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

Kevin Turner sits down with Gary Watkins to review the opening round of the 2025 World Endurance Championship, the Qatar 1812km from the Losail International Circuit. Gary breaks down what led to Ferrari’s runaway victory, the first for the factory team outside of the Le Mans 24 Hours, in a massive podium lockout, as well as the impact the Balance of Performance adjustments had on usual top contenders Porsche and Toyota.  There’s also a breakdown into the now viral clash between the two JOTA Cadillacs, Aston Martin’s difficult debut (including a flying door!), and a full review of LMGT3 as TF Sport took victory with Jonny Edgar, Dani Juncadella and Ben Keating.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Mars 48min

Alex Kalinauckas and Ronald Vording sit down and review the action from Bahrain as the third and final day of testing comes to an end. Alex reviews the teams who didn't leave a positive impression, including a U-turn on the state of Aston Martin after a difficult final day and Fernando Alonso sitting out after illness, as well as why Sauber could be set to start the season at the back of the grid. There's also a deep dive as to why Lewis Hamilton struggled in the final evening session of the test and adapting to his new Ferrari. There's also more on Haas as they too struggled with a flying engine cover and multiple spins, what the feelings are in the Red Bull camp as they prepare to defend their driver's title, and Alex's surprise "way too early" pick for the Drivers title. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Feb 12min

Alex Kalinauckas and Ben Hunt return to report from Day 2 of F1’s 2025 test at the Bahrain International Circuit. In the video, Alex mentions the three teams that impressed him most, featuring McLaren’s eye-catching long-run pace, Aston Martin’s newfound consistency across the day, and Williams topping the lap and timing sheets via Carlos Sainz. There’s also a reaction to Max Verstappen’s playful response to the booing he faced at F175 Live, where Red Bull stood as a team on Day 2, and the team's lack of preparation when the rain fell on Thursday morning.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Feb 12min

Kevin Turner and Stephen Lickorish are back for another edition of the Autosport National Podcast. On this week's show, they sit down with the Director of Communications for the 750 Motor Club, James Winstanley. Together, they discuss the rise of the Suzuki Swift challenge and its increasing grid size, as well as how accessible it is in terms of grassroots Motorsport. They also discuss how they give away equipment and use unique rules to keep people coming back, and they discuss what the future holds for the series and the club as a whole. If you would like to keep up with UK motorsport every week, take a look at our new National newsletter and sign up: https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions/subscribe?a=Vbb5eh&g=RL2Lcd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Feb 27min

Alex Kalinauckas and Ben Hunt report from the Bahrain International Circuit to wrap up Day 1 of testing for the 2025 Formula 1 Season. In the review, Alex and Ben talk about the ease with which McLaren has settled into the opening day as reigning Constructors Champions, including a little prank on the TV crew. Mercedes is mentioned with Kimi Antonelli's impressive first day, leading the morning session, and Red Bull with a spin for Liam Lawson, and some trips off-road for World Champion Max Verstappen. There are also positives for Isack Hadjar in the V-CARB RB, and why Ollie Bearman might be in for a tough rookie season at Haas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

26 Feb 9min

Kevin Turner sits down with Gary Watkins to preview the 2025 World Endurance Championship. Gary reports live from the Lusail International Circuit for the opening round this weekend, the 1812km of Qatar. The pair discuss the big questions - Can anyone breach the elite class of the Hypercar category, dominated by Porsche, Toyota and Ferrari in 2024? There's an extended look at the outside contenders - Aston Martin making their WEC debut this weekend with their Valkyrie, the first Road Car to be adapted for the Hypercar category, whether BMW can maintain their momentum from the end of last season, and is 2025 the make or break year for Peugeot? There's also a discussion on the controversial new weight limit rules for qualifying and how they might affect the running of the field, and Kev and Gaz's picks for the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

26 Feb 30min

Kevin Turner and Stephen Lickorish return for another edition of the Autosport National Podcast, and on this week's edition, the pair rank their Top 5 corners to watch racing from in the UK as a preview to the upcoming club racing circuit season. From the incredible mountain at Cadwell Park, the Knockhill Chicane to arguably the most famous corner in the country, Paddock Hill Bend at Brands Hatch, Kev and Stephen go back and forth on their favourites, and feature two completely different lists. Who do you think they picked at Number 1, and what would be your favourite corner to watch Motorsport from? Reach out and let us know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Feb 37min

F1 went all out to celebrate its 75th Anniversary season, and Autosport was in attendance for the F175 Live show from the O2 Arena in London. In a special podcast, Alex Kalinauckas and Mark Mann-Bryans went through the entire day reporting on the event, including the early morning press conferences with *most* of the teams, as well as highlights of the event itself, with Ben Hunt interviewing fans after the event was over and hearing their opinions on F1’s first ever group launch. There’s also a roundtable between Alex, Mark, and Stuart Codling from the morning after as they review the event, what it did well, what it didn’t, and if the event has a future within the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 Feb 38min