The Race F1 Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Bahrain Testing Day 1: Is Red Bull really the benchmark? Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

Join Edd Straw and Jon Noble as they discuss all of the big stories from Day 1 of F1 testing in Bahrain, including Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s assertion that the Red Bull is the benchmark car. Edd and Jon also provide some trackside observations of watching the new cars in action, and reflect on Lewis Hamilton’s comments about the new regulations. They also provide an update on every team’s progress on the first day of running.

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BONUS: In-Car Insights - What we're looking for on day one of Bahrain F1 testing Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

It’s day 1 of the Bahrain test, and as a special bonus, we’re making our first In-Car Insights podcast of the week - a podcast series usually only available to The Race Members' Club - free for everyone to listen to.

Our In-Car Insights series is a hugely popular staple of our grand prix weekend output for members, and features the likes of Edd Straw, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Jon Noble discussing the day's news and events as they travel from the circuit back to their hotel.

In this episode, join Edd, Scott and Jon in the car as they head to the Sakhir circuit and delve into everything they're looking for on the first day of the first proper F1 2026 test, and marvel at Edd's management of fuel economy and traffic challenges too.

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Why Aston Martin hinted it'll start 2026 behind rivals Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

F1 launch season has reached its conclusion with Aston Martin and McLaren holding online launches and Cadillac revealing its livery in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. Jon Noble was in Saudi Arabia for the Aston launch, and he tells Edd Straw what he learned and why some of the language coming from the likes of Adrian Newey and Fernando Alonso suggests the team won't be at the sharp end of the grid in 2026 - at least to begin with.

There's also chat about McLaren's launch, the latest on the engine compression saga, and our thoughts on Cadillac's expensive TV commercial and interesting split livery concept.

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HILL & HERBERT: Damon and Johnny on testing secrets and mad car launches Feb 07, 2026

Show notes

With F1 pre-season in full swing, Damon and Johnny return with another episode of Stay On Track, and this time they’re discussing car launches and testing from a driver’s perspective. They share some weird and wacky stories from their own careers, including the time Damon was almost sacked during a car launch and the time Johnny inadvertently found himself part of a space opera! They also discuss how testing has changed over the years, and debate whether the current restrictions on testing have limited opportunities for drivers to experiment with new driving techniques - something that could be a big factor this year, with the new regulations…

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What testing tells us about how F1 racing will change in 2026 Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

F1 has all-new cars in 2026, but how will they change the racing we see on track? That's the big question tackled in this episode of The Race F1 Podcast, as Edd Straw, Scott-Mitchell-Malm and Dutch F1 commentator Nelson Valkenburg, of Viaplay Netherlands, attempt to unpick what we've learned from the limited driver and team feedback we've heard so far.

How big is the driving challenge, and has it gone too far in the direction of energy management over pure driving? And will one type of driver excel compared to another?

Those are some of the topics tackled, before talk turns to the latest on Williams' delayed start to 2026, what to make of the latest comments from Adrian Newey about Aston Martin starting four months behind the curve, and why Jack Doohan has landed a role as Haas reserve driver.

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The key tech trends of F1's 2026 cars Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Now that almost all of the 2026 cars have broken cover, we take an in-depth look at the technical and design trends that have stood out so far in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Ex-F1 technical director Gary Anderson and Mark Hughes join Edd Straw to work through the key areas and explain the various design choices taken by teams.

We take a close look at the approach to active aero, in particular the choices made by teams like Mercedes only to adjust one element of the front wing. The sidepod designs and bargeboard details at the front of the floor are also delved into, as a well as a look at the bold suspension geometries chosen by teams - particularly Aston Martin. We also ask why the Racing Bulls airbox intake is so massive, and what the reason is for the slots in at the back of the floor leading into the diffuser on some cars.

Finally, we pick out the best and worst performers from testing, and nominate the most interesting, and most concerning, of the 2026 cars.

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Newey’s Aston Martin catches the eye - but who was the real winner of F1's shakedown test? Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Aston Martin dominated the headlines in the final part of the Barcelona shakedown test when its aggressive Adrian Newey creation broke cover, while Lewis Hamilton ended the five days of running with the fastest time for Ferrari. But does the Aston Martin’s speed match its looks, and is Mercedes really the team in front?

On this episode of The Race F1 Podcast, Edd Straw is joined by Jon Noble and Scott Mitchell-Malm to mull over these questions, and cast an eye over the progress of each of the teams that ran in Spain this week.

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Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening.

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Mercedes’ ominous form, McLaren’s debut, and more on Williams’ shakedown absence Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

On the latest episode of The Race F1 podcast, Edd Straw - fresh off a plane from Barcelona - is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm to discuss the latest from F1’s private shakedown test in Spain.

Top of the agenda is Mercedes’ ominous form, but there’s also chat about McLaren’s first run with its new car, Red Bull’s test plans after Isack Hadjar’s unfortunate crash on Tuesday, and updates on every other team that ran on Wednesday.

There’s also further explanation of why Williams are missing the group shakedown, with Scott reporting back on what team principal James Vowles told him and select media on Wednesday.

And finally, Edd is joined by Spanish journalist Jorge Peiró (@JPEIR0) for a final perspective on what it was like to cover the test on-site, albeit outside the circuit…

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What we learned on day 1 of F1's frustrating private test Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

F1’s first group test of 2026 got underway in Barcelona on Monday in a strange locked down environment, completely free of media and fans. The Race’s Edd Straw and Jon Noble were amongst a handful of hardy journalists who spent the day trying to observe from a distance while evading over zealous security guards, and on this episode of The Race F1 Podcast they report back on what they found.

They discuss which teams ran (and which didn’t), who lapped the most, and who set the benchmark time, and also share their initial thoughts on what the new cars look and sound like on track. They also explain why they were left with the impression that the whole event was a big missed opportunity for F1.

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Alpine unveils new livery on cruise ship - but will the team sink or swim in 2026? Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

In one of the most unique launches of 2026, Alpine chose to kick-start its 2026 campaign with a livery unveiling aboard a cruise ship. The Race F1 Podcast's Edd Straw and Jon Noble were both on hand to witness events first-hand and speak to the key players, and they report back on what they found in the latest episode.

Amongst the topics discussed are whether Alpine is poised to benefit from its switch to Mercedes power units for 2026, plus what we should expect from drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.

Fill out a quick survey about your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26 and you could win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers

Get your 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today and enjoy bonus F1 podcasts and ad-free listening.

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