The Race F1 Podcast

It's a news bonanza on the mid-week episode of The Race F1 Podcast as Edd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm and special guest Christian Menath from German outlet Motorsport Magazin to unpack several big stories. The first is the shock news that Formula 1 will have a new race director from the Las Vegas Grand Prix as Niels Wittich has stepped down with immediate effect. We discuss what's behind his sudden departure, and Christian explains why there's more to it than the FIA's statement lets on. Next Dan Fallows' impending departure from his Technical Director role at Aston Martin is discussed, before talk turns to rumours that Sauber owners Audi are looking to sell a stake in the team. But who to, and why? And the episode is rounded out with talk about the big shake-up to F1 launch season, with a joint launch event set to take place at London's O2 Arena in February. Edd, Scott and Christian explain why this is happening before turning their attention to Alpine, following the confirmation that the Enstone team will use Mercedes power units (as taking gearboxes and rear suspension) from 2026. Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, with the title fight now effectively settled in Max Verstappen's favour, Edd Straw, Mark Hughes and Ben Anderson discuss what Lando Norris needs to do to move from regular race winner to real championship challenger in 2025. They also look at the collision course Mohammed Ben Sulayem appears to be on with Formula 1’s drivers after the FIA president's clampdown on swearing was met with a firm and united rebuke from the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA). There's also chat about Mercedes' recent form, plus we hear the thoughts of the author Matt Whyman, who recently spent a season-and-a-half embedded within the Silver Arrows' set-up for his revealing new book Inside Mercedes F1: Life In The Fast Lane (published by Penguin Random House, and available now at all good booksellers). And finally, Edd, Mark and Ben answer another batch of questions sent in by The Race Members' Club. Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Edd Straw and Scott Mitchell-Malm as they discuss Audi/Sauber's decision to sign F2 championship-leader Gabriel Bortoleto to partner Nico Hulkenberg for 2025 and beyond, in the process saying goodbye to Valtteri Bottas, who for a long time looked favourite to retain his seat. Amongst other things, they discuss why Audi/Sauber have opted for youth over experience, whether there's a risk with Bortoleto beginning his F1 career in uncompetitive machinery, why McLaren were happy to let the talented Brazilian go to another team, and what all this means for Bottas' F1 career. Plus, with Zhou Guanyu also out of a drive, they ask what's next for the Chinese driver. Want extra podcast content and to ask questions on the show? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace - we even have an F1-only tier! Get your 2025 calendar from The Race Shop! Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're dropping a little bonus audio into your feed in between episodes of The Race F1 Podcast, as an example of the type of extra content that's available to those in The Race Members' Club on Patreon. Earlier this week, we asked members on Patreon to leave questions and comments about Edd Straw's Brazilian GP driver rankings, with the aim of giving people a better idea about the process Edd goes through in formulating them (and to hold him to account for all the things he got wrong, of course!). So here's 20 minutes or so of Edd working through questions, having deliberately chosen not to look at them in advance so you get his 'live' reaction to what was being put to him. If you like what you hear and would like more content like this, including our F1 Extra and Book Club bonus podcasts, ad-free versions of The Race's other shows, merchandise discounts and much more, head to Patreon.com/therace to join the ultimate community for motor racing fans: The Race Members' Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices