Two huge F1 debuts are coming up at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend - with Mercedes protege Kimi Antonelli getting his hands on the team's 2024 car and Franco Colapinto making his race debut following a huge shake-up at Williams.The Race F1 Podcast turns first to Antonelli, with Edd Straw joined by Ben Anderson and Scott Mitchell-Malm to discuss how significant an outing this could be for a driver who seems destined for a 2025 Mercedes F1 graduation - and the potential headache Mercedes has on its hands for 2026 if Toto Wolff picks his interest in signing Max Verstappen back up again next year.But it's Williams that has made a huge decision between the Dutch and Italian GPs as it finally lost patience with Logan Sargeant - axing him from its line-up and giving its academy driver Colapinto a shot alongside Alex Albon for the final nine races of the season.That wildcard choice and how impressive Colapinto was on his F1 weekend debut in FP1 at Silverstone earlier this year, the timing of the decision and what that says about how much Williams wanted things to work out with Sargeant, and how his situation ultimately became untenable are all covered.Ferrari's prospects heading to its home race at Monza, McLaren's constructors' championship favourite status, and whether racing will be better in 2026 despite predicted slower laptimes are among a bonus set of questions from The Race Members' Club that are tackled too. Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Hughes, a seasoned motorsport journalist, teams up with Scott Mitchell-Malm, an F1 expert, to discuss Lando Norris's stunning victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, marking a pivotal moment for McLaren. They explore McLaren's car upgrades that fueled their success and how Red Bull faltered, particularly in tyre management. The conversation also touches on Charles Leclerc's unexpected podium finish and the ongoing midfield battle, with insights into the shifting competitive dynamics within Formula 1.

F1 is nearly back! Ahead of the season resuming in Zandvoort with the Dutch Grand Prix, Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes and Ben Anderson to pick out 9 intriguing storylines to watch for over the latter part of 2024... Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve got something a little bit different for you on this episode. Earlier this year, to mark the 40th anniversary of Prodrive, Edd Straw paid a visit to its Banbury HQ to interview its co-founder and chairman David Richards. Many F1 fans will remember Richards through his time with the Benetton and BAR F1 teams, and may know that he’s currently chairman of Motorsport UK. But he also came very close to bringing Prodrive - so successful in rallying, touring cars and sportscars - into F1 on two occasions. In fact, you could argue that Prodrive is the best team to never race in F1…We hope you enjoy Edd’s wide-ranging chat with David Richards, who has many a tale to tell about F1 in the 2000s and 2010s.  Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edd Straw is joined by Ben Anderson and Samarth Kanal to debate who should be regarded as F1’s most underrated driver. Earlier this year, we included that very question in The Race audience survey, and we’ll be discussing the results from that in this pod, as well as taking in more listener opinions from social media. Will Edd, Ben and Samarth agree with the survey results? What does underrated even mean? And which driver will earn the mantle of most underrated in F1? Listen in to find out… Want extra podcast content? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Mitchell-Malm, a motorsport journalist, and Mark Hughes, an experienced motorsport analyst, dive deep into the F1 grid's performance at the season's midpoint. They humorously grade each team, revealing surprising insights like Haas's unexpected rise and Sauber's struggles as it transitions to Audi. The duo discusses Red Bull's strong start and Aston Martin's inconsistencies, while evaluating the competitive landscape and potential improvements for midfield teams. Expect laughter and sharp analysis as they reflect on driver performances and team strategies.

Oscar Piastri, an up-and-coming Australian driver known for his impressive performances, joins British talent Lando Norris in a lively discussion. They delve into whether Piastri's rapid rise is creating tension within the team. The conversation also addresses George Russell's ability to handle race pressure and the teams' developmental limits under current regulations. The dynamics of potential driver transfers, particularly regarding Max Verstappen and Perez's future options, add to the intrigue, making for a riveting chat full of insights.

Sergio Perez, the current Red Bull driver, discusses why he’s been retained despite recent challenges and the team's plans to support him moving forward. Jonathan Wheatley, a former Red Bull team manager now with Audi, shares insights on his transition and its potential impact on Red Bull. They also dive into the shifting dynamics within Formula 1, including Alpine's leadership changes and the promising rise of young talents, setting the stage for an exciting 2025 season.

Carlos Sainz, a talented driver, has decided to join Williams, choosing them over Sauber-Audi and Alpine. This move raises questions about Williams’ driver lineup strength. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez's future at Red Bull is confirmed, at least for now, sparking discussions about his recent performances and strategic challenges for the team. The podcast delves into the implications of these signings on the wider Formula 1 driver market and team dynamics.

Scott Mitchell-Malm, Mark Hughes, Samarth Kanal, Edd Straw, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton delve into the dramatic Belgian Grand Prix, focusing on Russell's initial victory overshadowed by his disqualification due to a weight breach. They dissect Hamilton's ascension to victory and whether he was more deserving. The guests explore racing strategies, tire management, and the implications of strict technical enforcement in Formula 1, offering a deep dive into team dynamics and the fascinating intricacies of high-stakes racing.