The Autosport F1 Podcast

Kevin Turner presents the latest in our Top 10 Le Mans series. Today, it's all about great sportscars which were denied a legendary win at Le Mans. Sometimes driver error, on occasion a technical failure, and always a disappointment for any car which deserved a place on top of the podium. He's joined by Gary Watkins and Martyn LeeSpoiler Alert! The Top 10 is below...10. Pescarolo C60 9. Aston Martin DB3S 8. Mercedes SS/SSK 7. Ferrari 312 PB 6. Porsche 911 GT1 5. Ferrari 330 P4 4. Porsche 908 3. Toyota GT-One 2. Mercedes-Benz 300SLR 1. Mercedes-Benz C11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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