Essential F1 is a Formula One podcast hosted by Ben Edwards, a legendary F1 commentator, and Nicola Hume, a motorsport TV presenter. Between every race, they cut through the noise to deliver everything you need to know about the world of F1. The show features special guests from the sport, providing insights and analysis. It's aimed at both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts who want a concise yet comprehensive look at each Grand Prix weekend.
Episodes
S2 Ep23: Was The Brazilian Grand Prix The Best Race Of The Season?
Lando Norris was unstoppable once the slicks went on, Max Verstappen carved from 21st to second, and Mercedes clinched the Constructors' Championship. The Brazilian Grand Prix delivered again.Vicki Butler-Henderson stands in for Nicola this week, alongside the captain of the ship, F1 commentating legend Ben Edwards. They're joined by former Top Gear and The Grand Tour script writer and leading mo
S2 Ep22: Congratulations Kimi Antonelli. Is This Just The Beginning?
HISTORY MADE IN MEXICO CITY! Andrea Kimi Antonelli is the youngest Formula 1 World Champion ever at just 20 years old, sealing the title with a calm drive to third on the podium alongside Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Can he go on to match their achievements?Nicola and Ben are joined by BBC Radio 5 Live F1 reporter Rosanna Tennant, who has covered Kimi's rise all the way to the top. Together
S2 Ep21: Grande Kimi! Is Antonelli About To Become A Legend?
Kimi Antonelli has pole, a win in Austin and a title within touching distance. He only needs a top 9 finish in Mexico to become the youngest World Champion in F1 history. Is he a worthy champion, or have his rivals massively underachieved?Nicola and Ben are joined by F1 YouTuber, Talking Bull podcaster and TalkSport F1 correspondent Tommo McCluskey to break down a dramatic United States Grand Pri
S2 Ep20: Pole, Sprint and Win in Singapore. Are Red Bull Back?
Harry Benjamin stands in for Nicola this week and is joined by legendary F1 commentator Ben Edwards and Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours class winner Johnny Mowlem to break down a the Singapore Grand Prix and look ahead to the US GP in Austin! This week's talking points:Russell's nightmare weekend: A spin in the wet Sprint, a start from the back, then a fightback to 7th. Is 2026 turning into
S2 Ep19: Max Power! Verstappen Wins in the Wet as Russell's Title Hopes Die in Sepang | Bahrain GP Reaction
Max is back! Chaos in Sepang as Verstappen wins in the wetNicola Hume and legendary F1 commentator Ben Edwards react to a wild Bah-rain Grand Prix. They're joined by BTCC and Formula E presenter Nicki Shields.2026 cars in the rain: The first wet race for the new-spec cars caused trouble for Ferrari, Red Bull and more. Should the affected cars have been allowed to restart?2Max Attack: A vintage Ve
S2 Ep18: Did The Baku Curse Strike Again?
A race of three parts, carnage at turn one, and a podcast first — nobody scored a single prediction point!Nicola Hume is joined by F1 commentary legend Ben Edwards and special guest, former BBC F1 presenter Holly Samos, to unpack a wild weekend in Azerbaijan — plus look ahead to a long-awaited return to Sepang for the Bahrain Grand Prix (in Malaysia!). And make sure you listen to Holly's amazing
S2 Ep17: Lando Was ROBBED! Madrid GP Review with Vicki Butler-Henderson
Lando Norris was robbed thanks to the VSC.Nicola Hume and Ben Edwards unpack a disappointing Madrid Grand Prix, and they're joined by former racing driver and legendary motoring presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson to deliver her annual grades on the entire class of 2026 so far — every driver, every team, no hiding place!In this episode
Hamilton vs Verstappen at turn one: incident or advantage?
Could
S2 Ep16: Kimi Antonelli's Italian Job!
Ferrari Meltdown, Russell Robbed & Colin Furze Joins Us | Essential F1Grazie Monza! Sixty years of waiting, and Italy finally has a home winner again. Kimi Antonelli started P19 after a power unit grid penalty, made 25 overtakes, set the fastest lap and became the first Italian to win his home Grand Prix since 1966 — and the Tifosi absolutely lost it.Nicola Hume and the Godfather of F1 commen
S2 Ep15: 2 In A Row for Lando. Should Kimi Be Worried?
