Formula Fools

David Duffin, Mitchell Drennan
  • 5.0 (7)
  • SPORTS
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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. 15H AGO

    Esteban Ocon: The Caravan Kid Who Wouldn’t Back Down

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we unpack one of the grid’s toughest journeys: Esteban Ocon. Because Ocon didn’t arrive in Formula 1 with comfort. He arrived with sacrifice. Before the podiums. Before the F1 contracts. Before the headlines. His family sold their house and moved into a caravan so he could keep racing. That’s not a motivational poster. That’s real life. David and Skin rewind to why the talent justified the risk. Before F1, Ocon: Won the 2014 FIA Formula 3 European Championship as a rookie (beating Max Verstappen)Won the 2015 GP3 Series in his debut seasonBuilt a reputation for precision, control, and mental toughnessBecame part of the Mercedes junior programme before reaching F1 He wasn’t flashy. He was relentless. His F1 career hasn’t been smooth either. Debut with Manor in 2016. Strong Force India years. Dropped for 2019 when the team ownership changed. Returned with Renault. Then that moment. Hungary 2021. Chaos at Turn 1. Ocon survives. Holds off Sebastian Vettel for an entire race. Wins. That’s how a midfield team wins a Grand Prix — calm, composed, no mistakes. By 2026, he’s at Haas F1 Team — not as a gamble, but as an experienced race winner anchoring a rebuilding project. We break down what makes Ocon dangerous: Smart race management under pressureTough, uncompromising wheel-to-wheel racingMental resilience forged through setbacksThe credibility of being a proven Grand Prix winner The question now isn’t whether he’s good enough. It’s whether Haas can give him machinery that lets him show it consistently. Best case? Haas take a step forward and Ocon sneaks onto more podiums. Worst case? Solid points seasons but limited headline moments. Most likely? A dependable, hard-edged competitor who occasionally pops up in chaos and reminds everyone he’s already won one. Ten years from now, he won’t be remembered as the loudest driver of his era. He’ll be remembered as the one who made it the hardest way possible… and still made 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.

    22 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Liam Lawson: The Chaos Substitute Who Stayed

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we unpack one of the grid’s ultimate opportunity merchants: Liam Lawson. Because Lawson’s F1 career hasn’t followed a clean, linear script. It’s been chaos. Reserve driver. Super Formula in Japan. Mid-season F1 call-up. Red Bull cameo. Back to Racing Bulls. And somehow… he’s still here. David and Skin rewind to why that’s not luck. Before F1, Lawson quietly built one of the most varied junior résumés on the grid: NZ F1600 championToyota Racing Series championRunner-up in DTM in his rookie season3rd in FIA F2 with four winsSuper Formula debut winner in Japan That’s not hype. That’s adaptability. He joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2019 and learned quickly that survival in that system requires two things: pace and mental toughness. He’s shown both. Then came 2023. Daniel Ricciardo gets injured. Lawson gets the call. He jumps into the car at Zandvoort and doesn’t look out of place. That became his reputation: parachute him in, he’ll be solid. By 2026, he’s back at Racing Bulls — but this time not as an experiment. As a proven part of the system. We break down what makes Lawson dangerous: Composure under chaosAbility to jump into new machinery and adapt instantlyQualifying ceiling (yes, that P3 grid slot proves it’s in there)Mental resilience after bouncing between roles Off track? He’s openly obsessed with the Disney Pixar Cars movie. Which honestly tracks. He’s the guy who grew up loving racing and somehow found himself living it — repeatedly, in unpredictable ways. The big question now: Can he turn flashes into a full season of consistency in a midfield fight? Best case? He becomes the clear Racing Bulls leader and forces Red Bull to look at him again seriously. Worst case? He’s permanently labelled “solid but not spectacular.” Most likely? A steady upward curve, big weekends when it clicks, and a 2026 season defined by proving he’s not just a super sub — he’s a career F1 driver. He didn’t arrive with fireworks. He arrived with opportunity — and kept taking 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.

    20 min

  3. 2D AGO

    Ollie Bearman: From Ferrari Emergency to Haas Foundation

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we unpack the rapid rise of Oliver Bearman — the teenager who went from F2 weekend to Ferrari race seat in about five minutes. Because that’s not exaggeration. Saudi Arabia 2024. Carlos Sainz out. Phone rings. Bearman in. At 18 years old, he was pulled from his normal Formula 2 routine and dropped into a Ferrari Formula 1 car with almost no notice. Most rookies spend years preparing for that moment. He scored points immediately. That single weekend changed everything. David and Skin rewind to why Ferrari rated him so highly in the first place: Double F4 champion (ADAC + Italian F4 in the same year)Strong FIA F3 campaignFour wins in FIA F2 in 2023Fast-tracked through the Ferrari Driver Academy system He wasn’t just “next in line.” He was winning everywhere he went. And yet, peak Bearman lore? He failed his first road driving test in 2022 for not fully stopping at a stop sign. He can handle 300km/h into Turn 1. But a suburban stop sign got him. That’s balance. By 2025, he was locked in as a full-time driver at Haas F1 Team, Ferrari-powered and investing in youth. By 2026, he’s not a cameo anymore — he’s a cornerstone. We break down what makes Bearman dangerous: Composure under absurd pressure (that Saudi debut wasn’t lucky)Clean, measured racecraftReal qualifying upsideA ceiling that shows when the car gives him even half a chance (career-best P4 already on the board) The big question? Can he turn flashes into season-long consistency as the midfield tightens and teams start targeting him strategically? Best case? Haas rise and he becomes a regular top-6 threat — with Ferrari watching closely. Worst case? The car caps his results and he becomes another “what if” talent stuck in the midfield. Most likely? Steady growth, smarter racecraft each season, and those occasional weekends where everyone goes, “Yeah… he’s properly quick.” He’s calm. He’s calculated. And he already knows what it feels like to get the biggest call in Formula 1 — and deliver. 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.

