Track Limits

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In this episode of Track Limits, we're joined by two of the internet’s favourite F1 creators: Luke Sam and Ponden (aka Blake Dalton). From viral watch-alongs to sim racing with Red Bull Racing, they’ve built massive online audiences while staying deeply rooted in the passion that first brought them to Formula 1.

They open up about leaving Australia to pursue content creation in the UK, the power of Drive to Survive, crazy stories from Vegas and Silverstone, and the challenge of staying original in a 24-race F1 calendar. Expect laughter, spicy takes, and some honest reflections on burnout, community, and the future of F1 media.

⏱️ Episode Highlights

- How Drive to Survive inspired both their F1 journeys
- Leaving Australia to go all-in on F1 content creation
- What it's like working with Red Bull’s sim racing team
- Their thoughts on Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson, and the rise of Aussie talent
- Chaos in Vegas, Silverstone war stories & wild fan moments
- Sim racing, iRacing leagues, and how gaming fuels F1 passion
- Hot takes: Why Ferrari might win Constructors and Lewis might struggle at Ferrari
- Content burnout, sprint weekends, and the pressure of staying creative
- Why F1 2025 & F175 have them cautiously optimistic
- The future of F1 media — and why the community matters

🔥 Must-Watch Moments

- “We moved to the UK without a house… and it worked out.”
- “I pretended to win the $200,000 Autosport Award.”
- “Sim racing helped me fall in love with Formula 1.”
- “Sprint weekends? Honestly… they’re a content creator’s dream.”
- “F175 is risky — but F1 needs to keep trying new things.”

0:00 – Introduction & How They Met
1:06 – How Drive to Survive Got Ponden Into F1
3:45 – Luke’s Journey Into Motorsport Content Creation
6:20 – Moving from Australia to the UK for F1
9:05 – Sim Racing, Red Bull Creator Program & iRacing
12:30 – Chaos at Silverstone & Wild F1 Fan Encounters
16:05 – Aussie Talent: Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson & Daniel Ricciardo
20:10 – Their Spiciest Takes for the 2025/2026 F1 Seasons
26:00 – Content Burnout, Sprint Races & F1 Media Evolution
35:10 – Their Hopes for the F1 Community & What’s Next

📌 Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories from the F1 paddock and beyond.

#TrackLimitsPodcast #LukeSam #Ponden #F1Creators #RedBullRacing #SimRacing #Formula1 #DriveToSurvive #F1Podcast #F1Community
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In this episode of the Track Limits Podcast, we welcome Robert Shwartzman, Prema IndyCar driver and former Ferrari reserve, for an open and fun conversation on his motorsport journey. From fierce karting rivalries with the likes of Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell, to competing in Formula 2, Formula E, and IndyCar, Robert opens up about the differences across racing series, the challenges of oval racing, and even the behind-the-scenes story of his viral “aura” dance video.

Robert also dives into his preparation strategies, car preferences, mental approach to racing, and his candid take on what it’s like racing with Callum Ilott and Marcus Armstrong. Whether you’re an F1 fan, IndyCar follower, or love funny paddock stories—this episode is packed with humour, insight, and nostalgia.

📍 Episode Highlights:

0:00 – Introduction & Karting Days
1:15 – Physicality of Go-Kart Training with Ferrari
2:40 – Early Rivals: Lando, Charles, Russell & Max
3:30 – Robert's Favourite Cars to Drive
4:55 – First Indy 500 Experience & Media Chaos
6:20 – Shwartzman’s Ideal Car Setup
7:40 – Working With Callum Ilott
9:15 – Pre-Race Routine & Track Walks
10:20 – Behind the Scenes of the Viral "Aura" Dance
12:00 – Looking Back at the Past, Looking Forward to IndyCar

🔥 Must-Watch Moments:

-The surprise “pole position” at Indy 500
-Robert’s hilarious “Aura” dance story that hit 100M+ views
-What it's like racing against former F1 teammates
-Behind-the-scenes life as a Ferrari Reserve Driver
-His no-music race-day focus routine

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In this episode of the Track Limits Podcast, we are joined in Montreal by Bernie Collins, former Head of Strategy at Aston Martin and now one of the most trusted analytical voices on Sky Sports F1 and F1TV.

Bernie gives a rare, honest breakdown of what really happens behind the scenes on the pit wall. From Aston Martin’s rise and recent struggles, to why upgrades are rarely “magic fixes”, to how teams are already shifting focus toward the massive 2026 regulation changes, this conversation pulls back the curtain on modern Formula One strategy.

She also shares what it is like attending a Grand Prix as a fan for the first time in years, how her perspective has changed since leaving a team, and why fans often misunderstand decision making during races. The episode dives deep into Red Bull’s second-seat challenge, Ferrari’s growing pains with Lewis Hamilton, McLaren’s internal battles, and why strategy meetings are the most revealing part of a race weekend.

This is a must-watch episode for fans who want to understand Formula One beyond the timing screens.

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Intro and Montreal as a fan

01:45 – Why Bernie loves the Canadian Grand Prix

03:20 – Aston Martin’s rise, fall, and internal pressure

06:40 – Why car performance changes everything for strategy

09:15 – Keeping drivers motivated during tough seasons

12:10 – Why upgrades are rarely overnight fixes

15:40 – When teams truly switch focus to the next car

19:30 – Williams, Carlos Sainz and building long-term momentum

23:45 – Early thoughts on the 2026 regulation reset

28:10 – Why Mercedes power units look strong again

31:30 – What Cadillac faces as a new F1 team

35:05 – Why Red Bull’s second seat is so difficult

40:10 – Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton and adapting to a new team

44:55 – What fans would learn most by seeing behind the scenes

48:30 – Why strategy meetings are the most revealing

51:20 – Final rapid fire and season outlook

🔥 Must-Watch Moments

-Why strategy becomes brutally hard when the car is not fast

-The truth behind upgrade hype and quoted lap time gains

-Bernie’s explanation of Red Bull’s front-heavy car philosophy

-Why confidence, not pressure, is Lando Norris’s biggest challenge

-What fans would really learn by sitting in a strategy meeting

📲 Enjoyed this episode?

Like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth conversations with the people shaping Formula One from the inside.

#BernieCollins #F1Strategy #TrackLimitsPodcast #Formula1 #AstonMartinF1 #F1TV #SkyF1
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In this episode, we sit down with Silvia Bellot, Race Director for F1 Academy and one of the most respected officials in global motorsport. Silvia opens up about juggling two massive responsibilities at once — helping run the Las Vegas Grand Prix while preparing for the F1 Academy season finale taking place on the same weekend.

She shares insight into what fans don’t see behind the scenes, why Las Vegas is one of the most complex races on the calendar, and how the unique nighttime desert conditions can completely change a weekend. Silvia also speaks candidly about her journey from volunteer marshal in Spain to becoming a leader in race control, and how the motorsport ladder must evolve to truly support young girls entering the sport.

From promoting F1 Academy on the Las Vegas Sphere to discussing the rise of women’s sport in North America, Silvia brings honesty, clarity, and passion to this conversation about motorsport’s future.

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Intro: Balancing Las Vegas GP & F1 Academy

00:32 – Why F1 Academy racing in Vegas is the perfect fit

01:35 – Promoting F1 Academy on the Sphere & plans for 2024

02:40 – Women’s sport boom in the US & why timing matters

03:55 – Title battle ending in Vegas: Silvia’s excitement

05:00 – What race operations actually handle on Vegas weekend

06:30 – Why Las Vegas is one of the hardest races to run

08:05 – Cold nights, unique street layout & tire strategy challenges

09:30 – Silvia’s journey: from marshal in Spain to Race Director

11:15 – How motorsport has changed for women

12:25 – Fixing the pyramid for girls: F1 Academy & Discover Your Drive

13:35 – Racing Emily Prazer in karts & Silvia’s hopes for the future

🔥 Must-Watch Moments

-“Las Vegas is one of the most complex races we run — nothing about it is normal.”

-“Putting F1 Academy on the Sphere is a milestone for women in motorsport.”

-“We need to fix the pyramid. Girls deserve the same opportunities from day one.”

-“Race control is people, pressure, and safety — not just pressing buttons.”

-“Women already exist in motorsport. What we need is visibility and access.”

📲 Enjoyed this episode?

Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with the people shaping Formula 1, IndyCar and F1 Academy.

#SilviaBellot #F1Academy #RaceDirector #F1 #LasVegasGP #WomenInMotorsport #TrackLimitsPodcast
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In this episode of Track Limits, we sit down with Alisha Palmowski, Red Bull’s F1 Academy driver, as she prepares for her first-ever race weekend in Canada. From a bold new Montreal livery to her love of 70s disco, Alisha opens up about racing, identity, pressure, and the unexpected moments that have shaped her journey so far.

She talks about growing up in a normal family far from the typical motorsport mold, winning the Ginetta Junior scholarship that changed her life, sim racing since she was eight, learning the unique challenges of F1 Academy machinery, and the surreal experience of training inside the Red Bull facility in Milton Keynes.

Alisha also shares her view on legacy, misconceptions about motorsport, what she wants future drivers to know, and how she plans to take on Montreal for the very first time.

This episode is honest, funny, and full of the passion that defines racing’s next generation.

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
00:20 – First time in Canada and Toronto impressions
01:05 – Talking weather, rain in Montreal and first impressions
01:35 – Her special Red Bull x One Password Montreal livery
02:40 – How the livery collaboration came together
03:20 – What makes her “faster” in life outside racing
04:00 – Her love for music and 70s–90s disco
04:45 – Sim racing, F1 game obsession and Montreal practice
06:20 – What she’d be doing if she weren’t racing
07:25 – The moment she realized she belonged in motorsport
08:40 – Imposter syndrome and feeling “born” to race
09:20 – Drivers who inspire her, including Max Verstappen
11:00 – What legacy she wants to leave for future racers
12:20 – Big misconceptions about motorsport
13:25 – Her dream race weekend: track, car and teammate
14:35 – Bananas, superstitions and beating Max
15:20 – What she’s working on as a developing driver
16:20 – Driving style differences and car setup challenges
18:10 – What Red Bull support means to her
19:45 – Looking ahead ten years into her future
21:45 – Rapid fire: poutine, cold winters, accents and more
23:30 – Final send-off and Montreal race excitement

🔥 Must-Watch Moments

-“I’m hoping the livery makes me a bit faster.”
-“I feel like motorsport is in my blood.”
-“I’d love to inspire people to know anyone can succeed in this sport.”
-“Motorsport is one of the biggest team sports in the world.”
-“If I race Max at Silverstone… I’m beating him.”
-“I eat a banana before every session, even though I hate them.”

📲 Subscribe for more F1, F1 Academy and IndyCar conversations

New episodes every week with drivers, engineers, creators and the people shaping motorsport’s future.

#TrackLimitsPodcast #AlishaPalmowski #F1Academy #RedBullRacing #WomenInMotorsport #MontrealGP #SimRacing #MotorsportPodcast
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