Sidepodcast

Daily: 11th March 2010

Hello and welcome to horrible Thursday. However, I believe this one won't be as bad as others we have experienced recently, as we are all focused on the goings on in Bahrain. We were super busy yesterday and we're going headfirst into the weekend in a similar fashion. Meanwhile, here are some things we're talking about:

• I was catching up on some blog feeds yesterday and discovered this excellent post from RG, discussing people in Formula One, and motorsport generally, in the north of England. I liked the post, even if it does appear that RG forgot all about Rob Smedley. Humph!
• Mr C's favourite blogger ScarbsF1 has a Bahrain Preview post up which goes into a bit more detail about the McLaren rear wing issue. We're expecting the FIA to inspect the part and make a decision in Bahrain, which is leaving it a bit late if you ask me.
• We posted plenty of fab things here on Sidepodcast yesterday, including your Bahrain Race Information. This tells you important facts and figures about the race, and highlights the TV and podcast schedule. The F1 Digest Preview was posted, and Mr C had a quick look at some of the new websites from teams.
• Also, for everyone who has been curious about the Joe Saward competition - it is now closed, but we have not yet picked a winner. We will do so as soon as we can, and let you know via the blog. If there's no post, it's because we haven't got our winner yet!

That should do it for now. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that Thursday goes okay, and I will see you in the comments.

F1 Digest 2010 - Bahrain Preview

• Length: 11:05 
• Size: 10.2 MB 
• File: digest149.mp3 
• Transcript: digest149.pdf 
• Torrent: digest149.torrent 

The Formula One season finally gets underway with Bahrain replacing Australia at the start. We've got all the information you need to know from weather to driver quotes and my own predictions.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 14th March
• Circuit: Bahrain International
• Length: 6.3km
• Laps: 49

Preview

In the first digest preview of 2010, we solicit opinions on the Bahrain circuit, recap what happened in 2009, and run through what each of the teams is hoping for from the weekend. Notably, Lotus aren't feeling that positive, whilst McLaren and Ferrari are both confident they can do well.

Bahrain 2010 - Race Information

Formula One has returned! We are gearing up for the first race of the season and by all accounts, it's going to be a spectacular one. Although Bahrain has a lot to live up to, replacing Australia as the season opener, there is so much going on, it's bound to be a fantastic weekend.

The Weather

The long range forecast for the weekend suggests there will be nothing but sunshine for F1 to look forward too. Saturday might see a little cloud, but nothing that should make a difference to the action and the high appears consistent for both Saturday and Sunday.

Regularly updated weather information can be found on the BBC.

The Circuit

This year, the Bahrain circuit sees the first major change to its layout since it began hosting F1 races in 2004. The track has been extended by nine corners and the number of laps reduced accordingly.

Credit: Bridgestone Corporation

Bahrain Circuit Map

Event Schedule

An F1 weekend comprises of events spanning three days. Action begins on Friday and ends on Sunday.

Support races for this event include GP2 Asia and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

Press Conference Schedule

Official press conferences are organised by the FIA and happen four times during the weekend.

The qualifying and post race press conferences will take place after the television unilateral interviews.

Podcast Schedule

Sidepodcast provides comprehensive coverage of every Grand Prix weekend with free audio podcasts.

Following Live

A thread will be created on Sidepodcast.com for every session and every thread is live enabled, meaning you can follow along and contribute to the conversation without refreshing the page.

Additionally, for every session this weekend we'll be providing up-to-the-minute F1 information via the all new Factbyte Factbox.

F1 Digest 2010 Season Preview - The Rules

• Length: 8:03 
• Size: 7.4 MB 
• File: digest148.mp3 
• Transcript: digest148.pdf 
• Torrent: digest148.torrent 

Our final Digest Season Preview show takes a closer look at the rules for 2010 - from the enormous changes, like a ban on refuelling, to the smaller things, like allowances for new driver testing. It's all in here, and combined with the other three shows, your perfect guide to the season about to start.

The Rules

Starting with the technical regulation changes, we discuss things such as the ban on refuelling, KERS and the engine and wing technical specs. Then we move on to more sporting aspects of the race, including the engine freeze, qualifying format and much, much more.

F1 Minute Daily Video (Teaser)

• Length: 01:00 
• Size: 11.7 MB 
• File: f1minute1.m4v 
• Transcript: Coming soon 
• Torrent: f1minute1.torrent 

F1 Minute is a weekday audio show hosted by Christine, which covers all the Formula 1 news in a handy 60 second round-up. The show has been running for more than two years in its current format, and as an experiment we're now looking into how this might translate to video.

