2 Soft Compounds

Austrian GP: Orange You Glad It's Not Red Bull Again? Norris Silences The Sceptics!

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul disect the sensational Austrian Grand Prix which saw Lando Norris turn up the heat at the Red Bull Ring and throw down the gauntlet in the championship fight!

The guys break down every twist in McLaren’s high-speed team battle -including how Norris bounced back after missing FP1 and whether Piastri is quietly shaping up to be F1’s next ice-cold killer.

Plus no F1 podcast would be complete without mentioning Max Verstappen’s despite his weekend being over before it began. With Red Bull rattled and Horner calling it a “two-horse race,” Rick and Paul arent the only ones asking if we're witnessing the end of Red Bull’s dominance?

There’s also plenty of love for the midfield mayhem. Big shout out from Rick for Liam Lawson and plenty of chat about Hamilton and Leclerc, Bortoletto and Alonso and whether Mercedes need to fire a few of their design team! 

Plus, there's a quick look ahead to the British GP as the circus rolls into Silverstone. All that, plus a few spicy takes from Rick on F1: The Movie. Spoiler: it may not win Best Picture. Catch it all 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

The Heat Is On: McLaren's Team Dynamics, Verstappen Under Pressure & Groundhog Day At Ferrari!

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Formula 1 heads to the Red Bull Ring where the established order is crumbling and the pressure is building - especially for Max Verstappen. With penalty points stacking up Rick and Paul discuss how the current World Champion will tackle the race in Austria. 

The guys also examine McLaren's internal rivalry which continues to simmer. Will the team decide to let their drivers fight or manage the situation before it boils over? 

Plus there's chat about Mercedes who are riding a wave of momentum into Austria after George Russell's breakthrough win. Can they maintain their form in Austria on a track that's traditionally challenged them?

And Ferrari are in the crossfire once again, caught in a spiral of pressure and underperformance. With Fred Vasseur under scrutiny the guys discuss whether Ferrari will finally show some patience or reach for the reset button yet again. 

Last but not least, with Austria is shaping up to be one of the most consequential - and potentially chaotic - weekends of the season, Rick and Paul give their thoughts about the release this week of F1: The Movie. Hit or flop? Catch it all 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

Canadian GP: Russell’s Redemption, Norris’ Despair And Hamilton’s Frustration! 

This week on 2 Soft Compounds we span continents and emotions - from Robert Kubica’s fairy-tale return to the top at Le Mans, to George Russell’s precision-crafted win at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Rick and Paul discuss how Mercedes are back in business and if George Russell just delivered a career-defining drive? There's chat too about McLaren's weekend and rookie sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Plus there's Rick's favorite topic with Ferrari once again firing off a series of baffling strategic calls, which ultimately compromised Charles Leclerc’s race and fueled the rumors of team boss Fred Vasseur’s future being in doubt. 

So as the grid prepares for Austria, the title fight is wide open - Mercedes resurgent, McLaren surging and Verstappen suddenly chasing! And we've got it covered, 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

Canada Eh! Will The Man Cubs Overthrow The King of the Jungle?!

🎙️ This week, 2 Soft Compounds shifts focus slightly - from apexes to apertures - as Rick and Paul sit down with 25-year-old F1 photographer Alexis Perrin. From dodging marshals to getting that perfect Hamilton shot, Alexis gives us a behind-the-scenes look at life in the pitlane. 

🇨🇦 Rick, Paul and Alexis also preview the Canadian Grand Prix, home of unpredictable weather and unforegiving walls. And the hot topic this week - the rise of F1’s new generation - Norris, Piastri and Leclerc. These three are no longer just quick - they’re adopting Verstappen’s merciless mentality. The 'cubs' as Paul calls them, are starting to circle the reigning king of the jungle, making every wheel-to-wheel battle feel like a changing of the guard. 🦁

Is this the year we see the psychological dynamic of the grid flip? Get the low down only 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

Spanish GP: Piastri's Perfect Weekend & Verstappen's Red Mist.

🎙️ In this week’s 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul unpack a dramatic Spanish Grand Prix that may have just redrawn the 2025 championship map.

🔥 No surprise that the guys kick off this weeks episode disussing the clash between Max Verstappen and George Russell - one that's left fans and pundits split! Ditto for our hosts - one of them has his 'I ❤️ Max' T-shirt on - listen to figure out who! 

🟠  Elsewhere the guys reflect on McLaren's dominance and how it wasn’t just a flexi-wing illusion plus the psychological tension with Lando Norris and Rick's favorite topic, Ferrari’s communication gremlins! Plus there's some pretty heated opinion re Lance Stroll and his future in F1!

🌍  As the paddock heads to Canada, McLaren now looks like the team to beat, Red Bull faces pressure from all angles, and the psychological games of Formula One are just beginning to heat up.

Production Credits:

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

Flexing the Limits: Wings, Rules & What to Expect From The Spanish GP!

🎙️ On this week’s 2 Soft Compounds, Rick is joined by GrandPrix247 editor Jad Malek as they gear up for the Spanish Grand Prix and the spotlight shifts from street circuit glamour to raw technical grit.

🔧  The guys run through the FIA’s new directive banning flexible front wings - effective from June 1st - which could significantly impact the pecking order. Do McLaren now face the real test?

🏎️  The pair also dig into Max Verstappen and Red Bull, Ferrari’s ongoing radio drama with Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso returning to his home crowd, ground as well as Isaac Hadjars rising start status, Williams’ quiet consistency, and the implications of Barcelona potentially falling off the racing calendar. 

🎧 With one of the most revealing races of the season ahead, this episode dissects the tech, tension and trajectory of a championship that’s still wide open. 

1️⃣ Flexi Wings Ban Explained

2️⃣ Barcelona Track Challenge for McLaren

3️⃣ Ferrari's Communication Problems

4️⃣ Team Performances and Expectations

5️⃣ Monaco Circuit Improvements

6️⃣ Barcelona's Future and Street Circuits

7️⃣ Race Predictions and Closing

Production Credits:

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

Monaco GP: Glitz, Glory... and Gridlock. Monaco’s Two Step Sham! 

🎙️ Monaco: Glitz, Glory… and Gridlock – This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul break down Formula 1’s most glamorous paradox: the Monaco Grand Prix. It’s a race that promises spectacle but often delivers a slow-motion chess match - and 2025 was no different.

🏁 This week our hosts discuss the FIA’s mandatory two-stop experiment and why it may have sounded bold on paper, but in practice, it simply highlighted a painful truth: F1 cars have outgrown the streets of Monaco. 

💡 The duo also highlight the moments that were worth celebrating, including Lando Norris shedding his reputation for mid-race wobbliness; Isack Hadjar impressing with a Racing Bulls strategy masterstroke and Lance Stroll’s continued struggles - even in clear air - added more weight to questions about his long-term place in the sport!

🚨 And looking ahead to Barcelona, a new technical directive banning flexible wings could shake up the pecking order. Could this be Red Bull’s moment to strike back? It's all here on 2 Soft Compounds.

1️⃣ Monaco's Failed Two-Stop Experiment

2️⃣ Modern F1 Cars Too Big for Monaco

3️⃣ Solutions for Monaco's Racing Problem

4️⃣ Norris Impresses Under Pressure

5️⃣ Stroll's Disappointing Performance

6️⃣ Ferrari Pit Wall Communication Failures

Production Credits:

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

Imola GP: Max The Intimidator - The Battle For Imola 

On this episode of 2 Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul dissect a potentially decisive moment in the 2025 drivers title race, as Max Verstappen reasserts his dominance with a clinical win at Imola.

💥  It started with that lunge - Verstappen's audacious dive on Piastri into Turn 1 set the tone and released 'Max The Intimidator.' This was less about lap times and more about psychological warfare. Like the legends before him, Verstappen now races with an aura - and the rest of the grid knows it.

🧠  The guys also dig into McLaren and ask do they have the mettle to bring it to Red Bull. Their refusal to let Norris pass Piastri when it mattered most raised eyebrows, especially with fresher tyres in play. Was it team harmony over championship ambition? Jacques Villeneuve certainly had his doubts.

📈  Elsewhere, Alex Albon delivered one of his finest F1 drives, splitting the Ferraris and proving Williams' resurgence is more than just PR spin. Hamilton showed flashes of brilliance climbing to P4, while Leclerc simmered in frustration and George Russell’s Sunday unravelled after a strong Saturday.

