The Race F1 Podcast

Why Hungary weekend is make or break for Alonso

Fernando Alonso’s F1 future is in the spotlight as Aston Martin arrives in Hungary with the first phase of a massive upgrade package that could define the rest of its season. Edd Straw is joined by Josh Suttill and special guest Alex Kalinauckas (of The Athletic), to break down whether Aston Martin can deliver the step forward Alonso needs - and whether it could shape his decision to stay in Formula 1.The guys also dig into the scale of Aston Martin’s problems, the pressure on Adrian Newey and the wider technical team, and why this weekend has become such a crucial test of the team’s direction. Plus, they look ahead to the wider Hungarian Grand Prix storylines, including whether George Russell should realistically be expected to turn the tables on Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli given his issues in Belgium, and whether Ferrari will be able to capitalise on Lewis Hamilton’s incredible Hungaroring record to upset the Silver Arrows. Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 22, 2026 43 min

Driver Rankings: How did we rank Russell after his nightmare weekend?

We're back with another driver rankings podcast following the Belgian Grand Prix, where there were contrasting fortunes for the two Mercedes once more. But where did our own Edd Straw rank George Russell after early contact with Lewis Hamilton forced him out of the race? And who has claimed this week's top spot in the rankings? Ben Anderson quizzes Edd on how he ranked the drivers in Spa, backed up as ever by questions from The Race Members' Club.Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 21, 2026 38 min 45 annotations

Belgian GP: Antonelli heaps more misery on struggling Russell

Edd Straw is joined by Ben Anderson and Val Khorounzhiy to dissect the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Kimi Antonelli took his win tally for the season to six with his win at Spa, while team-mate George Russell had another weekend to forget. So how big a hit have the Briton's title chances taken?Edd, Val and Ben also look at two controversial stewards' decisions involving Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton earning a penalty but Charles Leclerc avoiding the same fate. Did the stewards get it right?Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 19, 2026 90 min 185 annotations

In-Car Insights: We discuss Friday's F1 action in Belgium

As a special bonus, we're making the Friday edition of our In-Car Insights podcast - usually only available to The Race Members' Club - free for everyone to listen to.This one was recorded as Edd, Ben and Val were winding their way through the Ardennes countryside en route to their lodgings, taking in parts of the classic Spa track. On the drive they discuss all of the day's big talking points, but Ben kicks things off by sharing his thoughts on seeing 2026 F1 machinery in the flesh for the first time. Has watching trackside made him to change his mind about this generation of cars, or does he still dislike them as much as before? Listen in to find out!If you like what you hear - and we're confident you will - head to Patreon.com/therace to sign up to The Race Members' Club and enjoy these bonus episodes (and much more besides) on every grand prix weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 17, 2026 37 min 81 annotations

Tech Show: Red Bull's rear wing issues and the complexities of airflow reattachment

In this episode of The Race F1 Tech Show, Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson look ahead to the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa while revisiting a couple of key technical talking points from Silverstone.They discuss Red Bull’s troublesome rear wing and the issues that have impacted Max Verstappen in consecutive weekends, with Gary explaining the complexities of airflow reattachment, why the revolving rear wing design itself isn't necessarily the issue, and whether the team should return to a more conventional rear wing setup for Spa.Gary also shares his thoughts on the front-left wheel shield issue Kimi Antonelli suffered during the British Grand Prix and how he'd react to that if he was working for Mercedes, plus he answers questions from listeners about the fine margins of F1 car weight and design, how driver height and weight affect car dynamics, and how front wing adjustments are made in the modern active-aero era.Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 16, 2026 42 min 90 annotations

Why F1 is braced for more yo-yo racing in Belgium

Energy concerns are once again dominating discussion as F1 heads to the power-hungry Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the Belgian Grand Prix, so should we expect another weekend of yo-yo racing and drivers complaining?On the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast, Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes and Nelson Valkenburg, of Viaplay Netherlands, to explain the set-up and deployment headaches facing the teams this weekend and to debate whether Ferrari will be the team to take the fight to Mercedes once more.With weather forecasts for Spa looking mixed, the prospect of a first proper wet race under this regulation set is also discussed, plus we examine where the true momentum in the Antonelli versus Russell title race lies, and whether there might be a shift in Belgium. Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 15, 2026 40 min 92 annotations

To refuel or not to refuel - The dilemma hanging over F1's future

F1 seems destined for a V8 engine future, but with a push to make the cars considerably lighter at the same time, could that mean a return of in-race refuelling?On the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast, Edd Straw is joined by Jon Noble and Josh Suttill to debate whether bringing back fuel stops would be a good or bad idea for F1.They also discuss whether FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's suggestion of appointing an independent engine manufacturer is workable, plus we explain what's going on with the safety probe into revolving rear wings and ask whether Ferrari have got a jump on the rest of the field by arranging a filming day at the Madring, ahead of the first ever race at the Spanish circuit in September.Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 13, 2026 37 min 106 annotations

Race Business: How Williams went from $200 million sale to being worth $2.5 billion

In the latest exclusive 'In Conversation With...' interview from The Race Business, The Race co-founder Darren Cox sits down with Matthew Savage, Chairman of Dorilton Capital, to uncover the business strategy behind transforming the legendary Williams F1 team. From the $200 million acquisition in 2020 to a staggering $2.5 billion valuation today, Savage explains how a long-term investment horizon, the impact of the cost cap, and the "Netflix" effect turned the team’s fortunes around.We dive deep into the reality of private equity in Formula 1. Why are institutional investors and high-net-worth families rushing into the sport? Is F1 the new NFL? Savage discusses the challenges of transforming a 50-year-old family business, the "siloed" nature of modern F1 teams - acting as media, hospitality, and engineering entities simultaneously - and why he continues to reject multiple buy-out offers every single week.Beyond the financials, we explore the team’s bold ambition to win two championships within the next six years, the importance of retaining the Williams heritage, and the role of team principal James Vowles in navigating the team’s technical and cultural evolution. Whether you’re an F1 superfan or a business strategist, this conversation reveals what it truly takes to build a contender in the most competitive sport on Earth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 12, 2026 48 min 53 annotations

Bring Back V10s: The cult heroes who helped shape F1's V10 era

Bring Back V10s celebrates some key names from F1's V10 era who aren't necessarily remembered purely for their outright achievements behind the wheel.Before Season 13 draws to a close, we decided to borrow English football's 'Barclaysmen' social media trend, picking out drivers who made a memorable impression on the V10 era without ever really being considered in the top echelon of drivers.Glenn Freeman, Edd Straw, Matt Beer and Ben Anderson all did their best to grapple with the concept, and got to pick two drivers each. But we didn't share our choices beforehand, meaning everybody needed to bring back-ups.So get ready for a nostalgic chat about occasional race winners, plucky backmarkers, unlikely title contenders, nomadic journeymen, and - somehow - even an F1 world champion!Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 09, 2026 67 min 87 annotations

Leclerc's return to form, Verstappen's worries, SC changes & Stroll's strange driving

After a tricky start to the season, Charles Leclerc showed Ferrari what they were missing as he returned to top form at Silverstone. But how did he haul himself out of the hole he was trapped in, and does this mean Leclerc is now finally on top of this generation of cars? In the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast, Edd Straw is joined by Ben Anderson and IndyCar driver Conor Daly to answer those questions and more.Edd, Ben and Conor also discuss Max Verstappen's mindset following his latest 'super dangerous' off in Britain, plus there's chat about how F1 should amend its safety car rules, whether Kimi Antonelli's aggressive driving approach will cost him in the long run, and what was behind Lance Stroll's strange Silverstone showing.Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 08, 2026 62 min 123 annotations

Driver Rankings: Who did we rank as the British GP's best driver?

Our rankings podcast returns following the British Grand Prix, where Mercedes suffered only their second defeat of the season. But does that automatically make Charles Leclerc a shoo-in for number 1 in Edd Straw's driver rankings? This week's interrogator-in-chief Josh Suttill probes Edd on how he ranked the drivers, backed up as ever by questions from The Race Members' Club.Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 07, 2026 40 min 71 annotations

British GP: Revitalised Leclerc wins - but did F1 ruin the finale?

Charles Leclerc hit back after his poor run of form with victory in the British Grand Prix. But where did his and Ferrari’s unexpected turn of pace come from, was there any hope a win without Antonelli hitting trouble while rapidly closing in on the lead, and was he fortunate to avoid a last-gasp challenge after the late safety car?Edd Straw is joined by Jon Noble and Josh Suttill to answer all of those questions, plus they debate the other big talking points from a busy Silverstone weekend, including more anger for Max Verstappen and mixed feelings for the home drivers.Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 05, 2026 58 min 150 annotations

Tech Show: Assessing Red Bull's recent upgrade and the reason for Cadillac's brake 'cooking'

On the latest episode of The Race F1 Tech Show, Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson take a close look at the upgrade package introduced by Red Bull in Austria, and try to diagnose the reason behind Cadillac's race-wrecking brake issues.We also hear from Cadillac's reserve driver Zhou Guanyu, who tells Edd all about his recent outing testing tyres for Pirelli and provides an update on the team's 2026 progress and developments behind the scenes.And finally, Gary tackles questions from listeners on what elements constitute a power unit and whether McLaren have an underlying gear ratio issue. If you'd like to ask Gary a tech question, send it to [email protected].Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 02, 2026 53 min 28 annotations

Verstappen + Antonelli? Our take on F1's next big driver moves

After news broke in Austria that Max Verstappen's management have met with McLaren, we explain what’s really going on behind the scenes when it comes to the four-times world champion’s Formula 1 future.Joining Edd Straw, to discuss what it all means for the wider driver market, are Josh Suttill and special guest Nelson Valkenburg, F1 commentator for Viaplay Netherlands.There's also another batch of listener questions to tackle, with the future of the Williams drivers, Isack Hadjar's form, Russell's in-race pace fall-off and more on the agenda.Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 01, 2026 58 min 17 annotations

Driver Rankings: Who was the most impressive driver in Austria?

George Russell and Max Verstappen returned to the front in Austria - but will either of them claim the coveted top step of the podium in our driver rankings, or will it go to someone else entirely? Matt Beer, armed with questions from The Race Members' Club, joins Edd Straw to run the rule over his Red Bull Ring driver rankings, including whether he got the top two in his rankings the right way around and whether one driver is being unreasonably picked on when it comes to deciding who comes last...If you'd like to take part in the driver rankings fun, get bonus F1 podcasts, and enjoy ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 30, 2026 40 min 16 annotations

Austrian GP: Russell wins - but are Red Bull and Verstappen back?

Edd Straw, Jon Noble and Valentin Khorounzhiy gather at the Red Bull Ring to review an entertaining Austrian Grand Prix. It was a race in which George Russell finally took his second win of the season, but with Max Verstappen posing a serious threat and finishing just 1.6 seconds behind, can we now say that Red Bull are back? And what happened to Ferrari's speed? We tackle those questions, plus we take a close up look at some of the weekend's other big storylines, including the qualifying yellow flag saga and the team orders disagreement at Racing Bulls that was missed in the TV coverage...Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 28, 2026 80 min 1 annotation

In-Car Insights: Are Ferrari is sandbagging or just struggling in Austria?

As a special bonus, we're making the Friday edition of our In-Car Insights podcast - usually only available to The Race Members' Club - free for everyone to listen to.Mercedes ended practice day at F1's Austrian Grand Prix on top, but could McLaren be a threat and is Ferrari holding something back with its upgraded engine? Edd and Jon discuss the pecking order at the end of Friday at the Red Bull Ring, plus explain why F1 has banned both Mercedes and Ferrari innovations.If you like what you hear - and we're confident you will - head to Patreon.com/therace to sign up to The Race Members' Club and enjoy these bonus episodes (and much more besides) on every grand prix weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 26, 2026 14 min 38 annotations

Bring Back V10s: The rise of Williams-BMW

Bring Back V10s looks back on the first two years of the Williams-BMW partnership in 2000 and 2001, with the help of our members!We asked them what they wanted to know about how this partnership started across its first two years, and from that we created a list of subjects for Glenn Freeman to put to Edd Straw and Mark Hughes to explore what was going on both on track and behind the scenes.We cover the expectations ahead of BMW's F1 return in 2000, and why there was tension between the two parties from the very beginning. We look at how the first year laid the foundation for the huge step that came from BMW in 2001 with its incredible P80 engine, and if Williams did enough on the car side to hold up its end of the bargain.We also discuss Williams's three drivers during this time, looking at how Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya fit into the sometimes divided dynamic between team and engine supplier, and wonder what Jenson Button could have achieved if he'd stayed on board for 2001. Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 25, 2026 69 min 83 annotations

Mercedes vs Ferrari: Why battle could be tighter than ever in Austria

As F1 heads to Austria, Ferrari could have the help of an engine upgrade to boost its chances of turning Lewis Hamilton’s Barcelona win into a title push. But will Mercedes hit back, and if so can George Russell find a way to turn the tide against team-mate Kimi Antonelli after being fortunate to gain 18 points last time out?Those are the key questions tackled by Edd Straw, Ben Anderson and Josh Suttill in the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast.There's also the latest on the Monaco GP pitlane speeding penalty controversy, plus Edd, Ben and Josh tackle another batch of questions sent in by The Race Members' Club.Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 24, 2026 54 min 98 annotations

