F1: Chequered Flag

A chaotic qualifying with delays and wet conditions. But who would take pole? Harry Benjamin is joined by the British racing driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to reflect on a dramatic Saturday at the São Paulo Grand Prix. Plus, we hear from Lando Norris, George Russell, Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson.

Can Kimi Antonelli continue his championship celebrations with victory in Brazil? Harry Benjamin is joined by former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer, former F1 mechanic Calum Nicholas and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to look ahead to the weekend’s action and further reflect on Kimi Antonelli's title win. With plenty of other talking points to debate, we also ask whether Mercedes can wrap up the constructors’ title this weekend? What next for George Russell? And can Ferrari resolve their on-track issues between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc?

Just how has Kimi Antonelli become Formula 1 world champion at just 20 years old? Harry, Jennie and Marc soak up the celebrations at Mercedes as they reflect on the young Italian’s remarkable achievement. They hear from the man himself, his race engineer Pete Bonnington and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. Plus, 1996 world champion Damon Hill shares his thoughts on what he's witnessed this season.

With history beckoning for Kimi Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton stole the show in Mexico, securing his first pole position for Ferrari while Antonelli could only manage fourth. Harry, Marc and Jennie review a busy day in the paddock and hear from the top four drivers. Plus, they react to Esteban Ocon’s statement following his withdrawal from the weekend, in which he acknowledged a disagreement within Haas but firmly denied any physical violence.

With Kimi Antonelli on the brink of making history, Harry, Marc and Jennie look back at how the young Italian has reached this point. They hear from 1996 world champion Damon Hill and three other world champions whose exclusive club Antonelli could join on Sunday night. Italian journalist Roberto Chinchero tells us what it would mean back home, and Arvid Lindblad joins the pod for his final regular catch-up of the season.

Kimi Antonelli will have to wait a little longer to be crowned world champion. His victory in Austin wasn’t quite enough to wrap up the title. Guenther Steiner and Damon Hill join Rosanna Tennant to unpack a relatively uneventful race, discuss the afternoon’s main talking points and look ahead to Mexico.

Can Kimi Antonelli turn pole position into a world championship? Rosanna Tennant is joined by Rebecca Clancy and Harry Benjamin to look back at qualifying in Austin. We hear from Antonelli and Max Verstappen, and the team make their predictions on whether Kimi will be crowned world champion on Sunday.

Will Kimi Antonelli be crowned Formula 1 world champion in Austin this weekend, or will the title celebrations have to wait? Rosanna Tennant is joined by Jolyon Palmer, Andrew Benson and Harry Benjamin to assess the Italian’s chances, and we hear from the man himself. We also discuss Max Verstappen’s resurgence as he chases a third consecutive Grand Prix victory, and examine the tensions at Ferrari after Lewis Hamilton squandered a likely podium finish in Singapore. Plus, Haas driver Ollie Bearman drops by for a chat about life in F1, his future and his former team-mate Antonelli’s remarkable rise to the top.

Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner sits down for an in-depth chat with Rick Edwards around the release of his memoir ‘Drive'. Horner details why he was sacked last year, what would bring him back to F1 and whether he misses the sport.

Harry Benjamin speaks to F1 Academy championship leader Alisha Palmowski about her season and her hopes of securing the title in Austin. Alisha looks ahead to the next step in her career and also offers her thoughts on Kimi Antonelli’s rapid rise. Pierre Gasly looks back on nearly a decade in Formula 1, from his debut in Malaysia to his Monza victory and pole position. He discusses Alpine’s upward trajectory, adapting to life at the front of a team and the lessons he would pass on to his younger self. Plus, the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson reacts to the news that Rwanda has signed a 10-year deal to host races in the African country, starting "in the early 2030s".

Could Max Verstappen convert pole to victory in Singapore & would Kimi Antonelli edge closer to the drivers’ title? Harry Benjamin is joined by British racing driver Alice Powell and F1 Academy championship leader Alisha Palmowski to reflect on all of the action and hear from the key protagonists, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli. The team analyse Ferrari’s strategy and explain the permutations for Antonelli to win the title in Austin next time out.

Could Max Verstappen continue his fine form and take victory in the Singapore sprint? Would Kimi Antonelli take full advantage in qualifying, knowing that George Russell has a penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix? Or would Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari or the McLarens capitalise at the Marina Bay Street Circuit? Harry Benjamin and British racing driver Alice Powell react to a packed Saturday at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Will George Russell be able to recover from the back of the grid in Singapore? The fallout from the software issues in Malaysia continue. Can Max Verstappen keep up his winning form? And what do we make of Singapore being a sprint weekend? Harry Benjamin, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson look ahead to the Singapore Grand Prix. We hear from Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Plus, when will Kimi Antonelli wrap up the drivers’ title? And Harry puts Andrew and Jolyon through their paces with an F1 equivalent of Mastermind.

Could Max Verstappen take his first win of the season or would Kimi Antonelli and George Russell fight back in a dramatic race in Malaysia? Harry Benjamin, British racing driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson sum up the delays and drama at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

Will we get a repeat of Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton’s epic 2021 battle into turn one at Sepang? Harry Benjamin is joined by British racing driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to reflect on qualifying at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The team also analyse the performance of title rivals Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Who will take the vital advantage going into Sunday’s race?

Can Kimi Antonelli bounce back from his Baku blip or is George Russell still in the title fight? Harry Benjamin, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson look ahead to the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The team discuss why the race is happening, and why Sepang is a driver favourite. Plus, Harry speaks with Oscar Piastri about his McLaren struggles this season and why the new rules have meant he has had to adjust his driving style.

Has George Russell rediscovered his mojo after a lights-to-flag victory in Baku? Rosanna Tennant is joined by Marc Priestley and Harry Benjamin to reflect on the race and Russell’s impressive performance. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel is also on the pod to give his take on the day. Plus, we hear from Russell, Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli.

Can George Russell convert pole into his first race win since June? Marc Priestley and Harry Benjamin join Rosanna Tennant as Russell put in a near-perfect lap while Kimi Antonelli crashed out in Q1. We hear from both Mercedes drivers, as well as Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, who start second and third respectively.

Can Kimi Antonelli extend his championship lead as F1 heads to Baku this weekend? Rosanna Tennant is joined by Harry Benjamin and Marc Priestley to look ahead to a race that is expected to suit Mercedes. They discuss the relationship between the young Italian and his race engineer, Pete Bonnington, and hear from Kimi about how that partnership is developing. We also hear from Lando Norris, who remains firm in his belief that the VSC is having too much influence on the outcome of races. Plus, Arvid Lindblad joins the pod for his regular catch-up with Harry.