F1 is back — and Zandvoort sent itself off in style. 🇳🇱Nicola and Ben are joined by the legendary Louise Goodman to unpack a Dutch Grand Prix that had everything: a Russell sprint masterclass, Lando Norris making it two in a row, and Max Verstappen celebrating his shiny new Red Bull contract with a first-lap trip into the barriers.On the agenda this week:
Russell watch — sprint pole converted, s
S2 Ep14: Norris Beats Piastri in Budapest, Russell's Nightmare & Where Is Max Going?
Lando Norris wins in Budapest to become F1 2026's FIFTH different Grand Prix winner — and McLaren look like they're back in championship contention. Nicola and Ben are joined by F1 reporter and author Rachel Brookes to break down all the drama from the Hungaroring, tell us what really happened with Sky F1 and look ahead to Zandvoort.🟠 Papaya Rules Return — Oscar Piastri leads off the line only fo
S2 Ep13: George Russell 50 Points Adrift. Can Anyone Stop Kimi Antonelli?
George Russell's weekend went from bad to worse: slower than teammate Kimi Antonelli all weekend, punted off by Hamilton on lap one, and now 50 points adrift in the championship. Can he salvage his season before the summer break?Jennie Gow steps in for Nicola as she and Ben Edwards break down an absorbing Belgium Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli bags his sixth win of the season and looks utterly untouc
S2 Ep12: Leclerc FINALLY Wins, Verstappen Drama & FIA Under Fire
SILVERSTONE DELIVERED CHAOS AND WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT.The 2026 British Grand Prix had everything—a first-time winner, championship drama, controversial penalties, technical failures, and an FIA safety car decision that's got the whole paddock talking. This is Essential F1 Episode 11, and we're breaking down every moment.Kimi Antonelli came into Silverstone with a 25-point championship lead and
S2 Ep11: Russell FINALLY Wins, Antonelli's Chaotic First Lap & Verstappen's Red Bull BACK?
George Russell finally puts together a complete race weekend—and takes victory in Austria!After a rollercoaster season, Russell held off pressure from both Max Verstappen and championship leader Kimi Antonelli to claim a crucial win at the Red Bull Ring. But was he a bit lucky with those yellow flags in qualifying? And can he carry this momentum into his home race at Silverstone?In this episode,
S2 Ep10: Lewis Is BACK! Barcelona Drama, Leclerc's Struggles & Antonelli's Title Lead Under Threat
Lewis Hamilton is a Grand Prix winner again—and this time in Ferrari red!After 686 days without a victory, the seven-time world champion finally stood on the top step at Barcelona, finishing a massive 19 seconds clear of George Russell's Mercedes. But was it the Ferrari upgrades, the strategy, or something else entirely? We discuss.In this episode, Nicola Hume and Ben Edwards are joined by motori
S2 Ep9: Monaco Mayhem, Barcelona Preview & Le Mans with Mark Blundell
The Monaco Grand Prix delivered drama, heartbreak, and a pit lane speed gun having the weekend of its life. Nicola Hume and Ben Edwards are joined by F1 legend Mark Blundell to break down all the talking points from the streets of Monte Carlo.In this episode:🏎️ Tale of Two Red Bulls — Max's cruel luck versus Hadjar's breakthrough podium. Should Red Bull actually feel positive?🏎️ Ferrari Friction
S2 Ep8: Epic F1 Battles At The Canadian Grand Prix!
F1 delivered a brilliant weekend of racing at the legendary Circuit Gilles Villenueve in Montreal. The Canadian Grand Prix had driver battles, tyre strategy disasters, two legends back on the Podium and amazing marshalls. Joining Ben Edwards and Nicola Hume to dissect all the action from Montreal, is BBC & Sky F1 Commentator, Harry Benjamin. Plus we look ahead to the iconic Monaco Grand Prix
S2 Ep7: F1 Life Stories: Ayao Komatsu
As we have some time between the Miami GP and Canadian GP, we are filling the gap with an exclusive interview with Haas F1 Team Principal, Ayao Komatsu. We were honoured to be joined by Ayao to chat about his life in F1, how the Haas 2026 season is shaping up and so much more, including:
How to say Ayao Komatsu properly!
Haas F1 performance so far this season
Preparation for the 2026 Formula 1 sea
S2 Ep6: Miami Mayhem with Mercedes, McLaren and Max!
The 2026 F1 season is back with a dramatic race in Miami. It looks like the teams have been very busy, even if some of the drivers haven't! Kimi Antonelli become the first ever F1 driver to win his first three races from his first three pole positions and has definitely put George Russell in the shade. McLaren showed that they've still got it with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris both putting in st
S2 Ep5: Return Of The Mac! McLaren Are Back On The Podium. Have We Got A Championship Fight?
