Richard trace the very different paths that Hill and Andretti took to the top of world motorsport, before identifying the similarities in their stories, including how both found themselves in the most dominant car in their respective title winning seasons, and how both were paired alongside fast and flamboyant team-mates, Wolfgang von Trips (in Hill's case) and Ronnie Peterson (in Andretti's).The events of the climactic Monza weekends are also discussed at length, as well as how America's pair of F1 champions dealt with the aftermath of such tragedies.Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 19, 20251h 29m

Tech Show: Our verdict on the 2022-2025 rules - and where F1's next regulations have gone wrong

On the final tech show of the year, former F1 technical director Gary Anderson gives his verdict on the outgoing F1 regulations, and explains where he thinks the incoming regulations have missed a trick.He also answers questions from listeners about how to write better rules, the lack of geometry tweaks by the FIA, and whether active suspension should have returned.We also bring you the second part of our interview with Atlassian customer CTO Andrew Boyagi, who explains how the company’s AI technology is helping Williams reach new performance levels.Get information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 18, 202559 min

We rank the Top 10 F1 drivers of 2025

We work out who were the real stars of the 2025 Formula 1 season in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Every year, our team of F1 journalists picks their top 10 drivers of the season, with Scott Mitchell-Malm, Mark Hughes and Ben Anderson joining Edd Straw to discuss their choices.  The final top 10 is based on the combined voting of those four, plus Jon Noble, based on each driver’s overall performance relative to machinery over the year. We explain why the world champion isn’t the obvious choice as number one, why it was so tight in terms of picking between the leading midfielders and how we went about factoring in experience levels. There’s also a look at the leading drivers who missed out on our list, including Ferrari disappointment Lewis Hamilton. To add another perspective, we also look at how our ranking differs from that voted for by The Race Members’ Club.Get information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 15, 20251h 29m

Tech Show: What can teams learn by running 2026 tyres on mule cars?

On the latest episode of The Race F1 Tech Show, Edd Straw and Gary Anderson discuss the unusual taste of 2026 we got with the tyre-test running in Abu Dhabi after the grand prix. That was done using the definitive 2026 Pirelli tyres, but with 'mule cars' adapted to replicate downforce levels, so how useful - or not - will that running have been? Edd and Gary discuss.Gary also answers questions from listeners about whether teams should be able to develop their own tyres, whether a return to simplified aero would solve F1's dirty air issue, and on the fine margins used to control plank wear. Plus, Edd and Gary discuss Williams' progress this season, with Atlassian's customer CTO Andrew Boyagi joining to explain the company's role in Williams' step forward.Got a tech question for Gary? Send it to [email protected] information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 12, 202550 min

And Colossally That's History: 20+ hours at the wheel - 6 crazy Le Mans drives

As we near the end of another marathon year of motor racing, our history podcast And Colossally That's History thought it was the perfect time to reminisce about marathon performances at motor racing’s most celebrated test of endurance, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.Over the course of the episode, Matt and Richard tell the tales of six drivers who spent at least 20 hours (and in one case all 24 hours!) at the wheel during a single 24-hour race.As you might expect, there are some astonishing stories to be told about how they did it, including the driver who fixed his car with chewing gum, the driver who did nearly the whole race on a diet of oranges, the driver who almost single-handedly put the new Ferrari marque on the map, and the driver who found a novel way to take his, ahem, ‘bathroom breaks’ without anyone noticing…Get information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 12, 202558 min

Why Marko’s out of Red Bull + What happened in the Abu Dhabi test

Edd Straw and Scott Mitchell-Malm reconvene in a much quieter Abu Dhabi to discuss the news that Helmut Marko will leave Red Bull at the end of 2025, ending a run of more than 20 years as the Formula 1 team’s motorsport advisor. But why is Marko out now, and what does this mean for Red Bull Racing - and Max Verstappen - going forward? Edd and Scott also unpick everything that happened in the post-race Abu Dhabi test, which effectively saw two tests running in tandem, with each team having one 2025-spec car for young driver testing and one so-called 'mule' car for 2026 tyre testing.Get information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 9, 202544 min

Abu Dhabi GP: How Norris was crowned champion

In Abu Dhabi, Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes, Scott-Mitchell Malm and Jon Noble to dissect the race in which the destination of the 2025 F1 world championship was finally settled.They explain how Lando Norris was able to get the job done, discuss whether he's a deserving champion, and ruminate on what the title will do for the Briton in the short and long-term. They also discuss whether Max Verstappen will have any regrets, despite his stunning finish to the season, and whether Oscar Piastri should now be expected to be a perennial contender.All of the other big storylines from Yas Marina are also discussed, plus Edd, Mark, Scott and Jon tackle a range of questions sent in by The Race Members' Club.Get information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 7, 20251h 12m

