F1 Explains

<div>Your questions about Formula 1, answered by the experts. Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill explain F1 with drivers, engineers and more of the amazing people behind-the-scenes.<br /> <br /> Send your questions, voice notes and messages to F1Explains@F1.com<br /> <br /> An official F1 podcast. For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race reviews and previews, listen to F1 Nation.</div>

David Coulthard + Mika Hakkinen explain F1 team mate title battles - LIVE at the US Grand Prix

Once McLaren team mates fighting for the Formula 1 World Championship, now legends of the F1 Paddock, Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard know how it feels to be in the middle of a title battle. The pair join Christian Hewgill and F1 Explains listeners live on stage in Austin, Texas, to answer your questions. David and Mika explain how McLaren handled their title rivalry in the late 1990s, compare their experiences to this year's intensifying battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and discuss whether team mates can be friends. Plus, why braking in an F1 car literally takes your breath away, some dogs named after F1 stars and the racing jobs David and Mika would want to do if they weren't drivers. Have your question answered on the podcast Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com Witness the crowning of a World Champion Book your seat for a Formula 1 Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with the stars of Formula 1 on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert insight before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

10-23
34:13

Gabriel Bortoleto explains F1 driving tricks, F2 v F1, steering wheels + driving in the pit lane

What does ‘lift and coast’ mean and why do drivers use this technique? How do they reduce their speed under a Virtual Safety Car? Why do they use a different engine mode when driving in the pitlane? And what do the buttons on an F1 steering wheel do?  Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto joins Christian Hewgill in the paddock at the United States Grand Prix to answer your questions. Gabriel also reveals what has surprised him the most about teammate Nico Hulkenberg, how he feels about racing his manager Fernando Alonso on track and the differences between F2 and F1 cars. Have your question answered on the podcast Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with the stars of Formula 1 on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

10-16
29:20

Marshals: The ‘first line of safety for F1 drivers’

Without marshals, we wouldn't be able to go racing. In their bright orange jumpsuits, they're hard to miss. Hundreds of them are dotted around the track to ensure the safety of all the drivers competing in every series during a Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend.   So how do they keep drivers safe? What roles are different marshals performing at different parts of the circuit? How do they know which flags to wave? What’s the process they go through when responding to incidents on track? And how do they work with Race Control?  Ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne have been speaking to Mike Vandament and Jennifer Kelly, both of whom volunteer as marshals at the Circuit of the Americas, to answer your questions about what they do during a race weekend.  And if you're interested in becoming a marshal, Sydney Davis Yagel works for the Sports Car Club of America. It’s her job to get people started with marshalling and other trackside jobs. Sydney tells Christian and Katie how she gives people those opportunities and what type of person she thinks makes a good marshal. THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO FORMULA 1 FLAGS Click here to find out what all the different flags in Formula 1 mean. Have your question answered on the podcast Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with the stars of Formula 1 on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation 

10-09
32:33

The Medical Car: 'the world's fastest ambulance'

When F1 drivers crash, the FIA Medical Car rushes to the scene. It's a high-performance machine with a racing driver at the wheel and a doctor in the passenger seat. The Medical Car crew, Dr Ian Roberts and driver Bruno Correia, answer your questions about their vital jobs. They tell Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill about responding to crashes, assessing driver injuries and the part of a Grand Prix when they're most likely to be called into action. Dr Ian explains how he went from working in a hospital to racetracks around the world, Bruno tells the story of swapping a racing car for the Aston Martin and Mercedes Medical Cars, and we hear what drivers are like after a crash. Get your question answered on the podcast Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with the stars of Formula 1 on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

10-02
37:19

Alex Albon explains night races, car numbers + helmet designs

How different is driving at night compared to racing during the day? What impact does being a celebrity have on an F1 drivers’ life? How are car numbers decided? And what’s the process behind designing a special helmet? Williams’ Alex Albon joins Christian Hewgill in the Formula 1 paddock to answer your questions.  Get your question answered on the podcast Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews with the stars of Formula 1, including Alex Albon, on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

09-25
22:12

How strategy is influenced by tyres, drivers, crashes, AI and more – Quickfire Questions with Bernie Collins

What are race strategists doing during a Grand Prix? How are strategies decided for each driver within a team? What happens to that strategy when something unexpected happens, like teammates colliding with each other? And is Artificial Intelligence used when deciding the best tactics for a race? Bernie Collins, former F1 strategist at Aston Martin and McLaren, joins Christian Hewgill in the paddock to answer your questions about the sport. Bernie also explains why teams change their engine power during different sessions, why drivers try and leave their final qualifying run as late as possible, and what the rules are when a driver is asked to give a place back to an opponent. Get your question answered on the podcast Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

