The Motorsport Files

The Motorsport Files
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Hosted by Drew Bentham, Zac Stanley & Chris Gilbertson, new episodes land every week covering Formula 1, BTCC, WRC, ERC and British rally and racing - race weekend reviews alongside in-depth conversations with the drivers, co-drivers and rising talent living it. Expect genuine human stories over lap times and standings, including an ongoing commitment to spotlighting the women shaping motorsport at every level. Whether you've followed the sport for decades or you're just discovering it, follow along so you never miss an episode.

  1. Aug 11

    Did the WRC crews learn anything from this years BRC Grampian Rally? | Ep27

    Jon Armstrong won the 2026 Grampian Forest Rally as WRC stars descended on Aberdeenshire to get an early look at the roads that could feature in Rally Scotland 2027. Drew and Chris look back at a fascinating weekend of rallying, with Armstrong and Shane Byrne taking overall victory in the Ford Fiesta Rally2 ahead of team-mate Romet Jürgenson. Nikolay Gryazin completed the overall podium for Lancia, while Osian Pryce took the British Rally Championship victory and extended his championship lead. The Grampian was also an important fact-finding exercise for the World Rally Championship. Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin brought a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 to Scotland, while the event gave several WRC and WRC2 crews their first proper look at roads that could form part of Rally Scotland when the WRC returns to Scotland in 2027. The episode also covers Max McRae's impressive pace, including an outright stage win against the visiting WRC drivers, the battle between Pryce and Meirion Evans, Lancia's return to British rallying and what the performance of the Rally2 cars could mean for the future. Drew and Chris also discuss the bigger problems facing the British Rally Championship, including the lack of live coverage, the small BRC field and what needs to change if the championship is going to attract more attention. Was Grampian a glimpse of what British rallying could look like in 2027? Listen to the latest episode of The Motorsport Files. WEBSITE https://www.themotorsportfiles.com/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/tmfpod23/ YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@tmfpod23/

    Did the WRC crews learn anything from this years BRC Grampian Rally? | Ep27

  2. Aug 9

    Rally Finland 2026: Pajari's Home Win and Ogier's Horrific Crash

    Sami Pajari delivers Finland's 200th WRC win. Sebastien Ogier crashes out of the lead and ends up in hospital. Elfyn Evans leaves Rally Finland with an even bigger championship lead than he arrived with. Drew is joined by Chris Gilbertson to unpack the wildest weekend of the WRC season so far, from torrential rain and misted windscreens on Friday to a terrifying high speed crash for Ogier on Saturday evening. They talk through Pajari's rise from quiet, consistent podium finisher to genuine title contender, why Evans looks like a different driver in 2026, and the extraordinary effort from Finnish fans who kept pulling cars out of ditches all weekend. There's also time for Esapekka Lappi's big accident and what it means for his future in the car, Adrien Fourmaux's tough season in a Hyundai that only seems to work on dry gravel, a controversial WRC2 penalty that decided the podium behind an unstoppable Robert Vervis, and a first look at what the newly confirmed sale of the WRC promoter could mean for the championship going forward. Follow The Motorsport Files so you never miss an episode. If you enjoyed this one, a quick rating on Apple Podcasts or a follow on Spotify genuinely helps new listeners find the show. Find us everywhere @tmfpod23 and at www.themotorsportfiles.com.

