The Race F1 Podcast

Edd Straw joins Mark Hughes and former Jordan and Jaguar technical director Gary Anderson to pore over images of the first F1 car to break cover in 2024: The Haas VF-24. They discuss the design direction the American team have taken with their new machine, and whether any of the changes made are likely to propel them up the grid, after a disappointing 2023. Before that, we bring you the latest on Lewis Hamilton's blockbuster move to Ferrari for 2025, with Edd and Mark reporting back the thoughts of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who faced some tough questions about the Briton's exit and who might replace him in his first briefing with the media since the switch was announced.Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookCheck out our latest videos on YouTubeDownload our app on iOS or AndroidClick here to join The Race Members' Club and have the opportunity to ask a question on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Hughes and Scott Mitchell-Malm join Edd Straw to discuss the seismic news that Lewis Hamilton is to switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for 2025. They outline the likely reasons why Hamilton has decided to make such a move, what it says about Mercedes, and what this means for the driver market, with outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz now looking for a drive and Mercedes looking to fill a seat.Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookCheck out our latest videos on YouTubeDownload our app on iOS or AndroidClick here to join The Race Members' Club and have the opportunity to ask a question on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Legendary race engineer Rob Smedley, famous for working with Felipe Massa at both Ferrari and Williams, is our very special guest for this episode of The Race F1 Podcast. He joins fellow North-Easterner Mark Hughes and host Edd Straw for a wide-ranging chat on the topic of engineering in F1, including how the task has changed in the past 25 years, why there are fewer and fewer 'generalist' engineers these days, and just what it takes to develop a good driver-race engineer relationship.Rob also fills us in on what he's been doing since leaving his role at Williams, including his experiences of working with Formula 1 to develop new TV graphics, and his new karting initiative, which aims to make motor racing a more viable proposition for youngsters of all backgrounds.And before signing off, Rob also gives us his thoughts on Felipe Massa's legal proceedings around the outcome of the 2008 world championship, and in particular that controversial race in Singapore.Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookCheck out our latest videos on YouTubeDownload our app on iOS or AndroidClick here to join The Race Members' Club and have the opportunity to ask a question on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Mitchell-Malm joins Edd Straw to discuss the news that Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc have committed their long-term futures to McLaren and Ferrari respectively. They explain why they've both put pen to paper at this particular point in time (particularly when, in Norris' case, there was still a lot of time left on his existing contract), why their teams have chosen not to reveal the length of their new deals, and what this means for the driver market going forwards, now two big names are off the table.Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookCheck out our latest videos on YouTubeDownload our app on iOS or AndroidClick here to join The Race Members' Club and have the opportunity to ask a question on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gary Anderson, co-host of The Race F1 Tech Show and former technical director for the Jordan, Stewart and Jaguar teams, joins Edd Straw and Ben Anderson to pick a key priority for each of the 10 teams on the 2024 F1 grid to address in the coming season.Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookCheck out our latest videos on YouTubeDownload our app on iOS or AndroidClick here to join The Race Members' Club and have the opportunity to ask a question on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

McLaren sprung a surprise for fans on Tuesday with an unexpected reveal of its revised 2024 F1 car livery. So what better time for a catch-up on all things papaya, with Scott Mitchell-Malm and Ben Anderson joining Edd Straw for a wide-ranging chat. They explain why McLaren's decision to kick-start its 2024 preparations without showing a car could actually be a good thing, and, with Scott and Ben having recently spoken with Team Principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown, provide the latest on where the Woking team is placed heading into another season. Amongst the topics discussed are how McLaren's new technical recruits have settled in, why there's considerably more optimism around the team this year than there was 12 months ago, why Brown is so against Red Bull's ownership of two F1 teams, and the prospect of either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri claiming a maiden victory in 2024.Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookCheck out our latest videos on YouTubeDownload our app on iOS or AndroidClick here to join The Race Members' Club and have the opportunity to ask a question on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2024 F1 season is still over a month away, so what better time to start thinking about 2025! Join Edd Straw, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Ben Anderson for some driver market fun as they debate and discuss how the 2025 F1 grid might look, taking into account current contractual arrangements, behind-the-scenes rumours, and a variety of other factors. Will our 2025 grid end up looking anything like the 2024 one? Listen in to find out!Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookCheck out our latest videos on YouTubeDownload our app on iOS or AndroidClick here to join The Race Members' Club and have the opportunity to ask a question on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Mitchell-Malm and Mark Hughes join Edd Straw to discuss the bombshell news that Guenther Steiner has left his role as Haas team principal, with engineering chief Ayao Komatsu stepping into the role as the charismatic Austrian's replacement. We discuss the reasons behind Steiner's departure, owner Gene Haas's long term plans for the team, and where this leaves the squad heading into the 2024 F1 season.Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookCheck out our latest videos on YouTubeDownload our app on iOS or AndroidClick here to join The Race Members' Club and have the opportunity to ask a question on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Hughes and Scott Mitchell-Malm join Edd Straw to round up a host of F1 news stories doing the rounds in early 2024. They discuss the ongoing political friction between the FIA, F1 and the teams (including the whispered rumours of a breakaway series), Sauber's recent rebrand to Stake F1 Team, and the sad passing of former McLaren and Honda man (not to mention IndyCar and Indy 500 champion) Gil de Ferran. Plus they look ahead to F1 launch season, and reflect on Mark and Scott's respective recent interviews with Adrian Newey and Max Verstappen.Read Mark's Adrian Newey interview featureRead Scott's Max Verstappen interview featureFollow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookCheck out our latest videos on YouTubeDownload our app on iOS or AndroidClick here to join The Race Members' Club and have the opportunity to ask a question on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the calendar rolls into 2024, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Glenn Freeman join Edd Straw to pose (and attempt to answer) several big questions about the upcoming F1 season, including whether Mercedes will get their car concept right, whether Ferrari are back on the path to glory, and whether Alex Albon could be a pivotal player in the driver market.Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookCheck out our latest videos on YouTubeDownload our app on iOS or AndroidClick here to join The Race Members' Club and have the opportunity to ask a question on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.