Verstappen’s new heights – Mexico City GP Review

High-speed overtakes, three different leaders, two safety cars, but only one winner. The streets of Las Vegas gave us one of the most thrilling races of 2023, as Max Verstappen overcame a five-second penalty to take his 18th win of the season.   From the heart of the Vegas paddock, Tom Clarkson is joined by Damon Hill and Natalie Pinkham to discuss Verstappen's victory, why polesitter Charles Leclerc missed out on the win and what the future holds for Sergio Perez after securing P2 in the Drivers' Championship.   Just four points now separate Mercedes and Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship battle for P2, so Ferrari ambassador Marc Gené and Mercedes’ Technical Director James Allison drop by to share their thoughts on who will come out on top at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.   Plus, you’ll hear from Esteban Ocon after his mega drive from P16 to P4, and Aston Martin Performance Director, Tom McCullough, on Lance Stroll’s incredible comeback from P19 to P5. This episode is sponsored by:  Uncommon Goods: to get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com/NATION. Don’t miss out on this limited time offer!

20 Nov 202337min

Whether it’s the impact of cold temperatures on tyres, the challenges of racing round a completely new track, or which teams are likely to be setting the pace, our expert analyst, Pedro de la Rosa, tells you everything you need to know ahead of this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. The former McLaren driver and Aston Martin Ambassador joins Tom Clarkson on F1 Nation to discuss all the big talking points as Formula 1 makes an eagerly-anticipated return to the city for the first time in 41 years. Plus, from a star-studded opening ceremony to a wedding chapel in the paddock, Las Vegas GP CEO, Renee Wilm, talks about the mesmerising sights and sounds fans can expect to experience away from the racing. This episode is sponsored by: Shopify: sign up for a one-pound-per-month trial period at shopify.co.uk/nation eBay Motors: keep your ride alive at ebaymotors.com

13 Nov 202353min

Max Verstappen dominated the weekend in Sao Paulo, winning Saturday's F1 Sprint and taking a 17th Grand Prix victory of the season. Lando Norris took his seventh podium of 2023, and Fernando Alonso edged Sergio Perez to P3 by 53 thousandths of a second in a nail-biting finish across the line. From the heart of the Interlagos paddock, Tom Clarkson is joined by L’Equipe journalist, Fred Ferret, and newly-crowned Formula 3 champion, Gabriel Bortoletto, to discuss the São Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil. You’ll hear reaction from both Alonso and Norris, while Aston Martin Team Principal, Mike Krack, Mercedes’ Technical Director, James Allison, and Carlos Sainz all drop by for a post-race debrief. For in-depth interviews with F1's biggest stars, listen to F1 Beyond The Grid. To hear F1 experts explore how the sport really works, check out F1 Explains. This episode is sponsored by:  BetterHelp: our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com /f1nation. Uncommon Goods: to get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com/NATION

6 Nov 202344min

Max Verstappen claimed a record-breaking 16th victory of the season, Sergio Perez crashed out, Lewis Hamilton produced a tyre management masterclass to take second, Lando Norris completed a mega comeback from P17 to P5, and Daniel Ricciardo secured his first points since returning to F1. The Mexico City Grand Prix certainly lived up to expectations. Tom Clarkson is joined by Natalie Pinkham and former Sauber and Haas driver, and current Mercedes Ambassador, Esteban Gutiérrez, to dissect the main talking points from inside the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez paddock. You’ll also hear reaction from Verstappen, Perez, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Charles Leclerc, McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella and Aston Martin Performance Director, Tom McCullough. Play F1 Fantasy and join the F1 Nation World Championship to compete against us and other listeners. Go to F1.com/fantasy to sign up for free.

30 Okt 202352min

Max Verstappen reached a half century of victories in Formula 1, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified due to a technical infringement on their cars, and Marta García became the inaugural F1 Academy champion. Austin had it all. Tom Clarkson is joined by Damon Hill and Tim Mayer, Chairman of the FIA stewards, to reflect on a thrilling weekend of action at the United States Grand Prix. The trio assess one of Max’s most hard-fought victories, what positives Mercedes can take from their improvements despite Hamilton losing his P2, another McLaren podium and an eventful race for Aston Martin. As well as Verstappen, you’ll hear from George Russell, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Valtteri Bottas and Haas Team Principal, Guenther Steiner. Plus, Tom speaks to Marta García to find out what the Spaniard’s F1 Academy success means for her future. Play F1 Fantasy and join the F1 Nation World Championship to compete against us and other listeners. Go to F1.com/fantasy to sign up for free.

23 Okt 202358min

Max Verstappen’s best win? His most satisfying qualifying? The race he felt most pressure in? Ahead of the US Grand Prix in Austin this weekend, Tom Clarkson and Damon Hill discuss the standout moments from the triple World Champion’s record-breaking season so far. Mercedes Technical Director, James Allison, joins the pod to share how the team are bouncing back from the collision between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in Qatar. Also on the agenda: Daniel Ricciardo’s return for AlphaTauri at the Circuit of the Americas, the title-deciding final round of F1 Academy, and we hear from US Grand Prix race promoter Bobby Epstein. Play F1 Fantasy and join the F1 Nation World Championship to compete against us and other listeners. Go to F1.com/fantasy to sign up for free. This episode is sponsored by:  Shopify: sign up for a one-pound-per-month trial period at shopify.co.uk/nation eBay Motors: keep your ride alive at ebaymotors.com

16 Okt 202357min

Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Jackie Stewart, Nelson Piquet, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, and now, Max Verstappen. The Dutchman joins an elite club of triple Formula 1 World Champions after wrapping up his third title in a row at the Qatar Grand Prix. From the heart of the paddock at the Lusail International Circuit, Tom Clarkson is joined by Sam Power, from Channel 10 in Australia, and Aston Martin Driver Ambassador, Jessica Hawkins, to reflect on the standout moments from Max’s latest triumph. Verstappen tells Tom where this title ranks among his others, whilst we also hear from his manager Raymond Vermeulen and Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner. F1 Sprint winner Oscar Piastri joins the pod after McLaren’s best weekend of the season and we discuss the first-corner collision between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

9 Okt 202347min

Max Verstappen has the chance to make even more history in Qatar, by becoming the first driver to be crowned World Champion in an F1 Sprint race. Tom Clarkson, Natalie Pinkham and Pedro de la Rosa explain how the Dutchman can wrap up his third title this weekend. The trio also discuss whether Max will help his teammate Sergio Perez finish second in the driver standings, the competition between George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, and which teams can take the fight to Red Bull in 2024. This episode is sponsored by:  BetterHelp: visit betterhelp.com/f1nation today to get 10% off your first month

2 Okt 202354min