Tell us what you think about podcasts

Lots of you reading this will be doing so from home, where you’ve likely had to create your own new office that you’ve seen plenty of for a few weeks so far and probably a few more to come yet, too. And if you’re reading in office hours, don’t worry: we won’t tell.

That’s been true for the entire Autocar team, too. It’s been more than three weeks since any of us went out and tested a car, and more than four since our office closed to leave us all to produce the website and magazine entirely remotely.

If you’ll excuse a sentence of indulgence, my own home office is actually my kitchen table, and once the Weetabix has been swapped for a laptop, my routine then involves sorting some background noise, namely all the podcasts I’d saved and promised myself I’d listen to one day. And that one day has finally arrived so I can listen to them, along with several more days on top.

So, podcasts. They’ve been a big growth area in media in the past couple of years, and it won’t come as any surprise to you that they’re on our radar here at Autocar, too. Like everything we do, they’ll be done with authority and originality, and trying to add real insight into the automotive industry and not just a naval-gazing look at our jobs. But more on those plans another day.

So what have I been listening to? Chiefly the Formula 1 Beyond the Grid podcasts, and specifically those with racers retired for a few years now who don’t have to worry about securing a seat for next year or upsetting anyone.

One from Ralf Schumacher was particularly interesting, in listening to him as Ralf and not as Michael’s brother. In his view, Williams could have been world champions if only it had allowed BMW to integrate itself into the team in the early 2000s, but instead Williams kept BMW at arm's length, and rather than another era of success, it’s hardly scored a race win since.

Pastor Maldonaldo was interesting, too, a man not short of self-confidence… Hearing about David Coulthard’s problems with acid reflux went firmly into the 'too much information' category, while the Damon Hill one gave even more insight into this most fascinating of characters over and above his excellent autobiography, which I’d also recommend you seek out. And of course Bernie, a man we’ve spoken to ourselves recently for a big feature in the magazine out on 15 April, and to appear online in due course.

Above all else, I really enjoy the intimacy with audio. You rely on the skill of the interviewer or broadcaster to bring you into the conversation, and make you feel like they’re in the room with you talking. It’s the most personal of all forms of media: you invite someone into your home or car, and they talk directly to you.

And without fail, a great Formula 1 race on TV - or any sporting event for that matter - sounds even more exciting again on the radio, encouraging you to use your imagination to fill in the gaps.

So I’d love to hear from you about which podcasts you like and what you’d like to see from an automotive one, or indeed anything with four wheels. That’s not only for a professional interest but also a personal one, and one to help your fellow reader get their four-wheeled fix at a time when we can’t be out and about in our cars.

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