Top 50 Drivers of 2023

On this month’s Flat Chat podcast we discuss the major changes happening within Mercedes. At the beginning of this season, Toto Wolff claimed that Mercedes' basic car concept was a dead end and that a major rethink was needed. Our tech columnist Pat Symonds explains what this means for the team. He breaks down "car concept" and the challenges faced when attempting an engineering U-turn in the fast-paced world of Formula 1.   Hosts Stuart Codling, Mark Gallagher and Matt Kew also discuss the rising fortunes of Aston Martin. The team has been surrounded by innuendo regarding whether their cars are simply copies of other successful designs, particularly Red Bull. This month, Matt Kew takes aim at this popular narrative and sheds light on the reality of the situation, revealing that not everything is as it appears to be.   Lastly, we look forward to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend. For the first time, Baku will host a sprint race with a separate qualifying session replacing the normal Saturday morning practice. The race start order will be governed by a traditional qualifying session, which moves to Friday afternoon. The new Saturday morning session dictates the Sprint line-up, with the Sprint itself no longer having any bearing on Sunday. But is this a good move for Formula 1 given the high chance of damage at Baku. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 Huhti 202357min

Today we delve into the fascinating world of motorsport's pioneers and the unforgettable stories of the drivers who helped shape racing history. In the final episode of our current series, Martyn Lee and Chief Editor Kevin Tuner are taking a trip back in time to explore the legends of pre-WW2 grand prix racing, uncovering the legacy of these early drivers and their impact on the sport we know today. Discover the challenges and excitement of the early days of grand prix racing, as adventurers (and even spies!) turned into professionals, pushing the limits of what was possible with emerging technology. We'll also take a deep dive into the machinery and technology available to these pioneers, exploring their ingenuity and resourcefulness to tackle poor surfaces, demanding tracks, and the endurance required to compete in two-day GPs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

22 Huhti 202349min

In this episode, we dive deep into the recent management changes within the Mercedes Formula 1 team, as James Allison and Mike Elliott swap roles in a bid to bring the team back to the forefront of Formula 1. We discuss the background and motivations behind this surprising move and analyze how it might impact the team's performance and strategies.   Martyn Lee is joined by Jonathan Noble (@NobleF1) to explore why the team decided to shuffle its senior technical personnel. As Allison returns to the role of Technical Director and Elliott takes up the position of Chief Technical Officer, we break down the reasons behind the job swap and how both individuals believe their skills are better suited to the other's position.   Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, has also weighed in on these management changes, expressing his admiration for the introspection and self-awareness shown by both Allison and Elliott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 Huhti 202321min

Welcome to the special tribute to honour the life and career of the late Craig Breen. Tragically, Craig was taken from us far too soon in a crash which left the motorsport community in mourning. Known for his heart-on-sleeve approach, Craig left an indelible mark on the world of rallying.  Today we'll be speaking with those who knew him personally, sharing stories and memories that celebrate Craig's character both on and off the track. We'll discuss his passion and and the lasting legacy he leaves behind in the rally world. Firstly we're joined by Autosport's rally man Tom Howard in Croatia. And our special guest is a renowned figure in the world of rallying, hailing from Northern Ireland, Kris Meeke. With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Kris has multiple WRC wins, is a true ambassador of the sport, and was a friend of Craigs. Kris provide a unique and heartfelt perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 Huhti 202326min

Today we're heading back in time to explore the golden age of Grand Prix racing – the pre-Formula 1 era. From 1906 to the outbreak of World War II in 1939, motorsport was a hotbed of innovation and spectacular machines. So, prepare yourselves for a thrilling adventure as we delve into the top 10 pre-war Grand Prix cars and the epic races that defined them. Using Autosport's latest list as our guide, Chief Editor Kevin Turner takes a look at each car's success in major GP events and their impact on motorsport history. These incredible machines and their epic races remind us of the rich history and innovation that paved the way for the Formula 1 we know and love today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

15 Huhti 202348min

Forever the bridesmaid, never the bride – we'll explore the tale of the F1 cars that could never quite clinch the coveted victory. Today we're going to take a stroll down the pit lane of heartbreak and missed opportunities. We're discussing the definitive list of the top 10 F1 cars that, despite their promise, never managed to secure a championship Grand Prix win. Based on Kevin Turner's latest Top 10 list, we're joined by Jake Boxall-Legge to dive into these tantalizing tales of racing machines that just couldn't quite taste the victory champagne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

8 Huhti 202347min

What does the data show us after the first 3 races of the F1 2023 season? From strong Red Bull form to abysmal starts for Ferrari, Mercedes' improvements and declines, surprise midfield strengths and more, Martyn Lee is joined by Jon Noble and Blake Hinsey, ex-Red Bull Performance Engineer, to discuss everything the data tells us from the opening of the F1 2023 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Huhti 202327min

Martyn Lee is joined by Kevin Turner, Jake Boxall-Legge and Matt Kew to analyse the biggest talking points from Formula 1 at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 Huhti 20231h