F1 2025 Testing Day 3 - Are McLaren Early Favourites?

During the 20 years of International Formula 3000 as the main training ground for Formula 1, before it was replaced by GP2 in 2005, many motorsport legends passed through without becoming champion. From drivers that went on to become F1 race winners to Indianapolis 500 conquerors and sportscar heroes, we've attempted to rank the best nearly-men of F3000 during the latest episode of the Autosport podcast, which features special guest David Sears. Boss of the Super Nova Racing team that delivered titles with Vincenzo Sospiri, Ricardo Zonta, Juan Pablo Montoya and Sebastien Bourdais between 1995 and 2002, Sears joins chief editor Kevin Turner and Plus editor James Newbold to dissect our resident F3000 enthusiast's list. He also shares his anecdotes of the Super Nova drivers that made our list and reflects on those he raced against during a glittering driving career that morphed into becoming a team owner and driver manager. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Jan 1h 10min

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 2, the trio discuss the "boom" period of the team in the mid-to-late 1980s, with the arrivals of Honda and eventually Renault, their first "star" driver in Nelson Piquet and the emotions of the family for the famous 1986 British Grand Prix and Sir Frank's return. And just how did a Williams end up being driven around Ferrari's Fiorano test track? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Jan 54min

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 Jan 45min

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 Jan 42min

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 Dec 202454min

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 Dec 202439min

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 Dec 20241h 5min

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 Dec 202455min