logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
32m 5s

Ask an F1 Team Principal with James Vowl...

FORMULA 1
About this episode
Drivers, sponsors, repairing crashes and making big decisions; Formula 1 Team Principals have a lot to handle. Williams Racing boss James Vowles answers your questions about his job.

What does it mean when a team says they're focusing on F1's new rules in 2026? How does James deal with team mate battles? How are Williams supporting young women reach F1? Christian Hewgill asks James these questions and more in an interview which is hilariously interrupted by Alex Albon. It's safe to say this episode really lifts the lid on what happens behind the scenes in an F1 Team Principal's office...

Get your question answered by an F1 expert
Big or small, if you've got a question we'll find the best person to answer it.
Send your email or voice note to F1Explains@F1.com

Listen to more official F1 podcasts
In-depth interviews on F1 Beyond The Grid
Expert reaction before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation

Join us at a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2025
Go to tickets.formula1.com to book your seat
Up next
Oct 2
The Medical Car: 'the world's fastest ambulance'
When F1 drivers crash, the FIA Medical Car rushes to the scene. It's a high-performance machine with a racing driver at the wheel and a doctor in the passenger seat. The Medical Car crew, Dr Ian Roberts and driver Bruno Correia, answer your questions about their vital jobs. They ... Show More
35m 49s
Sep 25
Alex Albon explains night races, car numbers + helmet designs
How different is driving at night compared to racing during the day? What impact does being a celebrity have on an F1 drivers’ life? How are car numbers decided? And what’s the process behind designing a special helmet? Williams’ Alex Albon joins Christian Hewgill in the Formula ... Show More
20m 4s
Sep 18
How strategy is influenced by tyres, drivers, crashes, AI and more – Quickfire Questions with Bernie Collins
What are race strategists doing during a Grand Prix? How are strategies decided for each driver within a team? What happens to that strategy when something unexpected happens, like teammates colliding with each other? And is Artificial Intelligence used when deciding the best tac ... Show More
35m 56s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2024
Liam Lawson's racing line, how Ferrari found Ollie Bearman + Oscar Piastri's F2 preparation - The Best of F1 Explains 2024
What really happens on the grid before a race? How do Formula 1 teams scout their future stars? How are drivers coached to go faster?  In 2024, F1 Explains answered these questions and many more sent in by F1 fans from all over the world. F1 Explains takes your questions and find ... Show More
47m 18s
Feb 2025
F1 TESTING 2025 | Listener questions, an F1 wedding and a HUGE announcement
Who is going to win the 2025 F1 World Championship? Well, we still have no idea. But what we do know is how much hi-vis paint McLaren have sprayed on their car, how quick Red Bull are looking and that Lewis Hamilton is pretty happy in his new Ferrari. We'll discuss all that and s ... Show More
36m 27s
Sep 15
‘Gloves off’ in McLaren title fight? Ferrari at the front? Kimi’s point to prove – 2025 Azerbaijan GP Preview
Former Renault driver and F1TV commentator Jolyon Palmer joins Tom Clarkson to preview this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. After their awkward team orders in Monza, how do Jolyon and Tom think McLaren are managing the title fight between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris? What imp ... Show More
53m 7s
Feb 2025
Racing for Ferrari: Vettel, Prost + Mansell from the BTG Archive
Lewis Hamilton is getting ready for his first season with Ferrari in 2025. He’s won seven World Championships and 105 races, but some of Formula 1’s most successful drivers have joined Ferrari in the past and missed out on the ultimate prize. So what lessons can Lewis take from t ... Show More
41m 37s
Sep 2
Fred Vasseur: Ferrari’s ‘next step’ with Lewis Hamilton + Charles Leclerc
‘Pressure is the best motivation for all of us’. Fred Vasseur knows all about pressure. He leads Formula 1’s most storied team. At the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the tifosi – Ferrari’s passionate fans – want to see Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton on the podium. But what they, ... Show More
58m 43s
Feb 2025
'I'm here to win' | Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon & Jenson Button on Williams' hopes for 2025
In our second special pre-season episode from Silverstone we're joined by Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon and Jenson Button as Williams launch their 2025 season. We cover some serious ground from how Carlos and Alex are getting on as teammates, to what they learned from each other as ne ... Show More
50m 33s
Oct 2
Ted’s Singapore Podbook | A second chance for McLaren, why Red Bull are the inform team, and it’s not as hot as you think!
Ted is in the Paddock in Singapore alongside Jamie Chadwick and Anthony Davidson to bring you all the news from media day ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. They ask if this is the weekend when McLaren clinch the Constructors' Championship. They also discuss if Oscar Piastri can ... Show More
21m 55s
Oct 2
Ted’s Singapore Podbook | A second chance for McLaren, why Red Bull are the in-form team, and it’s not as hot as you think!
Ted is in the Paddock in Singapore alongside Jamie Chadwick and Anthony Davidson to bring you all the news from media day ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. They ask if this is the weekend when McLaren clinch the Constructors' Championship. They also discuss if Oscar Piastri can ... Show More
21m 55s