In the Fast Lane

In the Fast Lane is the official podcast of the Australian Grand Prix.

Dedicated to Formula 1® and MotoGP™, host Matt Clayton is joined by Michael Lamonato (F1®) and Chris Vermeulen (MotoGP™) to interview some of the biggest names in world motorsport and update you on all the latest racing news and talking points.

The podcast is available on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.

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In the Fast Lane Season 3

Episode 137: Andrew Westacott on what's coming up in 2023

We close out Season 3 of In The Fast Lane with a look ahead to the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2023 with AGPC CEO Andrew Westacott, who joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato along with our AusGP Access members to discuss the unprecedented interest in next year's event (03:17), Oscar Piastri's prospects in year one at McLaren (07:35), the extension of Melbourne's contract to 2035 and whether the race was a chance to move to Sydney (12:49), the 2023 music line-up headlined by Birds of Tokyo and Sneaky Sound System (18:45), the must-see areas and activities for first-time Grand Prix™ patrons (25:30), how fans can get up close to F2® and F3® in their debuts in Melbourne (29:00), and what the coming years have in store at Albert Park (32:39).

Episode 136: Daniel Ricciardo

It's the podcast you've been waiting to hear – a long chat with newly-named Red Bull Racing third driver for 2023, Daniel Ricciardo. Daniel joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to talk about the emotions of returning to the team he left in 2018 (02:14), interest from Mercedes (07:07), the difficulties of seeing out his time at McLaren after being sacked (13:13), not trusting his instincts over his two years at McLaren (15:32), the awkwardness of fellow Australian Oscar Piastri taking his seat (19:25), falling out of love with aspects of F1® (22:49) and why missing the thrill of competition could dictate his return (31:48).

Episode 135: David Coulthard

David Coulthard, two-time Australian Grand Prix™ victor and winner of 13 Formula 1® races, joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to talk about whether Red Bull's 2022 season is the strongest in its history (01:43), Max Verstappen's controversial defiance of team orders with Sergio Perez in Brazil (04:24), the importance of finishing runner-up in an F1® season (08:06), his earliest memories of the first year in Red Bull Racing's history in 2005 (11:22), the legacy left by retiring four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel (17:50) and whether he expects to see Daniel Ricciardo back in F1® after 2023 (20:25).

Episode 133: Marc Priestley

Former McLaren F1® mechanic turned author, TV presenter, YouTuber and speaker Marc Priestley joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to talk about how he cut his teeth in the sport with McLaren's test team (01:51), his first memories of what made Lewis Hamilton special (05:38), the fractious intra-team 2007 title fight and Hamilton's first world title in 2008 (08:20), how McLaren fell from the front from 2009 and the team's slow build to competitiveness since (11:34), Red Bull's dominant 2022 season (17:10), the stigma of Red Bull's cost cap breach and the similarities to McLaren's 2007 'Spygate' scandal (20:54), and where Ferrari have fallen short in their bid to end a long title drought (25:15).

Episode 132: Red Bull's bittersweet title double, with Mark Hughes

For the first time in nine years, Red Bull Racing won the F1® drivers' and constructors' titles in the same season after Max Verstappen's victory in the US Grand Prix. Esteemed F1® author and journalist Mark Hughes joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to reflect on Red Bull's achievements this season on the weekend of the passing of company founder Dietrich Mateschitz (02:01), the early days of Red Bull in F1® (04:17), Verstappen's record-setting season (10:29), how Red Bull aced the new regulations for 2022 while Mercedes floundered (15:40), and the ramifications of Red Bull being found to have breached F1®'s cost cap (18:39).

Episode 129: Paul Stoddart

After Fernando Alonso started a record-breaking 350th Formula 1® race at last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, we chat to his first team principal and former Minardi owner Paul Stoddart about how he reflects on his five-year run at the helm of one the sport's backmarker teams (04:37), the race to get to the grid for his first race as team boss in Australia in 2001 (09:16), his earliest memories of working with Alonso that season (12:25), the famous 2002 Albert Park race where Mark Webber finished fifth on debut (15:31), his memorable TV interview during the controversial 2005 United States Grand Prix (23:04) and his pride at the growth of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (27:22).

Episode 128: Oscar Piastri

Oscar Piastri re-joins us on In The Fast Lane to discuss his rollercoaster of emotions on being named as a McLaren driver for 2023 (01:39), what it means to be joining a team with McLaren's history of success and champion drivers (06:29), how having a start date for his F1® race career has sharpened his focus (09:36), what he's expecting from new teammate Lando Norris (12:35), getting a call from Daniel Ricciardo after he was named as his compatriot's successor at McLaren (14:16) and his excitement for his first true home Grand Prix at Albert Park next April (16:07).

Episode 126: Chris Medland

F1® is desperate for an American driver to help boost the sport's popularity in the 'States. But should the rules be bent to allow Colton Herta onto the grid without a superlicence? F1® journalist and broadcaster Chris Medland joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to talk through the background to the Herta story (02:10), what Nyck De Vries' debut for Williams at Monza tells us about the depth in European talent (10:14), if Jack Doohan is a chance to race for Alpine if Pierre Gasly sticks with AlphaTauri (17:31), and suggests ways to fix the grid confusion caused by mass engine and gearbox penalties (20:36).

Episode 124: Ricciardo, Piastri & what's next with Scott Mitchell-Malm

Australians Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri are at the heart of one of the biggest Formula 1® 'silly season' stories in years. To make sense of a wild week of news on Ricciardo's future and Piastri's path to a full-time race seat, Scott Mitchell-Malm from the-race.com joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to discuss where things unravelled for Ricciardo at McLaren (03:58), his options to race on or sit out in 2023 (07:09), McLaren's role in the failed relationship (13:13), the pressure Piastri will face when he debuts (17:37), how Piastri declining an Alpine seat is seen in the paddock (20:26) and the impact of the contractual tug-of-war between Alpine and McLaren on his reputation (24:06).

Episode 122: F1® Mid-Season Mailbag

The 2022 F1® season is in its mid-season break – which means it's over to you to ask the questions! Hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato discuss a wide range of listener questions, including which F1® teams of the past they'd like to see on the 2022 grid (03:00), the verdict on F1® Sprint races after two seasons (05:36), the impact of the 2022 regulation changes (09:33), the best race of the season so far (12:22), what rule changes could benefit the sport (19:22), the impact F2® and F3® will have on the Australian Grand Prix from 2023 (23:34), if Mercedes can win a race or the constructors' title this year (29:50), which drivers and teams have impressed the most in 2022 (35:14) and who would win a go-kart race of the current grid in equal machinery (38:16).

Episode 120: Don Macpherson

Formula 1® mind coach Don Macpherson joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to discuss his book 'How To Master Your Monkey Mind' (01:53), how he became involved in F1® through Sir Jack Brabham and which drivers he has worked with (07:00), the emotions of being alongside David Brabham at the tragic San Marino Grand Prix of 1994 (09:30), how drivers have become more aware of the benefits of using mind management techniques (17:15), Charles Leclerc's well-publicised emotional reactions to adversity (20:20), which drivers on the 2022 grid maximise the mental side of the sport (25:50) and how aspiring F1® drivers are employing mind-coaching techniques as early as karting (30:42).

This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Episode 119: Yuki Tsunoda

Scuderia AlphaTauri F1® driver Yuki Tsunoda joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to talk about the beginnings of his European motorsport journey in 2018 (02:40), adjusting to life far away from Japan (05:35), repairing his confidence after a challenging F1® rookie season (07:48), his relationship with teammate Pierre Gasly and THAT Silverstone crash (14:35) and his excitement of F1® returning to Suzuka for this October's Japanese Grand Prix (18:32), while we wrap up Sunday's French Grand Prix won by Max Verstappen (21:43).

Episode 116: Lawrence Barretto

Lawrence Barretto, F1® correspondent and presenter at formula1.com, joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to talk about an action-packed British Grand Prix where Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu escaped unscathed from a massive first-lap accident (02:40), Carlos Sainz's first win for Ferrari (06:49), whether Mercedes' improved showing was a sign of things to come (14:43), Daniel Ricciardo's continued struggles at McLaren (23:01) and Mick Schumacher finally scoring his first F1® points for Haas (25:20).

Episode 115: Calan Williams

Australian Formula 2® racer Calan Williams joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to talk about the step up from Formula 3® with Trident (02:40), the high level of competition in F2® (04:11), his standout showing in just his third race in Saudi Arabia (07:18), experiencing Monaco for the first time (11:05), the chance to race in F2® at the Australian Grand Prix in 2023 (16:16) and his goals for the rest of the season (21:51).

Episode 114: Andrew Westacott

With the news that the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix will remain in Melbourne until 2035, Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chief Executive Andrew Westacott joins us to discuss the unprecedented length of the new extension (02:20), the upcoming first visits by Formula 2® and Formula 3® to the event (07:48), Australia's place as one of the opening races of the season (13:38) and the competition between cities for the right to host F1® (16:03), while we review the return of F1® to Canada and Max Verstappen's tense victory for Red Bull Racing in Montreal (18:30).

Episode 113: Emerson Fittipaldi

Two-time Formula 1® champion, 14-time Grand Prix winner and double Indianapolis 500 victor Emerson Fittipaldi joins us to discuss his trailblazing move from Brazil to Europe in the late 60s (02:30), the tragic and dramatic story behind his maiden F1® win in 1970 (05:30), his influence on the establishment of the Brazilian Grand Prix (11:05), the Fittipaldi motorsport dynasty (12:58) and the 2022 F1® season (19:38), while we wrap up last Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku won by Max Verstappen (23:08).

This week’s episode is brought to you by Shannons. Insurance for motoring enthusiasts.

Episode 110: Jack Doohan

Alpine Academy driver Jack Doohan joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to talk about his breakthrough Formula 2® podium finish in Spain last weekend (02:35), his maiden Formula 1® test in the 2021 Alpine in Qatar (05:27), the differences between F2® and F1® machinery (07:16), why he moved into the Alpine Academy for 2022 (09:10) and how the fast rise of stars like Max Verstappen has been a game-changer for young drivers (12:36), while we wrap up last Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona (14:56).

Episode 108: Leigh Diffey

Australian-American NBC Sports broadcaster Leigh Diffey joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to talk about the hype surrounding the inaugural Miami Grand Prix and F1®'s skyrocketing popularity in the United States (02:22), the effect of 'Drive to Survive' on IndyCar and NASCAR (04:00), how F1® drivers make the transition to IndyCar (09:15) and the potential for young American Colton Herta to be successful in F1® (11:50), while we look back at last Sunday's race in Miami won by reigning world champion Max Verstappen (17:28).

Episode 105: Best of the Australian Grand Prix

After the record-breaking return of the Australian Grand Prix to Melbourne, hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato wrap up Charles Leclerc's crushing win for Ferrari (02:43) and Daniel Ricciardo's promising showing for McLaren (07:53), while we hear from a host of big-name guests who joined us on In The Fast Lane Live from Albert Park including Sir Jackie Stewart, Oscar Piastri, Alex Albon, Guenther Steiner, Andreas Seidl and Ted Kravitz (13:12).

Episode 104: Kevin Magnussen & Andrew Westacott

Haas F1 Team driver Kevin Magnussen joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to talk about the physical challenges of his surprise return to the F1® grid (01:35), why he came back to a team that sacked him (04:05), memories of finishing second on debut in Melbourne eight years ago (06:05) and the revised expectations for Haas after such a strong start to 2022 (16:25), while we look ahead to this weekend's return of F1 to Melbourne with Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, Andrew Westacott (21:20).

Episode 103: Oscar Piastri

BWT Alpine F1 Team reserve driver Oscar Piastri joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to discuss the specifics of his new role (02:35), staying physically and mentally ready in case he's called into action (04:55), how he's satisfying his thirst for competition without racing (09:30) and the lessons he's already learned from the team's race drivers, Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon (11:25).

Episode 101: F1 2022 Preview with Ted Kravitz

Sky Sports F1® pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz joins hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to discuss how the all-new revolutionary F1® cars looked on track at the Bahrain test (03:05), whether Red Bull should be considered pre-season favourites and if Mercedes is off the pace (05:00), why Ferrari can approach 2022 with genuine optimism (14:20), how Daniel Ricciardo will cope with an interrupted pre-season (17:35) and predict who will be this year's World Champion (39:30).

Episode 100: Natalie Pinkham and Krystina Emmanouilides

To mark International Women's Day, Sky Sports F1® presenter Natalie Pinkham and Krystina Emmanouilides, Australian CFD engineer for the Alfa Romeo F1® Team ORLEN, join hosts Matt Clayton and Michael Lamonato to discuss how they got their starts in Formula 1® (03:00), the importance of women supporting other women working in the sport (13:35), the responsibility of mentoring and providing role models for young women looking to pursue an F1® career (19:15) and the impact of the increased female representation within the Formula 1® fanbase (23:30).