The Autosport F1 Podcast

Jonathan Noble (@nobleF1) joins Martyn Lee to discuss the news that Aston Martin is giving up Mercedes power to team up with Honda in 2026. This strategic alliance comes after Honda's most recent exit from F1 in 2020 and its subsequent 'return' to provide power units to Red Bull until the end of the 2025 season. The future of Honda in F1 had been uncertain, but Aston Martin's impressive progress in the sport, coupled with its free-agent status post-2025, made it an ideal candidate for a full-service partnership. This move sees Aston Martin become Honda's official manufacturer team in Formula 1, a significant step for both parties. Martin Whitmarsh, Group CEO of Aston Martin Performance Technologies, has described this partnership as a crucial piece of Aston Martin's ambitious plans in Formula 1. The sport's growing sustainability goals, which include a commitment to be net carbon neutral by 2030 and a switch to fully sustainable fuels in 2026, had a significant impact on Honda's decision to recommit to F1. Toshihiro Mibe, Global CEO of Honda, believes that the technologies and know-how gained from this new challenge can potentially be applied directly to Honda's future mass-production electric vehicles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The recent Extreme E event in Scotland saw the electric racers arrive at the Glenmuckloch location in Dumfriesshire, an abandoned opencast coal mine. As always, environmental awareness was a key part of the event, as Extreme E continues to promote environmentally responsible racing. The Glenmuckloch location provided a striking backdrop for the race with its stark terrain and granite walls. As a proposed hub for renewable energy with a pumped storage hydropower facility driven by wind turbines, the site itself is transitioning from fossil fuels to a renewable era. Autosport's Head of Social, Mark Pryde, was invited along to see how the series races without leaving a trace while bringing environmental problems to light everywhere they go. Mark joins Martyn Lee for a look behind the scenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The greatest race hasn't just delivered some of the most memorable battles for victory, but also standout moments where success was ripped from those seemingly on course for glory. Martyn Lee is joined by Kevin Turner, Gary Watkins and James Newbold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of the action at Snetterton this weekend, Martyn Lee invites Autosport's BTCC insider Marcus Simmons and Group National Editor Stephen Lickorish to discuss the thrilling prospects of the British Touring Car Championship season so far. 2023 has already seen excitement surrounding the return of option tyres, tweaks to hybrid rules, and the challenges reigning champion Tom Ingram has face in his bid to protect his status as number one. On the podcast we discuss the changes made to the hybrid rules following their introduction in 2022 and how they will impact the racing landscape. We also talk about the return of option tyres and the potential effects on strategies this season. Finally we spotlight the drivers that are worth watching this season and the TOCA support packages which ensure racing fans have something to watch on track all day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this month's episode of the Flat Chat podcast, Stuart Codling is joined as usual by Mark Gallagher and Matt Kew to discuss the talking stories in June's edition of GP Racing magazine. A key talking point is the seeming shift in F1 from a young driver's sport to a battlefield for experienced veterans. We explore Fernando Alonso's continued success as he approaches 42, highlighting that, in this adrenaline-fueled sport, age is truly just a number. Rumours are circulating of 33-year-old Daniel Ricciardo's potential move to AlphaTauri, which sparks a conversation about the team's current flux. Mark Gallagher takes us through the after-effects of Dietrich Mateschitz’s death, the regime change at AlphaTauri, and its impact on the Red Bull talent pipeline. On another front, the team discusses the challenges presented by an expanding F1 calendar, diving into the potential strain on teams, drivers, and all involved with the sport. With a poignant quote from the Haas team manager serving as a conversation starter, we explore the physical, mental, and logistic challenges that accompany the increasing number of race weekends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by Matt Kew to discuss the breaking news that the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix will not take place this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by Jonathan Noble and Roberto Chinchero ahead of this weekend's Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, to discuss extreme weather, team upgrades, tyre regulations, driver performance, and the balance between tradition and innovation in Formula One events. They begin by discussing potential disruptions due to severe weather conditions. The Department of Civil Protection has issued a red alert weather warning for the Emilia-Romagna region, citing risks of high winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and potential landslides. With an estimated rainfall accumulation of around 150mm expected by tomorrow night, concerns about flooding have prompted local authorities to recommend the closure of schools and certain roads. How will this affect the Grand Prix? Roberto Chinchero explains how it will likely go ahead, but the track action will favour teams such as Red Bull, with their higher levels of downforce paying off in slippery conditions. Organisers have implemented contingency plans for wet weather, and the race will see the introduction of a new Pirelli rain tyre that doesn't require preheating. The team also discuss changes to the tyre regulations, which will force drivers to use hard, medium, and soft compounds in the qualifying sessions. The move could lead to more exciting races and reintroduce two-stop strategies. Jonathan Noble explains how the trial aims to balance excitement with practicality. The trial will also reduce tyre allocation from 13 to 11 sets, with a more even split between compounds. This could lead to more aggressive tyre choices and potentially more entertaining races. Many teams are schedulded to bring upgrades this weekend but the wet weather has already delayed Ferrari's plans. As for Mercedes, George Russell has warned that the comprehensive upgrades scheduled for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola will not instantly transform the team's fortunes. Mercedes recognised its floor and sidepod concept was flawed, leading to significant modifications to its W14 car. The changes, which include adjustments to the front suspension, aim to make the car less difficult to handle for Russell and Lewis Hamilton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee welcomes Gary Watkins and James Newbold to discuss why sportscar racing is enjoying a renaissance, as Le Mans celebrates its centenary year and the return of manufacturers such as Ferrari have given us even more reasons to watch. Martyn, Gary, and James delve into the changes which have been made to the rules in recent years which encouraged manufacturers such as Toyota, Peugeot, Ferrari, Porsche, Cadillac, Acura and BMW to field entries, with Lamborghini and Alpine arriving for 2024. The conversation shifts to the variety of car classes in sportscar racing, and how this diversity adds depth and complexity to the racing, and why it makes it so fascinating to follow. Gary and James share their insights on the technology seen in the WEC Hypercar and IMSA GPT classes, before the trio wrap up the discussion with a conversation about the inherent unpredictability of endurance racing and how this contributes to the sport's appeal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by our sportcar expert Gary Watkins, who has scoured the history books and his own extensive experience of covering the event, to put together the list of ultimate Le Mans races. They are joined by our Chief Editor Kevin Turner and James Newbold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

British racing fans were accustomed to seeing competitive Jaguar Mk2s triumph frequently in British Saloon Car racing in the early 1960s. But on this day sixty years ago, May 11th 1963, the Ford Galaxie arrived to end the British reign at the top. When Jack Sears drove a Galaxie 500 to victory in the 1963 British Saloon Car Championship, it came as a shock to the established order. Protests and arguments ensued as American muscle destroyed the previously dominant Jags. Racing veterans Graham Hill and Sir Jack Brabham also tried their hand at driving these enormous beasts, which would struggle to slow thanks the insufficient brakes, and which were quickly upgraded before the year was out. But the point of these cars wasn't the twisty stuff, it was the enormous about of power from the 7.0 engines and seemingly endless torque. The Lotus Cortinas proved to be too quick for the big Ford V8's as the decade went on, but not before the Galaxie had cemented its place in racing history. Martyn Lee is joined by Autosport's Chief Editor Kevin Turner to look back at the impact the Galaxie's made when they arrived on these shores, and tell us more about the recent Autosport track test, when we were able to get a Jaguar Mk2, Ford Galaxie and Ford Lotus Cortina all on track at Silverstone for a special feature online and in the magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we explore thrilling revival of the Autosport 3 Hours at Snetterton where wet conditions, diverse machinery, and a range of driving experience culminated in an electrifying and unpredictable contest. When we decided to revive the Autosport 3 Hours, a race previously won twice by Jim Clark, we had no idea if it would be a success. But we need not have worried. A robust grid was the result of much hard work by the Historic Sports Car Club and Andy Dee-Crowne. However on the day itself, it was the weather which spiced up the racing in a way we couldn't have predicted. The Norfolk downpours allowed for more nimble cars and strategic moves to take center stage. Listen as we follow the inspiring performances of drivers, the importance of driving standards and the potential future of this historic race, as well as the unforgettable moments that made the Autosport 3 Hours a truly captivating event. Martyn Lee is joined by the HSCC's Andy Dee-Crowne, Autosport Chief Editor Kevin Turner and our Group National Editor Stephen Lickorish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by three guests who were all at the Miami Hard Rock Stadium to witness Sunday's action in person. Motorsport.com's Global Editor-in-Chief Charles Bradley is a Miami resident who has seen the city embrace the return of Formula 1 - but did the sport deliver the second time round? We're also delighted to have motorsport journalist Mandy Curi back on the podcast to give her view on how America has fallen for F1, as well as Autosport's Matt Kew with his analysis of today's race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by Jake Boxall-Legge to analyse Saturday's track action at the Miami Hard Rock Stadium. Sergio Perez secured pole position at the Miami Grand Prix after a Charles Leclerc crash ended qualifying early with less than two minutes remaining of the final session, leaving Max Verstappen in ninth place. Fernando Alonso qualified second for Aston Martin, followed by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) also managed impressive finishes in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Verstappen, who leads the drivers' championship by just 6 points from his teammate, suffered a setback due to a momentary loss of balance, while Leclerc's crash added to Ferrari's concerns regarding their new gearbox. Alonso is eyeing his fourth podium in five races this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by the editor of autosport.com, Haydn Cobb, to delve into the key takeaways from Friday’s practice sessions at the Miami Grand Prix. They discuss more impressive performance from the Red Bulls, the impact of a last gasp crash for Ferrari and which other drivers tamed the new track surface around the Hard Rock Stadium. Plus as always they look at which new stories you've been clicking on at autosport.com, and some of the highlights from the analysis usually reserved for our 'Plus' subscriber area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by our chief editor Kevin Turner and renowned sportscar expert Gary Watkins to discuss the top 10 Le Mans cars of all time. On today's podcast we talk about how Le Mans cars have evolved over the years, the role of technology and innovation, and the impact of the greatest cars to do battle. We delve into the stories, engineering marvels, and performances that make each car legendary. Kevin and Gary also reminisce about their experiences covering the event, the unparalleled atmosphere, and the significance of Le Mans in motorsport history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by Matt Kew and Filip Cleeren to analyse how today's grand prix was won, and how Formula 1 got lucky with nobody hurt as people flooded the pit lane whilst cars were still racing. Our special guest today is Ben Hocking (@BenHockingF1) who is host of the Late Braking F1 podcast (https://www.latebrakingpodcast.com). If you would like to follow their podcast, all the details are here: https://linktr.ee/latebrakingpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by Jake Boxall-Legge from Azerbaijan, to review Saturday’s track action. With the Sprint Shootout immediately followed by the Sprint itself, Saturday is almost a standalone event within the Grand Prix Weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by Autosport.com Editor, Haydn Cobb, to discuss the new weekend format where qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix now takes places on a Friday afternoon. They analyse the grid order for Sunday and what it means for Saturday’s track action, which is now a standalone day featuring a Sprint Shootout (aka Sprint Qualifying) and the Sprint Race. Whilst points are scored in the Sprint, the finishing order now has no bearing on the Grand Prix starting grid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Autosport podcast, we delve into the prestigious BRDC SuperStars programme, exploring how it nurtures and develops the most promising young British racing talent. Created by Damon Hill OBE and in recent years closely overseen by Derek Warwick, both of whom are former BRDC Presidents, the programme has a strong record of results with SuperStars chalking up an impressive total of 384 wins, 1,558 podiums and 342 pole positions, with over 45 drivers becoming full-time professionals during their time on the programme. Martyn Lee and Kevin Turner sit down with Andy Meyrick, Director of the BRDC SuperStars, to discuss the role of SuperStars in nurturing future talent, its impact on the careers of aspiring drivers and the future of British motorsports. We were also thrilled to feature two up-and-coming drivers who are currently being coached by the BRDC SuperStars programme. Callum Voisin and Matt Rees join the conversation to share their personal experiences, the challenges they face, and the invaluable guidance they receive as part of this elite group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this month’s Flat Chat podcast we discuss the major changes happening within Mercedes. At the beginning of this season, Toto Wolff claimed that Mercedes' basic car concept was a