This year's Japanese Grand Prix was definitely more interesting than last year's. Kimi Antonelli's wins makes him the youngest driver to top the F1 leaderboard and puts George Russell in quite an awkward place. Great to see McLaren back on the podium after such a bad start to their season and does this mean that we have a Championship fight coming up, but what about Max Verstappen? Another weeken
S2 Ep4: Kimi's Antonelli's First Win and Lewis Hamilton Back On The F1 Podium. Could Charles Leclerc Have Joined Him?
Congratulations to F1's newest winner, Kimi Antonelli, who put in a blistering shift to win the Chinese GP. And he was joined on the podium by his team-mate George Russell, Bono and Lewis Hamilton who looked like a proud dad. Lewis said that it was some of the best racing he's ever experienced and Ferrari are back in form, but could they have had both cars on the podium rather than letting the dr
S2 Ep3: Has The Australian F1 Grand Prix Set The Pace For The Season?
Formula One returned for 2026 with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne. New Season and new rules set the scene for an interesting race from the the start. Joining Nicola Hume and Ben Edwards for the debrief is broadcaster and host of the BBC's F1: Back At Base, Holly Samos. Ferrari are back. Charles Leclerc on the podium, but could they have won? Welcome Arvin Lindblad. What a d
S2 Ep2: All The New F1 Tech Explained
With the biggest change in rules for years, there's a lot of new stuff to get our heads around for Formula One this season. Ben, Tommo and Vicki are here to tell you about all the tech including aero, energy recovery and boost.
S2 Ep1: We Are Back For Formula One 2026!
New Season. New Rules. New Studio! We are back with Essential F1 - the Formula 1 podcast that's essential for everybody who's into F1. The Oracle - Ben Edwards, is here to guide us through what will be a very interesting season, with the biggest set of rule changes in a generation. Joining Ben to discuss what pre-season testing has shown us and to run through all the teams, is @TommoMcCluskey an
S1 Ep26: Lando Norris Comes Out On Top! With Colin Furze
Congratulations to Lando Norris, the 10th British driver to become Formula 1 Champion.With the whole season coming down to the last race, Lando, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri were all in contention. All Lando needed to do was keep his cool, and that's exactly what he did to win the title and 2025 F1 Drivers' Championship. As it's last episode of Midweek F1 for the 2025 season we thought we'd ge
S1 Ep25: What Were McLaren Thinking?!
What a weekend at Lusail for the Qatar Grand Prix! McLaren had it in the bag, but what went wrong and what does this mean for the final race of the season? This is even more like a Hollywood F1 movie than the actual Hollywood F1 movie. Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen have all had an incredible 2025 season in their own way and any one of them could be crowned Formula 1 Champion this
S1 Ep24: All Shook Up In Las Vegas! With Tommo McCluskey
What a weekend in the desert of Nevada for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. McLaren F1 will certainly hope that what happened in Vegas stays in Vegas. Although it wasn't the most exciting race of the year, there's lots to talk about between now and next weekend in Qatar. Thanks to both McLaren's being disqualified, the Driver's Championship battle goes on. Could Max Verstappen achieve the seemi
S1 Ep23: Pitlane to Podium with Rachel Brookes
What a race weekend in Brazil, overtaking for fun, crashes and penalties! It looked like a clean start then turned into an early safety car, and the restart was bonkers with Piastri, Antonelli and Le Clerc going three wide, with Le Clerc out as a result. Then there was a virtual safety car, Max got a puncture and changed tyres, he then ripped through the field. Piastri got a 10 second penalty fo
S1 Ep22: Lando Norris Nicks The Win In Mexico! With Harry Benjamin
It's advantage Lando Norris as he leads the 2025 F1 Championship by 1 point after a fantastic race weekend in Mexico. And we've got not just one, but two voices of Formula 1 in the studio this week as we welcome back BBC 5Live and Sky commentator Harry Benjamin to join Ben Edwards and Nicola Hume. The Mexico GP was like a Rallycross race with so many people on the grass, and then lots of penalties
S1 Ep21: Sheriff Max Is Back In Town! With Holly Samos
The Cowboys were out in force for the United States Grand Prix in Austin this weekend and the Sheriff was most definitely Max Verstappen with a sprint race win followed by a Grand Prix victory. The drama started a day early in Austin with a first lap crash in the sprint race that took out both McLarens, compounded by Max winning again! Giving him a further 8 point swing in the championship. Then
S1 Ep20: The Singapore Grand Prix - Too Hot To Handle. With Richard Porter.
