The Race F1 Podcast

Latest Episodes:

What Williams's early car launch says about its 2025 prospects Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

The launch of the Williams FW47 is the subject of the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.

First Jonathan Noble joins Edd Straw in the Silverstone garages to explain the significance of Williams being the second team to launch its 2025.

We run through the significant progress Williams has made in order to be in this position, and what its expectations are for the coming year.

Gary Anderson then offers his technical appraisal of the car, picking out the key aspects that caught his eye so far.

He gives his verdict on whether Williams has gone in the right direction or not, and how that impacts its chances for the season.

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace

An edit of our London live show is available to purchase here (free for Champions tier members):https://www.patreon.com/posts/live-show-race-121105739
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Why McLaren has gone 'aggressive' with 2025 F1 car Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

We tell all about the surprise launch of the first new Formula 1 car of 2025 - the McLaren MCL39 - in the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast.

First, Mark Hughes joins Edd Straw at a cold and blustery Silverstone to discuss McLaren’s prospects of the season and what drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as team principal Andrea Stella, revealed about the season ahead.

And we also highlight the influence of a certain ex-Red Bull technical leader that is very clear in the approach it has taken this year.

Then, Gary Anderson joins us to give his detailed technical appraisal of the car and explain why he’s convinced by the direction the team has taken.

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace

An edit of our London live show is available to purchase here (free for Champions tier members):https://www.patreon.com/posts/live-show-race-121105739
Follow The Race on Instagram, X and Facebook
Check out our latest videos on YouTube
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previewing F1's 2025 launch season Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

We look ahead to Formula 1’s imminent launch season in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.

Scott Mitchell-Malm and Ben Anderson join Edd Straw to explain how the time between now and the first day of testing in Bahrain on February 26 will play out.

The centrepiece of launch season is the F1 75 event at London’s O2 Arena on February 18, where all 10 teams will have a slot on stage to reveal their livery. We explain what to expect from that, and debate whether it will live up to fan expectations.

We also explain what cars we might see appearing before them, and the restrictions that mean it’s difficult to launch a genuine 2025 car before the big event in London.

And with just a small window between F1 75 and freight leaving for Bahrain, we run through the teams that will be revealing the cars in the days before testing starts.

Finally, we each pick out which car - or cars - we’re most looking forward to seeing break cover.

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace

An edit of our London live show is available to purchase here (free for Champions tier members):https://www.patreon.com/posts/live-show-race-121105739
Follow The Race on Instagram, X and Facebook
Check out our latest videos on YouTube
Download our app on iOS or Android

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

F1's flexi-wing rule U-turn - what's changed and which teams will it hurt? Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

We dissect Formula 1’s latest flexi-wings row in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Following news of a technical directive being issued curbing front wing flexibility, Jon Noble and Mark Hughes join Edd Straw to explain what’s changing and why.

Inevitably, there’s the question of which teams this could help and hinder to consider, as well as the political dimension as the usual competitive paranoia bubbles up among the ultra-competitive teams.

We also explain why flexi-wings can’t be regulated out of F1, and the reasons for the eternal push-and-pull battle between the rulemakers and teams on what’s permitted.

And with the rule change kicking in after eight races, we ask whether it could distort the season and lead to a competitive swing in June.

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace

An edit of our London live show is available to purchase here (free for Champions tier members):https://www.patreon.com/posts/live-show-race-121105739
Follow The Race on Instagram, X and Facebook
Check out our latest videos on YouTube
Download our app on iOS or Android

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We predict the 2026 F1 driver market Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

We dare to attempt to predict the 2026 Formula 1 driver market in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.

Jon Noble and Scott Mitchell-Malm join Edd Straw to run through the 11 teams and settle on the most likely pairings for 2026.

The likelihood of curveballs like Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull, Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move not working out and many more changing the game is addressed, as we lay out the market landscape.

Last year’s podcast attempting to do this was ultimately derailed by Hamilton’s shock Ferrari deal, and even with things seemingly being more settled heading into 2026 we explain why there’s still potential for a few surprises.

And as well as discussing the 10 existing teams, we also look at what Cadillac might do for its first season in F1.

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace

An edit of our London live show is available to purchase here (free for Champions tier members):https://www.patreon.com/posts/live-show-race-121105739
Follow The Race on Instagram, X and Facebook
Check out our latest videos on YouTube
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Verstappen switching to Aston Martin inevitable? Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

Amid the talk of Max Verstappen heading to Aston Martin in 2026, we address the rumours in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.

In a follow-up recording to the live shows we recently staged in London and Birmingham, we tackle some of the vast number of questions we received from the audience - including one about the reigning world champion’s future.

We also discuss other aspects of Aston Martin’s rise, including the influence of Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell over driver decisions and Lance Stroll’s future.

Other topics include how Lewis Hamilton will handle Ferrari politics, why Red Bull eschewed Carlos Sainz and whether Andrea Stella could have had the same impact on Alpine as he has on McLaren.

We also ask how clearcut the decision was for Gabriel Bortoleto to sign for Sauber, what qualifies as success for Audi, the reasons for the expected increased field spread under the new regulations next year and much more.

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace

Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop!
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Hamilton’s Ferrari test debut - your questions answered Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

Lewis Hamilton momentous first week at Maranello at the start of his Ferrari adventure is the focus of the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.

Scott Mitchell-Malm and Jonathan Noble join Edd Straw to ask how the impact of his first Ferrari test compares with debuts in history, and what it says about just how big a story Hamilton’s move to Maranello is.

We also run through what Hamilton has been doing at Maranello, both behind the wheel on off track, in preparation for his first season in red.

We also take questions from The Race Members’ Club covering the value of the Fiorano test and how simulator running can be used in preparation, as well as what to expect from Hamilton’s steering wheel.

There’s a look at what operational differences Hamilton will face at Ferrari compared to Mercedes, and what is challenging about adapting to this unique team.

The battle between Hamiton and team-mate Charles Leclerc, and their driving styles, plus how this move might impact the seven-times world champion’s legacy are also among the topics.

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace

Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop!
Follow The Race on Instagram, X and Facebook
Check out our latest videos on YouTube
Download our app on iOS or Android

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Assessing F1’s bumper 2025 rookie crop Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

Edd Straw is joined by Samarth Kanal and Scott Mitchell-Malm to discuss F1's rookie class of 2025.

Can Mercedes new boy Kimi Antonelli live up to the sky-high expectations? And why is there so much excitement about a driver who only finished sixth in Formula 2 last year?

Ollie Bearman has impressed in a handful of F1 races already, but how will he get on now he's with Haas full time?

The potential for Jack Doohan's Alpine stint to be cut short by the presence of Franco Colapinto is also looked into, along with the prospects of F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber.

And with Red Bull promoting Liam Lawson - who we don't consider a rookie given his 11 starts over two seasons - the chances of the fifth and final 2025 rookie - Isack Hadjar - making good on his promise amid question marks about his approach are also evaluated.

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace

Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop!
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Check out our latest videos on YouTube
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When’s Hamilton’s first day at Ferrari? Your questions answered! Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Aston Martin has made a surprise team boss change Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

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