F1 Explains

When F1 drivers get dressed for a race, safety is the number one priority. Their gloves, balaclavas, boots, suits and underwear protect them from fire and heat. But race kit can't slow them down. It needs to be light, comfortable and breathable - with a few special features built-in to help them perform at their best. 

Maurizio Sicco, Consultant at PUMA Motorsport and racewear expert tells Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill all about F1 race kit: how it's designed and tested, and the special requests drivers make for their customised gear. 

Leading sportswear brand PUMA make race suits for Mercedes, Sauber, Ferrari and Williams, and the brand new PUMA x F1 collection, available now
F1 EXPLAINS: LIVE IN MIAMI - FRIDAY 3RD MAY
Join us and Guenther Steiner for a live show at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix 2024
Friday May 3rd, 1:40pm - North 300 Level, Hard Rock Stadium
Free to all Grand Prix ticket holders
Send a question for Guenther and you can be part of the show! Email it to [email protected]

Catch up with our other episodes 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

Taming the insane speed of an F1 car takes extraordinary skill and incredible technology. The brakes glow red hot. The drivers feel extreme G-forces. How do F1 braking systems work, and how do drivers cope every time they slam their left foot into the pedal?

Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill break down F1 brakes with: Andrea Algeri, engineer from Brembo, which produces brakes for the entire F1 grid Jack Doohan, Alpine Reserve Driver
F1 EXPLAINS: LIVE IN MIAMI - FRIDAY 3RD MAY
Join us and Guenther Steiner for a live show at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix 2024
Friday May 3rd, 1:40pm - North 300 Level, Hard Rock Stadium
Free to all Grand Prix ticket holders
Send a question for Guenther and you can be part of the show! Email it to [email protected]

Catch up with our other episodes 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

The boss of a Formula 1 team has a lot to do. They have to manage the drivers, engineers, mechanics, designers and hundreds of other employees at the racetrack and in the factory. Team Principals lead them all through wins, podiums and retirements. If things don't go well, they sometimes pay with their jobs.

Aston Martin's Team Principal Mike Krack tells Katie and Christian about his job and how it differs from his fellow bosses. Plus, how he manages drivers, keeps on top of the rulebook and why he chooses to watch races from the pit wall, not the garage.

Got a question? We can answer it!
We love answering your F1 questions. Write them in an email or record them as a voice note and send them to [email protected]

Catch up with our other episodes 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

In Formula 1, a driver's teammate is their biggest rival. Each wants to beat the other, but they also need to score maximum points for their teams. When teammates work together, big rewards can follow. When they clash, it can get messy.

Kick Sauber F1 Team duo Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have been teammates since 2022. They tell Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne the secrets of their relationship, how they help each other, how they race each other on track, how they balance teamwork and rivalry and how they decide who gets which side of the garage...

Get in touch
We love answering your F1 questions. Write them in an email or record them as a voice note and send them to [email protected]

Catch up with our other episodes 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

'Please can you summarise how F1 rules have changed since Fernando Alonso's F1 debut?', asks Richard in Dallas, Texas. 23 years of engines, tyres and points systems? No problem for Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne!

That's just one of the questions tackled in this episode, featuring F1TV commentator Alex Jacques and former Renault F1 racer Jolyon Palmer. Also answered:  What's the difference between F1, FOM and the FIA?   What happens in a team after a bad pit stop? Why did Jolyon Palmer never wear a cap when he raced in F1? Ask us a question!
Want to be on the next episode of F1 Explains? If you've got an F1 question, send it to us and we'll find an expert to answer it. Send your email or voice note to [email protected]

Previously on F1 Explains Points, pronunciation + the 'pit' lane - with Jolyon Palmer + Alex Jacques 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 + Bernie Collins Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with McLaren's Oscar Piastri How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows More Official F1 Podcasts In-depth interviews with the sport's biggest stars: F1 Beyond The Grid with Tom Clarkson Listen to race previews and reviews from the F1 paddock on F1 Nation

F1 stars of the future show their speed in Formula 2 and Formula 3. The categories immediately below Formula 1 in the motorsport ladder are the perfect place for a driver to sharpen their skills and prove they're ready to move up. 

How do F2 and F3 work? How are the cars different? How do they prepare drivers for Formula 1? To answer those questions and many more, Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne speak to:

Oscar Piastri - 2020 F3 champion, 2021 F2 champion, McLaren F1 driver Alex Jacques - commentator covering F3, F2 and F1 For the latest on F2 and F3 visit
The official F2 website
The online home of F3

Curious about cars? Quizzical about qualifying? Wondering about wheelspin? If you've got an F1 question, send it to us and we'll find an expert to answer it. Send your email or voice note to [email protected]

Catch up with our other episodes Points, pronunciation + the 'pit' lane - with Jolyon Palmer + Alex Jacques F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + Bernie Collins Behind the scenes on Drive to Survive - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with McLaren's Oscar Piastri How F1 teams build their new cars - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows More Official F1 Podcasts Hear how Oscar Piastri is approaching his second F1 season on F1 Beyond The Grid with Tom Clarkson Listen to race previews and reviews from the F1 paddock on F1 Nation

Why is finishing outside the points still important? How do you really say 'Charles Leclerc?' How did the pit lane get its name? Christian and Katie put these listener questions and more to F1TV commentator Alex Jacques and former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer.

Ask us a question!
We love answering your F1 Qs. Write them in an email or record them as a voice note and send them to [email protected]

Catch up with our other episodes 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 podcasts from Formula 1 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

The game-changing, trailblazing, all-female racing series is back for 2024 with new drivers, top teams and wheel-to-wheel action. The second season of F1 Academy starts this weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill find out everything there is to know ahead of the first race.

Susie Wolff, who's driving F1 Academy forwards as Managing Director, tells Katie and Christian about the series' mission in 2024 and how it will inspire young women to pursue careers in motorsport.

Driver Lia Block is fully focused on making her F1 Academy debut. She tells Christian and Katie why racing with ART Grand Prix and Williams is such a huge opportunity. How will Lia make the switch from winning on rally circuits to racing on Grand Prix tracks, and how will F1 Academy change her career?

Here's how to follow F1 Academy in 2024 Watch F1 Academy races live on YouTube Get the latest news on f1academy.com  Follow the series on Instagram and X 2024 The F1 race start - with Mick Schumacher + Bernie Collins How Drive to Survive is made - with Exec Producer James Gay-Rees Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with McLaren's Oscar Piastri How new F1 cars come to life - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows F1 Explains episodes for International Womens' Day Pit stops - with performance expert, Gemma Fisher DRS - with F1 strategist Ruth Buscombe + aerodynamicist Emel Cankaya The incredible logistics of F1 - with Giorgia Tirabassi from DHL The 2024 F1 calendar - with Ellen Jones, F1 Head of Sustainability Simulators with Dr Diandra Leslie Pelecky Street circuits with F1 strategist Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Dr Diandra Leslie Pelecky + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer
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.

20 F1 cars. 5 red lights. 0.2 seconds to react. 5 seconds to 120 mph. The start of a Formula 1 Grand Prix demands extraordinary skill from the drivers and quick decisions from the team strategists.

Katie and Christian explore the start of a race with Mercedes reserve driver and former Haas racer Mick Schumacher, who explains what happens in the cockpit in the moments before the start, and the intense run to turn 1. Former Aston Martin Head of Race Strategy Bernie Collins tells us how the race start affects the team's plan for tyres and pit stops.

Get in touch!
Send your question to F1 Explains. We'll find the experts to answer it! Record your question as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to [email protected]

Catch up with our other episodes How Formula 2 + Formula 3 prepare drivers for F1 - with Oscar Piastri F1 Academy - with Susie Wolff + Lia Block 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 2023 What we learned in 2023 - the best bits of F1 Explains in 2023 Why you need to see F1 live - trackside at a Grand Prix Racing lines, driver drinks + 'number 1 drivers' LIVE at the US Grand Prix - with F1 Explains listeners + David Coulthard The incredible logistics of F1 - with DHL + Alfa Romeo How F1 racetracks are designed - with the masterminds behind Miami How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - how to do them perfectly Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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

The latest season of Drive To Survive is another fascinating look inside Formula 1. How is the show planned, filmed and edited? How do the producers decide what stories to tell? What does the future hold for the series? 

To find out, Christian and Katie speak to Drive to Survive's award-winning Executive Producer, James Gay-Rees of Box To Box Films.

F1 Explains is the official F1 podcast which answers your questions about how F1 works.

Record your question as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to [email protected]

Check out our previous episodes:

2024 Why F1 pre-season testing matters - with McLaren's Oscar Piastri How new F1 cars come to life - with Aston Martin Technical Director Dan Fallows 2023 What we learned in 2023 - the best bits of series 1 Why you need to see F1 live Racing lines, driver drinks + 'number 1 drivers' LIVE at the US Grand Prix - with F1 Explains listeners + David Coulthard The incredible logistics of F1 - with DHL + Alfa Romeo How F1 racetracks are designed - with the masterminds behind Miami How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - how to do them perfectly Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

Where in the world is Christian Hewgill? He?s in Bahrain to find out why F1 pre-season testing is so important for teams, engineers and drivers.

Katie Osborne has a list of listener questions, Christian gets the answers from McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, Alpine Reserve Driver Jack Doohan, Mercedes? Communications Director Bradley Lord and McLaren Racing Director Randy Singh.

