F1: Chequered Flag

BBC Radio 5 Live

F1: Chequered Flag: The Home of Formula 1. Multiple episodes every race week with interviews, reaction and reports.

  • 56 minutes 46 seconds
    Review of 2025: Papaya on top

    Harry Benjamin, British racing driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson look back on the 2025 F1 season from McLaren’s Woking HQ. We reflect on some of the pivotal points this year, hearing from world champion Lando Norris and the team principal of the constructors’ champions, McLaren’s Andrea Stella.

    18 December 2025, 6:00 am
  • 32 minutes 11 seconds
    Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Review

    Rosanna Tennant and Harry Benjamin are joined by 1996 world champion Damon Hill to reflect on the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Who would take the crown at Yas Marina Circuit as Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri went head-to-head? We hear from all three drivers as the 2025 season reaches its conclusion.

    7 December 2025, 6:44 pm
  • 41 minutes 52 seconds
    Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying Review

    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.

    6 December 2025, 6:54 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview

    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.

    4 December 2025, 9:33 pm
  • 55 minutes
    Qatar Grand Prix Preview

    Harry Benjamin, former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson look ahead to the Qatar Grand Prix. On the weekend where Lando Norris could claim his maiden world championship, the team hear from the British driver as well as title challengers Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. Plus, it’s another sprint weekend so the team react to Friday’s sprint qualifying.

    28 November 2025, 9:04 pm
  • 33 minutes 5 seconds
    Chequered Flag Extra: Hamilton's Ferrari 'nightmare' & Ocon on life at Haas

    Harry Benjamin and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson discuss the state of the championship battle and Ferrari’s struggles. Lewis Hamilton said his first season at Ferrari had been "a nightmare” while chairman John Elkann said the company's Formula 1 drivers "need to focus on driving and talk less”. Plus, Harry sits down for a chat with Haas driver Esteban Ocon.

    13 November 2025, 7:00 am
  • 19 minutes 51 seconds
    Chequered Flag Extra: Aston Martin Special

    Jennie Gow sits down for an in-depth conversation with Andy Cowell, the CEO and team principal of Aston Martin, to speak about his career, from the engine man at Mercedes to leading Aston through one of the most exciting periods in its history. From its new factory and wind tunnel to the signing of Adrian Newey, and working with drivers like Fernando Alonso. Heading into new regulations in 2026, could Aston begin to compete at the front of the grid?

    30 October 2025, 7:00 am
  • 26 minutes 39 seconds
    Chequered Flag Extra: McLaren’s Meteoric Rise

    Harry Benjamin and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson discuss McLaren’s constructors’ title victory. We talk about their rise from worst team at the start of 2023, to two-time champions by the end of 2025. But now that this title is wrapped up, how will they manage the ongoing battle for the drivers’ championship between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris?

    9 October 2025, 11:54 am
  • 31 minutes 2 seconds
    Chequered Flag Extra: Albon on life at Williams & Verstappen in the hunt?

    Harry Benjamin & the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson discuss McLaren’s messy Baku weekend, Max Verstappen’s title hopes, Christian Horner’s Red Bull departure and Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin comments. Plus, Harry sits down for an in-depth chat with Williams driver Alex Albon, who speaks about his career to date, and why Williams have had an upturn in form under James Vowles.

    25 September 2025, 1:20 pm
  • 30 minutes 43 seconds
    Chequered Flag Extra: McLaren Team Orders & Eyes To The Lights

    Harry Benjamin and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson reflect further on the story dominating Formula 1 following the Italian Grand Prix – McLaren team orders. Should they have swapped Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris? We answer your questions and ask whether the move was fair. Plus, we go behind the scenes on a race gantry, finding out what it is like to control the lights for a grand prix, hearing from F1’s official race starter, Rebecca Lee.

    11 September 2025, 5:00 am
  • 28 minutes 53 seconds
    Chequered Flag Extra: Lando Norris Special

    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.

    21 August 2025, 8:41 am
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