F1 Explains

Formula 1 teams have one chance to test their cars before the 2025 season. With every lap, drivers and engineers learn more about their new machines. Why is pre-season testing so important, and how do teams get the most out of it? From Bahrain, Christian and Katie are joined by F1TV Lead Presenter Laura Winter, who gives us the lowdown on testing. Then Alpine rookie Jack Doohan, McLaren's Oscar Piastri and other key team members explain what happens at testing, and how they gather data ahead of the first race. Got questions about F1? We'll answer them! Send emails or voice notes to F1Explains@F1.com Let us know if you'll be at the Australian GP - you could be part of our live show Coming soon to Las Vegas - F1 karting + more at Grand Prix Plaza Race, shop and eat at the home of the Formula 1 Las Vegas GP See iconic cars at F1 X - a brand new 4D exhibition Opens at Grand Prix Plaza, Las Vegas, March 29th Tickets from March 6th at grandprixplaza.com Read more here on F1.com It's all to drive for. Be there Grandstand seats, general admission + hospitality at tickets.formula1.com Get closer to the track in Miami with the new Campus Pass - f1miamigp.com

F1 pre-season testing is just days away, and F1 teams are racing to be ready. What's going on inside their factories? How long does it take drivers to be 100% confident in a brand new car? How do strategists get ready for the first race? Plus, who do you root for - the driver or the team? Ahead of the 2025 season, Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne get the answers to these questions and more from F1 Correspondent and Presenter Lawrence Barretto, and F1TV strategy expert Ruth Buscombe Divey. Get your F1 question answered in 2025 Send voice notes or emails to F1Explains@F1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts F1 Beyond The Grid - exclusive interviews with F1's biggest stars F1 Nation - expert Grand Prix reviews and previews Discover F1 Unlocked Unseen. Unheard. F1 Unlocked. Dive into exclusive content from F1 experts, redeem rewards and enter money-can't-buy competitions. Click here to join for free

On F1 Beyond The Grid, Formula 1's fastest stars slow down for in-depth conversations with Tom Clarkson. They reveal what it’s like being at the centre of the biggest stories of the season and share fascinating insight into what life is like as a Formula 1 driver, Team Principal, engineer, designer, and more. In this end-of year special, Tom picks his favourite moments from a long list of stellar guests. Fernando Alonso reflects on becoming the first driver in F1 history to compete in 400 Grands Prix and why he nearly retired much earlier in his career. Carlos Sainz explains how he recovered from physical and mental setbacks to win multiple races. And Ollie Bearman describes what it was really like making his F1 debut at such short notice in Saudi Arabia. As well as today’s big names, legends of the past like Juan Pablo Montoya and David Coulthard relive their career-defining moments. Plus, you’ll hear memories of Lewis Hamilton’s time at Mercedes and Bruno Senna’s stories of growing up with his uncle Ayrton, 30 years on from his death. Thank you for listening in 2024. F1 Beyond The Grid will return in 2025. To hear the full interviews with the guests featured in this show, click on the links below… Toto Wolff Charles Leclerc Carlos Sainz Juan Pablo Montoya David Coulthard Bruno Senna Fernando Alonso Andy Stevenson Ollie Bearman Ayao Komatsu Tom Stallard Paul Monaghan Experience F1 live Tickets for the 2025 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com Discover F1 Unlocked Unseen. Unheard. F1 Unlocked. Dive into exclusive content from F1 experts, redeem rewards and enter money-can't-buy competitions. Click here to join for free This episode is sponsored by: Vanta: visit vanta.com/GRID for $1,000 off SelectQuote: Get the right life insurance for you for less at selectquote.com/BEYONDTHEGRID Unbound Merino: head over to unboundmerino.com where new customers can use the code GRID for 10% off of their order! Masterclass: get up to 50% off at masterclass.com/GRID  

How do Formula 1 drivers find the fastest way around the track? How do teams scout future superstars? Why is driving in F2 the best way of reaching the top? What really happens on the grid before a race? In 2024, F1 Explains answered these questions and many more sent in by listeners from all over the world. Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne have picked the most fascinating moments from the podcast's second season: Liam Lawson on how drivers find the racing line Ollie Bearman reveals Ferrari's young driver scouting camps Oscar Piastri on how F2 prepared him to win in F1 Jack Doohan explains braking at 200mph Bernie Collins' guide to the F1 pit lane Planning the F1 calendar How performance engineers coach drivers to go faster What happens on the grid in the minutes before the race start Whether you're a new F1 fan or a long-time follower, there's always something more to learn about F1. If you have a question you'd like us to answer, send it as an email or a voice note to F1Explains@F1.com  Thank you for listening, for sending questions and for coming to our live shows in 2024. F1 Explains will be back for more in 2025. Listen to more official F1 Podcasts F1 Beyond The Grid - in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars F1 Nation - Grand Prix reviews and previews from inside the F1 paddock Experience F1 live Tickets for the 2025 F1 season are available now at tickets.formula1.com Discover F1 Unlocked Unseen. Unheard. F1 Unlocked. Dive into exclusive content from F1 experts, redeem rewards and enter money-can't-buy competitions. Click here to join for free

'To finish first, first you have to finish'. Formula 1 teams can't score points, wins or championships unless their cars make it to the chequered flag. Reliability Engineers like Sauber's Laura Villadelprat work in the garage and the factory to keep the cars on-track and avoid the dreaded DNF (Did Not Finish). Laura explains how F1 teams know when it's time to swap old car parts for new ones, how they monitor reliability in real time, and what they do to investigate the causes of race-ending problems. 'Hi F1 Explains, my F1 question is...' You can get your question answered on the podcast. Send your question to F1Explains@F1.com Listen to more official F1 podcasts F1 Beyond The Grid - exclusive interviews with F1's biggest stars F1 Nation - expert Grand Prix reviews and previews Discover F1 Unlocked Unseen. Unheard. F1 Unlocked. Dive into exclusive content from F1 experts, redeem rewards and enter money-can't-buy competitions. Click here to join for free

Pato O'Ward, an IndyCar race winner with Arrow McLaren, shares his electrifying experiences as a reserve driver for McLaren F1 Team. He vividly contrasts the thrill of driving F1 cars with IndyCars, revealing fascinating insights into vehicle aerodynamics and the physical demands of each series. Pato also discusses the dramatic differences in pit stops and reminisces about his nostalgic drive in a classic McLaren F1 car. His passion for racing shines as he delves into the unique challenges and exquisite sensations of high-speed motorsport.

Silvia Bellot, VP of Sporting and Race Operations at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, shares her insights on transforming the iconic Las Vegas Strip into a high-speed racetrack. She discusses the colossal logistics of managing over 15,000 workers, safety barriers, and dazzling lighting systems. The conversation also touches on balancing the race with regular city traffic and highlights the thrill and atmosphere that Formula 1 brings to the entertainment capital of the world. Fans weigh in on their excitement, and future events like the F1 Academy season finale are teased.

In this engaging conversation, Bernie Collins, former Aston Martin Head of Race Strategy and Sky Sports F1 analyst, dives deep into the electrifying world of F1 pit lanes. He elucidates how crucial pit stops can turn the tide of a race and the intense communication required among the pit wall crew. Collins also highlights the fascinating significance of pit boards and their evolution over time. Additionally, he shares humorous insights about the color schemes of pit crews, blending fun with the serious dynamics of race day challenges.

F1 Explains gave listeners who attended our live show at F1 Arcade Washington D.C. the chance to win tickets for the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. Courtesy of the Miami Grand Prix, two lucky listeners have won a pair of tickets for the new McLaren grandstand, some exclusive McLaren merchandise and the chance to win a hot lap of the track with a professional driver. The draw was done at random and it's time to announce the winners. Congratulations to them, and thank you to everyone who entered. You can buy 2025 Miami Grand Prix tickets here. Send your F1 questions to F1Explains@F1.com

Experience the adrenaline of the F1 starting grid just minutes before the race. Discover the vital roles of teams and drivers as they prepare and strategize, focusing on tire choices and car placements. Hear insights from McLaren's Tom Stallard about his conversations with Oscar Piastri and get a taste of the buzz from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The countdown is more than just a clock; it’s a symphony of strategy, excitement, and intense concentration before the lights go out!