High Performance Racing

It’s Monza week, which means Ferrari fever, Tifosi everywhere and absolutely no pressure whatsoever… Jake and Otmar tackle the big Italian dilemma: would the Tifosi rather see Lewis Hamilton win in red, or Kimi Antonelli win at home? For Otmar, it’s not even close.The guys debate Mercedes’ ruthless decision to give Kimi an engine penalty at his home race, why Jake thinks that mentality could win them both championships, and whether Ferrari can keep treating Hamilton and Leclerc as equals. Otmar also revisits the chaotic 2020 Monza race that Force India could have won.Plus, Jake and Otmar reveal their very different routes into Formula 1, tackle the brutal calendar facing F1 staff and ask whether rising ticket prices are pushing out the fans who built the sport.And Rob checks in from the Mediterranean with a classic Ferrari Monza memory, before the guys make their predictions for Sunday.Eight Sleep 👉 If you’re ready to upgrade your nights and unlock more energy in your days, start with Eight Sleep. Use code RACING for £350 off the Pod 5 Ultra here: https://highpfrmc.com/HPR-eightsleep-auAG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/hpracing to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit and five travel packs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake, Rob and Otmar go inside the minds of some of Formula 1’s greatest drivers - Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel - to understand what really separated them from the rest.Rob shares the moment he first realised a teenage Fernando Alonso was something special, why he tried to play down just how quick he was, and what made Alonso such a formidable competitor. Otmar explains the relentless preparation and work ethic that made Sebastian Vettel a four-time world champion, while Rob reflects on what Michael Schumacher was really like inside Ferrari, as a leader, teammate and competitor.They also explore the idea of “spare capacity”: the ability to drive at the limit while still thinking about strategy, reading the race and spotting opportunities others miss. From Schumacher watching the big screens while racing, to Vettel’s obsessive preparation and Alonso’s consistency, this is a deep dive into the habits, mentality and ruthlessness behind F1 greatness.Plus, Rob and Otmar reveal the greatest drivers they worked with and raced against, and debate where Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fit into the conversation.AG1 👉 Head to https://DrinkAG1.Com/HighPerformanceRacing to get the full AG1 welcome kit, including a free Morning Person Cap, plus AG1’s Omega-3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Formula 1 heads into the summer break, so Jake, Otmar and Rob hand out their mid-season report cards, grading every team out of 10 and explaining exactly why.Mercedes earned top marks after the strongest first half of the season, but George Russell's reliability issues sparked a debate over what might have been in both championship battles. They then assess Ferrari, McLaren and an underperforming Red Bull, before turning their attention to Alpine, Racing Bulls, Haas, Audi, Williams and Aston Martin.Plus, they rate the drivers, examine whether Kimi Antonelli's championship lead can still be overturned, and welcome back Bullshit Corner, complete with its own leaderboard and your latest nominations.AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/hpracing to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, a month's supply of Omega3 capsules and five travel packs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake, Rob Smedley and Otmar react to a Belgian Grand Prix that reshaped the championship. Twelve months after admitting he'd "probably reached the bottom" at Spa, Kimi Antonelli returns to the same track and delivers a flawless win over Charles Leclerc, extending his title lead to 45 points. George Russell doesn't survive the first corner.Rob takes us into the Engineering Dark Web to explain exactly why George is losing time to his teammate — and Otmar and Rob put the theory to the test that's dividing the Mercedes garage: is this a car problem, a George problem, or both? Toto Wolff says it's "50% the car." George isn't fully convinced. Rob's verdict is blunter still: beat your teammate, or leave.Also in this episode:The Daniel Ricciardo/Max Verstappen parallel that explains exactly what's happening to George right nowWhy Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen's contract clauses both come to a head this weekend in HungaryFernando Alonso's Aston Martin verdict — an 80% new car arrives in Budapest with zero testing, and it might decide whether he staysWhy 400,000 fans at Spa still wasn't enough to save it from the 2028 and 2030 calendarBullsh*t Corner nominations, your questions answered, and the usual dad jokesNew episodes of High Performance Racing every week, subscribe so you don't miss one.AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/hpracing to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, a month's supply of Omega3 capsules and five travel packs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Otmar, Jake and Rob break down the chaotic ending to the 2026 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, live in front of a crowd for the first time ever.Charles Leclerc took the win as Ferrari and Mercedes made contrasting strategy calls under the late safety car, sparking fierce debate over whether the FIA should have red flagged the race instead.Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli all played a part in one of the most talked-about finishes of the season, plus Bullshit Corner, dad jokes, and an Ayrton Senna helmet reveal.What did you make of the race finish? Let us know in the comments below!Thanks for hosting us Optima 1! www.optima1.comExplore Optima 1's award-winning mobile event spaces designed for brand experiences, broadcasting, VIP hospitality, and exhibitions with customizable features and cutting-edge technology: AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/hpracing to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, a month's supply of Omega3 capsules and five travel packs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Otmar away, Jake Humphrey and Rob Smedley preview the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix. Rob dives deep into his legendary career, breaking down what it really takes to lead the technical side of an F1 team, the old-school mindset shift he brought to Williams, and what the current team is lacking on track. The duo also debated a massive F1 "what if", whether Michael Schumacher would have swept the 2007 and 2008 titles if Ross Brawn hadn’t retired. Plus, Rob reveals the incredible reality behind Felipe Massa’s terrifying 2009 Budapest crash, the chaos of engineering the unpredictable Jean Alesi, and a highly questionable new entry into Bullshit Corner. Want to guide the next episode? Reply in the comment below with your questions for Rob and Otmar, or nominate an F1 moment for Bullshit Corner!  AG1 👉Head to http://drinkag1.com/hpracing to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packsEight Sleep 👉 If you’re ready to upgrade your nights and unlock more energy in your days, start with Eight Sleep. Use code RACING for £350 off the Pod 5 Ultra here: https://highpfrmc.com/HPR-eightsleep-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake, Rob, and Otmar react to a chaotic Monaco Grand Prix, discussing Kimi Antonelli’s fifth consecutive win, George Russell’s disastrous weekend, and whether the 2026 Formula 1 title race is already over.Rob and Otmar break down Russell’s chances for the rest of 2026, the ADUO verdict that’s sent shockwaves through the paddock - and why Red Bull being declared F1’s benchmark engine is great news for Mercedes. After yet another podium for Lewis Hamilton, the guys debate his place among the all-time Formula 1 greats.The trio also look ahead to the Barcelona Grand Prix, and whether the championship is truly still up for grabs.Plus: Rob makes his case for keeping Monaco on the 2026 F1 calendar in ‘Bullshit corner’ - and defends his socks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of High Performance Racing, Otmar, Jake and Rob break down the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix and the growing tension at Mercedes as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli go wheel-to-wheel.Was George unlucky, or is Kimi now a genuine title threat? The trio discuss Mercedes’ rules of engagement, whether Toto Wolff needs to step in, and why Antonelli is already being talked about as a generational talent.Plus, we look at Lewis Hamilton’s breakthrough P2 for Ferrari, what it says about his confidence, why Charles Leclerc may be feeling the pressure, and whether McLaren made a major strategy mistake by starting on intermediates.And... as always - some dad jokes to close. Let us know what you think and leave us a comment, question or message! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forget the PR spin as Jake, Otmar, and Rob weigh George Russell’s relentless work ethic against Kimi Antonelli’s raw talent, even revisiting the famous PowerPoint deck George used to pitch his way onto the grid. The trio dives into the "dark arts" of the driver-engineer bond, from the psychology of delivering bad news to the tactical "slow-walking" of team orders. They also break down the exhausting new reality of mid-race energy management and why the partnership between a driver and their engineer is the ultimate weapon for icons like Max Verstappen.Otmar shares perspective-shifting lessons from his Force India days on why treating a world champion like a normal human being is the rarest, most effective skill in the paddock.It’s an unfiltered look at the grit, intellect, and invisible friction required to survive the F1 pressure cooker and lead the grid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Humphrey, Otmar Szafnauer, and Rob Smedley tackle the biggest power shift currently shaking the grid: the potential collapse of the Red Bull dynasty. With key figures departing and performance wavering, the guys discuss whether Max Verstappen is finally ready to pull the trigger on a move to Mercedes and what that means for the rest of the 2026 driver market.The conversation shifts from the boardroom to the "underworld" of the paddock, exposing the chaotic reality of life on the road. Moving beyond the headlines, the group explores the "dark arts" of the pit wall, sharing candid stories about managing intense driver rivalries and the extreme logistics required to keep a team racing.From the lengths teams go to for emergency spare parts to Michael Schumacher’s specific race-day rituals, Otmar and Rob offer a unique technical and human perspective on the sport. The episode concludes with a look at why team culture and psychological safety often matter more than fancy factories when it comes to winning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🚨 First episode out Wednesday 22nd April - follow the show so you don't miss a momentThey say you can’t truly understand Formula 1 without real experts; High Performance Racing brings you the people who actually lived it.Hosted by Jake Humphrey alongside former Aston Martin & Alpine Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer and ex-Ferrari & Williams Race Engineer Rob Smedley, this brand-new show breaks down the sport's biggest news stories through the eyes of seasoned F1 personnel.Moving beyond standard race breakdowns, the show offers a front-row seat to the high-stakes world of the Formula 1 paddock, from team analysis & technical breakdowns to the unfiltered banter of the pit wall.High Performance Racing delivers the insider perspectives and uncovered moments that the cameras miss, straight from those who have built careers in the most competitive sport in the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.