F101 podcast

Baku is back, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned about this race, it’s that absolutely NOTHING is safe.In this episode of F101, we’re heading to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and breaking down everything you need to know before the lights go out. We look back at the chaos of the 2025 Baku GP, where Max Verstappen dominated, Carlos Sainz scored a shock Williams podium, and Oscar Piastri discovered that championship leaders and Turn 5 do not always get along.Then we get into the 2026 championship battle. Kimi Antonelli has built a serious points lead, but with 233 points still available, the maths says the title fight is very much alive. We break down who can still catch him, what Baku could do to the championship, and which teams could be fighting at the sharp end this weekend.And because F1 never waits for one season to finish before starting the next one, we’re also diving into the 2027 driver market. Who is confirmed, who is still negotiating, and why are we once again looking at Esteban Ocon and asking… mate, what is happening?Listen now and get race-ready for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Madrid is officially on the Formula 1 calendar, and the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix is bringing us a brand-new circuit, a brand-new challenge, and possibly the strangest track shape in F1.In this episode of F101, we head to the Madring for the first ever Formula 1 race in Madrid. We break down how this new Spanish Grand Prix came to be, why Carlos Sainz is the perfect ambassador for his home race, and how Madrid’s circuit somehow looks like Elvis Presley — pompadour, eyes, nose, chin and all.We take you on a full hot lap of the Madring, corner by corner.Then we get into the important stuff: the 2026 Pirelli tyre allocation, Madrid’s September weather, what the new circuit could mean for the teams and drivers, and why the lack of previous race data makes this weekend such an intriguing one.Welcome to Madrid.Follow F101 for more beginner-friendly Formula 1 breakdowns, race previews, F1 news, track guides and all the chaos in between.

The Temple of Speed is calling.The 2026 Italian Grand Prix is here, and this week on F101 we’re heading to Monza for one of the most iconic races on the Formula 1 calendar.Kevin is joined by Nisha and Aswathy to break down everything you need to know before lights out at the Italian GP — the slipstream battles and our favourite race moments to the unique challenge of the Monza circuit.We take you on a full hot lap of the Temple of Speed, from the Variante del Rettifilo and Curva Grande through the Lesmos and Variante Ascari, all the way to the legendary Parabolica. We also explain why Monza is so dependent on low drag, straight-line speed, heavy braking and slipstream battles — and how the 2026 cars and their new Boost button could change the racing.Then we get into the big stories heading into the Italian Grand Prix. Alpine have confirmed Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto for 2027, with Colapinto finally getting the major upgrade package that Gasly debuted at Zandvoort. Kimi Antonelli faces a grid penalty at his home race after Mercedes fits a new power unit, setting up a potentially huge recovery drive for the championship leader.We also look at Ferrari's home-race pressure, Lewis Hamilton's chances of making an impact in red, Lando Norris and McLaren's recent momentum and what all of this could mean for the championship.Plus, we talk tyres, track evolution, the Monza weather forecast and, of course, make our podium predictions.If you're looking for an Italian Grand Prix preview, 2026 F1 Monza predictions, a Monza circuit guide or simply want to know what to watch for this weekend, this episode has you covered.Listen to F101 on Spotify and get ready for the Temple of Speed.Follow us for more F1 race previews, Formula 1 news, predictions, memes and race-week chaos.

Formula 1 is BACK after the summer break — and we’re heading to Zandvoort for the final-ever Dutch Grand Prix.In this episode of F101, Aswathy, Nisha and Kevin preview the 2026 Dutch GP and everything you need to know about the Zandvoort circuit. Why is this the final Formula 1 race in the Netherlands? What makes Zandvoort such a unique F1 track? And can Max Verstappen give the Orange Army one final home victory?We break down the Zandvoort circuit, including the famous banked corners. We talk about the sand from the Dutch dunes, the narrow layout, overtaking, tyre strategy and the unpredictable Dutch weather.This is also the FIRST and LAST F1 Sprint at Zandvoort, meaning the drivers return from the summer break with just one practice session before Sprint Qualifying. Perfect recipe for chaos.We revisit the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix, including Oscar Piastri’s win, Lando Norris’ heartbreak, Charles Leclerc getting stranded in the dunes and Isack Hadjar’s first F1 podium.And there’s plenty more: summer-break gossip, all the re-signings, Cadillac’s team principal change, Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury, Liam Lawson’s return, Yuki Tsunoda’s comeback, F1 tyre strategy and our Dutch GP podium predictions.One final Zandvoort. One final Dutch Grand Prix. One last party for the Orange Army.Welcome back to F101 — your beginner-friendly Formula 1 podcast without the gatekeeping.Instagram - @thisisF101 OR https://www.instagram.com/thisisf101/Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisIsF101/

The first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season is officially in the books, which means it’s time for the most important academic exercise of the year: the F1 mid-season report card.Who’s getting an A? Who needs summer school? And who has spent the first half of the season staring at the exam paper wondering where all the answers went?We’re grading every team from Mercedes to Cadillac, looking at the cars, the upgrades, the reliability, the race-day execution and, most importantly, the teammate battles. Who’s winning qualifying? Who’s converting it into points on Sunday? And which rookies are already making their more experienced teammates look over their shoulders?Mercedes have been consistently at the sharp end, Ferrari have the pace but the eternal frustration of not quite putting it all together, Red Bull are still asking Max Verstappen to perform miracles, and McLaren might be the most frustrating case of all: a car with championship-winning potential that keeps finding ways not to finish the exam.Further down the grid, Racing Bulls have quietly emerged as the midfield benchmark, Alpine are dealing with reliability headaches, Williams are waiting for their big upgrade push, and Aston Martin are basically betting their entire second half on one giant package.And Cadillac? They’re still figuring out where the classroom is.Grab your imaginary red pen and join us for the 2026 F1 Mid-Season Report Card — grades, teammate battles, surprises, disappointments and plenty of completely unbiased teacher's opinions.Because in F1, apparently even the summer break comes with homework.Instagram - @thisisF101 OR https://www.instagram.com/thisisf101/Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisIsF101/