    Rally Finland 2026: Pajari's Home Win and Ogier's Horrific Crash

  3. Aug 5

    BTCC Thruxton 2026 Review: Sutton's Masterclass and Race 3 Chaos | Ep25

    Ash Sutton, Tom Ingram and a chaotic Race 3 Drew and Chris break down every BTCC race from Thruxton, plus the driver news shaking up the grid. The British Touring Car Championship returned from its summer break with three races at Thruxton, and this week's Motorsport Files covers all of it: Josh Cook's dominant Race 1 win as the reigning "King of Thruxton," Ash Sutton's Race 2 masterclass, and a Race 3 thrown into chaos by a lengthy safety car and six retirements. Drew and Chris also get into the driver market: Ryan Bensley stepping in for Max Buxton at Speedworks Motorsport, Lewis Gilbert's BTCC debut with WSR, Senna Proctor covering for an unwell Sam Osborne at NAPA Racing UK, Nick Halstead's return for Power Maxed Racing's first-ever four-car line-up, and the funding crisis threatening to end Ricky Collard's season at EXCELR8 Motorsport. Plus: James Dorlin's independents' title push, how Jason Plato's new Cataclean Plato Racing squad is settling in, a debate over Thruxton's track-limits penalties, and BTCC chief Alan Gow's news that the series is staying free-to-air on ITV through 2030 with no return to hybrid power. If you're enjoying the show, a quick rating on Apple Podcasts is the single best way to help new listeners find us and let us know in a review who you think is the standout of the season so far.

    BTCC Thruxton 2026 Review: Sutton's Masterclass and Race 3 Chaos | Ep25

  4. Jul 31

    Hungarian GP Review: What happened in the Hungarian Grand Prix? | Ep24

    The Hungarian Grand Prix delivered one of the biggest talking points of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Lando Norris claimed McLaren's first victory of the year, Oscar Piastri's race ended in heartbreak after contact with Carlos Sainz and a gearbox failure, and Toto Wolff's criticism of Formula 1's blue flag system dominated the headlines. In this episode of The Motorsport Files, Drew Bentham and Zac Stanley break down everything that mattered from Budapest. Was McLaren's performance the result of a genuine breakthrough or simply a circuit that suited the MCL40? Should Carlos Sainz shoulder the blame for the collision with Piastri, or did Formula 1's race control create the conditions for the incident? The team also discuss Lewis Hamilton's latest penalty, Max Verstappen's recovery drive, Kimi Antonelli extending his championship lead, Ferrari's continued execution issues and Aston Martin's encouraging progress before the summer break. The conversation also looks ahead to the Dutch Grand Prix, asking whether Hungary has changed the balance of power heading into the second half of the season. Whether you're following the championship battle, searching for the latest Formula 1 news or looking for an in-depth Hungarian GP review, this episode covers the biggest stories from one of the most dramatic weekends of the year. In this episodeLando Norris secures McLaren's first win of 2026Oscar Piastri's collision with Carlos Sainz and subsequent retirementToto Wolff's reaction to the blue flag controversyLewis Hamilton's penalty and Ferrari's missed opportunityMax Verstappen's recovery driveKimi Antonelli strengthens his championship leadAston Martin's latest upgradesWhat Hungary means for the Dutch Grand Prix and the title fight Chapters 0:00.47 – Race Recap and McLaren's Surprising Comeback 1:55.47 – Team Performance and Strategy Analysis 4:00.47 – Regulation Changes and Their Impact 6:09.47 – Driver Performances and Internal Team Dynamics 8:08.47 – Reliability Issues and Technical Upgrades 9:57.47 – Race Management and Blue Flag Chaos 11:50.47 – Season Predictions and Future Outlooks Listen to every episode at themotorsportfiles.com. Hosted by Drew Bentham and Zac Stanley.

    Hungarian GP Review: What happened in the Hungarian Grand Prix? | Ep24

  5. Jul 25

    Belgian GP: Antonelli Wins, Hamilton-Russell Crash, Ferrari's Pit Chaos Ep23

    Kimi Antonelli beat Charles Leclerc to the win at Spa-Francorchamps, but it's the first-lap Hamilton-Russell crash and a chaotic Ferrari pit stop that Drew and Zac can't stop talking about. In this episode, Drew and Zac discuss the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix lap by lap. Antonelli's pole-to-win drive, Max Verstappen's early Eau Rouge lunge, and the Turn 6 collision that put George Russell out on lap one and reshaped the championship. They dig into whether Lewis Hamilton's penalty was fair, unpack Ferrari's pit lane mistakes (including Hamilton making contact with a mechanic), and debate why Zac thinks it was "a simple error" while Drew calls it "old school Ferrari" all over again. They also cover: Why George Russell's retirement stretched Antonelli's championship lead to 45 pointsIsack Hadjar's recovery drive from the back of the grid to P6Lando Norris setting the fastest lap after starting 13thThe stewards' verdict on the Hamilton-Russell incident and Ferrari's €30,000 team fineWhether F1 "should be about maximum driving, not energy management" — Drew's mid-episode rant on battery deploymentA first look ahead to the Hungarian Grand Prix and whether Antonelli can keep his run going before the summer break Whether you're searching for what happened between Hamilton and Russell at Spa, why Hamilton wasn't penalised further, or just want the full Belgian GP results and standings breakdown, this episode has it. Follow the show at @tmfpod23 or subscribe for free at http://www.themotorsportfiles.com — it helps us grow the show, Thanks

    Belgian GP: Antonelli Wins, Hamilton-Russell Crash, Ferrari's Pit Chaos Ep23

  6. Jul 8

    British GP Review: Why Didn't the British Grand Prix Restart? | Ep 22

    The FIA blames a software error for the confusing finish to the British Grand Prix, and Drew still isn't fully over it. Charles Leclerc wins his first race of the 2026 season at Silverstone, but the real talking point is why the safety car never came back in for the last-lap restart everyone was expecting. Drew and Zac break down the FIA's explanation, Kimi Antonelli's brake duct failure and the track-limits penalty that made no sense, Carlos Sainz's bizarre one-lap penalty, and the Ferrari-vs-Mercedes upgrade count that has Toto Wolff joking about the cost cap. Plus: Red Bull's "Macarena wing" strikes again, the McLaren Silverstone anniversary livery debate, and full predictions for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Antonelli still leads the championship on 179 points, with Russell now within 25 after his Silverstone podium. Should the FIA have red-flagged the race the moment Verstappen crashed, instead of risking the safety car confusion? Let us know on Instagram or TikTok @tmfpod23. We're reading out the best takes next Wednesday. New episodes every Wednesday. Full write-up, race analysis and the newsletter sign-up at www.themotorsportfiles.com.

    British GP Review: Why Didn't the British Grand Prix Restart? | Ep 22

  7. Jul 1

    Austrian GP Review: Russell's Win, Ferrari's Meltdown & Our Silverstone Picks

    Russell wins, Ferrari implodes, and Drew & Zac debate whether Verstappen is McLaren or Mercedes bound — plus British GP predictions. Russell wins, Ferrari implodes, and Drew & Zac debate whether Verstappen is McLaren or Mercedes bound - plus British GP predictions. Round 8 of 2026 is in the books, and there's a lot to get through. On this episode, the lads start with the big question: was George Russell's Austrian GP win the turning point his season needed, or did it flatter him? They dig into Ferrari's afternoon to forget - a teammate tangle, a strategy and communication breakdown between garage and drivers, and a wider question about whether the SF-26 has shifted to suit Hamilton's preferences over Leclerc's this year. There's a look at the upgrade arms race reshaping the grid, including a transformed Red Bull and Racing Bulls, an underwhelming Ferrari engine step, and what it all means heading into Silverstone. KEY TOPICS Russell's win: genuine statement or a result that flattered him? And why Hamilton's home-race record might make Silverstone tougher for himFerrari's strategy and communication breakdown, Leclerc's struggles with a car that's shifted toward Hamilton, and hopes for a reset at BakuFerrari's modest engine upgrade and the bigger ADUO power step expected after the summer breakRed Bull and Racing Bulls' transformed pace - Hadjar climbing from P8 to P6, Lindblad scoring points, and just how close Verstappen came to victoryThe Hamilton/Verstappen scrap, including Max's "clear penalty" radio call and the closest racing the hosts have seen between the pair in yearsA quiet weekend for McLaren, Piastri's underrated recovery to P4, and the team's own admission it's behind on development this yearBrake fires and blue flags - a brutal weekend for Cadillac, Williams and Aston MartinIs Verstappen heading to McLaren or Mercedes? The "Papaya Rules" problem, a fun "sabotage" theory, and revisiting the idea that Antonelli could be "the new Verstappen"British GP predictions, plus a self-deprecating look back at how wrong they got their Austria picks George Russell took his second win of 2026 and his first since the season-opener in Melbourne, while Verstappen's season-best P2 has only added fuel to the driver-market fire. Kimi Antonelli still leads the championship by 40 points after a P3 finish, with Lewis Hamilton dropping to third in the standings following a difficult fifth place for Ferrari. Subscribe to The F1 Show, part of The Motorsport Files network, for a full breakdown after every Grand Prix weekend, plus driver-market gossip, technical analysis and the odd disagreement between hosts. New episodes drop weekly. Find more from the team, including our rally, BTCC and Women in Motorsport coverage, at themotorsportfiles.com. The website's back up and running after a recent technical hiccup, and there's a new format on the way - more details in upcoming episodes. Next time: a live reaction show around the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a Sprint weekend and Lewis Hamilton's home race.

    Austrian GP Review: Russell's Win, Ferrari's Meltdown & Our Silverstone Picks

  8. Jun 26

    Rallycross: The Glory Years, the Electric Era and What Comes Next | Klara Andersson and Andrew Coley

    Rallycross is one of the most exciting forms of motorsport on the planet, and this episode tells the full story of where it came from, where it went wrong, and why 2026 feels like a genuine turning point. Drew Bentham hosts World Rallycross presenter Andrew Coley and Swedish rallycross driver Klara Andersson for a conversation that covers the sport from the beginning to right now. Andrew Coley was the voice of the FIA World Rallycross Championship from the inaugural season in 2014 through every single round until 2020. He watched the manufacturer era up close, commentating on Petter Solberg, Sebastian Loeb, Mattias Ekstrom and Johan Kristoffersson as Volkswagen, Audi, Peugeot and Ford all competed at the highest level. He describes the 2017 and 2018 seasons as some of the best motorsport he has ever seen. Klara Andersson is a Swedish rallycross driver who came through the national championship to join the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2022 with the CE Dealer Team. That season she became the first permanent female competitor in World RX history, and the first woman to stand on a top-flight rallycross podium, finishing third at Montalegre in Portugal. She followed that with a heat win in Hong Kong in 2023, another first. Together with Drew they cover the birth of rallycross at Lydden Hill in 1967, the European Championship years and the Group B era, the World Championship launch and manufacturer explosion of 2014 to 2018, the electric transition and the problems it brought including the Lancia Delta fire at Lydden Hill in 2023, the Battle of Technologies in 2024, and what the 2026 European Rallycross Championship relaunch and the planned return to World Championship status in 2028 could mean for the sport. Honest, informed and genuinely optimistic about where rallycross is headed. Subscribe and follow The Motorsport Files at www.themotorsportfiles.com Rallycross podcast, motorsport podcast, World Rallycross Championship, rallycross history, Klara Andersson, Andrew Coley, FIA rallycross, Euro RX 2026, rallycross 2028, women in motorsport, female racing driver, rallycross electric era, Lancia fire rallycross, Johan Kristoffersson, Petter Solberg rallycross, Sebastian Loeb rallycross, rallycross Lydden Hill, Holjes rallycross, rallycross comeback, Battle of Technologies, rallycross supercar, rallycross manufacturer era, WRC rallycross, mixed surface racing, The Motorsport Files

    Rallycross: The Glory Years, the Electric Era and What Comes Next | Klara Andersson and Andrew Coley
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About

Hosted by Drew Bentham, Zac Stanley & Chris Gilbertson, new episodes land every week covering Formula 1, BTCC, WRC, ERC and British rally and racing - race weekend reviews alongside in-depth conversations with the drivers, co-drivers and rising talent living it. Expect genuine human stories over lap times and standings, including an ongoing commitment to spotlighting the women shaping motorsport at every level. Whether you've followed the sport for decades or you're just discovering it, follow along so you never miss an episode.

Information

  • Creator
    The Motorsport Files
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The Motorsport Files
  • Show Website
    The Motorsport Files