Lights Out Lets Chat!

Michaela Wollmann
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A relaxed, unscripted podcast that begins with Formula 1 and opens the door to everything around it. Lights Out Let’s Chat is for new fans, longtime followers, and anyone who just enjoys a good conversation when the lights go out.

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 33: Russell Wins Baku by 0.196 Seconds—Max Nearly Steals It & Kimi Fights Back

    George Russell just won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix by 0.196 seconds. After 51 laps around Baku, Max Verstappen was less than two-tenths of a second away from stealing the win at the line — and somehow that wasn't even close to the only chaos this weekend. In Episode 33 of Lights Out, Let's Chat, Michaela breaks down a wild Baku weekend from FP1 all the way through one of the closest finishes of the season. George Russell looked fast from the beginning. He topped FP1 and FP2, put together a huge qualifying lap for pole, and controlled much of the race. Then the safety cars changed everything. Max Verstappen charged from P8 to P2, erased George's comfortable advantage and spent the closing laps hunting him down. Meanwhile, championship leader Kimi Antonelli had a nightmare qualifying. He hit the wall, couldn't continue in Q2 and started all the way back in P16. Then he fought his way back to P5. The damage to his championship lead? George took 15 points out of it in one weekend, cutting Kimi's advantage from 81 points to 66. And that was only part of Baku. Isack Hadjar returned after missing three races and immediately put himself on the podium. McLaren went from starting P3 and P5 to leaving Baku with a P14 and a DNF. Aston Martin lost both cars. Alex Albon hit the wall. Alpine's Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly made contact before Gasly was sent into Lando Norris. And by the end of the race, seven drivers had failed to finish. Yeah. Baku happened. In Episode 33: George Russell's dominant Baku weekendThe 0.196-second finish between Russell and VerstappenKimi Antonelli's qualifying crash and P16-to-P5 recoveryKimi's championship lead dropping from 81 to 66 pointsIsack Hadjar's comeback podiumMax Verstappen charging from P8 to P2McLaren's disastrous weekendLando Norris and the chaotic restart collisionSeven DNFs and two safety carsFerrari getting both cars to the finishMr. F1 Wisdom of the Week with MikeWhat actually happens during a safety car restart?For our newer Formula 1 fans, Question of the Week couldn't have arrived at a better time. What actually happens during a safety car restart? Michaela explains why the field gets bunched together, why the leader controls the pace, why cold tyres and brakes can become a problem, and why Turn 1 can suddenly become complete chaos. And after Baku, the championship has another question: Can George Russell keep closing the gap, or will Kimi Antonelli respond? Whether you've watched Formula 1 for years or Baku left you wondering why there were suddenly only 15 cars left, you're welcome here. Formula 1 Doesn't Have To Be Intimidating. Join the Conversation. Follow Lights Out, Let's Chat so you don't miss Episode 34, and share the show with an F1 fan — or somebody who's just getting started. #Formula1 #AzerbaijanGP #GeorgeRussell #MaxVerstappen #KimiAntonelli #F1Podcast

  2. Sep 23

    Baku Is Coming—Can Anyone Stop Kimi Antonelli?

    Baku is coming — and Kimi Antonelli has made everybody else's championship fight very uncomfortable. After taking his eighth win of the season in Madrid, Antonelli heads to Azerbaijan with an 81-point championship lead over George Russell. To put that into perspective: Russell could win the next three Grands Prix while Kimi scored absolutely nothing and he'd still be six points behind. So... can anybody start closing the gap? In Episode 32 of Lights Out, Let's Chat, Michaela gets you ready for one of Formula 1's strangest and most unpredictable circuits: Baku. We're breaking down why the Baku City Circuit creates such a difficult setup challenge, what makes the famous castle section so unforgiving, why that enormous straight matters, and what newer F1 fans should watch during practice and qualifying. Then it's championship time. George Russell needs to start taking points away from his teammate. Lando Norris and McLaren arrive with serious pace after Lando's wins in Hungary and Zandvoort and his race-winning speed in Madrid. Max Verstappen has quietly put together two consecutive podiums. And Ferrari? Well... Michaela is once again asking Ferrari for one normal weekend. Please. Just one. We're also back with F1 Academy after three days of testing in Spain. The current grid got two days of track time before 18 young female drivers took over for the rookie test — giving us a first look at some of the names who could become part of F1 Academy's future. Then Mike takes over for another Mr. F1 Wisdom of the Week, with F1 news, rumors and plenty of opinions before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. And for our newer fans, Question of the Week answers something you're probably going to hear constantly at Baku: What exactly is a tow? Michaela explains why following another car can give a driver extra straight-line speed, why drivers deliberately create gaps during qualifying, and why Baku's enormous straight makes the tow especially important. In Episode 32: Why Baku is such a strange Formula 1 circuitKimi Antonelli's 81-point championship leadWhy George Russell needs a responseLando Norris and McLaren's recent speedMax Verstappen's back-to-back podiumsFerrari's search for one normal weekendWhat to watch during Baku practice and qualifyingF1 Academy testing and the 18-driver rookie test Mr. F1 Wisdom of the WeekWhat a tow/slipstream actually means in Formula 1And one important reminder from Michaela: Baku is a SATURDAY race. Not Sunday. You've been warned. Whether you've watched Formula 1 for years or you're still learning why drivers suddenly slow down during qualifying when they're supposedly trying to go fast, you're welcome here. Formula 1 Doesn't Have To Be Intimidating. Join the Conversation. Follow Lights Out, Let's Chat so you don't miss the Baku race recap, and share the show with somebody who loves F1 — or somebody who's just starting to figure it all out. Come visit us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. #Formula1 #AzerbaijanGP #KimiAntonelli #F1Podcast #Baku

  3. Sep 16

    Episode 31: Lando Had Madrid Won—Then Everything Changed

    Lando Norris was leading by more than six seconds—and within one lap, his Madrid Grand Prix was gone. Lando Norris looked set to win Formula 1's first race at Madring — until a perfectly timed VSC for Kimi Antonelli and a slow McLaren pit stop changed everything. Episode 31 breaks down Antonelli's eighth win, Lando's brutal Madrid heartbreak, Verstappen's podium, Ferrari's gamble, Hamilton's DNF, the new circuit, and why a Virtual Safety Car can completely flip an F1 race. Norris started from pole, survived two opening-lap attacks from Kimi Antonelli and built a lead of more than six seconds. Then Lance Stroll stopped his Aston Martin just after Lando had passed the pit entrance. Antonelli, Max Verstappen and George Russell could take advantage of the VSC. Lando couldn't — and when he finally stopped one lap later, a problem with McLaren's front-right tyre dropped him all the way to P5. In Episode 31 of Lights Out, Let's Chat, Michaela breaks down Formula 1's first race at Madrid's new Madring circuit — and why the final Antonelli-Verstappen-Norris podium doesn't come close to telling the whole story. Kimi Antonelli was there when the opportunity came and turned it into his eighth victory in 14 races, extending his championship lead over George Russell to 81 points. Max Verstappen fought his way to second and held off a recovering Norris, while Ferrari rolled the strategy dice with Charles Leclerc after Lewis Hamilton suffered a brake failure and recorded his first DNF of the season. There's also a bigger question about Madring itself. The new circuit looked spectacular, but overtaking proved extremely difficult. Michaela looks at what worked, what didn't, and what Formula 1 could learn from its first weekend in Madrid. And Episode 31 introduces something new: Mr. F1 Wisdom of the Week, with Mike joining the show to ask what actually makes an F1 driver great — winning in the best car, or getting results from a car that shouldn't be near the front? In This Episode: How Lando Norris lost a six-second lead in MadridKimi Antonelli's eighth victory in 14 racesWhy the Virtual Safety Car completely changed the Grand PrixMax Verstappen's fight with Lando for P2Lewis Hamilton's brake failure and first DNF of 2026Charles Leclerc and Ferrari's huge strategy gambleThe good — and bad — of F1's new Madring circuitThe debut of Mr. F1 Wisdom of the Week Michaela also gives newer fans an easy explanation of the Virtual Safety Car, why pit stops can effectively cost less time under a VSC, and why being a few seconds on the wrong side of the pit entrance can completely change a Formula 1 race. Whether you've watched Formula 1 forever or you're still trying to figure out why everyone suddenly gets excited when VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR appears on the screen, you're welcome here. Formula 1 Doesn't Have To Be Intimidating. Join the Conversation. Follow Lights Out, Let's Chat so you don't miss Episode 32, and share the show with someone who loves F1 — or someone who's just starting to figure it all out.

