Andrew Benson's Avatar

Andrew Benson

@andrewbensonf1.bsky.social

I am BBC Sport’s Formula 1 correspondent

49,510 Followers  |  34 Following  |  656 Posts  |  Joined: 14.11.2024
Posts Following

Posts by Andrew Benson (@andrewbensonf1.bsky.social)

Preview
F1 Q&A: Can McLaren compete or will they be best of the rest? BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your questions following the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

F1 Q&A: Can McLaren compete or will they be best of the rest? - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

10.03.2026 08:23 — 👍 8    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Australian Grand Prix: Was new-era F1 really racing or more like a computer game? The opening race of F1's new era in Australia left the drivers with mixed feelings about what the sport had become, writes Andrew Benson.

Australian Grand Prix: Was new-era F1 really racing or more like a computer game? - BBC Sport www.bbc.com/sport/formul...

08.03.2026 11:46 — 👍 20    🔁 0    💬 9    📌 0
Preview
F1 Australian Grand Prix 2026 LIVE: UK start time, grid, commentary & latest race updates Follow live text updates and listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

F1 Australian Grand Prix 2026 LIVE: UK start time, grid, commentary & latest race updates - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

08.03.2026 03:55 — 👍 8    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
Australian Grand Prix: George Russell says Mercedes' advantage a 'perfect storm' as Lando Norris criticises new cars George Russell knew his Mercedes was fast but was surprised by just how quick in Australian Grand Prix qualifying. Lando Norris was not so happy.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

07.03.2026 10:20 — 👍 17    🔁 1    💬 3    📌 0
Preview
Australian Grand Prix: Fernando Alonso says there is 'huge potential' in Aston Martin Fernando Alonso says there is

Australian Grand Prix: Fernando Alonso says there is 'huge potential' in Aston Martin - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

07.03.2026 09:05 — 👍 16    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
Preview
Australian Grand Prix: George Russell takes Melbourne pole after Max Verstappen crash George Russell takes an imposing pole position as Mercedes dominate a qualifying session for the Australian Grand Prix in which Max Verstappen crashed.

Australian Grand Prix: George Russell takes Melbourne pole after Max Verstappen crash - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

07.03.2026 07:02 — 👍 13    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

FIA statement on straight-line mode: “Following feedback in last hour from Teams & Drivers, & additional analysis contributed by Teams, decision to remove Straight Mode zone #4 is rescinded. Further evaluation during and after FP3.”
Why didn’t they ask teams first..?

07.03.2026 01:17 — 👍 31    🔁 4    💬 2    📌 0

Now hearing there has been a U-turn on this

07.03.2026 00:51 — 👍 25    🔁 1    💬 4    📌 3

FIA has removed straight-line mode between Turns Six and Nine for safety reasons after concerns expressed by drivers. It will be worse for energy recovery but drivers were experiencing front and rear sliding through there at high speed

06.03.2026 23:45 — 👍 35    🔁 4    💬 3    📌 4

Fernando Alonso in 'hard mental place' because of Aston Martin's problems, says Adrian Newey - BBC Sport www.bbc.com/sport/formul...

06.03.2026 05:30 — 👍 19    🔁 3    💬 2    📌 4
Preview
Australian Grand Prix: Norris, Russell, Verstappen, Hamilton - and will it be any good? Key F1 storylines for 2026 The new rules, Lando Norris' title defence, the George Russell-Max Verstappen dynamic and Aston Martin's unfolding nightmare set up an intriguing F1 season.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

06.03.2026 03:58 — 👍 11    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Lewis Hamilton wants grand prix in Africa before retiring Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton says

Lewis Hamilton wants grand prix in Africa before retiring - BBC Sport www.bbc.com/sport/formul...

05.03.2026 08:22 — 👍 39    🔁 6    💬 3    📌 1
Preview
Formula 1: Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races under threat because of conflict in Middle East The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix are under threat as a consequence of the US-Israel war with Iran.

Formula 1: Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races under threat because of conflict in Middle East - BBC Sport www.bbc.com/sport/formul...

05.03.2026 08:20 — 👍 23    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Aston Martin: Adrian Newey says Honda engines pose nerve damage risk to drivers Lance Stroll says he cannot do more than 15 laps before risking nerve damage to his hands, according to Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey.

Aston Martin: Adrian Newey says Honda engines pose nerve damage risk to drivers - BBC Sport www.bbc.com/sport/formul...

05.03.2026 07:24 — 👍 27    🔁 2    💬 2    📌 5

Headline from an Aston Martin news conference with Adrian Newey and Honda’s Koji Watanabe - Newey says vibrations from engine are so bad Fernando Alonso believes he can’t do more than 25 laps without incurring permanent nerve damage in his hands; Lance Stroll says 15 laps

05.03.2026 00:10 — 👍 26    🔁 2    💬 3    📌 8
Preview
'George Russell exuding quiet sense of confidence as he heads into what could be defining year' George Russell has had to be satisfied with proving himself against his team-mate until now but he may now have a car with which he can challenge for the title.

'George Russell exuding quiet sense of confidence as he heads into what could be defining year' - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

04.03.2026 06:46 — 👍 17    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
F1 Q&A: Hamilton and Ferrari, Aston Martin, Williams, Lindblad, new rules and the midfield teams BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your questions before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

F1 Q&A: Hamilton & Ferrari, Aston Martin, Williams, Lindblad, new rules and more www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

03.03.2026 11:39 — 👍 16    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Australian Grand Prix: Formula 1 season-opener to feel 'no impact' of travel chaos caused by Middle East conflict Australian Grand Prix organisers are

Australian Grand Prix: Formula 1 season-opener to feel 'no impact' of travel chaos caused by Middle East conflict - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

02.03.2026 09:16 — 👍 12    🔁 0    💬 2    📌 1
Preview
Formula 1: FIA to revise engine rule at centre of row Mercedes' rivals succeed in securing a rule change following a pre-season technical row over engine performance.

Formula 1: FIA to revise engine rule at centre of row - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

28.02.2026 11:02 — 👍 20    🔁 3    💬 3    📌 0
Preview
Cadillac and Audi enter F1: Two teams with the same ambition but very different projects Cadillac and Audi enter F1 with the ultimate goal of becoming world champions. Both know they have some way to go before achieving that aim.

Cadillac and Audi enter F1: Two teams with the same ambition but very different projects - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

27.02.2026 07:47 — 👍 24    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
F1 in 2026: Will drivers still make a difference after rules reset? Have F1's new rules damaged its status as the ultimate challenge? Andrew Benson assesses what the drivers are having to do differently and whether skill still matters.

F1 in 2026: Will drivers still make a difference after rules reset? - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

26.02.2026 07:28 — 👍 14    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
Arvid Lindblad: Britain's youngest ever F1 driver on his Indian and Swedish heritage and reaching F1 aged 18 Arvid Lindblad tells BBC Sport about being shaped by his Indian and Swedish heritage and how he was fixated on reaching F1 from aged five.

Arvid Lindblad: Britain's youngest ever F1 driver on his Indian and Swedish heritage and reaching F1 aged 18 - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

25.02.2026 07:25 — 👍 20    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Aston Martin: Why they are in trouble before 2026 season starts The combination of Adrian Newey, Honda and Fernando Alonso was highly promising but Aston Martin are in trouble. Andrew Benson explains why.

Aston Martin: Why they are in trouble before 2026 season starts - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

24.02.2026 09:19 — 👍 24    🔁 8    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
F1 pre-season testing: Who are winners and losers? As pre-season testing reaches its conclusion, which teams look best - and worst - placed ahead of the Australian Grand Prix?

F1 pre-season testing: Who are winners and losers? - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

20.02.2026 20:54 — 👍 14    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
Preview
F1 pre-season testing: Stefano Domenicali calls for calm in face of criticism of new rules Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali calls for calm in the face of criticism from drivers of the sport's new rules - but said changes would be made if necessary.

F1 pre-season testing: Stefano Domenicali calls for calm in face of criticism of new rules - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

20.02.2026 06:13 — 👍 16    🔁 1    💬 2    📌 2
Preview
Alex Dunne: Irish driver joins Alpine's junior programme Irish Formula 2 driver Alex Dunne joins Alpine's young driver programme for the 2026 season.

Alex Dunne: Irish driver joins Alpine's junior programme - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

19.02.2026 15:47 — 👍 13    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
F1 pre-season testing: Lando Norris admits new 2026 cars 'not purest form of racing' Lando Norris admits he described the new Formula 1 cars as

F1 pre-season testing: Lando Norris admits new 2026 cars 'not purest form of racing' - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

19.02.2026 15:38 — 👍 7    🔁 0    💬 2    📌 1
Preview
F1 2026 pre-season testing: F1 moves to close engine loophole Mercedes are accused of exploiting Formula 1 bosses are moving towards a rule change that would close a loophole rivals believe Mercedes have exploited in the sport's new engine rules.

F1 2026 pre-season testing: F1 moves to close engine loophole Mercedes are accused of exploiting - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

18.02.2026 15:34 — 👍 13    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
F1 pre-season testing: Lewis Hamilton says new cars are more fun Lewis Hamilton says he finds the new Formula 1 cars this year

F1 pre-season testing: Lewis Hamilton says new cars are more fun - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

18.02.2026 14:46 — 👍 21    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
F1 testing: What did we learn about the new cars? BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson assesses what we learnt - and what we didn't - from the first pre-season test in Bahrain.

F1 testing: Hiding pace? Too slow? The chef can drive the car? What did we learn about the new cars? - BBC Sport www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formul...

13.02.2026 19:25 — 👍 14    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0