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

Alex Kalinauckas and Ronald Vording report from the Shanghai International Circuit to review Friday’s Sprint Qualifying session for the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix. In a surprise, it’s a Sprint Pole for Lewis Hamilton, the oldest pole winner of any F1 format since Nigel Mansell in 1994. Alex and Ronald explain why the “peaky” nature of the Ferrari may have helped Lewis to pole and the “mega” lap that has him share the front row with Max Verstappen. There’s also a discussion on Lando Norris’ mistake in SQ3 and why it backs up his comments on adapting to his tricky McLaren, and who Alex and Ronald think will win tomorrow morning’s Sprint Race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 Mars 12min

Alex Kalinauckas and Ronald Vording report from the Shanghai International Circuit to review media day for the 2025 F1 Chinese Grand Prix, and it begins on a sombre note as the sport pays tribute to Eddie Jordan, the former team boss of Jordan F1 and broadcaster who passed away this morning at the age of 76 after a year-long battle with prostate cancer. The duo then talk about the big press conference revelation that Championship leader Lando Norris doesn't like the feel of his McLaren MCL39 despite the paddock's view that the car is comfortably best on the grid. There's also a reaction to the prospect of V10 engines returning to the sport in the future and whether it could convince Max Verstappen to stay in F1 for longer. Finally, there's a review of the latest into the "Flexi-Wing" test being adapted for this weekend, and the new resurfacing of the track at large. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Mars 12min

Ben Hunt and Emily Selleck wrap up their coverage of the Australian Grand Prix from Albert Park as Lando Norris would take a victory by less than a second ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Ben and Emily chat about the battle at the front, including the Norris/Verstappen fight at the beginning and end of the race, and the key role Oscar Piastri played in the battle, coming so close to the lead before a spin in the grass late dropped him down the field, only managing a late comeback to ninth. There's also a chat about Lewis Hamilton's first race in red and some of his communication issues over the radio, and a tough day for rookies Isack Hadjar, Ollie Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Mars 9min

Filip Cleeren and Emily Selleck review a hectic Qualifying day in Melbourne as McLaren lock out the front row for the Australian Grand Prix. The pair review McLaren's excellence, and why Max Verstappen isn't too phased with starting in third place for tomorrow's race. There's also a discussion on Ferrari struggling as they sit on the fourth row, Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon impressing on row three, Isack Hadjar finishing as top rookie in 11th, and Gabriel Bortoleto making Q2, responding to Helmut Marko's comments about being a "B-Tier prospect". Finally, there's a chat about the likelihood of rain for the Grand Prix, Ollie Bearman's miserable weekend so far, and Liam Lawson failing to get out of Q1 on his Red Bull debut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

15 Mars 10min

Ben Hunt and Filip Cleeren report from the paddock after Practice Friday at the Australian Grand Prix. Between them, they analyse the battle at the front of the field as Charles Leclerc topped both practice sessions ahead of the McLarens, with the latter still looking strong regarding race pace. There's also a discussion on where Red Bull fit in, and Lewis Hamilton's early struggles compared to his teammate. There's also a review of the rookies' first day, with some strong laps for Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson trying to find confidence, and Ollie Bearman's big crash in FP1 ending his day early. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Mars 12min

Filip Cleeren and Emily Selleck report straight from the Albert Park paddock for Day 1 of the 2025 Australian Grand Prix. How are the rookies dealing with the pressure of their first race build-up? And how are the Australian drivers, Jack Doohan and Oscar Piastri dealing with very different pressures at a home race, and with the Australian media? FIlip and Emily round up all the news from the Australian Grand Prix 2025 direct from the famous Melbourne Walk in Albert Park as they ponder how much the drivers are keeping close to their chest before the real racing begins tomorrow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Mars 7min

Autosport has diversified its podcast offerings by launching three new channels as part of the Motorsport Network’s expanded coverage. If you like your podcasts, you’re likely already subscribed to the ever-so-slightly renamed Autosport F1 Podcast, so if you’re here for F1, stay right there exclusively for all of our content. This will include news, previews and reviews, along with weekly fan Q+A podcasts from our journalists in our studio and directly from the paddock. If you want more of the global motorsport scene, subscribe to our new feed, Autosport Racing, featuring analysis, news and reviews from the World Endurance Championship to the British Touring Car Championship. If you prefer the domestic scene for your motorsport coverage, you can subscribe to our new Autosport National Podcast. Hosted by our Editor-In-Chief Kevin Turner and National Editor Stephen Lickorish, the Autosport National Podcast will feature rankings, opinions, the latest news and exclusive interviews from the beating heart of the domestic scene, including British GT, rallying, Hillclimb and the grassroots of UK motorsport every Tuesday. We also have the Autosport Retro Podcast. As Autosport celebrates its 75th anniversary as a publication, what better way to mark it than a trip through the archives? On Retro, we recount some of the greatest stories in motorsport, from drivers, teams, cars, brands and more, and include interviews with key figures across motorsport history. We also have the James Allen on F1 Podcast, with the award-winning broadcaster and journalist combining business analysis and sharp F1 opinions, with in-depth sit-down interviews with some of the series' biggest names, like Zak Brown, James Vowles and Fred Vasseur. And finally, the bikes are back too! Tank Slappers will be returning with Oriol Puigdemont, Ben Hunt, and Dre Harrison for a weekly podcast on everything MotoGP, including full race reports, the latest news and a wide range of opinions on the series as Marc Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin battle for the 2025 world championship. All of these channels will be promoted here, as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and just about everywhere else where podcasts are available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Mars 4min

Kevin Turner sits down with Stephen Lickorish and special guest and Autosport National contributor Marcus Pye to chat about the racing series they're most looking forward to amongst the domestic scene in 2025. There's chat about British GT with Rob Collard going for a third series title with new teammate Hugo Cook at Barwell Motorsport. The strength in depth of GB3's 2025 roster is also spoken warmly about, including reigning Autosport Young Driver of the Year Deagen Fairclough and F1 Academy 2024 Champion, Abbi Pulling. Also included is the Walter Hayes Trophy and the 25th Anniversary year of the Formula Ford 1600 celebration, Super Touring Power 3 at Brands Hatch and more! 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

6 Mars 36min