  4. Sep 9

    Episode 30: Antonelli Wins Monza From P19! Ferrari Heartbreak & Gasly’s Shock Pole

    Kimi Antonelli started his home Grand Prix from P19. Fifty-three laps later, the 20-year-old championship leader was standing on the top step of the podium at Monza. Yeah. We need to talk about this one. In Episode 30 of Lights Out, Let’s Chat, Michaela breaks down an absolutely wild Italian Grand Prix weekend that somehow had everything: Pierre Gasly taking his first Formula 1 pole, Ferrari giving the Tifosi hope before everything unraveled, Max Verstappen fighting his way back onto the podium, McLaren's teammates battling each other — and Antonelli producing one of the drives of the 2026 season. Mercedes deliberately chose Monza for Kimi's power-unit penalty, dropping him from a P7 qualifying result all the way to 19th on the starting grid. What followed was a patient, aggressive recovery through the field, a scary trip through the gravel while fighting George Russell, and a late pass for the lead. P19 to P1. At Monza. In front of his home crowd. Meanwhile, Ferrari's home Grand Prix went from promising to painful almost immediately. Lewis Hamilton ended up in the gravel on lap one, Charles Leclerc crashed heavily on lap two, and suddenly Ferrari's hopes rested entirely on Hamilton recovering through the field. Michaela also breaks down: Pierre Gasly's stunning first Formula 1 pole positionWhy Monza actually made sense for Antonelli's grid penaltyGeorge Russell and Mercedes' strategy battleMax Verstappen's return to the podiumLando Norris vs. Oscar Piastri at McLarenFerrari's nightmare home raceGasly officially losing his Monaco podium — againWhy the Monaco result changed months after the raceWhat the blinking red light on the back of an F1 car actually meansWhy that light isn't simply a brake lightAnd, because apparently this is part of Formula 1 now... Lightning McQueen at Monza Episode 30 also marks 30 episodes of Lights Out, Let's Chat, and Formula 1 couldn't have provided a much better race to celebrate it. Whether you've watched Formula 1 for years or you're still figuring out what all those flashing lights, penalties, strategies and radio messages mean, you're welcome here. Formula 1 doesn't have to be intimidating. Join the conversation. Follow Lights Out, Let's Chat so you don't miss the next episode, and share the show with another F1 fan. Question for you: Was Antonelli's P19-to-P1 Monza victory the drive of the season? #Formula1 #ItalianGP #KimiAntonelli #Monza #F1Podcast

  5. Sep 2

    Antonelli Starts Last at Monza — Can the F1 Leader Fight Back?

    Kimi Antonelli is leading the F1 World Championship — and now he has to start his home Grand Prix from the back. Kimi Antonelli heads to his home Italian Grand Prix as the F1 championship leader — but a Mercedes power-unit penalty means he’ll start from the back. Michaela previews the Monza challenge, McLaren’s resurgence, Ferrari’s home-race pressure, Lando Norris’ new long-term contract and explains what Formula 1 stewards actually do. The Formula 1 championship leader is heading home to Monza — from the back of the grid. Kimi Antonelli already had the pressure of racing in front of his home crowd, but a Mercedes power-unit penalty has completely changed what a successful Italian Grand Prix could look like. Michaela looks ahead to a Monza weekend where simply winning may no longer be the right measure of Antonelli’s performance. How aggressively should he fight through the field? How much championship damage can Mercedes realistically limit? And could George Russell suddenly become Mercedes’ best chance of winning? Meanwhile, McLaren may be turning into one of the most important wild cards in the championship. Lando Norris arrives after consecutive victories in Hungary and Zandvoort, while Oscar Piastri is still searching for the same confidence and performance from the MCL40. And now Norris has another reason to celebrate: McLaren has locked its reigning World Champion in through at least 2030. Then there’s Ferrari at Monza. Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, the Tifosi and the expectations of an entire home crowd — what could possibly be stressful about that? In This Episode: Kimi Antonelli’s power-unit penalty and Monza recovery challengeWhy minimizing damage could matter more than winning for the championship leaderGeorge Russell’s potentially crucial role for MercedesLando Norris and McLaren’s sudden late-season surgeWhy Oscar Piastri may be struggling to extract the same performanceFerrari, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton facing the pressure of MonzaLando Norris extending his McLaren contract through at least 2030What F1 stewards actually do — and why “under investigation” doesn’t automatically mean a penaltyIf you’ve ever wondered who the mysterious stewards are that Formula 1 keeps talking about, Michaela also breaks down their role without turning it into a sporting-regulations lecture. Follow Lights Out, Let’s Chat so you don’t miss the Italian Grand Prix follow-up, and share the show with the F1 fan in your life who still has approximately 702 questions.

