Chequered Flag Podcast Serves Up Super-Subs, Home GP Curse and Drivers' Backstreet Boys Band on iPlayer
The BBC's flagship Formula 1 podcast, The Chequered Flag, has landed a brand new episode on BBC iPlayer: "2026: F1 Super-Subs, the Home Grand Prix Curse and the Backstreet Boys' Driver Band". As the title suggests, the programme promises to unpick some of the paddock's most entertaining storylines of the season — the so-called "super-subs" stepping into race seats, the persistent "home Grand Prix curse" that keeps striking down drivers at their own events, and a musical twist that sees the grid's drivers forming their very own Backstreet Boys-style band.
A Season of Highs, Lows and History at Monza
The new release arrives in the middle of a dramatically busy 2026 campaign that the podcast has been covering race by race. In Baku, George Russell claimed a lights-to-flag victory, prompting a star guest to deliver his verdict on whether the Mercedes driver has rediscovered his best form.
"Has George Russell rediscovered his mojo after a lights-to-flag victory in Baku?"
Elsewhere on the calendar, Kimi Antonelli delivered another statement performance at the Spanish Grand Prix, with hosts Harry Benjamin, Alice Powell and Rebecca Clancy reviewing the race in an episode titled "Antonelli On Top Again". Monza produced a dramatic Italian Grand Prix that went down as "History at Monza!", while the Belgian Grand Prix was framed as "A Tale of Two Mercedes", with the hosts assessing what it all means for the title fight.
Hamilton Wins for Ferrari in Barcelona
One of the season's defining moments came at Barcelona, where Lewis Hamilton took victory for Ferrari. The podcast devoted a full reaction episode to the win, asking where it ranks among the greatest achievements of the seven-time world champion's glittering career.
"Barcelona GP Reaction: Hamilton Wins For Ferrari! Where does this victory rank among Lewis Hamilton's greatest achievements?"
Verstappen v 100: A Karting Challenge at Silverstone
Alongside the race reviews, the series has leaned into lighter, more participatory content. At Silverstone, Max Verstappen attempted to overtake 100 go-kart drivers, with Harry and Becky on track to witness it. The antics continued with a subsequent episode asking whether presenter Harry Benjamin could make it onto the grid as Verstappen takes on a hundred drivers.
"Harry Benjamin attempts to get onto the grid as Max Verstappen takes on 100 drivers."
Training, Pranks and Mid-Season Verdicts
The podcast has also stepped out of the commentary box entirely. In "Training Like an F1 Driver with Oscar Piastri", Harry Benjamin hit the gym with the McLaren driver, while a separate episode revisited the time former world champion Kimi Raikkonen caught out presenter Becky Evans in front of 50,000 people — complete with drifting Ferraris and supercar collections.
As the season reached its halfway point, the team delivered its mid-season report questioning whether Kimi Antonelli is top of the class, and even dived into the silly season's biggest transfer rumours in a memorable episode titled "F1 Drivers As Teletubbies?!". A special edition also heard from superfan Brandon Burgess, who travelled to every race for a full season.
All episodes of The Chequered Flag, including the new super-subs, home Grand Prix curse and Backstreet Boys' driver band show, are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.