Girl Power Part 1: Female content creators in F1

The inaugural season explored what it would take for Formula One to make the big time in the United States. Now, with an American driver on the grid, an American team and three US GPs, F1 fever has arrived in the US, and in the process, the sport has embraced some distinctly American traits. This season unpacks the Americanization of F1. Host Scott Speed, and co-hosts F1 Toni and Andrew Lawrence, will explore the splashy plans for the Las Vegas GP and Liberty Media’s winning strategy to the rising popularity of F1, how American carmakers are betting on F1 and why reaching female content creators may be the secret ingredient to propel the sport into the stratosphere. Launching October 19.

Just in time for the United States Grand Prix in Austin, season 2 of Ready for the Big Time: F1 opens with an episode recorded at the track, with arguably the most popular figure in Formula 1, whether he’s behind the wheel or not. F1 journalist Justin Hynes speaks with Daniel Ricciardo on the growing popularity of F1 in the US, why he loves the Austin track so much, and waxes poetic about his love for NASCAR (and Texas BBQ).

With host Scott Speed, this episode chronicles the history of female F1 drivers, from the pioneers of the 1950s to the roadblocks to progress in the ensuing decades and the rise and fall of the W-Series to the recently launched F1 Academy taking up the mantle. Co-Host Andrew Lawrence speaks with F1 journalist Hazel Southwell about the history of women in F1, and talks to Jamie Chadwick, 3x W-series champion and current Indy NXT racer for Andretti Autosport, about her career in motorsport.

Earlier this year, Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri announced a powerplant partnership with Ford Performance, starting in 2026. Meanwhile, Andretti Global is teaming with GM/Cadillac to field an 11th F1 team. This episode of Ready for the Big Time: F1 will explore Ford’s rich history in the sport, what drove Ford’s support away, and why a return is so exciting. Then we’ll look at why Cadillac’s entry could be the final stroke that sheds their frumpy reputation. Host Scott Speed discusses his connection with Ford Cosworth engines, and co-host Andrew Lawrence speaks with A.J. Baime, author of Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans; and speaks with Mark Rushbrook, global director at Ford Performance Motorsports, about the company’s exciting and timely return.

Liberty Media is spending half a billion dollars to make the Las Vegas Grand Prix the “event of the year” in a city known for over-the-top programming. Along with the gambling and the all-star residencies, Vegas just added NFL, NHL and WNBA teams and recently added the Oakland A’s to that roster. This episode of Ready for the Big Time: F1 explores the logistics behind this endeavor, revisits the last time Sin City hosted a GP, back in 1982, and checks back in with Daniel Ricciardo about what he's excited to see. All the while, we’ll speak with Liberty Media boss Greg Maffei about why returning to Vegas is such an essential piece of the American takeover. Host, Scott Speed shares why he views Las Vegas as a motorsports city and co-host Andrew Lawrence speaks with Greg Maffei, president and chief executive officer of Liberty Media, about the company’s plans for the LVGP and cultural impact of the sport since taking over F1.