Formula Fools

David Duffin, Mitchell Drennan
  • 5.0 (18)
  • SPORT
  • UPDATED DAILY

Formula 1 for beginners (and the mates pretending they get it). Each week we unpack the history, the headlines and the chaos of F1—with simple explanations, big moments, and just enough opinion to start an argument. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Chinese GP Review: The Kimi Antonelli Show

    The 2026 season is officially heating up — and the Chinese Grand Prix might have just given us the first real statement of the new era. In this Formula Fools race review, David and Skin break down an unbelievable weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix — featuring a historic performance from rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli. Because what he did in Shanghai was ridiculous. Youngest pole sitter in F1 history — breaking the record previously held by Sebastian Vettel. Second-youngest race winner ever. And his first Grand Slam — pole position, race win, and fastest lap. At 19. David and Skin dive into how Antonelli managed the entire weekend like a veteran — bouncing back from a small slip in the sprint race and delivering one of the most complete rookie weekends we’ve ever seen. Seriously… there was a moment where we had to ask if he might secretly be Kimi Räikkönen in disguise. But the Mercedes story doesn’t stop there. George Russell also delivered a massive weekend, dominating the sprint race and pushing Antonelli hard in the main event. With Russell only a few points ahead in the standings, we’re suddenly asking a very real question: Is Mercedes about to dominate this new regulation era? Or are we about to witness a full-blown teammate battle? Meanwhile, Ferrari had a fascinating weekend. Lewis Hamilton grabbed back-to-back poles across the sprint and the main race — a huge sign he might be properly back at the front again. His race pace, starts, and battery management were elite all weekend. Charles Leclerc was also right in the fight, delivering brilliant wheel-to-wheel battles with Hamilton that showed Ferrari finally have a car capable of racing the Mercedes duo. Elsewhere on the grid: Oliver Bearman absolutely smashed the weekend for Haas with a huge P5 — proof that the team might be a genuine midfield force this year.Cadillac Formula 1 Team showed serious pace but also got tangled in a messy opening-lap incident.Williams Racing finally grabbed points… and somehow still managed a DNS in the same weekend.And reigning champions McLaren had a nightmare with a double DNS. Not ideal. We also introduce a new segment — “Listen to the Fools” — where we hear from listeners Jay and Kelvin, bringing their own questions and takes into the show. Plus we hand out our Guru and Fool of the race, debate the growing reliability issues in the new 2026 power units, and ask whether drivers like Max Verstappen are right to be frustrated with the new era of cars. Finally, we look ahead to Suzuka and the Japanese Grand Prix, where the big questions are: Can Mercedes continue their early dominance?Will the new hybrid power units keep causing reliability problems?And will Suzuka’s brutal layout expose the real strengths and weaknesses of these new cars? Two races in… …and this season already feels unpredictable. 🏁 Follow us for more: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook (search Formula Fools). Thanks for listening — and if you got a laugh or learned something, drop a 5-star rating and tell a mate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min

  2. 9 MAR

    Australian GP Review: Welcome to the 2026 Chaos

    The 2026 Formula 1 season is officially underway, and if Melbourne told us anything… it’s that nobody fully understands these new cars yet. In this Formula Fools race review, David and Skin break down everything from the season opener at the Australian Grand Prix — including chaos, massive saves, unexpected pace, and a lot of confused drivers. Because while fans got a wild race… the drivers were not happy. Multiple drivers slammed the new regulations after the race. Max Verstappen called the cars “not fun to drive” and “anti-racing.” Meanwhile Lando Norris joked the grid had gone “from the best cars to the worst cars.” Why? The new 2026 power units. The internal combustion engine power has dropped massively, from around 738 HP in 2025 to roughly 536 HP in 2026, with the rest now coming from electric deployment. The problem is the battery is being drained down the straights. At Melbourne we saw cars hit around 308 km/h early on the straight… then drop to roughly 253 km/h by the braking zone while still flat out. That’s not a lift. That’s literally running out of power. Drivers like Oliver Bearman even said the overtake boost button was basically useless at this track compared to circuits like Bahrain. But from a fan perspective? The racing was wild. There were 120 overtakes compared to just 45 last year. And while some of it might feel slightly “manufactured,” it produced one hell of a season opener. We also break down the biggest talking points of the weekend: Mercedes look terrifying George Russell dominated the race with a cool, controlled performance from start to finish. And rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli backed it up with a huge P2 — showing Mercedes might have built another monster at the start of a new engine era. Ferrari’s speed… and strategy Charles Leclerc delivered some brilliant overtakes, while Lewis Hamilton surged from P7 to the front pack early. But once again Ferrari’s strategy decisions may have cost them a tighter fight at the front. Audi’s incredible debut The new Audi F1 Team shocked the paddock. Q3 on debut. Points in their first race. For a brand-new works project, that’s an unbelievable start. And yes… Franco’s save Franco Colapinto produced one of the saves of the weekend — the kind that instantly goes into the highlight reel. We also hand out our first Guru and Fool of the season, debate why some teams like Williams and Aston Martin still look lost, and ask whether Mercedes were sandbagging all weekend before unleashing the pace in the race. Finally, we look ahead to China and the next big questions: Does the new overtake mode work better on Shanghai’s massive straight?How chaotic will the first Sprint weekend of the new era be?And which teams already look fragile on reliability? The 2026 season is only one race old… …but it already feels unpredictable. Follow us for more: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook (search Formula Fools). Thanks for listening — and if you got a laugh or learned something, drop a 5-star rating and tell a mate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr
  3. Sergio Pérez: The Tyre Whisperer

    4 MAR

    Sergio Pérez: The Tyre Whisperer

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we unpack one of the most fascinating careers of the modern grid: Sergio Pérez. Because Pérez’s résumé doesn’t follow the usual pattern. Six wins. Three poles. Thirty-nine podiums. That alone tells you something about how he races. David and Skin rewind to the beginning. From karting in Mexico to Skip Barber in the US at 14. From living above a restaurant in Germany while racing Formula BMW… To runner-up in GP2 in 2010. He earned his way into F1 with Sauber in 2011 and instantly built a reputation for something rare: Tyre management. He could make rubber last longer than anyone else. That became his calling card. In 2013 he joined McLaren — and no, he didn’t leave for Force India by choice. He was dropped after one season when McLaren reshuffled. That setback sent him to Force India in 2014. And that move saved his career. Force India/Racing Point became his home. In 2020 he finished 4th in the championship, dragged that car into podium fights, and delivered one of the wildest wins of the era. Bahrain 2020. Spun to last on lap one. Dead last. Wins the race. That’s not normal. Then came the Red Bull era alongside Max Verstappen. Two strong seasons. Key role in Constructors’ fights. Multiple wins. Monaco 2022. Then 2024 fell apart. The car evolved heavily around Verstappen’s ultra-sharp front end preference. Pérez struggled with the balance window. Confidence dipped. Qualifying gaps widened. And in modern F1, that spiral snowballs quickly. Off track? In 2018 he literally helped save his team by initiating legal action that pushed Force India into administration — allowing it to be rescued and continue racing. Most drivers save tyres. Checo saved a team. We break down what defines Pérez: Elite tyre managementStreet circuit masteryCalm execution in chaotic racesProven ability to support championship campaigns The big question now? Is there a late-career return… or is the legacy already written? Best case? Surprise comeback and one more big Sunday. Worst case? Career closes without a farewell race. Most likely? Remembered as the most successful Mexican driver in F1 history — a six-time winner who maximised every opportunity he was given. He wasn’t the loudest driver of his era. He was the smoothest. Follow us for more: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook (search Formula Fools). Thanks for listening — and if you got a laugh or learned something, drop a 5-star rating and tell a mate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min
  4. Valtteri Bottas: The Ultimate Number Two

    3 MAR

    Valtteri Bottas: The Ultimate Number Two

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we unpack one of the most quietly successful careers of the modern era: Valtteri Bottas. Because Bottas is one of those drivers history might undersell. But the numbers don’t. 10 wins. 67 podiums. 20 pole positions. Multiple runner-up finishes in the World Championship. That’s not average. That’s elite. David and Skin rewind to the early days. Back-to-back Formula Renault Eurocup champion. Dominant junior reputation. Signed by Williams for 2013. And no — he didn’t jump straight from F3 to F1. He spent 2012 as a Williams test driver before racing full-time in 2013. By 2014? He finished 4th in the Drivers’ Championship… in a Williams. In the first year of the turbo-hybrid era. That wasn’t luck. That was consistency and ruthless podium collecting. Then came the big moment. Nico Rosberg retires. Mercedes need a replacement. Bottas gets the call. He walks into the most dominant car era… next to Lewis Hamilton. And here’s the thing. 2018 wasn’t “bad” — it was brutal circumstance. The Mercedes was good, yes, but Hamilton hit another level, and Bottas had multiple wins slip through strategy calls and late-race incidents. He finished winless, but not slow. Then 2019 and 2020? Runner-up in the championship twice. He proved the pace was real. He just lived his prime next to a seven-time champion. After Mercedes, he moved to Sauber/Alfa Romeo, becoming a pillar for the Audi transition — steady, professional, consistent. The Audi dream project shifted direction heading into 2026, and Bottas wasn’t retained for the race seat as the long-term reset accelerated. Off track? The “BottASS” charity campaign completely flipped his public image. Leaning into humour, cycling culture, and personality — a reminder that the quiet Finn had layers. We break down what defines Bottas: Elite one-lap speedStructured, methodical race craftTeam-first mentalityMental toughness from being Hamilton’s teammate The big question? Does he get a late-career return — or is the legacy already complete? Best case? Surprise comeback in a mentoring role for a developing project. Worst case? Career fades without a farewell. Most likely? Remembered as one of the most successful supporting drivers of the hybrid era — the calm enabler behind a championship dynasty. He wasn’t slow. He was just racing one of the greatest of all time. Follow us for more: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook (search Formula Fools). Thanks for listening — and if you got a laugh or learned something, drop a 5-star rating and tell a mate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min
  5. Arvid Lindblad: The Five-Year Promise

    2 MAR

    Arvid Lindblad: The Five-Year Promise

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we unpack the youngest gun on the 2026 grid: Arvid Lindblad. Because not many 18-year-olds walk into Formula 1 with a timeline they predicted themselves. In 2021, a 14-year-old Lindblad told Lando Norris: “Remember me. I’ll see you in five years.” Five years later — he’s on the grid. That’s not manifestation. That’s planning. David and Skin rewind to why Red Bull didn’t care that he “only” finished 6th in F2. Because the headline stat isn’t the whole story. Before F2, Lindblad: Dominated British kartingWon the WSK Super Master Series (OKJ)Took WSK Euro Series and Final Cup titlesJoined the Red Bull Junior Team at just 13 years old This isn’t a late bloomer. This is a long-term project. And the reason he got the seat over guys who finished ahead of him? Ceiling. Red Bull don’t just promote championship positions — they promote potential. Raw pace. Adaptability. The ability to handle pressure early. Lindblad has been trusted with TPC runs, FP1 sessions, and serious simulator work before even starting a Grand Prix. That’s internal belief. By 2026, he lines up for Racing Bulls — officially stepping into the Red Bull pipeline spotlight. We break down what makes Lindblad different: Fearless self-belief (he’s been calling this since he was a kid)Elite karting foundationEarly Red Bull backingBig-moment confidence The obvious question? Can he translate junior pace into week-in, week-out F1 performance with the world watching? Best case? He smashes the rookie year and instantly becomes a long-term Racing Bulls leader. Worst case? The step up is brutal and adaptation takes longer than Red Bull patience allows. Most likely? Flashes of ridiculous speed, a few rough weekends, and a season that screams “future weapon in development.” He didn’t arrive by accident. He said he’d be here. And now he has to prove why. Follow us for more: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook (search Formula Fools). Thanks for listening — and if you got a laugh or learned something, drop a 5-star rating and tell a mate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  6. Franco Colapinto: The Call-Up Specialist

    1 MAR

    Franco Colapinto: The Call-Up Specialist

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we unpack one of the grid’s fastest-rising young names: Franco Colapinto. Because Colapinto’s F1 story so far hasn’t been a straight line. It’s been opportunity. Drafted mid-season. Thrown into FP1. Called up again. Moved teams. Confirmed for 2026. He just keeps getting the call. David and Skin rewind to why that’s not random. Franco left Argentina young and built his career in Europe — no comfort zone, no local-only ladder. He climbed properly. Spanish F4 ChampionStrong progression through FIA Formula 3FIA Formula 2 development with academy backingJoined the Williams Driver Academy in 2023 And then it accelerated. Silverstone FP1 in 2024. Mid-season F1 debut with Williams. Then another call-up at Alpine. Then confirmation for 2026. Teams don’t keep doing that unless you’re quick — and calm under pressure. Off track? In 2024 he won Argentina’s Olimpia de Oro, the country’s top national sports award. That’s not a niche motorsport trophy. That’s your whole country saying: “You’re the one.” By 2026, he’s part of BWT Alpine Formula One Team — not as a one-race substitute, but as a confirmed driver trying to convert opportunity into permanence. We break down what defines Colapinto right now: Rapid adaptabilityComposure when thrown into chaotic situationsA proven ability to seize limited chancesRaw pace that keeps him inside academy conversations The big question? Can he turn moments into consistency? Best case? Alpine take a step forward and Franco becomes a steady points scorer with the odd headline weekend. Worst case? The car stays tough and he spends 2026 fighting just to justify the seat. Most likely? A growth year — flashes of real quality, more confidence, and a push to turn “the guy who got the call” into “the guy who stayed.” He’s not here because of one lucky break. He’s here because every time he’s been thrown in… he’s handled it. Follow us for more: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook (search Formula Fools). Thanks for listening — and if you got a laugh or learned something, drop a 5-star rating and tell a mate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
  7. Gabriel Bortoleto: The Rookie Champion Project

    28 FEB

    Gabriel Bortoleto: The Rookie Champion Project

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we unpack one of the most hyped young talents on the grid: Gabriel Bortoleto. Because not all junior résumés are built the same. Some drivers win races. Some win championships. Bortoleto won back-to-back FIA titles as a rookie. 2023 — FIA Formula 3 Champion (rookie). 2024 — FIA Formula 2 Champion (rookie). That’s rare air. David and Skin rewind to how a Brazilian kid built his career through Europe rather than staying local — aggressive planning, stacked grids, and zero shortcuts. He didn’t just scrape titles either. He won them calmly. Strategically. Clinically. Full-season control. Tyre management. Championship composure. That’s why teams paid attention. And when Fernando Alonso — yes, that Fernando Alonso — backs you through his A14 management company and publicly calls you one of the most complete young drivers he’s seen? That hits different. By 2025 he’s in F1 with Sauber. By 2026 he’s part of the full works transformation into the Audi F1 Team. And that changes the conversation. He’s not a placeholder. He’s part of a foundation. We break down what makes Bortoleto dangerous: Championship temperament across full seasonsIntelligent race managementRookie-year dominance under pressureA smooth driving style suited to long-term development The real question now? Can junior dominance translate into F1 consistency while Audi build their new-era project? Best case? Audi rise quickly and Bortoleto becomes their long-term spearhead. Worst case? The project takes too long and momentum stalls. Most likely? Steady development through 2026, flashes of real quality, and a reputation growing quietly behind the scenes. Brazil has been waiting for its next front-running star. Audi might be betting they’ve just signed him. Follow us for more: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook (search Formula Fools). Thanks for listening — and if you got a laugh or learned something, drop a 5-star rating and tell a mate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min
  8. Pierre Gasly: The Comeback King

    27 FEB

    Pierre Gasly: The Comeback King

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we unpack one of the most resilient careers on the grid: Pierre Gasly. Because Gasly’s story isn’t about smooth dominance. It’s about getting knocked down — and responding. Before F1, the résumé was legit: Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup ChampionRunner-up in Formula Renault 3.52016 GP2 Champion with PremaSuper Formula runner-up in Japan That’s not “lucky timing.” That’s a proper championship ladder. He entered F1 with Toro Rosso, impressed quickly, and earned the dream promotion to Red Bull Racing in 2019. And then… it went wrong. Half a season. Pressure cooker environment. Demoted back to Toro Rosso. For a lot of drivers, that’s where the spiral starts. For Gasly? That’s where the rebuild begins. Then came Monza 2020. Chaos. Safety cars. Strategy swings. Gasly leads a Grand Prix for AlphaTauri. Wins it. Not inherited. Not fluky. Earned. That win redefined his career. By 2026, he’s the established reference at BWT Alpine Formula One Team — the experienced race winner anchoring a team trying to reset for the new era. We break down what defines Gasly now: Elite mental resilienceAbility to bounce back from career setbacksProven race-winning composureLeadership presence inside a rebuilding team Off track? In 2026 he became the first active F1 driver to invest in a MotoGP team — taking a stake in Red Bull KTM Tech3. Most drivers collect watches. Pierre collected a racing team. The question now? Can Alpine give him the car to turn strong seasons into regular podium fights again? Best case? Alpine nail 2026 and Gasly becomes a genuine podium threat week in, week out. Worst case? He delivers strong performances capped by midfield machinery. Most likely? Team leader at Alpine, steady points scorer, with the occasional big weekend when strategy and pace align. Ten years from now, his story won’t start with “demoted.” It’ll start with “came back.” Follow us for more: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook (search Formula Fools). Thanks for listening — and if you got a laugh or learned something, drop a 5-star rating and tell a mate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
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5
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About

Formula 1 for beginners (and the mates pretending they get it). Each week we unpack the history, the headlines and the chaos of F1—with simple explanations, big moments, and just enough opinion to start an argument. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    David Duffin, Mitchell Drennan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © David Duffin, Mitchell Drennan
  • Show Website
    Formula Fools

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