Flat Chat 🏁: Alpine Changes, Leclerc's Next Move and Williams Under Vowles

Stuart Codling and Filip Cleeren begin their coverage of the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix with reaction to media day at the Bahrain International Circuit. Stuart and Filip react to the day's breaking news that Robert Reid, Deputy President for Sport within the FIA and part of President Mohammed Ben Sulayem's leadership team, resigned from his post, citing "A fundamental breakdown in governance standards" within the organisation. There's also discussion on the upcoming V10 power-unit summit with the sport's manufacturers, and some further context from Yuki Tsunoda as to why he struggled at last week's Japanese GP, and why there are fears that last week's win may have been flattering for Red Bull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Apr 9min

Mark Mann-Bryans and Jake Boxall-Legge wrap-up their coverage of the Japanese Grand Prix in what was a tense battle at the front between Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Mark and Jake review the "if's and but's" of the race, as to whether McLaren should have been more aggressive on strategy, or if Norris' trip across the grass on pit exit made a difference. Should they have swapped cars and let Piastri attack Verstappen at the front? Also, who's more accountable for the lack of passing, the track, of Year 4 of this regulation set? There's also a review on a strong weekend for the rookies, with Kimi Antonelli in sixth for Mercedes, Isack Hadjar in eighth for Racing Bulls, and Ollie Bearman's second consecutive points finish for Haas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Apr 10min

Mark Mann-Bryans and Jake Boxall-Legge review Qualifying on Day 3 of their Japanese Grand Prix coverage from the Suzuka International Circuit. It was a stunning lap from Max Verstappen that took pole position ahead of both McLaren drivers, despite the Dutchman having no purple "fastest" sector times. Mark and Jake talk about how well Max had hooked the car up, as well as the minor mistakes from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri that opened the door for Verstappen's pole. There's also a discussion on yet another grass fire during the session, the chances of rain for Sunday's race, Isack Hadjar qualifying seventh despite a very uncomfortable seatbelt, and the surprise of Yuki Tsunoda being knocked out in Q2 and outqualified by his former teammate Liam Lawson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Apr 13min

Mark Mann-Bryans and Jake Boxall-Legge report from Suzuka for Day 2 of the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, with Friday practice generating plenty of headlines. Jake and Mark talk about the four red flags that disrupted FP2, including two for the grass on the side of the circuit catching fire, a spin into the gravel for Fernando Alonso at the first Degner and Jack Doohan's massive shunt into the wall at Turn 1, where the Australian had his DRS wing still open as he spun off the track. Also included is a discussion on Yuki Tsunoda's first day of running in a Red Bull and what conclusions could be drawn from the limited running, why Isack Hadjar's strong pace is going under the radar, and the latest news that the FIA is planning a summit for a potential change to V10-engines in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 Apr 13min

Mark Mann-Bryans and Jake Boxall-Legge report from the Suzuka International Circuit for media day at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix. Unsurprisingly, the main story is Red Bull and Racing Bulls' driver swap of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, which is the key protagonists' first chance to talk directly to the media on the issue. The pair discuss Lawson's defiance despite the apparent career setback and the sympathetic reactions of the other drivers when posed the question. There's also reaction to McLaren and their new attitude of being the "hunted" rather than the "hunters" after their 1-2 finish in China, and Haas bringing new floor upgrades to the Japanese Grand Prix, and the difference in approach to car development from team prinical Ayao Komatsu, and previous boss Guenther Stiener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Apr 13min

In one of the most shocking driver moves in recent history, Liam Lawson is heading back to Racing Bulls after just two Grand Prix with Red Bull Racing, with former teammate Yuki Tsunoda heading the other way and making his Red Bull debut at next week’s Japanese Grand Prix. In a special podcast, Stuart Codling sits down with Jake Boxall-Legge and Alex Kalinauckas to discuss whether Lawson deserved more time to establish himself at Red Bull, the misconceptions around Max Verstappen and the RB21’s development, and what happens next for both Tsunoda and Lawson in their new teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Mars 22min

Alex Kalinauckas and Ronald Vording wrap up their coverage of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, from the Shanghai International Circuit, as McLaren dominated proceedings with their 50th 1-2 finish, with Oscar Piastri winning ahead of Lando Norris and George Russell. Alex gives a review of the action, why he agreed with Oscar calling it his "most complete" weekend in F1 and how the race converted into a one-stoppr. Also discussed is the link between the strategy change in the race and both Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly being disqualified for their cars being underweight, and Lewis Hamilton's disqulaiifcation for an over-worn skid block. There's also a big explanier from Ronald on Liam Lawson's future with Red Bull after another poor showing, and whether the sport as a whole could switch to V10's in 2028, and what it could mean for the next regulation change next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Mars 13min

Alex Kalinauckas and Ronald Vording report from the Shanghai International Circuit after a busy Saturday at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix. The pair start by discussing Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's first-ever Sprint victory, Lewis's playing down of the achievement, and what could be learnt from the action on track, such as the intense tyre wear and change of pace between Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren. Then there's a deep dive on qualifying, with Oscar Piastri's two fastest laps being good enough for pole position as Lando Norris admitted to more mistakes, George Russell surprising with a front-row berth, a startling admission from Max Verstappen that Red Bull may have the fourth quickest car in the field, and the pressure faced by Liam Lawson after his second straight qualifying session finishing last. Is he already under pressure for his job? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

22 Mars 13min