And Away We Go F1 Podcast
And Away We Go F1 Podcast goes beyond the track limits to talk about Formula 1, travel, food and lifestyle of F1 destinations. Hosted by Dianne Bortoletto a pre-Drive to Survive (D2S) F1 fan, and Monique Ceccato, a post-D2S fan. In each episode, they recap the race, unpack F1 rumours, hold thought-provoking discussions, interview interesting people, and chat about the lifestyle surrounding the world’s greatest sport, including travel, food and, if Lewis’ outfit warrants it, fashion. Although they’re separated by 14,000 kilometres—Di in Margaret River in southwest Western Australia and Monique in Norway—F1 brought them close together. Sin...
Ep33: Austria F1 Grand Prix, the McLaren Fight and first thoughts on F1 the movie
Flying solo this week, Di recaps all the action from Spielberg at the Austrian Grand Prix. While Monique is living her best travel writer life on board a cruise in Svalbard seeing polar bears and kayaking through icebergs, Di revelled in the thrill of the race. The fight between the McLarens is well and truly on with Lando Norris qualifying on pole and leading the race, with a tenacious and hungry Oscar Piasti nipping at his heels for the first 20 laps. It made for exciting racing.
Surprising DNFs from world champions and crowd favourites, and some rookie m...
Ep32: It's F1 fashion, darling (and some movie and team principle talk)
After missing in action last week, Di is back on deck to tackle all of the important topics with Mon, like how difficult watching the F1 in another language is, the best and worst dressed drivers at the F1 Movie premiere, and the re-signing of one of our favourite team principals.
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Ep31: The Canadian Grand Prix, minus one familiar voice...
While Dianne is away, the internet doesn't want to play, so Monique is holding down the fort and hosting this episode solo. Unfortunately, there's no banter between friends, and no poking fun at Di for having to watch the entire race weekend in French because, though she's in Italy, the cruise ship she's on is French. But, there's plenty of praise for Lando despite his 'stupid' mistake, and even more for Kimi Antonelli and his first-time podium.
#F1montreal #F1canada #CanadianGrandPrix #CanadianGP #f1 #formula1 #f1predictions #f1podcast #f1insights #formula1podcast #f1fan #womeninpodcasting #podcastshorts #p...
Ep30: Binging on F1: The Academy and making tough calls on who to put in the car to replace Stroll
Though there wasn't a race to keep us occupied this week, we managed just fine with seven episodes of F1: The Academy to get through on Netflix. Spoiler alert: we loved it. Why? You'll have to have a listen.
While we're free of racing action, we also tackle the hard questions—like who we'd put in the car to replace Stroll while he's injured, and which driver on the current grid we think would have the best autobiography—and play a quick-fire round of association.
LINKS:
F1: The Academy: https...
Ep29: Formula 1 Barcelona Grand Prix, a Max Verstappen moment, and a touch of Spanish food inspiration
We can all thank Mercedes, a dodgy power unit, and a terrible Red Bull tyre strategy for this week's Grand Prix action. The race, held in Barcelona, was a bit of a bust until lap 55, when Kimi Antonelli's car, once again, failed him. A safety car, cheap pit stops, and a poorly chosen three-stop strategy meant there was a whole lot of action in the closing few laps. It was primarily 'Mad' Verstappen.
Di has some choice words about Verstappen and his temper, while Mon mostly reserved hers for Flavio Briatore. They thought much more positively about...
Ep28: Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, failed new rule and Monaco travel tips
To spice up the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, the FIA introduced a mandatory two-pit stop rule where drivers had to use two different compound tyres. After a lot of hype and talk about this new rule, it made the race oh-so-utterly boring. Di describes it as a ‘snooze fest’.
The best part? Australian Oscar Piastri on the podium getting a little bit mixed up when the trophies were being handed out.
Monique and Di have both been to Monaco several times and share the things they love about the Principality, what you should see and do wh...
