The Race F1 Podcast

The Monaco Grand Prix provides F1 drivers with a unique challenge, but they'll have one less thing to think about this year after the FIA decided that there will be no straight mode zones in the Principality, and hence no opportunity to use the active front and rear wings that are a feature of the 2026 regulations. Is that the right call? One man who doesn't think so is former F1 technical director Gary Anderson, who explains why to Edd Straw in the latest edition of The Race F1 Tech Show.

Edd and Gary also discuss the implementation of the 'Rev 1' engine map for this weekend, explaining what it is and why it's being used, plus there's a wider look at the unique engineering challenge that Monaco provides compared to other circuits.

And, as ever, we round off the episode with our listener questions section, in which Gary tackles questions on Ferrari's curious engine smoke, car ballast, the purpose of ADUO and limiting outwash.

If you'd like to ask Gary a question, send it to [email protected]

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On the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast, we discuss whether F1 2026 could be set for its first upset, with Ferrari hotly-tipped to set the pace in Monaco. But why are the Scuderia so fancied at this race, and if they are to set the pace, will it be track specialist and home favourite Charles Leclerc that leads the way or his resurgent team mate Lewis Hamilton?

Edd Straw is joined by Josh Suttill and Ben Anderson to discuss Ferrari's chances and who else might be in the fight for victory. They also discuss the rule changes that have been implemented for the Monaco weekend, explaining why the FIA has banned the use of active aero and how the energy deployment restrictions that have been imposed will impact racing.

Note: This podcast was recorded before news broke of Leclerc extending his Ferrari contract.

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We ask what Toto Wolff’s version of ‘papaya rules’ should look like as he bids to keep battling Mercedes team-mates George Russel and Kimi Antonelli in line in the latest episode of The Race F1 Podcast.

Nelson Valkenburg and Scott Mitchell-Malm join Edd Straw to discuss the way the battle could and should be managed on track, and the risks of trying to keep too tight a leash on Antonelli and Russell.

We also take listener questions on Ferrari communications, Valtteri Bottas’s struggles, the driving style flexibility of the 2026 car and the chances of the field closing up at the front.

There’s also a look at the troubled form of Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon, McLaren’s strategy malaise and the focus of rule changes.

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Bring Back V10s tackles one of F1's roughest title wins hangovers in episode 6 of season 13, with a look back at the sudden downturn in fortunes for one of the 1990s' elite teams.

Benetton was on top of the world at the end of 1995, having clinched the constructors’ crown and back-to-back drivers’ world titles with Michael Schumacher. But with Schumacher departing for Ferrari in 1996, the team had a new challenge to prove its success wasn’t just about the driver - and it didn't go very well...

Joining Glenn Freeman for a look back at Benetton’s turbulent post-Schumacher period are Matt Beer and Ben Anderson.

They discuss the logic behind choosing Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger to lead Benetton's new era, how quickly things got fractious behind the scenes and whether this decline was always inevitable no matter who Benetton picked for its life after Schumacher.

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Alpine announced a major new sponsorship deal on Wednesday, with Italian fashion house Gucci to enter Formula 1 for the first time next year as the team's title sponsor. Jon Noble, who was at the launch event in Paris, joins Edd Straw to explain why this deal is so significant for Alpine (and parent company Renault) outside of the obvious money it will bring.

Edd and Jon also discuss Alpine's wider progress this season, as the former world championship winning team - under the leadership of Flavio Briatore - continues its steady rise back up the grid after its rock bottom finish in the constructors' standings in 2025. And finally, Jon explains what impact the new deal might have on the team's driver line-up of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto going forward, as Briatore looks to make another fashion brand a serial F1 winner, after his previous success with Benetton.

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