
F1 Explains
Your questions about Formula 1, answered by the experts. Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill explain F1 with drivers, engineers and more of the amazing people behind-the-scenes.
Send your questions, voice notes and messages to F1Explains@F1.com
An official F1 podcast. For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race reviews and previews, listen to F1 Nation.
Latest episodes

Jul 25, 2024 • 38min
Meet the mechanics in an F1 garage - with Kick Sauber
Meet the mechanics from Kick Sauber, including Dominic Cheng and Michael Loacker, who share insights on their roles, challenges, and teamwork in getting the cars race ready. They discuss typical race weekend routines, tire performance analysis, composite technician tasks, and the responsibilities of a car chief mechanic. Learn about the collaborative efforts and passion behind working in an F1 garage.

Jul 18, 2024 • 35min
How Formula 1 teams work - from factory to racetrack
To win in F1, hundreds of people have to work together. From the mechanics at the track to designers at the factory, every team member plays their part. How are F1 teams organised, and why does every team have to build a unique car?
Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill go back into the sport's past with F1 Correspondent and Presenter, Lawrence Barretto, who explains how car design has been part of F1 since the very beginning. Then, Mercedes Head of Communications Bradley Lord talks about the different departments of an F1 team and how they all contribute to on-track performance.
Experience F1 live in 2024
Tickets for the US Grand Prix in Texas, the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the rest of the 2024 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com
Find the answer in our previous episodes
LIVE at Silverstone with Mika Hakkinen + F1 Explains listeners
How F1 lap times are recorded - with an official F1 timekeeper
What F1 drivers eat - with Oscar Piastri's nutritionist, Dr Dan Martin
How F1 helmets are made - with Bell Racing
Ask a Formula 1 Driver – Liam Lawson answers your questions
Inside the FIA Safety Car - with driver, Bernd Mayländer
How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124
LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listeners
Car setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin
F1 race suits, boots, gloves + underwear - with PUMA
F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan
The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack
Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu
How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri
F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block
The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins
Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees
Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine
How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows
Listen to more official F1 podcasts
For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid
For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation

Jul 11, 2024 • 29min
Mika Hakkinen on high-speed tracks + driver contract negotiations - LIVE at the British GP
A double F1 World Champion and three F1 Explains listeners joined Christian Hewgill live on stage at the 2024 British Grand Prix.
F1 Explains listeners Sophie from Rugby, Ryan from London and Alex from Atlanta Georgia asked Mika Hakkinen about how Formula 1 has changed since his final season in 2001 and how it feels to drive high-speed corners. The 1998 and 1999 World Champion also explains what is involved in contract negotiations between drivers and teams.
Special thanks to Ella Clarke, Jordan Henley and Tham Islam at F1, Nicki Seifert at Silverstone and the team at The Driver's Inn Stage.
Watch F1 live in 2024
Tickets for the US Grand Prix in Austin, the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the rest of the 2024 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com
F1 Explains will be coming to the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas in October 2024, and the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2024. More details coming soon.
Find the answer in our previous episodes
How F1 lap times are recorded - with an official F1 timekeeper
What F1 drivers eat - with Oscar Piastri's nutritionist, Dr Dan Martin
How F1 helmets are made - with Bell Racing
Ask a Formula 1 Driver – Liam Lawson answers your questions
Inside the FIA Safety Car - with driver, Bernd Mayländer
How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124
LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listeners
Car setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin
F1 race suits, boots, gloves + underwear - with PUMA
F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan
The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack
Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu
How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri
F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block
The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins
Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees
Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine
How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows
Listen to more official F1 podcasts
For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid
For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation

Jul 4, 2024 • 31min
How F1 lap times are recorded
In F1, every thousandth of a second is crucial. Drivers' performances are often separated by less than the blink of an eye, so how are F1 cars timed so accurately?
To find out, Christian and Katie speak to James Clarke, a highly-trained F1 timekeeper. James explains the technology on cars and at circuits which make the timing system work, how lap times and race positions are accurately recorded, and what happens if two drivers set identical times.
Get your question answered by an F1 expert
Record a voice note, write an email and send it to F1Explains@F1.com
Find the answer in our previous episodes
What F1 drivers eat - with Oscar Piastri's nutritionist, Dr Dan Martin
How F1 helmets are made - with Bell Racing
Ask a Formula 1 Driver – Liam Lawson answers your questions
Inside the FIA Safety Car - with driver, Bernd Mayländer
How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124
LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listeners
Car setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin
F1 race suits, boots, gloves + underwear - with PUMA
F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan
The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack
Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu
How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri
F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block
The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins
Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees
Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine
How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows
Listen to more official F1 podcasts
For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid
For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
See Formula 1 live this season
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas, across Europe and around the world are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com to book your seats

9 snips
Jun 27, 2024 • 46min
What F1 drivers eat - with Oscar Piastri's nutritionist, Dr Dan Martin
Dr. Dan Martin, nutritionist for F1 driver Oscar Piastri, shares insights on F1 drivers' strict diets and meal timings. They discuss the importance of nutrition for peak performance, including the use of supplements like creatine. The hosts also explore listener questions and tease upcoming episodes.

Jun 20, 2024 • 37min
How F1 helmets are made – with Bell Racing
They’re essential pieces of safety kit, made from specialised materials. But F1 helmets do far more than just protect the driver. F1 Explains explores helmet design, testing and technology with Stephane Cohen, co-CEO of Bell Racing – the company which makes helmets for 13 current F1 drivers.
Stephane tells Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill how Bell make helmets that are strong and light, visors that don’t fog up and why a car update can require helmets to be modified.
Plus, hear how F1 helmets differ from those worn by the stars of the NFL.
Send us your question and we'll find the F1 expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com
Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes:
Ask a Formula 1 Driver – with Liam Lawson
Inside the FIA Safety Car - with driver, Bernd Mayländer
How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124
LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listeners
Car setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin
F1 race suits, boots, gloves + underwear - with PUMA
F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan
The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack
Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu
How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri
F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block
The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins
Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees
Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine
How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows
More Official F1 Podcasts
For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid
For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
Experience Formula 1 live this season
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas, across Europe and around the world are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com to book your seats

Jun 13, 2024 • 28min
Liam Lawson answers your questions - Ask a Formula 1 driver
What do reserve drivers do? Why are F1 stars weighed after every race? What is the racing line (and how can it help you when doing grocery shopping)?
Cindy from California, Ana in India, Pierre from France and lots more F1 Explains listeners sent in questions about the life of an F1 driver. Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne get the answers from Red Bull Reserve Driver, Liam Lawson.
Liam explains how drivers change approach between an all-out qualifying lap and a long race stint. He tells us about understeer and oversteer, and why drivers hit some trackside kerbs but avoid others.
Send us your question and we'll find the F1 expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com
Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes:
Inside the FIA Safety Car - with driver, Bernd Mayländer
How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124
LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listeners
Car setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin
F1 race suits, boots, gloves + underwear - with PUMA
F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan
The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack
Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu
How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri
F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block
The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins
Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees
Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine
How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows
More Official F1 Podcasts
For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid
For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
Experience Formula 1 live this season
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas, across Europe and around the world are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com to book your seats

Jun 6, 2024 • 32min
Inside the Safety Car - with driver, Bernd Mayländer
It's there to keep F1 safe, and it can transform a race. The FIA Safety Car is sent out in poor weather or after a crash to protect marshals, drivers and fans. But there's more to it than meets the eye...
Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne explore the secrets of the safety car: how the decision to use it is made, its purpose on-track and how drivers and strategists can gain an advantage when the SC is deployed.
Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer tells F1 Explains about his job and the incredible AMG-Mercedes and Aston Martin he drives. Then, Christian climbs into the driver's seat to see the amazing kit the car has on-board.
Send us your F1 question and we'll find the expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com
Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes:
How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124
LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listeners
Car setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin
F1 race suits, boots, gloves + underwear - with PUMA
F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan
The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack
Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu
How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri
F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block
The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins
Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees
Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine
How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows
More Official F1 Podcasts
For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid
For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
Experience Formula 1 live this season
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas, across Europe and around the world are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com to book your seats

May 30, 2024 • 40min
How F1 video games are so realistic - with EA SPORTS F124
Cars that feel F1-fast. Racetracks that look real. Drivers in detail. EA SPORTS F124, the latest official Formula 1 game, is out on 31 May and it's more lifelike than ever. How do game designers bring the world of F1 to life on your console? Katie and Christian speak to two of F124's creators to find out:
Lee Mather - Senior Creative Designer
Casey Ringley - Senior Game Designer + Vehicle Handling Lead
Lee explains how photos and radar are used to make sure racetracks look like the real thing. Casey reveals how the brand new Dynamic Handling on F124 and input from Max Verstappen makes the cars better than ever to drive. Plus, Christian tries to put himself in the game...
EA SPORTS F124 is out on 31 May
PEGI: 3 • ESRB: E • Mild Language. In-Game Purchases. Users Interact.
Send us your F1 question and we'll find the expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com
Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes:
LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listeners
Car setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin
F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan
The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack
Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu
How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri
F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block
The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins
Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees
Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine
How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows
More Official F1 Podcasts
For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid
For race previews and reviews from inside the F1 paddock, listen to F1 Nation
Played the game? Now see F1 for real
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas, across Europe and around the world are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com

May 23, 2024 • 43min
Ruth Buscombe + Bernie Collins on strategy mistakes, upgrades + how to work in F1
Grand Prix-winning strategists Ruth Buscombe and Bernie Collins are back with Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill to answer another batch of your Formula 1 questions.
On the list this week:
Why do teams sometimes get their race strategies wrong?
How are car upgrades planned?
How do you become an F1 race strategist?
What do drivers do to look after their tyres?
What are the T-bars on top of F1 cars, and why are they different colours?
Send us your F1 question and we'll find the expert to answer it
Write an email or record a voice note and send it to F1Explains@F1.com
Learn more about F1 with our previous episodes:
LIVE in Miami with Guenther Steiner + F1 Explains listeners
Car setup with Fernando Alonso + Aston Martin
F1 brakes - technology + technique - with Brembo + Jack Doohan
The job of an F1 Team Principal - with Aston Martin's Mike Krack
Why F1 teammates are friends + foes - with Valtteri Bottas + Zhou Guanyu
How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri
F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block
The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + strategist Bernie Collins
Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees
Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with Mercedes, McLaren + Alpine
How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows
More Official F1 Podcasts
For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest names, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid
For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation
Experience Formula 1 live in 2024
Tickets for races in Texas, Las Vegas and across Europe are available now. Go to tickets.formula1.com
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