Ep27: F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - it was all in the safety cars and strategy
Considering Imola is a race track the commentators kept telling us was 'a hard one to overtake on', this year's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was anything but boring. We lost count of the number of overtakes we saw on track. And, we couldn't possibly discuss the race without mentioning the gold-standard overtake and the two safety cars that completely changed the game.
Unfortunately, Mon wasn't allowed to repeat the very short and succinct voice message she sent Di when *that overtake* happened, because we have a 'no swearing' policy on the podcast. Though Di did come close...
Ep26: The F1 season so far...Alpine, Antics, Lifetime Bans and Lego
We're only six races into the 2025 F1 season, but it feels like we've been through a whole lot more together. Just in the last week, we've seen a Doohan demotion, a team principal departure (ciao, Ollie Oakes), and one of the current drivers' dads eyeing off top spot at the FIA. Naturally, we tackle all of this and more in this week's episode of And Away We Go F1 Podcast.
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Ep25: F1 Miami Grand Prix - Aussie hat trick! So much to unpack
We love sprint weekends! This one was full of action; we had the youngest ever F1 pole sitter, a rain-delayed sprint race, penalties and DNFs in both the sprint and the main race, and some very cool sponsor activations.
The best part? Australian Oscar Piastri scored a hat-trick in winning the Miami GP, and continues his charge at the top of the F1 World Drivers Championship. It’s the first time a McLaren driver has won three back-to-back races since 1997/1998, when Mika Hakkinen did it.
There’s also a whole bunch of Miami chat—fake lashes...
Ep24: Gunn for hire - interview with F1 veteran Stuart Gunn
The co-author of Mark Webber’s two books, plus about 16 others, seasoned Formula 1 editorial manager and writer Stuart Gunn opens up about his 40-year career working on F1 events and writing about motorsport.
From insights into the biography writing process to how he got his break working in motorsport and working with greats like Jackie Stewart, the softly spoken Scot enthrals Di and Mon with his Formula 1 stories. A multi-lingual wordsmith, Stuart is still working in F1.
We hope you enjoy our chat with Stuart Gunn (formerly Sykes).
#AussieGrit #StuartGunn #MarkWebber
Sen...
Ep23: F1 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix - Australians have waited 15 years for this
It was glorious back-to-back wins for McLaren’s Oscar Piastri who now leads the F1 World Drivers Championship, the first time an Australian had led the WDC since Mark Webber in 2010, Piastri’s manager.
Max Verstappen put up a fight, but getting his elbows out cost him a five second penalty, and perhaps, ultimately the race. While Max was angry with the race result, third-placed Charles Leclerc was ecstatic to give Ferrari their first F1 race podium of the 2025 season (not counting Lewis Hamilton’s Chinese sprint race pole and win). And what even is one one-hundreth of a s...
Ep22: Bahrain Grand Prix - Perfection from Piastri and a unique souvenir
It was perfection from Piastri with a pole position that Monique watched from the Paddock Club. The oldest F1 track in the Middle East delivered excitement with plenty of overtaking action, penalties galore, an opportune safety car, a DNF, and a disqualification. The (mostly) two stop race had drivers on different strategies and different tyres, with some teams not learning the lessons from others when tyres didn't fire up.
Mon, in situ, recording from a luxe over-water bungalow and Di from a new home office studio, chat about Formula 1’s new global sponsor which Di welcomes but Mo...
Ep21: Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix - unpacking the snoozefest
There might not have been much excitement on the track, but there’s plenty to unpack from the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix at Suzuka. It was Red Bull’s Max Verstappen’s first pole since Austria last year, which he converted to a win in a flawless drive, and the McLaren’s finished in second and third thanks to a risk-free race strategy. All eyes were on the drivers Yuki Tsonoda who was promoted to Oracle Red Bull, and Liam Lawson who was demoted to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, with interesting results.
Di was yelling at the TV an...
Ep20: Motorsport Australia, what does it do? Interview with CEO Sunil Vohra
Motorsport Australia is the governing body of four-wheeled motorsport in Australia with delegated authority from the FIA, but what does it do?
