F1: Chequered Flag
BBC
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. And get up to speed on the cars and tactics changing the game.
Coming up this season: what will it take for Max Verstappen to win his fifth consecutive world title? Can McLaren retain their lead from the 2024 Constructors Championship? Will Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris take the lead, the two McLaren team-mates turned rivals? How will Lewis Hamilton perform after his shock switch to Ferrari? And what can we expect from this season’s rookie drivers, Oliver Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto?
Stay tuned for the latest F1 updates, straight from the track.
Location:
London, United Kingdom
Genres:
Sports & Recreation Podcasts
Networks:
BBC
Description:
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. And get up to speed on the cars and tactics changing the game. Coming up this season: what will it take for Max Verstappen to win his fifth consecutive world title? Can McLaren retain their lead from the 2024 Constructors Championship? Will Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris take the lead, the two McLaren team-mates turned rivals? How will Lewis Hamilton perform after his shock switch to Ferrari? And what can we expect from this season’s rookie drivers, Oliver Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto? Stay tuned for the latest F1 updates, straight from the track.
Language:
English
Episodes
Chequered Flag Extra: Claire Dubbelman on life as F1’s Deputy Race Director & women in motorsport
8/14/2025
Jennie Gow sits down for an in-depth chat with F1’s Deputy Race Director, Claire Dubbelman, to speak about her role and how to get more women involved in motorsport. Claire discusses her career to date and how she became part of the race director team alongside Rui Marques. From controlling the chequered flag to directing safety car driver, Bernd Maylander, Claire discusses exactly what a race director does. Plus, Claire speaks passionately about female participation in motorsport and how she hopes her high-profile role in F1 will encourage more women to get involved in the sport.
Duration:00:30:41
Chequered Flag Extra: Damon Hill Special
8/7/2025
Harry Benjamin sits down for an in-depth chat with 1996 F1 world champion, Damon Hill, to speak about his career and the release of his new documentary, Hill. Damon, who has been part of the 5 Live F1 team this season, discusses the influence of his father, legendary two-time world champion Graham Hill, and how his death affected him. He also details his initial love of motorbikes, how he worked his way into F1, and that world title triumph in 1996.
Duration:00:26:20
Hungarian Grand Prix Review
8/3/2025
How valuable could that win prove to be for Lando Norris as Formula 1 pauses for its summer break? Harry Benjamin, Sam Bird and Jennie Gow look back at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Norris saw off a late charge from Oscar Piastri to reduce the deficit to his teammate in the championship to nine points. They hear from both McLaren drivers, and a very dejected Charles Leclerc, who finished fourth having started on pole.
Duration:00:25:14
Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying Review
8/2/2025
Lewis Hamilton called himself "useless" after a frustrating qualifying left him 12th on the grid, while teammate Charles Leclerc took pole. Harry Benjamin is joined by Jennie Gow and Sam Bird to discuss a mixed day for Ferrari. They also hear from Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who line up second and third for Sunday’s race.
Duration:00:26:42
Hungarian Grand Prix Preview
8/1/2025
Steve Crossman is joined by Jennie Gow, Harry Benjamin, Sam Bird and Andrew Benson to preview the Hungarian Grand Prix. They dive into the growing rivalry at McLaren as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri continue their charge for the title. We hear from both drivers. Williams’ Carlos Sainz sits down with Steve to reflect on life in F1. Plus, why does Harry Benjamin have a catchphrase to start every race?
Duration:00:58:28
Belgian Grand Prix Review
7/27/2025
Has Oscar Piastri regained the upper hand over McLaren teammate Lando Norris following his win at Spa? 1996 world champion Damon Hill joins Harry Benjamin to dissect a dramatic Grand Prix weekend in Belgium. They reflect on the key moments that defined the race, evaluate what it means for the balance of power at McLaren, and hear from the top three finishers. Plus, they get reaction from Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Duration:00:31:24
Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying Review
7/26/2025
Can Lando Norris convert his qualifying pole into a race win? 1996 world champion Damon Hill joins Harry Benjamin to look back at both the sprint race and qualifying from Spa. They hear from the top three and a very dejected Lewis Hamilton.
Duration:00:19:08
Belgian Grand Prix Preview
7/25/2025
What does Laurent Mekies’ appointment mean for Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s future? Harry Benjamin is joined by Andrew Benson, Rebecca Clancy and Alisha Palmowski to preview the Spa weekend and break down the ongoing drama at Red Bull. They hear from the new team principal and Max Verstappen.
Duration:00:57:29
Chequered Flag Extra: What next for Max Verstappen?
