The Autosport F1 Podcast

Don't miss out! Get half price access to our extensive and exclusive coverage of motorsport from around the world, join Autosport Plus today. Details below. The third episode of the 2021 Championship soap opera was certainly on script, even if it wasn't full of dramatic performances. The battle at the front saw the lead change several times and continued the Mercedes vs Red Bull storyline. Further down the midfield we saw plenty of DRS-assisted overtakes and impressive drives. On the podcast today Ariana Bravo is joined by Jonathan Noble (F1 Editor, Motorsport.com), Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport) and Jake Boxall-Legge (Technical Editor, Autosport). Here's what you can see right now on Autosport Plus … * Gary Watkins writes about what to expect from sportscar racing's bold new Hypercar era * Jonathan Noble looks at the biggest headache F1 faces over its sprint race experiments * And how the Valencia E-Prix farce left Formula E with an image problem We think it's the best motorsport writing out there, but judge for yourself with half price access. New subscribers who sign 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. Thanks for listening today, we’ll be back soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we predicted, track limits and tyres ended up being two of the biggest talking points of today's action. Hear what happened with Ariana Bravo and Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bottas, Hamilton and Verstappen were trading blows through the day, on a tricky day to read performances. Tyre choice was key last year and a freshly-laid track surface has complicated matters further. Once again F1 in 2021 is shaping up to deliver another great battle on Sunday afternoon. Ariana Bravo is joined by Stuart Codling (Executive Editor, GP Racing). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A slim field of three cars will be entered in the Hypercar class for the first round of the World Endurance Championship's post-LMP1 age. But there are plenty of reasons for optimism with the new wave of manufacturer entries and competing class philosophies just around the corner. Kevin Turner (Chief Editor, Autosport) is joined by James Newbold and Gary Watkins to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alejandro Agag is celebrated as a pioneer of sustainable motorsport having created not one, but two electric racing series from scratch. Earlier this month he staged the inaugural Extreme E event, while Formula E is thriving in its seventh season. For the latest #ThinkingForward interview with motorsport’s leaders, we ask Agag how he sees Extreme E evolving and whether he believes that motorsport has successfully taken the opportunity of the coronavirus crisis to reshape itself for the future? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't miss out! Get half price access to our extensive and exclusive coverage of motorsport from around the world, join Autosport Plus today. Details below. Today we're taking a look at some of the early action at WRC Croatia Rally 2021 including Friday morning drama after just a few kilometres. But first up we're joined by former European Rally Champion, Extreme E driver for Andretti United and Red Bull athlete, Catie Munnings. She talks about how the world or rallying coped with the pandemic, how her move to Extreme E happened and also her family background in rallying. Here's what you can see right now on Autosport Plus … In Formula E, Matt Kew writes about the silver bullet signing that has launched Jaguar into title contention Jonathan Noble writes about why Russell was right to be wrong about Bottas after Imola F1 clash And looking at FIA F2, Tom Howard on the F1 hopeful living two lives to keep his dream alive We think it's the best motorsport writing out there, but judge for yourself with half price access. New subscribers who sign 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. Thanks for listening today, we’ll be back soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't miss out! Get half price access to our extensive and exclusive coverage of motorsport from around the world, join Autosport Plus today. Details below. Today we’re bringing you another edition of the Autosport National Podcast. Stefan Mackley (National Deputy Editor, Autosport) is joined by Ben Anderson (Editor, GP Racing) who is fresh from track testing the McLaren 720S GT3. Also on the show today is Stephen Lickorish (National Editor, Autosport) to talk about Knockhill Motor Sports Club's Super Lap Scotland series, bringing trackday drivers into the world of competition. Plus, Stefan speaks to Caterham ace Danny Winstanley and we hear from Nadine Lewis from British Motorsports Marshals Club about how the pandemic is affecting the work of the orange army. Here's what you can see right now on Autosport Plus … James Newbold writes about the lesson football’s would-be wreckers could learn from racing, as he looks back in detail at the Superleague Formula series of 2008-11, and compares that situation to what happened when the six Premier League clubs all pulled out of the proposed Super League. Oriol Puigdemont asks what Marc Marquez has to do to get back to his best? And our sister title GP Racing on how an “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve We think it's the best motorsport writing out there, but judge for yourself with half price access. New subscribers who sign 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. Thanks for listening today, we’ll be back soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't miss out! Get half price access to our extensive and exclusive coverage of motorsport from around the world, join Autosport Plus today. Details below. The Italian weather did its best to throw all sensible predictions out of the window, and bring chaos to today's action. Looking at the unsurprising finishing order on paper belies the action-packed 63 laps which involved two safety car periods, one red flag and the 'bleep machine' working overtime on the team radio before it could be broadcast Today's podcast is presented by Ariana Bravo with Stuart Codling (Executive Editor, GP Racing), Jess McFadyen (Director of Digital Strategy, Motorsport Network) and Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport). Here's what you can see right now on Autosport Plus … •Alex Kalinauckas writes about What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track •Adam Cooper on why Ferrari's significant step isn't enough for Leclerc •And David Malsher asks if Penske can redress the balance in IndyCar's battle of the titans? We think it's the best motorsport writing out there, but judge for yourself with half price access. New subscribers who sign 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. Thanks for listening today, we’ll be back soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Formula 1 is back in Italy! Valtteri Bottas led Lewis Hamilton in second practice for Formula 1’s 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen missed most of the session after stopping on-track. We discuss all of that and more. The Autosport Podcast is presented by Ariana Bravo alongside Jonathan Noble (F1 Editor, Motorsport.com) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We mark 60 years since the Jaguar E-type made its first racing appearance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Formula 1 fans have known for a long time that Verstappen has the speed to challenge for world titles. Now he seems to have the car with Red Bull’s RB16B, the one question that remains is: can he rein himself in to avoid throwing crucial points away in a championship fight? Verstappen has never won a title in car racing but, as he tells Alex Kalinauckas, he has done so in karting. Knowing when to go for a gap and when not, a balance Lewis Hamilton regularly finds, could be vital in a season-long fight against the reigning champion. But it’s clearly something the Dutchman has thought about and he believes it will be easier to fight for a crown in a competitive car than sniping for wins in a slower one. Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) spoke to Max, and discusses his chat with Kevin Turner (Chief Editor, Autosport) and Ben Anderson (Editor, GP Racing). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you gain 'free' horsepower? How can you reduce friction to go faster? And how does motorsport bring technology from the racetrack to the road? On the podcast today we reveal the secrets to how race teams find hidden lap time with our partners at AVL RACING.. Jake Boxall-Legge (Technical Editor, Autosport) talks to Daniel Blaindorfer (Application Manager, AVL RACING) to understand bearing friction optimisation. AVL RACING works across multiple racing series with the biggest name in motorsport. Once again AVL is partnering with Autosport to bring our listeners, and readers of Autosport Magazine, insight into what really happens in the quest for extra speed. Sponsored content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ferrari’s long-awaited return to the top echelon of sportscar racing – and the Le Mans 24 Hours in particular – will finally happen in 2023. Despite its half-century away from the front, the Italian marque is still the third-most successful constructor in the history of the famous French enduro, with nine overall victories, behind only Porsche and Audi On today's podcast, Kevin Turner (Chief Editor, Autosport), Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) and special guest Ian Titchmarsh put Ferrari's greatest Le Mans cars into a Top 10. But will any of them agree? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This was the battle that every F1 fan hoped for. A straight fight between the champion and the challenger. A mix of performance and strategy that could have gone in any direction. Lewis Hamilton narrowly held onto the win by 0.7secs ahead of Max Verstappen. On the podcast today we explain the two sets of rules which allowed Hamilton to run wide at Turn 4 almost thirty times during he race, but which caused Max Verstappen to hand back first place after doing the same. Other standout performances we discuss are Lando Norris putting in a solid drive to fourth, and Sergio Perez who charged from a pit lane start to finish fifth. Does this mean we are set for a championship battle which could go down to the wire? Was it a five-lap thriller at the end or do you agree with JBL who thinks it was an anti-climax? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Max Verstappen clinched the clean sweep of winning every session of the weekend by beating Lewis Hamilton to pole by over 0.3s. Christian Horner later told Sky Sports that damage to Verstappen's floor held him back by a tenth of a second. Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) joins Ariana Bravo to look at standout performances at AlphaTauri and Ferrari. However Sebastian Vettel failed to make it out of Q1 due to two yellow flag incidents which wrecked his chance of progressing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Formula 1 is back! This morning the cars rolled out of the pitlane, with Fernando Alonso waiting at the lights to be the first on track for the first competitive session of the season. Today was a new look to F1 weekends. Free Practice 1 and 2 are now 60 minutes, losing 30 minutes each, and the reduced running did give both sessions more energy. Red Bull continue the strength seen in pre-season testing, whilst Toto Wolff says Mercedes know what they need to fix. Further down the grid McLaren did well but both drivers complained about the car. Is it a bluff? Or has McLaren made a fast car which is difficult to dive on the limit? We discuss all of that and more. The Autosport Podcast is presented by Ariana Bravo alongside Jonathan Noble (F1 Editor, Motorsport.com) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Autosport is delighted to reveal our plans for expanded coverage from the Autosport Podcast, and a new voice joining the team of presenters. Formula 1 race weekends will now be hosted by motorsport broadcaster Ariana Bravo. Ariana has been a long-time F1 fan and is an experienced motorsport podcaster. Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) takes a break from hosting duties but will still be part of the Autosport Podcast team contributing his expert analysis from the paddock, as soon as international travel resumes. Each weekend we're also increasing the roster of journalists offering you their unique insight of Formula 1, not only from Autosport but also our sister title Motorsport.com. 2021 also sees the addition of a weekly topical podcast looking at the major motorsport stories from the various series we cover in Autosport Magazine and on autosport.com. Whilst the majority of our listeners tune in for our Grand Prix analysis, many also tell us they want to hear about everything from Touring Cars to NASCAR, MotoGP to Sports Cars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2001 Formula 1 season unveiled three shining lights who would take the challenge to Michael Schumacher – but also delivered a harsh lesson in F1’s cut-throat nature to the fourth member, Arrows driver Enrique Bernoldi. It’s a year which should be remembered for many reasons apart from exciting rookies, and today we look back. Kevin Turner (Chief Editor, Autosport) is joined by former Lola and McLaren designer and engineer Mark Williams, and James Newbold (Plus & Engineering Editor, Autosport) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As F1 teams assemble in Bahrain, the countdown to the 2021 season is now being measured in hours, rather than days and weeks. Whilst much has been carried over from 2020 there are still plenty of unknowns. And one of those is how Aston Martin will go this year. They recently unveiled their new branding, livery and a 4-time world champion driver in Sebastian Vettel, at a glitzy launch event. The major talking points from today’s podcast: •With Vettel coming into the team to replace Sergio Perez, can he get podiums this year? And can he win a race? •We look at the car and ask if they have what it takes to overhaul other midfield teams to finish 3rd this year •And if Lawrence Stroll is serious about his goal to be a championship contender, how will the team get there? Autosport's Chief Editor Kevin Turner is joined by Autosport’s F1 Reporter Luke Smith, alongside Autosport’s Grand Prix Editor Alex Kalinauckas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is 30 years since Gerhard Berger was a team-mate in Formula 1 to Ayrton Senna at McLaren and today the Austrian is very active in motorsport as the boss of the DTM. The series has undergone a huge transformation this year, with a change of regulations to GT3. Berger is also overseeing an ambitious programme to create a 1,000 horsepower electric DTM car as one possible avenue for the future. For this edition of #ThinkingForward, we spoke to the 10-time grand prix winner about his vision for the DTM and what he thinks of the direction of Formula 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Formula 1's 2021 pre-season testing was a fast and furious three days in the desert. Unlike recent years with three different tests, or going back to further to unlimited testing, the last three days required an intense plan from the teams. Tyres, fuel loads and new aero parts all had to be evaluated in a vastly compressed time.. For McLaren, the only team moving engine partner, they had to assess their winter efforts to integrate a new Mercedes power unit. So who were the winners and losers? We think Red Bull are a credible threat from the very start of the season unlike recent campaigns. Mercedes are not in dire straits but they never looked comfortable, whether that was a car which wasn't dialed in, to Hamilton making unforced errors. Aston Martin had a tricky test and, whilst Vettel and Stroll are both upbeat, they would have loved more miles to understand the car. Surely Vettel's vast experience means he will have a good idea about the potential of the car, even if they couldn't deliver an ultimate lap time this week. Your host Jake Boxall-Legge (Technical Editor, Autosport) is joined by Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport) and Jess McFadyen (Director of Digital Strategy, Motorsport Network). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Mercedes Benz returned to the top of the time sheets but not without some drama for Lewis Hamilton. McLaren and Red Bull continue to look like they're having a strong test, despite the RB16B shedding its engine cover in a spectacular moment on the start/finish straight. Plus today we're joined by a special guest from LAT Images . Steven Tee is LAT’s MD and Chief Photographer has attended well over 500 F1 Grands Prix since 1984, working with a multitude of publications, teams, drivers and sponsors along the way. Steven joins us live from Bahrain for an inside look at what it's like being in the pits for testing. Your host Jake Boxall-Legge (Technical Editor, Autosport) is joined by Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

Shortly after Jonathan Noble finished speaking to Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, he sat down with Alex and Luke around the virtual podcast table to discuss the call. Formula 1's new boss is considering whether a Saturday sprint race could be introduced to freshen up the weekend. He also confirmed that the proposed reverse grids idea is off the table: "Reverse grid is over. That's something I can tell you." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Williams Racing has fallen far from its heights as one of the championship supersquads, and it has regularly pledged its determination to re-tread old ground further up the grid. That tale will be familiar to F1 fans as the team has yet to recapture any of its old gory, but there were signs from the 2020 season that Williams has finally turned the corner and its revival is really on. This week on the podcast we look forward at how they plan to move up the grid, and we look back by ranking the top 10 Williams F1 cars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week James Allison (Technical Director, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team) opened up on why the team fear they could trip up with the rule changes for 2021. Is it a bluff? Or perhaps an insight into mindset of a team so used to winning? Also this week, Carlos Sainz Jr said his first appearance in a Ferrari is "a day I will never forget". What did our own Jonathan Noble make of his first 100 laps in a Ferrari? And finally we hear from McLaren about how the majority of their 2021 chassis is brand new because of their move to Mercedes-Benz power. Production Director Piers Thynne told the McLaren website: "Whereas every other team will carry over most of its car from last year into this year, our switch to the Mercedes power unit means that's not the case for us. It's driven a huge amount of change and, essentially, we've been building a new car. The number of new parts on the MCL35M is about the same as when we built the MCL35." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the podcast this week we're looking at how 2021's Technical Regulations are impacting the teams. There are plans to cut downforce levels by 10%, change the floor design and the token system where to control development. We look at the driver line-up changes and how smaller teams will benefit from the budget cap. Also this week JBL, as Autosport's punmaster-in-chief, casts verdict on Renault's rebranding of Alpine as part of their 'Renaulution' event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Carlos Sainz will sample a Ferrari F1 car at the Fiorano Circuit next week in a private test, his first time getting real-world experience of the Ferrari systems. Sainz will want to get embedded with the people and team environment. He will be driving the SF71H. Sainz joins the Maranello team at a time of rebuilding and, despite small changes to the 2021 cars, he will be up against a team mate who has a year of experience in the current car. Plus we discuss what the management changes at Alpine F1 mean for their season, and what Perez can do in a Red Bull car which has the potential to win races in 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the first #ThinkingForward of 2021 we speak to WRC Director Peter Thul about the qualities needed to excel in rally, why WRC is backing F1’s strategy that hybrid engines and biofuels are the future rather than electric and why so many co-drivers end up running teams and federations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to our celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the 1991 motorsport season, which is also the subject of a special feature in this week's Autosport Magazine. 1991 was a special year for Formula 1 with new races in France and Spain, the arrival of Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen, new points allocations plus the first stop/go penalty. In our 1991 special, we argue that Senna's campaign - both on and off track - make it the greatest of his F1 crowns, while Williams co-founder Patrick Head is brutally honest about his team's failings that season. Want Autosport magazine delivered to your door each week? Subscribe today and never miss your weekly fix of motorsport: www.autosportmedia.com/offer/article Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Only a month since the end of the season, the Formula 1 world has been busy with news to digest. Alex Albon will be driving in DTM in 2021 whilst also attending F1 races as Red Bull Racing Reserve Driver. We look at how this will impact his F1 ambitions. What's the latest with the 2021 Formula 1 season calendar? Any how did fans react to Alpine unveiling an interim livery? Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) is joined by Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport) and Jonathan Noble (F1 Editor, Motorsport.com). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's Autosport podcast looks forward at Formula 1's future. There's no doubt Lewis Hamilton is currently F1's dominant force but, when he decides to stop driving, who can take his crown? It will be a tough act for anyone to follow but three of the drivers we've picked in this week's issue of Autosport magazine are discussed on the podcast. In Luke Smith's first cover for the magazine we look at why Sainz, Norris and Russell are our picks of the next generation. Also on this show we review the 2020 Formula 2 season. The title was won by Mick Schumacher but it wasn't a season of domination from the eventual winner, compared to previous years of F2/GP2. However that doesn't mean we shouldn't be excited about the Schumacher name being back on the F1 grid in 2021, and the curious reason why it could be even better for 2022. Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) is joined by Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport) and Kevin Turner (Editor-in-chief, Autosport). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Earlier this week Autosport revealed that Suzuki team boss Davide Brivio would depart the reigning MotoGP championship squad and move to Renault's Alpine F1 Team. We ask if a change of management can position the newly rebranded team for success. With Marcin Budkowski leading the team, Pat Fry as Chassis Technical Director and Rémi Taffin as Engine Technical Director, could they mount a challenge in 2021? Or is this more about 2022 and the new regulation changes? Also this week, we talk about Williams changing philosophy and sharing more parts with the Mercedes F1 team. Plus with Australia's season-opener being postponed, Alex pitches his plan for why F1 should return to Silverstone much earlier in the season. Alex Kalinauckas (Grand Prix Editor, Autosport) is joined by Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport) and Jonathan Noble (F1 Editor, Motorsport.com) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After intensive debate, we have finally ranked drivers from no fewer than 19 disciplines to bring you this order. Our expert championship correspondents have also offered up a host of stats, interviews with key figures and in-depth analysis to argue the strengths and weaknesses of each entry. We know the challenge of scoring drivers is invariably controversial, so if you agree or disagree with our Top 50 ranking, get in touch on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The highs, the lows and everything in between. Autsoport's cast of editorial stars, including Alex Kalinauckas, Luke Smith, Jon Noble, Stuart Codling and Jessica McFadyen look back at the best and worst of 2020, plus look forward to what 2021 will hold ... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the retirement of Frank Williams this year, Toto Wolff is now the most successful active team principal in Formula One. His range of motorsport responsibilities for Mercedes also includes Formula E, where rivals BMW and Audi made shock withdrawal announcements recently. So how does the seven times world champion team boss see the future of both series and what is his view on what the motorsport of tomorrow will look like? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Grand Prix season is run and won, and while the race may not have offered the biggest spectacle, there's plenty happening off the track to keep fans' interest high. Join the Autosport team for a detailed look at Abu Dhabi and beyond ... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Max Verstappen has upset the Mercedes duo in an interesting qualifying session at the Yas Marina Circuit. Alex Kalinauckas and Luke Smith take a deep dive into the session Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The final practice day for 2020 is done, and there's plenty to talk about as the F1 season draws to a close this weekend in Abu Dhabi. Jake Boxall-Legge and Jon Noble discuss the day's running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lewis Hamilton is cleared to race, George Russell is back to Williams and our weekly take on whether Sergio Perez is a genuine chance of driving for Red Bull Racing in 2021. All that and more with your Autosport hosts Alex Kalinauckas and Luke Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices