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<p>Step inside the Formula 1 Paddock for race previews, reviews, interviews and analysis with Tom Clarkson and expert guests.</p>

<p>Get answers to your questions on F1 Explains with Christian Hewgill. Email F1Explains@F1.com</p>

<p>An official F1 podcast. For in-depth F1 interviews, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid</p>

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F1 Nation

Every driver wants to stand above their rivals, hear their national anthem, life the trophy and spray the champagne on the Formula 1 podium. It's a moment of celebration which takes careful planning and is governed by strict rules... like a wedding... in race suits.
We've put your podium questions the two people who work together to make it all happen: Linda Boudabous – Master of Ceremonies and Special Operations Co-ordinator at the FIA, and Katalin Bukor – Head of Ceremonies & Protocol at Formula 1. 
They tell Christian Hewgill about broken trophies, keeping VIPs dry and what happens when real champagne can't be sprayed on the podium.  
Send us your F1 questions - F1Explains@F1.com
Listen to more official F1 podcasts
F1 Nation for weekly race previews and reviews
F1 Beyond The Grid for in-depth interviews with the biggest stars of F1

F1 Explains: the secrets of the podium

Tom Clarkson is joined by journalists Albert Fabrega and Julianne Cerasoli to reflect on the first Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring circuit.
The Virtual Safety Car came at just the wrong time for race leader Lando Norris on lap 15, costing him victory after he’d made a great start from pole. Could McLaren have pre-empted the VSC? Why did Lando pit after the VSC ended? Could he have stayed out on the medium tyre?
Tom, Albert and Julianne discuss those talking points and you’ll hear reaction from McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella.
Kimi Antonelli capitalised on Lando’s misfortune to take his eighth victory of the season and move 81 points clear of Mercedes teammate George Russell at the top of the World Championship.
And Max Verstappen came home in P2 for his sixth podium of the year. But could he have won the race if Red Bull hadn’t asked him to let Lewis Hamilton past after their opening lap incident?

Kimi wins, Lando loses out, but could Max have won? - Spanish GP Review

How did the Madring come to life? What makes it such a unique track compared to the rest of the F1 calendar? And why is ‘La Monumental’ the corner everyone’s talking about?
As we head to the heart of Madrid for the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, Christian Hewgill has been finding out more about F1's newest circuit.
He's joined by F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto, who was Carlos Sainz's passenger as he drove the very first lap of the track earlier this year, and the Madring’s Chief Operating Officer, Carlos Jimenez, to answer your questions about this exciting new challenge for the drivers.

F1 Explains: Making the Madring

Formula 1 is heading to a brand-new circuit in Madrid this weekend, as the Madring hosts the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time.
Tom Clarkson and F1TV lead commentator Alex Jacques discuss the unique challenges this track will present the drivers, why we could be treated to a chaotic race and which teams will be competitive there.
Jacquesy tells Tom why George Russell can still stop his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli from becoming World Champion, despite the Italian’s 66-point lead at the top of the standings. 
And you’ll hear what Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had to say at media day in Madrid, after their tense opening lap battle in Monza.

'A total curveball'. Who will master the Madring? – Spanish GP Preview

Tom Clarkson is joined by Lawrence Barretto and Davide Valsecchi to analyse an extraordinary Italian Grand Prix, which saw Kimi Antonelli climb from 19th on the grid to become the first Italian Formula 1 driver to win their home race in 60 years.
How did Antonelli complete such an incredible comeback? Where does his victory rank among the greatest drives in F1 history? And what will be going through George Russell’s head after failing to capitalise on Kimi’s grid penalty? 
Lewis Hamilton has suggested that Ferrari need to introduce rules of engagement after he felt Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc pushed him off into the gravel at Turn 2 on the opening lap. The guys share their thoughts on that incident, what they think caused Leclerc’s race-ending crash on the following lap and how Team Principal Fred Vasseur needs to address the situation between his drivers.
Also on the agenda: how did Max Verstappen secure his fifth podium of the season? Did McLaren exceed expectations in Monza? And what does Pierre Gasly’s remarkable pole position tell us about Alpine’s progress?
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: 
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How home hero Kimi made history at Monza – Italian GP Review

What’s the difference between a high-speed track and a low-speed track? What challenges do both types of circuit present drivers? How does driving style and car setup differ between the two?
Christian Hewgill is joined by former F1 driver and F1TV pundit Jolyon Palmer to answer your questions about speed.

