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Explore every episode of the podcast F1 Explains

Dive into the complete episode list for F1 Explains. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Coaching F1 drivers - Performance Engineers with McLaren's Tom Stallard26 Sep 202400:35:38
Precision at 200 miles per hour. Millimetre-perfect steering, Millisecond-perfect braking and acceleration. That's what it takes to race in Formula 1. Performance Engineers help the 20 fastest drivers in the world to be their very best.

McLaren's Tom Stallard, a former Performance Engineer, tells Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne about the incredible work these engineers do with Formula 1 drivers. It's a mix of studying data, finding improvements, and coaching drivers to go faster on-track.

Plus, Tom explains the teamwork among Performance Engineers, Strategists and Race Engineers (the role he currently does with Oscar Piastri). They have to communicate efficiently to get the best result in every qualifying session and race.

For more from Tom Stallard, follow F1 Beyond The Grid for an in-depth interview coming soon.

F1 EXPLAINS LIVE - AT THE FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2024
Saturday October 19th, 1815 (after F1 qualifying)
Circuit of the Americas, Amphitheatre stage near the F1 Fanzone
Join Christian, Katie and special guests for a live show - with your chance to put a question to an F1 expert
Email F1Explains@F1.com to get involved

Send your questions to F1Explains@F1.com and we'll answer them in a future episode

Listen to more official F1 podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
Be there when the 2024 Formula 1 World Champion is crowned: Tickets for the US Grand Prix in Texas, the Las Vegas Grand Prix and F1 ACADEMY weekends in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are available now at tickets.formula1.com



Teammates, rivals, sisters: F1 ACADEMY drivers Hamda + Amna Al Qubaisi answer your questions19 Sep 202400:22:17
16 drivers in identical cars, racing wheel-to-wheel on Grand Prix weekends. F1 ACADEMY, the game-changing racing series for female drivers, returns at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

Hamda and Amna Al Qubaisi are F1 ACADEMY race-winners, teammates and sisters. They answer your questions on staying calm under pressure, racing in different junior categories and how they recover after a race.

They tell Christian Hewgill how F1 ACADEMY has changed their careers, and the support they get from Formula 1 teams and drivers through the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans and Visa CashApp Academy Programmes.  Plus, the story of when the sisters clashed on-track and in the stewards’ room, post-race. 



You can watch F1 ACADEMY action on the series YouTube channel or F1TV

Get the latest on the season on f1academy.com or by following F1 ACADEMY on Instagram

Next up: listen to our episode with F1 ACADEMY boss Susie Wolff and driver Lia Block

Send your questions to F1Explains@F1.com and we'll answer them in a future episode

Listen to more official F1 podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
It's all to drive for in 2024. Be there: Tickets for the US Grand Prix in Texas, the Las Vegas Grand Prix and F1 ACADEMY weekends in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are available now at tickets.formula1.com
How F1 lap times are recorded 04 Jul 202400:31:22
In F1, every thousandth of a second is crucial. Drivers' performances are often separated by less than the blink of an eye, so how are F1 cars timed so accurately?

To find out, Christian and Katie speak to James Clarke, a highly-trained F1 timekeeper. James explains the technology on cars and at circuits which make the timing system work, how lap times and race positions are accurately recorded, and what happens if two drivers set identical times.

Get your question answered by an F1 expert
Record a voice note, write an email and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Find the answer in our previous episodes Listen to more official F1 podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
See Formula 1 live this season
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas, across Europe and around the world are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com to book your seats
What F1 drivers eat - with Oscar Piastri's nutritionist, Dr Dan Martin27 Jun 202400:46:10
As high-performance athletes, F1 drivers have to eat the right things at the right times. Everything they eat and drink, plus the timing of their meals, is carefully planned by expert nutritionists like Dr Dan Martin from Combine Performance. Dan works with McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne find out what an F1 driver's diet is and how it helps them perform at their best. We also get the story behind the banana smoothie which interrupted a previous F1 Explains interview with Piastri...

Get your F1 question answered by an expert
Record it as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes:

More Official F1 Podcasts

  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
Experience Formula 1 live this season
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas, across Europe and around the world are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com to book your seats
How F1 helmets are made – with Bell Racing20 Jun 202400:37:17
They’re essential pieces of safety kit, made from specialised materials. But F1 helmets do far more than just protect the driver. F1 Explains explores helmet design, testing and technology with Stephane Cohen, co-CEO of Bell Racing – the company which makes helmets for 13 current F1 drivers. 

Stephane tells Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill how Bell make helmets that are strong and light, visors that don’t fog up and why a car update can require helmets to be modified. 

Plus, hear how F1 helmets differ from those worn by the stars of the NFL.

Send us your question and we'll find the F1 expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes:

More Official F1 Podcasts

  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
Experience Formula 1 live this season
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas, across Europe and around the world are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com to book your seats

Liam Lawson answers your questions - Ask a Formula 1 driver13 Jun 202400:28:07
What do reserve drivers do? Why are F1 stars weighed after every race? What is the racing line (and how can it help you when doing grocery shopping)?

Cindy from California, Ana in India, Pierre from France and lots more F1 Explains listeners sent in questions about the life of an F1 driver. Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne get the answers from Red Bull Reserve Driver, Liam Lawson.

Liam explains how drivers change approach between an all-out qualifying lap and a long race stint. He tells us about understeer and oversteer, and why drivers hit some trackside kerbs but avoid others.

Send us your question and we'll find the F1 expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes: More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
Experience Formula 1 live this season
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas, across Europe and around the world are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com to book your seats
Inside the Safety Car - with driver, Bernd Mayländer 06 Jun 202400:31:48
It's there to keep F1 safe, and it can transform a race. The FIA Safety Car is sent out in poor weather or after a crash to protect marshals, drivers and fans. But there's more to it than meets the eye...

Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne explore the secrets of the safety car: how the decision to use it is made, its purpose on-track and how drivers and strategists can gain an advantage when the SC is deployed.

Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer tells F1 Explains about his job and the incredible AMG-Mercedes and Aston Martin he drives. Then, Christian climbs into the driver's seat to see the amazing kit the car has on-board.

Send us your F1 question and we'll find the expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes: More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
Experience Formula 1 live this season
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas, across Europe and around the world are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com to book your seats
How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F12430 May 202400:39:59
Cars that feel F1-fast. Racetracks that look real. Drivers in detail. EA SPORTS F124, the latest official Formula 1 game, is out on 31 May and it's more lifelike than ever. How do game designers bring the world of F1 to life on your console? Katie and Christian speak to two of F124's creators to find out:

  • Lee Mather - Senior Creative Designer
  • Casey Ringley - Senior Game Designer + Vehicle Handling Lead
Lee explains how photos and radar are used to make sure racetracks look like the real thing. Casey reveals how the brand new Dynamic Handling on F124 and input from Max Verstappen makes the cars better than ever to drive. Plus, Christian tries to put himself in the game...

EA SPORTS F124 is out on 31 May

PEGI: 3 • ESRB: E • Mild Language. In-Game Purchases. Users Interact.

Send us your F1 question and we'll find the expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes: More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
Played the game? Now see F1 for real
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas, across Europe and around the world are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com
Ruth Buscombe + Bernie Collins on strategy mistakes, upgrades + how to work in F123 May 202400:42:49
Grand Prix-winning strategists Ruth Buscombe and Bernie Collins are back with Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill to answer another batch of your Formula 1 questions.

On the list this week: 
  • Why do teams sometimes get their race strategies wrong?
  • How are car upgrades planned?
  • How do you become an F1 race strategist?
  • What do drivers do to look after their tyres?
  • What are the T-bars on top of F1 cars, and why are they different colours?

Send us your F1 question and we'll find the expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes: More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation
Experience Formula 1 live in 2024
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas and across Europe are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com
Bernie Collins + Ruth Buscombe on strategy secrets, crazy races + radio riddles16 May 202400:46:03
Two race-winning F1 strategists answer your questions on how teams plan their pit stops, what happens if fewer than 10 cars finish a Grand Prix and how teams hide their secrets when they speak to drivers on the radio.

Bernie Collins and Ruth Buscombe join Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill for a quickfire episode of F1 Explains. Why do some teams hope they'll finish a lap behind the leader? What happens when a driver is told to 'keep their head down'? What words did Ruth struggle with when she moved from an Italian team to a British one?

Send us your F1 question and we'll find the expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes: More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation
Experience F1 live in 2024
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas and across Europe are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com
Guenther Steiner on his hardest decision + the biggest gossip in F1? LIVE in Miami 09 May 202400:37:11
At the Miami Grand Prix, F1 Explains went live on-stage with former Haas Team Principal and Miami GP Ambassador, Guenther Steiner.

F1 Explains listeners Joan from Florida, Amanda from Tennessee and Nick from Washington D.C. asked Guenther questions about the life of an F1 Team Principal and whether Steiner's office door survived being smashed by Kevin Magnussen.

Special thanks to Sam Rose, Carla Corbet, Lyndsey Fairburn, Lindsay Krushner, Jamil Russell-Lewis + Jason Gol

Watch F1 live in 2024
Tickets for the US Grand Prix in Austin, the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the rest of the 2024 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com

Catch up with our other episodes More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation
Fernando Alonso, Pedro de la Rosa + Tom McCullough explain F1 car set-up03 May 202400:30:10
A Formula 1 car is like a musical instrument: to perform at its best, it has to be tuned. Aerodynamics, suspension, tyres, and transmission can all be changed to suit the racetrack, the driver and the weather.

In Miami, Christian Hewgill joins Aston Martin to explore car setup, with driver Fernando Alonso, Ambassador and former F1 racer Pedro de la Rosa, and Performance Director Tom McCullough.

Send us your F1 question and we'll find the expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes:
More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation
How the F1 season is scheduled - with Louise Young12 Sep 202400:39:44
24 spectacular Grands Prix in 21 incredible countries. A Formula 1 season is a world tour. How is it scheduled? F1 Explains gets the inside track from Formula 1 Director of Race Promotion, Louise Young. 

Her team is responsible for planning the Formula 1 calendar. They decide the order of races, negotiate contracts and work with promoters – the groups who own or operate the racetracks which host each Grand Prix. 

Louise explains how the F1 season is scheduled, how new races are chosen, and how Grands Prix are planned to allow freight to be moved sustainably using ships. 

Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill ask Louise where F1 is going next, whether some races could rotate in the future, and what the key ingredients are for a great Grand Prix. 

F1 Explains listeners Chris in Queensland, Cameron in Canada, Chrissy in the US and Bear from California had their questions on the F1 calendar answered in this episode. If you have a question about how Formula 1 works, send it to F1Explains@F1.com

You might find your answer in a previous episode: Listen to more official F1 podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
It's all to drive for in 2024. Be there:
Tickets for the US Grand Prix in Texas, the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the rest of the 2024 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com

F1 race suits, boots + gloves: what F1 drivers wear - with PUMA25 Apr 202400:38:04
When F1 drivers get dressed for a race, safety is the number one priority. Their gloves, balaclavas, boots, suits and underwear protect them from fire and heat. But race kit can't slow them down. It needs to be light, comfortable and breathable, with a few special features built-in to help them perform at their best. 

Maurizio Sicco, Consultant at PUMA Motorsport and racewear expert tells Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill all about F1 race kit, how it's designed and tested, and the special requests drivers make for their customised gear. 


Send us your F1 question and we'll find the expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes:
More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation
Alpine's Jack Doohan explains F1 brakes - with Brembo18 Apr 202400:47:23
Taming the insane speed of an F1 car takes extraordinary skill and incredible technology. The brakes glow red hot. The drivers feel extreme G-forces. How do F1 braking systems work, and how do drivers cope every time they slam their left foot into the pedal?

Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill break down F1 brakes with:
  • Andrea Algeri, engineer from Brembo, which produces brakes for the entire F1 grid
  • Jack Doohan, Alpine Reserve Driver

Send us your F1 question and we'll find the expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes: More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation

Aston Martin's Mike Krack explains the life of an F1 Team Principal11 Apr 202400:39:59
Formula 1 Team Principals have a lot to do. They have to manage the drivers, engineers, mechanics, designers and hundreds of other employees at the racetrack and in the factory. Team Principals lead them all through wins, podiums and retirements. If things don't go well, they sometimes pay with their jobs.

Aston Martin's Team Principal Mike Krack tells Katie and Christian about his job and how it differs from his fellow bosses. Plus, how he manages drivers, keeps on top of the rulebook and why he chooses to watch races from the pit wall, not the garage.

Got a question? We can answer it!
We love answering your F1 questions. Write them in an email or record them as a voice note and send them to F1Explains@F1.com

Catch up with our other episodes More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation
Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu explain F1 teammate rivalries04 Apr 202400:29:11
In Formula 1, a driver's teammate is their biggest rival. Each wants to beat the other, but they also need to score maximum points for their teams. When teammates work together, big rewards can follow. When they clash, it can get messy.

Kick Sauber F1 Team duo Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have been teammates since 2022. They tell Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne the secrets of their relationship, how they help each other, how they race each other on track, how they balance teamwork and rivalry and how they decide who gets which side of the garage...

Get in touch
We love answering your F1 questions. Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Catch up with our other episodes
More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation


Jolyon Palmer + Alex Jacques explain driving styles, pit stop problems + F1 rule changes29 Mar 202400:38:36
'Please can you summarise how F1 rules have changed since Fernando Alonso's F1 debut?', asks Richard in Dallas, Texas. 23 years of engines, tyres and points systems? No problem for Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne!

That's just one of the questions tackled in this episode, featuring F1TV commentator Alex Jacques and former Renault F1 racer Jolyon Palmer. Also answered: 
  • What's the difference between F1, FOM and the FIA?  
  • What happens in a team after a bad pit stop?
  • Why did Jolyon Palmer never wear a cap when he raced in F1?
Ask us a question!
Want to be on the next episode of F1 Explains? If you've got an F1 question, send it to us and we'll find an expert to answer it. Send your email or voice note to F1Explains@F1.com

Check out our other episodes
More Official F1 Podcasts
Oscar Piastri explains F2 + F3 - with Alex Jacques22 Mar 202400:40:57
F1 stars of the future show their speed in Formula 2 and Formula 3. The categories immediately below Formula 1 in the motorsport ladder are the perfect place for a driver to sharpen their skills and prove they're ready to move up. 

How do F2 and F3 work? How are the cars different? How do they prepare drivers for Formula 1? To answer those questions and many more, Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne speak to:

  • Oscar Piastri - 2020 F3 champion, 2021 F2 champion, McLaren F1 driver
  • Alex Jacques - commentator covering F3, F2 and F1
For the latest on F2 and F3 visit
The official F2 website
The online home of F3

Curious about cars? Quizzical about qualifying? Wondering about wheelspin?
If you've got an F1 question, send it to us and we'll find an expert to answer it. Send your email or voice note to F1Explains@F1.com

Catch up with our other episodes More Official F1 Podcasts
Alex Jacques + Jolyon Palmer explain points, pronunciations + the history of the pit lane15 Mar 202400:35:17
Why is finishing outside the points still important? How do you really say 'Charles Leclerc?' How did the pit lane get its name? Christian and Katie put these listener questions and more to F1TV commentator Alex Jacques and former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer.

Ask us a question!
We love answering your F1 Qs. Write them in an email or record them as a voice note and send them to F1Explains@F1.com

Catch up with our other episodes More podcasts from Formula 1
Susie Wolff + Lia Block explain F1 ACADEMY: 'rocket fuel' for women in motorsport08 Mar 202400:37:21
The game-changing, trailblazing, all-female racing series is back for 2024 with new drivers, top teams and wheel-to-wheel action. The second season of F1 ACADEMY starts this weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill find out everything there is to know ahead of the first race.

Susie Wolff, who's driving the series forwards as Managing Director, tells Katie and Christian about the series' mission in 2024 and how it will inspire young women to pursue careers in motorsport.

Driver Lia Block is fully focused on making her F1 ACADEMY debut. She tells Christian and Katie why racing with ART Grand Prix and Williams is such a huge opportunity. How will Lia make the switch from winning on rally circuits to racing on Grand Prix tracks, and how will the series change her career?

Here's how to follow F1 Academy in 2024 2024

F1 Explains episodes for International Womens' Day
For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
Mick Schumacher + Bernie Collins explain the F1 race start01 Mar 202400:35:32
20 F1 cars. 5 red lights. 0.2 seconds to react. 5 seconds to 120 mph. The start of a Formula 1 Grand Prix demands extraordinary skill from the drivers and quick decisions from the team strategists.

Katie and Christian explore the start of a race with Mercedes reserve driver and former Haas racer Mick Schumacher, who explains what happens in the cockpit in the moments before the start, and the intense run to turn 1. Former Aston Martin Head of Race Strategy Bernie Collins tells us how the race start affects the team's plan for tyres and pit stops.

Get in touch!
Send your question to F1 Explains. We'll find the experts to answer it! Record your question as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Catch up with our other episodes 2023 More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation
Netflix Drive to Survive: behind the scenes24 Feb 202400:35:07
The latest season of Drive To Survive is another fascinating look inside Formula 1. How is the show planned, filmed and edited? How do the producers decide what stories to tell? What does the future hold for the series?

To find out, Christian and Katie speak to Drive to Survive's award-winning Executive Producer, James Gay-Rees of Box To Box Films.

F1 Explains is the official F1 podcast which answers your questions about how F1 works.

Send us your F1 question and we'll find the expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes:
2023 More Official F1 Podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation
Damon Hill on F1 title fights - LIVE at F1 Paddock Club05 Sep 202400:27:35
What does it take to win the F1 World Championship? Is it better to be the leader or the chaser in a title fight? What changes when you become a champion?

In a special episode, recorded at F1 Paddock Club, 1996 World Champion Damon Hill reveals all you need to know about winning the sport's ultimate prize - including how teammate rivalry goes beyond the racetrack and onto the dinner table!

F1 Explains listener Lilly from Amsterdam joins Christian Hewgill and Damon on-stage to ask her question. To have your F1 question answered on a future episode, send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Special thanks to Tom Perkins, Charlene Nyantekyi, Jodie Porter, Jordan Franckeiss, Davide Demontis, Phil Hornby, Hollie Cruise, Suzanne Simmonds, Neil Medland, Buzz Allan, Seb Hancock and Karl McClumpha.


F1 Paddock Club - the ultimate trackside hospitality
Experience premium track views, delicious food, open bars, daily Pit Lane Walks and more. Click here for packages

Listen to more official F1 podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, check out F1 Nation
F1 pre-season Testing - with Oscar Piastri + Jack Doohan in Bahrain23 Feb 202400:45:38
Where in the world is Christian Hewgill? He’s in Bahrain to find out why F1 pre-season testing is so important for teams, engineers and drivers.

Katie Osborne has a list of listener questions, Christian gets the answers from McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, Alpine Reserve Driver Jack Doohan, Mercedes’ Communications Director Bradley Lord and McLaren Racing Director Randy Singh.

F1 Explains is the official F1 podcast which answers your questions about how F1 works.

Record your question as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to F1Explains@F1.com

Check out our previous episodes:

Catch up with our other episodes


2023
More podcasts from Formula 1
How new F1 cars are designed + built - with Dan Fallows16 Feb 202400:37:25
F1 Explains is back for 2024! Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne are starting by answering your questions about new F1 cars. When do teams start working on their challengers for a new season? How much of a new F1 car is actually new? What happens when a team comes up with something that has never been seen before?

Aston Martin's Technical Director Dan Fallows explains how a new Formula 1 car goes from sketches on paper to carbon-fibre reality.

F1 Explains is the official F1 podcast that answers your questions about the sport.

You can send your question - as a voice note or an email - to F1Explains@F1.com

F1 Explains Season 1 is available to listen to now:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
F1 Explains: Season 206 Feb 202400:02:19
Your F1 questions answered by F1 experts. Katie Osborne + Christian Hewgill are back with drivers, engineers + exclusive interviews with people who make F1 work. 

Send your questions to F1Explains@F1.com. 
Neck strength secrets, wind tunnel watchers, DRS data + pit stop perfection - what we learned in 202308 Dec 202300:52:45
Brilliant questions, fascinating answers. F1 Explains explores how our favourite sport really works. In 2023, Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill put your questions to drivers, engineers, strategists, designers and many more of the people who do great work behind the scenes.

At the end of the podcast's first season, Katie and Christian have picked the things they loved learning the most, including the advantages and disadvantages of having F1-ready neck muscles and how the sport's rulemakers keep an eye on teams at their factories. You'll hear from some of our favourite guests including Gemma Fisher, who turbocharged F1 pit stops, DRS expert and race strategist Ruth Buscombe and motorsport scientist Dr Diandra Leslie-Pelecky.

Thank you very much for listening to F1 Explains in 2023. Join us in 2024, and send us a question to answer. Write or record your question using the voice memo app on your phone, then email it to why@F1.com.

F1 Explains Season 1 is available to listen to now:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.

Why you need to go to a Grand Prix01 Dec 202300:37:37
‘Being here in person is incredible’. ‘Insane. It blows my mind’. ‘It’s a different and amazing experience’. We love watching F1 on-screen, but this episode is all about why going to a Formula 1 Grand Prix is next level.

Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne head to the grandstands at the 2023 US Grand Prix to hear why seeing F1 live is a must-do for any F1 fan. Whether it’s seeing how fast the cars really are, the chance to buy exclusive merch or getting to meet your favourite driver, a weekend at the track is full of unforgettable experiences. 

Ready to go? You can buy official Formula 1 tickets for the 2024 season at tickets.formula1.com

Not sure which race to choose? F1.com Destination Guides will help you decide

Want to get even closer? F1 Experiences has you covered with exclusive access and world-class hospitality

We love answering your F1 questions! If you have something you'd like Christian, Katie and our team of experts to dive into, record a voice note or write us a message and email it to why@F1.com

We might have answered your question on a previous episode:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
New track prep, pit lane positions, track walks + AI strategy? Your Questions Answered by Lawrence Barretto + Bernie Collins10 Nov 202300:47:59
How do teams and drivers get ready for a track they've never been to before? It takes complex calculations, decades of data and a dash of racers' instinct. F1 Explains has the full answer as we prepare to head to Las Vegas.

Plus, who gets which garage in the pit lane? What happens in 'parc fermé', what's an 'anti-stall' and which drivers are interview chatterboxes? 

Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill put more of your questions to race-winning F1 strategist Bernie Collins and F1 Correspondent & Presenter, Lawrence Barretto:

  • Why F1 drivers walk the track before they race on it
  • Why engine suppliers make a big difference
  • How teams are using AI to plot race strategy
  • Why F1 teams change their names
We love answering your F1 questions! If you have something you'd like Christian, Katie and our team of experts to dive into, record a voice note or write us a message and email it to why@F1.com

We might have answered your question on a previous episode:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
Racing lines, driver drinks + 'No. 1 drivers' Your Questions Answered by Bernie Collins + Lawrence Barretto03 Nov 202300:46:45
How do F1 drivers find the fastest way around a racetrack? Why do the stars of our sport use special drinks bottles? Do some F1 teams have No 1 and No 2 drivers? Race-winning F1 strategist Bernie Collins and F1 Correspondent and Presenter Lawrence Barretto return to answer your questions in another quickfire special. Plus, why do F1 tracks get grippier, what really goes on in F1 hospitality and how does the bonus point for fastest lap work?

If you have a topic you'd like Christian, Katie and our team of F1 experts to explain, record a voice note or write us a message and email it to why@F1.com

We might have answered your question on a previous episode:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.

LIVE at the US Grand Prix with David Coulthard26 Oct 202300:30:30
A Formula 1 legend, F1 fans with questions and a loud Texas crowd. F1 Explains took to the stage at the Circuit of The Americas for our first ever live show!

Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill welcomed former McLaren, Red Bull and Williams driver David Coulthard to COTA's Amphitheatre stage. F1 Explains listeners Crystal from New York, Sammi from Massachusetts and Amanda from Tennessee brought their questions about F1 teammates, reaction times and training. You'll hear why F1 drivers backsides are so important and discover DC's hidden talent for singing...

If you have an F1 question you'd like us to answer, record it as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to Why@F1.com

Special thanks to Jordan Henley, Isabelle Hutt, Mark Jones and the stage team at Circuit of The Americas.

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.



The incredible logistics of Formula 1 - with DHL + Alfa Romeo19 Oct 202300:52:17
Priceless cars, team headquarters, crucial equipment, thousands of spare parts, tyres, fuel... and the Team Principal's favourite coffee. Every item F1 teams need to compete is moved from race to race by an amazing team of logistics experts.

Formula 1's Global Logistics Partner, DHL, moves the sport around the world. It's a year-round, tight deadline task which is being achieved more sustainably than ever before - using bio-fuelled trucks and efficient freighter aircraft.
  • Paul Fowler, DHL Vice President of Global Motorsport, tells us how the company gets F1 from track to track.
  • Giorgia Tirabassi, DHL Trackside Co-ordinator - reveals the behind-the-scenes work to make sure F1 teams have everything they need in time to race, and how she handles the unexpected challenge of a last-minute delivery
Every Formula 1 team has its own logistics staff. Alfa Romeo's Deputy Head of Race Part Logistics, Josef Pfandl, explains how he moves tens of thousands of parts from race to race. Plus, how F1 team motorhomes are transported, and what it's like to drive a truck packed with invaluable F1 equipment across Europe.

Got a question about how F1 works? Christian, Katie and our team of experts would love to answer it. Record a voice note on your phone or write us an email and send it to Why@F1.com

Check out our previous episodes:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.


How F1 racetracks are designed12 Oct 202300:44:32
High-speed corners or tricky hairpins? Flat-out straights or tight chicanes? Every Formula 1 racetrack is a unique challenge for the drivers and teams, and the work to create them is a blend of artistry and engineering.

F1 Explains how F1 circuits go from a sketch on a piece of paper, through state-of-the-art digital simulation, to reality.

What are the challenges of building a racetrack? How are they designed to allow close racing, overtaking and interesting strategy? Christian and Katie put your questions on track design to the team from Apex Circuit Design, who were behind the Miami International Autodrome:
  • Dafydd Broom - Managing Director
  • Andrew Wallis - Engineering Director
We want to answer your F1 question. Record a voice note on your phone or write us an email and send it to Why@F1.com

Check out our previous episodes:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
Bernie Collins explains powerful pit stops, strategy training + DRS tricks 29 Aug 202400:31:12
Why is the 'undercut' pit stop strategy more powerful at some tracks than others? Formula 1 strategists make race-changing decisions under huge pressure. How do they practice? What is a 'DRS train' and how does being in one change a driver's race?

Former Aston Martin Head of Race Strategy Bernie Collins answers these questions and more in a quickfire special.

Yiorgios in Greece, Carla in Kentucky, Luana in Switzerland, Chad in Tennessee, Katherine in Illinois, April in Toronto, John in Minnesota, Lennon in New Jersey and Ken in Ohio had their questions answered in this episode. Send yours to F1Explains@F1.com

You might find your answer in a previous episode: Listen to more official F1 podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
It's all to drive for in 2024. Be there:
Tickets for the US Grand Prix in Texas, the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the rest of the 2024 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com
Car liveries: paint, decals, special designs + performance05 Oct 202300:50:03
Ferrari is red, Red Bull is blue... F1 car liveries are much more than paint and stickers. They're part of a team's identity, they're worth money to sponsors and they can even affect how the car performs on track. 

F1 Explains how F1 car liveries are created with the help of two experts:
  • Markus Höpperger tells us how Alfa Romeo's livery is designed and how paint schemes, sponsor placement and graphics are chosen
  • McLaren's Louise McEwen explains why the team turned papaya and how they decide when to run special liveries like the 'chrome', 'Triple Crown' and 'stealth' looks from 2023.
Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne talk paint, carbon fibre, sponsors and stickers and explore how liveries can affect laptimes on-track.

We want to answer your F1 question. Record a voice note on your phone or write us an email and send it to Why@F1.com

Check out our previous episodes:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard28 Sep 202300:49:26
Formula 1 is a high-speed, high-stress sport. Staying cool, ignoring distractions and recovering from setbacks requires huge mental strength, composure and resilience. How do F1 drivers cope? How do they make sure their minds are in the right condition? What support and training do they get to help them?

F1 Explains with the help of two expert guests:
  • Pete McKnight - performance coach who gets F1 drivers mentally ready to race. Performance Director for Hintsa Performance
  • David Coulthard - 13-time F1 winner on the mental strength he developed during his racing career
Katie and Christian explore how drivers get into the zone before a race by sticking to a routine, how they respond to defeats and mistakes, and why every driver has to believe that they are the best on the grid.

If you have an F1 question you'd like answered, write or record it and email it to Why@F1.com

We covered the physical fitness required to race in F1 on a previous episode featuring Sebastian Vettel's former trainer. Listen to that here

Other previous episodes:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.



Steering wheels: how drivers learn their buttons21 Sep 202300:48:44
Each one is different, but they're all high-tech pieces of equipment made of military-spec materials, designed to work in extreme conditions. F1 steering wheels do so much more than turn the car. 

Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne explore steering wheels with the help of two expert guests:

  • Jose Manuel Lopez, Mclaren Principal Race Engineer
  • Jolyon Palmer, former F1 driver with Renault and GP2 champion
Jose and Jolyon tell us how wheels are designed, what all the buttons do, how drivers learn their wheels, how they make sure their unique wheel works best for them, and what happens if a driver hits the wrong button. 

If you have an F1 question you'd like answered, write or record it and email it to Why@F1.com

Level-up your F1 knowledge with our previous episodes:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
Box box boxes, F1 car names + prize money - Your Questions Answered by Bernie Collins + Alex Jacques14 Sep 202300:33:51
Who decides where F1 teams do their pit stops? How do F1 cars and racetrack corners get their names? How much is F1's prize pot? Race-winning strategist Bernie Collins and award-winning F1TV commentator Alex Jacques are back with Katie and Christian to answer more of your questions.

Along the way you'll hear which F1 car is named after a team founders' wife, the different ways F1 corners get their names, and why drivers leave it until the last possible moment to do their qualifying laps.

We'd love to answer your question about F1. Whatever the topic, record it as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to us at Why@F1.com

Listen to our other quickfire question specials:


For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
Start secrets, Sprint stats + super subs - Your Questions Answered by Alex Jacques + Bernie Collins07 Sep 202300:41:22
How do F1 race starts work? Can you score a podium in F1 Sprint? What are the rules on teams sharing reserve drivers? You ask, F1 Explains with the help of F1TV commentator Alex Jacques and F1 strategist Bernie Collins. 

The team explains why F1 Grands Prix start when five red lights go out, explore the history of F1 race starts, and Alex reveals the secrets to commentating on the action-packed opening moments of a race. 

Plus, how is a top 3 finish in F1 Sprint officially recorded, which teams have deals to share their reserve drivers, why are F1 rule changes announced years before they come into effect, and how do race strategists like Bernie work out how fast their car will be in a race?

Send Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill your latest Formula 1 question and F1 Explains will tackle it in a future episode. Write an email or record and attach a voice note and send it to Why@F1.com

F1 Explains tackles a different F1 topic every week. Check out our previous episodes using the links below:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
DRS: how the Drag Reduction System has changed F1 racing31 Aug 202300:37:36
It has given us more action, more overtaking and more chances to change the race with strategy. DRS, the Drag Reduction System, can help F1 drivers get in position for a race-winning overtake. Why was it introduced? How does it work? What's the best way to use it?

F1 Explains with the help of three experts, who tell Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne all about this fascinating subject:

  • McLaren Aerodynamics Specialist Emel Cankaya works on designing DRS systems. She explains the physics of DRS, why it makes cars go faster and the rules on DRS design
  • Alfa Romeo's Head of Race Strategy Ruth Buscombe studied DRS at university. She tells us how DRS is controlled and how it has changed F1 racing for strategists
  • Former Renault F1 racer Jolyon Palmer puts us in the cockpit to explain DRS driving and overtaking
Write, record and send your F1 question to Why@F1.com and we will answer it in a future episode.

F1 Explains tackles a different F1 topic every week. Check out our previous episodes using the links below:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
Why tyres matter so much in F1 - with Pirelli + Jolyon Palmer24 Aug 202300:52:17
They're round, they're black, they keep you on the track. Tyres are one of the most important parts of a Formula 1 car, but getting the best performance from them requires tireless work from drivers, teams and engineers.

Three tyre experts join Katie and Christian to explain all you need to know about F1 tyres:
  • Former F1 racer Jolyon Palmer explains why tyres are so important to drivers
  • Mario Isola, Head of Motorsport for official F1 tyre supplier Pirelli, tells us why different tyre compounds are chosen for each race weekend and why F1 tyres wear out
  • McLaren's Director of Race Engineering, Hiroshi Imai, explains how F1 teams choose which tyres to use and the tyre rules they must not break
You ask, F1 Explains! Send your F1 question - as an email or a voice note - to why@F1.com

F1 Explains tackles a different F1 topic every week. Check out our previous episodes using the links below:

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
Why will the 2024 F1 calendar help make the sport more sustainable?27 Jul 202300:30:05
Racing more regionally. New power for the F1 Paddock. Game-changing fuels for F1 cars and, potentially, your car. Big things are happening to help make Formula 1 more sustainable.

Christian and Katie ask F1's Head of Sustainability, Ellen Jones, why re-organising the race calendar for 2024 will help reduce the sport's carbon footprint. Ellen also reveals how F1's trialling new ways of reducing the amount of energy used at races and developing a game-changing sustainable fuel with potential to transform the way we all travel in the future. 

McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, and Sustainability Director Kim Wilson reveal how Lando Norris' race seat and the lake outside their factory are helping the team cut carbon. 

We'd love to answer your F1 question. Record or write it, then email it to Why@F1.com

Why not listen to another episode? For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
Trophies, travel + 'pace in the car' - Your Questions Answered by Will Buxton + Bernie Collins20 Jul 202300:29:37
Why don't F1 drivers get to keep their trophies? How do F1 people cope with travel? What do drivers actually mean when they talk about having 'pace in the car'?

Bernie Collins, former Aston Martin F1 strategist, and Will Buxton, F1TV presenter, are back with Christian and Katie to answer these questions and more.

Bernie tells us about a time a driver was allowed to keep a special trophy, while Will explains how drivers avoid jet lag during the Singapore night race.

We'd love to answer your F1 question. Record or write it, then email it to Why@F1.com

Why not listen to another episode? For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
F1 cars, upgrades + 'copycats' - Your Questions Answered by Will Buxton + Bernie Collins13 Jul 202300:39:58
Why are some F1 cars faster than others? Why do some upgrades work and some don't? Why don't F1 teams all just copy the fastest car? 

F1TV presenter and Drive to Survive star Will Buxton, and former Aston Martin Head of Race Strategy Bernie Collins join Katie and Christian to answer those questions in more in a quickfire Formula Why special all about F1 cars.

You'll hear what upgrading an F1 car has in common with online clothes shopping, why copying a successful car is like trying to cook without a recipe, and why F1 drivers get weighed after every single race.

Why not listen to these other episodes?

Why don't you send us a question? Record or write them, then email to Why@F1.com

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.
Keeping F1 teams healthy + injury-free - with Faith Atack-Martin22 Aug 202400:42:26
How does a Formula 1 team stay fit, healthy and ready to race? The team's Physiotherapist (or Physical Therapist) treats every member of the team like an athlete, helping pit crew members avoid or recover from injury, keeping engineers active and making sure jet lag doesn't knock mechanics off their game.

Faith Atack-Martin from Combine Performance works with Haas F1 Team. She tells Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill how she looks after the staff who travel to races all over the world, and how her job involves everything from filling water bottles to white-water rafting.

Kelly from Birmingham, UK inspired this episode of F1 Explains. You can suggest a topic for a future podcast by emailing your question to F1Explains@F1.com

You might find your answer in a previous episode: Listen to more official F1 podcasts
  • For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid 
  • For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
Experience F1 live in 2024
Tickets for the US Grand Prix in Texas, the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the rest of the 2024 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com
Why are F1 wind tunnels top secret?06 Jul 202300:25:10
Hidden inside F1 factories, engineers use blasts of high-speed air to shape race-winning cars. Wind tunnels are multi-million dollar, high-tech facilities where aerodynamicists experiment. 

What happens in the wind tunnel usually stays in the wind tunnel, but Formula Why is going into this secretive world with Alpine F1 Team's Technical Director, Matt Harman. He tells us why F1 teams use wind tunnels, why they're so secretive and the incredible way the sport's rule makers, the FIA, keep an eye on how much teams use them. 

Christian and Katie also break down the rules about wind tunnels and why teams spend millions to have their own tunnels. 

Got a question for us? We'll answer it! Write or record it, then send it to Why@F1.com

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:

Use the share button and #FormulaWhy to invite a friend to join us on Formula Why.
Why do F1 drivers need race engineers? with Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu + Jorn Becker29 Jun 202300:29:27
They're the voice in the driver's ear, guiding them through every lap. F1 drivers can't compete without their race engineers, but why are they so important?

Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu and his race engineer Jorn Becker join Formula Why to answer your questions. Why do engineers speak like they do? Why do they use some words and not others? Why are all F1 Team Radio messages in English? Zhou and Jorn explain the secrets of a great driver/race engineer team. 

We want to answer your questions on Formula Why! Record or write them, and send them to Why@F1.com 

Check out these other episodes of Formula Why
Thanks for listening. Please rate and review Formula Why and invite a friend to join in using the share button and #FormulaWhy
'Undercuts', red lights + jobs in F1: Your Questions Answered by Lawrence Barretto + Bernie Collins22 Jun 202300:34:08
Why can pitting a lap earlier than your rival be a race-winning move? Why do F1 cars have red lights on the back? How do drivers remember all their race plans at 200mph? How do people get to be F1 Team Principals, strategists or reporters? Former Aston Martin Head of Strategy Bernie Collins and F1 Chief Correspondent Lawrence Barretto are back with Christian and Katie on Formula Why to answer these questions and more in a quickfire special.

Got an F1 question you'd like us to answer, or a message about the podcast? Record it as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to Why@F1.com

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:
Why are pit stops so important?
Why do F1 teams need simulators?
Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade
Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins
Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered
Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer
Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023?
Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen

Thanks for listening. Please leave us a rating and a review. Share the show to help other F1 fans learn more about the sport we all love using #FormulaWhy
Why do F1 pit stops take teamwork? 15 Jun 202300:46:39
Twenty teammates. Two seconds. Total teamwork. F1 pit stops are iconic, but why are they so important, and why are they so difficult to do perfectly? Who's on the pit crew, and what does each person do? Katie and Christian get the answers from:

  • Gemma Fisher - the human performance specialist who revolutionised F1 pit stops
  • Connor Swan - Alpine F1 Team's Pit Stop Performance Co-ordinator
  • Kevin Magnussen - Haas F1 Team driver 
Christian and Katie break down an F1 pit stop - from the role of the driver, to the mechanics who fit the tyres - and how the crew works together to get the car back on track in the shortest possible time.

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:
Got an F1 question for Christian, Katie and our F1 experts? Record or write it, and email to Why@F1.com

Thank you for listening. Please leave us a rating and a review. Share the podcast to help other F1 fans learn more about F1 using #FormulaWhy

For more F1 podcasts, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid and F1 Nation
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