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...
Feb 05, 2025•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Aston Martin team is preparing to unveil the super signing of the 2024 season. Someone who will shape their Formula 1 cars and - if things go to plan - the team’s future at the front of the grid. But until then the news has to be kept under wraps. In the ultra-competitive world of Formula 1 secrecy is a necessity. The McLaren and Aston Martin teams are also gearing up for a return to racing at Round 15 of the World Championship, the Dutch Grand Prix, held at the seaside circuit of Zandvoort....
Jan 29, 2025•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast There are just 10 races left to go in the 2024 Formula 1 season - the longest season in the sport’s history with 24 grands prix. In this final phase of the season, both Championships - for the world’s best racing driver and team - are still up for grabs. At McLaren headquarters, in the commuter town of Woking just 23 miles outside London, the team is stirring again after the summer shutdown. The historic race team hit form before the summer holidays and has propelled itself into title contention...
Jan 22, 2025•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this eight-part series, hosted by actor Josh Hartnett, we have been given unprecedented access to two of the most famous names in Formula 1 - McLaren and Aston Martin. These teams are unlocking the doors to their top-secret factories. It’s a critical moment in their season, but they are letting inside as they fight to the finish line in the final 10 races of 2024. With F1 experts Sarah Holt and Holly Samos as our guides, we will meet the workforce driving them forwards from the heart of their...
Jan 17, 2025•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jennie Gow, Harry Benjamin, Jolyon Palmer and Andrew Benson look back on the 2024 F1 season, with the help of some special guests and some Christmas crackers! Where does Max Verstappen rank among the greats of the sport after winning his fourth world title? Can Lando Norris challenge next season? And will Ferrari be regretting replacing Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton? Plus, we discuss Alpine’s revival, Williams’ struggles, and we give our moments of the season.
Dec 16, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso sits down for an in-depth chat with BBC F1 correspondent, Andrew Benson. Alonso speaks about his season with Aston Martin, the addition of Adrian Newey to the team and whether that will make them more competitive in 2025 and 2026. Plus, Alonso talks about his dreams of winning a third world title.
Dec 11, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jennie and the team reflect on McLaren winning the constructor's title. They hear from Zac Brown, Andrea Stella, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Dec 08, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jennie and the team look back at the final qualifying session of the season. They hear from the two McLaren drivers who will be hoping to secure their first constructors title since 1998. We also hear from Carlos Sainz who starts from third, and Nico Hulkenberg and Valtteri Bottas who both had good days.
Dec 07, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Andrew Benson and Scott Mitchell-Malm join Jennie to look ahead to the race. They discuss the ongoing spat between Max Verstappen and George Russell and hear from both drivers. Toto Wolff pays tribute to Lewis Hamilton ahead of his final race with Mercedes. And Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc talk about the constructor’s title and what it would mean to both teams.
Dec 05, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rosanna Tennant, McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird, BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson, and Harry Benjamin react to a busy Qatar GP that was dominated by penalties and punctures. Race winner Max Verstappen gives his thoughts after yet another assured drive, while we also hear from Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri and a disappointed Lando Norris, who was one of a number of drivers penalised in the race.
Dec 01, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rosanna Tennant, McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird, BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson, and Harry Benjamin reflect on qualifying for the Qatar GP, as well as the sprint race. The team hear from Max Verstappen, George Russell, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. Plus, after their last minute switch securing a one-two in the sprint, Rosanna speaks with McLaren team principal Andrea Stella.
Nov 30, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rosanna Tennant, former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley, BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson, and Harry Benjamin take a more considered look at Max Verstappen’s fourth world title, as well as preview the Qatar GP. The team hear from the Dutchman and Lando Norris. Plus, who will come out on top in the constructors’ championship? A disappointed Lewis Hamilton gives his views after sprint qualifying, and Rosanna chats to Abbi Pulling, with the Brit on the verge of clinching the F1 Academy title....
Nov 29, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Alice and Harry join Rosanna to look back at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. They reflect on a special evening that saw Max Verstappen claim his fourth world title. Max and his Red Bull boss Christian Horner are on the pod. And we discuss the race and hear from the top three finishers.
Nov 24, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Harry and Alice join Rosanna to look back at qualifying from Las Vegas. They hear from the top three drivers as well as Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.
Nov 23, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Andrew Benson sits down with Max Verstappen for an in depth chat. They cover an array of topics including his driving style, a tricky season for his Red Bull team and what the future may hold. Along with the rest of the BBC F1 team, they look ahead to the weekend and hear from Kevin Magnussen.
