F101 podcast

Baku is back, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned about this race, it’s that absolutely NOTHING is safe.In this episode of F101, we’re heading to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and breaking down everything you need to know before the lights go out. We look back at the chaos of the 2025 Baku GP, where Max Verstappen dominated, Carlos Sainz scored a shock Williams podium, and Oscar Piastri discovered that championship leaders and Turn 5 do not always get along.Then we get into the 2026 championship battle. Kimi Antonelli has built a serious points lead, but with 233 points still available, the maths says the title fight is very much alive. We break down who can still catch him, what Baku could do to the championship, and which teams could be fighting at the sharp end this weekend.And because F1 never waits for one season to finish before starting the next one, we’re also diving into the 2027 driver market. Who is confirmed, who is still negotiating, and why are we once again looking at Esteban Ocon and asking… mate, what is happening?Listen now and get race-ready for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Madrid is officially on the Formula 1 calendar, and the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix is bringing us a brand-new circuit, a brand-new challenge, and possibly the strangest track shape in F1.In this episode of F101, we head to the Madring for the first ever Formula 1 race in Madrid. We break down how this new Spanish Grand Prix came to be, why Carlos Sainz is the perfect ambassador for his home race, and how Madrid’s circuit somehow looks like Elvis Presley — pompadour, eyes, nose, chin and all.We take you on a full hot lap of the Madring, corner by corner.Then we get into the important stuff: the 2026 Pirelli tyre allocation, Madrid’s September weather, what the new circuit could mean for the teams and drivers, and why the lack of previous race data makes this weekend such an intriguing one.Welcome to Madrid.Follow F101 for more beginner-friendly Formula 1 breakdowns, race previews, F1 news, track guides and all the chaos in between.

The Temple of Speed is calling.The 2026 Italian Grand Prix is here, and this week on F101 we’re heading to Monza for one of the most iconic races on the Formula 1 calendar.Kevin is joined by Nisha and Aswathy to break down everything you need to know before lights out at the Italian GP — the slipstream battles and our favourite race moments to the unique challenge of the Monza circuit.We take you on a full hot lap of the Temple of Speed, from the Variante del Rettifilo and Curva Grande through the Lesmos and Variante Ascari, all the way to the legendary Parabolica. We also explain why Monza is so dependent on low drag, straight-line speed, heavy braking and slipstream battles — and how the 2026 cars and their new Boost button could change the racing.Then we get into the big stories heading into the Italian Grand Prix. Alpine have confirmed Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto for 2027, with Colapinto finally getting the major upgrade package that Gasly debuted at Zandvoort. Kimi Antonelli faces a grid penalty at his home race after Mercedes fits a new power unit, setting up a potentially huge recovery drive for the championship leader.We also look at Ferrari's home-race pressure, Lewis Hamilton's chances of making an impact in red, Lando Norris and McLaren's recent momentum and what all of this could mean for the championship.Plus, we talk tyres, track evolution, the Monza weather forecast and, of course, make our podium predictions.If you're looking for an Italian Grand Prix preview, 2026 F1 Monza predictions, a Monza circuit guide or simply want to know what to watch for this weekend, this episode has you covered.Listen to F101 on Spotify and get ready for the Temple of Speed.Follow us for more F1 race previews, Formula 1 news, predictions, memes and race-week chaos.

Formula 1 is BACK after the summer break — and we’re heading to Zandvoort for the final-ever Dutch Grand Prix.In this episode of F101, Aswathy, Nisha and Kevin preview the 2026 Dutch GP and everything you need to know about the Zandvoort circuit. Why is this the final Formula 1 race in the Netherlands? What makes Zandvoort such a unique F1 track? And can Max Verstappen give the Orange Army one final home victory?We break down the Zandvoort circuit, including the famous banked corners. We talk about the sand from the Dutch dunes, the narrow layout, overtaking, tyre strategy and the unpredictable Dutch weather.This is also the FIRST and LAST F1 Sprint at Zandvoort, meaning the drivers return from the summer break with just one practice session before Sprint Qualifying. Perfect recipe for chaos.We revisit the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix, including Oscar Piastri’s win, Lando Norris’ heartbreak, Charles Leclerc getting stranded in the dunes and Isack Hadjar’s first F1 podium.And there’s plenty more: summer-break gossip, all the re-signings, Cadillac’s team principal change, Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury, Liam Lawson’s return, Yuki Tsunoda’s comeback, F1 tyre strategy and our Dutch GP podium predictions.One final Zandvoort. One final Dutch Grand Prix. One last party for the Orange Army.Welcome back to F101 — your beginner-friendly Formula 1 podcast without the gatekeeping.Instagram - @thisisF101 OR https://www.instagram.com/thisisf101/Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisIsF101/

The first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season is officially in the books, which means it’s time for the most important academic exercise of the year: the F1 mid-season report card.Who’s getting an A? Who needs summer school? And who has spent the first half of the season staring at the exam paper wondering where all the answers went?We’re grading every team from Mercedes to Cadillac, looking at the cars, the upgrades, the reliability, the race-day execution and, most importantly, the teammate battles. Who’s winning qualifying? Who’s converting it into points on Sunday? And which rookies are already making their more experienced teammates look over their shoulders?Mercedes have been consistently at the sharp end, Ferrari have the pace but the eternal frustration of not quite putting it all together, Red Bull are still asking Max Verstappen to perform miracles, and McLaren might be the most frustrating case of all: a car with championship-winning potential that keeps finding ways not to finish the exam.Further down the grid, Racing Bulls have quietly emerged as the midfield benchmark, Alpine are dealing with reliability headaches, Williams are waiting for their big upgrade push, and Aston Martin are basically betting their entire second half on one giant package.And Cadillac? They’re still figuring out where the classroom is.Grab your imaginary red pen and join us for the 2026 F1 Mid-Season Report Card — grades, teammate battles, surprises, disappointments and plenty of completely unbiased teacher's opinions.Because in F1, apparently even the summer break comes with homework.Instagram - @thisisF101 OR https://www.instagram.com/thisisf101/Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisIsF101/

One more race before Formula 1 heads into the summer break, and we're off to the Hungaroring for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix.This week, Nisha, Kevin and special guest Aditi preview one of the most technical circuits on the Formula 1 calendar with the most gorgeous trophy. We revisit the dramatic 2025 race, where McLaren's bold strategy split Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, Max's struggles and the surprising Gabi come back. We also take a hot lap around the Hungaroring, explain why it's called "Monaco without the walls", discuss the latest circuit changes, tyre strategy, weather, and why qualifying matters more here than almost anywhere else. Whether you're new to Formula 1 or a long-time fan, this episode has everything you need to know before lights out in Budapest.

Pack your bags... we're going on a Spa Weekend.No, not the relaxing kind.This week we're heading to Spa-Francorchamps, one of the most legendary circuits in Formula 1 and a track that drivers consistently rank among their favourites. From the climb through Eau Rouge and Raidillon to the endless Kemmel Straight, Spa rewards bravery, punishes mistakes and somehow manages to have sunshine in one corner and thick fog in another.Before we even get to Belgium though, we have to address the elephant in the paddock... Silly Season.Is Max Verstappen really leaving Red Bull? Is Oscar Piastri actually considering a move? Why is Ollie Bearman suddenly being linked with Red Bull? And how many of these rumours will survive until Hungary?In this episode, Aswathy, Nisha and Kevin break down all the biggest talking points before previewing the Belgian Grand Prix. We revisit why Spa is so special, explain the new Straight-Line Mode zones on the 2026 cars, discuss tyre strategy, weather, championship implications and make our podium predictions.If you're new to Formula 1, this is the perfect race preview. And if you've been watching for years... you'll probably still learn why Kevin thinks Spa looks like a gunInstagram - @thisisF101 OR https://www.instagram.com/thisisf101/Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisIsF101/

This week we're heading to the home of Formula 1 — Silverstone — for the 2026 British Grand Prix Sprint Weekend.Kevin and Nisha break down everything you need to know before lights out. We revisit last year's emotional race where Nico Hülkenberg finally claimed his first Formula 1 podium, look back at Lewis Hamilton's incredible Silverstone record, and explain why this circuit remains one of the greatest challenges in motorsport.From our signature track analogy (yes, Silverstone looks like a Formula 1 driver wearing a cap and admiring his trophy) to a full hot lap through Copse, Maggotts, Becketts and Stowe, we cover the circuit, weather, tyre choices, home race pressure, McLaren and Williams' special liveries, and why F1 Academy racing at Silverstone is such a milestone.Whether you're new to Formula 1 or a lifelong fan, this is everything you need to know before the 2026 British Grand Prix.Instagram - @thisisF101 OR https://www.instagram.com/thisisf101/Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisIsF101/

The shortest lap on the Formula 1 calendar is here, but there's plenty to unpack.This week, Nisha, Kevin and Aswathy break down the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, from the rollercoaster elevation changes and Max Verstappen's "hand around a Red Bull can" track layout, to how the new 2026 cars could behave in Austria's thin mountain air.Before that, we dive into the FIA's latest controversy. Pierre Gasly's Monaco podium was taken away, given back, and is now at the centre of yet another appeal. What does this mean for Formula 1, and could we be heading into an era where lawyers become as important as race engineers?We also cover Ferrari and Red Bull's latest upgrades, why Williams are expecting a difficult weekend, Cadillac's ambitious plans, tyre strategy, weather, and of course, our podium predictions.Whether you're brand new to Formula 1 or you've been watching for years, this is your guide to the Austrian Grand Prix.Instagram - @thisisF101 OR ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thisisf101/⁠Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisIsF101https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-the-case-of-gaslys-podium-risks-creating-a-regulatory-labyrinth-with-no-fair-way-out/10831311/https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13555495/monaco-gp-mercedes-withdraw-appeal-of-pierre-gasly-podium-reinstatement-following-speeding-penalty-controversyhttps://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/mclaren-lodge-notification-of-appeal-against-gaslys-reinstated-monaco-podium.6m07WtVUneEAehU5nxctNthttps://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2026/austria https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ferrari-planning-new-fuel-engine-updates-austrian-gp/10831513/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/what-to-expect-and-what-not-to-from-red-bulls-austria-upgrade/10831436/https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1098948/1/alex-albon-makes-glum-williams-f1-prediction-austrian-gphttps://www.motorsportweek.com/2026/06/20/cadillac-sets-ambitious-f1-aim/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/what-tyres-will-the-teams-and-drivers-have-for-the-2026-austrian-grand-prix.2bhUStvp9xxGLpN2gvTeib https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/what-is-the-weather-forecast-for-the-2026-austrian-grand-prix.2TVNgkHQmZqNgF652EIbPO

Barcelona might be Formula 1's ultimate test track, but in 2026 it arrives with a little extra emotion.In this episode, Kevin and Aswathy head to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for what could be the track's final chapter as Spain's premier Formula 1 destination. From the famous "flexing triangle" layout to the corners that have exposed the strengths and weaknesses of F1 cars for decades, we break down everything you need to know before lights out.We revisit the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, including the Verstappen-Russell collision that became one of the season's defining moments, take a hot lap through Catalunya's iconic corners, discuss the latest team storylines, weather, tyres, and make our podium predictions for race weekend.Whether you're a long-time fan or just getting into Formula 1, this is your guide to the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix.Welcome to F101.