F1: Chequered Flag

F1: Chequered Flag

F1 Back at Base - A deep dive into the high-octane world of Formula 1 with exclusive behind-the-scenes access. F1 Chequered Flag: Home of Formula 1.

Episodes

August 2, 2025 26 mins

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.

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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?

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July 27, 2025 31 mins

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.

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July 26, 2025 19 mins

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.

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July 25, 2025 57 mins

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.

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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...

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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.

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July 6, 2025 26 mins

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.

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July 5, 2025 27 mins

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.

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July 3, 2025 58 mins

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?

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June 29, 2025 37 mins

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.

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June 28, 2025 37 mins

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.

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June 27, 2025 41 mins

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.

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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.

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June 15, 2025 40 mins

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.

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June 14, 2025 28 mins

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.

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June 13, 2025 55 mins

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 ...

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In this special bonus episode of F1: Back at Base, Sarah Holt and Holly Samos tell the behind-the-scenes story of the upcoming F1 movie. Through exclusive interviews with key figures, including legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Oscar nominee Kerry Condon, and F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, we document how the new movie was made. From the idea originally being presented in a London cinema, to choosing the actors, shoot...

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June 1, 2025 37 mins

Harry Benjamin, Jennie Gow & former Alpine F1 development driver Olli Caldwell reflect on the Spanish GP, where Oscar Piastri claimed victory. We hear from the Australian, as well as his teammate Lando Norris who came home in second. Plus, we break down Max Verstappen’s chaotic end to the race, hearing from the Dutchman, who was handed a ten second penalty for colliding with George Russell.

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May 31, 2025 24 mins

Harry Benjamin & former Alpine F1 development driver Olli Caldwell reflect on qualifying at the Spanish GP, where Oscar Piastri took a stunning pole position ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. We hear from the top three, plus discuss George Russell’s good performance in the Mercedes and hear from Lewis Hamilton who qualified in fifth for Ferrari.

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