Tom Clarkson is joined in the Albert Park paddock by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and Channel 10’s Richard Craill to reflect on an entertaining season opener in Melbourne. 

Mercedes took the first victory of this new era of Formula 1, with George Russell leading Kimi Antonelli to a 1-2 finish. George might be the favourite to become World Champion, but could Kimi challenge him for the duration of the season? 

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished third, ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton in fourth. Can they take the fight to Mercedes this year? And could we see Hamilton back on the top step? 

Plus, the guys discuss how far behind Red Bull and McLaren are, a sensational F1 debut from Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad, points for Audi in their first race, and why there may be signs of encouragement for Aston Martin after a very challenging start to the season.

F1 Nation and F1 Explains have teamed up for 2026
Scroll down to find Williams Team Principal James Vowles answer your questions

This episode is sponsored by:

Indeed: get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation 

After a long winter, we're finally going racing this weekend in Melbourne. Ahead of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, Williams Team Principal James Vowles explains how the team has prepared for the weekend, his favourite things about the 2026 regulations, and whether the first race will really tell us who's fastest.

James joins Christian Hewgill on the F1 Fanzone stage at Albert Park to look ahead to a mouth-watering new season and to answer questions from F1 Explains listeners Sophie, Victoria and Karen.

And James also tells us what jobs he’d give to Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon if they weren’t drivers.

We want your questions about how Formula 1 works! Email [email protected]

F1 Explains and F1 Nation have teamed up for 2026. Subscribe to this feed for race previews and reviews every Monday with Tom Clarkson and guests.

F1 Beyond The Grid with Carlos Sainz - out now

And the team make their pre-season predictions: who will win in Melbourne, and who will be the 2026 F1 World Champion?

F1 Nation and F1 Explains have teamed up for 2026
Scroll down to find Christian Hewgill + Lawrence Barretto explaining all you need to know about the new F1 season

This episode is sponsored by:

BetterHelp: sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com/F1NATION

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/nation 

Indeed: get a £100 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/f1nation 

Boost your knowledge ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Christian Hewgill and F1 Correspondent + Presenter Lawrence Barretto run through the key terms and new rules of the sport's new era.

Plus we answer your questions on how drivers will recharge their brand new batteries, how the arrival of Cadillac will change qualifying and the new advanced sustainable fuel powering the new cars.

We want your questions about how Formula 1 works! Email [email protected]

F1 Explains and F1 Nation have teamed up for 2026. Subscribe to this feed for race previews and reviews every Monday with Tom Clarkson and guests.

And check out the new season of F1 Beyond The Grid. New episodes start Wednesday 4th of March with Carlos Sainz

F1TV commentator and former Renault driver Jolyon Palmer joins Tom Clarkson to reflect on pre-season testing, as Formula 1 gets set for a very exciting new era.

The teams and drivers have had a shakedown in Barcelona, followed by two, three-day tests in Bahrain, ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March.

So what have we learned about the new cars? Which teams look competitive? Who still has a lot of work to do? And what do we think the pecking order is heading to Melbourne?

What Next?
F1 Nation is back next Monday with our big season preview before the Australian Grand Prix. 

And F1 Explains returns for 2026 this Friday on the F1 Nation feed. Presenter Christian Hewgill is joined by F1 correspondent Lawrence Barretto to answer your questions about the new cars and regulations. Send them in to [email protected]

F1 Nation is back for 2026 and we're teaming up with F1 Explains - the podcast which answers your questions about the sport.

On Mondays F1 Nation will bring you expert reaction to F1 action, and insider views on breaking news from Tom Clarkson, Jolyon Palmer, James Hinchcliffe + more F1 insiders.

On Fridays, F1 Explains will tackle your questions on the sport. Christian Hewgill gets the answers from drivers, team bosses and the men and women who work behind the scenes. Send your questions to [email protected]

F1 Nation and F1 Explains - all in one place. New episodes start on Monday February 23rd