Harry Benjamin and Becky Evans give you a flavour from Silverstone as Max Verstappen attempts to overtake 100 go-karters at a special exhibition event. One of the 100 karters is our very own, Becky Evans! What would her strategy be against Verstappen? Harry speaks with the four-time world champion about this unique challenge, plus he chats with Red Bull performance engineer, Richard Cooke, and some of the other competitors including streamer, Pie Face, and professional mountain bike rider, Matt Jones.

Harry Benjamin, Alice Powell and Rebecca Clancy assess the twists and turns of the Spanish GP as the virtual safety car plays a vital part, leading to contrasting fortunes for Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris. The team also praise Max Verstappen, question George Russell’s strategy and ask if the new Madring circuit was a success.

Harry Benjamin and Alice Powell review the first qualifying session at the brand-new Madring ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. They assess how Lando Norris, Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen handled the challenge of Formula 1's newest circuit. Could Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton bounce back after a disappointing race in Italy? Plus, with tyre strategy, overtaking and the crucial opening lap all in focus, what can we expect from Sunday’s race?

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen sits down for an exclusive chat with the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson. The Red Bull driver talks about why he extended his contract, his discussions with McLaren, his stunning appearance at the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May, and the new Formula 1 engine rules.

The Chequered Flag team are in Madrid for Formula 1’s first race at its brand-new circuit. Jennie Gow is joined by the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson and former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer to assess Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable momentum, George Russell’s fight to recover his season and Ferrari’s growing tensions. Plus, Andrew sits down with Max Verstappen to discuss his decision to remain with Red Bull.

Harry Benjamin, British racing driver Alex Lynn and F1 journalist Rebecca Clancy look back on a dramatic Italian Grand Prix, from Kimi Antonelli’s extraordinary challenge from the back of the grid to George Russell’s fight for victory. They examine Ferrari’s difficult home race, Max Verstappen’s pace, McLaren’s tense intra-team battle and what the championship picture means heading to Madrid’s brand-new circuit.

What would happen in one of the most anticipated qualifying sessions of the season? The historic Monza took centre stage on qualifying day at the Italian Grand Prix. Would the passionate tifosi be delighted with a Ferrari pole for Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc? With Kimi Antonelli taking a grid penalty, could George Russell capitalise and make ground up in the championship race? Or would we be in for a huge shock? Harry Benjamin is joined by F1 journalist Rebecca Clancy and British racing driver Alex Lynn to look back on a dramatic session, plus hear from the key protagonists.

Formula 1 heads to Monza, where the Tifosi are dreaming of a Ferrari victory and Italian championship leader Kimi Antonelli faces a charge from the back of the grid. Jolyon Palmer and Andrew Benson join Harry Benjamin to assess Mercedes’ title opportunity, Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of a first Ferrari win on home turf, McLaren’s remarkable form and Lando Norris’s new long-term deal. Andrew sits down for a chat with the world champion and we discuss whether Red Bull and Max Verstappen can compete at the front this weekend.

As championship leader Kimi Antonelli and the rest of F1 head to Monza, Harry Benjamin and Nicola Hume are here to investigate why the Italian has cause for concern.

Off the back of Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson’s stand-in success in Zandvoort, they also revisit the most memorable F1 super subs, from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Nicola puts Harry on the spot with her Formula 1 or Formula Fun facts - which are true and which are fake? Plus, have the Backstreet Boys nailed the perfect driver boyband line-up?

Was Kimi Antonelli the weekend’s biggest winner? Lando Norris took the victory, but it was the Mercedes driver who extended his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings after finishing second. Jennie Gow is joined by Marc Priestley and Kai Bachini to look back on a busy race at Zandvoort. Plus, we hear from Norris, Antonelli and George Russell.

Can George Russell build on a hugely positive day in Zandvoort? After winning the sprint, he was narrowly beaten to pole by Lando Norris in qualifying. Kai Bachini and Marc Priestley reflect on a busy day at the Dutch Grand Prix and hear from both British drivers, as well as Kimi Antonelli, who starts tomorrow’s race in third.

Will Kimi Antonelli extend his championship lead as he chases a first Drivers’ World Championship, or can the chasing pack reel him in? Jennie Gow is joined by Marc Priestley and Kai Bachini to look ahead to the second half of the season. But first, they react to the news that Max Verstappen has signed a new Red Bull contract that will keep him with the team until the end of 2030. Andrew Benson joins from the circuit and we hear from Max himself. They also discuss what to expect from Liam Lawson as he makes his return to Red Bull. Plus, hear how one 12-year-old boy’s dream became a reality!

As the summer break nears its end, Harry Benjamin and Becky Evans debate whether more sprint weekends should be added to the F1 calendar and look ahead to the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Will it be missed?

Becky also explains what it was like to drift an 850bhp Ferrari, before the pair imagine which F1 drivers would thrive in alternative driving roles and judge the remarkable, and more ordinary, road cars owned across the grid.

Plus, how did former F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen catch out Becky Evans in front of 50,000 people?

Harry Benjamin reflects on the first half of the season - school parents evening style! Accompanied by classroom favourite, former British racing driver Alice Powell, and the feared and revered BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson. Who has been the A* driver so far this year? Who must do better and who will be most improved in the second half of the campaign?

Harry Benjamin and Nicola Hume dive into F1’s silly season, debating Max Verstappen’s future. Could the four-time world champion leave Red Bull, and if so, where? How would this impact other driver-market moves? Plus, what do the drivers get up to in the summer break… using our own imagination of course. And we analyse Toto Wolff’s “Teletubbies” comment by asking the important question - which driver would be which Teletubby?

Harry Benjamin, Jennie Gow, British racing driver Alice Powell and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson react to an action-packed Hungarian GP. Lando Norris started on pole. Could he convert that to victory? Ferrari looked like the favourites coming into the weekend. Could they deliver on their promise heading into race-day? And what about championship leader Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes team? The team dissect it all plus hear from the key drivers, including Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen.

Harry Benjamin and British racing driver Alice Powell react to a dramatic qualifying at the Hungarian GP. Who would take pole position? Could Mercedes continue their domination, or would Ferrari deliver on their potential?  Plus, post-qualifying penalties dominate the agenda. And Jennie Gow speaks with some of the main protagonists.

F1 has its last outing before the summer break. Kimi Antonelli is the in-form driver following his victory in Belgium. He leads the drivers’ championship by 45 points. Can anyone stop him? Lewis Hamilton had a chaotic race at Spa, but could the Ferrari have strong pace this weekend, and could the seven-time champion challenge for victory and continue his title challenge? Jennie Gow is joined by the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson as well as F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling and W Series race-winner Alice Powell to look ahead to the weekend. Plus, Harry Benjamin sits down with Carlos Sainz to reflect on Williams’ difficult season.

