F1: Chequered Flag

Harry Benjamin and the BBC's F1 correspondent Andrew Benson discuss Red Bull’s protest against George Russell following the Canadian Grand Prix. We also hear from Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas, who sat down with Harry to speak about his early days in racing, meeting Toto Wolff, becoming Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate and what’s next for him in F1.

Harry Benjamin and McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird, as well as special guest Kai Bachini, who was the BBC Radio 5 Live Young Commentator of the Year in 2018, react to a dramatic Canadian Grand Prix. We discuss the collision between the two McLaren drivers, and hear from both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Plus, we react to George Russell’s win, and Kimi Antonelli’s first podium in F1 – the third youngest in the sport’s history.

Harry Benjamin & McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird reflect on qualifying at the Canadian GP. George Russell took a stunning pole position ahead of Max Verstappen. We hear from both drivers as they prepare to go head-to-head again in Sunday’s race. Meanwhile, it was a disappointing day for McLaren – we get the thoughts of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

Harry Benjamin and Jennie Gow are joined by F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to look ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix. Andrew sits down for a chat with Lando Norris, who speaks about his battle with team-mate Oscar Piastri for the drivers’ title as well as team orders at McLaren. We also discuss Max Verstappen’s moment of madness in Spain, how he’ll bounce back this weekend, and who the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will suit.

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.

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

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

Harry Benjamin, BBC F1’s Jennie Gow & former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer look ahead to the Spanish Grand Prix. How will the new technical directive coming into force this weekend change the pecking order? Will the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri continue their fight at the top of the driver standings? Or will Max Verstappen compete for victory yet again? The team discuss all plus hear from Norris, Piastri, Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

1996 world champion Damon Hill joins Rosanna and Harry to look back at the race from Monaco. They ask whether the new mandatory pit stop rules spiced up the action, and we hear from race winner Lando Norris on his return to the top step. Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri are also on the pod.

Harry Benjamin and Rosanna Tennant look back at qualifying from Monaco. It was Lando Norris that took his first pole since Australia, and with it set a new lap record around the streets of Monte Carlo. We hear from him, as well as Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piatsri and Max Verstappen.

Jolyon Palmer and Harry Benjamin join Rosanna to preview the weekend’s action. Championship leader Oscar Piastri sits down with Andrew Benson for an in-depth chat, while the team discuss the new two-stop pit rule. Gimmick or game-changer? Plus, Harry checks in with Haas driver Oliver Bearman, and the team reveal their favourite Monaco memories.

Ben Edwards, Andrew Benson & former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley react to Max Verstappen’s victory at the Emilia-Romagna GP. The team hear from the Dutchman, as well as McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Lewis Hamilton gives his thoughts after a turnaround in form for Ferrari, plus Alex Albon speaks about another strong Williams performance.

Ben Edwards, Andrew Benson & former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley review qualifying at the Emilia-Romagna GP. Oscar Piastri took pole position at Imola ahead of Max Verstappen and George Russell. We hear from the top three as well as Lando Norris and a disappointed Lewis Hamilton, with Ferrari's struggles continuing.

Eleanor Oldroyd, Jennie Gow & former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley preview the Emilia-Romagna GP at Imola. The team discuss the title battle between Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, hearing from championship leader Piastri. Lewis Hamilton speaks about whether Ferrari will be able to turn their poor form around on home soil. Plus, we talk Kimi Antonelli, rookies and Franco Colapinto.

Harry Benjamin & the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson react to the news that Alpine have replaced Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto for the next five races. It comes in the same week that Oliver Oakes leaves his role as Alpine team principal. We also hear from Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley, who sits down with Jennie Gow to discuss his F1 career and his new role at Sauber before the transition to Audi in 2026.

Special guest, former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, speaks with Harry Benjamin about his career. Harry is also joined by the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to talk more about Max Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP penalty and the fallout from that. Plus, Harry and Andrew discuss Audi’s F1 chances and whether Cadillac will be competitive.

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.

Harry Benjamin, McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson react to Oscar Piastri’s win at the Chinese Grand Prix. The team discuss team orders at McLaren, hearing from both drivers. We also hear from George Russell, talk about Ferrari and get the thoughts of Max Verstappen on Red Bull’s struggles.

When will we next see a female driver in Formula One? Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by former F3 driver Alice Powell and BBC reporter Charlotte Simpson to examine why there aren’t any female drivers currently at the sport’s elite level.They look at the existing programmes designed to boost the number of female drivers and ask what more can be done. Leading female driver Abi Pulling talks through her experiences in the sport, while Susie Wolff explains the aims of the F1 Academy in developing female drivers. We also hear from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on what the future may hold.

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