dead end and that a major rethink was needed. Our tech columnist Pat Symonds explains what this means for the team. He breaks down "car concept" and the challenges faced when attempting an engineering U-turn in the fast-paced world of Formula 1. Hosts Stuart Codling, Mark Gallagher and Matt Kew also discuss the rising fortunes of Aston Martin. The team has been surrounded by innuendo regarding whether their cars are simply copies of other successful designs, particularly Red Bull. This month, Matt Kew takes aim at this popular narrative and sheds light on the reality of the situation, revealing that not everything is as it appears to be. Lastly, we look forward to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend. For the first time, Baku will host a sprint race with a separate qualifying session replacing the normal Saturday morning practice. The race start order will be governed by a traditional qualifying session, which moves to Friday afternoon. The new Saturday morning session dictates the Sprint line-up, with the Sprint itself no longer having any bearing on Sunday. But is this a good move for Formula 1 given the high chance of damage at Baku. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we delve into the fascinating world of motorsport's pioneers and the unforgettable stories of the drivers who helped shape racing history. In the final episode of our current series, Martyn Lee and Chief Editor Kevin Tuner are taking a trip back in time to explore the legends of pre-WW2 grand prix racing, uncovering the legacy of these early drivers and their impact on the sport we know today. Discover the challenges and excitement of the early days of grand prix racing, as adventurers (and even spies!) turned into professionals, pushing the limits of what was possible with emerging technology. We'll also take a deep dive into the machinery and technology available to these pioneers, exploring their ingenuity and resourcefulness to tackle poor surfaces, demanding tracks, and the endurance required to compete in two-day GPs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we dive deep into the recent management changes within the Mercedes Formula 1 team, as James Allison and Mike Elliott swap roles in a bid to bring the team back to the forefront of Formula 1. We discuss the background and motivations behind this surprising move and analyze how it might impact the team's performance and strategies. Martyn Lee is joined by Jonathan Noble (@NobleF1) to explore why the team decided to shuffle its senior technical personnel. As Allison returns to the role of Technical Director and Elliott takes up the position of Chief Technical Officer, we break down the reasons behind the job swap and how both individuals believe their skills are better suited to the other's position. Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, has also weighed in on these management changes, expressing his admiration for the introspection and self-awareness shown by both Allison and Elliott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the special tribute to honour the life and career of the late Craig Breen. Tragically, Craig was taken from us far too soon in a crash which left the motorsport community in mourning. Known for his heart-on-sleeve approach, Craig left an indelible mark on the world of rallying. Today we'll be speaking with those who knew him personally, sharing stories and memories that celebrate Craig's character both on and off the track. We'll discuss his passion and and the lasting legacy he leaves behind in the rally world. Firstly we're joined by Autosport's rally man Tom Howard in Croatia. And our special guest is a renowned figure in the world of rallying, hailing from Northern Ireland, Kris Meeke. With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Kris has multiple WRC wins, is a true ambassador of the sport, and was a friend of Craigs. Kris provide a unique and heartfelt perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we're heading back in time to explore the golden age of Grand Prix racing – the pre-Formula 1 era. From 1906 to the outbreak of World War II in 1939, motorsport was a hotbed of innovation and spectacular machines. So, prepare yourselves for a thrilling adventure as we delve into the top 10 pre-war Grand Prix cars and the epic races that defined them. Using Autosport's latest list as our guide, Chief Editor Kevin Turner takes a look at each car's success in major GP events and their impact on motorsport history. These incredible machines and their epic races remind us of the rich history and innovation that paved the way for the Formula 1 we know and love today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forever the bridesmaid, never the bride – we'll explore the tale of the F1 cars that could never quite clinch the coveted victory. Today we're going to take a stroll down the pit lane of heartbreak and missed opportunities. We're discussing the definitive list of the top 10 F1 cars that, despite their promise, never managed to secure a championship Grand Prix win. Based on Kevin Turner's latest Top 10 list, we're joined by Jake Boxall-Legge to dive into these tantalizing tales of racing machines that just couldn't quite