We are back after a hot and humid weekend in Singapore and we welcome back Mr Sniff Petrol himself, Richard Porter to the studio. It was every man for himself this weekend, with smooth George Russell sailing onto the podium and a well earned club sandwich, while Lando Norris went for the 'just push them out of the way' approach with both Max Verstappen and his own team mate Oscar Piastri. Just wha
S1 Ep19: Mission Impossible or Possible? With Christian Hewgill.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix threw the 2025 F1 play book out of the window with a record number of red flags during qualifying, a Williams on the front row, Liam Lawson in third and a terrible start from Oscar Piastri. Plus DRS trains, possible rain, poor pitstops but in front of it all was Max Verstappen taking his second victory in a row. Does this mean that McLaren should be worried? Joining F1 gu
S1 Ep18: The Fastest Grand Prix Ever!
What a weekend at the 2025 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen nails the fastest pole position lap of all time that looked unlikely up until Q3, Then some elbows out action at the first corner, Charles Leclerc nicks 3rd off Oscar Piastri, and they have a punchy battle, Rookies under achieving, rookie’s over achieving. Then throw in undercuts, overcut pit strategies, comings together for
S1 Ep17: Lando Norris Just Lost The F1 Championship with Jennie Gow
It was an incident packed race on the beach in Zandvoort for the Dutch Formuia One Grand Prix and after that Mclaren oil leak it looks like Lando Norris' F1 Championship has just gone up in smoke. Ferrari had a shocker as well, but we saw a rookie on the podium, with Isack Hadjar's third place. So much to discuss with this week's special guest, BBC 5 Live's Jennie Gow, who pulls no punches on what
S1 Ep16: Has Lewis Hamilton Had Enough?
Joining Ben Edwards, Nicola Hume and Producer Jim in the guest seat this week is F1 YouTuber and Nicola's Red Bull podcast co-host, Tom McCluskey, known to millions as Tommo. The Hungarian Grand Prix may not have been the most exciting race of the 2025 Formula One season, but there are plenty of things to discuss including Ferrari's horror show, Lando v Oscar, Alonso's Sunday driving, and whether
S1 Ep15: It's The Real 'Sonny Hayes' - Martin Donnelly!
Joining Ben and Nicola for the lowdown from the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa is Martin Donnelly, who is the inspiration for Brad Pitt's character, 'Sonny Hayes', in F1: The Movie.The Belgian Grand Prix weekend was an interesting one with lots of weather, safety car, and pit lane starts but did it all become a bit of a damp squib? Ben, Nicola and Producer Jim have lots to discuss including Oscar Piast
S1 Ep14: That Was A Great British Grand Prix! With Sky F1's Rachel Brookes
A home hero, the incredible Hulk and horrendous weather - the British Grand Prix had it all and delivered one of the best races of the season so far. F1 oracle, Ben Edwards, and Red Bull F1 presenter, Nicola Hume are joined by Sky F1 presenter Rachel Brookes to talk about all the major stories from Silverstone, including Nico Hulkenberg’s amazing first podium finish, Oscar Piastri’s 10 second pena
S1 Ep13: It's Kimi Raikkonen's Former Race Engineer Julien Simon-Chautemps!
Kimi Raikkonen's former F1 Race Engineer Julien Simon-Chautemps joins Ben Edwards and Nicola Hume on this week's episode of Midweek F1 to give his unique perspective on the Austrian Grand Prix. Lando Norris is now only 15 points behind Oscar Piastri in the Drivers Championship, so is Max Verstappen now too far away to challenge the McLaren pair for the Championship? What about the school boy erro
S1 Ep12: McLaren's Montreal Meltdown! With Nicki Shields
While Nicola is on a jolly at Le Mans, Claire Cottingham is back to join the guru Ben Edwards and our special guest, Formula E host, Nicki Shields to chat through a compelling Canadian F1 Grand Prix and take a look ahead to the Austrian GP. We have a fourth Grand Prix winner this season! Mr George Russell saw off early pressure from Max and controlled the race from the front. Meanwhile it was all
S1 Ep11: It's An F1 Bullfight In Barcelona with Colin Furze
Well that was quite some weekend in Spain to wrap up the triple header! So much to discuss, and while Ben Edwards is away, fellow F1 commentary voice Harry Benjamin joins Nicola Hume and YouTube legend and massive F1 fan, Colin Furze who is back in the guest seat to chat through all the major talking points including:-Turn One-Return of the Hulk-What happened after the safety car?!-Should Max Vers
S1 Ep10: Was Monaco Really An F1 Race with Ben Collins
The tame racing driver who never speaks has plenty to say in this week's episode as Ben Collins joins Ben Edwards and NIcola Hume to discuss the jewel in the F1 crown - Monaco. But was it really a great race or just a 78 lap drivers' parade? Plus he shares a great story about Jeremy Clarkson that he probably shouldn't be telling us. Probably the biggest first corner of the year in terms of potenti
S1 Ep9: Action Packed Imola and Driver Exam Grades with Vicki Butler Henderson!
