logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2025
31m 49s

David Coulthard + Mika Hakkinen explain ...

FORMULA 1
About this episode
Once McLaren team mates fighting for the Formula 1 World Championship, now legends of the F1 Paddock, Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard know how it feels to be in the middle of a title battle.

The pair join Christian Hewgill and F1 Explains listeners live on stage in Austin, Texas, to answer your questions.

David and Mika explain how McLaren handled their title rivalry in the late 1990s, compare their experiences to this year's intensifying battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and discuss whether team mates can be friends.

Plus, why braking in an F1 car literally takes your breath away, some dogs named after F1 stars and the racing jobs David and Mika would want to do if they weren't drivers.

Have your question answered on the podcast
Send your voice notes and emails to F1Explains@F1.com

Witness the crowning of a World Champion
Book your seat for a Formula 1 Grand Prix this season at tickets.formula1.com

Listen to more official F1 podcasts
In-depth interviews with the stars of Formula 1 on F1 Beyond The Grid
Expert insight before and after every Grand Prix on F1 Nation
Up next
Feb 2026
F1 Explains is back - in our new home
Go to the F1 Nation podcast feed to hear our first episode of 2026. Christian Hewgill and Lawrence Barretto talk through all you need to know ahead of the new season 
1m 23s
Feb 2026
F1 Explains has joined F1 Nation for 2026
F1 Explains is moving to the F1 Nation podcast feed for the new season.Get answers to your F1 questions from Christian Hewgill and expert guests, plus race reviews and previews with Tom Clarkson - all in one place.Send your questions about the 2026 F1 season to F1Explains@F1.comS ... Show More
1m 47s
Dec 2025
Driving secrets, pit crew cookies, movie star cars + a Team Principal's toilet - The Best of F1 Explains 2025
Lando Norris' driving style, the food which fuels the Haas pit crew, the Apex GP cars from F1: The Movie and the team boss who lets his drivers use his office toilet. F1 Explains covered all this and much more in 2025 as we answered your questions on how the sport works.Christian ... Show More
25m 6s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
McLaren's 'team mates turn rivals': 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Review with Laura Winter + Alex Jacques
Oscar Piastri made a statement in Shanghai. He and McLaren teammate Lando Norris are heading for a season-long title fight. How will McLaren handle their battle, and why does it give other drivers an opportunity?Tom Clarkson, F1TV presenter Laura Winter and commentator Alex Jacqu ... Show More
46m 56s
Oct 2023
Has Perez let F1 fans down? | How to manage Russell-Hamilton rivalry | Will Piastri raise Norris' game at McLaren?
Former F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg joins Matt Baker to answer your questions ahead of the United States Grand Prix from Austin.<br /><br />They discuss whether Sergio Perez has let F1 fans down by not pressuring Max Verstappen for the drivers championship<br /><br />Nico gives ... Show More
31m 10s
Aug 2023
F1 Takes Vegas with David Coulthard and Guy Horner
We sit down with the legendary David Coulthard (former F1 driver, multiple Grand Prix-winner, F1 broadcaster) and Guy Horner (CEO of TBA Group and, yes, Christian Horner's brother!) to discuss all things Vegas. Together, they are partnering with McLaren to host a three-day fan ex ... Show More
35m 59s
Dec 2021
BITESIZE #46 | F1 World Title Showdown Special
<p>Today’s bitesize we compare two former guests that go head-to-head for the F1 World Championship this weekend, Team Principals Toto Wolff and Christian Horner.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Different characters that operate in different ways, but both lead to high performance.&nbsp;</p><br> ... Show More
18m 2s
Oct 2024
Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson: Live From Austin
What a highlight to sit down with Yuki and Liam ahead of the Austin race weekend and after a 4-week-long F1 hiatus. We talk to Yuki about his home race points-scoring celebration in Japan, lessons he learned from Daniel Ricciardo, words of wisdom for his new teammate, and his caf ... Show More
20m 9s
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 finds ... Show More
47m 18s
Oct 2025
US GP: How Verstappen roared into title contention
Edd Straw in joined in Austin by Mark Hughes and Scott Mitchell-Malm to unpick the United States Grand Prix weekend; a weekend when the McLarens clashed again and Max Verstappen roared ominously into championship contention with a pair of victories.We discuss all the major talkin ... Show More
1h 1m