Tom Clarkson is joined in the paddock by F1TV expert and IndyCar race winner, James Hinchcliffe, to reflect on the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Lando Norris converted pole position to take his first Grand Prix victory of the season and his first as a World Champion. Why was Lando back on top in Budapest? Is he driving better this year than last year when he won the title? And can he now regularly fight with Mercedes and Ferrari to defend that title in 2026?

Max Verstappen was pleasantly surprised to finish P2 and secure his third podium in the last four races. So how did Max end up on the rostrum? And what did Tom and Hinch think of his incredible overtake of Lewis Hamilton on lap 16? 

It was another mixed weekend for Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli climbed from seventh on the grid to third, extending his championship lead further, while George Russell suffered an anti-stall issue at the start before fighting back for a points finish. How different will Kimi and George’s mindsets be going into the summer break?

Plus, the guys discuss a missed opportunity for Ferrari and a much better weekend for Aston Martin, whose upgrades helped Fernando Alonso reach Q2 for the first time this season.

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Neck training, positive energy and Belgian mussels are on the menu as Red Bull Test and Reserve Driver Yuki Tsunoda joins Christian Hewgill on stage in Belgium.

Yuki answers questions from F1 Explains listeners about why F1 drivers need to be physically fit, the advice he'd give his rookie self, what he learned from teammates including Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, and his favourite race weekend food.

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Thanks for listening to F1 Explains so far in 2026. We'll be back after the summer break

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With chassis set to be more important than power unit at the Hungaroring, will Ferrari have a more competitive car than Mercedes in Budapest? If so, who will come out on top between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton? And could George Russell benefit as he looks to close his 50-point gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli?

F1 correspondent and presenter Lawrence Barretto joins Tom Clarkson in the paddock to answer the key questions ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. 

Tom and Lawrence also discuss what we can expect from the big upgrades Aston Martin are bringing to this race and how they could shape Fernando Alonso’s decision on his future. Plus, will McLaren and Red Bull be in the mix for victory?

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Tom Clarkson is joined by race-winner Kimi Antonelli, F1TV lead presenter Laura Winter and two-time Le Mans podium finisher Alex Brundle to review the Belgian Grand Prix. 

Kimi converted pole to secure his sixth win of the season and move 45 points clear at the top of the World Championship. 12 months on from last year’s Belgian Grand Prix, one of his most challenging weekends of the 2025 season, how has the 19-year-old made such an incredible transformation?  

Kimi joins us in the Mercedes motorhome to reflect on his victory and a close fight with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.  

You’ll also hear reaction from George Russell, whose DNF after a collision with Lewis Hamilton on lap 1 leaves him 50 points adrift of Antonelli. What do the guys make of that incident, the comments George has made about his car’s problems and where he goes from here? 

Tom, Laura and Alex also discuss how surprised they were by Ferrari’s pace, Max Verstappen’s third podium of the season, and whether Lando Norris could have won without his grid penalty.
 
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How do drivers enable Overtake mode and active aero? What’s the secret to a quick flying lap? And how do they know when to launch on a practice race start?

Williams' Carlos Sainz and Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto join Christian Hewgill in the F1 paddock to answer your questions about Formula 1.

You’ll also hear how they find the perfect balance between clean and dirty air when following another car, their race weekend routine and whether everyday normal driving in road cars has any impact on their racing.

Plus, Gabi puts an end to the podcast's pasta-based controvesry, and Carlos responds to a claim made by his manager and cousin Carlos Onoro on a recent episode.

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Tom Clarkson is joined by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe to preview this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Having failed to score points in two of the last three Grands Prix due to car problems, Kimi Antonelli has seen his championship lead cut from 66 points to just 25. So what is the biggest threat to Kimi’s hopes of becoming World Champion this year? His teammate George Russell, Ferrari or Mercedes’ reliability issues?