    20 min

  4. 3D AGO

    Isack Hadjar: The Next Red Bull Gamble

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we break down one of the boldest promotions of the 2026 season: Isack Hadjar. Because Red Bull don’t promote drivers gently. They throw them in next to Max Verstappen and see what survives. David and Skin rewind to Hadjar’s junior journey — Paris-born, fast out of karting, climbing through French F4 and the Formula Regional/F3 ladder before landing in Formula 2. It wasn’t all smooth. 2023 F2? Tough. Winless. Doubts creeping in. 2024 F2? Full rebound mode. Four wins. Title fight. Toe-to-toe with Gabriel Bortoleto all the way to the finale — only for it to end in heartbreak after a painful stall at the worst possible moment. That right there told Red Bull everything they needed to know. He didn’t crumble. He bounced. 2025 brought his F1 debut at Racing Bulls. The first race was messy. The spotlight was brutal. But by mid-season he was knocking on Q3 regularly — and then came the breakthrough podium at Zandvoort. Suddenly the conversation shifted from “Is he ready?” to “How high is the ceiling?” Then came the call. Actually — his mum got the call first. When Hadjar was promoted to Oracle Red Bull Racing for 2026, she found out before he did. Peak modern F1. Your life changes and your mum’s phone buzzes first. Now the real test begins. Partnering Max Verstappen is not just another seat. It’s the hardest comparison in Formula 1. History shows most drivers don’t survive it. We break down what makes Hadjar dangerous: Raw pace that Red Bull refused to give up onRacecraft that’s been repeatedly highlighted in his climbResilience after both junior heartbreak and early F1 pressureA ceiling high enough that Red Bull were willing to risk it The only question now? Can he turn flashes into consistency — under the most intense spotlight on the grid? Best case? He adapts quickly and becomes a genuine long-term Red Bull weapon. Worst case? The Verstappen comparison becomes too heavy and he’s recycled back through the system. Most likely? A bumpy start, proper moments of class, and a season defined by growth in the toughest seat in the sport. At 21, he’s not just fighting for points. He’s fighting to prove he belongs next to the benchmark. 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.

    17 min

  5. 4D AGO

    Nico Hülkenberg: The Best Driver Without the Trophies

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we look at one of the most respected — and most statistically confusing — careers on the grid: Nico Hülkenberg. Because if you only looked at his junior résumé, you’d assume multiple F1 titles were inevitable. German Formula BMW champion. A1 Grand Prix champion. Formula 3 Euro Series champion. GP2 champion — as a rookie. That’s not a solid ladder climb. That’s a clean sweep. David and Skin rewind to 2010, when Hülkenberg arrived in Formula 1 with Williams and immediately shocked the grid with a pole position in Brazil. In the wet. As a rookie. It looked like the beginning of something massive. Instead, it became the beginning of a long, strange career arc. Strong seasons at Force India. A technical brain teams trusted. A reputation for consistency and calm under pressure. Then the infamous “super sub” era — parachuting into cars mid-season and instantly performing like he’d never left. And through it all, one stat followed him: No podium. We break down what makes Nico so respected anyway: Elite qualifying abilityClean, composed racecraftRarely crashes, rarely panicsTechnical feedback teams genuinely value In 2026, he finds himself at the centre of a new chapter — part of the Audi Revolut F1 Team works project. Not there for hype. There for stability, development, and experience. This might be his final big opportunity. Is Audi the reset that finally gives him that long-overdue podium? Or will he go down as one of the greatest “almost” stories in modern Formula 1? Best case? Audi over-deliver and Nico finally gets the champagne moment the paddock has wanted for years. Worst case? He remains the benchmark — but without silverware. Most likely? A key figure in Audi’s foundation years, remembered by drivers and engineers as a proper racer’s racer. He may not have the trophies. But ask anyone in the paddock — they’ll tell you he absolutely had the talent. 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.

    26 min

  6. 5D AGO

    Fernando Alonso: The Last of the Old Guard

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we talk about a man who has outlasted eras, regulations, rivals… and common sense retirement timelines: Fernando Alonso. Because to understand Alonso, you have to go back to the early 2000s. When Michael Schumacher was dominating Formula 1, it took someone very special to stop him. That someone was a young Spaniard with blistering speed, relentless racecraft, and zero fear. In 2005 and 2006, Alonso didn’t just win championships — he ended a dynasty. He became the youngest double world champion at the time. And for a moment, it felt like the start of something even bigger. Then came the twists. Spells at McLaren. Ferrari. Returns. Departures. Near misses. Regret seasons. And yet somehow, here we are in 2026 — and Alonso is still on the grid with 427 race starts, 32 wins, 106 podiums, and two world titles. We break down what makes Fernando different: Blistering underlying pace even in his 40sElite race IQ — knowing when to attack, defend, or simply surviveWheel-to-wheel instincts that make him one of the hardest drivers to battleA mentality that simply does not accept being average And yes — we talk about the fact he literally built a museum dedicated to his career. Most drivers sell merch. Fernando built a museum with hundreds of artefacts from his own story. That’s not ego. That’s legacy planning. Now at Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, Alonso isn’t here to circulate. He’s here because he still believes there’s another big moment left. The question isn’t “can he still drive?” It’s “can Aston Martin give him the car to fight properly again?” Best case? Aston nail the 2026 regulations and Alonso gets that one final win — maybe more. Worst case? He continues delivering elite performances without the machinery to convert them. Most likely? He remains one of the sharpest racers on the grid, with his results tied almost entirely to Aston’s package. Ten years from now, we won’t talk about Fernando Alonso as a “two-time champion.” We’ll talk about him as the driver who stayed elite across generations — and refused to leave quietly. 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.

    27 min

  7. 6D AGO

    Carlos Sainz: The Thinking Racer

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we break down one of the most calculated competitors on the grid: Carlos Sainz. Because Carlos Sainz doesn’t win headlines. He wins weekends. David and Skin rewind to 2015, when Sainz debuted at Toro Rosso alongside a certain teenage phenomenon named Max Verstappen. From day one, he showed he wasn’t there to play support act. Intelligent. Tough. Calm under pressure. Proper race IQ. He’s never been chaos. He’s been control. Across spells at McLaren and Ferrari, Sainz built a reputation as the guy who thinks through races while others react to them. Four wins. Twenty-nine podiums. Multiple poles. Not accidental numbers — earned numbers. We break down what makes Sainz different: Tenacious racecraft that puts the car right on the edgeStrategic awareness mid-raceEmotional control when things get messyAnd the rare ability to improve a team’s baseline performance And then there’s the off-track leadership badge: in 2025, Sainz became a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association — stepping into a role previously held by Sebastian Vettel. That’s not a popularity contest. That’s trust. Now in 2026, he’s at Atlassian Williams F1 Team — not as a stopgap, but as an experienced race winner tasked with accelerating a rebuild. The question isn’t whether Carlos can perform. It’s whether Williams can give him the car to show it consistently. Best case? Williams’ 2026 direction hits and Sainz becomes a regular podium threat again. Worst case? He drives brilliantly… and the machinery caps the ceiling. Most likely? High-level, intelligent performances that quietly drag Williams upward. He’s not a chaos merchant. He’s a strategist in a helmet. And sometimes, that’s exactly what a rebuild needs. 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

  8. FEB 18

    Alex Albon: The Comeback No One Saw Coming

    In this Formula Fools driver deep dive, we look at one of the grid’s most quietly impressive second acts: Alexander Albon. Because Alex Albon’s career isn’t a straight line — it’s a bounce-back. David and Skin rewind to a junior career that was seriously legit. GP3 runner-up to Charles Leclerc. In the Formula 2 title fight alongside George Russell. Always quick. Always competitive. Just slightly overshadowed by generational names. Then 2019 happens. Rookie season at Toro Rosso. Immediate impression. Mid-season promotion to Oracle Red Bull Racing. Thrown into the deep end next to Max Verstappen before he’d even finished a full year in Formula 1. And when it didn’t quite click in 2020? He was out. That’s where most careers fade. Instead, Albon reset. Test and reserve duties. Stayed sharp. Took the hit publicly. And when Williams came calling, he grabbed the second chance with both hands. Now in 2026 at Atlassian Williams F1 Team, Albon isn’t “the guy who got dropped.” He’s the benchmark. The reference. The driver Williams lean on to measure progress. We break down what makes Albon dangerous: Strong one-lap pace when the car allows itStylish, decisive overtakingA calm, mature race approach forged through adversityAnd a mentality that’s been hardened by the Red Bull experience And yes — we talk about the “Albon Pets” British GP helmet and the whole Albon Zoo saga. Because somehow he’s built one of the most wholesome side quests on the grid while rebuilding his career. The real question now? If Williams keep climbing under the new regulations… can Albon turn “solid rebuild story” into genuine podium threat? Best case? Williams’ trajectory continues and he becomes a regular top-six finisher with real podium chances. Worst case? He remains the guy dragging a midfield car further than it should go. Most likely? The established Williams leader who keeps delivering those “how did he do that?” weekends. He’s not the prodigy anymore. He’s the proof that resilience works. 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.

    30 min
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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
    80
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © David Duffin, Mitchell Drennan
  • Show Website
    Formula Fools

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