F1 Explains

Formula 1

Next episode: December 20th 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. Send your questions, voice notes and messages to F1Explains@F1.com 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. read less
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Episodes

Liam Lawson's racing line, how Ferrari found Ollie Bearman + Oscar Piastri's F2 preparation - The Best of 2024
1w ago
Liam Lawson's racing line, how Ferrari found Ollie Bearman + Oscar Piastri's F2 preparation - The Best of 2024
How do Formula 1 drivers find the fastest way around the track? How do teams scout future superstars? Why is driving in F2 the best way of reaching the top? What really happens on the grid before a race? In 2024, F1 Explains answered these questions and many more sent in by listeners from all over the world. Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne have picked the most fascinating moments from the podcast's second season: Liam Lawson on how drivers find the racing lineOllie Bearman reveals Ferrari's young driver scouting campsOscar Piastri on how F2 prepared him to win in F1Jack Doohan explains braking at 200mphBernie Collins' guide to the F1 pit lanePlanning the F1 calendarHow performance engineers coach drivers to go fasterWhat happens on the grid in the minutes before the race start Whether you're a new F1 fan or a long-time follower, there's always something more to learn about F1. If you have a question you'd like us to answer, send it as an email or a voice note to F1Explains@F1.com  Thank you for listening, for sending questions and for coming to our live shows in 2024. F1 Explains will be back for more in 2025. Listen to more official F1 Podcasts F1 Beyond The Grid - in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars F1 Nation - Grand Prix reviews and previews from inside the F1 paddock Experience F1 live Tickets for the 2025 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com Discover F1 Unlocked Unseen. Unheard. F1 Unlocked. Dive into exclusive content from F1 experts, redeem rewards and enter money-can't-buy competitions. Click here to join for free
How Formula 1 takes over Las Vegas
22-11-2024
How Formula 1 takes over Las Vegas
F1 cars are racing on the streets of Las Vegas at more than 200 miles per hour. It’s the most spectacular race of the season, and it takes months of work by a team of more than 15,000 people.   Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne are in Las Vegas to find out how Formula 1 takes over the city. Las Vegas Grand Prix VP of Sporting and Race Operations Silvia Bellot explains how public roads, including the famous Las Vegas Strip, are transformed into a racetrack with miles of special lights, safety barriers and fences. She reveals the challenges of racing in the non-stop entertainment capital of the world, including re-opening the track to regular traffic in-between the F1 action.  Katie and Christian answer your questions about the Las Vegas Strip Circuit – the layout, the track surface and the barriers.  Then, Christian heads to the grandstands to talk to fans who are loving watching F1 live in Vegas.   If you want to experience the Las Vegas Grand Prix for yourself, you can place your deposit for 2025 tickets now at f1lasvegasgp.com/2025-deposits/. Plus, coming in Spring 2025, an F1 Drive karting track and other special events in Grand Prix Plaza.   'Hi F1 Explains, my F1 question is...' Be part of the podcast. Send your question to F1Explains@F1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts F1 Beyond The Grid - exclusive interviews with F1's biggest stars F1 Nation - expert Grand Prix reviews and previews Discover F1 Unlocked Unseen. Unheard. F1 Unlocked. Dive into exclusive content from F1 experts, redeem rewards and enter money-can't-buy competitions. Click here to join for free
Ollie Bearman, Mika Hakkinen + F1 Explains listeners LIVE at the US Grand Prix
24-10-2024
Ollie Bearman, Mika Hakkinen + F1 Explains listeners LIVE at the US Grand Prix
A Formula 1 legend and a brand new star took to the stage at Circuit of the Americas for F1 Explains LIVE. Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne put your questions to 2-time World Champion Mika Hakkinen, and Ferrari Academy Driver and 2025 Haas F1 Team Driver, Ollie Bearman. F1 Explains listeners Rachel from Austin, Texas, Michelle from Cleveland, Ohio, Erin from Los Angeles, California and Ryan and Daniel from New Zealand asked Mika and Ollie questions about how Ferrari spotted Ollie, how to be fast at your next karting party and how drivers gain confidence. NBA star and F1 fan Sidy Cissoko of the San Antonio Spurs got his question answered too! And, Katie and Christian had a very special surprise for two McLaren fans who travelled from the other side of the world to see the show. You can be part of the podcast! Send your questions to F1Explains@F1.com Special thanks to Ella Clarke and Mark Jones  F1 Explains LIVE at F1 Arcade Washington D.C. - Sunday October 27th Join Christian and Katie at the brand new F1 Arcade Washington D.C. to watch the Mexico City Grand Prix. Watch the race with other F1 fans, enjoy racing simulators, food + drink, and be part of an F1 Explains episode recording. Watch Party starts at 3pm. F1 Arcade Washington D.C., Union Market, 420 Penn St. NE Washington, D.C. Last few tickets at f1arcade.com/us/watch-parties/mexico-city 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 end of the 2024 F1 season and the start of 2025 are available now at tickets.formula1.com
An F1 driver's pre-race routine - with Liam Lawson
18-10-2024
An F1 driver's pre-race routine - with Liam Lawson
What do Formula 1 drivers do in the hours before the start of a Grand Prix? VCARB's Liam Lawson tells Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne about his pre-race routine, and how he'll be preparing his body and mind to for his return to Formula 1 this weekend at the United States Grand Prix. Andy and Jess from the UK, and Kathy from California had their questions answered on this episode. Send your questions to F1Explains@F1.com F1 EXPLAINS LIVE - in Austin Texas + Washington D.C. Saturday October 19th - F1 Explains LIVE at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix 2024, Circuit of the Americas. With special guests: Ollie Bearman - Ferrari Academy Driver, 2025 Haas F1 Team DriverMika Hakkinen - 2-time Formula 1 World Champion Free to all Saturday/weekend ticket-holders. No reservation or extra ticket required. Circuit of the Americas, Amphitheatre Stage, Saturday October 19th, 6:15pm after F1 Qualifying Sunday October 27th - F1 Explains LIVE at F1 Arcade Washington D.C. Join Christian and Katie at the brand new F1 Arcade Washington D.C. for the Mexico City Grand Prix Watch Party. Watch the Grand Prix with other F1 fans, enjoy racing simulators, food + drink, and be part of an F1 Explains episode recording after the race Watch Party starts at 3pm. F1 Arcade Washington D.C., Union Market, 420 Penn St. NE Washington, D.C. Buy tickets at f1arcade.com/us/watch-parties/mexico-city 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 end of the 2024 F1 season and the start of 2025 are available now at tickets.formula1.com
Downforce + why F1 cars have wings - with McLaren Aero Specialist Emel Cankaya
10-10-2024
Downforce + why F1 cars have wings - with McLaren Aero Specialist Emel Cankaya
F1 cars race round corners at more than 190 miles per hour. Those insane speeds are made possible by downforce - the invisible power which keeps F1 cars on-track. Emel Cankaya is an Aerodynamics Specialist at McLaren. She tells Katie and Christian what downforce is, how F1 cars create it and what the front wing, rear wing and floor of the car do. She also explains how and why F1 teams change their downforce set ups for each racetrack, and how she got her job in Formula 1. F1 Explains listener Brigit in New York asked us to explain downforce. If you'd like your question answered, send it to F1Explains@F1.com F1 EXPLAINS LIVE - in Austin Texas + Washington D.C. Saturday October 19th - F1 Explains LIVE at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix 2024, Circuit of the Americas. With special guests: Ollie Bearman - Ferrari Academy Driver, 2025 Haas F1 Team DriverMika Hakkinen - 2-time Formula 1 World Champion Free to all Saturday/weekend ticket-holders. No reservation or extra ticket required. Circuit of the Americas, Amphitheatre Stage, Saturday October 19th, 6:15pm after F1 Qualifying Sunday October 27th - F1 Explains LIVE at F1 Arcade Washington D.C. Join Christian and Katie at the brand new F1 Arcade Washington D.C. for the Mexico City Grand Prix Watch Party. Watch the Grand Prix with other F1 fans, enjoy racing simulators, food + drink, and be part of an F1 Explains episode recording after the race Watch Party starts at 3pm. F1 Arcade Washington D.C., Union Market, 420 Penn St. NE Washington, D.C. Buy tickets at f1arcade.com/us/watch-parties/mexico-city 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
Coaching F1 drivers - Performance Engineers with McLaren's Tom Stallard
26-09-2024
Coaching F1 drivers - Performance Engineers with McLaren's Tom Stallard
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 questions
19-09-2024
Teammates, rivals, sisters: F1 ACADEMY drivers Hamda + Amna Al Qubaisi answer your questions
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 the F1 season is scheduled - with Louise Young
