F1 Nation

Why do some drivers move across the world to pursue their racing dreams? How important is it to compete in different series on the motorsport ladder? And what mentality do you need to make it to Formula 1? 
Seven-time Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya joins Christian Hewgill to talk about the route to F1 – a journey he completed successfully and one he’s reliving again through his son Sebastian, who’s currently competing in F2.
Juan talks about leaving Colombia at a young age, how Sir Jackie Stewart helped him in his early racing days, and what Sebastian needs to make that final step up to F1. Plus, Juan Pablo shares his advice for young kids hoping to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.
Picture: Clive Mason/ALLSPORT/Getty Images

Tom Clarkson, Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe are back to preview this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. 
After three wins on the bounce, Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by 20 points at the top of the World Championship standings, so how crucial is it for George to beat Kimi in Montreal? If he doesn’t and more teams get in the mix, will Mercedes have some tough decisions to make? 
For Ferrari, is Canada a defining moment in Lewis Hamilton’s season? Will Charles Leclerc be thinking about his future if they’re unable to fight at the front in this next run of races? 
Plus, the guys debate the topic of driver insecurities and share their personal experiences after Jenson Button discussed the topic on the latest F1 Beyond The Grid podcast. 
Listen to more Official F1 Podcasts
Drivers tell their stories on F1 Beyond The Grid - click here for latest episodes
Experts answer your questions on F1 Explains - right here on this podcast feed
LAS VEGAS. FORMULA 1. LIKE NOTHING BEFORE.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns November 19th – 21st, 2026.
Get your tickets for the fastest weekend of the year at f1lasvegasgp.com/tickets.

You've seen them standing alongside F1 drivers in TV interviews. They're holding phones, recording every word the driver says. Who are they and what are they doing?
F1 Press Officers and Communications teams arrange the interviews you see and hear every race weekend. They're the link between the team, the drivers, the media and fans around the world.
Sophie Ogg, who was formerly F1 Communications Director at McLaren, joins Christian Hewgill to explain what's involved in the job: dealing with media requests, working with adrenaline-fueled F1 drivers and reacting to breaking news - all with the aim of letting fans know what's going on inside a Formula 1 team.
F1 Explains is here to answer your F1 questions
Send them to [email protected]

Listen to more Official F1 Podcasts
In-depth conversations with big F1 names on F1 Beyond The Grid

Expert opinion every race weekend on F1 Nation - find the latest episode here on this podcast feed
This November, F1 takes over Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns November 19 - 21, 2026 — and tickets are on sale now! Be there for the fastest weekend of the year. Click here for tickets

With an intra-team title battle brewing between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at Mercedes in 2026, Tom Clarkson is joined by Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe to chat about some of the greatest teammate rivalries in F1 history.
The guys discuss Lewis Hamilton’s battles with Nico Rosberg at Mercedes and Fernando Alonso at McLaren, the major flashpoints during Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber’s time at Red Bull, and the politics between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at McLaren. 
Why were those rivalries so fierce? What are the key ingredients for an intense fight between teammates? How much involvement should the team have? And of the current grid, which driver pairing do Tom, Jolyon and Hinch think would have the most heated rivalry if they were competing for a title?
LAS VEGAS. FORMULA 1. LIKE NOTHING BEFORE.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns November 19th – 21st, 2026.
Get your tickets for the fastest weekend of the year at f1lasvegasgp.com/tickets.
This episode is sponsored by:
 
Saily: get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code F1nation at
checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/f1nation

Why do they say 'box, box, box', not 'pit, pit, pit'? What makes them fume on the radio? How has their job changed in 2026? F1 Race Engineers are the voice in the driver's ear, passing on information, listening to feedback, working together to get the best result possible.
Laura Müller, Race Engineer for Esteban Ocon at Haas, joins Christian Hewgill to laugh a lot and also to answer your questions on F1 car set-up, how teams know how fast their rivals are, how she became a race engineer and why a Safety Car can make her very happy or very annoyed...
F1 Explains is here to answer your F1 questions
Send them to [email protected]
Listen to more Official F1 Podcasts
In-depth conversations with big F1 names (including Laura) on F1 Beyond The Grid
Expert opinion every race weekend on F1 Nation - find the latest episode here on this podcast feed
This November, F1 takes over Las Vegas 
The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns November 19 - 21, 2026 — and tickets are on sale now! Be there for the fastest weekend of the year. Click here for tickets