  6. Aug 26

    Episode 28: Lando Wins a Wild Zandvoort as Max Crashes & Mercedes Makes the Team-Order Call

    Lando won, Max didn’t even finish lap one, and Mercedes decided three championship points were important enough to tell George Russell to move over. Lando Norris closed out Zandvoort with a huge Dutch Grand Prix victory—but that was only one piece of an absolutely chaotic return from Formula 1’s summer break. Michaela breaks down the final scheduled Dutch Grand Prix from start to finish: George Russell’s sprint victory, Lando’s pole and comeback win, Kimi Antonelli fighting at the front, Mercedes ordering George to give up second place, Ferrari getting uncomfortably close to the podium, Oscar Piastri’s difficult Sunday, and Max Verstappen crashing out on the opening lap of his final home Grand Prix. There’s also a major Red Bull story before the racing even begins: Max has committed to the team through 2030, putting even more pressure on Red Bull to give him a championship-winning car again. And F1 Academy absolutely delivered. Peyton Westcott became a first-time winner, Nina Gademan scored two home podiums, Alba Larsen took two second-place finishes, and championship leader Alicja Palmowski went from stalling at the start of one race to winning the next and leaving Zandvoort with a 48-point advantage. Plus, Michaela explains why team orders happen, why three championship points can matter enormously, and what newer F1 fans should watch as the championship heads toward Monza. Follow Lights Out, Let’s Chat so you’re ready for the next round—because between Kimi’s expected grid penalty, Ferrari at Monza, and Lando coming off back-to-back wins, this championship is getting very interesting. In This Episode Lando Norris wins the final scheduled Dutch Grand PrixMax Verstappen crashes out on the opening lap of his final home GPMercedes orders George Russell to let Kimi Antonelli throughGeorge Russell wins the Zandvoort sprintFerrari nearly steals a Grand Prix podiumMax Verstappen commits to Red Bull through 2030Oscar Piastri struggles while his McLaren teammate winsF1 Academy delivers a first-time winner and major championship swing

  7. Aug 18

    Max Verstappen's Final Dutch GP? Zandvoort, McLaren's Rise & the F1 Restart | Episode 27