F1 Explains is the official F1 podcast which answers your questions about how F1 works.

Record your question as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to [email protected]

Check out our previous episodes:

Catch up with our other episodes 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 2023 What we learned in 2023 - the best bits of series 1 Why you need to see F1 live Racing lines, driver drinks + 'number 1 drivers' LIVE at the US Grand Prix - with F1 Explains listeners + David Coulthard The incredible logistics of F1 - with DHL + Alfa Romeo How F1 racetracks are designed - with the masterminds behind Miami How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - how to do them perfectly Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen
More podcasts from Formula 1 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

F1 Explains is back for 2024! Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne are starting by answering your questions about new F1 cars. When do teams start working on their challengers for a new season? How much of a new F1 car is actually new? What happens when a team comes up with something that has never been seen before?

Aston Martin's Technical Director Dan Fallows explains how a new Formula 1 car goes from sketches on paper to carbon-fibre reality.

F1 Explains is the official F1 podcast that answers your questions about the sport.

You can send your question - as a voice note or an email - to [email protected]

F1 Explains Season 1 is available to listen to now:

What we learned in 2023 Why you need to see F1 live Racing lines, driver drinks + 'number 1 drivers' LIVE at the US Grand Prix - with F1 Explains listeners + David Coulthard The incredible logistics of F1 - with DHL + Alfa Romeo How F1 racetracks are designed - with the masterminds behind Miami How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - how to do them perfectly Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill are back with more answers to your F1 questions. Listen to hear a preview of some of the guests who'll be joining us this year.

New episodes start Friday 16th February. You can be part of the podcast. Record, write and send your questions to [email protected]. 

Brilliant questions, fascinating answers. F1 Explains explores how our favourite sport really works. In 2023, Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill put your questions to drivers, engineers, strategists, designers and many more of the people who do great work behind the scenes.

At the end of the podcast's first season, Katie and Christian have picked the things they loved learning the most, including the advantages and disadvantages of having F1-ready neck muscles and how the sport's rulemakers keep an eye on teams at their factories. You'll hear from some of our favourite guests including Gemma Fisher, who turbocharged F1 pit stops, DRS expert and race strategist Ruth Buscombe and motorsport scientist Dr Diandra Leslie-Pelecky.

Thank you very much for listening to F1 Explains in 2023. Join us in 2024, and send us a question to answer. Write or record your question using the voice memo app on your phone, then email it to [email protected].

F1 Explains Season 1 is available to listen to now:

Why you need to see F1 live Racing lines, driver drinks + 'number 1 drivers' LIVE at the US Grand Prix - with F1 Explains listeners + David Coulthard The incredible logistics of F1 - with DHL + Alfa Romeo How F1 racetracks are designed - with the masterminds behind Miami How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - how to do them perfectly Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

?Being here in person is incredible?. ?Insane. It blows my mind?. ?It?s a different and amazing experience?. We love watching F1 on-screen, but this episode is all about why going to a Formula 1 Grand Prix is next level.

Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne head to the grandstands at the 2023 US Grand Prix to hear why seeing F1 live is a must-do for any F1 fan. Whether it?s seeing how fast the cars really are, the chance to buy exclusive merch or getting to meet your favourite driver, a weekend at the track is full of unforgettable experiences. 

Ready to go? You can buy official Formula 1 tickets for the 2024 season at tickets.formula1.com

Not sure which race to choose? F1.com Destination Guides will help you decide

Want to get even closer? F1 Experiences has you covered with exclusive access and world-class hospitality

We love answering your F1 questions! If you have something you'd like Christian, Katie and our team of experts to dive into, record a voice note or write us a message and email it to [email protected]

We might have answered your question on a previous episode:

Racing lines, driver drinks + 'number 1 drivers' LIVE at the US Grand Prix - with F1 Explains listeners + David Coulthard The incredible logistics of F1 - with DHL + Alfa Romeo How F1 racetracks are designed - with the masterminds behind Miami How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - how to do them perfectly Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

How do teams and drivers get ready for a track they've never been to before? It takes complex calculations, decades of data and a dash of racers' instinct. F1 Explains has the full answer as we prepare to head to Las Vegas.

Plus, who gets which garage in the pit lane? What happens in 'parc fermé', what's an 'anti-stall' and which drivers are interview chatterboxes? 

Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill put more of your questions to race-winning F1 strategist Bernie Collins and F1 Correspondent & Presenter, Lawrence Barretto:

Why F1 drivers walk the track before they race on it Why engine suppliers make a big difference How teams are using AI to plot race strategy Why F1 teams change their names We love answering your F1 questions! If you have something you'd like Christian, Katie and our team of experts to dive into, record a voice note or write us a message and email it to [email protected]

We might have answered your question on a previous episode:

Racing lines, driver drinks + 'number 1 drivers' LIVE at the US Grand Prix - with F1 Explains listeners + David Coulthard The incredible logistics of F1 - with DHL + Alfa Romeo How F1 racetracks are designed - with the masterminds behind Miami How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - how to do them perfectly Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

How do F1 drivers find the fastest way around a racetrack? Why do the stars of our sport use special drinks bottles? Do some F1 teams have No 1 and No 2 drivers? Race-winning F1 strategist Bernie Collins and F1 Correspondent and Presenter Lawrence Barretto return to answer your questions in another quickfire special. Plus, why do F1 tracks get grippier, what really goes on in F1 hospitality and how does the bonus point for fastest lap work?

If you have a topic you'd like Christian, Katie and our team of F1 experts to explain, record a voice note or write us a message and email it to [email protected]

We might have answered your question on a previous episode:

LIVE at the US Grand Prix - with F1 Explains listeners + David Coulthard The incredible logistics of F1 - with DHL + Alfa Romeo How F1 racetracks are designed - with the masterminds behind Miami How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - how to do them perfectly Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

A Formula 1 legend, F1 fans with questions and a loud Texas crowd. F1 Explains took to the stage at the Circuit of The Americas for our first ever live show!

Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill welcomed former McLaren, Red Bull and Williams driver David Coulthard to COTA's Amphitheatre stage. F1 Explains listeners Crystal from New York, Sammi from Massachusetts and Amanda from Tennessee brought their questions about F1 teammates, reaction times and training. You'll hear why F1 drivers backsides are so important and discover DC's hidden talent for singing...

If you have an F1 question you'd like us to answer, record it as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to [email protected]

Special thanks to Jordan Henley, Isabelle Hutt, Mark Jones and the stage team at Circuit of The Americas.

The incredible logistics of F1 - with DHL + Alfa Romeo How F1 racetracks are designed - with the masterminds of Miami How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

Priceless cars, team headquarters, crucial equipment, thousands of spare parts, tyres, fuel... and the Team Principal's favourite coffee. Every item F1 teams need to compete is moved from race to race by an amazing team of logistics experts.

Formula 1's Global Logistics Partner, DHL, moves the sport around the world. It's a year-round, tight deadline task which is being achieved more sustainably than ever before - using bio-fuelled trucks and efficient freighter aircraft. Paul Fowler, DHL Vice President of Global Motorsport, tells us how the company gets F1 from track to track. Giorgia Tirabassi, DHL Trackside Co-ordinator - reveals the behind-the-scenes work to make sure F1 teams have everything they need in time to race, and how she handles the unexpected challenge of a last-minute delivery Every Formula 1 team has its own logistics staff. Alfa Romeo's Deputy Head of Race Part Logistics, Josef Pfandl, explains how he moves tens of thousands of parts from race to race. Plus, how F1 team motorhomes are transported, and what it's like to drive a truck packed with invaluable F1 equipment across Europe.

Got a question about how F1 works? Christian, Katie and our team of experts would love to answer it. Record a voice note on your phone or write us an email and send it to [email protected]

Check out our previous episodes:

How F1 racetracks are designed - with the masterminds of Miami How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

High-speed corners or tricky hairpins? Flat-out straights or tight chicanes? Every Formula 1 racetrack is a unique challenge for the drivers and teams, and the work to create them is a blend of artistry and engineering.

F1 Explains how F1 circuits go from a sketch on a piece of paper, through state-of-the-art digital simulation, to reality.

What are the challenges of building a racetrack? How are they designed to allow close racing, overtaking and interesting strategy? Christian and Katie put your questions on track design to the team from Apex Circuit Design, who were behind the Miami International Autodrome: Dafydd Broom - Managing Director Andrew Wallis - Engineering Director We want to answer your F1 question. Record a voice note on your phone or write us an email and send it to [email protected]

Check out our previous episodes:

How car liveries are created - with Alfa Romeo + McLaren The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

Ferrari is red, Red Bull is blue... F1 car liveries are much more than paint and stickers. They're part of a team's identity, they're worth money to sponsors and they can even affect how the car performs on track. 

F1 Explains how F1 car liveries are created with the help of two experts: Markus Höpperger tells us how Alfa Romeo's livery is designed and how paint schemes, sponsor placement and graphics are chosen McLaren's Louise McEwen explains why the team turned papaya and how they decide when to run special liveries like the 'chrome', 'Triple Crown' and 'stealth' looks from 2023. Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne talk paint, carbon fibre, sponsors and stickers and explore how liveries can affect laptimes on-track.

