F1 EXPLAINS: What really happens on the F1 grid – with Oscar Piastri's engineer and Gordon Ramsay

The clock is ticking. The starting grid is full of people – drivers, engineers, reporters and celebrities.

Formula 1 is about to go racing, but there's so much work to do. What happens on the grid in the crucial final minutes before lights out?

BEYOND THE GRID: Christian Fittipaldi on racing in an F1 dynasty and the pressure of carrying his family name

In the first podcast episode to be recorded on a Formula 1 starting grid before a race, Christian Hewgill and Katie Osborne push through the crowds and explain what teams and drivers are doing, why the pre-race countdown is so important and the rules of the F1 grid.

McLaren Race Engineer Tom Stallard tells us what he and Oscar Piastri are talking about on the grid, plus celebrity chef and F1 fan Gordon Ramsay describes the pre-race atmosphere before the action gets going.

F1 NATION: How Max Verstappen drove ‘like Senna and Schumacher’ in ‘hall of fame’ victory in Sao Paulo

F1 Explains is the official podcast which answers your questions about how the sport works. If you'd like your question answered, send it to F1Explains@F1.com.

To listen to the full episode, hit go on the audio player above – or click here to listen on your preferred podcasting platform.

DISCOVER MORE...

‘We want to be fresh, bold and new’ – Cadillac chiefs on their plans for F1, and the drivers on their shortlist

PALMER: Why isn't it clicking yet for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari this year?

From brilliance in Baku to struggles in Sao Paulo – Colapinto’s 9 Grand Prix weekends so far ranked

'I couldn't let him go to Mercedes and I hated that' – Claire Williams on why she stopped Russell signing for the Silver Arrows earlier

ANALYSIS: Why Alpine chose to promote Colapinto and bench Doohan – concluding a dramatic 12 hours after Oakes' resignation