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F1 Explains

F1 Explains

By: Formula 1
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 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.Formula 1 Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • How F1 teams find future stars – with Mercedes

    How F1 teams find future stars – with Mercedes
    Jul 31 2025
    Where do Formula 1 teams spot the drivers of the future? What are they looking for in young racers? And how did Mercedes guide Kimi Antonelli from karting to F1?

    F1 Explains explores junior driver programmes, which exist to find talented young drivers and support them as they climb the motorsport ladder.

    Most F1 teams have these academies. Red Bull signed a young Max Verstappen, Ferrari supported Charles Leclerc and Oliver Bearman, Lando Norris was part of the McLaren programme, and Mercedes developed George Russell, Kimi Antonelli and Esteban Ocon during their junior racing.

    F1 ACADEMY leader Doriane Pin is also part of the Mercedes Junior Driver Programme. She tells Christian Hewgill how Mercedes spotted her and answers your questions on what the team is doing to support her career.

    The Mercedes programme is led by Gwen Lagrue, the man who discovered Russell, Antonelli and Ocon. Gwen explains how he identifies those with the most potential, guides them into junior car racing and decides when they are ready to step up to Formula 3, F2 and, finally, F1.

    Get your question answered on the podcast

    Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com

    It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there!
    Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

    Listen to more official F1 podcasts
    In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid
    Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation
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    48 mins
  • Ask Stefano Domenicali – F1 President and CEO answers your questions

    Ask Stefano Domenicali – F1 President and CEO answers your questions
    Jul 24 2025
    Being the boss of Formula 1 is a big job. F1 teams, drivers, race promoters, sponsors and more than 825 million fans worldwide rely on Stefano Domenicali to lead the sport forwards.

    It’s a huge responsibility, so how does he keep everyone happy?

    Speaking to Christian Hewgill, Stefano explains exactly what his job involves and how the role compares to his time as Ferrari Team Principal.

    He also answers your questions about the cost cap, the calendar, the points-scoring system, the sport’s growth in the US and why Formula 1 is entering a new era in 2026.

    And with so many exciting new additions to the sport in the last few years - like F1 Sprint, the spectacular Las Vegas Grand Prix, the trailblazing F1 ACADEMY, and F1 The Movie - what does Stefano think the next big thing for Formula 1 will be?

    Get your question answered on the podcast
    Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com

    NET ZERO
    F1 is on-target to be Net Zero by 2030. The sport has reduced its carbon emissions by 26% since 2018. Read more here.

    F1 THE MOVIE starring Brad Pitt
    NOW PLAYING
    Get tickets now

    It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there!
    Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

    Listen to more official F1 podcasts
    In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid
    Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Esteban Ocon explains F1 training, post-race weigh-ins + racing focus

    Esteban Ocon explains F1 training, post-race weigh-ins + racing focus
    Jul 17 2025
    He's a race-winner, a Haas driver and he lays claim to being the tallest person on the F1 grid (hairstyle permitting). Esteban Ocon joins F1 Explains to answer the latest batch of listener questions.

    Among the topics in our inbox: how drivers prepare mentally and physically, why they get handed a little paper ticket at their post-race weight check, how being tall affects the job of an F1 driver, and whether fireproof underwear is comfortable.

    Esteban also talks about working with his Haas race engineer Laura Mueller, how drivers sense when it's time to change tyres during a wet race, his pre-race rituals and how he keeps his concentration while racing.

    Get your question on the podcast!
    Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com

    F1 THE MOVIE starring Brad Pitt
    NOW PLAYING
    Get tickets now

    It's All To Drive For in 2025. Be there!
    Book your seat for a Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

    Listen to more official F1 podcasts
    In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid
    Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
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