Motor Sport Magazine Podcast

When you're a Magnussen, the name alone can open doors, but you won't get through them, unless the talent's there.Kevin Magnussen is Chris Medland's latest guest on the My Big Break podcast, describing the key moments that shaped his career.The 29-year-old describes being invited to McLaren after winning the Danish Formula Ford championship because his dad, Jan, had been the team's test driver.He got on to its junior driver programme but it soon became apparent that he wasn't going to get an easy ride when he was given the ultimatum of winning the Formula Renault 3.5 Series or seeing his F1 dreams evaporate.Magnussen rose to the challenge and he talks about how his career progressed with a Force India drive that never was, a podium finish on his debut, and fighting for his McLaren seat with Jenson Button.After a year out of Grand Prix racing, Magnussen has returned to Haas in impressive form, and he explains why he's so much more relaxed for his second stint in F1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-ou

Newly confirmed as an F1 driver with AlphaTauri driver for 2023, Pierre Gasly is the latest guest on our My big break podcast series, looking at the key moments that brought him to where he is now.Gasly explains how he tried ice hockey and football before being captivated by motor sport when he went karting for the first time aged 6. Part of a hotshot generation of French drivers, Gasly recalls watching grands prix with Charles Leclerc and Esteban Ocon, dreaming that maybe one of them might make it to F1. He also describes climbing the racing ladder on a budget to Formula Renault 2.0 where only a championship win would unlock the prize money needed to progress.His success brought him a Red Bull contract and, ultimately, a brief stint with the team which ended after just 12 races. He reflects upon that low moment and those that thought it would be the end of him, followed by his recollections of winning in Monza and silencing the critics. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If a young Valtteri Bottas and his dad hadn't spotted the sign for a go-kart race in Finland, then the Alfa Romeo driver may never have got on track, let alone partnered Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.In the latest podcast from our My big break series, Bottas joins Chris Medland to reveal the make-or-break moments that brought him to Formula 1. He explains the key role that porridge power played ahead of his go kart debut, the local sponsors that bankrolled his fresh tyres, and the tests that took him from the Finnish go-karting championship to an F1 seat with Williams — via a rocky GP3 season. When Nico Rosberg retired from F1, Bottas moved from to Mercedes — and he suggests that he used his own money to buy out the Williams contract — only to be handed the Herculean task of being team-mate to Hamilton. Bottas describes how it took its toll, and reveals that he was on the brink of quitting at the end of the 2018 season before a restorative walk in a Finnish forest saw him change his mind.Now at Alfa Romeo, Botta

Kamui Kobayashi showed so much potential as a go-karting teenager that Toyota locked him into a ten-year racing contract at the age of 14.In our new My big break podcast episode, the Le Mans winner looks at the key moments that shaped his career, including that initial deal which took him all the way to Formula 1 — only for the team to announce that it was pulling out of the series after his third race.Kobayashi tells Chris Medland about his grand prix debut and the “crazy” battle with Jenson Button who would be crowned world champion at the chequered flag.He explains how he secured his return to the grid with Sauber, and why he doesn’t regret his year spent at the back of the grid with Caterham.Now back with Toyota and set to compete in this weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hours, Kobayashi describes his new joint driver and team principal role, as well as how he sees himself helping to shape the future of motor racing. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Helio Castroneves says that destiny guided his glittering IndyCar career that's crowned by a record-equalling four Indy 500 wins, but the path to glory was far from straightforward.He speaks to Chris Medland in the opening episode from season two of our Big Break podcast series, charting the make-or-break moments that shaped top-level racers, engineers and managers.Ahead of this year's Indy 500, Castroneves recalls his early dreams of racing in Formula 1, graduating from karting in Brazil to living in Milton Keynes in British F3, and then the conversation with his sponsor that brought him to the unfamiliar ladder to IndyCar.That journey was studded with challenge, tragedy and a court case with Emerson Fittipaldi — plus a 14-week run to victory on Dancing with the Stars, that is credited with bringing an extra 1m viewers to IndyCar.Now in search of a record-equalling fifth Indy 500 win, Castroneves says that the sky's the limit, with no thoughts of retirement. When we’re in this business [of racing], it’s our

If it hadn't been for a long lunch with Niki Lauda, a willingness to swap grand prix racing for NASCAR, and a vision for a US F1 team, it's unlikely Guenther Steiner would have found himself leading Haas in Formula 1.In this episode from Motor Sport's My big break series, Steiner tells Chris Medland about the make-or-break moments that brought him to his current role.He describes his move to Jaguar's F1 team from Ford's World Rally team — at the behest of Lauda — and his rapid disillusionment at the corporate structure. He returned to the paddock with newly-formed Red Bull, and then transferred to its US division to set up a NASCAR team.The American life suited Steiner so much that the Italian-born 56-year-old ended up co-founding a successful composites company and championing the idea of a US-based Formula 1 team, which brought him into contact with Gene Haas.... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown is on a mission to return the Formula 1 team to title-winning form, while also seeking success in IndyCar, Extreme E and at Le Mans. In Motor Sport's latest My big break podcast series, he tells Chris Medland about the moments that took him from growing up as a racing fan in California, to joining a select club of F1 team bosses.Brown recalls meeting Mario Andretti as a youngster and the F1 veteran's advice that set him off on a racing career. He discovered his talent for marketing while trying to recruit sponsors, and used that ability to grow and sell a multi-million-dollar business that became the world's largest motor sport marketing company.After turning down chances to work for Bernie Ecclestone and Liberty Media, McLaren came calling in 2016, and Brown reveals why he decided to join and how he has turned the team around, helped by his most radical decision - made soon after he joined. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

George Russell joins Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate in 2022, after an acclaimed three years at Williams. In our latest My big break episode, the 23-year-old reveals how he went from racing as a karting hopeful to signing the contract for F1's top team.He tells Chris Medland how Alex Albon gave him a leg-up as he was just getting started — a favour repaid when Russell put in a good word for Albon with Williams, and the frustration of being out-paced by team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi during the 2015 Formula 3 season.Russell explains how he initially turned down a contract from Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and came close to signing a contract that would have stopped him from ever driving for Mercedes, before joining as a young driver.Even before his three years at Williams, Russell had to learn how to impress in cars that weren't competing for victory: he talks about how he did it, and that moment in a Mercedes at Bahrain, when any doubts over his pace disappeared. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and op

Alex Albon has a second shot at Formula 1 with Williams this year, continuing his rocky journey from karting champion to the grand prix paddock.In our latest My Big Break podcast, he tells Chris Medland how he rose through the ranks of F3 and F2, battling for race wins and championships with Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Lando Norris.Albon recounts losing Red Bull backing after a tricky first year in Formula Renault, before picking himself up, graduating to GP3 and challenging Leclerc for the 2015 title. He explains why his friendship with George Russell resulted in a broken collarbone that wrecked his debut F2 season; the goodwill that brought him a second year in the championship; and the bold move — combined with a timely win — that brought him back into the Red Bull fold and into an F1 seat just before a switch to Formula E.Ahead of the 2022 F1 season, the upbeat, grounded Albon shows since again why he's one of racing's most popular figures. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information

Formula 1 produced a season like no other in 2021: Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton battled for the championship from the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix to the very final lap in Abu Dhabi. To look over the excitement, the drama, the many controversies and the occasional mistake, Chris Medland is joined by Motor Sport F1 Editor Mark Hughes and Contributing Editor Damien Smith See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kimi Räikkönen was racing go karts with no prospect of moving to cars when a contract offer arrived that looked too good to be true: a monthly salary and a route into single-seaters. In the latest episode from our My Big Break series, Räikkönen recalls his wariness before signing the deal that turned out to be one of the make-or-break moments that have made him the most experienced F1 driver in history.Ahead of his retirement, he tells Chris Medland about his explosive first season in Formula Renault with his management team of David and Steve Robertson and the F1 test where he caught the eye of Michael Schumacher and earned a seat on the grand prix grid, as well as his moves to McLaren, Ferrari and Lotus. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A year after surviving a fiery crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean explains why the moment that almost killed him was a "positive experience". As he prepares to join Andretti Autosport for the 2022 season, Grosjean reflects on the 'big break' moments that brought him to where he is today: his early F1 struggles, his championship-winning return to GP2, and what it took to become an IndyCar driver. As well as that crash. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nobody knows the secret to Porsche's winning formula more than Norbert Singer.The legendary engineer was a crucial part of every Porsche Le Mans victory between 1970 and 1998 and also had a key role in developing perhaps the greatest sports car of all time: the Porsche 911.In this podcast from our Porsche's winning formula series, Singer speaks about his early career, and how he came close to joining Opel before arriving at Porsche and helping to develop the 917 into a Le Mans winner.His experience spans the Targa Florio to modern Le Mans and he recalls the driving talents he's worked with at those races. He also offers his view on why the 956 and 962 are the most successful sports cars of all timeSinger describes his view of motor racing's future and explains that he's always nervous when a car runs faultlessly at Le Mans — because it usually means that a problem is just around the corner. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tim Schenken left Australia as national hillclimb champion at the age of 22 and returned 20 years later, having competed in F1, raced the Porsche 917/10 to victory at Zandvoort, Nürburgring and Hockenheim, and found himself detained in a Florida police station alongside Ronnie Peterson.Now Clerk of the Course for the Australian Grand Prix (when it returns), Schenken focuses on his career with Porsche in the latest Motor Sport podcast from our Porsche's winning formula series.He describes his early sacrifices, including at a wet Spa where his tea couldn't afford wet tyres; the "easy to drive" 917/10; and his endless disappointment at Le Mans.There's also time to reflect on the challenge of getting to F1 and that story from Daytona, 1972, where he and Peterson found themselves on the wrong side of the law, and without their passports, just hours before a race. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Much of Brian Redman's endurance legend was forged at the wheel of Porsche's greatest machines.The self-effacing Lancastrian won the Spa 1000Km four times, took three victories at the Daytona 24 Hours and has a brace of Sebring and Nürburgring overall winner trophies.Redman joins us to give more insight into Porsche's winning formula, recalling how his impressive early privateer appearances got him a seat at the works team, his experience of being a team-mate to Jo Siffert and Pedro Rodriguez and what it was like to drive for a brand in relentless pursuit of performance.He also compares Stuttgart with his other famous employer – Ferrari – and explains why Porsche engineers told him he was their "favourite driver".  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Much of Brian Redman's endurance legend was forged at the wheel of Porsche's greatest machines.The self-effacing Lancastrian won the Spa 1000Km four times, took three victories at the Daytona 24 Hours and has a brace of Sebring and Nürburgring overall winner trophies.Redman joins us to give more insight into Porsche's winning formula, recalling how his impressive early privateer appearances got him a seat at the works team, his experience of being a team-mate to Jo Siffert and Pedro Rodriguez and what it was like to drive for a brand in relentless pursuit of performance.He also compares Stuttgart with his other famous employer – Ferrari – and explains why Porsche engineers told him he was their "favourite driver". See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Le Mans veteran Romain Dumas joins the Motor Sport podcast to discuss all things Porsche, from his early beginnings, a learned love for Porsche and his conquering of multiple disciplines.From Pikes Peak to fighting with Audi across Europe and the US to a Dakar ambition, Dumas' enthusiasm for racing makes for a compelling listen.Plus, he gives his thoughts on the future of the World Endurance Championship and why Formula E might not be the way forward many make it out to be.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If anyone knows Porsche’s winning formula, it’s Jochen Mass. For more than a decade, he raced sports cars with the factory team, competing in seven Le Mans 24 Hour races and winning multiple world championship races.Mass joins us for the first in our new podcast series, recalling his early days with the outfit, when the Porsche Development Centre consisted mainly of wooden sheds; and the development of the 956 and 962 with the legendary engineer, Norbert Singer.He describes the fearsome concentration needed to drive the Nürburgring in a Group C sports car; working with team-mates including Stefan Bellof and Bobby Rahal, and explains why Porsche’s IndyCar never achieved its potential.He’s frank, funny and doesn’t pull his punches. Sit back and enjoy.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A World Sportscar Champion; Le Mans 24 Hours winner; Formula 1 driver and now a trusted voice to millions in the Sky F1 commentary box. Martin Brundle is inducted into the Motor Sport Hall of Fame this year, in recognition of his exceptional career behind the wheel and the microphone.In this podcast, Brundle looks back at his racing career; his commentary break filling in for a missing James Hunt, and learning the ropes from fellow Hall of Fame inductee, Murray Walker, whose advice he follows to this day. He talks about the struggle to keep up to date with F1 in the digital age and why he's secretly pleased that Covid put a temporary halt to his trademark grid walk.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

He joined Ferrari as a test driver, partnered Michael Schumacher in his final year with the team and went on to win the 2008 F1 championship... for a few seconds.Felipe Massa is our latest Motor Sport podcast guest, bringing tales of being part of the Maranello machine; of challenging for the title, then becoming the unmistakable number 2 driver, with the famous radio message, "Fernando is faster than you".It's the inside story of a rollercoaster career at Ferrari from one of the most popular Formula 1 drivers in recent times.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.