F1 Explains: High-Speed v Low-Speed tracks - with Jolyon Palmer

Tom Clarkson, Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe turn their attention to the Temple of Speed for this weekend's Italian Grand Prix. 
With championship leader Kimi Antonelli taking a grid penalty at his home race, can the Mercedes driver still fight his way through the field to win? How big an opportunity is this for George Russell? Can Lando Norris make it three wins in a row, or will Monza expose McLaren's weaknesses?  
And after going two races without a podium for the first time this season, can Ferrari find form again and give the Tifosi a race to remember? 
There's also reaction to Franco Colapinto extending his contract with Alpine for 2027 and the team remember when Jolyon upset Fernando Alonso at Monza.
Listen to more Official F1 Podcasts
In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid - Charles Leclerc coming soon!
Expert answers to your questions on F1 Explains
This episode is sponsored by: 
IM8
Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to IM8HEALTH.com/nation and use code NATION for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. #im8health

Will Kimi or Ferrari be home heroes? Can McLaren challenge? - Italian GP Preview

He spent more than a decade in the F1 pit lane, winning multiple World Championships and seven consecutive DHL Fastest Pit Stop Awards, but former Red Bull Racing mechanic Calum Nicholas has never faced your Formula 1 questions... until now!
Calum joins IndyCar race-winner James Hinchcliffe and Christian Hewgill to explain what pit crew members do when they're not changing tyres, how they know to be ready for a stop, and why their every move in the garage is being watched by the sport's rule-makers, the FIA.
Hinch gives us a guide to the cost cap which limits how much teams can spend. Then, in a new and unlikely-to-be-repeated feature, we translate F1 terminology to that used in North American racing. 
Get your question answered on the podcast
Send it to F1Explains@F1.com
Want more Hinch?
He's one of many big names on F1 Beyond The Grid
And he gives his expert opinion on F1 Nation

F1 Explains: pit crews + 'straights' vs 'straightaways' - with James Hinchliffe + Calum Nicholas 

Tom Clarkson is in the Zandvoort paddock with F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto and F1TV expert Alex Brundle for reaction to a chaotic Dutch Grand Prix. 
Back-to-back wins for Lando Norris means he’s now 83 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli with 11 races to go, so is the McLaren driver back in the title fight? 
Despite being behind him for most of the weekend, Kimi Antonelli got the better of his Mercedes teammate George Russell on race day. Why didn’t George have the pace when it really mattered? Were Mercedes right to issue team orders to get George out of Kimi’s way in the closing stages? 
On the topic of team orders, Lewis Hamilton was very frustrated that Ferrari didn’t ask Charles Leclerc to let him past. Did that cost Hamilton a podium? And what does his fiery team radio and post-race reaction tell us about the seven-time World Champion’s mindset? 
Plus, the guys discuss home race heartbreak for Max Verstappen after he crashed out on lap one, the impact Fernando Alonso’s second points finish of the season will have on his future with Aston Martin, and a dramatic end to the weekend for Williams as Carlos Sainz crashed into teammate Alex Albon.
Listen to more Official F1 Podcasts
In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid - Sergio Perez coming soon!
Expert answers to your questions on F1 Explains
This episode is sponsored by:
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‘The fight is still on’. Is Lando in the title race? – Dutch GP Review

After the huge success of the LEGO Drivers’ Parade at Miami in 2025, the driveable LEGO cars returned at Silverstone for this year’s British Grand Prix. And this time, all 22 drivers had their own car to race in – creating even more chaos than the first time! 
Who designed and built the cars? Where does the construction happen? What contribution do the F1 teams make to the creation of the cars? And how are they powered?
Christian Hewgill is joined by Senior Designer from the LEGO Group, Jonatan Jurion – who shares brilliant insight into how these extraordinary vehicles come to life and the fascinating facts about them – including the number of bricks used and the top speeds they can reach.