The Race F1 Podcast

We answer your questions on a variety of topics, including what will be different for Lewis Hamilton in life at Ferrari and when the seven-time world champion have his first day at Maranello. Jon Noble and Mark Hughes join Edd Straw to answer questions sent in by The Race Members' Club, including one on Spa's new deal to become a rotation race, and another on how we go about following races when covering F1. We also pick out which driver who dropped off the grid in 2024 is most likely to make a comeback and ask if the 'Pink Mercedes' Racing Point car of 2020 should have won more races. There's a look back at Michael Schumacher's three-year return to F1, an appraisal of Red Bull's prospects when it's new power unit is introduced next year and much more. LAST CHANCE: The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows: London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aston Martin's reshuffle at the top of the team is the focus of the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast. Samarth Kanal joins Edd Straw to explain why Andy Cowell has taken over as team principal and what it means for the team's way of working. We discuss the new roles of Mike Krack (who previously held the role) and Tom McCullough, as well as the wider changes being made to allow Aston Martin to live up to its potential. And with Adrian Newey arriving in March, Honda engines powering the car next year as well as Enrico Cardile coming in as chief technical officer, we discuss whether the latest round of changes will allow the team to fulfil its prodigious potential. LAST CHANCE: The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows: London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We explain Franco Colapinto's move to Alpine as test and reserve driver and what it might mean for Jack Doohan in the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast. Scott Mitchell-Malm joins Edd Straw to unravel the interestingly-worded deal, and discuss how it fits into Alpine's plans for the future. The question of how Alpine's other newly-announced test and reserve driver Ryo Hirakwa fits in with Colapinto - not to mention Paul Aron, who was signed as a reserve driver late last year. And with Doohan's seat clearly under threat, we ask what his chances of seeing out the season are, and what he needs to do to prove to Alpine he's the driver it needs for the longer-term. LAST CHANCE: The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows: London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We look ahead to the possibility of an unprecedented world championship fight in 2025 on the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Edd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm and The Race's new recruit Jon Noble to run through the factors that could potentially make this one of the closest F1 seasons in history, and the factors that could swing it one way or another. We attempt to pick a favourite for both the drivers' and the constructors' championship, discussing where teams need to improve and where there are opportunities to steal a march on their rivals when it comes to the potential battle between McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes. The thorny questions of the reducing raceability of the cars and the fact a major rule change is set to disrupt what has become a close competition at the front are also taken on. The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows: London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our first episode of 2025, Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes and special guest Nelson Valkenburg (Viaplay Netherlands Formula 1 commentator) to discuss the key battlegrounds that will be fought during the 2025 F1 season. Included in our list are how Lewis Hamilton will fare against Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, whether Mercedes will solves its physics issue, how Verstappen versus Norris 2.0 might look, and more. The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows: London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm and special guest Diego Mejia from Fox Sports Mexico and The Race en Español to discuss Red Bull confirming it is parting ways with Sergio Perez for 2025. They explain why it has taken so long for this announcement to be made, given it has been expected for some time, why the partnership hasn't worked out, and whether this spells the end of Perez's F1 career. They also discuss who is likely to replace Perez, why that announcement hasn't been made at the same time, and whether Red Bull will end up with the team-mate they need for Max Verstappen. And finally, Diego gives us the Mexican perspective on Perez splitting with Red Bull - including the impact the decision could have on the Mexican Grand Prix. The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows: London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Click here to register your interest in attending the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix in 2025 Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for our regular end of season episode, as Mark Hughes, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Ben Anderson join Edd Straw to countdown The Race's Top 10 F1 drivers of 2024. As ever, we created our list by asking each of our guests to rank all of the drivers on the grid, with their scores then combined to produce a top 10. But which drivers made it in and who missed out? Are there any big surprises or will the top 10 mirror the drivers' championship standings? Listen in to find out and then let us know on social media what you think! The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage. Buy tickets to our live shows: London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Click here to register your interest in attending the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix in 2025 Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Samarth Kanal to discuss all the big talking points from the final race of the 2024 F1 season in Abu Dhabi, including McLaren defeating Ferrari to win its first constructors' title in 26 years. They explain how Lando Norris was able to see off the threat of Carlos Sainz, discuss a pair of epic comeback drives by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, debate whether Max Verstappen's 10-second penalty for tangling with Oscar Piastri was justified, and much more. Plus, the guys tackle a big batch of questions sent in by The Race Members' Club. Buy tickets to our live shows: London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Click here to register your interest in attending the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix in 2025 Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Lewis Hamilton heads into his valedictory grand prix weekend with Mercedes, was answer your questions on his recent struggles in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Scott Mitchell-Malm and Samarth Kanal join host Edd Straw to dissect Hamilton's recent comments, and what the tame ending to his remarkable Mercedes stint might mean for his 2024 season with Mercedes. We also tackle a slew of questions about goings on at the FIA and recent race control calls, and how the drivers might react should their concerns not be addressed. There's also an update on the latest version of Red Bull's ever-shifting driver plans, a look at Franco Colapinto's situation, the question of if F1 should award points further down the order and Jack Doohan's prospects for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - and many more. Buy tickets to our live shows: London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Click here to register your interest in attending the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix in 2025 Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Samarth Kanal to dissect the Qatar Grand Prix, in which Max Verstappen's comfortable win was overshadowed by some controversial decisions from both the race director and the stewards. They discuss all the big talking points, plus answer the usual bumper crop of questions from The Race Members' Club. Buy tickets to our live shows: London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm to discuss the news that Formula 1 has reached an agreement in principle with General Motors to add a GM/Cadillac team to the F1 grid in 2026. But curiously within F1's announcement, there was no mention of Andretti, the entity that started this team's bid to get onto the F1 grid. So, why have GM/Cadillac got the green light now, when the project was previously rejected? Where has the Andretti name gone? What engines will the new team use and which drivers might it sign? We shed light on all of those questions and more... Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace to take advantage of our special Black Friday offer, where you can get 30% off your first month Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Black Friday deals are now live! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Ben Anderson to discuss Max Verstappen clinching his fourth drivers' world title with fifth place in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. But where does this year's championship success rank alongside his other winning seasons? They also explain what led to Mercedes' stunning turn of speed this weekend, which saw it clinch an unexpected one-two with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. There's also chat about why Charles Leclerc was unhappy after the race, why McLaren was off the pace this weekend, and how Nico Hulkenberg won the midfield battle and Alpine lost it. Plus, as ever, the guys answer another load of questions sent in by The Race Members' Club. Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace to take advantage of our special Black Friday offer, where you can get 30% off your first month Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Click here to register your interest in attending the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix in 2025 Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Compared to last year, the opening day of the Las Vegas Grand Prix event was relatively subdued, but despite the lack of razzmatazz there's still plenty to talk about on The Race F1 Podcast. Ben Anderson joins Edd Straw after a long day in the paddock to give you a taste of what it's like to be in Las Vegas and what's changed since last year. As this is Ben's first visit to Vegas, he offers a fresh perspective on the unique qualities of the event - and the challenges of the strange timetable - but inevitably the big talking point is the start of the triple header that will decide the constructors' championship. We weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull and the factors that might impact their performance this weekend - including a technical directive issued since the last race in Brazil. The response, or lack thereof, to the GPDA's statement on the FIA's crackdown on swearing and the way it has been pursued, is also a talking point. Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace to take advantage of our special Black Friday offer, where you can get 30% off your first month Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edd Straw introduces some bonus F1 content for you from The Race Members’ Club that we think you’ll enjoy hearing a preview of. Throughout 2024, The Race F1 Podcast's sister show Bring Back V10s (which looks back at F1’s iconic V10 era) has been doing a spin-off show, exclusively for members, called 1997 Revisited. On each mini episode, host Glenn Freeman is joined by Edd, Ben Anderson and Matt Beer for a fun-filled look back at every race from that classic season, which was voted the best of the era by the Bring Back V10s audience. Glenn and the gang are reaching the memorable end of that season now with just a couple of highly-charged rounds remaining, so we thought this was the perfect time for a taster. If you like what you hear, you can listen to the whole season in full, and of course without ads, by joining The Race Members’ Club on Patreon. And if you sign up now, you can take advantage of our special Black Friday offer, where you can get 30% off your first month in either our Racers tier, or an F1-only equivalent for those of you who only want F1 content. And if you’d like to get an even bigger discount, you can get 50% off our top Champions tier. Just select the Champions tier when signing up, then enter the code CHAMP when prompted. These offers are running for a limited time only so act fast to make sure you don’t miss out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With F1 taking a breather before the final three races of the season, we thought we'd bring you something a little different for our latest episode: An update on the Brad Pitt-led movie F1, which is scheduled to hit cinemas next summer. Edd Straw, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Valentin Khorounzhiy explain how it has been filmed (particularly over real-life F1 weekends), why director Joseph Kosinski's back catalogue provides hope for spectacular action sequences, and how the teams, drivers and media have enjoyed having Hollywood in the paddock. They also discuss Lewis Hamilton's involvement, what to expect when it finally hits the screen, and why the release of the film will be such a significant moment for Formula 1. Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a news bonanza on the mid-week episode of The Race F1 Podcast as Edd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm and special guest Christian Menath from German outlet Motorsport Magazin to unpack several big stories. The first is the shock news that Formula 1 will have a new race director from the Las Vegas Grand Prix as Niels Wittich has stepped down with immediate effect. We discuss what's behind his sudden departure, and Christian explains why there's more to it than the FIA's statement lets on. Next Dan Fallows' impending departure from his Technical Director role at Aston Martin is discussed, before talk turns to rumours that Sauber owners Audi are looking to sell a stake in the team. But who to, and why? And the episode is rounded out with talk about the big shake-up to F1 launch season, with a joint launch event set to take place at London's O2 Arena in February. Edd, Scott and Christian explain why this is happening before turning their attention to Alpine, following the confirmation that the Enstone team will use Mercedes power units (as taking gearboxes and rear suspension) from 2026. Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, with the title fight now effectively settled in Max Verstappen's favour, Edd Straw, Mark Hughes and Ben Anderson discuss what Lando Norris needs to do to move from regular race winner to real championship challenger in 2025. They also look at the collision course Mohammed Ben Sulayem appears to be on with Formula 1’s drivers after the FIA president's clampdown on swearing was met with a firm and united rebuke from the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA). There's also chat about Mercedes' recent form, plus we hear the thoughts of the author Matt Whyman, who recently spent a season-and-a-half embedded within the Silver Arrows' set-up for his revealing new book Inside Mercedes F1: Life In The Fast Lane (published by Penguin Random House, and available now at all good booksellers). And finally, Edd, Mark and Ben answer another batch of questions sent in by The Race Members' Club. Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Edd Straw and Scott Mitchell-Malm as they discuss Audi/Sauber's decision to sign F2 championship-leader Gabriel Bortoleto to partner Nico Hulkenberg for 2025 and beyond, in the process saying goodbye to Valtteri Bottas, who for a long time looked favourite to retain his seat. Amongst other things, they discuss why Audi/Sauber have opted for youth over experience, whether there's a risk with Bortoleto beginning his F1 career in uncompetitive machinery, why McLaren were happy to let the talented Brazilian go to another team, and what all this means for Bottas' F1 career. Plus, with Zhou Guanyu also out of a drive, they ask what's next for the Chinese driver. Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're dropping a little bonus audio into your feed in between episodes of The Race F1 Podcast, as an example of the type of extra content that's available to those in The Race Members' Club on Patreon. Earlier this week, we asked members on Patreon to leave questions and comments about Edd Straw's Brazilian GP driver rankings, with the aim of giving people a better idea about the process Edd goes through in formulating them (and to hold him to account for all the things he got wrong, of course!). So here's 20 minutes or so of Edd working through questions, having deliberately chosen not to look at them in advance so you get his 'live' reaction to what was being put to him. If you like what you hear and would like more content like this, including our F1 Extra and Book Club bonus podcasts, ad-free versions of The Race's other shows, merchandise discounts and much more, head to Patreon.com/therace to join the ultimate community for motor racing fans: The Race Members' Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm and Mark Hughes to unpick a very eventful race weekend in Sao Paulo, blighted by bad weather, in which Max Verstappen scored arguably his finest Grand Prix victory yet. They discuss how Max's race, including how he came through from such a lowly grid slot, and look at what his victory means in the context of the title fight. There's also reaction to Alpine's shock double podium and discussion about where Lando Norris and McLaren's race fell apart, plus the guys answer the usual bumper crop of questions from The Race Members' Club. Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices