The waiting is almost over and a new F1 season is upon us. To make sure you're up to speed with all the changes to Formula 1 in 2009, Sidepodcast catches up with the drivers and the engineers for the full low-down on what to expect this year.

We take a look inside the workings of two different types of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems, find out how the teams are addressing new aero regulations, learn how the cars have evolved during the winter and discover how all of this affects the drivers.

Special thanks go out to Panasonic Toyota Racing, AT&T Williams, BMW Sauber F1 Team, ING Renault F1 Team, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, Bridgestone Motorsport and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage.

Formula One is already marching headlong into the 2009 season, but before it gets there, Sidepodcast takes one final look back at the events that shaped 2008.

This isn't your normal F1 season review, but a chance for us to catch up on some of the things that slipped through our net during the past 12 months. These are things we wanted to cover but couldn't, either because of time constraints or video becoming available past our broadcast dates.

We look right back to winter testing, acknowledge Rubens for reaching a special milestone and hear what Jenson has to say about Formula One's first ever night race. All this and more in the last episode of Sidepodcast TV for 2008.

Music played:

• The Futureheads, The Beginning Of The Twist
• The Maine, We Change, We Wait
• Bloc Party, Flux

Special thanks go out to Panasonic Toyota Racing, AT&T Williams, BMW Sauber F1 Team, ING Renault F1 Team, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, Honda Racing F1 Team and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage.

And so it is, the final race of the 2008 season. This championship has simply flown by and now it all comes down to this final weekend in Brazil.

Autódromo José Carlos Pace is the destination as Sidepodcast takes a flying lap around the track that will host the deciding race on Sunday. Both trophies are still up for grabs, so join Christine as she looks at the current state of play and looks back upon the dramatic events that took place here in '07.

Toyota have little to gain and little to lose this weekend, so it'll come as no surprise that their attention is already wandering into preparations for next year. The Formula 1 circus never rests, so please enjoy the very last Sidepodcast preview for this year.

Special thanks go out to Allianz SE, Toyota Motorsports GmbH, AT&T Williams and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage.

The penultimate round of the 2008 Formula 1 season beckons, and it could hardly be closer at the front. With three drivers still in contention for the WDC crown, Sidepodcast takes a look at the current state of play as another dramatic championship draws to a close.

As ever, we take a look around every corner of the Shanghai International Circuit, get Nico's thoughts on the chances of overtaking and look back at the thrilling race we witnessed last year.

Special thanks go out to Allianz SE, AT&T Williams and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage.

Formula 1 continues its relentless tour around the globe, this weekend taking in the sights and sounds of Japan. Fuji Speedway is the destination and while it's not a classic venue by any stretch, the scintillating battle for the title means there could be more to this weekend than meets the eye.

As ever Sidepodcast provides the full rundown of the current state of play, what to expect before Sunday and a detailed look at the track that sits directly beneath a mountain. We catch up with local hero Nakajima as well as hearing the thoughts of a man who knows things.

Special thanks go out to Allianz SE, Toyota Motorsports GmbH, AT&T Williams, Royal Bank of Scotland and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage.

Although it hasn't been widely reported, and while certain factions of the racing community are keen to keep it hush hush, Formula One may be about to happen upon its very first night race.

It's difficult to escape the fact that the upcoming Grand Prix is an evening affair, and Inside Track is no exception. In this edition we hear from current drivers, ex-drivers, and the men behind the men, about what might lie in store this coming weekend.

Don't forget the obligatory lap of the circuit too. This one's a proper street circuit, so there's plenty to take in and who better to guide you around the twists and turns than Sidepodcast's one and only commentator, Christine. You wouldn't have it any other way, right?

Special thanks go out to Allianz SE, Toyota Motorsports GmbH, AT&T Williams, Royal Bank of Scotland and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage.

Formula 1 is set for one last hurrah in Europe, before departing for the four long haul races that will see the 2008 championship out. The destination for this last stand also happens to be the fastest track on the calendar.

This week Inside Track catches up with Jarno Trulli to get his thoughts on racing in his home country. We take a flying lap around Autodromo Nazionale Monza and also refresh our memories of how exactly the championship tables stack up post Spa Francorchamps.

Special thanks to Allianz SE, Toyota Motorsports GmbH, Red Bull Racing, Daimler, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage.

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.

Special thanks to Allianz SE, Toyota Motorsports GmbH, Red Bull Racing, Daimler, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage.

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.

Special thanks to Allianz SE, Toyota Motorsports GmbH, Renault SA, Daimler, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage.

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.

Music played: Planet of Women, Waking Up the Neighbourhood

Special thanks to Allianz SE, Red Bull Racing and RTV GmbH for the use of their video footage.