09-18
37:04

Ask a Team Principal with Sauber's Jonathan Wheatley

2025 is a year of change for Jonathan Wheatley. He left Red Bull in the UK to join Sauber in Switzerland. He also stepped up from Sporting Director to Team Principal. Jonathan answers your questions about moving from a World Championship-winning team to one seeking success. He tells Christian how he leads the hundreds of people working at Sauber's factory and at the racetrack, including drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. More change is ahead for Jonathan and Sauber in 2026, as Audi-take over the team. Jonathan answers your questions on how the transition is going and Audi's ambition to win in Formula 1. F1 Explains puts your questions to F1 experts and insiders. Send yours to F1Explains@F1.com More from official F1 podcasts: F1 Beyond The Grid Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto's story of leaving Brazil aged 11 to chase his F1 dream F1 Nation Valtteri Bottas on why he chose to join Cadillac for 2026

09-11
31:55

Forza Ferrari – Why Ferrari are F1’s ‘most famous’ team

Ferrari is synonymous with Formula 1 around the world. They’ve won more World Championships than any other team in the sport’s history. But is that success why they’re regarded as one of the most iconic names in F1? Or is there more to it? F1 Explains is at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza to find out what makes Ferrari so special. Christian Hewgill is joined by ESPN F1 journalist, Nate Saunders, who is also the author of ‘Forza Ferrari: How F1’s most famous team can win again’, and 2012 GP2 champion and F1TV pundit, Davide Valsecchi. They discuss how Ferrari’s long history with Formula 1 began, the legacy of legendary founder Enzo Ferrari, the team’s famous Tifosi fanbase, the pressure they face from the Italian media and why winning a title with Ferrari is extra special. Christian also meets some very passionate Italian Ferrari fans, who tell us why Ferrari mean so much to them, what it was like being at Monza when Charles Leclerc won in 2024, and how they would feel if Ferrari became World Champions again after such a long wait. Get your question answered on the podcast Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

09-04
47:34

Meet a Formula 1 pit crew - with Haas

The driver hits the brakes. The car stops in the pit lane and 20 people go to work. Wheel guns roar. Tyres spin. The car speeds back into the race. An F1 pit stop is 2 seconds of precision under pressure. F1 Explains meets the people who make lightning-fast pit stops happen. Christian Hewgill puts your questions to Haas pit crew members Matt Thompson, Monique Hurrell and Marcus Farrer. Matt, Monique and Marcus explain how they became part of the pit crew, what happens during a stop, and what they do for the rest of the race weekend. Get your question answered on the podcast Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

08-28
26:19

How F1 teams find future stars – with Mercedes

Where do Formula 1 teams spot the drivers of the future? What are they looking for in young racers? And how did Mercedes guide Kimi Antonelli from karting to F1?     F1 Explains explores junior driver programmes, which exist to find talented young drivers and support them as they climb the motorsport ladder.   Most F1 teams have these academies. Red Bull signed a young Max Verstappen, Ferrari supported Charles Leclerc and Oliver Bearman, Lando Norris was part of the McLaren programme, and Mercedes developed George Russell, Kimi Antonelli and Esteban Ocon during their junior racing.   F1 ACADEMY leader Doriane Pin is also part of the Mercedes Junior Driver Programme. She tells Christian Hewgill how Mercedes spotted her and answers your questions on what the team is doing to support her career.   The Mercedes programme is led by Gwen Lagrue, the man who discovered Russell, Antonelli and Ocon. Gwen explains how he identifies those with the most potential, guides them into junior car racing and decides when they are ready to step up to Formula 3, F2 and, finally, F1.  Get your question answered on the podcast Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