7/16/2025
Harry Benjamin and the BBC F1’s correspondent Andrew Benson are joined by former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari to speak about the situation at Red Bull. What next for the team following Christian Horner’s removal as team principal? And what next for their star driver Max Verstappen? Plus, we hear what new Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies is like to work under, and whether he’ll be able to turn the team’s fortunes around.
Duration:00:29:18
Horner sacked as Red Bull team principal
7/9/2025
Harry Benjamin and the BBC F1’s correspondent Andrew Benson react to the breaking news that Christian Horner has been sacked as Red Bull team principal after 20 years in the role. Red Bull GmBH said in a statement: "Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today." We discuss the facts, ask what it means for Max Verstappen’s future, and also ponder the team’s future.
Duration:00:23:20
British Grand Prix Review
7/6/2025
Lando Norris wins his home Grand Prix and cuts the gap to teammate Oscar Piastri in the title race. Sam Bird and Harry Benjamin join Jennie Gow to reflect on the win, hear from Norris, and get reaction from Andrea Stella and Zac Brown. They also discuss the bizarre moment Norris was injured while celebrating with fans. Plus, Nico Hülkenberg joins the pod after claiming his first-ever F1 podium.
Duration:00:26:51
British Grand Prix Qualifying Review
7/5/2025
Can Max Verstappen convert pole into a race win? Nelson Valkemberg and Jennie Gow join Harry Benjamin after the Dutchman beat both McLarens to P1. They hear from Verstappen, Piastri and Norris.
Duration:00:27:02
British Grand Prix Preview
7/3/2025
What does Lando Norris’ recent win mean for his home race at Silverstone? Just one of the questions Harry Benjamin, Rebecca Clancy, Jennie Gow and Andrew Benson tackle as they look ahead to the British Grand Prix. We hear from Norris, as well as Max Verstappen, as the talk he's going to Mercedes isn't going away. Plus, Andrew chats in-depth with Alex Albon, and Harry asks Ollie Bearman the big question: what’s his favourite bear?
Duration:00:58:42
Austrian Grand Prix Review
6/29/2025
Lando Norris wins in Austria, cutting the gap to his McLaren teammate at the top of the drivers' standings. Rosanna Tennant is joined by Ben Edwards, Alice Powell and Andrew Benson to reflect on the race. They hear from Norris, runner-up Oscar Piastri and third-placed Charles Leclerc, as well as McLaren boss Andrea Stella, with F1 now heading to their home race at Silverstone.
Duration:00:37:26
Austrian Grand Prix Qualifying Review
6/28/2025
Lando on pole! Rosanna Tennant, Ben Edwards, Alice Powell and Andrew Benson look back at qualifying from Austria. They hear from Norris, as well as Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, who finished second and third. Plus Max Verstappen, who starts back in seventh.
Duration:00:37:24
Austrian Grand Prix preview
6/27/2025
Is Max Verstappen really about to join Mercedes? What does this mean for George Russell? Just two of the questions that Rosanna Tennant, Ben Edwards, Alice Powell and Andrew Benson get stuck into. They also hear from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Is the new F1 movie any good? Andrew and Ben give their verdict. And Brad Pitt makes his first appearance on the Chequered Flag.
Duration:00:41:15
Chequered Flag Extra: Red Bull’s protest & Bottas on life in F1
6/19/2025
Harry Benjamin and the BBC's F1 correspondent Andrew Benson discuss Red Bull’s protest against George Russell following the Canadian Grand Prix. We also hear from Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas, who sat down with Harry to speak about his early days in racing, meeting Toto Wolff, becoming Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate and what’s next for him in F1.
Duration:00:38:03
Canadian Grand Prix Review
6/15/2025
Harry Benjamin and McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird, as well as special guest Kai Bachini, who was the BBC Radio 5 Live Young Commentator of the Year in 2018, react to a dramatic Canadian Grand Prix. We discuss the collision between the two McLaren drivers, and hear from both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Plus, we react to George Russell’s win, and Kimi Antonelli’s first podium in F1 – the third youngest in the sport’s history.
Duration:00:40:49
Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying Review
6/14/2025
Harry Benjamin & McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird reflect on qualifying at the Canadian GP. George Russell took a stunning pole position ahead of Max Verstappen. We hear from both drivers as they prepare to go head-to-head again in Sunday’s race. Meanwhile, it was a disappointing day for McLaren – we get the thoughts of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Duration:00:28:40
Canadian Grand Prix Preview
6/13/2025
Harry Benjamin and Jennie Gow are joined by F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to look ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix. Andrew sits down for a chat with Lando Norris, who speaks about his battle with team-mate Oscar Piastri for the drivers’ title as well as team orders at McLaren. We also discuss Max Verstappen’s moment of madness in Spain, how he’ll bounce back this weekend, and who the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will suit.
Duration:00:55:59