Something’s not quite right in Formula 1 right now and Suzuka really brought that into focus.

In this episode of 2 Soft Compounds, hosts Rick Houghton and Damien Reid vocalise what many fans are already thinking: the sport feels like it’s in a bit of a mess.

The guys discuss Lando Norris' comments about the car effectively making an overtake for him with some racing incidents being linked to sudden spikes in power. All of which raises a bigger question i.e. how much control do drivers actually have?

The guys also get into the growing frustration across the grid, with Max Verstappen openly questioning his future in the sport and Fernando Alonso suggesting the cars are doing too much of the work. But it’s not all negative with praise for teenager Kimi Antonelli, Piastri showing real pace and Leclerc proves there’s still room for proper, instinctive racing.

With a break before Miami, Rick and Damien ask the big question: can Formula 1 fix this quickly or is this just the direction the sport is heading?

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio 

The 2026 Formula 1 season burst into life in China but is this the future fans really want?

In this week's episode of 2 Soft Compounds, Rick Houghton and Damien Reid break down a race that delivered on the surface, but raised bigger questions underneath. Kimi Antonelli’s sensational first win at just 19 signals a new era, while Mercedes’ pace and growing reliability issues across the grid hint at an early pecking order taking shape.

The racing looked closer, with more overtaking and better wheel-to-wheel action but much of it driven by battery deployment, lift-and-coast and “push-button” moves that risk making races feel predictable. Add in non-starters, DNFs, and murmurs around power unit parity, and the picture becomes more complicated.

With Max Verstappen already showing frustration and the midfield throwing up standout performances, including Hamilton’s first Ferrari podium and a strong showing from Oliver Bearman, this was a weekend full of contrasts.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio 

Formula 1’s new era exploded into life in Melbourne with active aero replacing DRS, boost buttons rewriting overtakes, and drivers juggling energy modes like software engineers at 300 km/h.

On this episode of 2 Soft Compounds, host's Rick and Damien unpack a race weekend packed with drama: Antonelli’s massive crash and rebuild, Verstappen’s bizarre rear-axle lockup, and Oscar Piastri’s heartbreaking home-race exit after a rogue power surge.

We dive into Aston Martin’s violent chassis vibrations, Mercedes’ clever engine interpretation, Ferrari’s rocket starts and why overtaking numbers might not tell the whole story.

And with China and the first sprint weekend looming, the guys look at the strategy battles ahead and ask the big question: are we watching F1 or Mario Kart?! 

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio 

This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick and Damien Reid wrap up one of the wildest Formula One seasons in years, as Lando Norris clinches his first world title after a nerve-shredding showdown in Abu Dhabi.

They break down how McLaren turned their Qatar disaster into a championship-winning strategy, why Verstappen’s two-point heartbreak may reshape Red Bull’s future, and how Norris proved that “nice guys can, in fact, win.”

The duo also reflect on the end of an era: Renault’s farewell, Sauber’s rebrand to Audi, DRS gone, and a radical 2026 rulebook that could change everything from aero to power balance.

It’s been an incredible season, and the next one starts in just 34 days.

All that and more, right here on Two Soft Compounds.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio 

This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick Houhgton and Damien Reid break down the chaos from Qatar and set the stage for an all-out championship decider in Abu Dhabi.

After another McLaren strategy disaster and a baffling tire call, Verstappen’s title chase is alive, just 12 points behind Norris with everything to play for. The guys debate whether McLaren’s refusal to back a number-one driver could cost them it all, and why Norris may be cracking under the pressure while Piastri quietly circles.

They also tackle the toxic fan fallout over Antonelli’s incident, Red Bull’s rookie shuffle, Williams’ shock rise, and the brewing tension at Ferrari as Hamilton’s frustrations boil over.

With three drivers in contention and Yas Marina’s chaos waiting, this finale could rewrite F1 history.

All that and more, right here on Two Soft Compounds.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio 

This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick and Damien Reid unpack the chaos after Vegas, from Hamilton’s explosive Ferrari comments to McLaren’s double disqualification that’s thrown the title race wide open.

They debate whether Ferrari’s culture is breaking Lewis’ spirit, if Lando’s plank failure was pure bad luck or bad setup, and why the FIA might have missed bigger culprits. The guys also spotlight Antonelli’s stunning rookie rise, Verstappen’s quiet comeback, and the growing psychological warfare inside McLaren.

As F1 heads to Qatar, the championship math gets messy,  and every lap now counts.

All that and more, right here on Two Soft Compounds.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio 

This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick and Damien Reid break down the fallout from Brazil - where Verstappen dominated, Norris shone, and Piastri’s confidence cracked.

The guys discuss Red Bull’s bizarre qualifying collapse, McLaren’s growing garage divide, and whether Oscar’s struggles prove that pressure really does break the “Iceman.” They also dive into Ferrari’s latest meltdown, Hamilton’s frustration under Maranello politics, and what the flooded streets of Las Vegas could mean for this weekend’s race.

All that and more, right here on Two Soft Compounds.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio 

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and F1 journalist, Damien Reed, break down a controversial Mexican Grand Prix - from Lando Norris’s flawless win to another FIA meltdown that robbed fans of a dramatic final-lap showdown.

Together they debate whether McLaren’s setup changes are secretly favouring Norris over Piastri, unpack Ferrari’s latest communication chaos and call out the baffling late-race virtual safety car that may have altered the title fight.

Plus: Max Verstappen’s coded radio messages, Mercedes’ team-order drama, and Ollie Bearman’s breakout drive that’s got everyone talking.

All that and more, right here on 2 Soft Compounds.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio 

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick is joined by Damien Reid as they break down Max Verstappen’s Texas masterclass - a weekend that felt like a throwback to his dominant years.

The guys dissect McLaren’s self-inflicted sprint disaster, growing tension between Norris and Piastri and why Oscar’s cool composure might finally be cracking under pressure. They question whether McLaren are secretly favouring Norris and if Ferrari’s near-perfect strategy was in fact, just another “almost.”

Plus: Russell’s quiet consistency, Williams’ surprise potential and early whispers that Ferrari’s 2026 engine could change everything. As F1 heads to Mexico are we witnessing Verstappen’s relentless charge toward another title?

All this and more, right here on 2 Soft Compounds.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio 

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick teams up with F1 journalist Damien Reed to preview the Texas Grand Prix and unpack the chaos surrounding F1’s upcoming 2026 rule overhaul.

They break down major changes - ground effect scrapped, DRS removed, and active wings introduced and debate whether the FIA’s cost-cap push will backfire. The conversation heats up around Christian Horner’s rumored comeback via Haas, Toyota, or Alpine and Ferrari’s turmoil, with Leclerc and Vasseur both under pressure.

As McLaren’s internal rivalry between Norris and Piastri threatens to boil over, Rick and Damien ask if Texas could be the breaking point. Plus: George Russell’s resurgence, track-limit controversies and stats from @LightsOut covering Verstappen’s U.S. dominance and Hamilton’s latest milestone all make for 30 mins of enticing F1 ear candy! 

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio