Sidepodcast

• Length: 05:55 
• Size: 67.1 MB 
• File: track13.m4v 
• Transcript: track13.pdf 
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The perfect antidote for a Valencian procession has to be a blast through the Ardennes Forest, and Formula One delivers this and more as the teams arrive at the Circuit de Spa Francorchamps for the Belgium Grand Prix.

This week Inside Track takes a look at the circuit and catches up with the thoughts of Christian Danner and Sébastien Bourdais. We also look back on the controversial events that unfolded last year and see how the championship stands before the drivers come face-to-face with one of the most daunting tracks of year.

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• Length: 8:03 
• Size: 7.4 MB 
• File: digest49.mp3 
• Transcript: digest49.pdf 
• Torrent: digest49.torrent 

One of the most highly rated circuits on the calendar means we must be at Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix. With many teams counting on rain, we preview what the drivers are thinking ahead of the weekend.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 7th September
• Circuit: Spa-Francorchamps
• Length: 7.0km
• Laps: 44
• 2007 Winner: Kimi Raikkonen

Preview

The Eau Rouge corner, the fact that the track can be raining at one point and bone dry at another, the Bus Stop and the greenery of the forests. All of these are reasons why we love Spa, and the drivers feel the same. Except tester Alex Wurz, who’s a bit of a downer on the eve of what should be a great weekend.

• Length: 6:47 
• Size: 6.3 MB 
• File: digest45.mp3 
• Transcript: digest45.pdf 
• Torrent: digest45.torrent 

The European Grand Prix takes place this year at Valencia, and we are all to witness the inaugural F1 race at the street circuit. This preview takes a look at how all the drivers plan to cope with the new track.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 24th August
• Circuit: Valencia
• Length: 5.4km
• Laps: 57

Preview

Everyone appears to be anxious to get going on the new track, learn it’s intricacies and experience the bumps. Kovalainen and Glock are hoping to keep the momentum going from their success in Hungary, but after a three week break, it’s a matter of getting back into the swing of things and making the most of the remaining races.

• Length: 05:22 
• Size: 62.1 MB 
• File: track12.m4v 
• Transcript: track12.pdf 
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For the second time this year F1 goes street racing and this time it’s through the twists and turns around the port of Valencia.

The city offers a unique backdrop for Formula 1, and notably features a specially created swing bridge allowing F1 cars to cross Valencia’s canal. In total, 25 corners make up this magnificent circuit and this is one episode of Inside Track you won’t want to miss.

It’s also Formula One’s annual summer break, so Christine takes a look at the state of the championship, some recent engine rumours and a look at why McLaren might have an advantage over their rivals when it comes to tyres and logistics as the racing returns to Spain once more.

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• Length: 06:18 
• Size: 73.2 MB 
• File: track11.m4v 
• Transcript: track11.pdf 
• Torrent: track11.torrent 
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Last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix turned out to be something of a controversial affair, but what does this years race have in store? Join Christine as she takes a look at the never changing circuit layout, the qualifying events that irrecoverably altered last year’s season for McLaren, and a quick recap of where the teams and drivers stand in this years championship.

Also we follow Gerhard Berger as he drives his own Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 car around one side of Lake Balaton, across the water via transport ferry and then back down the other side, entertaining fans at every turn. It might well be the first time a Formula One car has crossed the largest lake in Europe, but with a new racing circuit scheduled to open nearby in 2010, it may not be the last.

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• Length: 06:03 
• Size: 71.5 MB 
• File: track10.m4v 
• Transcript: track10.pdf 
• Torrent: track10.torrent 
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Sidepodcast presents a presenter-less look at the German Grand Prix, which returns this year to the incredibly flat Hockenheimring circuit.

In this special edition of the show, join Sebastian Vettel for a once in a lifetime trip around the German track onboard a Red Bull helicopter. Vettel explains how to drive every inch of the course while quietly impressing himself with the spectacular views on offer.

We also catch up with the current state of the ever-so-close championship, but let’s be honest, even that isn’t enough to distract us from all the flying.

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• Length: 6:17 
• Size: 5.8 MB 
• File: digest37.mp3 
• Transcript: digest37.pdf 
• Torrent: digest37.torrent 

The German Grand Prix returns to the calendar, this time at Hockenheim. With so many drivers having a home race this weekend, F1 Digest hopes to give you some clues about who will fare well.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 20th July
• Circuit: Hockenheim
• Length: 4.6km
• Laps: 67

Preview

Ahead of his home race, Vettel has been confirmed as Webber’s partner at Red Bull for next year, so at least one of our drivers will be heading into the weekend with some confidence. Others are more defensive over how the British GP went for them, Massa in particular, and some are clinging on to what the Hockenheim test results showed.

• Length: 8:20 
• Size: 7.7 MB 
• File: digest33.mp3 
• Transcript: digest33.pdf 
• Torrent: digest33.torrent 

It’s Sidepodcast’s home race, along with a few of the other teams and drivers, so this preview takes a closer look at one of the classic motorsport races.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 6th July
• Circuit: Silverstone
• Length: 5.1km
• Laps: 60
• 2007 Winner: Kimi Räikkönen

Preview

As a complete contrast to the last race in Magny-Cours, the British GP at Silverstone seems to conjure up a lot of confidence and emotion in many of the drivers, even those for whom it is not their home event. There’s also the added bonus of having a three day test the week before the event to make sure they’re all fully focused.

• Length: 06:19 
• Size: 72.6 MB 
• File: track9.m4v 
• Transcript: track9.pdf 
• Torrent: track9.torrent 
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It’s a sort of homecoming for Formula One this weekend, as racing returns to Silverstone 60 years after the circuit hosted the first ever race of the first ever FIA Drivers’ World Championship. In its honour Sidepodcast actually visits the circuit for this special episode of Inside Track.

We look back at the preparation for last year’s British GP with Red Bull’s very own Ole Schack, as well as finding out what to look out for in 2008 with all the boys from Toyota. There’s the usual lap of the circuit plus a quick championship refresher. In short, everything you need to know about the next race on the F1 calendar.

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So with the Silverstone test all wrapped up and under our belts, this week sees us heading off to… Silverstone. Damn.

The British Grand Prix is almost upon us and we’re fired up for a classic weekend. There’s a four way battle at the top of the drivers championship and there’s rain predicted for at least part of the weekend. Now I’m not one for encouraging the bad weather, but if it helps mix up the status quo, I’m more than prepared to suffer.

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