BONUS: In-Car Insights - looking ahead to F1's three-way title fight decider!

bonus

As a special bonus ahead of this weekend's title finale, we're making the Thursday edition of our In-Car Insights podcast - usually only available to The Race Members' Club - free for everyone to listen to.Get the lowdown from Edd, Scott (and Samarth off-mic in the back) from inside Edd's Geely hire car as they make their way from the Abu Dhabi F1 paddock to a Cadillac press dinner at an Indian restaurant.Find out what the guys made of the special title showdown press conference, convened so Max Verstappen and the McLaren drivers could field the inevitable questions collectively before they get down to business this weekend, and how the protagonists will each be approaching this critical race weekend.Plus other lessons learned on 'media day' in the Yas Marina paddock.If you like what you hear - and we're confident you will - head to Patreon.com/therace to sign up to The Race Members' Club and enjoy these bonus episodes (and much more besides) on every grand prix weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 4, 202524 min

Tech Show: Will team principal role blunt Newey's technical powers?

On the latest edition of The Race F1 Tech Show, Edd Straw and Gary Anderson discuss whether Adrian Newey's impending switch to the team principal role at Aston Martin will blunt the impact he'll be able to make on the technical side of things at the team.Before that, Gary has his say on McLaren's baffling Qatar strategy, and he also discusses why teams are having to 'make do and mend' with car parts at this late stage of the season.As ever, Gary also gets stuck into answering questions from listeners, which this week are on tyre graining, plank skids, and Oscar Piastri's low-grip struggles.Got a tech question for Gary? Send it to [email protected] information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.Want bonus episodes and ad-free listening? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com and enjoy 20% of everything with the code BF20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 4, 202539 min

Hadjar in, Tsunoda out at Red Bull for 2026 + F1's big title decider previewed

In a bumper mid-week edition of The Race F1 Podcast, we analyse Red Bull's big driver decisions for 2026 and look ahead to the massive title showdown in Abu Dhabi between Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.First up, with the news that Isack Hadjar is to be promoted in place of Yuki Tsuonda in 2026, we asked if the 21-year-old can end the curse of the second Red Bull and thrive as Max Verstappen’s team-mate. Jon Noble and Ben Anderson join Edd Straw to explain why the change has been made and what qualities Hadjar has shown during his rookie F1 season, as well as the challenges he will face. Whether Yuki Tsunoda has been given a fair shot at Red Bull Racing is also discussed, along with why he failed to make a bigger impact in his outings for the team in 2025.We also explain why Liam Lawson has been given the nod to lead the sister Racing Bulls squad in 2026, and what we can expect from his new rookie team-mate, Arvid Lindblad, who'll partner the New Zealander next season. Finally, we look ahead to the world championship decider in Abu Dhabi, discussing the various title permutations, how each contender is likely to approach the weekend, and what could potentially derail the points leader and favourite, Lando Norris.Get information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.BLACK FRIDAY OFFER: Get 50% off your first month in The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com and enjoy 20% of everything with the code BF20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 2, 202550 min

Qatar GP: Verstappen pounces as McLaren self-sabotage

Scott Mitchell-Malm and Mark Hughes join Edd Straw to discuss the Qatar Grand Prix and a weekend when the title race took yet another turn. The podcast begins with the obvious question: How did McLaren get it so badly wrong with strategy? The guys discuss that, plus whether McLaren's focus on fairness between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will cost it the drivers' title, given Max Verstappen moved within 12 points of Norris with his seventh victory of the season.Sainz's podium, Antonelli's late wobble, Ferrari's dire performance and much more are also discussed, plus there's the usual bumper batch of questions from The Race Members' Club to answer.Get information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.BLACK FRIDAY OFFER: Get 50% off your first month in The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. GET YOUR 2026 WALL CALENDAR TODAY - Go to shop.the-race.com and enjoy 20% of everything with the code BF20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 1, 20251h 1m

And Colossally That's History: The Triple Crown champion - Remembering Graham Hill

On the latest episode of And Colossally That’s History, Matt Bishop and Richard Williams raise a glass to Graham Hill, killed 50 years ago this week, along with five members of his team, in a light aircraft crash.Hill was just 46 years old at the time, and he left behind not only a wife and a young family but a sizeable void in the sport of motor racing. Matt and Richard describe how despite a late start - he didn’t get his driving license until the age of 24! - Hill was able to achieve incredible success at the highest level of racing.Not only was he able to win two world championship titles in one of F1’s most talent-heavy eras, he remains to this day the only driver to have completed motor racing's fabled 'Triple Crown' by winning the sport’s three most prestigious and historically significant races: The Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Matt and Richard describe how he completed each leg of that significant achievement (five times in the case of Monaco!), while also discussing the many attributes that made him so special both in and out of the cockpit. They also look at which drivers have come closest to emulating Hill’s Triple Crown and ask whether anyone might have a crack at it in the future.Get information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.BLACK FRIDAY OFFER: Get 50% off your first month in The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 29, 20251h 14m

How has the team boss role evolved in F1? - The Undercut with Damon Hill and Mark Hughes

You've heard Stay On Track with Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert, and now it's time for its sister show: The Undercut, with Damon Hill and Mark Hughes.The premise of the show is simple: We give Damon (the 1996 F1 world champion) and Mark (one of the most respected writers and analysts in the F1 paddock) a starting topic and then just see where the conversation takes them!On this first episode, the topic is 'How the team boss role has evolved in F1' - but as you might expect with two of the most thoughtful minds in F1, the conversation meanders into several different areas...You can also watched this episode on YouTube. Get information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.BLACK FRIDAY OFFER: Get 50% off your first month in The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 27, 202545 min

Newey to become Aston Martin team boss - but is it a good move?

We react to the news that Adrian Newey will become Aston Martin team principal in 2026 in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Jon Noble joins Edd Straw to explain the reasons for what are described as strategic changes, and what to expect from Newey as team principal.We also explain Andy Cowell’s changing role and how it could be good news for new engine supplier Honda, and what led to him, by mutual agreement, accepting a move out of his current position. Aston Martin’s recent struggles, and the revolving door technical leadership, are also tackled as we ask whether these latest changes will help or hinder the team’s grand ambitions. Get information when you need it with Atlassian Rovo. AI that knows your business. Click here to get started today.BLACK FRIDAY OFFER: Get 50% off your first month in The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 26, 202534 min

Las Vegas GP: McLaren double DSQ blows title race wide open

Edd Straw and Jon Noble, on the ground in Las Vegas, are joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm to pick over a Grand Prix weekend in which the drama continued long after the chequered flag. The big talking point is, naturally enough, McLaren’s double disqualification that lost Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri their second and fourth-place finishes respectively. But why were they disqualified and could race winner Max Verstappen really end up snatching the title from under their noses? Those are two topics discussed, along with all of the other big talking points from the race. Mark Hughes also dials in to bring us his usual analysis of how the race was won, plus Edd, Jon and Scott tackle a big bunch of questions from listeners.Want bonus episodes and ad-free listening? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 23, 20251h 12m

And Colossally That's History S4 E7: Robert Kubica - The lost champion of F1’s modern era

On the latest episode of And Colossally That's History, Matt and Richard reflect on the career of Robert Kubica, regarded by many as the lost champion of F1’s modern era.They describe Robert's path to F1, when he battled - and often beat - fellow future grand prix stars Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in karting, before his dazzling debut races with BMW-Sauber.Kubica's dramatic pair of Canadian GPs are also discussed at length, with Matt telling anecdotes about witnessing the Pole's horror shunt in Montreal in 2007 and subsequent win at the same circuit in 2008. Matt and Richard also muse on Kubica's inherent strengths as a driver and the way he was perceived and appreciated by fellow drivers and team bosses, both before the 2011 rally crash that stopped his career in its tracks and after, when he made a determined return to F1 before battling to victories in rallying and at the Le Mans 24 hours. And finally, there's time for a debate about where Kubica fits into the unfortunately large collection of lost champions - those drivers whose careers were halted in their prime, before they could achieve what they seemed destined to do.Want bonus episodes and ad-free listening? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 21, 202556 min

Previewing F1's three-race title showdown

We look ahead to the final triple header that will decide the destiny of the 2025 world championship in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.Mark Hughes and Scott Mitchell-Malm join Edd Straw to look at the balance of power between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and ask if there’s anything the Australian can do to turn the tables on his McLaren team-mate. The final three tracks are evaluated in terms of how well they are suited to McLaren and the rest, and which ones present Piastri or Norris with the opportunity to make gains. And with Max Verstappen still mathematically in contention, we ask if there is a realistic chance he can make up the 49-point deficit and where the Red Bull RB21 will have its best opportunities. We also take a look at the lucrative battle for sixth in the constructors’ championship, and ask if Williams can really rest easy in fifth place.Want bonus episodes and ad-free listening? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 19, 202550 min

What Cadillac learned from running Perez in a 2023 Ferrari

Why Sergio Perez was testing a 2023 Ferrari and the value to the new Cadillac team’s preparations for next year is explained in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Glenn Freeman and Ben Anderson join Edd Straw to outline the reasons for the test and what can be got out of running an out-of-date car built by another team. We also lay out the value of Perez’s experience, and also what to expect from Cadillac in terms of its competitive next year and beyond.The question of what Perez’s Ferrari future might have been had he not turned his back on its academy to join McLaren in 2013 is also tackled. In the final part of the podcast, we take on listener questions on topics ranging from Lewis Hamiton’s Ferrari future to first-lap stewarding leniency, and Valtteri Bottas’ contract to Red Bull’s driver decision.Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Check out the new items in The Race Shop - members get a 15% discount! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 18, 20251h 4m

HILL & HERBERT: Lando's title push, tearing up the racing rulebook, and Ferrari's 'talk less' turmoil

Damon and Johnny are back for episode two of Stay On Track! There's been no shortage of big talking points in F1 this past week, so what's caught their attention? Chiefly, there's a look at Lando Norris's recent surge and what's behind it; their verdict on the "talk less" turmoil at Ferrari (which includes a big revelation from Damon); and the question of how drivers would settle on-track squabbles if there were no racing rules.Plus, our dynamic duo get their first grilling from The Race Members' Club by answering a handful of listener questions - discussing the best overtakes of their careers, and recalling one notorious live TV confrontation with Fernando Alonso...THIS EPISODE IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgI_y_PbGgQWant to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Check out the new items in The Race Shop - members get a 15% discount! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 16, 20251h 5m

And Colossally That's History: Honda's rollercoaster F1 journey

The latest episode of And Colossally That’s History tells the rollercoaster story of Honda’s involvement in Formula 1.Join Matt Bishop and Richard Williams as they explain how founder Soichuro Honda’s deep love of motor racing led him to enter a car in F1 in 1964, barely a year after the first Honda road car had left the factory.The Japanese team’s early forays into Grand Prix racing - met with scepticism by some - are discussed, as well as how Honda became race winners before leaving F1 shortly afterwards - something that’s been a feature of Honda’s involvement in the top level of racing.There’s also discussion about Honda’s second era, when it powered Williams to championships before shifting allegiances to McLaren where even greater domination followed, as well as one of F1’s most enduring alliances with a man beloved by Honda: Ayrton Senna. Matt and Richard also reflect on Honda’s third F1 era, when Honda became a fully fledged manufacturer again, before withdrawing again and watching Brawn take its cars to championship glory.And finally, the present Honda era, which began with a disastrous rekindling with McLaren but morphed into more title winning success, this time with Red Bull, is discussed.Want to get the end-of-season Colossally bonus episode and every episode ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Check out the new Colossally items in The Race Shop - members get a 15% discount! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 14, 20251h 16m

What we learned from Audi's glitzy F1 'launch' event

Audi’s readiness for its Formula 1 debut in 2026 is the focus of the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Scott Mitchell-Malm attended Audi’s Munich event on Wednesday and joins Edd Straw to tell listeners all about it. The progress with the power unit and the plans for testing are discussed, along with explaining why hopes are realistic, but high, for its performance level. We then hear Scott’s report from on site, which includes chats with F1 TV duo Chris Medland and Lawrence Barretto to bring you a flavour of the event. Finally, Audi’s planned timeline for success and the chances of it delivering on that is weighed up in the context of the Sauber’s team’s improvements over the past year. This episode also features a special segment looking at Shell's innovation partnership with Ferrari. Learn more about race fuel via the Shell Motorsports Website and follow @shellmotorsport on Instagram Want bonus episodes and ad-free listening? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 13, 20251h 10m

Brazilian GP: Does Norris have one hand on the title after perfect weekend?

Edd Straw and Jon Noble (both in Sao Paulo) are joined by Mark Hughes to unpick a fascinating weekend of racing in Brazil, which couldn't have gone much better for McLaren's Lando Norris. But does the Briton now have one hand on the drivers' title? That's one of the questions answered in this episode.The guys also discuss Max Verstappen's incredible drive from the pit lane to the podium (and whether it could have been even better), Kimi Antonelli's impressive second place, a weekend to forget for Ferrari and yet more woe for Oscar Piastri.Plus, Edd and the team answer questions from The Race Members' Club about Gabriel Bortoleto's scary sprint race crash, and more.FREE WEEK: Want to sample bonus episodes and ad-free listening for FREE? Until the end of Tuesday 11th November, everything new that we publish for The Race Members' Club on Patreon is available to view FREE OF CHARGE, including our in-car insights podcasts over the Brazilian GP weekend. Go to Patreon.com/therace Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 10, 20251h 3m

Free preview: In-car insights from Saturday in Brazil

For one weekend and one weekend only, we're making our In-Car Insights podcasts - usually only available to The Race Members' Club - free for everyone to listen to.Our In-Car Insights series is a hugely popular staple of our grand prix weekend output for members, and features the likes of Edd Straw, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Jon Noble discussing the day's news and events as they travel from the circuit back to their hotel.On this episode, Edd and Jon battle the Sao Paulo traffic as they discuss all of the big talking points from Saturday in the Interlagos paddock.If you like what you hear - and we're confident you will - head to Patreon.com/therace to sign up to The Race Members' Club and enjoy these bonus episodes (and much more besides) on every grand prix weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 9, 202525 min