Mode Push: the F1 Podcast

At first glance, Formula 1 may seem like it’s all fast cars and flashy drivers. The cars epitomize peak performance, while the drivers live the ultimate jet-set lifestyle, making it all look so effortless and so chic.  

But this sport is really about the human stories behind the race.  F1 is complex and extreme.  The sport has only 10 teams and 20 athletes in the entire world — there are inter and intra-team dynamics at play, there’s massive amounts of money being thrown around, and amidst the international glamour and intrigue, there’s the politics.  

There are thousands of people behind these cars, building what seems impossible from scratch every year to compete for the chance to be crowned the elite Constructor and Driver.

 And F1 is at an inflection point. 

Since American media mogul John Malone’s Liberty Media Corporation took ownership of what was considered to be a dying sport in 2017, there’s been new money pouring in, massive regulation changes being introduced, and a renewed focus on growing the sport internationally.   

As a result F1 has blown past a billion fans for the first time in its history. The sport is second only to the Olympics in terms of global audience.  And this audience is more diverse and GASP more American than ever!

I’m Monica, writer & Gunther Steiner devotee and generally just the most earnest F1 fan you’ll meet 

& I’m Bridgette, investor & Mick Schumacher BELIEVER and likely the most curious F1 fan you’ll ever meet.  

Since falling for F1, we’ve been on a never-ending quest to decode tyre strategies — can you undercut the overcut?— the economics of F1, how much the teams actually make each year… why is an energy drink and marketing company so invested in not one but two car racing teams? — and what it means to be a driver on the world stage with such a large platform and global influence — who is Sir Lewis Hamilton – the GOAT, a fashion icon, the most philanthropic athlete in the world, Iron Man?

We’ve also spent time trying to get to know what happens behind the scenes — with that large of an audience, F1 is in the crosshairs of some of today’s most universal and relevant conversations with drivers and teams tackling race and gender equality, geopolitics, international business and more. The sport is global, aspirational, and now in the hands of one of the most successful media companies in history.  These drivers, teams, and the league overall are in a unique position to have global influence and reach that extends well beyond their sport.

We’re here to share our obsession with you and tell the stories behind F1 - the way the sport is changing, the business and stakes at play, the stories of the drivers, principals, engineers beyond the racetrack and what that all means to the world sport. We’ll also of course cover the races, controversies and weekly conspiracies as they unfold each season. 

Welcome to Mode Push.  You can find us for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  Be sure to follow us on social @modepushF1.