Pondering Papaya: A McLaren F1 podcast

Papaya Rules on today's show ladies and gentlemen...whatever that means. After an enforced break that saw the host have a flight cancelled and lose his passport, Pondering Papaya is back to dissect the fall out from the Italian Grand Prix. Joining Sam to do just that is DNF1 podcast host Adam Burns and F1 content creator Sarah McKenzie-Foley. Enjoy!

You want a mid-season review? We’ll give you a mid-season review. An almost two-hour show looking at all 14 races of the F1 season so far. What themes do we notice? What races have we forgot? And what can it tell us about what’s to come when F1 returns. Joining Sam is the Independent’s F1 correspondent Kieran Jackson, the Mirror’s F1 correspondent Daniel Moxon and Quadrant producer/F1 content creator Matt Amys. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

On the final day of the Behind the Papaya week, we are speaking to McLaren’s Director of Sustainability Kim Wilson. Kim told us the challenges all F1 teams face in being sustainable and how McLaren are using cutting edge technology to lead the charge. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

On day five of the Behind the Papaya week, we are speaking to the team that look after McLaren's cars once they stop racing. With McLaren arguably more proud of their history than any other team, it is a great task to keep their vast catalogue up and running but you will hear from the team that does just that. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

On day four of Behind the Papaya week, we spoke to Amanda McLaren, sole child of team founder Bruce McLaren. When Bruce lost his life, Amanda was just four but as she got older, she was able to appreciate the incredible life her father led and the enduring legacy he left on the world. Have a question for the show? Email ⁠[email protected]⁠. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

On day three of Behind the Papaya week, we are speaking to Henry Chilcott who from May 2017 to July 2020 was McLaren's Group Marketing Director and during his tenure, Henry helped to make the Woking side one of the most marketable teams on the F1 grid. Now working at Formula E, Henry took time out of his busy schedule to chat with us all things McLaren and what makes Zak Brown so good and what he does. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

It's a very special week here on Pondering Papaya as we take you behind the scenes of the McLaren team. Each day we are going to be bringing you an interview with someone who either worked with the team or had a special connection to it and they will give you a fascinating insight into what life at the MTC is like. On today's episode, we will be hearing from McLaren's former Pit Stop Performance Lead Sergio Stelitano to learn how the team became the king and queens of the F1 pit stop.

Welcome to a very special week here on Pondering Papaya as we take you behind the scenes of the McLaren team. To kick the week off, we are revisiting some of our previous interviews that older listeners may already have heard but fear not as there will be two brand new episodes on Thursday and Friday.Each day we are going to be bringing you an interview with someone who either worked with the team or had a special connection to it and they will give you a fascinating insight into what life at the MTC is like.To start things off, we will be hearing from a man called Josh Roles who during his four years working at McLaren became Fernando Alonso’s number two mechanic. Starting at the road car team, Josh moved to McLaren racing in October 2015 and provided a behind the scenes look at what his job involved. Enjoy.

Oscar Piastri registered another P2 in his career but a slow pit stop may have robbed his chance of victory. To discuss that and more, Sam is joined by F1 Reporter at the GRID Network Esha Azeem and Pit Debrief Content Writer Magdalena Put. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

After their first one-two in three years in Hungary, #McLaren are back to try and repeat the trick in Spa and with an incoming Max Verstappen grid penalty, there is every chance they could do just that. Joining Sam on today's episode is the Independent's #F1 correspondent Kieran Jackson (@kieranrjackson) and F1 content creator FP1Will (@FP1Will). Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Oscar Piastri is an #F1 race winner! A tense end left a sour taste in the mouth but #McLaren did earn their first one-two since 2021. To dissect all the action from the #HungarianGP, Sam Cooper was joined by DNF1 Podcast host Adam Burns and YouTuber LawVS. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Tempers are being to flare between #McLaren and Red Bull as Zak Brown kept up his rather one-sided war of words with Christian Horner. To discuss that and look ahead to the Hungarian Grand Prix, Sam was joined by F1 content creator Sarah McKenzie-Foley (link to her work here) and #F1 journalist Rory Mitchell (link to his work here). Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms. #LandoNorris #ZakBrown #OscarPiastri #HungarianGP 

A potential one-two became P3 and P4 after some crucial strategy errors from McLaren cost both drivers. Instead of the usual race review, we're live from the Silverstone paddock to give you a recap of the sessions as they happened. Joining Sam for free practice is the Mirror's F1 correspondent Daniel Moxon, for quali it's Crash.net's Lewis Larkam and for the race itself it's the Independent's F1 correspondent Kieran Jackson. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

High drama turned into disaster for McLaren and Lando Norris in Austria as a late collision with Max Verstappen sent the McLaren out of the points and out of the race. To unpack all the aftermath, Sam was joined by Quadrant producer and F1 YouTuber Matt Amys. There is also time for a preview of this weekend's race at Silverstone. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

With one race down of the triple header, we’re bringing you a bumper pod today with a look back on Spain as well as a preview of this weekend’s race in Austria. Joining Sam to recap all the action from Barcelona is Peter Mujuzi from McLaren Fan TV and FormulaNerds’ Senior Editor James Phillips. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

McLaren are in good form but they arrive at a circuit that has not treated them well of late. With no points last season, no podium since 2011 and no win since 2005, can Lando and Oscar break that streak this weekend? To answer that and more, Sam is joined by host of the DNF1 Podcast Adam Burns. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Amanda McLaren is the only daughter of Bruce McLaren, the team's founder way back in 1963. When Bruce lost his life, Amanda was just four but as she got older, she was able to appreciate the incredible life her father led and the enduring legacy he left on the world. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

In what was a race for the ages, McLaren came away wondering what could have been with Lando Norris not able to pit Max Verstappen to the win. To discuss the race in detail, Sam Cooper was joined by F1 journalists Daniel Valente (@F1GuyDan) and Ed Spencer (@EdSpencer99). Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

There are bogey tracks and then there is McLaren in Montreal... Having failed to score a point since 2014, Sam is joined by F1 content creator Sarah Mckenzie and journalist Jasmine Hughes to discuss whether McLaren can lift their Canada curse this weekend. You can find Sarah's work here while you will find more of Jasmine's work here Mark Hamilton of the Scuderia F1 podcast also jumps on to tell us why Canada is a great place for F1. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

The Monaco GP wasn’t exactly a thriller but it was nevertheless a great result for Oscar Piastri who scored his third podium for the team. To discuss that and more, Sam Cooper was joined by #F1 commentator Kai Bachini and FormulaNerds Senior Editor James Phillips. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Formula 1 takes to the iconic streets of Monte Carlos this weekend for the 70th edition of the Monaco Grand Prix. As McLaren lifted the covers on a stunning Ayrton Senna inspired livery, Sam was joined by Motorsport Week journalist Pablo Suárez and the Score’s F1 correspondent Daniel Valente to discuss that and more. Friend of the show Matt Amys also stops by and you can watch his excellent video on the Senna livery here. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

The 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 takes place this weekend with two McLaren cars on the second row. To get a full rundown of the race and why it so huge, Sam enlisted the help of IndyCar journalist Archie O’Reilly to find out if McLaren have a shot of winning it. To find more of Archie's excellent work, click here. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

It was a case of so close and yet so far for McLaren as Lando Norris just missed out on catching Max Verstappen in Imola. Joining Sam to dissect the action is Managing Editor of the Women In A Man's Race Magazine Kimberley Wyllie and Total-Motorsport.com’s F1 journalist Adam Dickinson so let’s get straight into it. That’s finally uploaded so thanks again both! Let me know any links you want in the description 👍 Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms. 

After a year away, Formula 1 returns to Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. To preview the action as well as a look back on the impact of Ayrton Senna, Sam is joined by F1 journalist Rory Mitchell (@RoryMitchell) and the Grid Gab's Paul Landry. Make sure you follow Rory and subscribe to the Grid Gab here. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Lando Norris a Formula 1 race winner. Say it again, Lando Norris is a Formula 1 race. Joining Sam to recap a stunning race in Miami is Quadrant producer Matt Amys (@mattamys) and DNF1 host Adam Burns (@Adenski). Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

It’s a bumper show today as not only do we preview the Miami Grand Prix but we also dive into what on Earth has happened at McLaren’s IndyCar team. For the F1 matters, Sam was joined by journalists Jasmine Hughes and Cameron Anderson-Jones while Archie O’Reilly is on hand to provide the IndyCar expertise. You can follow them all here: Jasmine is @jhughesfe Cameron is @CamAnderson_21 Archie is @ArchieOReilly_ and he writes for DIVEBOMB. If you liked his IndyCar chat then he also has his own pod here. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

From May 2017 to July 2020, Henry Chilcott was McLaren's Group Marketing Director and during his tenure, Henry helped to make the Woking side one of the most marketable teams on the F1 grid. Now working at Formula E, Henry took time out of his busy schedule to chat with us all things McLaren and what makes Zak Brown so good and what he does. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

After a pessimistic preview, Lando Norris and McLaren defied expectations to end the Chinese GP on the podium. To break it all down, Sam was joined by F1 content creator FP1Will and FormulaNerds Senior Editor James Phillips. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

F1 returns to China this weekend for the first time in five years but in recent times, it hasn’t been the happiest of hurting grounds for McLaren. With Andrea Stella describing it as “the track that worries me the most from a competitiveness point of view” should McLaren fans be worried? To answer that, Sam is joined by pod regular Sarah McKenzie (@macktweets_) as well as McLaren Fan TV’s Mahad (@mclarenfantv). You can also find more of Sarah’s work here. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Did McLaren let that slip through their fingers? After a strong quali, the team came away wondering what could have been with Lando Norris ending the day fifith and Oscar Piastri in eioghth. To discuss the race in Suzuka, Sam was joined by F1 journalists Ed Spencer (@EdSpencer99) and Yasmin Janahi (@yasmin_janahi03). Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Suzuka, it's one of those tracks that nearly everyone is head over heels with and one that McLaren certainly has a special history at. With a double podium last year, can the team repeat the trick this time round? To answer that, Sam enlisted the help of FormulaNerds journalist Abby Bathurst and F1 content creator LawVS to discuss the team heading into this weekend's race. There is also a chance to win a 2024 Lando Norris cap! If you want to find more of Abby's work, follow her on Twitter at @AbbyBathurst while Lawrence can be found at a number of places here via this link. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Well who saw that coming? David Sanchez has left his technical role at McLaren after just three months having waited three times that to join. Sam brings you all the news before Adam Burns of the DNF1 podcast joins to dissect the departure. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

First podium of the year! An excellent race Down Under is reviewed by Sam and guests F1 journalist Rory Mitchell and host of the DNF1 podcast Adam Burns. You can find Rory on Twitter at @RoryMitchell and Adam's podcast is @dnf1_official. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Three Men at Work as the Pondering Papaya podcast returns to preview the #F1 #AustralianGP. Hometown hero #OscarPiastri was pessimistic about a podium while #LandoNorris’ new facial hair shows he means business. Sam is joined by the Mirror’s F1 correspondent Dan Moxon and the Grid Gab’s Paul Landry to preview the action in Melbourne. ⁠You can find Dan’s work here⁠ and Paul can ⁠be found here⁠. Have a question for the show? Email ⁠[email protected]⁠. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

We're back for a race review of the #SaudiArabianGP where Oscar Piastri shined to finish fourth. Joining Sam to discuss the race is F1 content creator Sarah McKenzie-Foley and F1 journalist Alex Harrington. ⁠You can find Sarah's work here⁠ and Alex is on social media here. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms. #McLaren #F1 #OscarPiastri #LandoNorris

As #F1 returns for the #SaudiArabianGP, Sam was joined by DNF1 host Adam Burns and FormulaNerds writer James Phillips to preview the action. Away from #McLaren, the team also discuss the mess going on at Alpine and how the FIA president could have burnt his last bridge. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

In a special episode of the Pondering Papaya podcast, we heard from McLaren’s F1 Academy driver Bianca Bustamante. Bianca speaks about her first few months at McLaren and also how her pre-season has gone ahead of the second ever F1 Academy campaign. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

The first Formula 1 race of the 2024 season is in the books and did #McLaren do better than we all expected? To answer that question, Sam was joined by the Independent’s #F1 correspondent Kieran Jackson (@kieranrjackson) and FormulaNerds editor Samuel Coop (@SamuelTCoop) to discuss the race and what this could mean for the season ahead. Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Pre-season for the #F1 2024 season is in the books but it was not all smooth sailing for #McLaren. Sam is joined by F1 content creators Sarah McKenzie and LastLapLucy to pick the bones of McLaren's running as well as ponder what the season has in store for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. You can find Sarah's work here and Lucy can be found @LastLapLucy on social media. Have a question for the show? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

McLaren are the kings of the pit stop and currently hold the world record for the quickest stop in #F1 history. To find out how they achieved the 1.8-second stop, Sam spoke to Pit Stop Performance Lead Sergio Stelitano on what he trained the crew to do and why he thinks the record can still be beaten. Have a question for the show? Email ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Sam is joined by F1 content creator and producer extraordinaire Matt Amys and F1 journalist Samuel Coop as McLaren lift the covers on the MCL38. The trio discuss the rather muted launch and predict where McLaren will end the season in the Constructors' Championship. You can follow Matt at @mattamys or via his YouTube channel and Sam's work can be found here or on Twitter at @SamuelTCoop. Have a question for the show? Email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

In a special episode of the Pondering Papaya podcast, Sam caught up with Josh Roles who from 2015 to 2018 worked at McLaren. Starting at the Royal Navy, Josh moved to work on McLaren's GT cars before joining the racing team in 2017. He later became one of Fernando Alonso's number two mechanics and explains what the Spaniard was like to work with as well as revealing what life at the MTC was like. You can find out more about Josh's current work here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-roles-96833992/?originalSubdomain=uk. Have a question for the show? Email ⁠[email protected]⁠. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Joining Sam on the podcast today is the Mirror’s F1 Correspondent Dan Moxon, Formula Nerds’ Abby Bathurst and YouTuber LawVS as they kicked off the Pondering Papaya podcast. The team discussed Lando Norris’ new deal, what to expect from Oscar Piastri in 2024, the many hirings within the MTC and did someone say Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari? You can find Dan at @dmoxon_ on Twitter. Abby is at @AbbyBathurst and Lawrence’s work can be found here: https://linktr.ee/lawvs Have a question for the show? Email [email protected]. You can also reach us on socials @ponderingpapaya on all the major platforms.

Welcome to a brand new podcast focusing on everything McLaren.