F1 Nation

With an intra-team title battle brewing between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at Mercedes in 2026, Tom Clarkson is joined by Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe to chat about some of the greatest teammate rivalries in F1 history.The guys discuss Lewis Hamilton’s battles with Nico Rosberg at Mercedes and Fernando Alonso at McLaren, the major flashpoints during Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber’s time at Red Bull, and the politics between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at McLaren. Why were those rivalries so fierce? What are the key ingredients for an intense fight between teammates? How much involvement should the team have? And of the current grid, which driver pairing do Tom, Jolyon and Hinch think would have the most heated rivalry if they were competing for a title?LAS VEGAS. FORMULA 1. LIKE NOTHING BEFORE.The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns November 19th – 21st, 2026.Get your tickets for the fastest weekend of the year at f1lasvegasgp.com/tickets. 

10/05/2026 • 60:45

Why do they say 'box, box, box', not 'pit, pit, pit'? What makes them fume on the radio? How has their job changed in 2026? F1 Race Engineers are the voice in the driver's ear, passing on information, listening to feedback, working together to get the best result possible. Laura Müller, Race Engineer for Esteban Ocon at Haas, joins Christian Hewgill to laugh a lot and also to answer your questions on F1 car set-up, how teams know how fast their rivals are, how she became a race engineer and why a Safety Car can make her very happy or very annoyed...F1 Explains is here to answer your F1 questionsSend them to F1Explains@F1.comListen to more Official F1 PodcastsIn-depth conversations with big F1 names (including Laura) on F1 Beyond The GridExpert opinion every race weekend on F1 Nation - find the latest episode here on this podcast feedThis November, F1 takes over Las Vegas The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns November 19 - 21, 2026 — and tickets are on sale now! Be there for the fastest weekend of the year. Click here for tickets

07/05/2026 • 27:09

Tom Clarkson is joined by F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto and F1TV expert James Hinchcliffe to reflect on an action-packed Miami Grand Prix weekend. Kimi Antonelli made it three race wins in a row to extend his championship lead to 20 points. Was this the toughest win of Kimi’s career and what does that tell us about him? On the other side of the Mercedes garage, how will George Russell be feeling about the title fight after losing out to his teammate again? And what do the guys make of George’s comments about the Miami track not suiting him? Also on the agenda: why Lando Norris missed out on victory, Charles Leclerc’s final lap spin that cost him a podium, Red Bull’s turnaround and a very special day for Franco Colapinto. Plus, the guys pay tribute to former F1 driver and Paralympian Alex Zanardi, who has passed away at the age of 59. And if you’d like to hear Alex Zanardi’s incredible life story, listen to him in conversation with Tom Clarkson on F1 Beyond The Grid back in 2020. 

04/05/2026 • 53:34

What’s the difference between a ‘Test Driver’ and a ‘Reserve Driver’? Well, who better to answer that than Cadillac Test Driver Colton Herta and Reserve Driver Zhou Guanyu?Colton and Zhou join Christian Hewgill ahead of Cadillac’s first home race in Miami to answer your questions about Formula 1.How does F2 compare to Colton’s previous career in IndyCar? What’s it like working with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez? Who replaces a driver if they are injured or ill? How close is simulator performance to the real car? And why do drivers sometimes plunge themselves into ice baths after a race?Send your F1 questions to F1Explains@F1.comExperience F1 live in 2026Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.comListen to more official F1 podcastsIn-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The GridExpert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

30/04/2026 • 31:39

Can a 'completely new' McLaren take victory in Miami? Tom Clarkson, James Hinchcliffe and Jolyon Palmer think it's the papaya team's best chance of the season so far. F1 is back after a break from racing, and everything could be different! Tom, Jolyon and Hinch debate which team will make the biggest leap forward in Miami, and how the second F1 Sprint weekend of the year puts pressure on drivers to get back up to speed quickly. Can McLaren get ahead of Mercedes? Have Ferrari got special upgrades? Will Red Bull rise back to the front? Plus, the team celebrate the news that F1 is returning to Istanbul Park - a 'modern classic' which always produces exciting racing. We're already looking forward to the 2027 Turkish Grand Prix...