It's exam season, and after an action-packed Formula One race weekend in Italy, Vicki Butler-Henderson is back in the guest chair, armed with her big red pen and some exam results for all the drivers and teams so far this season. Some of her grades may well surprise you, so feel free to leave your own F1 grades in the comments! Ben and Nicola also have plenty to discuss from Imola including:Max Ve
S1 Ep8: Sniff F1 with Richard Porter
What a weekend! So much to talk about from the first corner tussle that probably cost Lando Norris the race, to Lewis Hamilton's tea-break and the star that was born in Miami. And as if that wasn't enough our special guest this week is Mr Sniff Petrol, Richard Porter who has some fascinating F1 stories to share. Plus we look ahead to Imola. Nicola is on a jolly in Paris, so Claire Cottingham sits
S1 Ep7: Arabian Nights and Miami Preview with Jennie Gow
This week everyone is working from home as it is a holiday weekend, but the racing doesn't stop and Jeddah provided the backdrop to some heat in the desert for the Saudi GP along with an appearance from F1's latest A-list fan, Jennifer Lopez. Joining Ben Edwards and Nicola Hume to chat through the weekend is BBC 5 Live's Jennie Gow. We also take a look ahead to the Miami GP with some interesting p
S1 Ep6: How Not To Be A Racing Driver with Jason Plato
Bahrain did not disappoint and it might just be BTCC Champion and Legend, Jason Plato's favourite new race. He joins Ben Edwards and Nicola Hume to give us some really interesting thoughts on the F1 grid from a racing driver's perspective and shares his predictions for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix this coming weekend. Plus he's been in Enzo Ferrari's legendary apartment and shares the very unique i
S1 Ep5: Two For The Price of One with Harry Benjamin!
This week we have not just one, but two of the voices of F1 together as BBC 5 Live commentator Harry Benjamin joins Ben Edwards and Nicola Hume in the Midweek F1 studio to take a look back at Suzuka. Was it a McLaren mistake that handed Max victory and what is Nicola's 20,000 Euro question? Plus we'll take a look ahead to Bahrain and Harry tells us why he thinks it's going to be like 2014 all over
S1 Ep4: F1 Shanghai Surprise! with Louise Goodman
What a weekend in China! You literally win some and lose some! Joining Ben Edwards and Nicola Hume this week is motorsport television presenter and journalist Louise Goodman. Louise has been in the sport a long time and knows everybody. In fact her old boss was Eddie Jordan and she shares a couple of great stories that could only have happened to EJ! We take a look ahead to Suzuka which is shaping
S1 Ep3: Melbourne's F1 Curse Strikes Again! With Colin Furze
What a start to the new F1 season! The early start was definitely worth it for a crazy first race and joining Ben and Nicola to dig through all the action and look ahead to China is YouTuber, inventor and massive F1 fan, Colin Furze.
S1 Ep2: Lights Out! Away We Go! F1 is back for 2025 with Vicki Butler Henderson
Join Ben Edwards, Nicola Hume and our very first guest, Vicki Butler-Henderson for the Melbourne Season Opener preview on the Midweek F1 podcast. It's going to be a Formula One season to remember, and Midweek F1 is your essential guide between every single race. This week it's all about the runners and riders ahead of the first race in Australia. Plus of course, plenty of conversation about the It
S1 Ep1: The Midweek F1 Podcast Is Coming!
The 2025 F1 season is going to be a big one. There's so much to talk about with the driver team moves, the rookies and F1's 75th anniversary and who better to talk about them than F1 commentary legend, Ben Edwards and F1 team podcast host, Nicola Hume. Make sure you follow us now and don't miss a thing!
