F1 Nation

Dario Franchitti starts a debate about the best-looking F1 car ever (6:02), a mailbag question accidentally creates an F1 book club (13:40) and Emanuele Pirro drops by to talk about the harshness of being a elite driver compared to other sports, the energy required to break records, and the conflict of being an F1 steward (19:20). 

TC and Alex speak to Mercedes trackside performance director Andrew Shovlin (9:06), who describes Lewis Hamilton's personal improvements to reach the win record, and why Red Bull are once again closing the gap as the season progresses.  Then veteran German journalist Michel Schmitt (17:49) compares the driving talents of Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, explains how Mick Schumacher is already getting more mainstream press attention than Sebastian Vettel, and why the Nurburgring is dreaming of F1 returning to the Nordschleife. Finally, Ferrari sporting director Laurent Meckies explains why the prancing horse is awash with young talent knocking on the door to F1 (32:25). 

TC and Alex are joined by F1.com senior writer, Lawrence Barretto to assess Honda’s shock withdrawal.  They debate whether the manufacturer has repeated their 2008 mistake (10:32), how will Verstappen respond (12:09), if Red Bull can build their own engine (15:06), why a return to Renault cannot be ruled out (17:37), the knock on effect for the driver line up (18:41), how the entire Milton Keynes outfit will require changes (19:34) and whether this ends Yuki Tsudoda’s F1 chances? (22:52) Then after seven years away, F1 Nation guides you through the challenge of the Nurburgring (27:55).

TC and Alex welcome Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff (18:00) to hear why he thinks Ferrari would have blocked him from taking the F1 CEO role, why Stefano Domenicali is perfect for the job, what factors are delaying him re-signing with Mercedes and what Hamilton taking the win record would mean for the Schumacher legacy. PLUS the boys unpack the Russian GP, including ballads with Bottas (7:53), mind games at Renault (11:04), the battle for 3rd in the constructors (14:35) and why Hamilton's reaction to Russia explains a lot about elite sports person mentality (4:12). 

Alex Albon joins TC to talk overtaking around the outside, forgetting Eminem lyrics 14:35, celebrating his first podium with a dinner for one 19:49, and the 'unwritten rule' of ignoring your friends on track 21:52.  Plus memories of F1's only Grand Prix at Le Mans 6:07, your mailbag questions answered 9:07, and the night Kimi Raikkonen's honesty left TC back peddling at Yas Marina 31:24. 

TC and Alex reflect on the season so far with a mid-season report on every F1 team and driver (14:57). Then Davide Valsecchi drops in to review Ferrari's campaign, (20:26) unpicks whats putting Giovinazzi under pressure (28:32), why he's so impressed with Mick Schumacher (30:31) and which driver on the grid is back to his very best (24:07).

On the newly renamed 'Gasly Nation' we delve into the Frenchman’s past to highlight when his F1 chances hung by a thread and what pulled him through (10:47) then Andrew Shovlin explains why Mercedes made the race defining error and what they'll change for this weekend (21:50), finally paddock legend Ane Bradshaw (23:56) and four time champion Alain Prost (28:07) reveal the truth about the Williams F1 era. 

TC and Alex discuss Ferrari's collapse after their worst result in 40 years (1:43). They're joined by 1979 champion Jody Scheckter (12:50) to hear how things were even worse in 1980 before McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl drops by to explain his management philosophy and how it's been informed by Bayern Munich (18:54).

This week Tom and Alex are joined by Mark Blundell to hear how to win in America (10:30), why Williams were so good in their heyday (14:10) and which driver reminds him of Senna (20:44).  Plus why F1 could return to Indianapolis (3:32) and how Takuma Sato (6:32) owes a lot to the designer of the 2002 Jordan.

TC and Alex welcome Red Bull team principal Christian Horner (08:38) to hear why he backs 'deep thinker' Alex Albon (15:14), why an experienced team mate would offer nothing extra to Max Verstappen (13:59), and why his team won’t give up on the title.