2 Soft Compounds

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: Ben Dover
Executive Producer: Ian Carless 
Produced by: Poddworx Dubai

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: Ben Dover
Executive Producer: Ian Carless 
Produced by: Poddworx Dubai

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: Ben Dover
Executive Producer: Ian Carless 
Produced by: Poddworx Dubai

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: Ben Dover
Executive Producer: Ian Carless 
Produced by: Poddworx Dubai

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: Ben Dover
Executive Producer: Ian Carless 
Produced by: Poddworx Dubai

This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick is joined by motoring journalist and Formula One commentator Damien Reed to unpack a record-breaking Singapore Grand Prix and a night race that tested the limits of every driver under 60°C cockpit heat.

As George Russell delivered a flawless weekend to take victory and crown Mercedes’ comeback, the guys debate whether Singapore signals a genuine shift in momentum and what it means as F1 heads toward Austin.

The guys also discuss McLaren’s dramatic weekend and a constructors’ title clinched amid tension between Norris and Piastri. Plus, Ferrari’s frustration deepens, Alonso reminds everyone he’s still got it and Lewis Hamilton’s brake failure sparks a fiery radio exchange and a lucky five-second penalty.

Plus, Rick and Damien spotlight rookie sensation Isack Hadjar, who continues to impress against veterans and analyze how Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren are shaping up for the final run-in. And Nikki from @LightsOut delivers the stats that matter - from Russell’s record lap to Singapore’s first-ever race with no retirements and no safety cars.

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

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Ben Dover
Executive Producer: Ian Carless 
Produced by: Poddworx Dubai

This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul set the stage for Singapore, where the championship battle could be blown wide open.

Max Verstappen looks unstoppable after back-to-back dominant weekends, even sneaking in a Ferrari GT3 win on his “time off.” Has Red Bull unlocked something that puts him firmly back in the title race? And what does that mean for McLaren, who are juggling a constructors’ title push, a messy London court case, and rising tensions between Norris and Piastri?

The guys also dive into Giancarlo Fisichella’s eyebrow-raising claim that Christian Horner and Flavio Briatore could team up at Alpine, and they don’t hold back on Stefano Domenicali’s controversial comments about F1 fans and sprint racing.

Elsewhere, Ferrari face fresh uncertainty: Charles Leclerc is rumored to be exploring options beyond Maranello, and Lewis Hamilton copes with personal loss as questions mount about his focus. Plus, could Yuki Tsunoda find a lifeline with Aston Martin?

With Nikki from @LightsOut bringing the stats that matter, Rick and Paul break down who could shine under the lights of Marina Bay, and whether Verstappen can finally conquer the only circuit he’s never won on.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Ben Dover
Executive Producer: Ian Carless 
Produced by: Poddworx Dubai

This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul dive into Baku’s chaos, from six red flags in qualifying to Verstappen’s flawless grand slam, and debate whether McLaren’s nightmare weekend has reopened the title fight.

The streets of Baku delivered chaos in qualifying and domination in the race. Rick Hutton and Paul Velasco dive into a record-breaking six red flags, Oscar Piastri’s nightmare weekend, and McLaren’s puzzling strategy calls. From Carlos Sainz’s career-defining podium with Williams to George Russell’s gritty drive through illness, the guys unpack all the highs, lows, and head-scratchers of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

They debate Ferrari’s continued inconsistencies, Mercedes’ struggles to understand their car, and why Max Verstappen’s latest grand slam signals a frightening return to form. Plus: Leclerc’s Baku curse, Antonelli’s resilience under pressure, and a blunt take on Lewis Hamilton’s “art over cars” comment. With stats, strong opinions, and plenty of laughs, it’s another unfiltered look at the world of Formula One.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Ben Dover
Executive Producer: Ian Carless 
Produced by: Poddworx Dubai

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick is joined by Jad Malek, Editor of GrandPrix247.com  to unpack the latest paddock bombshells as Formula One races toward Baku.

Red Bull looks set to pair Max Verstappen with rising star Isack Hadjar in 2026, a bold move that could either ignite the rookie's career or crush it under the weight of expectation. But with a full regulatory reset looming, Rick argues it might be the perfect time to roll the dice!

And about those 2026 rules... the guys dive into what’s shaping up to be one of the most controversial technical shakeups in decades. Ground effect? Gone. DRS? Axed. In their place: active wings, narrower tyres, and a 50/50 electric-combustion split!  

Meanwhile, Rick grits his teeth as Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari saga continues. Monza offered a flicker of optimism, but beneath the Tifosi’s cheers are real concerns. Fred Vasseur says they underestimated the challenge but Rick’s not buying the spin.

And finally, all eyes are on Baku as McLaren edges toward clinching the Constructors' title in record time. But with team orders stirring tension between Norris and Piastri, Jad breaks down whether this polite rivalry is headed for a spectacular collision.

We've got it all, right here on 2 Soft Compounds. 

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Ben Dover
Executive Producer: Ian Carless 
Produced by: Poddworx Dubai

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul unpack the fastest Formula One race in history and the drama it delivered!

At the legendary Temple of Speed, Max Verstappen silenced the doubters with a vintage drive that saw him break the Monza lap record and reclaim the top step of the podium in dominant style. 

Meanwhile, all eyes were on McLaren, for reasons beyond just raw pace. A pit stop blunder cost Lando Norris second place and gifted it to Oscar Piastri, prompting a rare intra-team position swap. But in a show of maturity and mutual respect, Piastri accepted the call without complaint. Rick and Paul dig into the psychology behind this unique teammate dynamic and what it means for the title race going forward.

Elsewhere, Ferrari floundered at home (again), while rookies Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar stole headlines with gutsy, points-paying drives in midfield machinery. With the European leg of the season behind us and Baku on the horizon, the guys also look ahead at how strategy, street circuits, and reliability could shake up the second half of the season.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Damien Reid
Studio Engineer & Editor: Ben Dover
Executive Producer: Ian Carless 
Produced by: Poddworx Dubai