F1 Nation

They were lightyears ahead of the rest in Qatar. As F1 heads for hyper-speed Saudi, just 8 points split Verstappen and Hamilton. Max can land the knock-out punch in this astonishing title fight in Jeddah, but as Tom Clarkson and Damon Hill explore, it looks like we’re heading for a breathless, brilliant final-race showdown. The pair analyse how each title challenger got the most out of the Qatar GP, how Verstappen can win the title in Saudi Arabia, and whether he or Lewis Hamilton will be feeling more confident heading into the final two races. Elsewhere, what was the secret to Fernando Alonso’s joyous return to the podium, and have Ferrari struck the decisive blow in their P3 fight with McLaren? TC and Damon are joined by MBC Action F1 TV presenter and host of the official Saudi GP podcast, Sabine Sassine, who tells us why there’s no room for any mistakes at the unforgiving Jeddah Corniche Circuit, especially if a December rain shower blows by. This episode is sponsored by: LinkedIn Jobs - visit linkedin.com/F1NATION to post a job for free. Terms and conditions apply. Manscaped - get 20% off with free shipping at manscaped.com and use code F1NATION

23 Nov 202148min

"This is what a World Championship battle should look like", Lewis Hamilton said after he and Max Verstappen staged an all-time classic in Sao Paulo. Grid penalties, a disqualification from qualifying and a magnificent Verstappen drive couldn’t stop Hamilton from taking win 101. TC and Pinks dive into how he did it with Mercedes’ Andrew Shovlin, who explains the driving skills and secrets Hamilton used to chase down Max Verstappen and take the win. Plus, the inside story of Lewis’ DRS infringement, and why the race win has transformed the team’s championship hopes. Also on the show: Felipe Massa tells us why he thinks Max Verstappen is ‘ready to win’ the 2021 world title, and - after hours of driving it in the simulator - Red Bull’s Alex Albon gives his take on Qatar’s Losail International Circuit, and whether it will suit his team or the Silver Arrows best. This episode is sponsored by: manscaped.com - get 20% off + free shipping with the code F1NATION missionuk.com - get 20% off your next order with the code NATION20 at checkout

16 Nov 202151min

It’s an F1 Nation fiesta, recorded at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Tom Clarkson, Damon Hill and Ziggo TV’s Jack Plooij crash Red Bull’s post-race party. Sergio Perez and his father Antonio, Christian Horner, Adrian Newey and Alex Albon all stop by to celebrate a fantastic weekend for the team, which saw Max Verstappen extend his championship lead and Checo take a podium in front of his delirious home crowd. It’s not all Red Bull, though. The gang pick through the race start, Pierre Gasly’s sensational P4, Ferrari’s great weekend and ask whether Mercedes can do anything to close the gap in the final four races of the season. Speaking of which, F1’s Rosanna Tennant returns to the podcast to tell us about her sneak peek at Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Corniche Circuit. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask the 96 World Champ, record it as a voice memo and send it to askdamonhill@gmail.com This episode is sponsored by LinkedIn Jobs. Post a job for free at linkedin.com/f1nation

9 Nov 202140min

Max Verstappen heads for Mexico’s cauldron of noise leading the championship. Will he extend his points lead, or can Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton hit back? Joining TC and Natalie to debate that and much more is former Jordan, Ferrari and Williams engineer, Rob Smedley. Rob’s an F1 data expert and can tell us whether Red Bull or Mercedes will be quicker at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. As a championship battle veteran and former race engineer, which title contender’s pitwall would Rob rather be sitting on in the final races of the season? Plus, might Red Bull ask Sergio Perez to play the team game, and give up a chance of victory at his home race? This episode is sponsored by Manscaped - visit manscaped.com  and get 20% off + free shipping with the code F1NATION

2 Nov 202136min

After F1’s pulsating return to the USA, Max Verstappen has a 12 point lead in the title race. Damon Hill says Verstappen now has ‘two fingers on the trophy’, but as the 1996 champ knows, it’s not over until it’s over! Damon, Natalie Pinkham and Tom Clarkson give their take on a tense tussle in Texas and answer F1’s burning questions: why did Mercedes' apparent Friday pace not win them the race on Sunday, what was the key to Red Bull’s aggressive race-winning strategy, and how thirsty would Sergio Perez have been after a Grand Prix with no drink system? Plus reaction to the amazing Austin atmosphere, Ferrari’s tight fight with McLaren, Alonso’s dice with Kimi, the finale of W Series and the amazing sight of NBA star Shaquille O’Neal towering above the F1 podium. This episode is sponsored by:  sons.co.uk  -  use the code F1NATION30 to get £30 off your first order  Linkedin Jobs - go to linkedin.com/f1nation to post a job for free

26 Okt 202147min

Mario Andretti -1978 Formula 1 World Champion and motorsport legend - joins Tom Clarkson and Damon Hill to look ahead to the 2021 United States Grand Prix. Who better than two title-winners to debate whether Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton are better equipped to win in Austin and take command in the championship fight? Mario picks his stars of the 2021 F1 grid and explains why he thinks IndyCar sensation Colton Herta has what it takes to join them one day. Plus, memories of Andretti’s championship win, how he raced Damon’s father Graham at the Indy 500 and what it was like to race against the F1 titans of the 1970s. Calling all F1 fans from Austin to Auckland to Abu Dhabi! If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask the 96 World Champ, record it as a voice memo and send it to askdamonhill@gmail.com   This episode is sponsored by: sons.co.uk use the code F1NATION30 to get £30 off your first order manscaped.com - get 20% off + free shipping with the code F1NATION

19 Okt 202145min

Mark Webber joins TC and Natalie for a deep dive into the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix. Webber won nine times with Red Bull during his career, but he thinks his old team will have to pull out all the stops if Max Verstappen is to beat Lewis Hamilton to this year’s World Championship. Webber’s here for the big questions from the race: why did Hamilton stay out so long on his worn tyres, have Ferrari hit back against McLaren, what was Mark’s former teammate Sebastian Vettel thinking when he gambled on slicks, and how does the Fernando Alonso of 2021 compare to the driver Webber went wheel-to-wheel with? Plus Mark puts his ‘driver representative’ hat on to reveal how he’s trying to help Formula 2 championship leader Oscar Piastri make the jump to F1. This episode is sponsored by: sons.co.uk use the code F1NATION30 to get £30 off your first order manscaped.com - get 20% off + free shipping with the code F1NATION

12 Okt 202139min

He’ll be back on the grid with Williams in 2022 – but until then Alex Albon is flat out trying to help Red Bull prevail not only in the Turkish Grand Prix but the 2021 World Championship fight too. Alex joins TC and Damon for an in-depth chat about his Red Bull sim work, what he’s learned in his year away from F1 racing, how it feels to be replacing his mate George Russell at Williams, how the 2022 cars feel in the sim and his championship predictions. Plus, how lost passport drama struck Alex as he headed to sign his new F1 deal… This episode is sponsored by: sons.co.uk use the code  F1NATION25 to get £25 off your first order manscaped.com - get 20% off + free shipping with the code F1NATION

5 Okt 202141min