Sidepodcast

Is it a bit too soon to be discussing the Canadian GP already? I do hope not because I’ve just dug up a fab little video associated with the next stop on the calendar, and if I don’t link to it now, I’ll lose it again.

The clip below takes you on a short trip around the circuit Gilles Villeneuve, but the difference here is you get to experience it from the air, through the eyes of a remote controlled aircraft. Filming apparently took place a fortnight before the 2006 race, so you can see that most of the trackside furniture is in place, while sections of public road have been roped off.

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A couple of days ago I posted a suggestion that F1 fans should have more say as to who our designated TV commentators should be for the year, and what we really need is a chance to vote someone into that role.

The best I could suggest was a reality television show, but in the comments following that post Lynch came up with an even better suggestion - a Sidepodcast commentary competition! Scott seconded the idea and Jordan’s already raring to go.

So that’s what we’re going to do.

The concept is simple. For every race over the past 12 months we’ve produced a preview video prior to each event which, in part, features a quick trip around the upcoming circuit. Christine has always done the commentary, but for one race only, we’re going to put that opportunity up for grabs.

How many times have you ever laughed out loud at a mistake an F1 commentator’s made, and said to yourself “I could do a better job than them“? Plenty of times I bet, and this is your perfect chance to prove yourself.

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• Length: 07:03 
• Size: 79.9 MB 
• File: video17.m4v 
• Transcript: video17.pdf 
• Torrent: video17.torrent 
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Following on from the politics and the controversy surrounding the FIA hearing in Paris this week, it’ll be good to get back to some racing. Luckily, there’s no place better to go racing than the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

After a one year hiatus, the circuit returns to this year’s calendar with a revised final chicane and revamped pit-area. Eau Rouge may be flat in a modern F1 car but there are plenty of challenges in store for our drivers, so join Christine as she takes a fantastic roller coaster ride through the Ardennes to see what all the fuss is about.

We also discover what the ING Race Index thinks of this place, as well as taking a look at the championship tables to see how the FIA’s verdict on Thursday mixed things up.

Music played: Ethereal, Play Like Children

Music comes from music.podshow.com, with special thanks going to Allianz SE, Brembo, Toyota Motorsports GmbH, ING Group and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage and images.

• Length: 04:10 
• Size: 46.2 MB 
• File: video15.m4v 
• Transcript: video15.pdf 
• Torrent: video15.torrent 
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It’s the penultimate European race, and that means we’re heading to Monza in Italy. Ferrari’s home Grand Prix stands out as the only low-downforce event remaining on this years calendar, so expect to see some very skinny rear wings as the team’s fight to tame the legendary asphalt.

The status quo won’t change much though, the two leading teams will still be battling it out at the front in one of the closest run championships for a long time. Don’t miss Sidepodcast’s preview of the Italian Grand Prix as we look at the recently revised circuit.

Music played: Jahmila, Amandola

Music comes from music.podshow.com, with special thanks going to Allianz SE, Brembo, Toyota Motorsport GmbH, ING Group and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage and images.

• Length: 06:35 
• Size: 74.4 MB 
• File: video14.m4v 
• Transcript: video14.pdf 
• Torrent: video14.torrent 
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Turn 8, now there’s a phrase to bring a smile to faces of Formula 1 fans the world over. The F1 circus descends onto Turkey for round 12 of the championship and one of the best designed circuits of the modern era. Join Sidepodcast as we take a look at what makes this place special as well as catch up with the movers and shakers in the driver market since the last race in Hungary.

Music played: Yalcin Konuk, Sonando

Music comes from music.podshow.com, with special thanks going to Allianz SE, Brembo, ING Group, Honda Racing F1, Red Bull Racing, Champ Car World Series and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage and images.

• Length: 04:31 
• Size: 50.1 MB 
• File: video12.m4v 
• Transcript: video12.pdf 
• Torrent: video12.torrent 
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It’s been 12 months since Jenson Button won his first Grand Prix. This season’s not been as kind on the Englishman, but with a bit of luck the weather might be changeable and Christine’s favourite bloke might, just might, stand a chance of bagging some points at the Hungaroring.