07-31
48:02

Ask Stefano Domenicali – F1 President and CEO answers your questions

Being the boss of Formula 1 is a big job. F1 teams, drivers, race promoters, sponsors and more than 825 million fans worldwide rely on Stefano Domenicali to lead the sport forwards.   It’s a huge responsibility, so how does he keep everyone happy?    Speaking to Christian Hewgill, Stefano explains exactly what his job involves and how the role compares to his time as Ferrari Team Principal. He also answers your questions about the cost cap, the calendar, the points-scoring system, the sport’s growth in the US and why Formula 1 is entering a new era in 2026.   And with so many exciting new additions to the sport in the last few years - like F1 Sprint, the spectacular Las Vegas Grand Prix, the trailblazing F1 ACADEMY, and F1 The Movie - what does Stefano think the next big thing for Formula 1 will be? Get your question answered on the podcast Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com NET ZERO F1 is on-target to be Net Zero by 2030. The sport has reduced its carbon emissions by 26% since 2018. Read more here.  F1 THE MOVIE starring Brad Pitt NOW PLAYING Get tickets now It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

07-24
33:25

Esteban Ocon explains F1 training, post-race weigh-ins + racing focus

He's a race-winner, a Haas driver and he lays claim to being the tallest person on the F1 grid (hairstyle permitting). Esteban Ocon joins F1 Explains to answer the latest batch of listener questions. Among the topics in our inbox: how drivers prepare mentally and physically, why they get handed a little paper ticket at their post-race weight check, how being tall affects the job of an F1 driver, and whether fireproof underwear is comfortable. Esteban also talks about working with his Haas race engineer Laura Mueller, how drivers sense when it's time to change tyres during a wet race, his pre-race rituals and how he keeps his concentration while racing. Get your question on the podcast! Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com F1 THE MOVIE starring Brad Pitt NOW PLAYING Get tickets now It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

07-17
36:00

Ask Ayao Komatsu LIVE at the British Grand Prix

How do F1 teams help new drivers settle in? What are the secrets of Silverstone? Could Taylor Swift help Ollie Bearman go faster? Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu answers these questions and more in the latest F1 Explains live show, recorded at the British Grand Prix. F1 Explains listeners Eilín from Ireland, Maya from New York and honeymooning couple Amie and Sam join Ayao and Christian Hewgill on-stage. They ask Ayao how Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman adapted to their new team, the differences between rookies and experienced drivers, and how F1 stars stay focused during a race. Will Ayao use Christian's idea of playing his drivers' favourite songs over the radio to give them a boost? Watch this space... Get your question on the podcast! Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com F1 THE MOVIE starring Brad Pitt NOW PLAYING Get tickets now It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

07-10
21:45

75 Years of F1: How the sport arrived and thrived - with Damon Hill + Alex Jacques at the British GP

1996 Formula 1 World Champion, Damon Hill, and F1TV’s lead commentator, Alex Jacques, join Christian Hewgill at the British Grand Prix for an F1 history lesson - 75 years since the World Championship began at Silverstone in 1950. How did the pinnacle of motorsport begin? What did the first World Championship look like in terms of the cars, the calendar and the Constructors? Who were the sport’s biggest superstars in the early decades? What have been the biggest technological advances? How has safety improved over time?  Alex takes us through the defining moments of each era, how Formula 1 transformed into the spectacle it is today and what we can expect in the future. And Damon talks about his life in Formula 1 – how he went from watching his World Champion father Graham as a child to following in his footsteps by winning the title in ’96, his epic rivalry with Michael Schumacher, being teammates with the legendary Ayrton Senna – and how the sport is so different now to when he was racing. Get your question on the podcast! Send voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com F1: THE MOVIE starring Brad Pitt NOW PLAYING Get tickets now It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

07-03
53:21

This Friday: F1 Explains LIVE at the British Grand Prix

F1 Explains will be live on-stage at the British Grand Prix with two special guests: Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, and F1 legend David Coulthard will join Christian Hewgill to answer your questions. See you there! F1 EXPLAINS LIVE AT SILVERSTONE Friday 4th July Main Stage 1115-1145 Free to all British Grand Prix Friday or weekend ticket-holders Send your questions for Ayao and David to F1Explains@F1.com Get your question on the podcast! Send voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com F1: THE MOVIE starring Brad Pitt Only in cinemas June 2025 Get tickets now It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

07-01
01:10

F1 commentary, team radio + qualifying questions - with Alex Jacques + Jolyon Palmer

How do F1 commentators call races? What do F1 team radio messages mean? How do drivers make sure their laps in qualifying are as fast as possible? In this 'mega' episode, F1TV commentary duo Alex Jacques and Jolyon Palmer explain how they do their jobs - the camera shots and data they look at during a Grand Prix Alex and Jolyon also help Christian Hewgill decode F1 team radio messages, and break down how teams approach qualifying. Get your question on the podcast! Send voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com F1: THE MOVIE starring Brad Pitt Only in cinemas June 2025 Get tickets now It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

06-26
29:30

How F1 The Movie was made - with director Joseph Kosinski

Filmed on real F1 racetracks, in the middle of real F1 action, F1 The Movie is the most authentic racing movie ever. Director Joseph Kosinski tells Christian Hewgill how the movie was made - how it all started with an email to Lewis Hamilton, how the team modified real race cars to film the spectacular racing sequences, and how he shot scenes on the grid, on the track and in the pit lane during F1 race weekends. F1 The Movie – in cinemas June 25th internationally, June 27th in North America Find a screening near you at f1themovie.com Get your question on the podcast! Send voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com F1: The Movie on official F1 podcasts Brad Pitt tells F1 Beyond The Grid how he became his character Sonny Hayes Damson Idris + Kerry Condon talk about preparing for their roles on F1 Nation It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

06-25
28:46

Planning your F1 trip - choosing a race, buying tickets + picking seats

Watching F1 on TV is incredible. Seeing the action live is even better. With 24 amazing races, different ticket options and viewing positions to choose from, how do you plan a trip to a Formula 1 Grand Prix? Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill speak to Gavin and Megan, F1 fans from Colorado who are going to this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix during their honeymoon. They want advice planning their weekend - what to take to the track, where to sit, and what to do besides watching the races. F1 Experiences is the closest you can get to Formula 1, with pit lane walks, track tours and photos with the F1 World Championship trophy. Find out more at f1experiences.com Send your questions and messages to F1Explains@F1.com You can buy tickets for F1 in 2025 and 2026 at tickets.formula1.com The 2026 F1 Calendar is out now - choose your race here  F1: THE MOVIE - in theatres June 25th / June 27th (US) Find a showing - f1themovie.com

06-19
40:55

Lando Norris explains F1 driving styles, champagne slams + special helmets

What is a ‘driving style’ and how many different ones are there? What’s the secret to executing a champagne pop on the podium? And how do F1 drivers come up with ideas for special helmet designs and create the final product? McLaren driver Lando Norris joins Christian Hewgill at the Canadian Grand Prix to give you the answers. Lando also tells us what he likes to eat for breakfast, why he has to get up so early on race day, his guilty pleasures, what he’d be if he wasn’t an F1 driver, and why he wants to become World Champion. Get your question on the podcast! Send voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com F1: THE MOVIE starring Brad Pitt Only in cinemas June 2025 Get tickets now It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

06-13
26:14

F1's greatest drivers + improving safety | Ask an F1 World Champion - with Sir Jackie Stewart

He's a legend of Formula 1, a three-time World Champion who fought to make the sport safer. Sir Jackie Stewart's good work continues today with his charity Race Against Dementia. Sir Jackie joins Christian Hewgill to answer your questions on how F1 has changed since the 1960s and 70s, the great drivers of the past and how F1 cars and racetracks have become safer over the decades. Lady Helen Stewart, Jackie's wife, was once his timekeeper. She stood at the side of the track with a stopwatch to record his lap times. In 2014 they learned she has dementia, a brain disease which can affect memory, thinking and behaviour. Sir Jackie explains how his charity funds research to find a cure. Formula 1 is proud to support Race Against Dementia The global charity, founded by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, funds pioneering research into the prevention and cure of dementia. Find out more at raceagainstdementia.com Get your question on the podcast! Send voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com COMING SOON... Lando Norris and Esteban Ocon - send in your questions for our Ask an F1 Driver specials with two Grand Prix winners. F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali - send your questions on his job running Formula 1. F1: THE MOVIE starring Brad Pitt Only in cinemas June 2025 Get tickets now It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there! Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

06-05
32:02

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09-10 Reply

Dayna Davis

Managing a modern Formula 1 car is a highly intricate process, demanding the skills of the driver and extensive data analysis. F1 teams utilize real-time data to oversee every aspect of their vehicles, aiding drivers in making rapid decisions to enhance performance. In today's F1, data is crucial, with cars connected to over 500 IoT devices generating up to 10,000 data points per second. This data is transmitted instantaneously, allowing teams to analyze and optimize performance on the fly. Curious about what is the difference between f1 and f2? Learn more about what sets them apart here. F1 teams also use advanced technologies like 5G for optimal data utilization during races. As data continues to transform the sport, machine learning and AI will further improve strategy, driver performance, and safety.

06-12 Reply

Bryan Ustick

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