604: Gravel Notes: Inside The World Of A WRC Mechanic

To commemorate Lewis Hamilton's 40th birthday today, here's a full episode of the James Allen on F1 for the Autosport Podcast! For the first JA on F1 podcast of 2025, we discuss Lewis Hamilton as he turns 40. The seven-time World Champion is preparing to drive a Ferrari F1 car for the first time this month. In his New Year message to fans, he said “Reinvention is powerful” So how will this reinvention for Hamilton go? What do we know so far about the 2025 Ferrari car he will be driving? And what does history tell us about F1 champions who make late-career moves; how did it work out for them? Is it possible to win a World Championship beyond 40? With James in the studio to dive into Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari are Chief Motorsport Writer Ben Hunt and F1 writer Jake Boxall-Legge. We also hear from our colleague Roberto Chinchero on the excitement building in Italy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Tammi 47min

Autosport’s Kevin Turner hosts F1 pundit Karun Chandhok and Jonathan Williams, son of team founder Sir Frank, for this month's podcast series on the legendary Williams squad. Jonathan Williams provides plenty of behind-the-scenes insights on his father, key drivers and major events, including what really happened at the controversial 1997 season finale. In Episode 1, the trio tackle the early days of the team and the "Green and White" era as Jonathan explores his first childhood memories of racing, some of the backbone figures of that era with Patrick Head, and some of the bonds forged with drivers like the late Carlos Reutemann, Nigel Mansell, and a very young Ayrton Senna... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Tammi 44min

It's a support system that's seen its talent be represented in the World Endurance Championship, the BTCC, and even the pinnacle of Motorsport in Formula 1. But who's the best of the modern age? To celebrate 10 years of Stephen Lickorish as Group Editor at Autosport, he joins Kevin Turner and Marcus Simmons on the latest edition of the Autosport National Podcast to rank the last decade's Top 10 TOCA Support drivers. From Lando Norris going all the way to World Championship contention in F1, to one of British Touring Cars modern greats, who will end up Number 1? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Joulu 202456min

Kevin Turner sits down with Stephen Lickorish for another edition of Autosport’s National Podcast, with Stefan Mackley as a special guest to add a unique perspective as a part-time racer himself as this episode focuses on the state of club racing entering 2025. Stephen shares his research on the grid sizes and participation of multiple clubs and championships across the country. Between them, the trio analyses the impact the Russian/Ukraine conflict has had on the scene, discusses what can be done to improve participation across the board, and talks about some of the difficulties that come with competing series, such as track time, organising dates, rising fees due to inflation and more. Should Motorsport UK do more to step in? Should clubs work together for their common goals? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Joulu 202440min

Kevin Turner sits with Gary Watkins and Haydn Cobb to review the 2024 World Endurance Championship season. In the studio, the trio discuss whether 2024 was the year the "Golden Age" of Sportscars truly arrived as Toyota was joined in the winner's circle by Ferrari and Porsche, and how the German manufacturer had such a consistent season, and of course, the Balance of Performance that shapes the series. Joining us to bring his perspective on the year is 2024 World Champion Kevin Estre, who talks about how Porsche's difficult 2023 set them up for this year's success, why they weren't able to replicate that form into the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and his aspirations to win IMSA's 24 Hours of Daytona in January. There's also a discussion on the other teams and where they stand, such as BMW knocking on the door in Fuji, Peugeot's new car not really working as planned, the coming and going of Lamborghini and Isotta, and the future as Aston Martin and Genesis prepare to enter the Hypercar class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Joulu 20241h 7min

Kevin Turner sits down with Haydn Cobb and Gary Watkins to conclude their analysis and rundown of the 2024 Autosport Top 50 and positions 20-1. As the trio delve into the business end of the ranks, some key questions remain - Where did Sho Tsuboi rank after taking a historic Super GT and Super Formula double? Who had the better season between Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc? And which other IndyCar star joined three-time series champion Alex Palou in the Top 10? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 Joulu 202455min

Kevin Turner sits down with Gary Watkins and Haydn Cobb to break down the annual Autosport Top 50 for 2024, evaluating the best drivers across all of the National and International Racing scene. In the first of a two-part mini-series, Kevin goes behind the scenes and explains how our journalists and reporters put the list together, who was unfortunate to just miss out on making the list and who has dropped off the 2023 Top 50, before discussing positions 50-21 of the list itself, featuring drivers from F1, F2, the British Touring Car Championship, IMSA, Formula E and Super GT, Super Formula and the World Endurance Championship. Check back on Saturday for Part 2! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 Joulu 20241h 40min

Bryn Lucas is joined by Alex Kalinauckas and Kevin Turner to answer your questions in the latest Autosport Q+A. But before that, the trio react to the news that Red Bull are releasing Sergio Perez from his contract. Will be Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson to be Max's new teammate? And what will the aftermath be for the driver who misses out? Also in this week's edition; a debate over whether Lando Norris or Charles Leclerc had the better season, the chances of Rwanda joining the F1 calendar in the future, and whether 2024 was Lewis Hamilton's worst season in the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 Joulu 202447min