Everything Trackside

Suzuka is one of F1’s most iconic tracks… but let’s be honest, the racing hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype in recent years. So — is that about to change?

This week on the Everything Trackside Podcast, we preview the Japanese Grand Prix and ask whether the new regulations can finally bring the old Suzuka back. Could we actually see overtakes in places like 130R? Stranger things have already happened this season.

We get into:

• Mercedes’ scary strong start (and are they holding back?)
• Ferrari vs Mercedes — is it engine vs aero?
• Red Bull question marks and Max in revenge mode
• McLaren’s reliability nightmare
• Haas hype train (yes, really)
• And the absolute chaos going on behind the scenes at Aston Martin & Audi

Plenty of bold predictions, a few hot takes, and the usual bit of nonsense along the way.

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🎙 Follow Everything Trackside for race previews, reviews, and weekly F1 discussion. - linktr.ee/everythingtrackside 

Kimi Antonelli has arrived.

The youngest pole sitter in Formula 1 history converted pole into his first Grand Prix victory at the Chinese GP, leading a dominant Mercedes 1–2 ahead of George Russell.

Meanwhile Ferrari delivered some of the best wheel-to-wheel racing of the season between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Alpine scored a surprise double points finish, and McLaren suffered a nightmare weekend with both cars failing to start the race.

In this episode we break down:

• Antonelli’s historic win
• The Ferrari intra-team battle
• McLaren’s shocking double DNS
• Red Bull’s mysterious engine/start issues
• Alpine’s unexpected resurgence
• Ollie Bearman continuing to impress

We also discuss the shortened F1 calendar after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled and what the long break before Miami could mean for the teams.

📊 Join our Fantasy & Predictions Leagues:
FANTASY

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PREDICTIONS

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🎙 Follow Everything Trackside for race previews, reviews, and weekly F1 discussion. - linktr.ee/everythingtrackside 

Formula 1 heads back to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, and it’s bringing the first sprint weekend of the season with it.

In this episode of Everything Trackside, the team breaks down what to expect from a packed weekend format — from the single practice session to sprint qualifying, the sprint race, and Sunday’s Grand Prix.

They also dive into the early-season pecking order, discussing how Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes are shaping up after the opening race, and which teams might benefit most from the sprint format at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Plus:

• Why this sprint weekend might actually be exciting
• What makes the Shanghai circuit tricky for teams
• Strategy challenges with only one practice session
• Our predictions for sprint, qualifying, and race day
  

And of course, the crew run through the weekend schedule so you know exactly when to set the alarms.

📊 Join our Fantasy & Predictions Leagues:
FANTASY

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PREDICTIONS

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🎙 Follow Everything Trackside for race previews, reviews, and weekly F1 discussion. - linktr.ee/everythingtrackside 

Formula 1 is officially back — and the 2026 season kicked off with a chaotic and fascinating Australian Grand Prix.

In this episode of the Everything Trackside Podcast, Seán, Coops, James, and Mairéad break down everything from the season opener in Melbourne. 

George Russell took the victory in a race packed with overtakes and strategy battles, while Ferrari once again managed to become their own worst enemies on race day. 

The team also dives into one of the biggest talking points of the weekend — the new engine regulations. Qualifying in particular sparked major debate, with drivers losing huge speed on straights due to energy harvesting and downshifting mid-straight, something many fans and drivers found frustrating to watch. 

Despite the qualifying controversy, the race itself delivered plenty of action, with over 120 overtakes compared to just 45 last year, showing that the new era of Formula 1 might still produce exciting racing. 

The crew also rate the race, discuss the biggest winners and losers from the weekend, debate whether the new regulations need fixing, and look ahead to next week’s Chinese Grand Prix.

Checkout this amazing video of Lynda Britten - https://youtu.be/kdkXVmnjSI0 

🏁 In this episode:

• George Russell’s race-winning performance
• Ferrari’s strategy mistakes… again
• The controversial new engine behaviour in qualifying
• Race ratings and standout drivers
• Early season championship implications
• Looking ahead to China

📊 Join our Fantasy & Predictions Leagues:
FANTASY

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PREDICTIONS

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🎙 Follow Everything Trackside for race previews, reviews, and weekly F1 discussion. - linktr.ee/everythingtrackside 

The F1 season roars back to life in Melbourne 🇦🇺

In this episode, Seán, Mairead, SOK and Coops break down everything you need to know ahead of the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.

We cover:
🏁 Track characteristics & overtaking zones
🌦️ Melbourne weather outlook
🔧 Latest team performance & car development updates
🔥 Driver predictions for pole & podium
🎲 Wild race forecasts (and the infamous “curse of the Australian GP”)

Plus — don’t forget to:
✅ Join our F1 FANTASY League - https://fantasy.formula1.com/en/leagues/join/P6DCIJSCL08
Code: P6DCIJSCL08

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Code: P6YSOPCIE10 
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Lights out in Melbourne starts here.

#F1 #AustralianGP #Melbourne #F1Preview #F1Predictions #Formula1

The 2026 Formula One season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in modern F1 history — and we’re breaking it down team by team.

Join Seán, Annika, SOK & James, as we analyse preseason performance, new driver lineups, technical innovations, and the strategic decisions that could define the championship battle.

From emerging contenders like Audi and Cadillac to the ongoing dominance fights between Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren, this episode dives deep into car development, reliability concerns, management changes, and bold season forecasts.

Expect expert insight, heated debates, and some wild predictions as we answer the biggest question ahead of lights out:

Who actually wins F1 in 2026?

🚥 Topics covered:

• Preseason team performance analysis
• Driver battles & championship contenders
• New F1 car innovations & regulations
• Surprise teams for 2026
• Bold predictions & season forecasts

Perfect for hardcore F1 fans and new viewers gearing up for the season.

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IndyCar driver Conor Daly joins the podcast to tell the real story behind a professional racing career — from towing a karting trailer with his dad to testing Formula One machinery and fighting for opportunities at the highest level of motorsport.

Growing up racing against future IndyCar champion Joseph Newgarden, Conor climbed the American ladder before taking his shot in Europe with dreams of Formula One. After becoming a test and reserve driver with Force India Formula One Team, one championship moment changed everything — and ultimately redirected his career back to America.

In this episode, Conor opens up about:

• The brutal reality of chasing Formula One
• How driver development programs changed motorsport
• The financial barriers young drivers still face
• Mental performance, pressure, and social media toxicity
• IndyCar vs F1 vs NASCAR — what really separates them
• Why IndyCar may be entering its most competitive era ever

Plus, Conor shares behind-the-scenes insight into race engineers, near-wins at the Indianapolis 500, career “sliding door” moments, why adversity often creates opportunity in motorsport, and gives his prediction for the 2026 F1 World Champion.

If you’re a fan of Formula One, IndyCar, or racing culture — this is a must-listen conversation.

Pre-season testing has delivered serious drama.

In today's episode we break down the hype around Scuderia Ferrari and the unusual rear-wing design getting everyone talking, while things look far less convincing for Aston Martin.

There’s also a lively debate over the ruling that Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team would have until August to fix their engine if it’s deemed illegal — a decision that splits the room and gets surprisingly heated.

Elsewhere, we discuss the challenges teams are facing with sustainable fuels, why newcomers Audi have impressed, the safe but steady start from Cadillac, and why Alpine F1 Team could be shaping up as the best of the midfield.

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Ireland’s most successful Formula 1 driver, John Watson, joins the show to relive his greatest racing stories — from his incredible Detroit ’82 victory charge to life inside McLaren.

Watson shares candid memories of racing alongside legends like Niki Lauda and Alain Prost, while reflecting on the brilliance of Ayrton Senna, James Hunt, and Nigel Mansell.

A masterclass in F1 history from Ireland’s greatest ever driver — packed with paddock stories, rivalries, and iconic moments.

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Preseason testing in Bahrain is done — and the 2026 F1 season is already throwing up surprises 👀

We break down reliability concerns 🔧, driver reactions to the new regulations, and what the early data is telling us about Mercedes, McLaren, Williams, Aston Martin, Alpine — plus Cadillac’s headline-grabbing debut 🇺🇸🔥

Who looks quick? ⚡

Who looks nervous? 😬

And who might already be in trouble? 🚨

Plus:

• Engine headaches and performance whispers 🔊
• The best (and worst) liveries on the grid 🎨
• Ranking British drivers 🇬🇧
• Our favourite chaos merchants in F1 🌀
• And a fun dive into the youngest race winners in history 🏆

Insightful, opinionated, and occasionally unhinged — everything you need to make sense of Bahrain testing before lights out 🏁

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