F1 Chequered Flag from the BBC offers expert analysis of every F1 race, with exclusive insight into every twist and turn of the F1 season. Each episode brings you in-depth race reviews, breaking down the strategies that shape each Grand Prix and the key players making headlines. Hear from F1 stars like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris and the bosses of powerhouse teams like Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren. Plus keep up to speed on the cars and tactics changing the game.
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Can George Russell get his season back on track? After a difficult run of results, the Mercedes driver has slipped to third in the championship standings and faces a real challenge to close the gap at the top. Alice Powell is joined by Abbi Pulling and Andrew Benson to look ahead to the weekend and discuss whether Russell can start clawing back points on teammate Kimi Antonelli. We hear from both Mercedes drivers, delve into the latest pit lane speeding fiasco and take a look at the ongoing disc...
Kimi Antonelli delivered another commanding performance at the Monaco Grand Prix, securing his fifth consecutive victory and significantly extending his championship lead. The episode analyzes his "unstoppable" form, overcoming pressure and breaking records. Lewis Hamilton also had a strong showing, finishing second and demonstrating a return to his top form, while George Russell faced a "torrid" weekend of struggles. The discussion also covers Charles Leclerc's frustrations with brake issues and Isaac Hadjar's strategic path to a podium finish, alongside an unusual number of pit lane penalties and race attrition.
This episode reviews the Monaco Grand Prix qualifying, where 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli stunned with a pole position, calling his lap "magic." Max Verstappen secured P2 despite car issues, showcasing his tenacity. Ferrari's performance was unexpectedly mixed, with Lewis Hamilton out-qualifying Charles Leclerc, who struggled. The discussion also covers George Russell's "torrid year" and McLaren's ongoing difficulties, setting the stage for a strategically intense race in Monaco.
This episode offers a comprehensive preview of the Monaco Grand Prix, featuring a deep dive into Ferrari's unexpected favoritism and Charles Leclerc's new contract. It also explores the burgeoning rivalry between Mercedes teammates Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, analyzing their driving styles and championship pressures. Discussions cover McLaren's strategic missteps, Max Verstappen's dissatisfaction with Red Bull's car, and the ongoing F1 rumor mill, setting the stage for a thrilling race weekend.
What does it cost to attend every F1 race as a fan? Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin are joined by superfan Brandon Burgess to find out. They discuss the best and worst races on the calendar from a fan perspective. We also discuss the latest listener Hot Takes following the Canadian Grand Prix. Would George Russell have beaten his team-mate Kimi Antonelli if he didn’t retire in Montreal? With the championship gap now at 43 points, is Antonelli champion-elect?
The Canadian Grand Prix saw an intense battle between Mercedes teammates George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, ending with Antonelli's victory after Russell suffered a power unit failure. Lewis Hamilton secured a strong second place for Ferrari, showcasing improved performance and a renewed connection with his team. Max Verstappen achieved an unexpected third-place podium finish, while McLaren's race was marred by a disastrous intermediate tire strategy and subsequent incidents. The episode also highlights impressive midfield performances and a look ahead to Monaco.
This episode reviews a dramatic Saturday at the Canadian Grand Prix, where George Russell clinched pole position despite fierce competition and on-track contact with teammate Kimmy Antonelli. The discussion highlights the burgeoning rivalry between the Mercedes drivers, drawing parallels to past F1 feuds, and assesses Toto Wolff's challenge in managing this dynamic. Additionally, the hosts examine Ferrari's strong showing, Red Bull's struggles, and the potential for a chaotic, rain-affected race on Sunday.
F1 commentators Harry Benjamin and Alice Powell join Eleanor Oldroyd to preview the Canadian GP, discussing the surprising championship battle between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell within Mercedes, and McLaren's significant progress. They delve into Montreal's unique track challenges, anticipated team upgrades from Mercedes and Ferrari, and Lewis Hamilton's renewed motivation. The episode also features F1 correspondent Andrew Benson on future engine regulations and fan sentiment, culminating in race predictions for a potentially rain-affected weekend.
Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin are back with more F1 ramblings. This week, will Kimi Antonelli’s hot form continue? We answer your hot takes. F1 Academy racer Alisha Palmowski discusses the return of her season in Canada. Can she compete for the championship? Plus, world champion Lando Norris gives title advice to Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, and former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley explains F1’s latest engine change. F1 returns for the Canadian Grand Prix next week, with live commentary a...
