Former F1 presenter Jake Humphrey launches new podcast with ex-team boss Otmar Szafnauer

Former BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey is returning to the sport with a new podcast, High Performance Racing, teaming up with ex-Formula 1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer and former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley. The trio aims to leverage their combined decades of insider experience to offer a unique technical and strategic perspective on the sport at a time of peak global interest.

Why it matters:

This venture represents a significant shift in F1 media, moving beyond traditional punditry by pairing a high-profile broadcaster with two respected technical insiders. In an era saturated with opinion, a podcast offering direct insights from a former team boss and a race engineer could provide fans with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the technical and operational challenges within a Grand Prix team, filling a notable gap in current F1 coverage.

The details:

• The Hosts: The podcast is built on a foundation of diverse F1 experience. Jake Humphrey fronted the BBC's coverage from 2009-2012. Otmar Szafnauer brings over a decade of experience as a team principal at Force India/Racing Point/Aston Martin and Alpine. Rob Smedley served as Felipe Massa's race engineer at Ferrari and Williams.
• The Concept: Titled High Performance Racing, the show promises to dissect the sport from an engineering and management standpoint. Humphrey stated the podcast will bring "the knowledge of a race engineer and team boss to the audience," aiming to take listeners "to the heart of the greatest sport on earth."
• Szafnauer's Current Role: Since his abrupt departure from Alpine in 2023, Szafnauer has taken on a CEO and managing partner role at the Van Amersfoort Racing junior team. He has also been publicly working on a project to bring a new 12th team to the F1 grid, collaborating with American investors and a car manufacturer.
• Smedley's Path: After leaving Williams in 2018, Smedley moved away from the F1 paddock to found Total Karting, an electric karting series focused on accessibility and sustainability.

What's next:

The podcast launches as the F1 season resumes in Miami, entering a crowded digital media landscape. Its success will hinge on its ability to deliver the promised insider access and technical depth. Separately, Szafnauer's parallel efforts to establish a new F1 team will be a storyline to watch, especially if the FIA opens a formal process for a 12th entry, potentially giving the podcast an even more direct line to breaking paddock news.