taste the victory champagne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does the data show us after the first 3 races of the F1 2023 season? From strong Red Bull form to abysmal starts for Ferrari, Mercedes' improvements and declines, surprise midfield strengths and more, Martyn Lee is joined by Jon Noble and Blake Hinsey, ex-Red Bull Performance Engineer, to discuss everything the data tells us from the opening of the F1 2023 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by Kevin Turner, Jake Boxall-Legge and Matt Kew to analyse the biggest talking points from Formula 1 at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, Alex Kalinauckas, is in Melbourne to bring us coverage of the Australian GP. Plus he updates us on life as a travelling F1 reporter with his latest travel diary instalment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was wet and wild Down Under as rain arrived for Free Practice 2 at the Australian Grand Prix. Join Martyn Lee and Haydn Cobb as they recap the action as rain poured down on Albert Park, making for treacherous conditions at times and limited dry running. There were incidents for Verstappen, Norris, Stroll and Russell as drivers explored the limits. Also listen in for a rundown of the biggest stories you've been clicking on this week at autosport.com, with news about Red Bull, Mercedes and a new FIA rule which upset fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Autosport podcast highlights the exciting new national racing championships making their debut in 2023. We take a look at different events, categories, and circuits where the races will be held and provide information on those expected to participate. We also discuss the significance of the championships in the broader context of motorsport and the potential impact they could have on the sport's future. Martyn Lee is joined by Kevin Turner and Stephen Lickorish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we have a very special guest, Luke Browning, who is one of the rising stars in motorsport. Luke recently made headlines by winning the prestigious Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award, which recognizes the most promising young drivers in the UK. He also recently joined the Hitech team for the start of the 2023 FIA F3 season. On the podcast he talks about his experiences battling to win the championship in GB3, his journey to winning our young driver award, and how he’s approaching 2023 on the F3 grid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The latest Flat Chat podcast from GP Racing magazine leads on Valtteri Bottas becoming the first and possibly the last F1 driver on the cover with a moustache and mullet. Bottas is the subject of an exclusive no-holds-barred interview (and an unusual photo shoot) in GP Racing this month. Now free of the corporate leash he’s enjoying life – and racing – once again. He explains why he rejected advice to ‘be more evil’ while at Mercedes and why he’s taking a stand for drivers to be able to express themselves. GP Racing columnists Mark Gallagher and Matt Kew join editor Stuart Codling to discuss this latest incarnation of Bottas as well as some of the most recent developments in F1. As senior Ferrari engineer David Sanchez leaves for McLaren, the panel reflect on the chaos which seems to be enveloping the teams currently in the wake of the dominant Red Bull outfit. If former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto was as much a victim of regime change in the boardroom as of operational problems on track, why is his successor Frederic Vasseur – the preferred choice of the new executives – seemingly at loggerheads with CEO Benedetto Vigna? While team principal and senior executive squabble over peripheral topics such as who gets a paddock pass, the team has bigger issues to face: a car concept that may not be working and a lead driver, Charles Leclerc, who may be on the verge of throwing Ferrari over for a better offer when his contract expires. At McLaren, meanwhile, what is the thinking behind yet another management restructure? Having dropped the much-derided 'matrix management' system three years ago in favour of a conventional top-down hierarchy, McLaren's decision to have three technical leaders represents a major pivot. Elsewhere on the grid another team with a new leader, Williams, has enjoyed an unexpectedly positive start to the season considering the latest upheaval over the winter. First impressions are that new boss James Vowles is taking exactly the right approach to dealing with the problems which have pegged Williams back in recent years: measured and diplomatic, but decisive, as befits a leader with a background in engineering and strategy. It’s the opposite tactic to that recently adopted by AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost, who seems to be following the playbook of Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur by throwing his backroom staff under the bus… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by Kevin Turner, Alex Kalinauckas and Filip Cleeren to analyse the biggest talking points from Formula 1's race under the lights at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, it was a Red Bull on Pole