🏁  Next up: Monaco. Overtaking’s a myth, but a two-stop mandate could shake up the usual processional script. Will McLaren’s superior grip shine through? Can Red Bull’s upgrades hold up at the slowest track of the year? Or are we heading for another masterclass from Max?

This one's all about momentum - who's building it, who's blowing it and who’s about to shift the balance of power again. Hit subscribe and get ready for Monaco.

1️⃣ McLaren's Questionable Race Strategy

2️⃣ Verstappen's Intimidating Dominance

3️⃣ Ferrari and Mercedes Struggles

4️⃣ Red Bull's Technical Struggles

5️⃣ Williams' Impressive Performance

6️⃣ Rookies Under Pressure at Imola

7️⃣ Monaco Preview and F1's Future

Production Credits:

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

Mind Games & Tire Water: The Build Up to Imola

🎙️ This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick, Paul & Jad unpack the psychological warfare, paddock politics and cheeky innovation behind McLaren’s rise to the top as F1 enters its critical European leg.

🧠  McLaren’s not just fast - they’re smart. Stap in as Jad gets all technical discussing McLaren's sneaky “tire water” trick (aka phase change material cooling) and how it might be the cleverest legal hack of the season. 

👀 The guys continue the conversation around the 'iceman' Oscar Piastri along with his team mate Landi Norris who seems locked in a mental wrestling match with himself. As Jacques Villeneuve put it: “Oscar’s not in Lando’s head - Lando is.” That internal pressure could be the difference in this title fight!

🇩🇪  Plus the guys turn their attention to Mercedes, as George Russell looks to be thriving in a leadership role and rookie Antonelli continues to defy expectations with his calm, composed rise. And there's more chat about Lewis Hamilton’s rocky start and of course Red Bull, who are grappling with inconsistent brake feel and unpredictable balance.

🏎️  And it wouldn't be an F1 podcast without discussing Alpine, who just handed the keys to Flavio Briatore. Yes, that Briatore. Buckle up!

With Imola on deck and the technical chess match intensifying, the question is: can McLaren ride their cool (literally) innovation to a championship lead? Or will the old guard strike back under the European sun?

Hit play. This season’s getting spicy.

1️⃣ McLaren's Technical Innovation Revealed

2️⃣ The Battle Between Norris and Piastri

3️⃣ Mercedes' Fresh Start Post-Hamilton

4️⃣ Red Bull's Technical Struggles

5️⃣ Ferrari's Team Dynamics and Hamilton's Adaptation

6️⃣ Williams, Haas, and Midfield Teams

7️⃣ Alpine Drama and Imola Predictions

Production Credits:

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

Miami GP: Lego Cars, Ferrari's Facepalm and McLaren's Unstoppable Rise

This week on 2 Soft Compounds, Rick is joined by Grandprix247 editor and unabashed 'tifosi', Jad Mallak, as they dive into a wild Miami Grand Prix weekend that served up one of the most chaotic sprint races in F1 history—followed by a McLaren whitewash no one could ignore.

🌧️ From unpredictable weather to McLaren’s relentless pace and razor-sharp strategy, the guys look back on a race that left no one in any doubt as to who are the team to beat in 2025. 

👶 They also shine a spotlight on 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who made history as the youngest-ever pole sitter in F1 qualifying. Plus they ask the question of whether fatherhood will affect Verstappen's pace on the track and if Lando Norris possesses the racecraft skills to channel the fastest car on the grid into actual race wins. 

🎧 And it wouldn’t be a 2 Soft Compounds podcast without talking about Ferrari’s strategic facepalm, as they left Lewis Hamilton steaming on the radio after botching a planned swap with Leclerc.

🏁 With Imola, Monaco, and Barcelona looming—and new flexi-wing rules potentially clipping McLaren’s wings—the next few races could decide if anyone can stop their 2025 march. Join Rick, Paul and Jad as the season unfolds here on 2 Soft Compounds. 

Podcast Rundown

1️⃣ Introduction and Miami Overview

2️⃣ Sprint Drama and Antonelli's Debut

3️⃣ Verstappen's Qualifying Masterclass

4️⃣ Race Day: McLaren's Dominance

5️⃣ Ferrari's Disastrous Strategy Calls

6️⃣ Williams' Surprise and Future Development

Production Credits:

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