Rebalancing the Grid: Female Drivers in F1

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.

Harry Benjamin is joined by McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to reflect on Lewis Hamilton’s sprint win at the Chinese Grand Prix – his first victory as a Ferrari driver. We also look ahead to Sunday’s race where Oscar Piastri starts on pole position – his first for a grand prix in his career. Hear from Piastri and team-mate Lando Norris, as well as Mercedes’ George Russell.

Harry Benjamin is joined by racing driver Alice Powell and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to react to sprint qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix, plus look ahead to the weekend’s action. We hear from Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who took a surprise pole position for Saturday’s sprint, as well as McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

The F1: Chequered Flag team pay tribute to Eddie Jordan, who has died at the age of 76. Mark Gallagher, who was part of the management board at Jordan Grand Prix, and Gary Anderson, who designed the very first Jordan Grand Prix car, join Harry Benjamin and BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson. One of the most flamboyant characters in the sport, Jordan achieved rare success as an independent team owner, winning four grand prix between 1991 and 2005. He later became a television pundit, where he was known for his outspoken views and ability to break major news stories.

Have McLaren set a marker for the season? Former mechanic Marc Priestley and commentator Harry Benjamin join Rosanna Tennant to look back at the Australian Grand Prix. Lando Norris claimed victory. We hear from the Brit, as well as Max Verstappen, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

Harry Benjamin and Marc Priestley join Rosanna Tennant to look back at qualifying from Melbourne. It was a good day for McLaren as Lando Norris took pole with Oscar Piastri in P2. We hear from both drivers. Max Verstappen is also on the pod after finishing third, and Lewis Hamilton tells us how he’s still learning to drive his new Ferrari after finishing P9.

With three British drivers racing for three of the top F1 teams, Rosanna Tennant, Harry Benjamin, Andrew Benson and Marc Priestley debate the credentials of each. Is Lewis Hamilton the fastest, backed by his seven world titles? Should Lando Norris be favourite, given he's in the 2024 Constructors' Championship-winning car? Or is George Russell being underestimated due to an underperforming car?

What can we expect from Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari? Will Max Verstappen secure his fifth world championship? And are McLaren truly the favorites for the constructors’ title?As the 2025 F1 season kicks off in Melbourne, Rosanna Tennant is joined by Marc Priestley, Harry Benjamin and Andrew Benson to discuss these questions and more. They also hear from the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen. Plus, Harry sits down with rookie Ollie Bearman as he gears up for his first full season in Formula 1.

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.