Formula 1 heads into the unknown this weekend as the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix arrives at the brand-new Madring circuit in Madrid — and there are plenty of questions nobody can answer yet.🏁 Who will master the Madring first?🔥 Will the incredible La Monumental banked corner live up to the hype?⚡ Which teams will get their setup right quickest?🇪🇸 And can Fernando Alonso or Carlos Sainz deliver something special on home soil?In Episode 103 of The Downshift F1 Podcast, we preview the very first Formula 1 Grand Prix at Madrid’s new 5.4km Madring circuit.The headline feature is undoubtedly Turn 12 — La Monumental — a huge 550-metre-long banked corner with banking of around 13.5 degrees. With Formula 1 cars tackling it at speed for the first time, it could become one of the most spectacular corners on the F1 calendar.But the new circuit creates a much bigger challenge for the teams.There’s no previous Formula 1 race data. No established setup. No known tyre degradation. No reliable strategy history. Track evolution could be significant, temperatures are expected to be high, and the teams will need to learn quickly across Friday practice.We discuss:🏎️ What the new Madring circuit could be like to race🔥 The spectacular La Monumental banked corner⚔️ Where the main overtaking opportunities could be📈 How much the track could evolve across the weekend🛞 Pirelli’s C2, C3 and C4 tyre selection🔄 Whether we could finally see a genuine two-stop race⚡ Energy management and overtaking under the 2026 regulations🪽 Whether teams will favour medium or lower-downforce setups🐎 Ferrari’s small advantage from previously running at the circuit⭐ Why Mercedes could still be the team to beat🚀 Whether Kimi Antonelli can continue his incredible form🐂 Why Max Verstappen could be dangerous at a completely new circuit🟠 Whether McLaren can return to podium contention🇪🇸 The prospects for Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz at their home Grand Prix☀️ The hot and dry Madrid weather forecast🎯 And, of course, our Spanish Grand Prix predictions.With no previous winner, no established lap record and no real form guide for this circuit, our prediction competition gets even more difficult.Who takes pole? Who wins the first-ever Madring Grand Prix? And exactly where will Fernando Alonso finish?Let us know your predictions in the comments BEFORE the race.

Kimi Antonelli produced an unforgettable comeback at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, charging from 19th on the grid to win at Monza and lead a remarkable Mercedes one-two.In our full Monza F1 race review, Nathan, Lachy and Schwags break down Antonelli’s extraordinary drive through the field, Mercedes’ split strategy, George Russell’s missed opportunity and what the result means for the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship.We also discuss:🏆 Antonelli’s charge from P19 to victory🇮🇹 The first Italian driver to win at Monza since 1966🚩 Charles Leclerc’s race-ending crash and Ferrari’s disappointing home Grand Prix⚔️ The close battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri🥉 Max Verstappen’s podium despite problems with his Red Bull🚀 Pierre Gasly’s shock pole position🧠 Whether Mercedes made the right strategy call with Russell📊 The updated F1 championship standings🏎️ Lando Norris recording the highest speed of the race🔮 Our first thoughts ahead of F1’s visit to the new Madring circuit in SpainWas this Antonelli’s best drive yet—and is the 2026 F1 World Championship now his to lose? Let us know in the comments.

Next on the F1 calendar is the Italian Grand Prix at the Temple of Speed, Monza. Although with the current regulations could this nickname no longer be relevant?

Schwags and KT take us through the preiew of the upcomign race with a focus on the technical aspects of the race with low downforce and the challenge of energy management and deployment on a track with 4 straight mode zones and the fear of Super Clipping returning.

Its going to be a hot one with temps exceeding 30 degrees all weekend, without the slightest hint of rain.

Taking listeners through track dynamics and history, announced and exected car upgrades and team strategies for the race around tyre selection and management in high-speed racing.

With the "Tall Huppy Clause" in effect, the team have agreed to some very slight tweaks to the order of predictions to shift the needle back to the middle and be fairer for all as the team make their predictions for qualifying and race outcomes.

Will Ferrari take their home race or will there be an upset?

The DownShift team covers the thrilling Zanvoort race, analyzing key moments, driver performances, and strategic decisions that shaped the outcome.

Perfect for F1 fans wanting in-depth insights into the race and season progress.

Digging into race strategy and tire management at Zanvoort, Driver performances - Norris, Verstappen, Hamilton, and Alonso.

Impact of weather conditions on race outcomes, Team orders and race tactics in F1 and Championship standings and season outlook.

BREAKING NEWS as Red Bull racing announces that Max Verstappen has signed a contract extension till 2030 ahead of the Zandvoort Grand prix.

Other news as Isack Hadjar will miss Zandvoort due to the wrist fracture from a boxing session over the summer break that elevates Liam Lawson to the second seat to back Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda will fill Liam's seat in the Racing Bull.

After a first half of the season that Williams would rather forget the team start the second half of the season with the news that both drivers contracts have been extended.

Alex Albon to the end of 2027; and

Carlos Sainz has signed a multi year extension rumored to be worth 30M per year!!!!!!!!

All eyes will be on the Red Bull drivers this weekend and all ears will be on the Williams team radio as its LIGHTS OUT, DROP THE CLUTCH and LETS GET RACING

Join us as we discuss the upcoming Formula One race at Zanvoort, team strategies, driver market news, and predictions for the race outcome. Perfect for F1 fans eager for insights and race predictions.

The DownShift team discuss Zanvoort circuit features and challenges,Team strategies including tire and upgrade plans.

While reviewing off track news from the summer break for driver market updates and team principal changes.

Lachy shares his forecast for the Zandvoort beach weather and its impact on race strategy.

Wrapping up with the NEW DownShift prediction format that introduces BOP to bring parity to the team, or is it to knock Huppy down a peg or two?

Either way strap in for another episode.

6 down and 5 to go - The DownShift team turn their attention to the top half of the grid, Racing Bulls through to Championship leaders Mercedes.Is anyone safe, the team take a blowtorch to the grid as they review the half season results for the front of the pack, team and drivers on their performance as well as a few choice predictions for the rest of the season. Detailed grades and insights into their season so far. Discussing team strategies, driver performances, and expectations for the second half of the year.Sit down, strap in and hold on as it's Lights Out, Drop the Clutch and let's get Grading

The Downshift team grades the bottom half of the F1 grid at the halfway point of the season, discussing team performances, driver performances, and prospects for the second half.

Be glad their not your teacher, they provide detailed scores and insights into each team's season so far.

The DownShift Team review the Hungarian Grand Prix, analyze qualifying chaos, race strategies, and team performances, and discuss upcoming races and championship standings.

Digging into

- Race strategies and tire management

- Team upgrades and performance analysis

- Championship standings and predictions

- Driver and team comparisons

And most importantly the fall out following the teams predictions with DOMINANCE from Schwags, well the Lucky Hat .

In this episode, we preview the Hungarian Grand Prix, discussing track specifics, strategies, driver predictions, and the impact of recent upgrades. Perfect for F1 fans wanting detailed insights into the race and teams.

- Hungarian Grand Prix track details and history

- Driver predictions and team strategies

- Impact of recent upgrades and tire management

- Weather conditions and their effect on race strategy

- Overtaking opportunities and race tactics

As its....

LIGHTS OUT,

DROP THE CLUTCH &

LET'S GET RACING!!!!!