Lights Out Lets Chat!

A relaxed, unscripted podcast that begins with Formula 1 and opens the door to everything around it. Lights Out Let’s Chat is for new fans, longtime followers, and anyone who just enjoys a good conversation when the lights go out.

Lights Out Lets Chat! is a sports podcast hosted by Michaela Wollmann, with 32 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Michaela Wollmann hosts Lights Out Lets Chat!, a sports show with 32 episodes published.

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  Episode #32

  Baku Is Coming—Can Anyone Stop Kimi Antonelli?

  Sep 23, 202643 minS1

  Baku is coming — and Kimi Antonelli has made everybody else's championship fight very uncomfortable. After taking his eighth win of the season in Madrid, Antonelli heads to Azerbaijan with an 81-point championship lead over George Russell . To put that into perspective: Russell could win the next three Grands Prix while Kimi scored absolutely nothing and he'd still be six points behind. So... can anybody start closing the gap? In Episode 32 of Lights Out, Let's Chat , Michaela gets you ready for one of Formula 1's strangest and most unpredictable circuits: Baku . We're breaking down why the Baku City Circuit creates such a difficult setup challenge, what makes the famous castle section so unforgiving, why that enormous straight matters, and what newer F1 fans should watch during practice and qualifying. Then it's championship time. George Russell needs to start taking points away from his teammate. Lando Norris and McLaren arrive with serious pace after Lando's wins in Hungary and Zandvoort and his race-winning speed in Madrid. Max Verstappen has quietly put together two consecutive podiums. And Ferrari? Well... Michaela is once again asking Ferrari for one normal weekend . Please. Just one. We're also back with F1 Academy after three days of testing in Spain. The current grid got two days of track time before 18 young female drivers took over for the rookie test — giving us a first look at some of the names who could become part of F1 Academy's future. Then Mike takes over for another Mr. F1 Wisdom of the Week , with F1 news, rumors and plenty of opinions before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. And for our newer fans, Question of the Week answers something you're probably going to hear constantly at Baku: What exactly is a tow? Michaela explains why following another car can give a driver extra straight-line speed, why drivers deliberately create gaps during qualifying, and why Baku's enormous straight makes the tow especially important. In Episode 32: Why Baku is such a strange Formula 1 circuit Kimi Antonelli's 81-point championship lead Why George Russell needs a response Lando Norris and McLaren's recent speed Max Verstappen's back-to-back podiums Ferrari's search for one normal weekend What to watch during Baku practice and qualifying F1 Academy testing and the 18-driver rookie test Mr. F1 Wisdom of the Week What a tow/slipstream actually means in Formula 1 And one important reminder from Michaela: Baku is a SATURDAY race. Not Sunday. You've been warned. Whether you've watched Formula 1 for years or you're still learning why drivers suddenly slow down during qualifying when they're supposedly trying to go fast, you're welcome here. Formula 1 Doesn't Have To Be Intimidating. Join the Conversation. Follow Lights Out, Let's Chat so you don't miss the Baku race recap, and share the show with somebody who loves F1 — or somebody who's just starting to figure it all out. Come visit us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. #Formula1 #AzerbaijanGP #KimiAntonelli #F1Podcast #Baku

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  Episode #30

  Episode 30: Antonelli Wins Monza From P19! Ferrari Heartbreak & Gasly’s Shock Pole

  Sep 9, 202651 minS1

  Kimi Antonelli started his home Grand Prix from P19 . Fifty-three laps later, the 20-year-old championship leader was standing on the top step of the podium at Monza. Yeah. We need to talk about this one. In Episode 30 of Lights Out, Let’s Chat , Michaela breaks down an absolutely wild Italian Grand Prix weekend that somehow had everything: Pierre Gasly taking his first Formula 1 pole, Ferrari giving the Tifosi hope before everything unraveled, Max Verstappen fighting his way back onto the podium, McLaren's teammates battling each other — and Antonelli producing one of the drives of the 2026 season. Mercedes deliberately chose Monza for Kimi's power-unit penalty, dropping him from a P7 qualifying result all the way to 19th on the starting grid . What followed was a patient, aggressive recovery through the field, a scary trip through the gravel while fighting George Russell, and a late pass for the lead. P19 to P1. At Monza. In front of his home crowd. Meanwhile, Ferrari's home Grand Prix went from promising to painful almost immediately. Lewis Hamilton ended up in the gravel on lap one, Charles Leclerc crashed heavily on lap two, and suddenly Ferrari's hopes rested entirely on Hamilton recovering through the field. Michaela also breaks down: Pierre Gasly's stunning first Formula 1 pole position Why Monza actually made sense for Antonelli's grid penalty George Russell and Mercedes' strategy battle Max Verstappen's return to the podium Lando Norris vs. Oscar Piastri at McLaren Ferrari's nightmare home race Gasly officially losing his Monaco podium — again Why the Monaco result changed months after the race What the blinking red light on the back of an F1 car actually means Why that light isn't simply a brake light And, because apparently this is part of Formula 1 now... Lightning McQueen at Monza Episode 30 also marks 30 episodes of Lights Out, Let's Chat , and Formula 1 couldn't have provided a much better race to celebrate it. Whether you've watched Formula 1 for years or you're still figuring out what all those flashing lights, penalties, strategies and radio messages mean, you're welcome here. Formula 1 doesn't have to be intimidating. Join the conversation. Follow Lights Out, Let's Chat so you don't miss the next episode, and share the show with another F1 fan. Question for you: Was Antonelli's P19-to-P1 Monza victory the drive of the season? #Formula1 #ItalianGP #KimiAntonelli #Monza #F1Podcast

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  Lights Out Lets Chat!

  Antonelli Starts Last at Monza — Can the F1 Leader Fight Back?

  Sep 2, 202629 min

  Kimi Antonelli is leading the F1 World Championship — and now he has to start his home Grand Prix from the back. Kimi Antonelli heads to his home Italian Grand Prix as the F1 championship leader — but a Mercedes power-unit penalty means he’ll start from the back. Michaela previews the Monza challenge, McLaren’s resurgence, Ferrari’s home-race pressure, Lando Norris’ new long-term contract and explains what Formula 1 stewards actually do. The Formula 1 championship leader is heading home to Monza — from the back of the grid . Kimi Antonelli already had the pressure of racing in front of his home crowd, but a Mercedes power-unit penalty has completely changed what a successful Italian Grand Prix could look like. Michaela looks ahead to a Monza weekend where simply winning may no longer be the right measure of Antonelli’s performance. How aggressively should he fight through the field? How much championship damage can Mercedes realistically limit? And could George Russell suddenly become Mercedes’ best chance of winning? Meanwhile, McLaren may be turning into one of the most important wild cards in the championship. Lando Norris arrives after consecutive victories in Hungary and Zandvoort, while Oscar Piastri is still searching for the same confidence and performance from the MCL40. And now Norris has another reason to celebrate: McLaren has locked its reigning World Champion in through at least 2030. Then there’s Ferrari at Monza. Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, the Tifosi and the expectations of an entire home crowd — what could possibly be stressful about that? In This Episode: Kimi Antonelli’s power-unit penalty and Monza recovery challenge Why minimizing damage could matter more than winning for the championship leader George Russell’s potentially crucial role for Mercedes Lando Norris and McLaren’s sudden late-season surge Why Oscar Piastri may be struggling to extract the same performance Ferrari, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton facing the pressure of Monza Lando Norris extending his McLaren contract through at least 2030 What F1 stewards actually do — and why “under investigation” doesn’t automatically mean a penalty If you’ve ever wondered who the mysterious stewards are that Formula 1 keeps talking about, Michaela also breaks down their role without turning it into a sporting-regulations lecture. Follow Lights Out, Let’s Chat so you don’t miss the Italian Grand Prix follow-up, and share the show with the F1 fan in your life who still has approximately 702 questions.

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  Episode #26

  Episode 26: Antonelli Leads at the Break—Mercedes on Top, Ferrari Chaos & McLaren’s Comeback

  Aug 4, 202641 minS1

  A rookie is leading the Formula 1 World Championship, Mercedes has become the team everyone is chasing, and Ferrari is somehow winning races while still testing the emotional stability of its fans. Episode 26 is our relaxed summer-break catch-up on the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Michaela looks at how Kimi Antonelli went from highly rated rookie to genuine title favorite, why George Russell is still very much in the fight, and how Mercedes could face a difficult teammate decision if both drivers remain close after the break. Ferrari’s season gets the full emotional-support-group treatment. Lewis Hamilton has already won in red, Charles Leclerc delivered at Silverstone, and the team clearly has real pace—but strong Fridays, strategy questions, penalties, and frustrating Sundays continue to make Ferrari difficult to trust with anyone’s peace. There is also plenty of McLaren discussion after Lando Norris finally delivered the team’s first Grand Prix victory of the season in Hungary. Michaela celebrates the breakthrough while asking what Oscar Piastri’s retirement, McLaren’s reliability, and the growing teammate battle could mean for the second half. Max Verstappen and Red Bull remain dangerous, Isaac Hadjar is quietly becoming one of the season’s most interesting drivers, and the FIA’s confusing explanations continue to make Formula 1 harder to follow than it needs to be. The episode also gives F1 Academy the attention it deserves, including the championship fight and the significance of a wildcard driver reaching the podium. Newer fans will also leave with a clearer understanding of the summer shutdown, why consistency wins championships, and why some of the best stories happen outside the podium places. What has been the biggest story of 2026 so far: Antonelli’s rookie title charge, Hamilton winning for Ferrari, McLaren’s breakthrough, Red Bull losing its dominance, or the rise of F1 Academy? Follow Lights Out, Let’s Chat , leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone who wants Formula 1 without the gatekeeping. We return August 18 before the Dutch Grand Prix.

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  Episode #25

  Episode 25: McLaren Finally Wins! Norris Delivers, Piastri Heartbreak & Hungary Drama

  Jul 28, 202641 minS1

  Some victories feel bigger than the trophy. After months of getting close, McLaren finally broke through at the Hungarian Grand Prix, with Lando Norris delivering the team's first win of the 2026 Formula 1 season. But while the celebrations were well deserved, the race also left plenty of unanswered questions. Did McLaren manage its drivers correctly? Could Oscar Piastri have won without the contact with Carlos Sainz and the gearbox failure? And did Ferrari let another promising weekend slip away? This week on Lights Out, Let's Chat , Michaela breaks down one of the most emotional races of the year. From Norris finally standing on the top step to Piastri's heartbreaking retirement after leading the race, there's plenty to discuss before Formula 1 heads into the summer break. We also look at Hamilton's qualifying and pit lane penalties, Ferrari's strategic decisions, Max Verstappen quietly collecting another valuable podium, Kimi Antonelli extending his championship advantage despite a grid penalty, George Russell's disastrous start, and why Cadillac's reliability issues continue to raise concerns. Along the way, Michaela explains why Hungary is such a difficult circuit to overtake on, how dirty air changes strategy, why blue flags became such an important talking point, and how a Virtual Safety Car can completely reshape a race. If you've ever wondered why team orders become so controversial or why timing matters so much in Formula 1, this episode connects those dots without assuming you already know every rule. The episode also covers the surprising news that Sepang is set to return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2026 by hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix, and why that announcement has already sparked plenty of debate. The biggest conversation, though, might be McLaren itself. Did the team make the right calls while Norris and Piastri were fighting for victory, or should they have managed the race differently? After you listen, we'd love to hear where you stand. If you're enjoying Lights Out, Let's Chat , follow the show, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with another Formula 1 fan. Your support helps us continue making Formula 1 more approachable, more enjoyable, and a lot less intimidating.

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