27/04/2026 • 52:32

What happens in a Formula 1 team's garage during a race? In a world-first episode, recorded inside the Haas garage during the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, mechanics, engineers and strategists tell F1 Explains what they do while the cars are racing.How are the pit crew told it's time for a pit stop? How do strategists make their calls? How do mechanics make sure new tyres are ready to go? Christian Hewgill explains it all from an exclusive position surrounded by data screens, engineers and equipment.Plus, we listen in to team radio channels, learn what F1 tyres are recycled into after each race, resist the urge to eat the pit crew's mid-race treats and rub shoulders with a rock music legend... F1 Explains LIVE at the Miami GP Fan FestWednesday 29th April | 4pm | Miami BeachSpecial guests: Colton Herta + Zhou Guanyu from Cadillac F1 TeamFor details, terms and conditions and to register for free tickets go to f1miamigp.com/fan-festSend your F1 questions to F1Explains@F1.comExperience F1 live in 2026Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.comListen to more official F1 podcastsIn-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The GridExpert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

23/04/2026 • 52:02

Verstappen's mentality? Schumacher's teamwork? Alonso's intelligence? Tsunoda's physique? Tom Clarkson is joined by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe to build the ‘perfect’ F1 driver. They debate the key attributes needed to become the best in the pinnacle of motorsport and which drivers from past and present are closest to perfection. Plus, the guys chat about the possible driver market ramifications if Max Verstappen does leave Red Bull Racing and they share their standout moments from the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix over the years.Listen to more official F1 podcastsF1 Beyond The Grid - in-depth interviews with F1's biggest namesF1 Explains - expert answers to your F1 questionsThis episode is sponsored by:IndeedGet a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation QuinceRefresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to quince.com/nation for free shipping and 365-day returns.

20/04/2026 • 51:20

Cadillac have made a solid start in F1. The challenge now is to make their car faster. With a long break before the Miami Grand Prix, there's time for hard work at the factory... and for Team Principal Graeme Lowdon to answer your F1 questions.How do Formula 1 teams get all their kit to Grands Prix? What’s the difference between Reserve, Test and Development drivers? And how do team members working at the team's bases in the US and UK during race weekends help the team at the track?Graeme also gives his assessment of Cadillac’s first three races in F1 and tells Christian Hewgill what the team are working on during the April break.Listen to more official F1 podcastsF1 Beyond The Grid - in-depth interviews with F1's biggest namesF1 Nation - expert views on the latest F1 news

16/04/2026 • 29:44

Tom Clarkson is joined by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe to discuss the news that Max Verstappen’s race engineer, GianPiero Lambiase, will leave Red Bull Racing in 2028 and join McLaren as their Chief Racing Officer.What does Lambiase’s departure mean for Red Bull? How will it affect Verstappen’s future at the team? And what will GP bring to McLaren?Plus, the guys are joined by McLaren’s Technical Director of Performance, Mark Temple, who says Mercedes are 'beatable' in 2026 and tells us about the upgrade work being done at the factory before the Miami GP.THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:Saily: Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans. Use code F1nation at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to saily.com/f1nation

12/04/2026 • 40:51

So much has changed for the 2026 F1 season. How has it affected the job of a race strategist?  The new cars and new tyres mean teams have to think differently when planning their pit stops. Race-winning strategist and Sky Sports F1 expert Bernie Collins joins Christian Hewgill to explain it all.Bernie also answers your questions on what F1 teams are doing during the April break in racing, how much it costs to race in F1, and what happens when drivers don't set a time in qualifying.Send us your question, we'll find the best person to answer itEmail F1Explains@F1.comListen to more official F1 podcasts F1 Beyond The Grid - in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names (including Bernie!)F1 Nation - expert race previews, reviews and reaction to breaking news - right here on this feed

09/04/2026 • 39:29

Tom Clarkson is joined by former F1 driver, Jolyon Palmer, and IndyCar race winner, James Hinchcliffe, to look back on what we’ve learned from the first three races of the season and what we can expect from Miami onwards.The guys discuss the battle between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, why Oscar Piastri and McLaren were better in Japan, and what they and Ferrari need to do to catch Mercedes.Red Bull Racing find themselves in the midfield battle, so will they regret their decision to not switch full focus to 2026 when Laurent Mekies joined as Team Principal last season? Could Max Verstappen’s frustration benefit his teammate, Isack Hadjar? And with Haas and Alpine above Red Bull in the Constructors’ Standings, is it clear who the fourth fastest team on the grid is?Plus, Hinch thinks Fernando Alonso is the most positive person at Aston Martin right now, Tom suggests a somewhat contentious reason why, and Jolyon isn’t having any of it!THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY...Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/nation BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com/f1nationIndeed: Get a £100 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at indeed.com/f1nation

05/04/2026 • 63:21

Who overtook who? Which driver is in the gravel? Formula 1 commentators put on-track action into words. They need to be accurate, fast and entertaining to make sure you always know what's happening. F1TV and Apple TV commentator Alex Jacques is the voice of Formula 1 around the world. He welcomes Christian Hewgill into the commentary box to answer your questions. From the screens he can see and the research he does to the role of co-commentators and finding the right words at the biggest moments, Alex tells all about his job.Send us your questions for episodes on race strategy and race engineersF1Explains@F1.comF1 Nation - weekly episodes every Monday with Tom Clarkson and expert guestsF1 Beyond The Grid - Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies on the 2026 challenge

02/04/2026 • 32:18

F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto and Aston Martin Third Driver Jak Crawford are Tom Clarkson’s guests in the Suzuka paddock for F1 Nation’s review of the Japanese Grand Prix.Kimi Antonelli made it back-to-back wins to become Formula 1’s youngest ever World Championship leader. How much pressure has he put on Mercedes teammate and title rival George Russell? With Oscar Piastri finishing P2 and Charles Leclerc also on the podium, the guys discuss where McLaren and Ferrari need to improve if they’re to battle Mercedes for wins this season.Elsewhere, there’s plenty of praise for Alpine’s Pierre Gasly after scoring points in every race so far this season. Could they challenge the frontrunners this year? And Lawrence gives us the lowdown on what’s going on at Audi after Jonathan Wheatley’s sudden departure as Team Principal.

30/03/2026 • 46:34

Is it tyres or tires? Either way, they're very important. The temperature and condition of a driver's tyres have a huge impact on their performance. 2026 sees all-new tires in F1, so what's changed? How do Pirelli choose which tyres to bring to each Grand Prix? How does the company and the FIA ensure tire fairness?Pirelli is the Official Tyre Supplier of Formula 1. The company's Head of Motorsport, Mario Isola, joins Christian Hewgill to answer your questions. Mario explains what's different about this season's rubber, the number of tires Pirelli brings to each race and how they are allocated to the drivers. Why don't F1 tyres have tread? Do all types of tire weigh the same? Who pays for them? Mario has the answers.Send us your questions for episodes on race strategy and race engineersF1Explains@F1.comF1 Nation - Japanese GP Preview out now. Race review coming Monday on this feedF1 Beyond The Grid - Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu on the team's ambitions

27/03/2026 • 26:00

As Formula 1 heads to Suzuka, Japan,  a teammate battle is brewing. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have driven the pace-setting Mercedes to one win each. How will they race each other this season? How will Mercedes handle their drivers? Max Verstappen has been linked to Mercedes in the past, so are George and Kimi also racing to keep their place in the team? Tom Clarkson, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe talk about the magic of Suzuka, the early season competitive picture and how the race weekend will unfold. Is there ‘magic in the air’ for Ferrari? Can McLaren and Red Bull find more performance? At Haas, is Ollie Bearman driving towards a future in red?This episode is sponsored by Indeed: Indeed: get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation 

23/03/2026 • 54:41

It's the heart of F1, a circus of speed which tours the racetracks of the world. Drivers mingle with VIPs and engineers. Mechanics push tyre trollies past crowds of reporters and camera crews. Inside hospitality buildings, Team Principals meet sponsors and guests. To enter this exclusive area you usually need a paddock pass, but F1 Explains can get you in...Christian Hewgill is your guide for a tour of the F1 Paddock to answer your questions about what happens there during a Grand Prix weekend.Send your questions to F1Explains@F1.comF1 Nation and F1 Explains have teamed up for 2026Get weekly race reviews and previews right here on this podcast feedExclusive in-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The GridLatest: How Jacques Villeneuve shook up F1Coming soon: Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu on Ollie Bearman's future

20/03/2026 • 25:27

F1TV commentator and former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer joins Tom Clarkson in the Shanghai paddock to reflect on an action-packed Chinese Grand Prix.Kimi Antonelli became the second youngest Grand Prix winner in F1 history, leading George Russell to the second consecutive Mercedes 1-2 of 2026. So can Kimi fight his more experienced teammate for the title this year? Kimi’s race engineer Pete ‘Bono’ Bonnington joins the pod to share what this victory means to them and where the Italian goes from here. Lewis Hamilton claimed his first Grand Prix podium for Ferrari, after an epic battle with teammate Charles Leclerc for third place. After a strong start to the new era of F1, is Lewis back to his best? Why did he have the better of Charles in China? And have we seen more evidence that Ferrari can fight with Mercedes for wins this year? The guys also discuss another big result for Ollie Bearman at Haas, double points for Alpine, a fighting performance from Carlos Sainz in the Williams and more difficult weekends for McLaren, Red Bull and Aston Martin.This episode is sponsored by: Quince: go to Quince dot com slash NATION for free shipping and 365-day returns. That's a full year to build your wardrobe and love it.Indeed: get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation Saily: get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code F1nation atcheckout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/f1nation

16/03/2026 • 36:24

What do the red flashing lights on F1 cars mean? When do drivers attack and defend? How do F1 mechanics fix crashed cars so quickly? F1 Explains answers your questions after the first race of 2026.F1 Correspondent and Presenter Lawrence Barretto joins Christian Hewgill to explain battery recharging, the way drivers are using Boost and Overtake modes, and what the new active aero front wings have in common with electric toothbrushes...And, after Mercedes showed their speed in Australia, we look at how power unit manufacturers work with their customer teams.Get your question answered on the podcastSend your questions to F1Explains@F1.comF1 Explains + F1 Nation have teamed up for 2026Find the latest race previews and reviews on this feed - 2026 Chinese GP Preview out now with Tom Clarkson and Jolyon PalmerThis week on F1 Beyond The GridCadillac CEO Dan Towriss talks about launching the team

13/03/2026 • 30:52

'Mercedes will have less of an advantage... I think there's some magic in the air for Ferrari'. Tom Clarkson and Jolyon Palmer chat through the big talking points ahead of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix.What makes the Shanghai International Circuit such a challenge, and how will the racing be different to what we saw in Australia? Will we see Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren get closer to the pace-setting Mercedes?The first F1 Sprint weekend of 2026 means less preparation time for everyone, including last year's Chinese Grand Prix winner, Oscar Piastri. Will he 'pay the price' for not racing in Melbourne?Can Aston Martin unlock more performance, and will Mercedes-powered Williams and Alpine show more speed in Shanghai?F1 Nation and F1 Explains have teamed up for 2026Listen to episodes right here on this feed, and send your F1 questions to F1Explains@F1.comThis week on F1 Beyond The GridCadillac CEO Dan Towriss on the team's first Grand Prix

12/03/2026 • 20:26

Tom Clarkson is joined in the Albert Park paddock by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and Channel 10’s Richard Craill to reflect on an entertaining season opener in Melbourne. Mercedes took the first victory of this new era of Formula 1, with George Russell leading Kimi Antonelli to a 1-2 finish. George might be the favourite to become World Champion, but could Kimi challenge him for the duration of the season? Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished third, ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton in fourth. Can they take the fight to Mercedes this year? And could we see Hamilton back on the top step? Plus, the guys discuss how far behind Red Bull and McLaren are, a sensational F1 debut from Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad, points for Audi in their first race, and why there may be signs of encouragement for Aston Martin after a very challenging start to the season. F1 Nation and F1 Explains have teamed up for 2026Scroll down to find Williams Team Principal James Vowles answer your questionsThis episode is sponsored by:Indeed: get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation 

