Backseat Driver

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by author Steve Rendle to look beyond the drivers and cars and discover the extraordinary operation that keeps modern Formula One moving.
Steve’s book explores the enormous infrastructure behind F1, where teams employing hundreds of people and spending vast sums of money ultimately have one objective: putting two competitive cars on the starting grid.
We look at what really happens during a Grand Prix weekend, from the engineers and mechanics working trackside to the teams back at the factory operating what is effectively a mission control centre. While the cars circulate thousands of miles away, specialists analyse live data, run simulations, and feed information back to the circuit in the relentless search for performance.
Steve explains the increasingly important role of simulators, including the incredibly detailed scans of circuits that allow teams to recreate tracks virtually. We also discuss how information gathered during practice sessions can be processed overnight, allowing teams to refine setups and strategies before the cars return to the track the following day.
It reveals a side of Formula One that television rarely captures. Behind two drivers and two cars sits an extraordinary network of people, technology, logistics and information, all working together to find fractions of a second.

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Beatty Crawford, a hugely experienced figure in rallying, to ask some serious questions about the direction of the modern sport and whether World Rally Championship cars have simply become too fast.
Drawing on a career that includes victory on the Circuit of Ireland and experience across some of rallying’s most demanding events, Beattie shares his concerns about the extraordinary performance of today’s WRC machinery and the potential consequences for both competitors and spectators. We discuss how modern cars compare with the infamous Group B era and whether increasing performance inevitably brings increasing risk.
But this conversation is about much more than outright speed. Beatty argues that the magic of rallying has always come from watching drivers wrestle cars across demanding terrain, where skill, movement and spectacle matter just as much as the numbers on a speedometer. We ask whether some of that character is being lost as technology becomes increasingly sophisticated.
We also discuss spectator safety, regulation, rising costs and the widening gap between the World Rally Championship and grassroots competition. Beatty shares his thoughts on the FIA’s approach to the sport and why he believes rallying needs to reconsider its priorities if it is to remain exciting, accessible and sustainable.
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It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Joe Mallinson, the new Clerk of the Course for the Ilkley Jubilee Historic Rally, to discover just what goes into organising one of Britain’s much-loved historic road rallies.
Joe takes me behind the scenes of the event, explaining the enormous amount of planning required long before the first car crosses the start line. We talk about plotting the route, organising officials and marshals, keeping competitors and spectators safe, and the responsibilities that come with taking on the role of Clerk of the Course.
We also look ahead to this year’s two-day rally, including the atmosphere of the start in Otley Market Square, the route through the surrounding countryside and the collection of historic cars expected to take part.
Joe explains the vital role played by volunteer marshals and local car clubs in keeping events like this alive, as well as the camaraderie that brings competitors, officials and enthusiasts back year after year.
It’s a fascinating look behind the scenes of historic rallying and a reminder that while the cars and drivers might get most of the attention, an extraordinary amount of work goes into making an event like the Ilkley Jubilee happen.
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It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Ilias Strousidis, a racing driver and watch designer whose two great passions, motorsport and horology, have come together in a fascinating way.
Ilias shares his journey through motorsport in his native Greece, from his love of BMWs to competing across different racing disciplines. We discuss the growing Greek motorsport scene, the challenges faced by drivers there, and his experiences at events including BMW Live and endurance racing.
Away from the track, Ilias explains how his frustration at being unable to find a watch that truly reflected his passion for racing inspired him to create Steel Timepieces. We explore how his experience behind the wheel influences his designs, with functionality for drivers sitting alongside distinctive styling and traditional watchmaking craftsmanship.
Ilias also takes me through the process of creating a watch, from the first sketches and prototypes to working with Swiss manufacturers on cases, movements and final production. Rather than chasing mass production, his focus remains on limited numbers, quality and creating something genuinely special for collectors and fellow motorsport enthusiasts.
We also look ahead to the Manchester Watch Show, where Ilias will showcase his latest creations and continue bringing together two worlds with far more in common than you might initially imagine.
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It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Chris Allsop, affectionately known as the “Biker Granddad”, who at the age of 75 has set off on an extraordinary motorcycle adventure across Europe aboard his BMW F800GT.
Chris shares what inspired him to get back on the road after a period when family health challenges had limited his opportunities to travel. With his freedom restored, he decided it was time for another adventure, setting his sights on the Carpathian Mountains, Moldova and some of the less travelled corners of Europe.
We talk about why Chris chose the BMW F800GT for the journey, balancing long-distance comfort with the agility needed for twisting mountain roads. He also explains what makes travelling by motorcycle so different from driving, from feeling more connected to the landscape to the trust required in both yourself and your machine when tackling unfamiliar roads.
Along the way, we explore the different attitudes towards motorcycles across Europe, the camaraderie between riders and why motorcycling is certainly not reserved for the young. At 75, Chris remains determined to explore new places, meet new people and collect experiences rather than possessions.
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