Position but not the world champion. One year on from his first pole position came the second pole for Sergio Perez. The Mexican driver posted a stunning lap time of 1:28.265, narrowly edging out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who will start 12th because of a 10 place grid drop. Third was Fernando Alonso, 0.4 seconds behind Perez, but he moves up to start second, for an Aston Martin on the front row. Max Verstappen suffered a dramatic Q2 exit due to a driveshaft issue and will race from a disappointing 15th position. Martyn Lee is joined by Autosport’s F1 Writer, Jake Boxall-Legge, who is in Saudi Arabia to witness the action first hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by Editor of autosport.com, Haydn Cobb, to recap today's action at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. They talk about the biggest stories from Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Alpine and Williams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by Kevin Turner, Matt Kew and Jake Boxall-Legge to look back at the first race of the 2023 season and assess what it means for the year ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listeners of the Autosport podcast asked us to tell them more about what it's like doing our job, behind the scenes. Our Grand Prix Editor, Alex Kalinauckas, has been in Bahrain since he flew out to cover F1 testing. So we asked him to record a few comments at the end of each day and explain about the tasks our Autosport staff do to bring Formula 1 to your screens or magazines. At the end of the podcast today we come up to date with his analysis of Saturday evenings qualifying and what kind of race we could expect tomorrow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso emerged as the fastest driver in the second practice session for the 2023 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. The session saw the top 13 drivers finish within one second of each other, with Charles Leclerc of Ferrari in fourth place. Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg produced an impressive effort to come fifth. Temperatures were down to 22C in the evening running under lights, prompting several teams to immediately head out on the soft tyres. Alpine's Esteban Ocon used the softs to take first place, followed by Lance Stroll of Aston Martin, who had set the first-place benchmark on the mediums a few moments earlier. The first round of performance runs saw Leclerc surge ahead of his teammate Carlos Sainz and take the lead, which lasted for 20 minutes. Perez then shot into first place before Alonso took over the lead with a time of 1m30.907s, which remained unbeaten for the rest of the session. The drivers then completed the typical late-FP2 long-run data-gathering exercises. The stewards will investigate a pitlane incident where Nyck de Vries's AlphaTauri was released into Lando Norris's path. Alonso’s time followed his impressive performance in the first practice session where he split the two Red Bulls. Despite attempts by Alonso and Aston Martin to downplay their impressive pace from testing, they continue to be strong contenders. Aston Martin had two cars in the top six, with Lance Stroll finishing sixth in his second session back in the car. However, there were some concerns about Stroll's mobility, as he replied "I can't" when asked to compromise his line for Turn 1 later on in the session. Red Bull's pace on long-run simulations still appeared to mark them out as the team to beat. To discuss the action on track is Martyn Lee and the Editor of Autosport.com, Haydn Cobb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we're getting ready for a new season of racing and looking at the season-preview issue of GP Racing magazine. Our cover features Red Bull, who seem to be the ones to beat based on their form and pre-season test. But with 23 races scheduled, there's still hope for an exciting year of competition. Joining Stuart Codling to discuss the pecking order are special guests Mark Gallagher and Matt Kew. We'll be looking at the second year of the new technical regulations and whether they have succeeded in bringing us closer and more competitive racing. We'll also be discussing Red Bull's penalty for breaking the budget cap in 2021 and whether it will affect their performance this season. Testing has given us a glimpse of what to expect in the season opener, with Red Bull looking fastest, Ferrari close behind, and Mercedes potentially lagging. We'll be exploring how the teams have adapted to rule tweaks that aim to slow the cars down and reduce bouncing. We'll also be discussing the new Aston Martin factory and whether they can manage the logistics of moving in during a month with three GPs. Plus, we'll take a look at the revolving door of team managers and the transition to a football manager-style culture of regular hirings and firings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us in this F1 analysis podcast as we break down the data from the top F1 teams, including Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin and McLaren to give us a glimpse into the upcoming F1 season. From analysing fastest laps to understanding the impact of pace vs degradation, we leave no stone unturned in our quest to uncover the insights hidden within the data. We’re joined by an expert panel of guests, including Blake Hinsey, ex-Red Bull Performance Engineer as well as Autosport’s Jon Noble and Martyn Lee, to share their perspectives on the data and offer predictions for the upcoming season. Whether you're a die-hard F1 fan or just curious about the science behind racing, today's podcast brings you some valuable insights and analysis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martyn Lee is joined by Matt Kew who is now back in the UK and Alex Kalinauckas who stayed in Bahrain to cover the first race this weekend. Today we look at five of the biggest questions we have before F1 goes racing this weekend in Bahrain: Are Red Bull as quick as everyone is saying? What do Ferrari have to do in order to leapfrog Red Bull Why can nobody work out if Mercedes is looking good, bad or ugly? Who predicts Aston Martin could be a dark horse this year? How can McLaren dig themselves out of a pre-season funk? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stuart Codling watched the cars trackside at the Bahrain International Circuit today and joins Martyn Lee to discuss everything we learned from Formula 1's only pre-season test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Top teams Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari were all being careful with their performance predictions after reliability ended some runs and kept others in the garage. Aston Martin gave Fernando Alonso plenty to get on with as they continue to look like their 2023 car is handling well. Stuart Codling joins Martyn Lee to analyse the track action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our team are at the Bahrain International Circuit to watch trackside as F1's 2023 challengers leave the garage for the first time. Autosport's Alex Kalinauckas and GP Racing Editor Stuart Codling join Martyn Lee to analyse the early running. We saw Red Bull's RB19 unveiled in the pit lane before Max Verstappen put in 157 laps to top the time sheets (not that today's time mean a huge amount!). In fact we saw just one Red Flag when the Aston Martin stopped on track with an electrical issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following last night's Alpine event we've now seen all ten Formula 1 challengers for this year. Or rather more specifically, we've seen all their liveries. How much each team revealed varied from simply repainting a 2022 car (here's looking at you, Red Bull) to the Ferrari with its innovative front wing and suspension setup. Luke Smith joins Martyn Lee today to look back over the entire F1 launch season and talk about what we learned about the year ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

And Alpine makes 10! We've now seen the entire grid (or at least, liveries and some of the cars), now Alpine have unveiled their A523 F1 2023 race car at a star-studded event in a London club. Even with the two liveries, are Alpine confident they can maintain their "best of the rest" position? And what does their new Rac(h)er mean for the future of women in motorsport? Matt Kew joins Martyn Lee straight from the busy Alpine club launch to discuss all this and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Mercedes revealed its W14 F1 car at Silverstone, viewers were surprised but pleased to see the return of the black silver arrow, albeit with a lot more "naked carbon" than before. But why is the car back in black, and why are they so confident in their W13 2022 car's design concept that they haven't switched over to a Red Bull or Ferrari style design? Alex Kalinauckas chats with Martyn Lee to discuss these questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Not only have we now seen the real Ferrari SF-23 F1 car, but we've also seen it driven in anger on track! Ferrari's 2023 season launch may have been great, but it's also spurred up some technical questions regarding its front wing setup when compared to a 2022 Mercedes W12 design that wasn't allowed to be used. So why is Ferrari's design legal? Roberto Chinchero joins Martyn Lee to discuss the technical questions as well as the future of Ferrari's F1 team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aston Martin launched their actual 2023 F1 race car, the AMR23, with a surprising amount of technical insight from Technical Director Dan Fellows, interviews with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, and unsurprisingly, a green livery. But why is Aston Martin's AMR23 being labelled as "aggressive"? Luke Smith joins Martyn Lee live from the post-launch party to tell us more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New driver duo, new team principal, new livery (sort of): McLaren's F1 2023 launch may be all about its upgrades for the new season, but McLaren, its drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and its bosses Zak Brown and Andrea Stella, are certainly looking to McLaren's future in F1. After Interviewing Lando, Oscar, Zak and Andrea, Luke Smith caught up with Martyn Lee live from the McLaren Technology Centre to chat about what today's launch really means for McLaren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices