News
Live from the Grid: Laura Winter on Telling F1’s Biggest Stories
From breaking barriers, to most memorable interviews, Laura shares her journey in Formula One
At the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, under the sweltering Florida sun and the hum of engines in the distance, I sat down with someone who’s become a role model for so many women trying to make it in motorsport. Laura Winter, lead presenter for F1 TV, joined me for a chat on The Sweet Take - and what followed was a warm, funny, and thoughtful conversation about what it really takes to thrive in the world of Formula 1 journalism.
Watch the full interview on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch every juicy detail!
From Rugby Pitches to the Paddock: Laura’s Path to Formula 1
Before she was breaking down race strategy and hosting the rookie roundtable, Laura was covering everything from rugby and tennis to cycling. “Do lots of different sports,” she said. “Learn the trade, wherever you can.” Her first big break in motorsport came when she was asked to present four rounds of the World Rallycross Championship. “I didn’t know anything about Rallycross, but I said yes - and fell in love with it immediately.”
Her first taste of Formula 1 broadcasting came at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix - a weekend forever marked by the tragic loss of Anthoine Hubert. “It was a difficult introduction,” she reflected. “But I fell in love with the sport immediately.”
How COVID, Drive to Survive, and Female Fans Changed F1 Forever
Like many, Laura pivoted during the pandemic - doing Zoom interviews, Instagram Lives, and remote fan content. That “COVID content era,” as she called it, collided with the global success of Drive to Survive, fueling a massive shift in digital F1 journalism and a surge in new - and notably female - fans.
“F1 now has a 42% female fanbase,” she noted. “Most sports are 70/30 at best. The sport has done a lot to open doors, but I also think women themselves have prized those doors open.”
Women in Formula 1: Representation and Role Models Matter
Seeing women on-screen - and behind the scenes - is no longer rare in F1. Laura lit up as she listed them: Natalie Pinkham, Rachel Brooks, Bernie Collins, Jamie Chadwick, Rosanna Tennant. “There are amazing women in broadcasting, engineering, management… and that visibility is everything. Until you can see it, it’s hard to imagine being it.”
She also acknowledged the women who came before: “Trailblazing is hard. I stand on the shoulders of women who had to fight just to be taken half as seriously.”
Behind the Scenes: Chaos, Rookie Energy & Viral Moments
We had to talk about that infamous rookie roundtable. Gen Z chaos. PR timers. Online memes. “They went off on a tangent, the PRs were glaring at me, and I had three more questions left!” she laughed. “But they’re so genuine and playful. I hope they keep that spark.”
Shoutout to Ollie Bearman and Kimi Antonelli, who Laura described as both earnest and completely chaotic - in the best way.
Red Bull Rumors, Lewis Struggles & a Watch List for 2025
Of course, we couldn’t avoid the current headlines. What’s going on at Red Bull? “It’s hard to say,” Laura admitted. “There’s tension, management shakeups, and that second seat saga. But Max always pulls something magical out of nowhere.”
And what about Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari? “It’s not just this car - it’s a pattern from the last few seasons. I’m watching to see whether it’s about the car or something deeper. Either way, watching a seven-time world champion struggle like this shows just how hard it is to adapt.”
Checkered Confessions: Party Picks, Night Races & Surprise Predictions
In true Sweet Take fashion, we wrapped with our Checkered Confessions rapid-fire round:
- Driver to party with? Max Verstappen (“he loves a G&T”)
- Team to vacation with? Williams - Alex, Carlos, and James Vowles would be a vibe
- Night race or day race? Night, for the drama
- Miami or Monaco? Monaco - “the jewel in the crown”
- Most unexpected end-of-season prediction? “Williams finishing P5. Let’s manifest it.”
What Laura Winter Proves About Women in Motorsport
Laura Winter isn’t just a presenter. She’s a mentor by example, a journalistic force, and a reminder that saying yes - even when it’s scary - can change your life. Whether she’s navigating paddock gossip or keeping the rookies on task, she brings heart, humor, and humanity to the Formula 1 circus.
So if you’re a woman dreaming of a career in Formula 1 media, take this as your sign. The path might not be obvious. But it is possible.
🍒 Join the
Conversation
Want to stay ahead of the latest F1 gossip, contract drama, and fashion moments? Follow us for more behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive insights from the world of motorsport.