Qualifying well here is almost as important as it is in Monaco, so Saturday afternoon is when all the action will happen. On a dry day, there’s not much to recommend about this dusty circuit - overtaking opportunities are few and far between, meaning strategy is everything.

Music played: Brother Love, Summertime

Music comes from music.podshow.com, with special thanks going to Red Bull Racing, Honda Racing F1 and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage and images.

• Length: 07:35 
• Size: 85.7 MB 
• File: video10.m4v 
• Transcript: video10.pdf 
• Torrent: video10.torrent 
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After a short break following on from the British Grand Prix, it’s time to head across the water to Germany. Or to be precise, to Nurburgring the home of the European GP.

On the show this week Christine takes a look at Nick Heidfeld’s recent run in a Formula 1 car around the Nordschleife track, plus we take a quick lap around the comparatively mini F1 circuit and catch up on the ING F1 Race Index. Finally we look at how the championship standings look following Lewis Hamilton’s relatively poor showing (by his standards) at his home Grand Prix.

Music played: Petzel, Coaster

Music comes from music.podshow.com, with special thanks going to Allianz SE, ING Group, Toyota Motorsport GmbH and RTV GmbH, for the use of their video footage.

• Length: 08:43 
• Size: 97.9 MB 
• File: video9.m4v 
• Transcript: video9.pdf 
• Torrent: video9.torrent 
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As the British Grand Prix is Sidepodcast’s home race, we’ve pulled out all the stops to bring you the best F1 preview video to date.

First up, we’ve got exclusive footage from the recent test at Silverstone, where 9 of the 11 teams turned up to spend 3 days blasting around the English countryside. We also take a behind-the-scenes look at how mainstream television works with Formula 1 teams to bring fans closer to the action, when ex-drivers-turned-commentators Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell take to the Northamptonshire track in a pair of Williams F1 cars.

Additionally we have our usual fast lap around the circuit, this time Christine takes you around classic corners such as Copse and Becketts, names steeped in Grand Prix history - they don’t build ‘em like the used too. Finally we look back at last weeks French GP and check how the two championships are stacking up as we reach the halfway point of the 2007 season.

It’s an action packed show!

Music played:

Noodlebox, Like You
Kelvin Declined, 42

Music comes from music.podshow.com, with special thanks going to Allianz SE, ITV PLC, Locog and RTV GmbH, for the use of their video footage.

• Length: 05:54 
• Size: 66.5 MB 
• File: video8.m4v 
• Transcript: video8.pdf 
• Torrent: video8.torrent 
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It’s a sad weekend for French motorsport as Formula 1 visits Magny-Cours for the very last time. Sit back and enjoy a melancholic look at a lap of the circuit located in Nevers, rural France.

The ING F1 Race Index makes a welcome return this week, but Christine has issues with the scoring calculations and proposes her own Sidepodcast Race Index rating that’s slightly more representative of the French track.

Music played: Céline Mastrorelli, Elle rentrait tous les soirs

Music comes from music.podshow.com, with special thanks going to Allianz SE, and ING Group, for the use of their video footage.

• Length: 03:50 
• Size: 42.8 MB 
• File: video7.m4v 
• Transcript: video7.pdf 
• Torrent: video7.torrent 
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On the 2nd leg of the North American double-header, F1 heads South to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Christine takes a look at the winding, sprawling track that represents the US Grand Prix. Featuring the only banked track in modern Formula 1, marvel at how the designers managed to make a meal of the layout by creating a “Mickey Mouse” infield section, used only to extend the length of the racing lap.

Music played: Kick in the Can, Again

Music comes from music.podshow.com, with special thanks going to Allianz SE, Brembo, ING Group and Toyota Motorsports GmbH, for the use of their video footage.