Could Mercedes have experienced two more contrasting races? Kimi Antonelli claimed his sixth victory of the season to extend his championship lead over Lewis Hamilton to 45 points, while George Russell's afternoon was over before he'd even completed the opening lap. Harry Benjamin, Sam Bird and Rebecca Clancy look back on a dramatic race and assess what it means for the title fight. They hear from race winner Antonelli, a frustrated Russell after his early retirement, and second-placed Charles Leclerc.

Can Kimi Antonelli convert pole position into his sixth win of the season? The Italian edged out Charles Leclerc in a thrilling qualifying session at Spa, with Lando Norris setting the third-fastest time, but a 10-place grid penalty will see him start from 13th. We hear from the top three and look ahead to the race.

Why won't the Max Verstappen rumours go away? And is F1 really considering bringing back mid-race refuelling? Andrew Benson, Harry Benjamin and Jolyon Palmer get stuck into those topics and more as they look ahead to the Belgian Grand Prix. They also hear from Oscar Piastri, who says there's still belief at McLaren that they can turn their season around. Plus, should Formula 1 come up with a solution to stop races finishing behind the safety car?

Do we believe Oscar Piastri when he says McLaren can fight for this year's world championship? Harry and Becky are at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where they catch up with the McLaren driver to discuss the title race and the rumours linking Max Verstappen with a move to Woking. They're also joined by Alisha Palmowski, fresh from her F1 Academy victory at Silverstone, and debate whether Formula 1 should consider alternatives to prevent races from finishing behind the safety car.

In this special edition of the pod, Damon Hill joins Rosanna Tennant and Harry Benjamin live on stage at Silverstone to reflect on a thrilling British Grand Prix in front of a packed audience. Charles Leclerc claimed his first victory in almost two years after Kimi Antonelli's race was compromised by a wheel failure, meaning Ferrari have now won two of the last three Grands Prix. We hear from Leclerc, and the team also unpick the confusion that unfolded in the closing laps as the race finished behind the safety car.

Is there any stopping Kimi Antonelli? The young Italian followed up his Sprint victory by taking pole position for Sunday's Grand Prix. Rosanna Tennant is joined by Harry Benjamin and Andrew Benson to look back on a busy day at Silverstone. They hear from Antonelli, as well as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Can Lewis Hamilton convert sprint pole into a sprint victory? And what does the future hold for Max Verstappen? Rosanna Tennant is joined by Rebecca Clancy, Andrew Benson and Harry Benjamin to discuss those questions and look ahead to the rest of the Silverstone weekend. Plus, we hear from Verstappen and Arvid Lindblad.

What's it been like arriving at races as F1 world champion? And just how frustrating has this season been so far? Andrew Benson puts those questions and more to Lando Norris ahead of his home Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Is George Russell's season back on track? The Mercedes driver converted pole into a commanding lights-to-flag victory at the Red Bull Ring. Harry Benjamin is joined by Sam Bird and Andrew Benson to reflect on Russell's win, hear from the race winner, and assess what it means for his title hopes. Plus, former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya joins the pod to give his verdict on the race.

Did George Russell get a lucky break to take pole? The Mercedes driver did nothing wrong, but questions are being asked about whether race control was too slow to wave double yellow flags after Max Verstappen's crash at the end of qualifying. Harry Benjamin is joined by Sam Bird and Andrew Benson to debate the controversy, and they hear from both Russell and Verstappen.

Is Lewis Hamilton a genuine title contender, or are we all getting a little carried away after his victory in Barcelona? Harry Benjamin is joined by Abbie Eaton and Andrew Benson to debate whether Hamilton can really mount a championship challenge. They hear from Hamilton himself on whether he believes it's possible, while also discussing Mercedes' reliability concerns, Fernando Alonso's future, and what Formula 1's new heat hazard measures actually mean.

After his first win for Ferrari in Barcelona, can Lewis Hamilton contend for an eighth world title? Harry Benjamin and Becky Evans are joined by 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill to discuss just that. Hill also gives his thoughts on the first all-British podium since his Dad, Graham Hill, stood on the podium alongside Sir Jackie Stewart and John Surtees in 1968. Plus, we discuss your hot takes with British racing driver Abbie Eaton. Is Charles Leclerc F1’s next Daniel Ricciardo?

Where does this victory rank among Lewis Hamilton's greatest achievements as he secures his first win for Ferrari? Jennie Gow is joined by Alice Powell, Abbi Pulling and Andrew Benson to reflect on a remarkable day for the seven-time world champion. They hear from Hamilton and discuss whether this breakthrough victory firmly establishes him as a genuine title contender.

How important could that pole position be for George Russell’s season? The Mercedes driver will line up alongside Lewis Hamilton on the front row for Sunday’s race, with team-mate Kimi Antonelli starting just behind. Alice Powell is joined by Abbi Pulling and Andrew Benson to look back on a thrilling qualifying session in Barcelona and hear from the top 3.

Can George Russell get his season back on track? After a difficult run of results, the Mercedes driver has slipped to third in the championship standings and faces a real challenge to close the gap at the top. Alice Powell is joined by Abbi Pulling and Andrew Benson to look ahead to the weekend and discuss whether Russell can start clawing back points on teammate Kimi Antonelli. We hear from both Mercedes drivers, delve into the latest pit lane speeding fiasco and take a look at the ongoing discussion around Formula 1's future engine regulations.

Can anyone stop Kimi Antonelli? Harry Benjamin and Andrew Benson join Rosanna Tennant after another dominant display from the young Italian. They discuss whether Antonelli is already on course to run away with the championship after extending his lead at the top of the standings to 66 points. The team also debate George Russell’s recent struggles and asks whether we're finally seeing Lewis Hamilton return to something approaching his very best form.

Are Ferrari really the favourites to take their first win of the season this weekend? And is there growing tension between the two Mercedes drivers? Rosanna Tennant is joined by Damon Hill, Jolyon Palmer, Harry Benjamin and Andrew Benson to tackle the big talking points heading into the race weekend. They hear from both Mercedes drivers, as well as Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. Plus Dutch journalist Nelson Valkenburg also joins the team to talk Max Verstappen.

What does it cost to attend every F1 race as a fan? Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin are joined by superfan Brandon Burgess to find out. They discuss the best and worst races on the calendar from a fan perspective. We also discuss the latest listener Hot Takes following the Canadian Grand Prix. Would George Russell have beaten his team-mate Kimi Antonelli if he didn’t retire in Montreal? With the championship gap now at 43 points, is Antonelli champion-elect?

A battle for the ages, strategy blunders and retirements were the story of the day at a dramatic Canadian Grand Prix. Harry Benjamin, F1 journalist Rebecca Clancy and former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley review all of the action, plus hear from the key drivers including Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Who would claim sprint victory? Who would take pole position ahead of Sunday’s Canadian GP? Would we have a Mercedes battle, or would McLaren continue their resurgence? Harry Benjamin and former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley reflect on a busy Saturday in Montreal, hearing from the key drivers, whilst also looking ahead to Sunday’s race.

Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by F1 commentator Harry Benjamin and W Series race-winner Alice Powell to look ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix. Can Kimi Antonelli keep up his title charge? And will McLaren continue their resurgence? We get immediate reaction as the key protagonists speak with the media in Montreal, plus the BBC's F1 correspondent Andrew Benson joins the show to look ahead to the weekend and discuss F1's latest developments, including the most recent set of engine regulation tweaks.

Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin are back with more F1 ramblings. This week, will Kimi Antonelli’s hot form continue? We answer your hot takes. F1 Academy racer Alisha Palmowski discusses the return of her season in Canada. Can she compete for the championship? Plus, world champion Lando Norris gives title advice to Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, and former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley explains F1’s latest engine change. F1 returns for the Canadian Grand Prix next week, with live commentary across the 5 Live network. Search F1 on BBC Sounds.

In this Chequered Flag special, Harry Benjamin looks into the efforts being made to create more opportunity for young people in F1. We hear from a number of trailblazers including Lewis Hamilton who, through his charitable foundation Mission 44, is opening doors to careers within the sport.

Is Kimi Antonelli now favourite to win the driver’s title? Damon Hill and Juan Pablo Montoya join Harry Benjamin to discuss that and the big talking points from the Miami Grand Prix. They hear from Antonelli, his teammate George Russell and Lando Norris.

Can Kimi convert pole into another win? Harry Benjamin is joined by Jennie Gow and Dutch commentator Nelson Valkenburg to look back on a busy Saturday in Miami. They hear from Antonelli after his third consecutive pole, as well as Max Verstappen who lines up alongside him, and sprint winner Lando Norris.

Will normal service resume, or will the break and rule changes shake things up? Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Harry Benjamin is joined by Jennie Gow and Andrew Benson to discuss that and the other talking points from the paddock. They cover the new regulations, the growing battle within Mercedes, and hear from Max Verstappen and Arvid Lindblad.

As Cadillac hit the track in Formula 1’s new era, we catch up with the American team at their Silverstone base to reflect on their journey so far.

Star drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez share their thoughts on the team’s first ever races in Australia, China and Japan.

Team Principal Graeme Lowdon explains how the team are using the sport’s unexpected early-season break to take the next steps, as broadcaster Holly Samos and journalist Sarah Holt return to the team’s Silverstone base for another behind-the-scenes tour to see Cadillac’s progress in person.

With the F1 season resumption in Miami just a week away, how does the title favourite see his chances? George Russell is the leading British hope in 2026, with one victory from the opening three races of the year. The Mercedes driver sits down for an in-depth interview with the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to discuss his title hopes and the mentality surrounding that, his relationship with Max Verstappen and F1’s new regulations. F1 returns for the Miami Grand Prix next week, with live commentary across the 5 Live network and BBC Sounds.

Haas currently sit in fourth in the F1 constructors’ standings. So how are F1’s smallest team performing so well? Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin visit the team’s HQ to speak with Team Principal Ayao Komatsu about their success. Plus, just how did Ollie Bearman escape from that huge accident in Japan unharmed and what are the team’s ambitions for the future? Izzy and Harry also answer your F1 hot takes. Could Gianpiero Lambiase become McLaren’s Team Principal in the future, following the announcement of his switch from Red Bull in 2028? And which driver is the most likely to be a reality TV star? F1 returns next for the Miami Grand Prix at the start of May, with live commentary across the 5 Live network and BBC Sounds.

Will Lewis Hamilton win a race in 2026? Who could replace Max Verstappen if he were to leave F1 at the end of the season? Which circuits would you like to see on the calendar? And what is your favourite F1 car and livery? Harry Benjamin, British racing driver Alice Powell and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson tackle your questions in this Q&A special. Find out the team's thoughts on current issues impacting F1 as well as some nostalgic takes, as the sport takes an enforced break due to the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix. F1 returns next for the Miami Grand Prix at the start of May, with live commentary across the 5 Live network and BBC Sounds.

Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin look back at the Japanese GP, digesting the latest F1 trends and biggest discussion points.

Could Max Verstappen be on his way out of F1? How hard is it to change F1’s new regs? And do we currently have too many overtakes going on? 

Plus, Izzy presents her favourite memes of the week, we discuss your hot takes, and call for Jack Black to be at every F1 race!

Who would shine in the land of the rising sun as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli went head-to-head at the Japanese Grand Prix? But the post-race reaction was dominated by comments from four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who tells BBC F1’s Jennie Gow that he is “not enjoying” the sport and is considering his F1 future. Harry Benjamin, W Series race-winner Alice Powell and F1 journalist Rebecca Clancy react to Verstappen’s comments and analyse the action at Suzuka. Plus, 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill makes a guest appearance to speak about Verstappen, and reminisce on his championship win 30 years ago.

Who would prevail in the pole shootout between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell in Japan? Harry Benjamin, Jennie Gow and W Series race-winner Alice Powell reflect on qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix. Could Ferrari challenge the Silver Arrows? And would McLaren improve their poor start to the season? Plus, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull struggles continue.

George Russell won in Australia. Kimi Antonelli claimed a first F1 victory in China. Can anyone stop Mercedes in Japan? Jennie Gow is joined by the BBC's F1 correspondent Andrew Benson and F1 journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm to look ahead to round three at the historic Suzuka Circuit. Is this era of racing ‘fun’? We hear from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is looking to challenge for a first race victory in Ferrari red. Plus, what is going wrong at McLaren? Jennie and Andrew speak with their team principal, Andrea Stella.

Following the first two races of the 2026 Formula 1 season, we catch up with two of the sport's rising stars, Chinese GP winner for Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli, and Haas one-to-watch Ollie Bearman. With never-before-heard interviews from the series, we learn a little more about their lives on the road and at home.

As they embarked on their second year racing in the world’s fastest sport, how would they adjust to F1’s new era of cars at the opening races of the season?

F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC.

Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos

Mercedes show their strength once again, but will we have an inter-team title fight between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli after the Italian’s star show in China? Ferrari produced a battle for the ages, so is Lewis Hamilton back to his best? Plus, what is going on at McLaren? Harry Benjamin, former McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson review the Chinese Grand Prix, asking whether the new rules have worked or whether this is now a ‘battery world championship’.

It was an eventful day at the Chinese Grand Prix as a surprise pole sitter made history, following a dramatic sprint. Was that F1’s best sprint? Plus, is Lewis Hamilton back to his best? Harry Benjamin, former McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson reflect on Saturday at the Chinese Grand Prix, and look ahead to Sunday’s race.

Who would take pole for Saturday’s sprint? Would George Russell’s domination continue? Can Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari keep the pressure on Mercedes at the front of the grid? Harry Benjamin, former McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson reflect on sprint qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix, and look ahead to the weekend’s action.

Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin digest the latest F1 trends and biggest discussion points after the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Are F1 curses real? Are the ‘burger curse’ and ‘Red Bull second seat curse’ impacting F1?

We also celebrate Izzy’s favourite Melbourne memes and discuss your hot takes, including the prediction that Aston Martin will win a race in 2026!

Are we going too early to say George Russell will be crowned the 2026 world champion? After his dominant victory in Melbourne, Harry, Jennie and Marc look back at the opening race of the new season and ask just how big Mercedes’ advantage over the rest of the field might be. They hear from Russell, his teammate Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton.

So, Mercedes are going to run away with both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles… right? After their dominant display in the first qualifying session of the season, Harry, Jennie and Marc pick through the bones of what happened. They hear from many of the drivers and discuss what it all means heading into Sunday’s race.

Will the two Aston Martin cars make Sunday's starting grid? Harry Benjamin, Jennie Gow, Marc Priestley and Andrew Benson look back on the first day of on-track action at the Australian GP. Who is the team to beat? And why are Aston Martin struggling so badly? We hear from their team principal Adrian Newey.

Are Mercedes really favourites? Can Lando make a successful defence of his title? And are things really that bad at Aston Martin? Just a few of the questions Harry Benjamin, Andrew Benson and Jennie Gow tackle ahead of this weekend’s season-opening race in Melbourne. Lando joins us on the pod to tell us whether life has changed since becoming world champion. Lewis Hamilton explains why he’s so positive going into the new season. Plus, we hear from one of the new faces on the grid, Arvind Lindblad.

Harry Benjamin and Jennie Gow are joined by ex-McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley and former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer from Mercedes’ Brackley HQ ahead of the new F1 season. With the new rules and regulations dominating the build-up to the 2026 campaign, we ask whether they are a good thing for the sport. Will we have a four-way fight for the title? Will Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari have a resurgence after a disappointing 2025? And how will defending champion Lando Norris fare? We hear from Norris, as well as British rookie Arvid Lindblad, plus motorsport content creator Izzy Hammond joins the team.

The countdown to Formula 1’s new era has begun in earnest. There are now just days to go until the teams unleash the new-look cars that will carry their fortunes in the landmark 2026 season. Concepts crafted inside the team’s fiercely-protected factories are about to spring into life on the track.

It’s mid-January, and the Cadillac Formula 1 team are preparing for a huge milestone on their journey to the grid. At Silverstone’s famous circuit, the race crew has assembled for a shakedown, a chance to run the 2026 F1 car for the very first time. Sergio Perez, making his F1 return for the American marque, is the first driver to put some miles on the clock for the team. The Mexican fan favourite is confident that Cadillac is “here to do great things” when it joins the F1 grid in 2026. It’s been nearly half a decade since America toasted its last F1 World Champion, 1978 winner Mario Andretti, who has also been offering his words of wisdom to the Cadillac F1 team.

The Haas team are also ticking off the milestones signposting the way to F1’s new era. Team principal Ayao Komatsu reveals how Ollie Bearman’s positive attitude is a real asset to the team’s ambitions. The British racer, about to enter his second full season in F1, has goals of his own, winning races and future World Championships.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff paused his birthday celebrations to outline how he is also developing the team’s next generation, Kimi Antonelli, into a future race-winner. As the sport enters a new era, Wolff is as curious as anybody about how the pecking order is going to shake out when racing resumes in 2026. The first questions were about to be answered when the new Mercedes F1 car took to the track for the very first time - and our intrepid guides Sarah Holt and Holly Samos were there to witness the all-important car shakedown on a rainy day at the Silverstone circuit. After completing the first flying laps, George Russell gave his verdict on the car that carries his hopes for the 2026 season. Mercedes Technical Director James Allison and the Head of Mercedes High Performance Power Trains, Hywel Thomas, were also on hand to give feedback on the fruits of their labours.

As Kimi Antonelli prepared to climb into the cockpit for the first time, he spoke of his gratitude to everyone back at base who had got him this far. The Italian has already been on an incredible journey with the Mercedes team but 2026 is just the beginning of what lies ahead in Formula 1’s new era.

F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC, hosted by Rosamund Pike Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos The Producers are Alasdair Cresswell, Joe Aldridge, Jack Winstanley and Mitchell Marshall Production Management from Abbie Collingwood, Katie Killeen and Giulia Duggan The Senior Producer is Ollie Kneen The Executive Producer for IMG is Steve Tebb The Story Editor and Scriptwriter is Sarah Holt The Showrunner is Holly Samos And the Commissioning Editor at the BBC is Stevie Middleton

The new year has been rung in and, for Formula 1, 2026 is here at last. The landmark year of change that the teams have been chasing for months. Inside the closely-guarded F1 factories, there are whispers of speculation about the redesigned cars and the potential for a new competitive order. But only when the cars break cover at the first race in Australia will the secret be out at last.

For Kimi Antonelli, a fresh start for 2026 began a little closer to home as the teenager flew the nest and moved into his own house in San Marino. The next milestone in his preparations for the new Formula 1 season is a training camp in Florida with his performance coach Sergi Avila, who already has a long list of physical goals for the Mercedes star.

Back at base, Mercedes reserve driver Fred Vesti has been putting in the work on the driver-simulator to unlock the secrets of the 2026 car. Holly Samos and Sarah Holt went to meet the Danish driver at the team’s Brackley HQ to find out what he’s learned about the new car so far. For Haas driver Ollie Bearman planning for the race season ahead is also now in full swing. He’s on a flying visit back home to Britain to don his 2026 race suit and the new Haas kit at a series of photoshoots. But, like all F1 drivers, he’s already thinking about getting back inside the car and is seeing the new set of technical rule changes as an opportunity.

At Cadillac’s Silverstone base the fledgling team are also counting down to the looming season. There are just over 50 days until the team makes its F1 race debut in Australia and the hustle-and-bustle at the factory is now in fifth gear as Sarah and Holly found out on their latest visit. There is an air of concentration in the race bays as the car build begins, overseen by chief mechanic Nathan Divey. Cadillac Formula 1 team’s CEO Dan Towriss wants to bring an American spin to Formula 1 - and it doesn’t get any bigger than the Super Bowl. The team will unveil the livery for its 2026 car in a TV advert aired during American football’s season showdown - watched by hundreds of millions around the world.

F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC, hosted by Rosamund Pike Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos

Formula 1 is in a moment of pause. The 2025 racing cars have been wheeled into storage, and the racetracks have fallen silent. But inside the top-secret F1 factories, each team is facing a winter like never before. Revised rules for 2026 are reshaping the cars and redefining what powers them, and that means the pressure is on for the hundreds working back at base.

Before diving into the future, the team at Brixworth, the home of Mercedes High Performance Powertrains, are marking the end of an era. It’s here that the engine - which drove Mercedes to eight straight Constructors’ Championships between 2014 and 2021 - first came to life. Brixworth boss Hywel Thomas has planned a very special celebration to mark the end of this engine cycle and our expert guides Sarah Holt and Holly Samos were there to join in the festivities. This is an important time of transition for Formula 1’s engine suppliers. Thomas and his Brixworth team have been developing the new engine that will power Mercedes and three other teams, on the grid in 2026.

There is parallel work going on at Brackley, where Mercedes Technical Director James Allison is overseeing all other aspects of the new season’s car design. The British engineer has more than three decades’ experience in F1 but even he is a little daunted by what he calls the “biggest ever” rule change in the sport’s history.

While the work intensifies inside the F1 factories, it is, in contrast, time for the drivers to unwind. Italian Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli is heading home to spend some time with his family and friends, while Haas driver Ollie Bearman is holidaying in the Maldives before spending Christmas with his family in Monaco. Back at base, the Haas team are hard at work preparing for F1’s new era in 2026 and that means both sides of the garage are collaborating too. Laura Muller - who works alongside Esteban Ocon and is an F1 trailblazer as the sport’s first female race engineer - has just wrapped up her first season on the pitwall. Like Bearman, she knows the experiences of 2025 will help her navigate what lies ahead.

F1 race-winner Valtteri Bottas is preparing for his return to the grid with the Cadillac Formula 1 team in South Australia. But even in an idyllic spot for winter training, the Finnish favourite is already counting down to pre-season testing and getting to the first race in Melbourne, Australia as he starts the next chapter of his F1 career.

F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC, hosted by Rosamund Pike.

Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos.

We open Episode Five checking in at the airport with Haas driver Ollie Bearman as he prepares to take off for the final three races of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship. But there’s only one thing on his mind - will he get the dreaded middle seat?

Fellow rookie Kimi Antonelli is also flying high as Formula 1 touches down for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Mercedes teenager takes a gamble on tyre strategy but will it pay off when the cars hit The Strip? Antonelli and his race engineer Pete Bonnington are looking back on the teenager’s rookie season in 2025. Bonnington, aka Bono, was one half of F1’s most successful driver-engineer pairing with seven-time World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, so how does it compare working with a rookie making his first steps into F1?

While the competition is nearly over on track, the race inside the team’s top-secret F1 factories has only just begun. It’s early December, and all the teams are pushing hard to build a completely reimagined car for F1’s new era, when a new set of technical regulations are set to shake up the sport. At Mercedes, our F1 experts Sarah Holt and Holly Samos are given a guided tour by Chief Operating Officer Rob Thomas on the factory’s busiest day of the year.

As the sport prepares to move forwards into its new era, the dust is settling on the 2025 season at the finale in Abu Dhabi. There’s time for Bearman and his race engineer Ronan O’Hara to also give their verdict on his rookie season and formulate lessons to take into the British racer’s 2026 campaign. But the clock is ticking on Cadillac’s F1 debut… There are now less than 100 days to go until the US team joins the grid and team principal Graeme Lowdon is beginning to feel the pressure.

F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC, hosted by Rosamund Pike. Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos.

The final phase of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship is hotting up for our rookie drivers Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman with just five races to go. At the start of this episode, we’re flying high with Mercedes driver Antonelli as he boards his flight to Mexico. But when you’re a jetset driver, how do you pass the time during long-haul trips across the world?

The high-altitude circuit in Mexico City also sees fellow rookie, Britain’s Ollie Bearman, climb to a career high finish with Haas, after a wheel-to-wheel battle with title challengers Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. Before joining the F1 grid, Antonelli and Bearman knew each other well, and used to race together as teammates in the junior Formula 2 series. In an exclusive for this podcast, we arranged a fun reunion for them to compare their rookie seasons.

As Bearman and Antonelli and the rest of the F1 pack head to Brazil, our guides Sarah Holt and Holly Samos are joining the Cadillac Formula 1 team back at base at Silverstone. Here the team are gearing up for their debut F1 season by competing against their rivals in a race simulation. This is a moment rarely seen in F1 history - but our podcast has been invited inside. Cadillac won’t hit the grid until March 2026 - but it’s crucial they iron out any gremlins now.

In the real race in Sao Paulo, there’s another major milestone for rookie Antonelli, who finishes with the best result of his F1 career. His Mercedes teammate, 2025 race-winner George Russell, gives his verdict on the rookie drivers and looks ahead to why he and Antonelli must work together if they are to win future World titles.

F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC, hosted by Rosamund Pike Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos.

Hollywood legend Keanu Reeves makes his entrance in Episode Three of the podcast as the actor reveals why he has chosen to document Cadillac’s journey to the Formula 1 grid in a follow-up to his award-winning 2023 series about the Brawn F1 team.

Our expert F1 guides, Holly Samos and Sarah Holt, are also closely following Cadillac’s story, and they arrive at the team’s factory for a landmark moment for the team.

Under the watchful eye of Race Team Manager Pete Crolla, the team are preparing to send off their first sea freight of the season from their Silverstone headquarters.

They are also building the garage that will home the cars at the track for the very first time. The series continues to follow 2025 rookie drivers Ollie Bearman and Kimi Antonelli in-between the races.

Bearman reveals what he’s been doing at a test session in Italy. But there are also testing times in the World Championship for the Haas racer who has picked up more penalty points on his F1 Super licence and is in danger of a race ban.

Mercedes teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli finds himself in the spotlight for a very different reason, as we go behind-the-scenes at a top-secret photoshoot ahead of the 2026 season.

The Italian reveals what team commitments he has outside of the car but, like all F1 drivers, he’s always looking forward to getting back to his job inside the cockpit.

F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC, hosted by Rosamund Pike Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos.

The new Cadillac Formula 1 team reveals who they’ve chosen as their race drivers for their debut 2026 season.

Returning fan favourites Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, with more than 500 Grand Prix starts between them, are set to make history as Cadillac’s first-ever F1 driver line-up. In an exclusive for this podcast, former Red Bull race-winner Perez explains why he’s chosen to make his F1 return with the Cadillac F1 team on his first day at work at the team’s Silverstone facility.

We lift the lid on life away from the track with Haas hotshot Ollie Bearman. Beside every F1 driver is a family unit that can get left behind, but the British racer’s family have taken the unusual step of supporting his career by relocating to join him in Monaco. But the move has prompted some sibling rivalry over just who gets to use the driver simulator.

At Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli has been relying on support from soon-to-be Cadillac driver Bottas in his apprentice F1 season. The Finnish racer is a reserve for Mercedes in 2025 and has taken on a mentoring role to help guide the Italian teenager before his own return to the grid in 2026, when the master will take on his apprentice.

F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC, hosted by Rosamund Pike

Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos

We’re on a high-speed taxi ride with teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli as he takes series co-host Holly Samos on a thrilling hot lap around Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix. The 18-year-old’s career is also hitting the gas, after Mercedes chose him to replace seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton and handed the Italian his F1 debut in 2025.

Already a social media sensation, Britain’s Ollie Bearman is also finding his feet in F1 and co-host Sarah Holt joins him in the passenger seat at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a summer highlight on the British motorsport calendar. When it comes to life as an F1 driver, the 20-year-old Haas driver is still adapting to being in the spotlight during his rookie season.

It’s not only fresh, young drivers who are driving F1 into the future, the Cadillac Formula 1 team are also preparing to join the grid in 2026, when major new technical rules are set to shake-up the sport. On a sprawling industrial estate - just metres from the Silverstone circuit - Sarah and Holly are taking an exclusive first look at the team’s F1 factory.

But founding an F1 team - even with backing from U.S. car giant General Motors - is a huge undertaking, as Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon reveals in this episode.

- F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC, hosted by Rosamund Pike - Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Sarah Holt and Holly Samos - The Producers are Alasdair Cresswell, Joe Aldridge, Jack Winstanley and Mitchell Marshall - Production Management from Abbie Collingwood, Katie Killeen and Giulia Duggan - The Senior Producer is Ollie Kneen - The Executive Producer for IMG is Steve Tebb - The Story Editor and Scriptwriter is Sarah Holt - The Showrunner is Holly Samos - And the Commissioning Editor at the BBC is Stevie Middleton

Who will be crowned the 2025 F1 champion? After Max Verstappen puts it on pole, Steve Crossman, Harry Benjamin, Rebecca Clancy and Rosanna Tennant look back at qualifying and assess how it shapes Sunday’s title decider. They hear from all three championship protagonists and discuss how the race might play out.

Will it be Max? Will it be Lando? Or will it be Oscar? Steve Crossman and the BBC F1 team look ahead to the final race of the season, hearing from all three title contenders and asking who might have the edge. Plus, they reflect on what we learned from the trio as they faced the media on Thursday.

Steve Crossman is joined by British racing driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to get an insight into exactly who Lando Norris is, as he challenges for the 2025 drivers’ title. What makes the British driver tick? How has he got to the top of the sport? And can he become a champion? Plus, hear from Norris himself as well as some of those who know him best, including friend and former team mate Carlos Sainz and McLaren team principal Andrea Stella.

Jennie Gow sits down for an in-depth chat with F1’s Deputy Race Director, Claire Dubbelman, to speak about her role and how to get more women involved in motorsport. Claire discusses her career to date and how she became part of the race director team alongside Rui Marques. From controlling the chequered flag to directing safety car driver, Bernd Maylander, Claire discusses exactly what a race director does. Plus, Claire speaks passionately about female participation in motorsport and how she hopes her high-profile role in F1 will encourage more women to get involved in the sport.

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, shooting the movie, and the battle to make the film authentic, mixing the real world of the sport with their Hollywood counterparts.

With two race wins from two at the start of the 2025 F1 season, McLaren couldn’t have got off to a better start in the defence of their constructors’ world title. So what better time to look back on exactly how they achieved that success in 2024? In this bonus episode of F1: Back at Base - How To Go Racing, Holly Samos and Sarah Holt take you behind the scenes at McLaren as they finally became World Champions again after a 26-year wait. McLaren are one of the most decorated teams in F1, winning 21 World titles in total, and in this bonus episode hear exclusive interviews with Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Andrea Stella, Zak Brown, and more insight from those driving the championship from inside the McLaren Technology Centre and how they plan to do it all again in 2025 and beyond.

In the desert kingdom of Abu Dhabi, the sun is about to set on a record-breaking Formula 1 season. After an intense battle across 23 races, just one will now decide which team will be crowned World Champions. Formula 1’s oldest rivals, McLaren and Ferrari are, once again, pitted against one another in a title fight. The Scuderia have 31 titles and McLaren 20 – but only one of them will claim the Constructors’ crown in Abu Dhabi to add to their tally.

The pressure is on McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Norris, fresh from his fight with Max Verstappen, must now keep his Ferrari rivals, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, at bay. The British star will need all the help he can get from his teammate Oscar Piastri as both of them must work together to bring the Constructors’ Championship back to McLaren for the first time since 1998. McLaren are protecting a 21-point lead at the top of the table – and to win they must outscore Ferrari by 15 points. F1 experts Sarah Holt and Holly Samos speak to the McLaren drivers on the eve of the biggest race of their lives. McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Team Principal Andrea Stella can only watch from the pit wall, the team’s fate now out of their hands.

The nerves are also building back at base. McLaren’s Championship push is also the work of the hundreds of staff working at the factory, many of whom we have met during this series. If McLaren can win the title, it will have been fuelled by people power. When our guides Sarah Holt and Holly Samos return to the McLaren Technology Centre for a final time, will there be celebrations or commiserations?

At Aston Martin, the team is preparing to reveal the final part of the puzzle that will complete the transformation of its Formula 1 factory. After opening the doors to our series for unprecedented VIP access to its factory, Aston Martin has cut the ribbon on new buildings and facilities - and announced major new signings. There is now one final revelation which the team hopes will set them on the road to becoming champions. The ambition to return to the front of the grid is also shared by drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso.

The curtain is about to fall on the 2024 Formula 1 season. A rollercoaster ride through 24 grands prix across the world. Now, the teams and drivers are going into hibernation - before the quest to become the best in F1 begins again in 2025.

F1: Back at Base is an IMG Production for the BBC Hosted by Josh Hartnett Co-hosts & Executive Producers are Holly Samos and Sarah Holt The Producers are Alasdair Cresswell, Joe Aldridge and Jack Winstanley The Senior Producer is Ollie Kneen The Executive Producer for IMG is Steve Tebb The Story Editor and Scriptwriter is Sarah Holt The Showrunner is Holly Samos The Commissioning Editor at the BBC is Stevie Middleton

In just 15 days’ time, the final chapter in the story of the 2024 Formula 1 season will be written. A triple header of races - from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the heat of Qatar and Abu Dhabi – will decide the World Championships.

