Amid the talk of Max Verstappen heading to Aston Martin in 2026, we address the rumours in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. 

In a follow-up recording to the live shows we recently staged in London and Birmingham, we tackle some of the vast number of questions we received from the audience - including one about the reigning world champion’s future. 

We also discuss other aspects of Aston Martin’s rise, including the influence of Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell over driver decisions and Lance Stroll’s future. 

Other topics include how Lewis Hamilton will handle Ferrari politics, why Red Bull eschewed Carlos Sainz and whether Andrea Stella could have had the same impact on Alpine as he has on McLaren.

We also ask how clearcut the decision was for Gabriel Bortoleto to sign for Sauber, what qualifies as success for Audi, the reasons for the expected increased field spread under the new regulations next year and much more.

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace

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Lewis Hamilton momentous first week at Maranello at the start of his Ferrari adventure is the focus of the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. 

Scott Mitchell-Malm and Jonathan Noble join Edd Straw to ask how the impact of his first Ferrari test compares with debuts in history, and what it says about just how big a story Hamilton’s move to Maranello is. 

We also run through what Hamilton has been doing at Maranello, both behind the wheel on off track, in preparation for his first season in red.

We also take questions from The Race Members’ Club covering the value of the Fiorano test and how simulator running can be used in preparation, as well as what to expect from Hamilton’s steering wheel.

There’s a look at what operational differences Hamilton will face at Ferrari compared to Mercedes, and what is challenging about adapting to this unique team.

The battle between Hamiton and team-mate Charles Leclerc, and their driving styles, plus how this move might impact the seven-times world champion’s legacy are also among the topics.

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace

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Edd Straw is joined by Samarth Kanal and Scott Mitchell-Malm to discuss F1's rookie class of 2025.

Can Mercedes new boy Kimi Antonelli live up to the sky-high expectations? And why is there so much excitement about a driver who only finished sixth in Formula 2 last year?

Ollie Bearman has impressed in a handful of F1 races already, but how will he get on now he's with Haas full time?

The potential for Jack Doohan's Alpine stint to be cut short by the presence of Franco Colapinto is also looked into, along with the prospects of F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber. 

And with Red Bull promoting Liam Lawson - who we don't consider a rookie given his 11 starts over two seasons - the chances of the fifth and final 2025 rookie - Isack Hadjar - making good on his promise amid question marks about his approach are also evaluated. 

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon - we even have an F1-only tier! Head to Patreon.com/therace

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We answer your questions on a variety of topics, including what will be different for Lewis Hamilton in life at Ferrari and when the seven-time world champion have his first day at Maranello. 

Jon Noble and Mark Hughes join Edd Straw to answer questions sent in by The Race Members' Club, including one on Spa's new deal to become a rotation race, and another on how we go about following races when covering F1. 

We also pick out which driver who dropped off the grid in 2024 is most likely to make a comeback and ask if the 'Pink Mercedes' Racing Point car of 2020 should have won more races. 

There's a look back at Michael Schumacher's three-year return to F1, an appraisal of Red Bull's prospects when it's new power unit is introduced next year and much more.

LAST CHANCE: The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows:

London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets

Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace

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Aston Martin's reshuffle at the top of the team is the focus of the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast. 

Samarth Kanal joins Edd Straw to explain why Andy Cowell has taken over as team principal and what it means for the team's way of working. 

We discuss the new roles of Mike Krack (who previously held the role) and Tom McCullough, as well as the wider changes being made to allow Aston Martin to live up to its potential. 

And with Adrian Newey arriving in March, Honda engines powering the car next year as well as Enrico Cardile coming in as chief technical officer, we discuss whether the latest round of changes will allow the team to fulfil its prodigious potential.

LAST CHANCE: The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows:

London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets

Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace

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We explain Franco Colapinto's move to Alpine as test and reserve driver and what it might mean for Jack Doohan in the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast. 

Scott Mitchell-Malm joins Edd Straw to unravel the interestingly-worded deal, and discuss how it fits into Alpine's plans for the future. 

The question of how Alpine's other newly-announced test and reserve driver Ryo Hirakwa fits in with Colapinto - not to mention Paul Aron, who was signed as a reserve driver late last year.

And with Doohan's seat clearly under threat, we ask what his chances of seeing out the season are, and what he needs to do to prove to Alpine he's the driver it needs for the longer-term.

LAST CHANCE: The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows:

London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets

Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace

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We look ahead to the possibility of an unprecedented world championship fight in 2025 on the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.

Edd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm and The Race's new recruit Jon Noble to run through the factors that could potentially make this one of the closest F1 seasons in history, and the factors that could swing it one way or another. 

We attempt to pick a favourite for both the drivers' and the constructors' championship, discussing where teams need to improve and where there are opportunities to steal a march on their rivals when it comes to the potential battle between McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes.

The thorny questions of the reducing raceability of the cars and the fact a major rule change is set to disrupt what has become a close competition at the front are also taken on.

The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows:

London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets

Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace

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For our first episode of 2025, Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes and special guest Nelson Valkenburg (Viaplay Netherlands Formula 1 commentator) to discuss the key battlegrounds that will be fought during the 2025 F1 season.

Included in our list are how Lewis Hamilton will fare against Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, whether Mercedes will solves its physics issue, how Verstappen versus Norris 2.0 might look, and more.

The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows:

London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets

Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace

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Edd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm and special guest Diego Mejia from Fox Sports Mexico and The Race en Español to discuss Red Bull confirming it is parting ways with Sergio Perez for 2025.

They explain why it has taken so long for this announcement to be made, given it has been expected for some time, why the partnership hasn't worked out, and whether this spells the end of Perez's F1 career.

They also discuss who is likely to replace Perez, why that announcement hasn't been made at the same time, and whether Red Bull will end up with the team-mate they need for Max Verstappen.

And finally, Diego gives us the Mexican perspective on Perez splitting with Red Bull - including the impact the decision could have on the Mexican Grand Prix.

The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage! Buy tickets to our live shows:

London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets

Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace

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It's time for our regular end of season episode, as Mark Hughes, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Ben Anderson join Edd Straw to countdown The Race's Top 10 F1 drivers of 2024.

As ever, we created our list by asking each of our guests to rank all of the drivers on the grid, with their scores then combined to produce a top 10. But which drivers made it in and who missed out? Are there any big surprises or will the top 10 mirror the drivers' championship standings?

Listen in to find out and then let us know on social media what you think!

The Race F1 Podcast is taking to the stage. Buy tickets to our live shows:

London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets

Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace

• Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop!
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Edd Straw is joined by Mark Hughes, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Samarth Kanal to discuss all the big talking points from the final race of the 2024 F1 season in Abu Dhabi, including McLaren defeating Ferrari to win its first constructors' title in 26 years.

They explain how Lando Norris was able to see off the threat of Carlos Sainz, discuss a pair of epic comeback drives by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, debate whether Max Verstappen's 10-second penalty for tangling with Oscar Piastri was justified, and much more.

Plus, the guys tackle a big batch of questions sent in by The Race Members' Club.

Buy tickets to our live shows:

London on 16th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-london-16th-jan-2025-tickets

Birmingham on 17th January - https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/the-race-f1-podcast-live-from-birmingham-17th-jan-2025-tickets

Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace

• Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop!
• Click here to register your interest in attending the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix in 2025
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• Check out our latest videos on YouTube
• Download our app on iOS or Android

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices