The Autosport F1 Podcast

The countdown is on until a new breed of Formula 1 cars hit the track for the Bahrain Grand Prix.  Just days after the final test, the teams are ready to do battle for real at the Bahrain International Circuit. Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) and Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport) stayed out in Bahrain and will be back in the paddock this weekend.  They're joined by our latest recruit to the Autosport F1 team, Matt Kew. We get to know Matt on the podcast today and find out his favourite motorsport moments. With time over the last few days to crunch the numbers, we discuss why Mercedes might genuinely be struggling to dial in the setup of their new car, and not just talking themselves down (here's looking at you 2019, 2020 and 2021!). We discuss why Red Bull and Ferrari were looking strong based on what we witnessed trackside in Barcelona and Bahrain.  The predictable midfield battle, as we have come to know it, looks ripe for a shakeup. The difference from the top to bottom of the timesheets is likely closer than we've seen in recent years, as demonstrated by moments of stronger pace from Haas and Williams during testing. Finally, we discuss some of the news of the week, including today's FIA clarification of the Safety Car rule, and that "ALL CARS that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap" (our caps) rather than "any cars", the source of so much Abu Dhabi controversy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Kew and Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport) recount their experience of watching the cars over the three days in Bahrain. They talk about how the Mercedes looked like it was struggling to dial-in the handling, how Red Bull grabbed a last minute glory run, and how Ferrari were not-so-quietly confident. With the final day of pre-season testing complete, is porpoising still a thing? What happened to the McLaren brake ducts? Why did Lewis Hamilton say Mercedes are not in contention for a win in Bahrain? And if Mercedes turn up next weekend and put the cars 5th and 6th on the grid, would be we surprised? All of those questions answered on today's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The second day of the final 2022 Formula 1 pre-season test is in the books, with Carlos Sainz Jr leading the way for Ferrari. It was a day that was blustery and blowy, meant the many red flags that flew were streaming strongly.  Alex Kalinauckas is hosting the podcast today, summarising and understanding the day. To look ahead of the final day of the test here in Bahrain on Saturday, he's joined by Matt Kew and Luke Smith.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WARNING: This podcast discusses specific events and moments in the new Netflix series. If you don't want to spoil any of those surprises,  make sure you bookmark this episode and come back after you've watched the show. Jess McFadyen is joined by Luke Smith to discuss the fourth season of Drive To Survive, having been given access to the series some time ago. The series is out now and keenly anticipated amongst Formula 1 fans. Some of their highlights include Lewis Hamilton letting viewers into his Covid experience and worries about staying healthy. The 2021 rookies are all represented too, with Tsunoda, Schumacher and Mazepin given decent airtime. Once again there is an inflated sense of antagonism between some of the rivalries which does not please those looking for a ‘pure’ telling of the story. The largest omission is the lack of Max Verstappen, the Formula 1 World Champion, who finally provided Drive To Survive a title fight. Max has said he doesn't like the way some rivalries, such as the Norris vs Sainz in a previous series, are painted as more contentious than they really are. Without his direct involvement it's left to Christian Horner to talk about the Red Bull perspective on the title fight. The elephant in the room is the inclusion of Nikita Mazepin and discussions around Uralkali funding of the Haas team, given the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine and international sanctions against the Mazepin family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jake Boxall-Legge (Technical Editor, Autosport) joins Martyn Lee to explain THOSE Mercedes sidepods, or rather lack of them, and what it means for the development race in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Autosport's Chief Editor Kevin Turner loves a list and in Part 2 of our new podcast series we're ranking another ten drivers. Just like the first which counted down the Top 10 Ferrari drivers, you'll no doubt have an opinion on this one too. This week it's the youngest team on our mini-series, Red Bull Racing.  Kevin is joined by Grand Prix Editor Alex Kalinauckas and F1 Reporter Luke Smith. Thanks to the Autosport Podcast sponsor, BetterHelp online therapy.  We talk about BetterHelp a lot on this show, and this month we’re discussing some of the stigmas around mental health. Many people think therapy’s for so-called crazy people. But, therapy doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. It means you recognize that all humans have emotions, and we need to learn to control them, not avoid them. And we’ve been taught that mental health shouldn’t be a part of normal life. But that’s wrong too. We take care of our bodies with the gym, the doctor and nutrition. We should be focusing on our minds just as much. BetterHelp is customized online therapy that offers video, phone and even live chat sessions with your therapist, so you don’t have to see anyone on camera if you don’t want to. ● It’s much more affordable than in-person therapy and you can be matched with a therapist in under 48 hours. ● Give it a try and see why over 2 million people have used BetterHelp online therapy Get 10% off your first month at https://betterhelp.com/autosport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we're joined by professional racing driver, TV commentator and MotorsportUK board member Karun Chandhok. We're looking ahead to the Bahrain test this week and discussing what was learned from Barcelona. Should the teams have foreseen the porpoising issue? And can teams fix any issues completely within the timescale and the budget restrictions? Karun also talks about how international sporting bodies have taken a stance against Russian and Belarusian athletes. He discusses, from his perspective as a driver, the role of professional sportspeople as influencers and role models. Finally we look at the driver line-ups following Max Verstappen's long term commitment to Red Bull Racing, and which driver pairings he thinks are the ones to watch this year. Karun is joined by GP Racing magazine editor Ben Anderson and your host, Alex Kalinauckas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the most successful constructor in Formula 1 history, and its only ever-present force since 1950, Ferrari has had its fair share of top-line drivers during its world championship history. Autosport takes on the task of ranking its very best from the past 71 years. Alex Kalinauckas is joined by Matt Kew and, of course, Kevin Turner to argue about which drivers deserve their place in the Top 10. Thank you to today's podcast sponsor BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month by using this link, which also let's the know you heard about BetterHelp on the Autosport Podcast: www.betterhelp.com/autosport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Howard is fresh off the plane from Sweden with his full review of how Kalle Rovanperä took an emphatic victory to take charge of the championship. The 21 year old decided on muted celebrations, after giving his support to the people of Ukraine currently under Russian invasion, exactly 21 years after his father Harri took his only World Rally Championship victory at the same event.    In contrast, Elfyn Evans had a weekend to forget. A 10 second time penalty caused by him leaving the designated course, whilst recovering from crashing over a snow back on the final corner, would just be the start of his pain. To discuss that and a lot more, Martyn Lee joins Tom Howard to look back at memorable weekend of motorsport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mercedes put in some quick laps to top morning and afternoon sessions, with drivers running two by two, and both Red Bulls not far behind.    For anyone hoping the new regulations might mean the competitive order was thrown up in the air will be disappointed. But for followers of Formula 1, you won't be surpirsed that the status quo is a good place to start when decoding the timesheets from testing.    Maybe it's a sign that many of the teams are talking up Ferrari, or are they trying some smoke-and-mirrors to divert attention off their own cars.    Joining Martyn Lee to discuss all the action from the final day of the first pre-season test is Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport) and Haydn Cobb (Editor, Autosport.com).   Formula 1 says it will not hold the Russian Grand Prix scheduled for 25 September "in the current circumstances" following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: “On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”   The promoter of the Russian Grand Prix confirmed the contract to hold the race had been suspended, but also asl fans not to seek refunds for tickets as "it is still possible that the round will take place and will be held as previously scheduled".     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices