F1: Chequered Flag
BBC Radio 5 Live
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 19, 2025 • 33min
US Grand Prix Saturday Review
Has Max Verstappen put himself in the title race? With both McLaren drivers failing to score in the sprint and the Dutchman starting Sunday’s race from pole, Jennie Gow, Harry Benjamin and Christian Hewgill look back on a dramatic day in Austin. They hear from Verstappen, Norris and Piastri.
Oct 16, 2025 • 55min
United States Grand Prix preview
Will what happened in Singapore change the dynamic between McLaren’s two drivers for the rest of the season? Harry Benjamin is joined by Andrew Benson, Jennie Gow, Jolyon Palmer and Will Buxton to preview the race in Austin. We hear from both McLaren drivers, while George Russell discusses his new Mercedes contract and Haas’s Ollie Bearman sums up his season so far.
Oct 9, 2025 • 27min
Chequered Flag Extra: McLaren’s Meteoric Rise
In this discussion, Andrew Benson, BBC's F1 correspondent, dives into McLaren's incredible journey from the bottom of the standings to constructors' champions by 2025. He highlights the pivotal role of leaders Zac Brown and Andrea Stella, detailing how Stella’s technical changes revived the team. The conversation also touches on the fierce rivalry between drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and the challenges of managing their competition without risking collisions. Plus, they explore ongoing improvements and strategies for maintaining team fairness amidst rising tensions.
Oct 5, 2025 • 44min
Singapore Grand Prix review
Tensions rise at McLaren after the drivers’ first-lap contact during the Singapore Grand Prix. The team clinched their tenth constructors’ championship, but emotions are high. Team principal Andrea Stella weighs in on the situation, highlighting the team's achievements. Race winner George Russell and runner-up Max Verstappen share their perspectives on the thrilling race. It’s a rollercoaster of excitement and introspection in the world of Formula 1!
Oct 4, 2025 • 31min
Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying review
The hosts dive into George Russell's standout qualifying performance, highlighting his two stellar Q3 laps. They discuss Max Verstappen's challenges, including traffic and turbulent air on his laps. McLaren's Oscar Piastri shines with a solid P3, sparking a debate about team development priorities. Weather predictions suggest a dry race, while Lewis Hamilton shows promise, contrasting with Ferrari's struggles. The team also reflects on rookie performances and makes race winner predictions, adding to the excitement of the impending Grand Prix.
Oct 3, 2025 • 1h 3min
BONUS: Chequered Flag Live in Singapore
In this live podcast from Singapore, F1 Academy driver Alisha Palmowski shares her exciting journey from karting to single-seaters. Supported by Red Bull, she discusses the technical challenges of the Singapore circuit and her preparation strategies for racing in the heat. Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley reflects on his team's turnaround this season and the cultural shifts as they transition to becoming an Audi works team. Together, they explore the pressures of performance and the thrill of racing at night in Singapore.
Oct 2, 2025 • 27min
Singapore Grand Prix preview
Join BBC F1 reporter Jennie Gow and correspondent Andrew Benson as they dive into the buzz surrounding the Singapore Grand Prix. Discover the challenges of extreme heat for drivers and the new cooling vests designed to combat it. They analyze the fierce McLaren rivalry between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and how Red Bull's Max Verstappen is making a comeback. With predictions on who might take the win, they also touch on the emotional support within the paddock following Lewis Hamilton's personal loss.
Sep 25, 2025 • 31min
Chequered Flag Extra: Albon on life at Williams & Verstappen in the hunt?
In this conversation, Alex Albon, a talented driver for Williams, shares insights from his journey through motorsport, beginning with his childhood passion for cars. He reflects on the challenges faced at Red Bull and mentoring Yuki Tsunoda. Albon dives into Williams' impressive turnaround under James Vowles, highlighting the cultural shifts and renewed belief driving their performance. He also reminisces about his exhilarating karting victory, showcasing the personal side of a competitive spirit in Formula 1.
11 snips
Sep 21, 2025 • 37min
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Review
Abbi Pulling, the reigning F1 Academy champion and skilled single-seater driver, joins the discussion to analyze the dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix. She shares insights on Max Verstappen's impressive pole-to-win performance and discusses Red Bull's potential upgrades. The conversation dives into McLaren's struggles, particularly Oscar Piastri's challenging weekend and his crash. Lando Norris's race tactics and the midfield battles are also highlighted, along with a preview of how the upcoming Singapore race could unfold.
Sep 20, 2025 • 33min
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Qualifying Review
Abbi Pulling, the reigning F1 Academy champion, joins Ben Edwards and Andrew Benson to delve into the thrilling chaos of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying. They dissect Verstappen's stunning pole position and the struggles of McLaren's Norris and Piastri in challenging conditions. Oscar Piastri reveals the factors behind his crash, and the team highlights the impressive performances of Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson. As they navigate Ferrari's issues and the race outlook, insights into midfield developments keep listeners on the edge of their seats!