We sit down with Motorsport Australia CEO Sunil Vohra who tells us how you can get involved in motorsport, the different career and volunteer pathways available to all members of the community and what it’s like to be the CEO of Motorsport Australia at the Australian F1 Grand Prix. We chat about his own career pathway to the CEO role, born from a passion for racing, and how Australia is leading the world with its...
Ep19: Chinese F1 Grand Prix, Piastri’s first pole and Lewis’s first win in red
The 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix delivered all the action, epic results, and kept fans in suspense - and then dreams were shattered with post-race disqualifications. The Sprint Race added an exciting win for the Tifosi, and Australians are still beaming from Piastri’s first pole and his dominating conversion to the top step. Di and Mon chat about the rumours flying around, rookies who redeemed themselves and Monique’s spookily accurate predictions that are playing out.
We unpack the F1 Race in Shanghai, talk about China and the things we’d love to see and do in Shangha...
Ep18: Melbourne GP 2025 - the season opener!
Well, who could have predicted that? The 2025 Formula 1 season opener was an absolute rollercoaster of a ride, with some characteristically uncharacteristic weather patterns passing over Melbourne and more DNFs than Mazepin mustered up over his *short-lived* career.
In this episode, we unpack the race that was, talk about heartwarming and heartbreaking moments, Di's fabulous last-minute Melbourne GP experience, and support a fellow Aussie—Nagi from Recipe Tin Eats—by planning a Aussie-themed meal using her always-tasty recipes.
What did you think of the 2025 season opener? We'd love to hear your thoughts about the 2025 Louis Vuitton Melbo...
Ep17: Flops, drops, and all the surprises; our predictions ahead of the 2025 F1 season
To say we’re excited for the upcoming 2025 F1 season is an understatement: we’ve said it at least 35 million times in just this episode. There’s so much to look forward to when the lights go out at Melbourne’s Albert Park this Sunday, 16th March, so we take a moment to sit down and discuss all the things we think we’re going to see over this 24-race season.
Di has her money on one of the young-gun rookies to secure their first race win, while Mon is convinced one of the seats at a front-runni...
Ep16: IWD Special - which F1 destination would you choose for a holiday?
Travel can make the world a better place. If you could travel to any Formula 1 race destination for a holiday, which would you choose and why?
A special episode for International Women’s Day where we ask five female travel podcaster friends to answer that question with some surprising answers.
We also ask that question to Formula 1 podcasters Tiggy from Paddock Project and Sarah from BBC F1 Back at Base, plus we add a question - if you could holiday with any Formula 1 driver, who would they choose and why?
We chat about Seas...
Ep15: F1 75 Launch unpacked
Lights, camera, glamour. For the first time in Formula 1’s 75-year history, the season was launched in a mega glitzy showcase in a sold out show at London’s O2 Arena. A slick production, there was a lot of video, plenty of bright lights, lots of music, and some fun and some awkward banter between the host, the drivers and the commentary team. Did you also get Hunger Games vibes?
Di & Mon unpack the first ever season launch and not always agreeing. They chat about the unexpected moments during the F1 75, the swearing rule, the drivers' reactions, the...
Ep14: What commentators really think - interview with Paul Marinelli
From bumping into Ayrton Senna on the streets of Adelaide to commentating alongside the legend Murray Walker, and the bizarre way he met the parents of an Irish F1 driver Eddie Irvine, motorsport PR, commentator and journalist Paul Marinelli tells us all. We talk about butchering surnames, commenters’ pitfalls and the addition of a new team in 2026.
Paul lives the famous quote ‘Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life’ and has taken his passion for F1 and motorsport and carved out a long and successful career.
Paul Marinelli is the ow...
Ep13: Grid kids and girls on track - interview with Karting Australia Lee Hanatschek, Part 2
Has the rise of Formula 1 seen an increase in girls jumping in karts to race?
Karting Australia Chief Operating Officer Lee Hanatschek talks about girls on track, the successful and very cute grid kids program, and how young racers are more focussed on fitness, reaction times and nutrition than ever before.
There’s also a really cool opportunity for the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix as well as the Stars of Karting race where 100 of the best drivers come together ahead of the Aus GP with some special guests.
The list of Karting Australia’s grid kids...
Ep12: It starts in karts - interview with Karting Australia Lee Hanatschek, Part 1
Just about every racer starts in karts including McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and F1 rookie Jack Doohan, who will soon line up on the grid driving for Alpine F1 team.
Karting Australia Chief Operating Officer Lee Hanatschek tells us about Oscar Piastri and Jack Doohan. He also talks about the evolution of karting in Australia to create one of the best domestic championships in the world.
The list of Karting Australia’s graduates is long and impressive. Listen as Lee tells us how kids get involved in karting and the progression of talented racers, including some...
Ep11: Her back to the track - interview with photographer Sabine Albers
Behind the lens, Sabine Albers put in 17-hour days photographing her first Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, but she wasn’t even looking at the cars. With her back to the track, Sabine was photographing the reactions of the designer-dressed crowd, most with champagne in hand, and capturing the essence of the prestigious VIP hospitality areas.
The only woman in a team of nine photographers, Sabine talks about the incredible opportunity to travel to Abu Dhabi and the challenges of working on an event spaced out across ten venues around the track, and how she met the hu...
Ep10: She raced (and beat) Liam Lawson - interview with racer Rianna O'Meara-Hunt
From four wheels to no wheels, hear what female racer Rianna O’Meara-Hunt is racing now - it floors Di and Mon who then had to know everything about the E1 series.
From her training camp in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Rianna shares stories about how she became obsessed with racing and being trackside, her first karting experience that went horribly wrong, and growing up in New Zealand and racing against Liam Lawson.
From the age of 16, Rianna O'Meara-Hunt has made motorsport history in three different countries and recently moved her life from her native New Ze...
Ep9: George Harrison, Dame Edna and dealing with Ayrton Senna's death - interview with F1 PR Annie Bradshaw
The Beatles’ George Harrison trying to calm the karma, Dame Edna squeezing into Damon Hill's F1 car, a hot lap with Daniel Ricciardo and dealing with Ayrton Senna’s death as the team PR, Annie Bradshaw was there, and she’s still there. She’s a 50-year F1 PR and Media mavin who knows everyone and has worked for some of the sport’s greats including Williams, BMW Sauber, the A1 Grand Prix, Lance Stroll… Talk about the hey-day of F1!
In this episode, Annie shares what PR was like in the days before the internet was invented, how...
Ep8 - F1 Journalist interviews 13-year-old Lewis Hamilton - we chat with Jeremy Hart
What was Lewis Hamilton like as a 13-year-old kart racer? In this episode, veteran Formula 1 and motorsport journalist and TV presenter, Jeremy Hart, tells all.
He not only recounts the time he interviewed the budding F1 talent, but also what it was like being on the Sky Sports team in the early days, and how he worked with the sport’s supremo, Bernie Eccelstone. He also shares how his F1 career began, the time he met with Ayrton Senna, and lets us in on the nail-biting moment when WRC rally driver Colin McRae was driving Martin Brundle’s F1...
Ep7: Cooking for F1 World Champions - interview with chef Jason Beste
Have you ever wondered what F1 drivers eat? Former chef of the Mercedes F1 Team Jason Beste chats with Di and Mon about Nico Rosberg’s favourite food, the reaction to Toto Wolff approaching the buffet, and how David Beckham caused chaos in the kitchen.
Listen to the insights as Jason talks about the behind-the-scenes logistical challenges of catering for drivers, mechanics, technicians, VIPs, and media, and preparing hundreds of meals each race weekend. He recounts some fun stories, shares his favourite race destinations and of course there's talk of travel too.
Jason Beste is the...
Ep6: F1 Movies & TV shows to quench your F1 thirst
If you’re like us and missing ‘race week’, we’ve got you covered. Get your F1 fix during the off season by watching F1 themed movies, TV shows and documentaries. Di & Mon talk about the good, the not-so-good and the unmissable programs every F1 fan should have on their watch list.
What are your favourite F1 related movies, TV shows or documentaries?
Are there any ones you’ve watched and enjoyed that we’ve missed?
We’d love to hear from you, please leave us a comment.
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Ep5: BONUS EPISODE - Checo out, Lawson in
There's never a dull moment in Formula 1. In the space of just a few days, so much news has broken that we just HAD to mic up and talk about it. Red Bull, VCARB, Mercedes, we touch on it all in this short bonus episode.
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BONUS EPISODE: Checo out, Lawson in
There's never a dull moment in Formula 1. In the space of just a few days, so much news has broken that we just HAD to mic up and talk about it. Red Bull, VCARB, Mercedes, we touch on it all in this short bonus episode.
Please rate and review our show on your favourite podcast-listening app.
You’ll find more photos, videos, and chats on the And Away We Go F1 Podcast social media channels.
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Ep4: 2024 F1 season wrap up chat
"It's the best Formula 1 season in my living memory."
It's a big claim, but with all the unceremonious dumpings, royal farewells, and rough and tumble on the race track, it's not hard to understand where Dianne is coming from. There's a lot to unpack from the 2024 Formula 1 season, and in this episode of And Away We Go, Dianne and Monique give it a red hot crack. But it's not all retrospective. There's chat about what's happening to those final few seats still 'up in the air' and a prediction that puts an Aussie driver in the championship...
Ep3 - Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix - what a way to end the season
Beef, babies, Bottas’ next moves: we discuss it all in this week’s episode of And Away We Go.
The final race week of the 2024 season didn’t disappoint, with more twists, turns, and unexpected Ferrari podiums than anyone was counting on. This week was especially exciting for Dianne, as her ‘cousin’ Gabriele Bortoleto (one ‘t’, not two ‘t’s’) excelled in F2 in some pretty unbelievable circumstances. She’s also got a fairly strong opinion on the beef we’ve seen marinating between Verstappen and Russell. In typical Monique fashion, she got so confused in all the drama...
Ep2: Qatar F1 2024 and Qatar travel tips
What’s it like going to a GP? Find out in this week’s episode, as Monique recounts the Qatar Grand Prix from a live spectator’s point of view. There are plenty of hot tips on what to expect if you find yourself at Lusail International Circuit next year, and the low down on what’s hot and what’s not in Doha. Dianne has all the race stats—who DNF’d (believe it or not, there were FIVE), who got punctures, and who got penalties—and quite the opinion on drivers pushing to penalise other drivers. It's just the tip of...
Ep1: Introduction - And Away We Go F1 Podcast
Welcome to And Away We Go F1 podcast, a podcast that goes beyond the track limits to talk about travel, food, and the lifestyle surrounding the sport.
In this episode, meet your hosts Dianne Bortoletto and Monique Ceccato, and find out what you can expect when they drop their weekly episodes. They also discuss their friendship, their day jobs, the reasons for starting this podcast, and their favourite teams and drivers (spoiler alert: like them, their favourite team also holds Italian passports). If you’re into behind-the-scenes talk, Dianne lets you in on...
Ep1: Introduction - And Away We Go F1 Podcast
Welcome to And Away We Go F1 podcast, a podcast that goes beyond the track limits to talk about travel, food, and the lifestyle surrounding the sport. In this episode, meet your hosts Dianne Bortoletto and Monique Ceccato, and find out what you can expect when they drop their weekly episodes. They also discuss their friendship, their day jobs, the reasons for starting this podcast, and their favourite teams and drivers (spoiler alert: like them, their favourite team also holds Italian passports). If you’re into behind-the-scenes talk, Dianne lets you in on a hi...
