The Autosport F1 Podcast

For extended articles and analysis from the world of motorsport, become a Plus member and enjoy the very best we have to offer. New subscribers signing up today can use the promo code PODCAST during checkout to save 50% off their first payment. Go to Autosport.com/plus and click ‘Sign In’ at the top of the page, then use promo code PODCAST for that 50% discount. Today was the first day of Pre Season Testing for the 2021 Formula 1 season. And it was a very sandy day in the desert at the Bahrain International Circuit. Red Bull and McLaren will be going back to their hotels the happiest, whilst Mercedes suffered a blow to their bulletproof image. Your host is Jake Boxall-Legge (Technical Editor, Autosport) is joined by Jonathan Noble (F1 Editor, Motorsport.com) to analyse today's running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to our latest episode, a dedicated look at the cover feature topic for this week's Autosport magazine, Ferrari's quest to recover from its nightmare 2020 season. This time 12 months ago, Ferrari was preparing to leave the soon-to-be abandoned Australian Grand Prix under a considerable cloud. Its F1000 car had an extreme aerodynamic design to try and increase the number of places where its package was competitive. When winter testing got underway, it was quickly evident that there was something seriously wrong. The Ferrari powered cars languished in the speed trap classification at Barcelona, and in the final minutes of preseason testing, it became clear why the FIA communicated its famous settlement agreement regarding the controversial 2019 power unit. Ferrari suddenly lacked power and its new era philosophy created large amounts of drag. So even when the delayed 2020 season finally got underway, Ferrari knew it was in for a tough campaign. However the 2021 season has started with positivity as Ferrari held its team launch introducing new hire Carlos Sainz, Jr, who replaces Sebastian Vettel, and its new SF21 machine will be unveiled later this week. To discuss how Ferrari hopes to do better with that car in 2021, what challenges it still faces and also have a look back at some of the best cars that he has produced in Formula One, we're joined by two special guests, Kevin Turner (Chief Editor, Autosport) and Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport). Your host is Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Karun Chandhok is your guide to the key issues this season. He answers your questions like: Can anyone stop the Mercedes steamroller? Should Hamilton retire at the end of 2021? Why was Perez the right choice for Red Bull? What does the future hold for Alex Albon? Can Carlos Sainz Jr thrive at Ferrari? What's the ideal amount of races in a Formula 1 season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Red Bull has become the latest Formula 1 team to show off its 2021 car, which is the RB16B. It’s an updated version of the car that won twice last year, but had various problems that prevented it getting closer to Mercedes overall. Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) is joined by Jonathan Noble (F1 Editor, Motorsport.com), Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport) and Jake Boxall-Legge (Technical Editor, Autosport) to go over what we learned from the Red Bull reveal today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we assess the greatest Mercedes grand prix cars, including a rare entry which has a 100% win record! First, a caveat, the cars we're talking about include those which pre-date the F1 championship. As a full works entry in Formula One, Mercedes-Benz might have only entered for two stints, but has dominated both times. Plus we take on two more topics covered in the 11th Feb issue of Autosport magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Earlier today McLaren Racing unveiled the MCL35M, their 2021 challenger which will be driven by Lando Norris and new signing Daniel Ricciardo. After finishing third in the 2020 constructors championship, the team move to a Mercedes power unit. Alex Kalinauckas hears from Jake Boxall-Legge (Technical Editor, Autosport) about his first impressions and key areas on the car to look at. Before the car launch, Autosport's Luke Smith and Jonathan Noble (F1 Editor, Motorsport.com) sat down for a virtual chat with both drivers and team management, and they join us on the podcast to talk about McLaren's chances of moving up the grid in 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It has been another busy week of F1 news as we count down to the 2021 season. On today's podcast we've got news on the F1 Commission proposing an engine freeze from 2022 to 2024. F1 also wants to experiment with sprint races in Canada, Italy and Brazil this year. It would mean qualifying moves to Friday, with Saturday's running being a 100km sprint race, which then defines the starting grid for Sunday's Grand Prix. Finally we discuss the latest news of Fernando Alonso's cycling accident and whether surgery this week will impact his return to F1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we look into the reviving fortunes of a fallen F1 giant - McLaren Racing. But is it still a sleeping giant? They have consistently improved their results since finishing 9th in 2017 (with Honda power) to third in the constructors table in their final year with Renault. In 2021 McLaren will compete again with Mercedes power units and a new driver in Daniel Ricciardo. What do they have to do to get back on the top step of the podium? Can anyone beat Mercedes whilst being a customer? Perhaps, after all McLaren beat their engine supplier Renault in 2020. We sat down with Zak Brown (Chief Executive, McLaren Racing) to talk about how he's rebuilding McLaren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The development Formula One has long been waiting for finally occurred on Monday morning when Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team announced that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will be staying with the team for 2021. The one year deal was a surprising development and creates a blockbuster driver market for 2022, with all three Mercedes contracted drivers (Hamilton plus Bottas and Russell) coming to the end of their respective 2021 deals. On this edition of the podcast we dissect the details of Hamilton's new deal, as well as asking what it means for his future and the team. Joining Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) today is Jonathan Noble (F1 Editor, Motorsport.com) and Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices