The stories you need to listen out for in F1: Back at Base

Tune in to the eight-part series that follows Aston Martin Aramco behind the scenes during the second half of the 2024 Formula One season.

In the longest season in F1 history, there was plenty of action on track, but there was just as much work going on behind the scenes at the AMR Technology Campus.

We let the BBC join us at the heart of our operations over the course of the final 10 races of 2024 to tell the story of how our team prepares for the fastest competition in the world in F1: Back at Base — How to Go Racing. F1 experts Sarah Holt and Holly Samos are your guides with actor and motorsport fan Josh Hartnett narrating.

Here are the parts you don't want to miss...

Episode 1 | Opportunity of a lifetime

Driving the car is second nature, it feels like it is part of your body. It's a very special place and a privilege to be behind the wheel of these incredible machines.
Lance Stroll

Mike Krack gives an honest report on the season so far, while Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso lift the lid on life as Formula One drivers and Project Manager Guy Austin provides a VIP tour of the AMR Technology Campus reveals what makes our new home truly game-changing.

Episode 2 | Project Pencil

I've never seen since I've been here the level of excitement for any announcement we've made. But I saw some people leave with a very big smile on their face with a hop and skip in their walk.
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman

As one of the biggest news stories in the paddock broke, Back at Base were first in line to speak to Adrian Newey, getting exclusive access to the AMR Technology Campus on the day of the big reveal. Hear the exact moment Lawrence addressed staff members to confirm the news.

Episode 3 | Mission control

The building layout matches the process of manufacturing, which is really unique. We sat with a blank piece of paper and worked through the order of processes and how we would want an F1 factory to look.
Ben Fitzgerald, Chief Operating Officer

Developments are key throughout a Formula One season, but the process from paper to car is much longer than you might expect. Chief Operating Officer Ben Fitzgerald explains the process of bringing new parts to the car and how the layout of the AMR Technology Campus helps.

Elsewhere, Test & Reserve Driver Stoffel Vandoorne and Lead Sim Engineer Iain Forbes Brown hunker down in the simulator to lay the ground work for the final races of the season.

Episode 4 | The calm before the storm

We try to make sure that the race engineers communicating with the drivers have got as much information about the race going on around them as we can.
Pete Hall, Head of Race Strategy

While the on-track action is underway, back at the AMR Technology Campus our race support team work in Mission Control in tandem with the trackside engineers to extract maximum performance each race weekend. Ever wondered what happens in this secret room? Back at Base joined the team during the United States Grand Prix Sprint weekend to get a first-hand look.

Episode 5 | Echoes from the past

You need to have the right environment to perform well and to be happy with what you do. 400 races is a good number, but I think it will be more important when I stop racing and I look at all the stats.
Fernando Alonso

With an astonishing Formula One career to date, Fernando Alonso has left an indelible mark on the sport. Becoming the first driver to reach 400 Grand Prix starts in Mexico, he opens up to Back to Base to explain what the milestone means to him.

From a lasting legacy to inspiring the future of Formula One, Back at Base joined Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins at the #GirlsWill event at Silverstone Museum to meet and inspire the next generation.

Episode 6 | Total commitment

The strengths of this team shone through, as we pride ourselves on our preparation and being able to deal with any scenario that's put in front of us.
Andy Stevenson, Sporting Director

The 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix was one that won't be forgotten for a while, with the change in schedule and chaotic weather conditions. But what was it like from the perspective on the ground? Sporting Director Andy Stevenson and Race Engineers Chris Cronin and Andrew Vizard lift the lid on the weekend's Herculean effort from the entire team.

Episode 7 | A lot more to lose

Some critical lessons were learnt about how close we were to having a driver in a bit of trouble in a car, so a lot of effort has gone in since then to help them from the FIA and within the team.
Chris Cronin, Chief Engineer - Trackside

Amid the intense heat of Qatar in 2023, teams needed to find solutions to keep drivers cool while in the cars. Hear from Race Engineers Chris and Andrew as they explain what measures were put in place for the 2024 edition of the race, while Lance's Performance Coach Henry Howe reveals how a driver prepares for racing in the heat.

Episode 8 | The search for perfection

It's such a statement of intent and it is such a massive boon to our desire to be champions.
Ian Greig, Head of Aerodynamics

As the season comes to a close, the search for perfection is never ending. Back at Base takes you into one of the most sensitive areas of the AMR Technology Campus: the wind tunnel. Join Head of Aerodynamics Ian Greig, who shares an illuminating insight into the most advanced wind tunnel in the sport.

F1: Back at Base

All eight episodes of the F1: Back at Base — How to Go Racing podcast are out now and available to listen on BBC Sounds.

Listen now

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