Podcast
F1: Chequered Flag
Hosted by BBC Radio 5 Live · EN
F1 Chequered Flag from the BBC offers expert analysis of every F1 race, with exclusive insight into every twist and turn of the F1 season. Each episode brings you in-depth race reviews, breaking down the strategies that shape each Grand Prix and the key players making headlines. Hear from F1 stars like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris and the bosses of powerhouse teams like Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren. Plus keep up to speed on the cars and tactics changing the game. Stay tuned for the latest F1 updates, straight from the track. F1 Chequered Flag: Home of Formula 1. Subscribe for the latest F1 updates, straight from the track.
64episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Japanese GP Preview: Will Mercedes’ Dominance Continue?
Mar 2600:43:06Tap to summarizeGeorge Russell won in Australia. Kimi Antonelli claimed a first F1 victory in China. Can anyone stop Mercedes in Japan? Jennie Gow is joined by the BBC's F1 correspondent Andrew Benson and F1 journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm to look ahead to round three at the historic Suzuka Circuit. Is this era of racing ‘fun’? We hear from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is looking to challenge for a first race victory in Ferrari red. Plus, what is going wrong at McLaren? Jennie and Andrew speak with their team principal, Andrea Stella.
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Back at Base S3: 9. A New Era Bonus Episode
Mar 1900:25:54Tap to summarizeFollowing the first two races of the 2026 Formula 1 season, we catch up with two of the sport's rising stars, Chinese GP winner for Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli, and Haas one-to-watch Ollie Bearman. With never-before-heard interviews from the series, we learn a little more about their lives on the road and at home.As they embarked on their second year racing in the world’s fastest sport, how would they adjust to F1’s new era of cars at the opening races of the season? F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC.Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos
Transcribe →Chinese GP Review: Antonelli Stars & Ferrari’s Gripping Battle
Mar 1500:41:45Tap to summarizeMercedes show their strength once again, but will we have an inter-team title fight between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli after the Italian’s star show in China? Ferrari produced a battle for the ages, so is Lewis Hamilton back to his best? Plus, what is going on at McLaren? Harry Benjamin, former McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson review the Chinese Grand Prix, asking whether the new rules have worked or whether this is now a ‘battery world championship’.
Transcribe →Chinese GP Saturday Review: Pole History & Hamilton’s Resurgence
Mar 1400:37:14Tap to summarizeIt was an eventful day at the Chinese Grand Prix as a surprise pole sitter made history, following a dramatic sprint. Was that F1’s best sprint? Plus, is Lewis Hamilton back to his best? Harry Benjamin, former McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson reflect on Saturday at the Chinese Grand Prix, and look ahead to Sunday’s race.
Transcribe →Chinese GP Preview: Who would take sprint pole?
Mar 1300:28:38Tap to summarizeWho would take pole for Saturday’s sprint? Would George Russell’s domination continue? Can Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari keep the pressure on Mercedes at the front of the grid? Harry Benjamin, former McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson reflect on sprint qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix, and look ahead to the weekend’s action.
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Chequered Flag Extra: Selfies, Curses & F1 Hot Takes
Mar 1200:25:44Tap to summarizeIzzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin digest the latest F1 trends and biggest discussion points after the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.Are F1 curses real? Are the ‘burger curse’ and ‘Red Bull second seat curse’ impacting F1?We also celebrate Izzy’s favourite Melbourne memes and discuss your hot takes, including the prediction that Aston Martin will win a race in 2026!
Transcribe →Australian Grand Prix Review
Mar 800:33:56Tap to summarizeAre we going too early to say George Russell will be crowned the 2026 world champion? After his dominant victory in Melbourne, Harry, Jennie and Marc look back at the opening race of the new season and ask just how big Mercedes’ advantage over the rest of the field might be. They hear from Russell, his teammate Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton.
Transcribe →Australian Grand Prix Qualifying Review
Mar 700:34:12Tap to summarizeSo, Mercedes are going to run away with both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles… right? After their dominant display in the first qualifying session of the season, Harry, Jennie and Marc pick through the bones of what happened. They hear from many of the drivers and discuss what it all means heading into Sunday’s race.
Transcribe →Aston Martin’s woes as 2026 cars run for first time in Australia
Mar 600:16:57Tap to summarizeWill the two Aston Martin cars make Sunday's starting grid? Harry Benjamin, Jennie Gow, Marc Priestley and Andrew Benson look back on the first day of on-track action at the Australian GP. Who is the team to beat? And why are Aston Martin struggling so badly? We hear from their team principal Adrian Newey.
Transcribe →Australian Grand Prix Preview
Mar 500:54:00Tap to summarizeAre Mercedes really favourites? Can Lando make a successful defence of his title? And are things really that bad at Aston Martin? Just a few of the questions Harry Benjamin, Andrew Benson and Jennie Gow tackle ahead of this weekend’s season-opening race in Melbourne. Lando joins us on the pod to tell us whether life has changed since becoming world champion. Lewis Hamilton explains why he’s so positive going into the new season. Plus, we hear from one of the new faces on the grid, Arvind Lindblad.
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