And Colossally That's History: How Frank Williams survived (and his team thrived) in 1986
Today, Williams are a mainstay on the Formula 1 grid and one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history, having amassed nine constructors’ world championships, seven drivers’ world championships, and 114 grand prix victories. But it all could have been so different.
Ahead of the 1986 season, team boss Frank Williams had a devastating car crash which left him paralysed and fighting for his life. That he survived and that his team would go on to win the constructors' title that very same year is one of the great F1 stories - and it's reappraised in fascinating detail by Matt Bishop and Richard Williams in the latest episode of And Colossally That's History.
They discuss how, after years of struggle, Frank Williams and his eponymous team were arguably in their best ever shape heading into 1986, and how Frank's accident in France threatened to undo all that hard work.
Richard and Matt also explain in poignant detail Frank's incredible survival and recovery, and the absolutely pivotal role his wife Ginny played in keeping him - and by extension his beloved team - alive.
They also outline the incredible ups and downs that played out on-track in 1986, in parallel to Frank's personal rollercoaster, looking in particular at the increasingly bitter intra-team rivalry at Williams between Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, which culminated in dramatic fashion in Australia.
And no episode of Colossally would be complete without some incredible personal anecdotes and impressions thrown in along the way!
Matt and Richard will be bringing members an exclusive Q&A episode at the end of Season 3, where they'll answer questions on each of the topics covered. So if you'd like to ask a question about Williams in '86, head to Patreon.com/therace
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A Race Media Production
Producer: Jonny Reynolds
With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support
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1:10:49
Norris vs Piastri - Your questions answered
We take listener questions on the Oscar Piastri versus Lando Norris battle in the latest edtiion of The Race F1 Podcast.
Ben Anderson and Mark Hughes join Edd Straw to analyse the step forward Piastri has taken in 2025 and the calm and assured mentality he appears to bring to F1.
We also break down Norris’s Bahrain struggles and if they reflect a potential weakness in the world championship fight, or if his brutally honest self-analysis is actually a strength.
There’s also questions about Mercedes upgrades, Russell’s progress, potential non-McLaren title challengers, Alpine and the effect of age on Lewis Hamilton.
If you'd like to ask a question on the show, join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace
Get ready for a power packed race weekend this 3rd to 5th October. Experience 3 days of non-stop race action and stellar entertainment at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Nothing else comes close at the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2025. Book now at www.singaporegp.sg
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1:05:48
Bahrain GP: Piastri takes victory - but is he also now title favourite?
Edd Straw is joined by Jon Noble and Mark Hughes to review the Bahrain Grand Prix. After Oscar Piastri's triumph, they ask whether the in-form Australian is now the title favourite, despite McLaren team-mate Lando Norris still holding a slight edge in the standings.
Also discussed is George Russell's remarkable drive to second for Mercedes, which included the Briton having to deal with a litany of issues in the cockpit. There's also a detailed explanation as to why Lewis Hamilton is struggling for performance for Ferrari, and why Red Bull's weekend unravelled so badly on a day when champion Max Verstappen admitted everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.
And the episode is rounded out, as ever, with a host of questions from The Race Members' Club, with Edd, Jon and Mark answering teasers on strategy, the safety car, Yuki Tsunoda and more.
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Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace
Get ready for a power packed race weekend this 3rd to 5th October. Experience 3 days of non-stop race action and stellar entertainment at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Nothing else comes close at the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2025. Book now at www.singaporegp.sg
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Check out our latest videos on YouTube
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1:08:52
And Colossally That’s History: Enzo Ferrari - The uncompromising path to F1 immortality (part 2)
Matt Bishop and Richard Williams return with part two of their two-part mini series on the life and legacy of one of motorsport’s most important and enduring individuals: Enzo Ferrari.
They finished the last episode at the point that Ferrari won its very first world championship Formula 1 race - the British Grand Prix in 1951. In this episode they’ll guide you through the Fifties, Sixties, Seventies and Eighties, during which time the idiosyncratic Enzo dealt with triumph and tragedy in almost equal measure, as he and his team cemented their legendary status in the sport.
Richard and Matt discuss Enzo's uncomfortable relationship with success, the way his son Dino's death shaped his identity and world view, the 'dark glamour' attached to the Ferrari brand in the Fifties, and how Enzo kept going, even when drivers perished in his machinery.
There's also chat about his unique approach to motivating his workforce through 'creative tension', the myths and mystery that surrounded him throughout his life, his surprising weakness for innovation, and how he repeatedly drove his team on to success, despite setbacks including staff walkouts, in-fighting and mediocre machinery.
Plus, find out who the only driver in Ferrari history was to call Enzo by his first name!
Matt and Richard will be bringing members an exclusive Q&A episode at the end of Season 3, where they'll answer questions on each of the topics covered. So if you'd like to ask a question about Enzo Ferrari, head to Patreon.com/therace
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Download our app on iOS or Android
A Race Media Production
Producer: Jonny Reynolds
With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:24:35
What’s behind F1’s Bahrain V10 engine summit?
The Bahrain Grand Prix weekend is set to be significant both on and off track, with a meeting of F1’s stakeholders about ideas for a possible change of engine formula - perhaps even to V10 engines - taking place on Friday.
Jonathan Noble joins Edd Straw to explain exactly what the meeting is about, and how far F1 really is from making such a dramatic change, and what options might be on the table for discussion.
We also tackle what it will take to make a change, and why it would be unrealistic to expect the ‘26 rule changes to be rolled back on at this stage.
McLaren’s chances of finally winning the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is effectively a second home race given the longstanding stake of Mumtalakat, are discussed, along with the prospects for Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.
And in part three of the podcast, we also tackle listener questions on Cadillac, dirty air, Aston Martin’s 2027 line up and more.
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Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace
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If something happens in Formula 1 racing, The Race F1 Podcast has got you covered. Featuring renowned F1 journalists Edd Straw, Jon Noble, Mark Hughes, Scott Mitchell-Malm, Ben Anderson and more, we’ll bring you unbeatable insight from the ground at every F1 race, including the inside line on the latest breaking Formula 1 news and gossip, informed debate about the biggest topics, and in-depth analysis after each grand prix. The feed also features other F1 shows from The Race's stable, including Bring Back V10s, And Colossally That's History!, and The Race F1 Tech Show.