12-09-2024
How the F1 season is scheduled - with Louise Young
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: F1 title fights - with 1996 World Champion Damon HillHow F1 teams stay fit, healthy + ready to race Meet the mechanics in an F1 garage - with Kick Sauber How F1 teams work - from factory to racetrack LIVE at Silverstone with Mika Hakkinen + F1 Explains listeners How F1 lap times are recorded - with an official F1 timekeeper What F1 drivers eat - with Oscar Piastri's nutritionist, Dr Dan Martin How F1 helmets are made - with Bell Racing Ask a Formula 1 Driver – Liam Lawson answers your questions Inside the FIA Safety Car - with driver, Bernd Mayländer  How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124 LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listenersCar setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin F1 race suits, boots, gloves + underwear - with PUMA F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows 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
Bernie Collins explains powerful pit stops, strategy training + DRS tricks
29-08-2024
Bernie Collins explains powerful pit stops, strategy training + DRS tricks
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: How F1 teams stay fit, healthy + ready to race Meet the mechanics in an F1 garage - with Kick Sauber How F1 teams work - from factory to racetrack LIVE at Silverstone with Mika Hakkinen + F1 Explains listeners How F1 lap times are recorded - with an official F1 timekeeper What F1 drivers eat - with Oscar Piastri's nutritionist, Dr Dan Martin How F1 helmets are made - with Bell Racing Ask a Formula 1 Driver – Liam Lawson answers your questions Inside the FIA Safety Car - with driver, Bernd Mayländer  How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124 LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listenersCar setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin F1 race suits, boots, gloves + underwear - with PUMA F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows 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
Keeping F1 teams healthy + injury-free - with Faith Atack-Martin
22-08-2024
Keeping F1 teams healthy + injury-free - with Faith Atack-Martin
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: Meet the mechanics in an F1 garage - with Kick Sauber How F1 teams work - from factory to racetrack LIVE at Silverstone with Mika Hakkinen + F1 Explains listeners How F1 lap times are recorded - with an official F1 timekeeper What F1 drivers eat - with Oscar Piastri's nutritionist, Dr Dan Martin How F1 helmets are made - with Bell Racing Ask a Formula 1 Driver – Liam Lawson answers your questions Inside the FIA Safety Car - with driver, Bernd Mayländer  How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124 LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listenersCar setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin F1 race suits, boots, gloves + underwear - with PUMA F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows 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
FAQs + Live show news
01-08-2024
FAQs + Live show news
What are the most frequently asked questions sent to the F1Explains@F1.com inbox? We answer three of them on this summer break mini episode.  Plus, Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill have news of F1 Explains live shows. We're coming to: Dutch GP in Zandvoort - August 23-25US Grand Prix in Austin - October 18-20Las Vegas Grand Prix - November 21-23 Tickets to all three races and the rest of the 2024 season are on sale now at tickets.formula1.com If you'll be there, let us know at F1Explains@F1.com, and you could be part of the show. Send us your questions for the second half of the season. Thanks for listening in 2024 so far. You might find your answer in a previous episode: Meet the mechanics in an F1 garage - with Kick Sauber How F1 teams work - from factory to racetrack LIVE at Silverstone with Mika Hakkinen + F1 Explains listeners How F1 lap times are recorded - with an official F1 timekeeper What F1 drivers eat - with Oscar Piastri's nutritionist, Dr Dan Martin How F1 helmets are made - with Bell Racing Ask a Formula 1 Driver – Liam Lawson answers your questions Inside the FIA Safety Car - with driver, Bernd Mayländer  How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124 LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listenersCar setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin F1 race suits, boots, gloves + underwear - with PUMA F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows 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