On a recent episode, Jolyon suggested that Ferrari need to back Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc if they’re to fight Mercedes for the title. After Leclerc’s victory at Silverstone, has his opinion changed?

The guys also discuss an ‘upset’ Max Verstappen, why things could get ‘spicy’ at Racing Bulls, and Carlos Sainz’s reaction to a disappointing weekend for Williams at the British Grand Prix.

You’ll also hear their podium predictions for Spa and how wet weather could mix things up.

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How has F1 changed since Damon Hill won the World Championship? What happened to make him report rival Michael Schumacher to the stewards? Why does he share an unusual car number record?

30 years after his title-winning season, Damon joins Christian Hewgill on stage at the British Grand Prix to answer these questions and more from F1 Explains listeners.

Lyndsey from Maine and Toby from Manchester ask Damon about making his F1 debut relatively late in life, and what his former team Williams need to do to return to the front of the grid.

F1 Explains LIVE at the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix
Special guest Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Reserve Driver
F1 Fanzone Stage | 1025 am | Friday 17th July
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Tom Clarkson is joined by F1TV commentary duo, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and lead commentator Alex Jacques, to reflect on a dramatic British Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc capitalised on more misfortune for championship leader Kimi Antonelli to take his first victory since Austin in 2024. After such a difficult run of races, why was he back to his best and how significant is this win for Charles?

Reliability issues mean Antonelli has seen his championship lead cut from 66 points to just 25 over the last three rounds, but is he leaving Silverstone happier than George Russell despite the Brit taking home P2 and closing the gap to Kimi? Jolyon, Alex and Tom share their thoughts on George’s continuing struggles against his teammate and the team radio message from Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff at the end of the race. 

Plus, the guys discuss why Lewis Hamilton might be ‘scratching his head’ despite securing a fourth podium finish of the season and gaining more ground on Antonelli.

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What makes one Formula 1 driver faster than another? How does an F1 team work out when and where to bring upgrades to their car? What happens when one team thinks an opponent has broken the rules? How do the 11 F1 Constructors vary in size? And what difference does that make to performance?

Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu welcomes Christian Hewgill into his motorhome office at Silverstone to answer your questions about Formula 1. 

DAMON HILL JOINS F1 EXPLAINS LIVE AT THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX

1996 World Champion Damon Hill will be joining Christian on the Silverstone main stage at 1020 BST on Saturday 4th July, so come along and watch if you’re at the race!

Tom Clarkson and F1TV Lead Commentator Alex Jacques look ahead to F1 Sprint and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Will Mercedes' George Russell win in front of his home crowd to close the championship gap? Can Kimi Antonelli hit the ground running on an F1 Sprint weekend and return to the top step of the podium? Will the upgraded Red Bull allow Max Verstappen to challenge for victory on Silverstone's fast corners and long straights?

After Ferrari's 'reality check' in Austria, will Silverstone suit their car better? Tom and Alex also discuss how Racing Bulls have become regular points-scorers.

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Lando Norris on F1 Beyond The Grid
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Tom Clarkson is joined in the Red Bull Ring paddock by F1TV experts James Hinchcliffe and Alex Brundle to analyse the Austrian Grand Prix.

George Russell got back to winning ways for the first time since the season-opener in Australia. He retakes second place in the championship standings, reducing the gap to leader Kimi Antonelli to 40 points. How did George overcome the threat of Max Verstappen in the Red Bull? What does this win mean for his title challenge? And how impressive was his racing IQ to take pole position?

On the other side of the garage, Kimi Antonelli overcame a tricky start and brake issues to finish third. But with George taking 28 points out of his lead over the last two races, how will Kimi be feeling about his own title hopes?

Verstappen secured his best result of the season with P2, so why was he back in contention at the front and does this mean he’ll be consistently competitive going forward?

Plus, the guys discuss a frustrating race for Ferrari after winning last time out in Barcelona and whether pressure is building on McLaren having also been off the pace in Spielberg.

This episode is sponsored by:

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