F1: Chequered Flag
BBC Radio 5 Live
F1 Chequered Flag from the BBC offers expert analysis of every F1 race, with exclusive insight into every twist and turn of the F1 season. Each episode brings you in-depth race reviews, breaking down the strategies that shape each Grand Prix and the key players making headlines. Hear from F1 stars like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris and the bosses of powerhouse teams like Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren. Plus keep up to speed on the cars and tactics changing the game. Stay tuned for the latest F1 updates, straight from the track. F1 Chequered Flag: Home of Formula 1. Subscribe for the latest F1 updates, straight from the track.
Episodes
Mentioned books
4 snips
Mar 29, 2026 • 41min
Japanese GP Review: Could Verstappen Leave F1?
Kimi Antonelli, young Mercedes race winner at Suzuka, reflects on starts and team support. Damon Hill, 1996 world champion, offers veteran perspective on drivers, motivation and regulations. They discuss Antonelli’s Japan victory, Verstappen saying he is not enjoying F1 and thinking about his future, debates over the regs, overtaking and qualifying, plus safety and team development during the break.
Mar 28, 2026 • 25min
Japanese GP Quali Review: Antonelli v Russell & Verstappen’s Struggles
Alice Powell, British racing driver and W Series winner, brings sharp technical and driving perspective. She dissects Kimi Antonelli’s pole performance and Mercedes’ setup edge. Alice also analyzes George Russell’s setup troubles and Max Verstappen’s surprising Red Bull issues. Short, focused takes on starts, midfield movers and who might upset the sprint.
Mar 26, 2026 • 43min
Japanese GP Preview: Will Mercedes’ Dominance Continue?
Andrea Stella, McLaren team principal, on his team’s reliability woes and development plans. Scott Mitchell-Malm, F1 journalist, on circuit nuances and race dynamics at Suzuka. They discuss Mercedes’ early dominance, Suzuka’s demanding layout, qualifying concerns under new rules, and what’s gone wrong at McLaren. Short, punchy takes packed into a lively pre-race preview.
Mar 19, 2026 • 26min
Back at Base S3: 9. A New Era Bonus Episode
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes rookie and Chinese GP winner, and Ollie Bearman, rising talent who raced for Ferrari and Haas, chat life on and off the track. They discuss adapting to the new 2026 car rules, simulator work and neck training. Hear stories of Kimi’s Shanghai pole and maiden win, plus Ollie’s strong midfield battles and momentum building for the season.
Mar 15, 2026 • 42min
Chinese GP Review: Antonelli Stars & Ferrari’s Gripping Battle
Andrew Benson, BBC F1 correspondent offering tactical analysis. Sam Bird, professional racer with deep technical and on-track insight. They discuss Kimi Antonelli’s breakthrough win and Mercedes’ title implications. They unpack Ferrari’s fierce wheel-to-wheel battles, worrying ERS and battery trends, plus McLaren and Red Bull reliability dramas and the wider championship fallout.
Mar 14, 2026 • 37min
Chinese GP Saturday Review: Pole History & Hamilton’s Resurgence
Andrew Benson, BBC F1 correspondent, brings reporting and analysis. Sam Bird, former McLaren Formula E driver and current commentator, offers driver-focused technical perspective. They discuss Kimi Antonelli making history with pole, the drama and strategy of the sprint, debates over lift-and-coast and qualifying formats, and whether Lewis Hamilton is resurging.
Mar 13, 2026 • 29min
Chinese GP Preview: Who would take sprint pole?
Sam Bird, professional racing driver and Formula E veteran, brings driver-focused technical and track insight. He breaks down Shanghai’s re-tarmacked layout and tricky corners. The conversation covers sprint qualifying drama, Mercedes’ early-season form, Ferrari’s start advantage, and how energy management is reshaping modern driving.
Mar 12, 2026 • 26min
Chequered Flag Extra: Selfies, Curses & F1 Hot Takes
They trade stories about selfie attempts with team principals and on-site antics. They unpack F1 curses from home-track jinxes to the viral 'burger' myth. They debate the Red Bull second-seat pattern and odd performance anecdotes. They react to Verstappen’s qualifying crash, technical worries, and fan hot takes about Aston Martin's future.
4 snips
Mar 8, 2026 • 34min
Australian Grand Prix Review
A wide look at Mercedes' dominant Melbourne performance and whether their advantage will last. Debate over the new hybrid rules, Active Aero and how battery management reshaped race tactics. Rookie Arvid Lindblad's composed debut earns praise. Discussion of crashes, reliability worries for several teams and what changes might be coming as the season heads to China.
Mar 7, 2026 • 34min
Australian Grand Prix Qualifying Review
Marc Priestley, former F1 mechanic and technical commentator, breaks down qualifying at Albert Park. He explains Mercedes' sudden pace, Verstappen’s Q1 crash causes, and how energy harvesting affected braking. Short takes cover Antonelli’s near-miss and strong recovery, Isaac Hadjar’s impressive debut, and concerns for Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin and Williams.