It’s late November, and time for Formula 1 to take up residency in Las Vegas. The sound of engines roaring down the city’s world-famous Strip will soon bring in the crowds. Unlike other races on the calendar, which are organized by local promoters, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is run by F1 itself. So the pressure is on the event’s CEO Renee Wilm to get everything just right. There will be extra focus on this year’s Grand Prix, as Las Vegas is the first race where the 2024 Drivers’ Championship can be decided.

The season has seesawed between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren challenger Lando Norris. But it’s Verstappen who can defend his World title, simply by finishing ahead of his British rival in the Grand Prix. Back at base, McLaren are studying the data as they prepare for another crucial event in the U.S.

Aston Martin race engineers Chris Cronin and Andrew Vizard are also doing their homework ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. It’s not just the racing that the teams are preparing for back at base. At every Grand Prix across the season, the team's wine and dine guests and there are some big celebrity names on the Las Vegas guest list. But when night falls for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and the starting lights go out, all eyes will be on Norris and Verstappen.

The penultimate race of the season for the F1 teams lies 8,000 miles east of Vegas in Qatar. The 2023 race around the Lusail Circuit, which was held earlier in the year, was brutal. Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll and his Performance Coach Henry Howe reveal how they are preparing for the rigours of the desert race.

The 2024 Formula 1 season is also the longest in the sport’s history, with 24 races on the calendar. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri is taking it all in his stride but the Australian does have a unique take on the brain power that is needed in F1.

McLaren are aiming to flex their muscles this weekend because Qatar offers the first chance to clinch the Constructors’ crown. To do that they need to out-score rivals Ferrari by 45 points. The heat is on, in more ways than one, in Qatar.

F1:Back at Base is narrated by Josh Hartnett. It is created and produced by Sarah Holt and Holly Samos and is an IMG Production for the BBC.

The McLaren and Aston Martin Formula 1 teams are preparing for a “Super Sunday” in Brazil. For just the sixth time in the sport’s history, both qualifying and the race are taking place on the same day. Stormy weather is testing the teams’ resources and resolve at the Interlagos Circuit, home to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The teams and drivers arrive at the track at the crack of dawn, ready to think on their feet in a marathon day ahead.

After a well-orchestrated performance in Saturday’s Sprint Race, Championship contenders McLaren are looking to seize advantage on Sunday. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri know they must work together to claim maximum points for the team. At Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll sense an opportunity in the wet. All the drivers know that rain can level the playing field at any grand prix, and this weekend is no different.

It’s the Monday after the race before. Brazil’s historic Interlagos circuit staged another epic grand prix, and one which may prove pivotal in McLaren’s hunt for both World titles. Now, it’s time for the Aston Martin and McLaren teams to return to their factories. Back at base, they can analyse their performance with the bulk of the team who don’t travel to the races.

Aston Martin race engineers Chris Cronin and Andrew Vizard explain how vital the factory debriefs are to understanding what went right - or wrong - after every race, and how to take the learnings into the next event. Drivers Stroll and Alonso may be taking time to recuperate after an epic race weekend but they stay in touch with their engineers and work going on back at base.

At McLaren, team boss Andrea Stella is making it his mission to create a winning culture at the factory, as well as at the track. The Italian is only in his second season as team principal but has driven the team into title contention. Back at base, he shares some of the secrets to his success so far.

Aston Martin are also plotting a renaissance under new Group CEO Andy Cowell. Our guides Sarah Holt and Holly Samos are given a VIP pass to join the workforce assembled at the heart of the factory as Cowell makes his first address to the team.

While Aston Martin are looking to the future, McLaren must focus on the present. This is a team who has won multiple World titles. Now the factory is fixed on ending the 26-year wait for the next Constructors’ crown and they are determined to protect their lead over rivals Ferrari and Red Bull. British star Lando Norris hasn’t given up his hopes of reeling in reigning champion Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings. With three races left to go in the 2024 season, there is still all to play for.

F1:Back at Base is narrated by Josh Hartnett. It is created and produced by Sarah Holt and Holly Samos and is an IMG Production for the BBC.

There are just five races left to go in the frenetic 2024 Formula 1 season - and the stakes are getting higher. McLaren are still in the hunt for both World titles but, after a penalty for Lando Norris at the U.S. Grand Prix, the team must regroup back at base. The next race in Mexico is vital for the team if they are to keep Norris’ hopes alive in the Drivers’ Championship. The events in Austin saw the British star’s title fight with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen heat up. Will the Mexico race see it become even spicier?

The race takes place at the high-altitude Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and, at nearly 3,000 metres above sea level, that makes the Mexico City Grand Prix a unique challenge in F1. The cars are starved of air and the drivers have to work that bit harder too. All signs are pointing to another dramatic slice of action in the World Championship battle.

Whatever happens on track, the Aston Martin team is preparing to toast a landmark in Mexico. It’s here that double World Champion Fernando Alonso will make his record 400th Grand Prix start. At the age of 43, the Spanish legend is reflecting on his F1 journey so far while Formula 1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, explains why Alonso is still an important reference in the sport.

At the Silverstone Museum, overlooking the famous British racetrack, another event is also hoping to inspire the next generation of motorsport talent. F1 broadcaster Holly Samos and journalist Sarah Holt are also there to find out how the sport’s female leaders are aiming to reach out to its young fans. Aston Martin Team Ambassador and racing driver Jessica Hawkins is meeting the young females hoping to make it all the way to the pinnacle of motorsport. Hawkins has driven a current generation F1 car - but the quest for the next female F1 driver to join the grid continues.

Formula 1 is not only about looking to the future, it's also about looking back at its rich history. McLaren continues to honour one of the greats of their past - their magnetic three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna. The 2024 season marks the 30th anniversary of his tragic death at the San Marino Grand Prix held at Imola. For McLaren this was an opportunity to celebrate his legacy and impact in F1. Back at base, McLaren’s Heritage Department is also working to preserve Senna’s memory, rebuilding the car that took him to his final grand prix win.

This history is at the heart of McLaren’s modern ambitions too. This is a team that has won 20 World titles and it’s down to 2024 drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, to add to the growing trophy cabinet. The next race in Brazil - the birthplace of Senna - unites its history and current ambitions. But the Sao Paulo skies are ready to burst and throw the race weekend into chaos.

F1:Back at Base is narrated by Josh Hartnett. It is created and produced by Sarah Holt and Holly Samos and is an IMG Production for the BBC.