Calum Nicholas has had an inside look at some of the most historic moments of Formula One. The former technician at Red Bull Racing spent over a decade traveling with the team, experiencing some of F1’s most intense seasons and dramatic championships. Now he’s now an ambassador, author of Life in the Pit Lane, and a leading voice in making motorsport more diverse.
In this gripping conversation with Dr. Kristen Holmes, he reveals:
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What it’s like working with Max Verstappen behind the scenes
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Why F1 pit stops fail and how teams recover
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The true toll of the 2021 F1 World Championship fight
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How the 2026 F1 regulations will reshape the grid
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Red Bull’s strategy for the fastest pit stops in F1
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The reality of losing a teammate in Formula One
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How to handle pressure and perform when everything is on the line
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When we’ll see the next female Formula One driver
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If Cadillac made the right driver picks for 2026
Regardless of whether you’re an F1 fan, anyone will be able to appreciate Calum’s wisdom about pressure, purpose, and what it really means to perform at your highest level.
Follow us here:
https://www.instagram.com/theline.show
https://www.instagram.com/drkristenholmes
Follow Calum Nicholas here:
https://www.instagram.com/f1mech
Learn more about his recent book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/life-in-the-pitlane-calum-nicholas/1146330566
(00:00) Introduction
(01:31) From F1 Mechanic to Red Bull Ambassador
(08:11) Marussia and Jules Bianchi's Tragic Death
(12:58) Inside the High-Pressure World of Formula One
(17:31) What Happens When a Pit Stop Goes Wrong?
(21:30) Handling Mistakes and Overcoming Failure in F1
(25:40) Functional Fitness: Physical and Mental Training for F1
(31:37) Working with F1 Champion Max Verstappen
(34:23) Winning the 2021 F1 World Championship
(42:39) WHOOP Ad
(43:41) Hot Spring Spas Ad
(44:41) Mental Health Struggles in Elite Motorsports
(50:06) Speaking Up About Diversity in Formula One
(55:57) Current F1 Diversity Efforts and Progress
(58:04) The Barriers That Still Exist in Formula One
(1:08:59) Cadillac Joins the F1 Grid in 2026
(1:12:32) What Fans Should Expect from the 2026 Regulations
(1:17:52) What Teams Will Struggle Under the 2026 Rules
(1:21:33) Calum's Book and His Next Steps
(1:27:11) Kristen Breaks Down the Conversation
Sponsored by:
WHOOP - https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/SCIENCE/
Hot Spring Spas - https://hotspring.com/kristen
SYNCH ID:
MB01B7AMVAQHGYR
MB01WYZHTKQ835G
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