Sidepodcast

• File: episode66.m4a
• Length: 28:30
• Size: 27.2 MB
• Transcript: Coming soon

The world of Formula 1 took a back seat this weekend as Le Mans took over, but Sidepodcast keeps it F1 related… for the most part.

Intro

Oh, wait, this bit is about Le Mans.

Good Week / Bad Week

Albert Park appears to have a bright future, but we’re curious on the compromise, Force India are struggling with a former driver, Toro Rosso may have a new investor - but are they ready, and the track in Montreal is set for a change.

News and Views

If it wasn’t for testing this week, the news would literally be just about tyre compounds. Thankfully, there were three days in Barcelona to give us something to discuss - Davidson at Honda, the Toro Rosso still being slow, Heidfeld getting some extra track time, and Ferrari’s running out of fuel.

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• File: episode61.m4a
• Length: 37:08
• Size: 34.2 MB
• Transcript: Coming soon

Slightly on the late side, we cover all the news and gossip from the week gone by, plus the action from the Circuit de Catalunya.

Intro

Don’t call me woman, and take a breath now and again.

Good Week / Bad Week

Flattering week for Force India and Murray Walker, not so good for McLaren.

News and Views

Valencia could be in trouble, and is EveryRace really worth the effort?

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• File: digest16.mp3
• Length: 9:55
• Size: 9.2 MB
• Transcript: digest16.pdf

The Spanish race weekend draws to a close with a much more action-packed race than we were expected. Ferrari dominated, but the headlines are full of Heikki. Thankfully everything seems to have worked out, and F1 Digest is here to make sense of the drama.

The Race

Plenty of retirees right off the bat, and scattered throughout the race. Kovalainen’s accident, Barrichello’s front wing nightmare, and Coulthard in more overtaking controversy.

Conclusions

Covering all the teams, starting with those who had a driver DNF, right through to the glorious day had by Ferrari. Also, an update on Heikki’s condition and Ron Dennis’ thoughts on the accident.

The Circuit de Catalunya isn’t renowned for hosting particularly exciting F1 races. In fact they can be something of a procession at times. This year however, we have a heck of a grid that should spice up the action, if only for the first lap or two.

The drag down to the first corner will hold the key to the remainder of the race. How much fuel does Alonso really have, and are any of the championship contenders willing to go wheel to wheel with him? How much difference the new asphalt in turn one will make is also open to debate. Last year Fernando bounced across the old gravel surface, losing valuable places as he went, whilst this year heading off line will cost a driver considerably less.

Further down the grid there could be some fabulous charges from the back, with both Nico Rosberg and David Coulthard out of position and in faster cars than their grid positions belie. Vettel also must be hoping for a better race than his previous three.

UK television coverage is just starting, so we’ll be glued to our seats for the rest of the afternoon. It’s fair to say we’re unusually excited about this Grand Prix, so please say “hello” if you’re watching. Usually we’d ask for your podium predictions, but along with those, this week we’d like to know your opening lap predictions too!

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And we’re back! It’s an action packed Formula 1 day today, no sooner has practice 3 finished and we’re already looking at qualifying.

The session earlier today was nothing if not inconclusive, with six different teams in the top eight.

It looks like Red Bull’s legendary unreliability came back to bite them again, and they will have had their work cut out readying the car for qualifying. The big guns are clearing keeping their cards close to their chests… has there been any sandbagging going on? How much was achieved at last weeks test?

We’re watching ITV’s television coverage, which is also available online. Don’t forget to keep the official live timing window handy.

Do let us know where you are, how you are and what you’re watching. Also let’s have all your predictions please.

Saturday in Spain, and looking at some of the press releases sent out yesterday, there are a few teams with some work to do today.

The weather is warm and sunny, so we’re in for another dry day of running. It’s a 60 minute practice session this morning and the race weekend has officially started so teams are using race engines and gearboxes.

Ferrari were looking peerless yesterday, can anyone take the fight to them? BMW have yet to show their hands, and they could be the dark horses today, while McLaren have a lot of time to make up.

It goes without saying (although the link is handy) that we’ll be following live timing, and seeing as ITV don’t cover this session, it’s TVlizer coverage for us this hour. Incidentally they appear to be showing The Factory (a look behind the scenes at Williams) right now.

Update: Almost forgot, 5Live are covering practice on 5Live Sports Extra.

We’re both here and raring to go, let us know if you’re around on this fine Saturday morning. Tell us where you’re at and how you’re following.

• File: digest14.mp3
• Length: 8:13
• Size: 7.6 MB
• Transcript: digest14.pdf

A day of two halves, with the first Free Practice session a dull 90 minutes and the second a mad dash seeing many drivers at the top of the timesheets.

Free Practice 1

After installation laps from all but the Ferrari’s, we had to wait for twenty minutes before there was any action. However, anything that did happen is covered here.

Free Practice 2

How many drivers can top the timesheets in one session? This second practice may be pushing at the world record!

Conclusions

A rundown of all the teams, with some saying they took the wrong path when it comes to setup, others saying they had a good day, and a final group saying conditions are just completely different to the test last week.

That time already is it? My how the day does fly by.

So with free practice 1 complete and the teams preparing for the second run of the day, what do we have in store?

It’s another 90 minute session, the weather is warm and sunny and the track is suitably rubbered in. An interesting point brought up by Le Seb in his recent interview with F1.com is the fact that last week a lot of running was done on the circuit during testing, but more importantly, a good deal of that was using slicks which lay even more rubber onto the asphalt. It’s not clear how much of a difference that could make this weekend, or if the rain lifted it up again. Nevertheless some laptimes could be a surprise today.

Free Practice 2 begins at 2pm local time (1pm in the UK). As before you can follow Formula 1’s live timing online and watch ITV’s video coverage too (if you’re in the UK, or use a proxy hack).

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Blimey it’s been so long I’m not sure if I remember what to do here!

Formula 1 returns from its short, early season break, and we’re in Europe this weekend. The Circuit de Catalunya is the destination, the first of two Spanish GP’s in 2008.

Reports say the weather is lovely and there couldn’t be a nicer welcome home for the teams. At the moment, it seems unlikely that there will be any rain during the weekend, so performances here should make a fine barometer for the rest of the season.

The big news this morning is Super Aguri will race this weekend, but no-one is expecting them to do a lot of running today.

Free Practice 1 begins at 10am local time (9am in the UK). We’re following Formula 1’s live timing screens and watching ITV’s online coverage.

Christine will be at work for part of the day, with numbers, limited video access, but no audio, so as much as possible we’ll try and keep her in loop as to any excitement on track.

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• File: digest13.mp3
• Length: 6:25
• Size: 6.0 MB
• Transcript: digest13.pdf

Welcome to the start of the European season. F1 Digest is here to bring you all the action from the Spanish Grand Prix.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 27th April
• Circuit: Circuit de Catalunya
• Length: 4.6km
• Laps: 65
• 2007 Winner: Felipe Massa

Preview

The test in Barcelona has seen some new aero parts from both Honda and Renault, so we take a look at whether either team think they may improve performance. Also a mention of Super Aguri.