We want to answer your F1 question. Record a voice note on your phone or write us an email and send it to [email protected]

Check out our previous episodes:

The mental pressure of F1 - with David Coulthard Steering wheels - how they're designed + what the buttons do DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio, with Zhou Guanyu Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

Formula 1 is a high-speed, high-stress sport. Staying cool, ignoring distractions and recovering from setbacks requires huge mental strength, composure and resilience. How do F1 drivers cope? How do they make sure their minds are in the right condition? What support and training do they get to help them?

F1 Explains with the help of two expert guests: Pete McKnight - performance coach who gets F1 drivers mentally ready to race. Performance Director for Hintsa Performance David Coulthard - 13-time F1 winner on the mental strength he developed during his racing career Katie and Christian explore how drivers get into the zone before a race by sticking to a routine, how they respond to defeats and mistakes, and why every driver has to believe that they are the best on the grid.

If you have an F1 question you'd like answered, write or record it and email it to [email protected]

We covered the physical fitness required to race in F1 on a previous episode featuring Sebastian Vettel's former trainer. Listen to that here

Other previous episodes:

Steering wheels - what the buttons do + how drivers learn them DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

Each one is different, but they're all high-tech pieces of equipment made of military-spec materials, designed to work in extreme conditions. F1 steering wheels do so much more than turn the car. 

Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne explore steering wheels with the help of two expert guests:

Jose Manuel Lopez, Mclaren Principal Race Engineer Jolyon Palmer, former F1 driver with Renault and GP2 champion Jose and Jolyon tell us how wheels are designed, what all the buttons do, how drivers learn their wheels, how they make sure their unique wheel works best for them, and what happens if a driver hits the wrong button. 

If you have an F1 question you'd like answered, write or record it and email it to [email protected]

Level-up your F1 knowledge with our previous episodes:

DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

Who decides where F1 teams do their pit stops? How do F1 cars and racetrack corners get their names? How much is F1's prize pot? Race-winning strategist Bernie Collins and award-winning F1TV commentator Alex Jacques are back with Katie and Christian to answer more of your questions.

Along the way you'll hear which F1 car is named after a team founders' wife, the different ways F1 corners get their names, and why drivers leave it until the last possible moment to do their qualifying laps.

We'd love to answer your question about F1. Whatever the topic, record it as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to us at [email protected]

Listen to our other quickfire question specials:

Trophies, travel + 'pace in the car' - with Will Buxton + Bernie Collins F1 cars, upgrades + 'copycats' - with Bernie Collins + Will Buxton Tyres, Championship points + car set-up - with Bernie Collins + Lawrence Barretto 'Undercuts', red lights + F1 jobs - with Lawrence Barretto + Bernie Collins
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.

How do F1 race starts work? Can you score a podium in F1 Sprint? What are the rules on teams sharing reserve drivers? You ask, F1 Explains with the help of F1TV commentator Alex Jacques and F1 strategist Bernie Collins. 

The team explains why F1 Grands Prix start when five red lights go out, explore the history of F1 race starts, and Alex reveals the secrets to commentating on the action-packed opening moments of a race. 

Plus, how is a top 3 finish in F1 Sprint officially recorded, which teams have deals to share their reserve drivers, why are F1 rule changes announced years before they come into effect, and how do race strategists like Bernie work out how fast their car will be in a race?

Send Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill your latest Formula 1 question and F1 Explains will tackle it in a future episode. Write an email or record and attach a voice note and send it to [email protected]

F1 Explains tackles a different F1 topic every week. Check out our previous episodes using the links below:

DRS - how F1's overtaking aid works and why it matters Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

It has given us more action, more overtaking and more chances to change the race with strategy. DRS, the Drag Reduction System, can help F1 drivers get in position for a race-winning overtake. Why was it introduced? How does it work? What's the best way to use it?

F1 Explains with the help of three experts, who tell Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne all about this fascinating subject:

McLaren Aerodynamics Specialist Emel Cankaya works on designing DRS systems. She explains the physics of DRS, why it makes cars go faster and the rules on DRS design Alfa Romeo's Head of Race Strategy Ruth Buscombe studied DRS at university. She tells us how DRS is controlled and how it has changed F1 racing for strategists Former Renault F1 racer Jolyon Palmer puts us in the cockpit to explain DRS driving and overtaking Write, record and send your F1 question to [email protected] and we will answer it in a future episode.

F1 Explains tackles a different F1 topic every week. Check out our previous episodes using the links below:

Tyres - an engineer, a driver and a designer explains why they matter The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

They're round, they're black, they keep you on the track. Tyres are one of the most important parts of a Formula 1 car, but getting the best performance from them requires tireless work from drivers, teams and engineers.

Three tyre experts join Katie and Christian to explain all you need to know about F1 tyres: Former F1 racer Jolyon Palmer explains why tyres are so important to drivers Mario Isola, Head of Motorsport for official F1 tyre supplier Pirelli, tells us why different tyre compounds are chosen for each race weekend and why F1 tyres wear out McLaren's Director of Race Engineering, Hiroshi Imai, explains how F1 teams choose which tyres to use and the tyre rules they must not break You ask, F1 Explains! Send your F1 question - as an email or a voice note - to [email protected]

F1 Explains tackles a different F1 topic every week. Check out our previous episodes using the links below:

The 2024 F1 calendar - why it helps make F1 more sustainable Wind Tunnels - the top secret tools where cars are created Race engineers - the voices on F1 Team Radio Pit stops - two seconds of total teamwork Simulators with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Racing in the rain with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Street circuits with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins F1 driver fitness with Alexander Rossi + Sebastian Vettel's former trainer F1 in the USA - why the US has 3 races in 2023 F1 Sprint weekends with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen 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.

Racing more regionally. New power for the F1 Paddock. Game-changing fuels for F1 cars and, potentially, your car. Big things are happening to help make Formula 1 more sustainable.

Christian and Katie ask F1's Head of Sustainability, Ellen Jones, why re-organising the race calendar for 2024 will help reduce the sport's carbon footprint. Ellen also reveals how F1's trialling new ways of reducing the amount of energy used at races and developing a game-changing sustainable fuel with potential to transform the way we all travel in the future. 

McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, and Sustainability Director Kim Wilson reveal how Lando Norris' race seat and the lake outside their factory are helping the team cut carbon. 

We'd love to answer your F1 question. Record or write it, then email it to [email protected]

Why not listen to another episode? Trophies, travel + 'pace in the car' - Your Questions Answered Your F1 Car Questions Answered by Bernie Collins + Will Buxton Why are F1 wind tunnels top secret? Why do F1 drivers need race engineers? with Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu Why are pit stops so important?  Why do F1 teams need simulators? with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023? Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen 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.

Why don't F1 drivers get to keep their trophies? How do F1 people cope with travel? What do drivers actually mean when they talk about having 'pace in the car'?

Bernie Collins, former Aston Martin F1 strategist, and Will Buxton, F1TV presenter, are back with Christian and Katie to answer these questions and more.

Bernie tells us about a time a driver was allowed to keep a special trophy, while Will explains how drivers avoid jet lag during the Singapore night race.

We'd love to answer your F1 question. Record or write it, then email it to [email protected]

Why not listen to another episode? Your F1 Car Questions Answered by Bernie Collins + Will Buxton Why are F1 wind tunnels top secret? Why do F1 drivers need race engineers? with Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu Why are pit stops so important?  Why do F1 teams need simulators? with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023? Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen 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.

Why are some F1 cars faster than others? Why do some upgrades work and some don't? Why don't F1 teams all just copy the fastest car? 

F1TV presenter and Drive to Survive star Will Buxton, and former Aston Martin Head of Race Strategy Bernie Collins join Katie and Christian to answer those questions in more in a quickfire Formula Why special all about F1 cars.

You'll hear what upgrading an F1 car has in common with online clothes shopping, why copying a successful car is like trying to cook without a recipe, and why F1 drivers get weighed after every single race.

Why not listen to these other episodes?

Why are F1 wind tunnels top secret? Why do F1 drivers need race engineers? with Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu Why are pit stops so important?  Why do F1 teams need simulators? with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023? Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen Why don't you send us a question? Record or write them, then email to [email protected]

For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.

Hidden inside F1 factories, engineers use blasts of high-speed air to shape race-winning cars. Wind tunnels are multi-million dollar, high-tech facilities where aerodynamicists experiment. 

What happens in the wind tunnel usually stays in the wind tunnel, but Formula Why is going into this secretive world with Alpine F1 Team's Technical Director, Matt Harman. He tells us why F1 teams use wind tunnels, why they're so secretive and the incredible way the sport's rule makers, the FIA, keep an eye on how much teams use them. 

Christian and Katie also break down the rules about wind tunnels and why teams spend millions to have their own tunnels. 

Got a question for us? We'll answer it! Write or record it, then send it to [email protected]

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:

Why do F1 drivers need race engineers? with Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu Why are pit stops so important?  Why do F1 teams need simulators? with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023? Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen Use the share button and #FormulaWhy to invite a friend to join us on Formula Why.

They're the voice in the driver's ear, guiding them through every lap. F1 drivers can't compete without their race engineers, but why are they so important?

Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu and his race engineer Jorn Becker join Formula Why to answer your questions. Why do engineers speak like they do? Why do they use some words and not others? Why are all F1 Team Radio messages in English? Zhou and Jorn explain the secrets of a great driver/race engineer team. 

