F1: Chequered Flag
BBC Radio 5 Live
F1 Back at Base - A New Era: In this eight-part series, hosted by actress Rosamund Pike, we're going behind-the-scenes with next generation stars, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli and British Haas hotshot Ollie Bearman, during their rookie Formula 1 seasons in the 2025 World Championship. We are in the passenger seat with the drivers - and we do mean that literally - following the final races of their maiden campaigns and lifting the lid on driver life away from the track with F1 experts Sarah Holt and Holly Samos as our guides.But it's not only the drivers who are driving forward F1's future - there is also a new team about to enter the top tier of motorsport. The series is also following the start-up Cadillac Formula 1 team as they race to join the grid for the very first time. Their uncharted journey is fraught with jeopardy, but they have unlocked their doors and let us inside. Fan favourites and former F1 race-winners Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are making their comebacks with Cadillac - and we hear from both of them throughout the series.F1 Chequered Flag: Home of Formula 1. Subscribe for the latest F1 updates, straight from the track.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 9, 2026 • 40min
Chequered Flag Extra: Q&A Special
Alice Powell, British racing driver and W Series race winner, shares driver-focused insight and technical context. She tackles Kimi Antonelli’s prospects and Hamilton’s chances this year. Alice explains cockpit life in the rain and picks a favourite F1 car and livery. The conversation also covers potential calendar classics, replacement drivers for Verstappen, and how modern F1 engines are started.
Apr 2, 2026 • 24min
Chequered Flag Extra: Verstappen’s Future, Bearman’s Crash & Jack Black
A lively rundown of the Japanese GP fallout, including debate over Verstappen’s future and the sport’s rule changes. A technical look at Bearman’s high-speed crash and how energy rules shape closing speeds. A spirited discussion on whether recent overtakes feel artificial. Plus memes, viral grid moments and a call for Jack Black at every race.
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.