09/03/2026 • 52:26

After a long winter, we're finally going racing this weekend in Melbourne. Ahead of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, Williams Team Principal James Vowles explains how the team has prepared for the weekend, his favourite things about the 2026 regulations, and whether the first race will really tell us who's fastest.James joins Christian Hewgill on the F1 Fanzone stage at Albert Park to look ahead to a mouth-watering new season and to answer questions from F1 Explains listeners Sophie, Victoria and Karen.And James also tells us what jobs he’d give to Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon if they weren’t drivers.We want your questions about how Formula 1 works! Email F1Explains@F1.comF1 Explains and F1 Nation have teamed up for 2026. Subscribe to this feed for race previews and reviews every Monday with Tom Clarkson and guests.F1 Beyond The Grid with Carlos Sainz - out now

06/03/2026 • 27:59

James Hinchcliffe, Jolyon Palmer and Tom Clarkson look ahead to the first race of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the Australian Grand Prix.Are Mercedes favourites? Are fast-starting Ferrari title contenders? How will McLaren’s teammate battle develop now Lando Norris is reigning champion? Can Max Verstappen put Red Bull in the mix? There are so many questions at the start of a new era of racing. Hinch, Jolyon and TC debate it all.Plus, how will Williams and Alpine perform? Can Aston Martin recover after a difficult winter? Is 2026 a big chance for Haas? Which of the new teams – Audi or Cadillac – will have a stronger season? And the team make their pre-season predictions: who will win in Melbourne, and who will be the 2026 F1 World Champion?F1 Nation and F1 Explains have teamed up for 2026Scroll down to find Christian Hewgill + Lawrence Barretto explaining all you need to know about the new F1 seasonThis episode is sponsored by: BetterHelp: sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com/F1NATIONShopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/nation Indeed: get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation 

02/03/2026 • 63:35

Boost your knowledge ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Christian Hewgill and F1 Correspondent + Presenter Lawrence Barretto run through the key terms and new rules of the sport's new era.Plus we answer your questions on how drivers will recharge their brand new batteries, how the arrival of Cadillac will change qualifying and the new advanced sustainable fuel powering the new cars.We want your questions about how Formula 1 works! Email F1Explains@F1.comF1 Explains and F1 Nation have teamed up for 2026. Subscribe to this feed for race previews and reviews every Monday with Tom Clarkson and guests.And check out the new season of F1 Beyond The Grid. New episodes start Wednesday 4th of March with Carlos Sainz

27/02/2026 • 33:33

F1TV commentator and former Renault driver Jolyon Palmer joins Tom Clarkson to reflect on pre-season testing, as Formula 1 gets set for a very exciting new era.The teams and drivers have had a shakedown in Barcelona, followed by two, three-day tests in Bahrain, ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March.So what have we learned about the new cars? Which teams look competitive? Who still has a lot of work to do? And what do we think the pecking order is heading to Melbourne?What Next?F1 Nation is back next Monday with our big season preview before the Australian Grand Prix. And F1 Explains returns for 2026 this Friday on the F1 Nation feed. Presenter Christian Hewgill is joined by F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto to answer your questions about the new cars and regulations. Send them in to f1explains@f1.com

23/02/2026 • 39:24

F1 Nation is back for 2026 and we're teaming up with F1 Explains - the podcast which answers your questions about the sport.On Mondays F1 Nation will bring you expert reaction to F1 action, and insider views on breaking news from Tom Clarkson, Jolyon Palmer, James Hinchcliffe + more F1 insiders.On Fridays, F1 Explains will tackle your questions on the sport. Christian Hewgill gets the answers from drivers, team bosses and the men and women who work behind the scenes. Send your questions to F1Explains@F1.comF1 Nation and F1 Explains - all in one place. New episodes start on Monday February 23rd