We want to answer your questions on Formula Why! Record or write them, and send them to [email protected] 

Check out these other episodes of Formula Why 'Undercuts', red lights + F1 jobs - Your Questions Answered Why are pit stops so important?  Why do F1 teams need simulators? with Stoffel Vandoorne Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023? Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen
Thanks for listening. Please rate and review Formula Why and invite a friend to join in using the share button and #FormulaWhy

Why can pitting a lap earlier than your rival be a race-winning move? Why do F1 cars have red lights on the back? How do drivers remember all their race plans at 200mph? How do people get to be F1 Team Principals, strategists or reporters? Former Aston Martin Head of Strategy Bernie Collins and F1 Chief Correspondent Lawrence Barretto are back with Christian and Katie on Formula Why to answer these questions and more in a quickfire special.

Got an F1 question you'd like us to answer, or a message about the podcast? Record it as a voice note or write it in an email and send it to [email protected]

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:
Why are pit stops so important?
Why do F1 teams need simulators?
Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade
Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins
Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered
Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer
Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023?
Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen

Thanks for listening. Please leave us a rating and a review. Share the show to help other F1 fans learn more about the sport we all love using #FormulaWhy

Twenty teammates. Two seconds. Total teamwork. F1 pit stops are iconic, but why are they so important, and why are they so difficult to do perfectly? Who's on the pit crew, and what does each person do? Katie and Christian get the answers from:

Gemma Fisher - the human performance specialist who revolutionised F1 pit stops Connor Swan - Alpine F1 Team's Pit Stop Performance Co-ordinator Kevin Magnussen - Haas F1 Team driver  Christian and Katie break down an F1 pit stop - from the role of the driver, to the mechanics who fit the tyres - and how the crew works together to get the car back on track in the shortest possible time.

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below: Your F1 Car Questions Answered by Bernie Collins + Will Buxton Why are F1 wind tunnels top secret? Why do F1 drivers need race engineers? with Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu Why do F1 teams need simulators? with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023? Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen
Got an F1 question for Christian, Katie and our F1 experts? Record or write it, and email to [email protected]

Thank you for listening. Please leave us a rating and a review. Share the podcast to help other F1 fans learn more about F1 using #FormulaWhy

For more F1 podcasts, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid and F1 Nation

For learning racetracks to testing new car upgrades, simulators are a vital tool for every team in F1. Katie and Christian talk to four sim experts to explain why.

Stoffel Vandoorne, Aston Martin's reserve driver, took a break from a long day in the sim to tell us why they're so useful for racers.

Alpine's Technical Director Matt Harman breaks down how team engineers use them to test new parts and car set-ups.

Motorsport scientist Dr Diandra Leslie-Pelecky explains how simulators work and why they're so realistic.

Plus, a chat with Red Bull Racing Esports star Sebastian Job, who went from winning on video games to working in the real Red Bull F1 simulator, testing race weekend set-ups for Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen.

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:
Why are pit-stops so important in F1? with pit-stop performance experts
Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with F1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade
Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + former strategist Bernie Collins
Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered by F1 experts
Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with former F1 driver Alexander Rossi
Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023?
Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Haas F1 driver Kevin Magnussen

Send your F1 questions to Katie and Christian! Record or write them, and send to [email protected]

Thanks for listening. Please leave us a rating and a review. Share the show to help other F1 fans learn more about the sport we all love using #FormulaWhy

For more F1 podcasts, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid and F1 Nation

In F1, rain always means drama. Drivers fight to stay on track. Their skills are pushed to the limits. Why is steering, braking, and racing so much harder in the rain? Formula Why has the answers.

After a quick guide to F1's wet weather tyres, motorsport scientist Dr Diandra Leslie-Pelecky explains why it's so hard to keep control on a wet racetrack.

Haas F1 Team Race Engineer Mark Slade tells us why F1 teams have to put total faith in their drivers when the rain comes down.

Plus, double Formula 1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen returns to explain why rain tests a driver's body, mind and reflexes and what it takes to win races in the rain.

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:
Why are pit stops so important?
Why do F1 teams need simulators?
Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins
Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered
Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer
Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023?
Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen

Send your F1 questions to Katie and Christian! Record or write them, and send to [email protected]

Thanks for listening. Please leave us a rating and a review. Share the show to help other F1 fans learn more about the sport we all love using #FormulaWhy

For more F1 podcasts, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid and F1 Nation

No room for error. No time to breathe. When F1 races on city streets ? like in Monaco, Miami or Singapore ? drivers and strategists face a challenge like no other. Double F1 World Champion and street race-winner Mika Hakkinen joins Christian and Katie to answer why low grip, narrow streets lined with unforgiving metal barriers are the ultimate test of a drivers? skill ? and why spilt drinks and moving boats can make it even harder. Plus, Aston Martin?s former Head of Strategy Bernie Collins returns to Formula Why to tell us why making pit stops at the right time is even more important on the streets.

Check out these other episodes of Formula Why 'Undercuts', red lights + F1 jobs - Your Questions Answered Why are pit stops so important? Why do F1 teams need simulators? Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023? Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen Follow, rate and review Formula Why on your podcast app, share it with a friend using #FormulaWhy and tell us what topics you'd like us to explore. Write or record your questions and email them to [email protected]

Why do F1 winners get 25 points? Why do tyre-smoking lock-ups happen? Why do F1 cars change for every race? This week on Formula Why we're answering some of the questions you've sent in to [email protected] so far. Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne are joined by former Aston Martin Head of Strategy Bernie Collins and F1 Correspondent and Presenter Lawrence Barretto to explore the whys, the hows and the whats. Along the way we learn why F1 cars haven't always had four wheels, why tyre warmers aren't just for warming tyres and why Lawrence takes an extra suitcase to every Grand Prix.

Got a question about how F1 works? We'd love to hear it. Write it or record it as a voice note, then send it to [email protected] and we'll include it in a future episode.

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:
'Undercuts', red lights + F1 jobs - Your Questions Answered
Why are pit stops so important?
Why do F1 teams need simulators?
Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade
Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer
Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023?
Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen


For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. For race previews and reviews, head over to F1 Nation.

Insane speed needs incredible strength. If you?ve ever wondered why F1 drivers look so exhausted at the end of a race, here's your answer.

Katie and Christian find out why F1 drivers need elite levels of fitness, why their necks, legs and cores need to be so strong and why staying hydrated is so important. Racing scientist Dr Diandra Leslie Pelecky talks through the ?extremes? F1 drivers experience.

Sebastian Vettel?s former trainer Antti Kontsas of Hintsa Performance explains the real reason neck strength is so important.

Former F1 driver Alexander Rossi returns to Formula Why to talk F1 training, to ruin Christian?s dreams of ever being an F1 driver, and why super-fit F1 drivers have problems when shopping for shirts?

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:
'Undercuts', red lights + F1 jobs - Your Questions Answered
Why are pit stops so important?
Why do F1 teams need simulators?
Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade
Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered
Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023?
Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen

Record or write your questions and send them to [email protected] 

Passionate fans. Spectacular racing. A new home hero to cheer. Formula 1 has a long history in the United States. 2023 is a new chapter, with races in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas. 

Katie and Christian go back through the decades to tell the story of F1 in the US. Then it?s time to explore the present and the future with former F1 commentator Leigh Diffey, former US F1 driver Alexander Rossi and two passionate F1 fans who?ve recently discovered the sport. Why are they and millions of others across the States falling in love with F1? Why is the sport more popular than ever? Why is having a US driver to cheer for so important?  

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:
'Undercuts', red lights + F1 jobs - Your Questions Answered
Why are pit stops so important?
Why do F1 teams need simulators?
Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade
Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered
Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer
Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen


Record and send your questions to Katie and Christian at [email protected]

Less prep. More pressure. In 2023, F1 Sprint is more thrilling than ever. Listener Crystal from New York wants to know why F1 Sprint is such an exciting challenge for F1?s teams and drivers. Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill explore the answer with Haas F1 Team?s Kevin Magnussen and his race engineer, Mark Slade. Kevin and Mark had an F1 Sprint weekend to remember in 2022. Kevin took a stunning pole position, leaving Mark facing a huge restaurant bill! Then, former Aston Martin Head of Race Strategy, Bernie Collins, tells us why tyre choice, overtaking and avoiding pit-stops are crucial to Sprint success. Plus, Christian and Katie have all you need to know about the changes to F1 Sprint for 2023, including the new Sprint Shootout session on Saturdays. Welcome to Formula Why.
 
Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:
'Undercuts', red lights + F1 jobs - Your Questions Answered
Why are pit stops so important?
Why do F1 teams need simulators?
Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade
Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered
Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer
Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023?

Whether you?re new to F1 or a life-long fanatic, Formula Why is for everyone who wants to know more about how the sport works. Send us your F1 ?why? question, and we could answer it on a future episode. Write or record your question as a voice note and send it to [email protected]
Follow Formula Why right here on your podcast app so you never miss an episode. Hit the share button and use #FormulaWhy to tell your F1 fan friends. Leave us a rating and review. Thanks for listening
To hear F1?s other official podcasts search for F1 Beyond The Grid and F1 Nation. For all the latest F1 news, check out F1.com and F1 on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook

The more you know about Formula 1, the more you'll love it. Join Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill for Formula Why, the official F1 podcast for every fan who wants to know how the sport really works.

Write or record and send your 'why' questions to [email protected] and we'll get F1 experts to answer them on a future episode.