High Performance Racing – Details, episodes & analysis

🚨 First episode out Wednesday 22nd April - follow the show so you don't miss a moment

They say you can’t truly understand Formula 1 without real experts; High Performance Racing brings you the people who actually lived it.

Hosted by Jake Humphrey alongside former Aston Martin & Alpine Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer and ex-Ferrari & Williams Race Engineer Rob Smedley, this brand-new show breaks down the sport's biggest news stories through the eyes of seasoned F1 personnel.

Moving beyond standard race breakdowns, the show offers a front-row seat to the high-stakes world of the Formula 1 paddock, from team analysis & technical breakdowns to the unfiltered banter of the pit wall.

High Performance Racing delivers the insider perspectives and uncovered moments that the cameras miss, straight from those who have built careers in the most competitive sport in the world.

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In our very first episode, Jake Humphrey is joined by F1 insiders Otmar Szafnauer and Rob Smedley for an unfiltered first look at the 2026 season so far: the boldest regulation reset in modern Formula 1 history.

The trio cut through the early-season noise to assess which teams have genuinely cracked the new formula and which are already playing catch-up. From Mercedes' resurgence, to Aston Martin's alarming early struggles and Hamilton's long-awaited shot at redemption with Ferrari, Jake, Otmar and Rob break down what's real, what's hype, and what the data is actually telling us.

They also reminisce about the V8 and V10 eras of F1, sharing fascinating stories of their early memories in the sport, as well as working with some of the sport’s most iconic characters like Rubens Barichello, Eddie Jordan and Michael Schumacher.

This is F1 without the PR filter: technical, honest, and full of funny stories straight from the pit wall.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Humphrey, Otmar Szafnauer, and Rob Smedley tackle the biggest power shift currently shaking the grid: the potential collapse of the Red Bull dynasty. With key figures departing and performance wavering, the guys discuss whether Max Verstappen is finally ready to pull the trigger on a move to Mercedes and what that means for the rest of the 2026 driver market.

The conversation shifts from the boardroom to the "underworld" of the paddock, exposing the chaotic reality of life on the road. Moving beyond the headlines, the group explores the "dark arts" of the pit wall, sharing candid stories about managing intense driver rivalries and the extreme logistics required to keep a team racing.

From the lengths teams go to for emergency spare parts to Michael Schumacher’s specific race-day rituals, Otmar and Rob offer a unique technical and human perspective on the sport. The episode concludes with a look at why team culture and psychological safety often matter more than fancy factories when it comes to winning.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the Red Bull empire finally cracking? Jake, Otmar and Rob break down the 2026 driver market, debate Max Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes, and discuss how Mark Webber is shaping Oscar Piastri’s future at McLaren.

Fresh from Florida, the guys react to the "Miami madness," with Otmar sharing his experience balancing F1 duties with his new role at Van Amersfoort Racing. They also unpack George Russell’s rise, Kimi Antonelli’s progress, and Ferrari’s ongoing upgrade struggles.

Step inside the garage as Otmar and Rob expose the "Dark Arts”: the high-stakes, invisible side of Formula 1. From the extreme lengths teams go to for emergency spare parts to Michael Schumacher’s specific race-day rituals, the pair offer a unique technical and human perspective on the logistical chaos behind the pit wall.

The trio also debate the future of F1 engine regulations, Otmar’s push for a return to V8s, and his bid to launch a 12th F1 team. It’s an hour of technical honesty, untold history, and a rare look at the human cost of chasing the podium.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forget the PR spin as Jake, Otmar, and Rob weigh George Russell’s relentless work ethic against Kimi Antonelli’s raw talent, even revisiting the famous PowerPoint deck George used to pitch his way onto the grid. 

The trio dives into the "dark arts" of the driver-engineer bond, from the psychology of delivering bad news to the tactical "slow-walking" of team orders. They also break down the exhausting new reality of mid-race energy management and why the partnership between a driver and their engineer is the ultimate weapon for icons like Max Verstappen.

Otmar shares perspective-shifting lessons from his Force India days on why treating a world champion like a normal human being is the rarest, most effective skill in the paddock.

It’s an unfiltered look at the grit, intellect, and invisible friction required to survive the F1 pressure cooker and lead the grid.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Jake, Rob and Otmar look ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix, and explore why despite regulation changes, the drivers still don't trust their cars.

Looking back at previous regulation changes, Rob and Otmar debate whether 2009 Brawn GP success really about a "double diffuser," or have we been looking at the wrong part of the car for seventeen years?

Rob Smedley peels back the aero layers to reveal the true McLaren-inspired secret that rivals missed, proving why there is never a "silver bullet" in F1, only the total package.

The trio shifts to the high-stakes "chaos" of the 2026 regulations. Otmar explains why the current uncertainty is a goldmine for teams brave enough to find marginal gains now, while the group warns why Canada’s infamous "Wall of Champions" is an even deadlier psychological trap for drivers struggling with this generation of cars.

We also get an unfiltered look at the evolution of Sergio Perez. Otmar shares stories from the Force India garage, revealing how Checo’s instinctive "superpower" for tire management forced even Nico Hulkenberg to rebuild his racecraft.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of High Performance Racing, Otmar, Jake and Rob break down the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix and the growing tension at Mercedes as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli go wheel-to-wheel.

Was George unlucky, or is Kimi now a genuine title threat? The trio discuss Mercedes’ rules of engagement, whether Toto Wolff needs to step in, and why Antonelli is already being talked about as a generational talent.

Plus, we look at Lewis Hamilton’s breakthrough P2 for Ferrari, what it says about his confidence, why Charles Leclerc may be feeling the pressure, and whether McLaren made a major strategy mistake by starting on intermediates.

And... as always - some dad jokes to close. Let us know what you think and leave us a comment, question or message!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monaco isn't just a race weekend; it's where F1's biggest deals, secrets, and scandals collide. 

This episode dives into the unique pressure of the Principality, from the opulence of Vijay Mallya's legendary boat parties to the corporate politics that saw one host blindsided by Alpine management, only to answer back with a defiant Monaco podium.

This conversation goes deep into the paddock's "dark arts," revisiting Michael Schumacher's infamous 2006 Rascasse parking scandal, the frantic phone calls to the FIA President, and Ross Brawn's chilling insight into Michael's psychological state. But there's another side to Schumacher, the humble man who sent handwritten birthday cards to his mechanics, a world away from the ruthless competitor.

From a fiery qualifying argument that shattered Felipe Massa's Monaco mental block to the murky world of paddock spy photography used to pinch Red Bull's floor secrets, this one's pure grit, glamour, and the relentless pursuit of an edge.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake, Rob, and Otmar react to a chaotic Monaco Grand Prix, discussing Kimi Antonelli’s fifth consecutive win, George Russell’s disastrous weekend, and whether the 2026 Formula 1 title race is already over.

Rob and Otmar break down Russell’s chances for the rest of 2026, the ADUO verdict that’s sent shockwaves through the paddock - and why Red Bull being declared F1’s benchmark engine is great news for Mercedes. After yet another podium for Lewis Hamilton, the guys debate his place among the all-time Formula 1 greats.

The trio also look ahead to the Barcelona Grand Prix, and whether the championship is truly still up for grabs.

Plus: Rob makes his case for keeping Monaco on the 2026 F1 calendar in ‘Bullshit corner’ - and defends his socks!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Otmar away, Jake Humphrey and Rob Smedley preview the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix. Rob dives deep into his legendary career, breaking down what it really takes to lead the technical side of an F1 team, the old-school mindset shift he brought to Williams, and what the current team is lacking on track. 

The duo also debated a massive F1 "what if", whether Michael Schumacher would have swept the 2007 and 2008 titles if Ross Brawn hadn’t retired. Plus, Rob reveals the incredible reality behind Felipe Massa’s terrifying 2009 Budapest crash, the chaos of engineering the unpredictable Jean Alesi, and a highly questionable new entry into Bullshit Corner. 

Want to guide the next episode? Reply in the comment below with your questions for Rob and Otmar, or nominate an F1 moment for Bullshit Corner! 

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.