The Business of Winning
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Charlie Martin, F1's Covid challenge & the birth of composites
Jonathan Legard and Mark Gallagher broadcast in blissful coronavirus-induced lock down. They talk to Professor Martin Elliott about how Formula 1's pit stop prowess has helped to change hospital procedures and why the sport has been able to rise to the challenge of tackling the UK's shortage of breathing aids during the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking of speedy engineering challenges, Mark chats with John Lilley about a remarkable project to return a World War 2 Mosquito multi-role aircraft to the skies over the UK. The People's Mosquito has a Formula 1 link in that the Mosquito fighter-bomber was the first composite structure combat plane, the 'wooden wonder' proving a technology that continues to be used to this day. Finally, colleague Claire Cottingham interviews Charlie Martin who aims to become the first transgender woman to compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours sports car race; a very personal story of bravery, adversity and triumph in a sport which is beginning to improve its approach to diversity and inclusion.