Your go-to destination for Formula 1 news, interviews and reactions.
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. And get up to speed on the cars and tactics changing the game.
Coming up this season: what will it take for Max Verstappen to win his fifth consecutive world title? Can McLaren retain their lead from the 2024 Constructors Championship? Will Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris take the lead, the two McLaren team-mates turned rivals? How will Lewis Hamilton perform after his shock switch to Ferrari? And what can we expect from this season’s rookie drivers, Oliver Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto?
Stay tuned for the latest F1 updates, straight from the track.
1996 world champion Damon Hill joins Harry Benjamin and Jennie Gow to look back at the Miami Grand Prix. They hear from race winner Oscar Piastri, second place Lando Norris and George Russell who finished third. Plus, Lewis Hamilton talks through his frustrating afternoon,
The podcast reviews the Miami Grand Prix qualifying and sprint race, focusing on Max Verstappen's pole position, Lando Norris' sprint victory, and Kimi Antonelli's impressive performance. Discussions cover driver interviews, team strategies, and the chaotic sprint race conditions. The analysts also predict the winner of the upcoming Grand Prix, considering potential rain and unpredictable race dynamics.
Jennie Gow is joined by Andrew Benson and Harry Benjamin to look ahead to the Miami Grand Prix. Is Oscar Piastri now favourite for the driver’s title. We hear from him, and his team mate Lando Norris.
Special guest, former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, speaks with Harry Benjamin about his career. Harry is also joined by the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to talk more about Max Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP penalty and the fallout from that. Plus, Harry and Andrew discuss Audi’s F1 chances and whether Cadillac will be competitive.
Harry, Sam and Andrew look back at the race in Jeddah that saw Oscar Piastri win his third race of the season. We hear from the McLaren driver who now leads the championship, as well as Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.
Harry Benjamin, Sam Bird and Andrew Benson look back at qualifying from Jeddah as Max Verstappen claimed pole and Lando Norris crashed out. We hear from both drivers, as well as Oscar Piastri and George Russell.
Abbi Pulling and Andrew Benson join Harry to preview the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, diving into the intra-team dynamics at McLaren as both drivers battle for the championship title. We hear from both drivers and Max Verstappen, whose future at Red Bull is under growing scrutiny.
Harry, Andrew and Marc look back at Oscar Piastri's lights to flag win in Bahrain. What happened to Lando Norris? And are we now seeing the true performance of the Red Bulls? We hear from the top three, as well as Max Verstappen.
Harry, Andrew and Marc look back at qualifying from Bahrain. They ask what happened to Lando Norris who could only manage sixth, and hear from the top three, as well as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
This episode previews the Bahrain Grand Prix, analyzing team performance, strategic challenges, and potential upgrades. It covers McLaren's race strategy in Suzuka, Ferrari's performance concerns, and the ongoing FIA governance issues. The hosts also discuss tyre degradation, car sizes, and predict the Bahrain race winner.
The episode reviews the Japanese Grand Prix, highlighting Max Verstappen's victory and McLaren's strategy. The panel discusses the key moments, including the pit lane incident and team radio communications, while also examining the performances of other drivers like Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, and rookies Antonelli and Hadjar. They debate McLaren's strategy, question overtaking difficulties, and preview the upcoming Bahrain race.
Harry Benjamin and British racing driver Alice Powell react to qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix. Hear from Max Verstappen after he delivered a stunning lap to secure a surprise pole position. Plus, we discuss McLaren’s chances in the race from second and third, Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari struggles at Suzuka, Isack Hadjar’s seatbelt issues, and Yuki Tsunoda’s disappointment following his first qualifying session with Red Bull at his home race.
The episode previews the Japanese Grand Prix, focusing on Yuki Tsunoda's promotion to Red Bull and the challenges he faces. Guests analyze Red Bull's driver management decisions, the pressure on Tsunoda, and potential team dynamics. The discussion also covers McLaren's strong start and the upcoming race at Suzuka.
With two race wins from two at the start of the 2025 F1 season, McLaren couldn’t have got off to a better start in the defence of their constructors’ world title. So what better time to look back on exactly how they achieved that success in 2024? In this bonus episode of F1: Back at Base - How To Go Racing, Holly Samos and Sarah Holt take you behind the scenes at McLaren as they finally became World Champions again after a 26-year wait. McLaren are one of the most decorated teams in F1, winning ...
This episode reviews the Chinese Grand Prix, focusing on Oscar Piastri's victory and McLaren's overall performance, including Lando Norris's brake issues and the team's dynamic. The discussion covers Ferrari's struggles, Mercedes' improved showing with George Russell, and Red Bull's challenges with Verstappen and rookie driver Liam Lawson. Additionally, the podcast highlights the impressive performance of the Haas F1 team.
This episode of F1: Chequered Flag reviews the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, including Lewis Hamilton's sprint race win for Ferrari, Oscar Piastri's pole position, and George Russell splitting the McLarens in qualifying. The discussion covers tire management, car optimization, and Red Bull's struggles with their second driver, analyzing potential causes and solutions. The hosts also preview the upcoming Grand Prix, making predictions for the race winner.
This episode previews the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, covering sprint qualifying results and weekend expectations. The analysts discuss Lewis Hamilton's surprising pole position, McLaren's unexpected struggles, and Red Bull's performance. They also touch on the midfield battles, rookie performances, and potential strategies for the upcoming sprint race and Grand Prix qualifying, while remembering Eddie Jordan.
The F1: Chequered Flag team pay tribute to Eddie Jordan, who has died at the age of 76. Mark Gallagher, who was part of the management board at Jordan Grand Prix, and Gary Anderson, who designed the very first Jordan Grand Prix car, join Harry Benjamin and BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson. One of the most flamboyant characters in the sport, Jordan achieved rare success as an independent team owner, winning four grand prix between 1991 and 2005. He later became a television pundit, where he was...
Have McLaren set a marker for the season? Former mechanic Marc Priestley and commentator Harry Benjamin join Rosanna Tennant to look back at the Australian Grand Prix. Lando Norris claimed victory. We hear from the Brit, as well as Max Verstappen, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
Harry Benjamin and Marc Priestley join Rosanna Tennant to look back at qualifying from Melbourne. It was a good day for McLaren as Lando Norris took pole with Oscar Piastri in P2. We hear from both drivers. Max Verstappen is also on the pod after finishing third, and Lewis Hamilton tells us how he’s still learning to drive his new Ferrari after finishing P9.
With three British drivers racing for three of the top F1 teams, Rosanna Tennant, Harry Benjamin, Andrew Benson and Marc Priestley debate the credentials of each. Is Lewis Hamilton the fastest, backed by his seven world titles? Should Lando Norris be favourite, given he's in the 2024 Constructors' Championship-winning car? Or is George Russell being underestimated due to an underperforming car?
What can we expect from Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari? Will Max Verstappen secure his fifth world championship? And are McLaren truly the favorites for the constructors’ title? As the 2025 F1 season kicks off in Melbourne, Rosanna Tennant is joined by Marc Priestley, Harry Benjamin and Andrew Benson to discuss these questions and more. They also hear from the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen. Plus, Harry sits down with rookie Ollie Bearman as he gears up for his first full...
When will we next see a female driver in Formula One? Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by former F3 driver Alice Powell and BBC reporter Charlotte Simpson to examine why there aren’t any female drivers currently at the sport’s elite level. They look at the existing programmes designed to boost the number of female drivers and ask what more can be done. Leading female driver Abi Pulling talks through her experiences in the sport, while Susie Wolff explains the aims of the F1 Academy in developing female...
This episode recaps the thrilling conclusion of the 2024 F1 season, focusing on McLaren's quest for the Constructors' Championship and Aston Martin's ongoing transformation. Interviews with drivers Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso, along with team principals Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, provide insights into the intense competition and future ambitions. The episode culminates in McLaren's victory celebration and a look at Aston Martin's new wind tunnel, highlighting the relentless pursuit of perfection in Formula One.
In just 15 days’ time, the final chapter in the story of the 2024 Formula 1 season will be written. A triple header of races - from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the heat of Qatar and Abu Dhabi – will decide the World Championships. It’s late November, and time for Formula 1 to take up residency in Las Vegas. The sound of engines roaring down the city’s world-famous Strip will soon bring in the crowds. Unlike other races on the calendar, which are organized by local promoters, the Las Vegas ...
The McLaren and Aston Martin Formula 1 teams are preparing for a “Super Sunday” in Brazil. For just the sixth time in the sport’s history, both qualifying and the race are taking place on the same day. Stormy weather is testing the teams’ resources and resolve at the Interlagos Circuit, home to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The teams and drivers arrive at the track at the crack of dawn, ready to think on their feet in a marathon day ahead. After a well-orchestrated performance in Saturday’s Sprint R...
Rick Edwards joins Jennie Gow, Harry Benjamin and Andrew Benson at the F1 75 launch event. The team look ahead to the start of the new season, discuss the glitz and glamour of this new day in the F1 calendar, and speak to the drivers, including George Russell and Lando Norris, as well as the team bosses, including Toto Wolff, Christian Horner and Fred Vasseur.
There are just five races left to go in the frenetic 2024 Formula 1 season - and the stakes are getting higher. McLaren are still in the hunt for both World titles but, after a penalty for Lando Norris at the U.S. Grand Prix, the team must regroup back at base. The next race in Mexico is vital for the team if they are to keep Norris’ hopes alive in the Drivers’ Championship. The events in Austin saw the British star’s title fight with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen heat up. Will the Mexico race see i...
It’s late September. The seasons are turning – but the wheels of Formula 1 have stopped. There is now a three-week pause before racing resumes at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. At Aston Martin’s Silverstone headquarters, the cars have made a rare return home. In 2024, the cars travel to 21 countries across five continents - that’s a total 127,000 kilometres in air distance. Head of Build and Car Assembly Mark Gray is the man in charge of logistics and caring for Aston Martin’s racing cars...
Tension is building inside the McLaren factory. The team is closer to a title than they have been for 12 years and, after dramatic races in Zandvoort and Monza, there is much to discuss. Not least the team’s philosophy that allows their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, to freely race each other. Team Principal Andrea Stella has returned to the factory to consider whether there now needs to be a change of policy. While Stella smooths out any wrinkles caused by the battling teammates, Prod...