In this Chequered Flag special, Harry Benjamin looks into the efforts being made to create more opportunity for young people in F1. We hear from a number of trailblazers including Lewis Hamilton who, through his charitable foundation Mission 44, is opening doors to careers within the sport.
This episode provides a detailed review of the Miami Grand Prix with F1 legends Damon Hill and Juan Pablo Montoya. They analyze Kimi Antonelli's impressive victory and rising momentum, contrasting it with George Russell's mounting pressure and contractual uncertainty at Mercedes. The discussion delves into the psychological aspects of F1 racing, the influence of social media on driver communication, and the ongoing development battle between teams like Mercedes and McLaren, alongside an overview of other key race incidents.
The hosts review a topsy-turvy Miami Grand Prix qualifying, where Kimi Antonelli secured pole for Mercedes despite ongoing concerns about his race starts. Max Verstappen's unexpected front-row start and rekindled enthusiasm are highlighted, while McLaren's Lando Norris celebrated a sprint win but faced qualifying challenges. The discussion also covers Ferrari's tire issues, Alpine's surprising performance with Franco Colapinto, and the critical unknowns surrounding Sunday's predicted wet weather, which could drastically alter race outcomes and favor certain drivers.
Formula 1 returns in Miami after a five-week break, with teams bringing significant upgrades expected to shake up the competitive order, particularly McLaren. The episode delves into the intensifying Mercedes battle between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, discussing recent F1 regulation tweaks aimed at improving qualifying and future engine discussions. Severe weather forecasts for Miami's race weekend raise concerns about potential delays or cancellations. Max Verstappen's long-time engineer is set to join McLaren, sparking debate about Verstappen's future and a 'mass exodus' at Red Bull, while Alan McNish takes on a new leadership role at Audi. The hosts also chat with rookie driver Arvid Lindblad about his season so far and offer their predictions for the Miami Grand Prix.
As Cadillac hit the track in Formula 1’s new era, we catch up with the American team at their Silverstone base to reflect on their journey so far. Star drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez share their thoughts on the team’s first ever races in Australia, China and Japan. Team Principal Graeme Lowdon explains how the team are using the sport’s unexpected early-season break to take the next steps, as broadcaster Holly Samos and journalist Sarah Holt return to the team’s Silverstone base for an...
With the F1 season resumption in Miami just a week away, how does the title favourite see his chances? George Russell is the leading British hope in 2026, with one victory from the opening three races of the year. The Mercedes driver sits down for an in-depth interview with the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to discuss his title hopes and the mentality surrounding that, his relationship with Max Verstappen and F1’s new regulations. F1 returns for the Miami Grand Prix next week, with live c...
Haas currently sit in fourth in the F1 constructors’ standings. So how are F1’s smallest team performing so well? Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin visit the team’s HQ to speak with Team Principal Ayao Komatsu about their success. Plus, just how did Ollie Bearman escape from that huge accident in Japan unharmed and what are the team’s ambitions for the future? Izzy and Harry also answer your F1 hot takes. Could Gianpiero Lambiase become McLaren’s Team Principal in the future, following the announc...
This F1 Q&A special tackles pressing questions about the sport's future, current events, and nostalgic takes. The panel discusses Kimi Antonelli's championship potential, Lewis Hamilton's chances of winning a race, and who might replace Max Verstappen if he retires. They also explore the complexities of F1 engine regulations, debate dream circuits, and analyze the positives of the new F1 rules, providing insights into various aspects of Formula One racing.
Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin dissect the Japanese Grand Prix, addressing driver dissatisfaction with new F1 regulations and their impact on safety and racing spectacle. They analyze Ollie Bearman's crash, speculate on Max Verstappen's future, and delve into listener hot takes on Piastri and Gasly's performances. The episode also highlights the viral moments from the paddock, including Jack Black's memorable appearance and F1-related memes.
This episode reviews the Japanese Grand Prix, where Kimi Antonelli secured another victory and took the championship lead, prompting discussion on his talent and Mercedes' strategy. However, the dominant topic is Max Verstappen's surprising comments about not enjoying F1 due to current regulations, leading to speculation about his potential departure. The panel, including Damon Hill, analyzes the impact of these rules on driver enjoyment, race dynamics, and the sport's future, also covering other podium finishes and a significant crash.
The Japanese Grand Prix qualifying saw Kimi Antonelli claim back-to-back pole positions, setting up a thrilling race. However, not all top drivers had a smooth session, with George Russell struggling with his car's balance and Charles Leclerc questioning Mercedes' sudden pace in Q3. Max Verstappen faced an unexpected Q2 exit due to car issues, while rookie Arvid Limblad delivered a standout performance. The episode also touches on McLaren's ongoing reliability concerns and previews the exciting midfield battles and overall race predictions.
Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, the panel discusses Mercedes' early season dominance with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli leading the championship. They critically analyze the new F1 rules, highlighting the paradox of enhanced spectacle versus reduced driving challenge, particularly in qualifying, and the FIA's reactive changes. The episode also features insights into Ferrari's potential challenge and Lewis Hamilton's positive outlook, McLaren's performance issues and development plans from Andrea Stella, and Red Bull's inconsistent form alongside Aston Martin's team principal changes.
Following the first two races of the 2026 Formula 1 season, we catch up with two of the sport's rising stars, Chinese GP winner for Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli, and Haas one-to-watch Ollie Bearman. With never-before-heard interviews from the series, we learn a little more about their lives on the road and at home. As they embarked on their second year racing in the world’s fastest sport, how would they adjust to F1’s new era of cars at the opening races of the season? F1: Back at Base is an IMG Pro...
The Chinese Grand Prix review focuses on Kimi Antonelli's emotional first Formula One victory and his burgeoning rivalry with championship leader George Russell. The hosts discuss Ferrari's thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, prompting a deeper debate on whether new regulations have enhanced racing or created a "Battery World Championship" that compromises the sport's purity. Additionally, the episode covers reliability issues for McLaren and Red Bull, and the significant impact of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GP cancellations on the F1 calendar.
This episode reviews an eventful Saturday at the Chinese Grand Prix, where Kimi Antonelli achieved a historic pole position and a dramatic sprint race sparked debate. Discussions center on Lewis Hamilton's impressive resurgence and adaptability to the new F1 cars, contrasted with past struggles. The hosts and Andrew Benson delve into the philosophical shift in Formula 1 racing, questioning the 'artificial' elements and their impact on driving challenges and fan experience. Predictions for Sunday's race and significant calendar changes, including the cancellation of two Grand Prix, are also covered.
Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, the team dissects George Russell's sprint pole and Mercedes' continued strong form, comparing it to their 2014 dominance while considering Ferrari's race pace advantage. They delve into the contentious debate surrounding race start rules, with George Russell accusing Ferrari of being "selfish" in blocking safety-related changes due to their strong starts. The discussion also covers Max Verstappen's disillusionment with modern Formula 1, explaining his "Mario Kart" analogy and how energy management rules have altered the pure driving challenge, leading to concerns among drivers and purists.
Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin digest the latest F1 trends and biggest discussion points after the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Are F1 curses real? Are the ‘burger curse’ and ‘Red Bull second seat curse’ impacting F1? We also celebrate Izzy’s favourite Melbourne memes and discuss your hot takes, including the prediction that Aston Martin will win a race in 2026!
The podcast dissects the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, highlighting George Russell's commanding win for Mercedes and Kimi Antonelli's impressive recovery. Discussions cover the excitement and potential "artificiality" of new F1 regulations, Ferrari's strategic missteps, and Lewis Hamilton's unexpected resurgence. The episode also touches on McLaren's struggles, Max Verstappen's unusual weekend, and the breakout performance of rookie Arvid Limblad, concluding with paddock insights on future rule adjustments.
So, Mercedes are going to run away with both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles… right? After their dominant display in the first qualifying session of the season, Harry, Jennie and Marc pick through the bones of what happened. They hear from many of the drivers and discuss what it all means heading into Sunday’s race.
Will the two Aston Martin cars make Sunday's starting grid? Harry Benjamin, Jennie Gow, Marc Priestley and Andrew Benson look back on the first day of on-track action at the Australian GP. Who is the team to beat? And why are Aston Martin struggling so badly? We hear from their team principal Adrian Newey.
Harry Benjamin, Andrew Benson, and Jennie Gow walk the Albert Park paddock, analyzing top teams like McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari, and new entries like Audi and Cadillac. They delve into the impact of major regulation changes, driver form, and unexpected challenges facing teams like Aston Martin and Williams ahead of the season opener.
