Midseason Mayhem: Horners Exit, Max's Future and McLaren's Championship Battle.

This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick and Paul unpack a jaw-dropping first half of the 2025 Formula One season. McLaren has gone from dark horses to dominant force, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locked in a tense title scrap that’s friendlier in the press than it is on track.

Over at Red Bull the guys discuss a team in meltdown. Christian Horner’s high-profile exit and a rumored £60 million settlement have sparked a mass technical exodus, and Jos Verstappen’s “this team will explode” prophecy is unfolding in real-time. With Max’s future now up in the air, Paul and Rick ask the big question: could the reigning champ really walk away before 2026?

Elsewhere, Rick's favortie team, Ferrari, continue to flatter and frustrate and Paul has some choice words about Toto's handling of George Russel. Plus there's chat about Cadillac’s looming arrival for 2026 which just stirred the driver market pot even more.

As we head to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix, the gloves are coming off. Will McLaren keep it civil? Will Red Bull survive the implosion? And is Max Verstappen about to trigger the biggest silly season shock of all time? Tap in to Two Soft Compounds for all the F1 drama and debate you crave!

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Paul Velasco
Studio Engineer & Editor: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio & GrandPrix247

Going, Going, Gone! Horner Ousted In Red Bull’s Radical Shake Up

The Formula One world has been thrown into chaos with the stunning announcement that Christian Horner has been sacked as Red Bull team principal and CEO after 20 years at the helm. What seemed unthinkable just days ago has become reality, sending shockwaves through the paddock and raising profound questions about the future of the sport's dominant team.

This special episode of Two Soft Compounds dives deep into the bombshell news, exploring the multiple theories behind Horner's sudden dismissal. From the disappointing performance at the British Grand Prix to Jos Verstappen's eerily prophetic warning from March 2023 that "this team is going to implode" under Horner's leadership, Rick & Paul unpick the complex web of factors that may have led to this momentous decision. The recent exodus of key personnel – including Adrian Newey, Rob Marshall, and Jonathan Wheatley – looms large in our analysis, particularly after their skills helped rival teams outperform Red Bull at Silverstone.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Paul Velasco
Studio Engineer & Editor: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio & GrandPrix247

British GP: Rain, Rage & Redemption - Norris Doubles Up, Red Bull Slides & Hulk Pops His Podium Cherry.

This week on Two Soft Compounds, Rick is joined by Grandprix247 editor Jad Malek alongside motorsport journalist and F1 TV commentator, Damien Reid, as the three dive into a soaked Silverstone showdown that flipped the championship script and gave fans one of the best races of the season. With rain clouds looming and strategies unraveling, it was Lando Norris who danced through the chaos to take back-to-back wins and lead a commanding McLaren 1-2 - cementing their rise from underdogs to undisputed title contenders.

The guys discuss how it wasn’t all smooth sailing at McLaren. Oscar Piastri’s uncharacteristic frustration over a 10-second penalty exposed rare emotion from the Australian and leave Rick asking if the iceman has lost his cool? Congratultions from Rick also for one of his favorites, Nico Hülkenberg who finally ditched his “nearly man” tag with a fairytale podium. There's plenty of chat about whether the Jonathan Wheatley effect has kicked in already at Sauber.

Lots to talk about with Red Bull also as the guys discuss how Verstappen’s low-downforce gamble backfired in the rain. And Ferrari fumbled (again), losing GPS tracking on Hamilton mid-race and Mercedes made tire choices even Rick's nan would’ve questioned. Plus, with Adrian Newey lurking on Aston Martin’s pit wall the 2026 driver and tech market just got juicier.

Next up: Spa. A legendary track, a tightening title fight and a McLaren team that suddenly looks unstoppable. Buckle up and catch it all on Two Soft Compounds.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Rick Houghton & Paul Velasco
Studio Engineer & Editor: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio & GrandPrix247

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 & Paul Velasco
Studio Engineer & Editor: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio & GrandPrix247

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 & Paul Velasco
Studio Engineer & Editor: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio & GrandPrix247

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 & Paul Velasco
Studio Engineer & Editor: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio & GrandPrix247

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 & Paul Velasco
Studio Engineer & Editor: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio & GrandPrix247

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 & Paul Velasco
Studio Engineer & Editor: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producer: Ian Carless
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio & GrandPrix247