The Autosport F1 Podcast

Martyn Lee is joined by our chief editor Kevin Turner and renowned sportscar expert Gary Watkins to discuss the top 10 Le Mans cars of all time. On today's podcast we talk about how Le Mans cars have evolved over the years, the role of technology and innovation, and the impact of the greatest cars to do battle. We delve into the stories, engineering marvels, and performances that make each car legendary. Kevin and Gary also reminisce about their experiences covering the event, the unparalleled atmosphere, and the significance of Le Mans in motorsport history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Mai 20231h 3min

Martyn Lee is joined by Matt Kew and Filip Cleeren to analyse how today's grand prix was won, and how Formula 1 got lucky with nobody hurt as people flooded the pit lane whilst cars were still racing. Our special guest today is Ben Hocking (@BenHockingF1) who is host of the Late Braking F1 podcast (https://www.latebrakingpodcast.com). If you would like to follow their podcast, all the details are here: https://linktr.ee/latebrakingpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Apr 202357min

Martyn Lee is joined by Jake Boxall-Legge from Azerbaijan, to review Saturday’s track action. With the Sprint Shootout immediately followed by the Sprint itself, Saturday is almost a standalone event within the Grand Prix Weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29 Apr 202321min

Martyn Lee is joined by Autosport.com Editor, Haydn Cobb, to discuss the new weekend format where qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix now takes places on a Friday afternoon. They analyse the grid order for Sunday and what it means for Saturday’s track action, which is now a standalone day featuring a Sprint Shootout (aka Sprint Qualifying) and the Sprint Race. Whilst points are scored in the Sprint, the finishing order now has no bearing on the Grand Prix starting grid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Apr 202334min

In this episode of the Autosport podcast, we delve into the prestigious BRDC SuperStars programme, exploring how it nurtures and develops the most promising young British racing talent. Created by Damon Hill OBE and in recent years closely overseen by Derek Warwick, both of whom are former BRDC Presidents, the programme has a strong record of results with SuperStars chalking up an impressive total of 384 wins, 1,558 podiums and 342 pole positions, with over 45 drivers becoming full-time professionals during their time on the programme. Martyn Lee and Kevin Turner sit down with Andy Meyrick, Director of the BRDC SuperStars, to discuss the role of SuperStars in nurturing future talent, its impact on the careers of aspiring drivers and the future of British motorsports. We were also thrilled to feature two up-and-coming drivers who are currently being coached by the BRDC SuperStars programme. Callum Voisin and Matt Rees join the conversation to share their personal experiences, the challenges they face, and the invaluable guidance they receive as part of this elite group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

26 Apr 202353min

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 Apr 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 Apr 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 Apr 202321min