19/02/2026 • 02:34

F1TV experts Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe join Tom Clarkson in the Yas Marina paddock after Lando Norris was crowned Formula 1 World Champion for the first time.He was 34 points adrift after round 15, so how did Lando complete such an incredible comeback in this title fight? Has he broken the mould in terms of what we imagine a World Champion to be like? And how will being champion change Lando? You’ll hear reaction from the man himself, as he talks about turning his ‘struggles into strengths’ and winning this title 'the Lando way’. His race engineer Will Joseph also joins the pod to discuss how they overcame a challenging first half of the season and where they go from here.On the other side of the garage, Oscar Piastri came home in P2 but fell short of the title by 13 points. Why did Oscar lose out after leading the championship for most of the season? What does he need to work on to take the next step? And is there a chance that Oscar will become second favourite at McLaren now that Lando has a title to his name? Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for his eighth race win of the season, but misses out on what would have been a fifth title in a row by just two points. Could Max and Red Bull have done anything differently to put more pressure on McLaren in this race? Has this been Max’s best season in Formula 1? And will Red Bull’s transformation in the second half of the year give Max more reason to commit his long-term future to the team? Listen to more official F1 podcastsIn-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The GridYour F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 ExplainsTHIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY...Aura Frames: For a limited time, go to AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames. Just use promo code NATION at checkout.Indeed: F1 Nation listeners can get a $75 sponsored job credit at Indeed.com/nationF1 Store: Treat the F1 fan in your life this festive season with exclusive gear from the Official F1 Store. Shop now at f1store.formula1.com

08/12/2025 • 53:28

F1 correspondent and presenter Lawrence Barretto joins Tom Clarkson in the Yas Marina paddock to reflect on a high-stakes qualifying for Sunday’s title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.The three title contenders make up the top three on the grid – with Max Verstappen on pole, championship leader Lando Norris in second and Oscar Piastri in third.How can Max make life difficult for Lando and Oscar behind? What can we expect from the McLaren drivers at the start into turn 1? Will team orders come into play? And what impact could the likes of George Russell in P4 and Charles Leclerc in P5 have on the fight at the front? 

06/12/2025 • 16:28

F1TV experts Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe join Tom Clarkson in the Yas Marina paddock to preview this weekend’s thrilling three-way title showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.Just 16 points separate the top three of Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. So what does each driver need to win the title? And how will each of them approach such a huge occasion?The guys discuss all the different scenarios that could shape the outcome of this title fight  and whether the McLaren drivers will help each other if in a position to do so.Plus, Tom, Hinch and Jolyon react to Red Bull’s announcement that Isack Hadjar will replace Yuki Tsunoda for 2026. 

04/12/2025 • 34:33

F1TV commentator Jolyon Palmer and Alpine Reserve Driver Paul Aron join Tom Clarkson in the Lusail paddock to reflect on another huge twist in this year’s title race. The guys talk about the decisive moment of the Qatar Grand Prix, when everyone except both McLaren drivers pitted under the Safety Car and Max Verstappen took full advantage to ensure the championship fight goes down to the season-finale in Abu Dhabi. What was McLaren’s thinking behind that strategy? Why did it cost them victory? And how should they have reacted differently?  Tom, Jolyon and Paul also discuss why Oscar Piastri was back to his best in Qatar and why Lando Norris wasn’t quite at the level he’s shown in recent weeks.And with just 16 points now separating Lando, Max and Oscar, what will their mindset be in the build-up to this mouth-watering title showdown at the Yas Marina Circuit?Also on the agenda: Carlos Sainz’s incredible performance to secure his second podium for Williams, another weekend to forget for Ferrari and a strong result for Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin following the news that Adrian Newey will become their Team Principal in 2026.Listen to more official F1 podcastsIn-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars on F1 Beyond The GridYour F1 questions answered by the experts on F1 ExplainsTHIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY...F1 Store: Treat the F1 fan in your life this festive season with exclusive gear from the Official F1 Store. Shop now at f1store.formula1.comSquare: Get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/f1nation. 

01/12/2025 • 49:16

Spanish journalist Albert Fabrega joins Tom Clarkson in the Qatar paddock to discuss the news that Adrian Newey will become Aston Martin Team Principal from 2026.Why have Aston appointed the legendary designer to this new role? How well suited is Adrian to leading a team? And what do Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll make of the decision? Tom and Albert also discuss the championship permutations going into the penultimate round of the season. What does Lando Norris need to be crowned World Champion this weekend? With Max Verstappen closing in, will McLaren change their approach? And who could benefit from the mandatory tyre stints Pirelli have introduced for this race?

27/11/2025 • 24:40