Nov 22, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rosanna and the team look ahead to this weekend’s race. They discuss the championship permutations and debate whether Verstappen will win his fourth title here. We hear from Verstappen and his title rival Lando Norris. And they ask what is going on at the FIA after race director Niels Wittich was removed from his role.
Nov 21, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Harry and the team look back at a dramatic race from Interlagos. Max Verstappen tells us of his surprise at going from P17 to race win. Did McLaren once again make a strategy blunder? We hear from Norris after he finished sixth. And the two Alpine drivers are on the pod after they took the two remaining podium places.
Nov 03, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Harry and the team look back at the sprint race from Interlagos. It was won by McLaren’s Lando Norris after he swapped positions with teammate Oscar Piastri in the closing stages. We hear from both McLaren drivers as well as Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
Nov 02, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jennie and the team look ahead to the weekend’s action. They debate the rights and wrongs of Max Verstappen’s driving style and ask whether the FIA need to look at the regulations. We hear from Verstappen and title contender Lando Norris. And we chat about who will be Max Verstappen’s team mate at Red Bull next season should Perez be released.
Nov 01, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Harry Benjamin, McLaren Formula E driver, Sam Bird, and BBC F1 correspondent, Andrew Benson, react to an action-packed Mexico City Grand Prix. The team discuss the battle between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, and the penalties Verstappen received. Plus, hear from Carlos Sainz after his second victory of the season. Is the battle truly on between McLaren and Ferrari for the constructors’ championship?
Oct 28, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Harry Benjamin, McLaren Formula E driver, Sam Bird, and BBC F1 correspondent, Andrew Benson, reflect on qualifying at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Carlos Sainz took pole. Are Ferrari the favourites heading into the race? And what next in the battle for the title, with Max Verstappen qualifying in second and Lando Norris third?
Oct 27, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jennie Gow is joined by former F1 driver, Jolyon Palmer, and the BBC’s F1 correspondent, Andrew Benson, to look ahead to the Mexico City Grand Prix. The team discuss Lando Norris’ controversial penalty last time out in Austin, hear from both Norris and Max Verstappen, plus discuss whether the title battle is still on with just five rounds remaining of the 2024 F1 World Championship
Oct 24, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jennie and the team look back at the race from Austin. They hear from the two Ferrari drivers who finished on the top two steps of the podium. And ask whether the driver’s championship race is still on after Max Verstappen beat Lando Norris to third.
Oct 21, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jennie and team look back at qualifying from Austin. They hear from the top three drivers and ask whether Lando Norris can convert his pole to a race win.
Oct 20, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jennie Gow is joined by Rebecca Clancy, Marc Priestley and Harry Benjamin for a special live podcast in Downtown Austin. The team discuss the state of F1 and the 2024 title fight. Plus, they are joined by a couple of special guests – Jamie Chadwick discusses her career to date, and Guenther Steiner talks working in F1 and being a Drive to Survive star.
Oct 18, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by the BBC team out in Austin to look ahead to the weekend’s action. With just six races to go, they debate whether Lando Norris can still catch Max Verstappen and land his first driver's title. Former Haas boss Gunther Steiner is on the pod to give his take on the Max Verstappen swearing controversy. James Vowles talks Williams' progress since he took over as team principal. And Andrew Benson has some breaking news regarding Red Bull.
Oct 17, 2024•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rosanna Tennant, McLaren Formula E driver, Sam Bird, and Harry Benjamin reflect on the Singapore GP. The team discuss Lando Norris’ victory, and hear from the Brit. We also hear from Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, plus ask whether this will be Daniel Ricciardo’s last race.
Sep 22, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rosanna Tennant, McLaren Formula E driver, Sam Bird, and Harry Benjamin look back on qualifying at the Singapore GP. The team hear from polesitter Lando Norris, as well as Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo.
Sep 21, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rosanna Tennant, BBC F1 correspondent, Andrew Benson, and Editor-in-Chief at Autosport, Rebecca Clancy, preview the Singapore GP. The team discuss the title battle. Will Red Bull struggle again this weekend? And will Lando Norris continue to close in on Max Verstappen in the drivers’ championship? Hear from both drivers, as well as previous race winner, Oscar Piastri.
Sep 19, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jennie and the team look back at a terrific race around the streets of Baku. With McLaren now leading the constructors championship by 20 points, they hear from both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, as well as team principal Andrea Stella. They discuss what happened in the crash between Perez and Sainz, and ask whether there are any signs that Red Bull can reverse their fortunes.
Sep 15, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