Although the content will ultimately be hosted on the F1 Minute website, we're including this concept show on Sidepodcast in order solicit a wider variety of feedback. Please do get it touch and let us know if you like the idea, or if there are things that need improving.

In this episode, Christine takes a look at Kubica's plans for 2010 as well as the new look Jenson Button. This show was originally published as Kubica Set to Stay at Renault on F1 Minute.

F1 Digest 2009 - Brazil Preview

• Length: 07:26 
• Size: 6.9 MB 
• File: digest137.mp3 
• Transcript: digest137.pdf 
• Torrent: digest137.torrent 

Brazil moves up a place on this year's calendar to become the penultimate race of the year. The championship is hotting up, and the drivers are starting to get tense. Also, it's probably going to rain.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 18th October
• Circuit: Interlagos
• Length: 4.3km
• Laps: 71
• 2008 Winner: Felipe Massa

Preview

Glock is being deputised by Kobayashi and he, plus some of the newer drivers, are training hard and learning this anti-clockwise track. Regulars are looking forward to it for the atmosphere and the fans.

Daily: 2nd October 2009

It's Free Practice Friday, and we'll be up in just a couple of hours to watch the first action in Japan. The drivers are all bigging up the weekend, so let's hope it lives up to expectations. Meanwhile, here are some of the things we're talking about:

• F1 Punter has taken a look at the possibility of a safety car at Suzuka. It looks like the chances are not exactly high, but a lot of the current crop of drivers haven't been on this track before, so anything could happen!
• James has written a post with his ideal F1 calendar on there, and is curious what you would put on your own calendar, if you could make the decisions. I'm more than happy to go with James' as he's only got 15 races on there.
• Pitlane Fanatic have their Japanese GP preview up, and take a look at the main challengers for the weekend, plus what to look out for on the circuit itself. The weather forecasts are still suggesting rain, which sounds suspiciously like Fuji!

That'll do it for now. We'll be back with live threads throughout the day, and the usual F1 Minute and Digest roundup later. Yay for Fridays! I'll see you in the comments.

F1 Digest 2009 - Japan Preview

• Length: 06:29 
• Size: 6.0 MB 
• File: digest133.mp3 
• Transcript: digest133.pdf 
• Torrent: digest133.torrent 

Back to back racing sees us head from the bright lights of Singapore to the long straights of Suzuka. F1 Digest previews the track, some of the action from last year, and what the drivers think of the upcoming weekend.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 4th October
• Circuit: Suzuka
• Length: 5.8km
• Laps: 53
• 2008 Winner: Fernando Alonso (at Fuji)

Preview

Every single driver seems to think Suzuka is one of the best tracks in the world, so they're all glad it's back on the calendar. They describe the combination of great fans, and interesting corners, to make for an exciting weekend.

F1 Digest 2009 - Singapore Preview

• Length: 06:42 
• Size: 6.2 MB 
• File: digest129.mp3 
• Transcript: digest129.pdf 
• Torrent: digest129.torrent 

Teams and drivers gear up for Singapore - a race with many challenges, including a lack of overtaking, floodlighting, and a controversial history. Listen to this preview show to find out who's feeling confident and who isn't.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 27th September
• Circuit: Singapore Street Circuit
• Length: 5.1km
• Laps: 61
• 2008 Winner: Fernando Alonso

Preview

It's all still a bit awkward, with the Renault hearing only just out the way, but teams are starting to turn their attention back to the racing, with a few upgrades here and there, and a couple of drivers starting to score points.

F1 Digest 2009 - Belgium Preview

• Length: 05:43 
• Size: 5.2 MB 
• File: digest121.mp3 
• Transcript: digest121.pdf 
• Torrent: digest121.torrent 

This is the race that everyone has been waiting for, the ever popular Spa. From drivers to fans, teams to journalists, everyone enjoys a good Belgium Grand Prix.

Vital Statistics

• Date: 30th August
• Circuit: Spa-Francorchamps
• Length: 7.0km
• Laps: 44
• 2008 Winner: Felipe Massa

Preview

All the drivers are singing the praises of this circuit, but some have experienced bad luck and are hoping for change. Barrichello is hoping for another win, whilst Badoer promises he'll just be better.