Away We Go Podcast

Dianne Bortoletto

Away We Go Podcast goes beyond the track limits to explore Formula 1, from racing to the travel, food and lifestyle of Grand Prix destinations. Hosted by Dianne Bortoletto, a pre-Drive to Survive F1 fan, travel writer and publicist with experience working in motorsport, the podcast offers a different perspective on the sport. Expect race recaps, informed opinion, thoughtful discussion, and interviews with journalists, industry insiders and guests who have experienced Formula 1 up close. The show combines Formula 1 analysis with stories from the paddock and insights into the places, people and culture that surround the sport. Until lights out. Away We Go Podcast © Copyright - all rights reserved #f1podcast #bestF1podcast #australianF1podcast #femaleF1podcast #formula1podcast #f1podcastspotify #bestf1podcastaustralia #newF1podcst

  1. Ep75: Kimi Antonelli's Monaco masterclass and a race of chaos

    2d ago

    Ep75: Kimi Antonelli's Monaco masterclass and a race of chaos

    Monaco is the race everyone loves to call boring, and this year it was anything but. Nineteen-year-old Kimi Antonelli took pole, led every lap, and won, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the Monaco Grand Prix and stretching his championship lead to 66 points after just six rounds. It is the kind of statistic that stops you in your tracks. Behind him, the race fell apart. Max Verstappen stalled on the grid and was out before the first corner, the first of seven retirements from a field of 22. The stewards handed out penalties like a casino dealer on a hot streak, with pit lane speeding catching driver after driver, and a late red flag set up a standing restart that Antonelli handled without flinching. Lewis Hamilton finished second for Ferrari and equalled Ayrton Senna's record of eight Monaco podiums, a moment that clearly meant something to him. Isack Hadjar held off George Russell for a hard-fought third while wrestling a car he was fighting the entire race, and to Di's surprise and delight, Fernando Alonso banked Aston Martin's first point of the season in tenth. Away from the track, Ciara and Di got into Kim Kardashian's Formula 1 debut and that very awkward grid walk moment, the tired idea that the sport is only now discovering glamour when it has always been there. Controversy is never far in F1 and Mohammed Ben Sulayem's push to scrap FIA term limits is right up there. Di applauds Charles Leclerc committing his future to Ferrari while Ciara questions it. And Las Vegas extends its deal to 2037, the only race Formula 1 actually owns. Ciara Gillan joins from Formula Live Pulse. Follow the next race with live telemetry on the Formula Live Pulse app: https://f1livepulse.com Website: https://awaywegopodcast.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/away-we-go-podcast/id1783230663 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zhYpuRy3mL6y44ZERI0X6 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwayWeGoPodcast Substack: https://awaywegopodcast.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaywegopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awaywego.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awaywegopodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/away-we-go-podcast Threads: https://www.threads.com/@awaywegopodcast You’ll find more photos and videos on the Away We Go Podcast social media channels: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | Threads | and also on Substack Or drop us a line at hello@awaywegopodcast.com Your support means the world to us - please rate and review our show on your favourite podcast listening app, we might even read out your review next episode Formula Live PulseApp: Formula Live Pulse is the ultimate second-screen experience for F1 fans. Try it for free for 7 days - no credit card needed f1livepulse.com App Store: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/formula-live-pulse/id6739639442 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ss.f1livepulse&pcampaignid=web_share. #Formula1 #F1 #F1podcast #Formula1podcast #FormulaOne #bestf1podcast #australianF1podcast #femalef1podcast #femaleF1podcasthosts #f1travel #travelwriter #f1creator #f1writer

    43 min
  2. Ep74: From the fashion closet to the F1 paddock: Emily Selleck

    Jun 1

    Ep74: From the fashion closet to the F1 paddock: Emily Selleck

    Emily Selleck walked into her first Formula 1 paddock at the Australian Grand Prix and had an interview with Max Verstappen within five minutes. Five years later, she is one of the most well-connected Australians in the sport, having covered races across the calendar while building a distinctive perspective at the intersection of motorsport, culture, and commercial strategy. In this episode, host Dianne Bortoletto and regular co-host Ciara Gillan from Formula Live Pulse talk with Emily about what the paddock really looks like from the inside. The conversation covers Oscar Piastri's championship potential and the McLaren internal dynamics that complicate it, how brands are navigating an increasingly crowded F1 landscape, and where the sport still has ground to gain in engaging women as a serious audience. Emily also goes behind the scenes at Carbone Beach, the Miami Grand Prix's most exclusive hospitality event, where race winners and celebrities converge on the Sunday of race weekend. She shares her take on what makes a genuinely great brand activation in Formula 1, and why the Australian Grand Prix's approach to female partnerships sets a benchmark worth following. Meanwhile Di wants to know why the sport's merchandise offering is still leaving significant opportunity on the table. Now based in New York after nearly a decade in the city, Emily is moving from journalism into brand strategy, helping teams and commercial partners cut through the noise in Formula 1's most dynamic era. Follow Emily Selleck: https://www.instagram.com/emselleck/ Predict the Podium (Play Along): https://awaywegopodcast.com/play-along/ Connect with Away We Go Podcast Website: https://awaywegopodcast.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/away-we-go-podcast/id1783230663 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zhYpuRy3mL6y44ZERI0X6 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwayWeGoPodcast Substack: https://awaywegopodcast.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaywegopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awaywego.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awaywegopodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/away-we-go-podcast Threads: https://www.threads.com/@awaywegopodcast Formula Live Pulse: https://f1livepulse.com

    42 min
  3. Ep73: Antonelli makes it four and McLaren makes it painful

    May 25

    Ep73: Antonelli makes it four and McLaren makes it painful

    The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix delivered one of the most action-packed races of the season so far, and Dianne Bortoletto and Ciara Gillan have plenty to say about it. Kimi Antonelli claimed his fourth consecutive Formula 1 win in Montreal, becoming the only driver in history to win his first four races back to back. It should have been a George Russell weekend, and for the sprint it was, but a power unit failure on lap 29 ended his race and handed Antonelli the kind of result that championship battles are made of. Lewis Hamilton stepped onto the second step of the podium with his mum watching from the grandstands, Max Verstappen took his first podium of the season, and McLaren had a weekend to forget. Di and Ciara dig into the McLaren strategy call that had Oscar Piastri on the radio saying exactly what he thought, the Kimi and George battle that had Toto Wolff on the radio more than once, and what George's very un-George-like reaction at retirement tells us about where his head is at in this championship fight. There's also a look at the younger drivers making their mark, including Isack Hadjar going wheel to wheel with Max, and Franco Colapinto quietly delivering again for Alpine. In the rumour mill: Gucci and Alpine, BYD potentially entering as a 12th team with Christian Horner's name attached, and a conversation about whether the Indian Grand Prix could find its way back onto the calendar. Plus, if you're heading to Monaco, check out the Paddock Journal Atelier, set up at the Pop Up Hotel in Cap Ferrat just outside Monaco, offering fashion fittings, stylists and talks: https://thepopuphotel.com/hotels/silverstone/the-pop-up-paddock/ We also mention our episode with Jason Beste, the Mercedes head chef who worked the Indian Grand Prix during Nico Rosberg's championship year. Find Ep7 here: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ebb35ceb-f2cc-47ce-b002-4d1d5524270f Play along with our predictions game at https://awaywegopodcast.com/play-along/ Follow Ciara and Simone's Formula 1 predictions and content at Formula Live Pulse: https://f1livepulse.com Website: https://awaywegopodcast.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/away-we-go-podcast/id1783230663 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zhYpuRy3mL6y44ZERI0X6 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwayWeGoPodcast Substack: https://awaywegopodcast.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaywegopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awaywego.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awaywegopodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/away-we-go-podcast Threads: https://www.threads.com/@awaywegopodcast

    33 min
  4. Ep72: The brutal truth about Formula 1, with Stewart Bell

    May 18

    Ep72: The brutal truth about Formula 1, with Stewart Bell

    Stewart Bell has been covering Formula 1 from the inside for more than 20 years. He's had a front-row seat for some of the sport's biggest moments, from being the only media in the garage for Daniel Ricciardo's first Albert Park run, to interviewing Ayrton Senna's press officer about the day he died at Imola. Now he's turned two decades of paddock access into a book, published by Penguin. In this episode, Stewart joins Dianne Bortoletto to talk about his career, the drivers he's worked with, and what Formula 1 looks like from the inside when the cameras aren't rolling. They cover: How Stewart pitched his way into F1 journalism with no contacts and no racing backgroundWorking with Daniel Ricciardo through his Red Bull years, the McLaren nightmare, and his returnInterviewing Kimi Raikkonen, and the GQ India story that sums up why Kimi is every journalist's nightmareThe chilling behind-the-scenes account of the day Senna died, told by his press officerThe 2025 regulations, battery management in qualifying, and what needs to changeLance Stroll, Leighton Hewitt, and the tennis hit that revealed a different side of a misunderstood driverLewis Hamilton's chances of an eighth title at FerrariStewart's new book, Formula 1: The World's Most Brutal Sport, published by Penguin Get the book here: https://amzn.to/4nAWaNj Stewart on Instagram: http://instagram.com/StewartBellF1 Stewart's website: http://www.stewart-bell.com Website: https://awaywegopodcast.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/away-we-go-podcast/id1783230663 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zhYpuRy3mL6y44ZERI0X6 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwayWeGoPodcast Substack: https://awaywegopodcast.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaywegopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awaywego.podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awaywegopodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/away-we-go-podcast Threads: https://www.threads.com/@awaywegopodcast

    45 min
  5. Ep71: How to use points to fly, stay, and get into Formula 1 hospitality for (almost) free

    May 11

    Ep71: How to use points to fly, stay, and get into Formula 1 hospitality for (almost) free

    What if your frequent flyer points could get you driven through the gates at Albert Park, into the McLaren suite, and down to the team garage after qualifying? In this episode, Dianne Bortoletto sits down with Chris Chamberlin, freelance travel journalist and frequent flyer points expert, whose work appears in the Australian Financial Review, Business Traveller and Traveller. Chris breaks down how he pieced together an entire Middle East trip across five different frequent flyer programs, why he flew Emirates first class for the same number of Qantas points as a domestic reclining seat, and how a bottle of Dom Perignon P2 ended up in a paper coffee cup before landing. The conversation gets into the nuts and bolts of how to actually build a points balance without changing how you spend, how hotel loyalty programs and airline partnerships stack on top of each other, and why Singapore Airlines is worth paying attention to if you are serious about reward seats. Then it gets interesting for Formula 1 fans. Chris was hosted by Hilton at the Melbourne Grand Prix to experience what is possible when you bid your Hilton Honours points for an F1 hospitality package. He describes being driven through the Albert Park security fence while the crowd held their cameras up, wandering into the McLaren garage after qualifying, and watching the car being dismantled with FIA scrutineers standing by. The same experience went to auction for 660,000 Hilton Honours points, which Chris breaks down into a cost comparison that makes it look surprisingly competitive against a cash Paddock Club ticket. This one is worth a pen and paper. Find Chris Chamberlin https://www.instagram.com/chris_chamberlin/ https://www.instagram.com/chris_chamberlin/ Subscribe to my Away We Go Substack for Formula 1 destination travel stories: https://awaywegopodcast.substack.com Play Along: Predict the Podium: https://awaywegopodcast.com/play-along/ Website https://awaywegopodcast.com Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/away-we-go-podcast/id1783230663 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4zhYpuRy3mL6y44ZERI0X6 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AwayWeGoPodcast Substack https://awaywegopodcast.substack.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/awaywegopodcast/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@awaywego.podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/awaywegopodcast LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/away-we-go-podcast Threads https://www.threads.com/@awaywegopodcast

    45 min
  6. Ep70: Miami F1, Kimi’s pole and win hat trick making history

    May 4

    Ep70: Miami F1, Kimi’s pole and win hat trick making history

    After a five-week break, Formula 1 returned with an action-packed sprint weekend in Miami, and it delivered chaos on lap one, big performances up and down the grid, and plenty to unpack (including another round of Ferrari frustration). Host Dianne Bortoletto is joined by Ciara Gillan from Formula Live Pulse to break down the Miami Grand Prix feature race and sprint, key moments, strategy calls, penalties, and what it all means heading into the next round. In this episode Miami GP recap: the layout, the challenges, and why this sprint weekend felt especially hectic Feature race results and the standout drives of the weekend Max Verstappen’s lap-one spin and the recovery charge through the field Kimi Antonelli’s performance, stamina, and what this win could mean for the championship picture McLaren’s weekend: pace, strategy, and how the two drivers were managed Ferrari’s upgrades: what changed, what didn’t, and why it still feels like a familiar story Stewarding and penalties: what happened, what felt inconsistent, and why delays matter Notable incidents: Isack Hadjar’s crash and reaction, plus the Gasly/Lawson incident Williams’ double points: a much-needed boost Sprint race recap and what we learned from the shorter format Prediction game chat: who nailed it, who forgot, and who’s leading the leaderboard Miami delivered one of the season's most dramatic races, from Max Verstappen's full 360 spin on lap one to a last-lap disaster for Charles Leclerc that had the stewards busy well into the night. Kimi Antonelli became the first driver in Formula 1 history to score his first three pole positions and convert them into three consecutive race wins, and Dianne Bortoletto and Ciara Gillan from Formula Live Pulse break it all down, including how Kimi climbed out of the car with shaking legs after holding off Lando Norris for the final 20 laps, and what Toto Wolff called his best win yet. They cover the full feature race and sprint results, Verstappen's remarkable recovery drive after the spin, Ferrari's much-hyped 11 upgrades that went largely unseen, the controversial 20-second penalty handed to Leclerc on the final lap, and the ongoing question of whether the FIA can deliver timely stewarding decisions in a sport where cameras are everywhere. Also discussed: McLaren's single-strategy approach and what it means for Oscar Piastri's title hopes, Alpine's quietly brilliant season, the Isack Hadjar retirement meltdown that no one could look away from, the Gasly-Lawson incident that could have been far more serious, and the Franco Colapinto fan base situation that Di has thoughts on. Plus, Di shines a light on Melbourne singer-songwriter Magdalia, who wrote a Formula 1-inspired song and has Di's full endorsement. Check her out at https://www.officialmagdalia.com/ Creator of the Week: Magdalia This week’s spotlight goes to Melbourne singer-songwriter Magdalia, who released a Formula 1-inspired song and is part of the growing wave of creators bringing F1 into new creative spaces. Listen here: https://www.officialmagdalia.com/ About Formula Live Pulse Formula Live Pulse is the ultimate second-screen experience for F1 fans. Try it free for 7 days — no credit card needed. Website: https://f1livepulse.com App Store: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/formula-live-pulse/id6739639442 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ss.f1livepulse&pcampaignid=web_share Follow Away We Go Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaywegopodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwayWeGoPodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awaywego.podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/away-we-go-podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awaywegopodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@awaywegopodcast Website: https://awaywegopodcast.com Substack: https://substack.com/@awaywegopodcast Email: hello@awaywegopodcast.com Play along with the Away We Go Predict the Podium game at https://awaywegopodcast.com/play-along/ Listen on your favourite podcast platform Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/away-we-go-podcast/id1783230663 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zhYpuRy3mL6y44ZERI0X6 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwayWeGoPodcast Subscribe, rate and review If you enjoyed this episode, please follow/subscribe and leave a rating or review — it’s one of the simplest ways to support the show and helps new listeners find us.

    41 min
  7. Ep69: Miami GP sprint preview, Ferrari rumours, and what’s new in F1

    Apr 27

    Ep69: Miami GP sprint preview, Ferrari rumours, and what’s new in F1

    After a five-week break, Formula 1 is back and Miami is a sprint weekend. In Ep69 of Away We Go Podcast, Di is joined by Ciara Gillan (Formula Live Pulse) to unpack what’s changed off-track, what matters heading into the Miami Grand Prix, and the biggest rumours swirling through the paddock. This episode covers Ferrari’s latest speculation, Red Bull’s long-lead departure news, and why super-clipping, lift-and-coast and battery management are becoming the new battleground in 2026. In this episodeMiami Grand Prix preview: sprint weekend, longer practice session, and why upgrades matter nowFormula Live Pulse app updates: super-clipping analysis and lift-and-coast telemetryWEC at Imola: what it’s like trackside and why the crowd is boomingFerrari rumours: the latest chatter and what it could mean for the teamRed Bull news: why long notice periods and “garden leave” can reshape the gridCalendar talk: the Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi scheduling rumour, and what it means for logisticsF1 Academy progress: why Doriane Pin driving the Mercedes F1 car mattersThe reality check: cost barriers in junior motorsport and why pathways still need work Key names mentionedDi (Away We Go Podcast)Ciara Gillan (Formula Live Pulse)Doriane Pin (F1 Academy)Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, MercedesMiami Grand Prix, Imola, WEC (World Endurance Championship) Links mentionedAway We Go Podcast prediction tracker: https://awaywegopodcast.com (see “Predict the Podium” / predictions)Formula Live Pulse: https://f1livepulse.com Connect with Away We Go PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaywegopodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwayWeGoPodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awaywego.podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/away-we-go-podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awaywegopodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@awaywegopodcast Website: https://awaywegopodcast.com Email: hello@awaywegopodcast.com Substack: https://substack.com/@awaywegopodcast Formula Live PulseFormula Live Pulse is the ultimate second-screen experience for F1 fans. Try it free for 7 days (no credit card needed): https://f1livepulse.com App Store: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/formula-live-pulse/id6739639442 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ss.f1livepulse&pcampaignid=web_share

    37 min
  8. Ep68 Rachel Brookes Sky Sports F1 broadcaster and author

    Apr 20

    Ep68 Rachel Brookes Sky Sports F1 broadcaster and author

    Sky Sports F1 broadcaster and author Rachel Brookes joins Away We Go Podcast for a wide-ranging chat that moves from the chaos (and thrill) of live TV to what it really takes to build a career in elite sports broadcasting. Rachel shares unforgettable paddock moments (including an early run-in with Bernie Ecclestone), how Drive to Survive and Liberty Media changed Formula 1’s reach, and why she wrote F1 Racing Drive for new and long-time fans alike. We also talk travel: jet lag, race-weekend reality versus the glamorous perception, and the routines that keep Rachel going through a relentless calendar. Key topicsRachel’s early broadcasting career (TalkSport, cricket, and making the leap to Sky)Her first Formula 1 paddock day — and the Bernie Ecclestone moment she thought might end itHow to interview drivers under pressure (and why empathy matters trackside)What Liberty Media and Drive to Survive changed for F1 (and what access has been lost)Why Rachel wrote F1 Racing Drive — and the surprising research she uncovered while writing itTravel realities: jet lag, sleep debt, food on planes, and the hotel–track hamster wheelThe “Final Three” rapid-fire questions (including favourite race destinations) Moments you’ll hearWhy chaos can be the best part of live broadcastingThe 11-minute live segment in India with champagne poured down Rachel’s backThe story behind Michael Schumacher’s “mind games” (via Nico Rosberg)What makes Max Verstappen’s technique so hard to replicateThe Presidential Protocol she learnt only after it was too late LinksPre-order F1 Racing Drive by Rachel Brookes on Amazon: https://amzn.to/48WkeUx Follow Rachel Brookes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbrookes X: https://x.com/RachelBrookesTV TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelbrookestv Connect with Away We Go PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaywegopodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwayWeGoPodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awaywego.podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/away-we-go-podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awaywegopodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@awaywegopodcast Substack: https://substack.com/@awaywegopodcast Website: https://awaywegopodcast.com Email: hello@awaywegopodcast.com Disclosure: This page contains an affiliate link to Amazon. I may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. KeywordsFormula 1, F1, Sky Sports F1, Rachel Brookes, F1 broadcaster, F1 journalist, Drive to Survive, Liberty Media, Bernie Ecclestone, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Michael Schumacher, F1 book, F1 Racing Drive, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah, motorsport media, travel and sport podcast

    44 min

About

Away We Go Podcast goes beyond the track limits to explore Formula 1, from racing to the travel, food and lifestyle of Grand Prix destinations. Hosted by Dianne Bortoletto, a pre-Drive to Survive F1 fan, travel writer and publicist with experience working in motorsport, the podcast offers a different perspective on the sport. Expect race recaps, informed opinion, thoughtful discussion, and interviews with journalists, industry insiders and guests who have experienced Formula 1 up close. The show combines Formula 1 analysis with stories from the paddock and insights into the places, people and culture that surround the sport. Until lights out. Away We Go Podcast © Copyright - all rights reserved #f1podcast #bestF1podcast #australianF1podcast #femaleF1podcast #formula1podcast #f1podcastspotify #bestf1podcastaustralia #newF1podcst

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