    Max Verstappen is heading home, but Zandvoort feels very different this time. Red Bull isn't dominating, the rumors around Max aren't going away, and the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix is preparing for what could be an emotional farewell to Formula 1. After summer break, Michaela is back to get everyone ready for the second half of the season—and there is a lot waiting for us. Kimi Antonelli returns as the championship leader, with Mercedes bringing plenty of attention into the weekend. George Russell needs a clean reset, while the big question for Mercedes is whether its development work can make an already competitive car even harder to beat. Then there's McLaren. Lando Norris finally delivered McLaren's first Grand Prix win of 2026 in Hungary, changing the conversation from "Can McLaren win?" to something much more interesting: Can they do it again? Oscar Piastri has his own reasons to want a response after Hungary, and if both McLarens are fighting near the front, managing two drivers who want the same trophy could become one of the biggest stories of the second half. Ferrari somehow has an even simpler assignment: have a normal weekend. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have both shown that Ferrari has race-winning speed this season. Now the team needs qualifying, strategy and execution to come together on the same weekend. Michaela also breaks down Zandvoort itself—including its famous banking and why qualifying and track position matter so much—and explains some of the F1 language newer fans constantly hear: stewards, race control, engineers, team principals, upgrades, setup, dirty air, undercuts and more. F1 Academy returns too, with championship leader Alisha Palmowski entering Zandvoort after an impressive showing during in-season testing. Whether you've been following F1 for years or you're still figuring out why everyone suddenly starts yelling when an engineer says "box," Lights Out, Let's Chat gives you the context without turning racing into a physics lecture. Follow Lights Out, Let's Chat and come back each week as Michaela follows the fights, personalities, strategy and inevitable chaos of the 2026 Formula 1 season. SHORT SUMMARY: F1 is back, and Max Verstappen returns home for Zandvoort's final scheduled Dutch Grand Prix with Red Bull no longer the automatic favorite. Michaela breaks down Verstappen's homecoming, Antonelli's title lead, McLaren's post-Hungary momentum, Ferrari, F1 Academy and everything newer fans need before racing resumes. CHAPTERS: 00:03 — F1 Is Almost Back04:05 — The 2026 Season So Far05:40 — Why Summer Break Matters06:38 — Zandvoort Explained08:23 — FIA, Stewards & Race Control10:06 — Team Bosses, Engineers & F1 Car Terms14:43 — Antonelli Leads the Championship16:16 — Mercedes' Post-Break Upgrade18:43 — Russell Needs a Reset20:28 — Can McLaren Win Again?22:44 — Norris vs. Piastri24:40 — Verstappen Comes Home26:19 — The Verstappen Rumor Machine28:28 — Zandvoort's Final F1 Race30:00 — Ferrari Just Needs a Normal Weekend33:22 — F1 Academy Returns36:41 — 10 Stories to Watch at Zandvoort38:57 — F1 Beginner Cheat Sheet40:07 — The Biggest Dutch GP Storyline

  8. Aug 4

    Episode 26: Antonelli Leads at the Break—Mercedes on Top, Ferrari Chaos & McLaren’s Comeback

    A rookie is leading the Formula 1 World Championship, Mercedes has become the team everyone is chasing, and Ferrari is somehow winning races while still testing the emotional stability of its fans. Episode 26 is our relaxed summer-break catch-up on the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Michaela looks at how Kimi Antonelli went from highly rated rookie to genuine title favorite, why George Russell is still very much in the fight, and how Mercedes could face a difficult teammate decision if both drivers remain close after the break. Ferrari’s season gets the full emotional-support-group treatment. Lewis Hamilton has already won in red, Charles Leclerc delivered at Silverstone, and the team clearly has real pace—but strong Fridays, strategy questions, penalties, and frustrating Sundays continue to make Ferrari difficult to trust with anyone’s peace. There is also plenty of McLaren discussion after Lando Norris finally delivered the team’s first Grand Prix victory of the season in Hungary. Michaela celebrates the breakthrough while asking what Oscar Piastri’s retirement, McLaren’s reliability, and the growing teammate battle could mean for the second half. Max Verstappen and Red Bull remain dangerous, Isaac Hadjar is quietly becoming one of the season’s most interesting drivers, and the FIA’s confusing explanations continue to make Formula 1 harder to follow than it needs to be. The episode also gives F1 Academy the attention it deserves, including the championship fight and the significance of a wildcard driver reaching the podium. Newer fans will also leave with a clearer understanding of the summer shutdown, why consistency wins championships, and why some of the best stories happen outside the podium places. What has been the biggest story of 2026 so far: Antonelli’s rookie title charge, Hamilton winning for Ferrari, McLaren’s breakthrough, Red Bull losing its dominance, or the rise of F1 Academy? Follow Lights Out, Let’s Chat, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone who wants Formula 1 without the gatekeeping. We return August 18 before the Dutch Grand Prix.

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About

A relaxed, unscripted podcast that begins with Formula 1 and opens the door to everything around it. Lights Out Let’s Chat is for new fans, longtime followers, and anyone who just enjoys a good conversation when the lights go out.

Information

  • Creator
    Michaela Wollmann
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michaela Wollmann
  • Show Website
    Lights Out Lets Chat!