Lewis Hamilton's extraordinary F1 turnaround explained

With a revitalised Lewis Hamilton still basking in the glory of his first Ferrari grand prix win, we explain how the Briton has been able to turn his fortunes around so spectacularly after last year’s struggles.Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes and Scott Mitchell-Malm for an in-depth look at the seven-time world champion, and the changes that have been made off-track and on to enable him to re-find his form.Edd, Mark and Scott also speculate what the recent success means for Hamilton's future, and look at the reasons why the 41-year-old's revitalised form has coincided with a slight dip for his team-mate Charles Leclerc.Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 22, 2026 65 min 60 annotations

Sport or entertainment? Why levelling the playing field is problematic for F1

Red Bull was recently declared Formula 1's best engine under the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system, meaning rivals Mercedes and Ferrari will both get engine upgrades during the 2026 season. On the latest episode of The Undercut, Damon Hill and Mark Hughes discuss whether such a mechanism should exist at all, and whether F1 can still be considered a sport if the regulators are trying to artificially level the playing field. They also tackle the thorny topic of whether teams have been actively ‘gaming the system’…Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 20, 2026 40 min 51 annotations

Tech Show: Is Norris right about Ferrari?

After the Barcelona Grand Prix, McLaren's Lando Norris claimed that if Ferrari had the potential to "embarrass" the competition if it had a stronger engine, adding that the red car is "the class of the field in terms of cornering performance". But is the world champion right?That's one of the topics tackled by Edd Straw and former F1 technical director Gary Anderson in the latest episode of The Race F1 Tech Show.Gary also shares his thoughts on how F1 strugglers Aston Martin are approaching this season and gives his opinion on the recent ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) decision.He also tackles listener questions on how downforce loss is assessed during a race, engine penalties, F1's future bodywork regulations, and Mercedes' reliability concerns.If you'd like to ask Gary a question, send it to [email protected]Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 19, 2026 51 min 112 annotations

Can resurgent Lewis Hamilton finally win his eighth F1 title? Hill & Herbert have their say

On the latest episode of Stay On Track, 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill and grand prix winner Johnny Herbert discuss whether Lewis Hamilton should now be considered a contender for the 2026 world title after his thrilling victory in Barcelona. They also ruminate on Hamilton's resurgence and how he's been able to regain his mojo and galvanise the Ferrari team around him, at the very time that team-mate Charles Leclerc is struggling to get results. Damon and Johnny also offer high praise to Mercedes' championship leader Kimi Antonelli and some advice to George Russell in how he can fight back against the Italian.Help shape the future of The Race. Take our short survey today: https://theracemedia.typeform.com/to/a6U6EGpsGet bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 18, 2026 53 min 53 annotations

Elevation changes and an 'iconic' corner - Why Madrid's F1 track should be a hit

Spain plays host to two grands prix in 2026, with Madrid's brand-new Madring track joining the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on the calendar. And on this episode of The Race F1 Podcast, Edd Straw, Jon Noble and special guest Diego Meija share their thoughts on F1's newest track after a special tour of the facility, three months before the first race. Equipped with a 10-metre high, 550-metre long, steeply banked corner, Madrid has a corner that on paper could become one of F1's best - but will this latest Spanish venue prove a hit or go down as another missed opportunity, like the now-abandoned Valencia track?Edd, Jon and Diego discuss that corner, assess what the circuit has in store for the drivers, and explain why they're optimistic about the racing it should provide. Plus we also hear from home hero Carlos Sainz, who has been heavily involved in the project.Help shape the future of The Race. Take our short survey today: https://theracemedia.typeform.com/to/a6U6EGpsGet bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 17, 2026 37 min 49 annotations

Barcelona GP Driver Rankings: Who ended up bottom of the pile?

The Barcelona Grand Prix proved a historic one on-track for Lewis Hamilton as he captured his first Ferrari victory - but can he do the double with his first visit to the top of Edd Straw's driver rankings since the 2024 British GP? And where did Edd place Hamilton's team-mate Charles Leclerc after another tricky weekend?In the latest episode of our driver rankings podcast, Ben Anderson returns, armed with questions from The Race Members' Club, to grill Edd on where he placed each driver in Barcelona - and this time he even gets Edd to concede he got one driver's position wrong! Listen in to find out who it was...Help shape the future of The Race. Take our short survey today: https://theracemedia.typeform.com/to/a6U6EGpsGet bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 16, 2026 41 min 33 annotations