The Grand Pricks podcast is BACK with another deep dive during the Formula 1 season break, just before the Brazilian Grand Prix next week! In this week’s episode, we return with part two of our Heroes vs. Villains series, spotlighting five extraordinary figures who changed Formula 1 forever and left behind legendary legacies both on and off the track.

We begin with Ayrton Senna, the three-time Formula 1 World Champion whose raw talent, precision, and passion made him one of the most iconic drivers in F1 history. Racing for McLaren from 1984 to 1994, Senna won 41 Grands Prix and held the record for the most pole positions at the time. His tragic death at Imola in 1994 remains one of the darkest moments in motorsport history, but also one that inspired lasting change.

That change was championed by Professor Sid Watkins, the neurosurgeon who became F1’s official medical officer in 1978. Watkins dedicated his career to improving driver safety, introducing life-saving measures that have since become integral to modern F1. Deeply affected by Senna’s passing, he worked tirelessly to revolutionise medical response and track safety, paving the way for the sport we know today.

We also celebrate Sebastian Vettel, four-time World Champion and environmental advocate, whose post-retirement work highlights sustainability, inclusivity, and human rights. Then there’s Lewis Hamilton, seven-time World Champion and current Ferrari driver, recognised not only for his on-track dominance but also for his activism around diversity, equality, and environmental justice.

Finally, we explore the genius of Adrian Newey, the legendary F1 engineer behind 14 Drivers’ Championships, 12 Constructors’ titles, and over 220 race wins, a creative mastermind who shaped the evolution of car design across decades.

Stay tuned as we return next week for our Brazilian Grand Prix coverage! The Grand Pricks hosts will be travelling for the next three weeks, so expect slightly shorter, lower-quality audio, but the same chaotic, unfiltered F1 fun. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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It’s the official countdown to the final races of the 2025 Formula 1 season, and the Mexico Grand Prix did not disappoint.

Packed with drama, controversy, and championship twists, this weekend’s race delivered one of the most thrilling spectacles of the season, both on and off the track. From the moment the lights went out, the tension was palpable.

The first lap saw multiple drivers go wide in an aggressive fight for second place, with Charles Leclerc ultimately claiming the position in his Ferrari. But the drama didn’t end there. A heated on-track moment involving Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton forced the Ferrari driver off the circuit, and while he recovered, the incident earned him a ten-second penalty from the FIA, dropping him from third place all the way to the back of the grid.

While chaos unfolded at the front, Oliver Bearman quietly produced the best performance of his career so far. The young British rookie charged from ninth to a remarkable fourth place, securing Haas’s strongest finish of the entire season and solidifying his growing reputation as one of F1’s brightest rising stars.

At the top of the order, Lando Norris took an impressive victory for McLaren, edging out his teammate Oscar Piastri and officially taking the lead in the Drivers’ Championship, by a razor-thin margin of just one point. Verstappen rounded out the podium in third, keeping his hopes alive for a late-season title push, while Piastri could only manage fifth after struggling with tire degradation in the closing laps.

Elsewhere, George Russell found himself at the center of yet another controversy after what fans are calling a “Karen moment” on track, clashing with his rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli in a tense battle for position. With both Mercedes drivers finishing only sixth and seventh, and Ferrari securing second and eighth, the Italian team has now overtaken Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing McLaren by just a single point.

Off the track, the chaos continues with new controversies shaking up the paddock. The now-infamous “Tapegate” incident led to a fine for Red Bull. On top of that, whispers of cost cap breaches from the 2024 season have surfaced, with Aston Martin confirmed to be under investigation and rumors swirling that McLaren may also have exceeded the limit, a revelation that could potentially see last year’s Constructors’ title handed over to Ferrari.

As the F1 world catches its breath after the madness of Mexico, the championship battle tightens, the politics intensify, and the drama only grows.

Next week we’ll be bringing you another deep dive, part two of our “Villains vs Heroes” series where we’ll explore the drivers who embody the true spirit of Formula 1 and the legacy they’re building both on and off the circuit. Make sure to follow, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

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The United States Grand Prix was an action-packed weekend with the sprint race on Saturday and the main Grand Prix on Sunday. From start to finish, fans were glued to their screens as drama, strategy, and speed took center stage.

Max Verstappen continued his dominance in the Red Bull, winning the sprint race, claiming pole on Saturday, and taking victory in the Grand Prix, his fifth of the season. Over the last five race weekends, Verstappen has scored 119 out of a possible 133 points, solidifying his position as a frontrunner for the 2025 Driver’s Championship.

Lando Norris delivered an impressive performance, finishing P2 after a thrilling battle with Charles Leclerc. The two swapped positions multiple times, providing a nail-biting contest until the finish. Leclerc crossed the line in P3, showcasing a commendable fight to the top.

Lewis Hamilton finished P4 for Ferrari, keeping the team just seven points behind Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship and maintaining the excitement of the title race.

Oscar Piastri, currently leading the Drivers’ Championship, struggled to P5 due to car issues and a slower pace than expected. Kimi Antonelli also faced challenges after an incident with Carlos Sainz dropped him from P7 to the back, although smart overtaking brought him back to P13. Meanwhile, Sainz, who DNF’d, received a five-place grid penalty for the next race.

We cover all the weekend’s highlights, the ongoing Drivers’ Championship battles, and behind-the-scenes drama, including Ferrari management issues and McLaren’s ‘repercussions’ for drivers.

Next week, we’re back for the Mexico GP. Subscribe so you don’t miss a moment of the action!

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Formula 1 is full of speed, glamour, and fierce competition. But behind the scenes, it’s also been home to some of motorsport’s biggest scandals and most controversial figures. In this episode of Grand Pricks, we explore the dark side of Formula 1 and uncover the stories of those who’ve pushed the limits of ethics, sportsmanship, and legality in pursuit of victory.

We begin with Flavio Briatore, the Italian businessman whose career has been defined by both success and scandal. Known for his role as team principal during the Crashgate controversy and now an executive adviser at Alpine, Briatore’s story reflects how corruption and ambition can coexist in the paddock.

We also examine Michael Schumacher, one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, and one of its most divisive figures. A record-breaking champion and a master of precision, yet his career also includes moments defined by deliberate collisions and controversial moves. His legacy forces fans and analysts alike to question whether greatness can exist without moral compromise.

Our discussion continues with Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s outspoken advisor and talent scout, whose controversial comments and ruthless management style have often sparked debate within the sport.

We’ll also revisit Jean-Marie Balestre, the former FIA president accused of political manipulation and favoritism during his leadership, and Enzo Ferrari, whose relentless pursuit of glory led to both triumph and tragedy, with multiple Ferrari drivers losing their lives under his watch.

By exploring the villains of F1, we uncover the complex morality of motorsport: is bending the rules part of the game, or does it tarnish the spirit of racing?

This episode isn’t just about scandal, it’s a look into the psychology, ambition, and obsession that drive the people behind Formula 1. And don’t worry, we’ll balance it out soon with a follow-up episode on the heroes who restored integrity and innovation to the grid.

Tune in, subscribe, and stay ready for our next race-week episode where we break down all the drama, highlights, and action from the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

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F1 is back, baby! And we’re under the lights at the Singapore Grand Prix, one of the toughest and most iconic races on the Formula 1 calendar. The Marina Bay Circuit might not have delivered chaos on track this year (not a single DNF?!), but don’t worry, the drama was alive and well everywhere else.

George Russell took an impressive win, his second of the year, but questions over his Mercedes contract for 2026 continue. We unpack what his victory means for the team and for his future in the sport.

Over at McLaren, the so-called papaya rules caused friction. Lando Norris secured a podium while Oscar Piastri was left frustrated, even as McLaren clinched the Constructors’ Championship. We get into the strategy choices, the team dynamics, and whether papaya politics are back on the menu.

Ferrari kept things interesting, too. Lewis Hamilton’s late-race brake issues earned him a five-second penalty for track-limit violations, dropping him from P7 to P9. Meanwhile, rumours of Charles Leclerc heading to Mercedes are gaining traction, a move that could reshuffle the Formula 1 grid entirely.

We also revisit the original Singapore drama: the 2008 Crashgate scandal. Renault’s orchestrated crash, led by Flavio Briatore, changed the sport forever and still shadows how the FIA handles integrity and regulation today.

Amid the controversy, there were lighter moments, including Williams turning a young fan’s drawing into official team merch. A small reminder that F1 can still have heart, even in a season full of headlines.

To wrap up, our Grand Pricks podium returns, ranking who was prick (disappointing), grand (good), and grand prick (outstanding) at the Singapore GP.

We’ll be back next week with a special deep dive episode during the break, talking about iconic names in the sport in history and whether they are considered a hero or a villain of F1. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!

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Formula 1 has always been more than just the fastest drivers and the most glamorous races; it’s also a game of innovation, creativity, and finding ways to bend the rules without breaking them. In this deep-dive episode of Grand Pricks, we explore the fascinating history of how F1 teams have exploited loopholes in the technical regulations of Formula 1, creating what often feels like the ultimate cheat codes of the sport.

The FIA’s rulebook has been tested, twisted, and reimagined by some of the smartest engineers in motorsport. These innovations often skate right on the edge of legality, forcing the governing body to clarify, rewrite, or outright ban technologies that threaten the competitive balance of F1.

One famous example is the Mercedes DAS system (Dual-Axis Steering). Introduced in 2020, it allowed drivers to adjust the toe angle of the front wheels by pulling or pushing on the steering column. The FIA permitted it for one season before banning it in 2021, declaring it an unfair advantage.

Similarly, McLaren’s F-Duct system in 2010 gave drivers the ability to stall the rear wing by using their leg to block an air duct, reducing drag on straights and boosting top speed. Rivals quickly copied it, and the FIA eventually shut it down.

But these are just the tip of the iceberg. Go back further in Formula 1 history and you’ll find the ground effect concept, pioneered by Colin Chapman and Lotus in the late 1970s. By shaping the car’s underside like an inverted wing, teams created huge amounts of downforce, but at the cost of safety.

Another innovation was active ride suspension, introduced in the early 1990s. This system used computer-controlled hydraulic actuators to dynamically adjust a car’s ride height, stiffness, and rake in real time. By 1994, the FIA stepped in again, outlawing the system for giving too much of an advantage.

What all these examples show is that Formula 1 is as much about the battle of engineering and innovation as it is about racing wheel-to-wheel on track. Every season, teams search for small performance gains, whether it’s in aerodynamics, suspension, tires, or fuel systems. When one team finds a loophole, others rush to copy it before the FIA steps in. This constant cycle of innovation, regulation, and reinvention is what makes Formula 1 a never-ending technical arms race.

In this episode, we break down how these innovations shaped the sport, why some were banned, and how loopholes have continued to define Formula 1 across the decades. So buckle up and join us on this journey into the grey areas of Formula 1’s rulebook.

We’ll be back next week with a new race episode for the Singapore Grand Prix. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!

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We’re back with another Formula 1 race review, and this week we break down all the drama and action from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025. Baku once again proved to be a high-stakes circuit, delivering surprising results, standout performances, and a few championship shake-ups that will shape the rest of the season.

Oscar Piastri’s weekend unraveled early, beginning with a crash in qualifying that left him starting further back than expected. On race day, his struggles continued as he recorded his first DNF of the 2025 season after retiring on the opening lap. McLaren teammate Lando Norris didn’t fare much better, only managing a P7 finish despite the team’s strong run of podium results earlier this year.

Red Bull reminded the grid of their dominance. Max Verstappen mastered the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, starting on pole and cruising to another commanding win, making it two consecutive victories for the reigning world champion. Yuki Tsunoda backed up the effort with a solid drive, while Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar also scored valuable points. With all four Red Bull-affiliated drivers performing well, the team’s grip on Formula 1 in 2025 looks as strong as ever.

Carlos Sainz provided one of the biggest stories of the weekend by securing his first podium of the season. Finishing third behind George Russell in the Mercedes, Sainz finally found some form in what has been a difficult start to the year. Russell’s second place gave Mercedes a crucial boost in the Constructors’ Championship, moving them ahead of Ferrari after a difficult weekend for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. For Ferrari fans, Baku was a disappointment that left the team sliding down the standings.

Beyond the results, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix raised plenty of talking points for the rest of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Will Ferrari recover their momentum, or is Mercedes set to climb even higher? And what does the strong showing from Isack Hadjar mean for Red Bull’s driver lineup in 2026?

As always, we go beyond the race itself with sharp analysis, behind-the-scenes speculation, and a new F1 guessing game quiz. We wrap up the episode by naming our “Grand Pricks Podium,” with who we thought stood out the most, performed well enough, and disappointed.

Stay tuned for next week’s deep dive episode ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.

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F1 Silly Season is here, and in this special episode of the Grand Pricks podcast, we dive into the drama, rumors, and contract negotiations shaping the future of the Formula 1 grid. This episode is your complete guide to who’s staying, who’s leaving, and who might still surprise us.

We kick things off by explaining exactly what Silly Season means in Formula 1. For new fans, it’s the chaotic period when rumors, negotiations, and contract break clauses dominate the headlines. Teams are finalising their lineups, drivers are fighting to secure their places, and speculation runs wild. The uncertainty makes this one of the most exciting times in the F1 calendar.

Which drivers already have their contracts sealed for 2026? Who is guaranteed a seat with their current team, and who’s shopping around the paddock for a new opportunity? We break down each team’s situation, covering the top names at Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren, all the way through to the midfield battles at Alpine, Aston Martin, Williams, Haas, and the newest entrant, Cadillac.

But because this is the Grand Pricks podcast, you know we’re not just delivering straightforward analysis. For this episode, we’re giving the Silly Season a hilarious twist with a Take Me Out UK parody. Instead of single contestants pitching themselves to win a date, it’s the F1 drivers pitching their cases to the line of team principals representing all 10 current teams, plus Cadillac for 2026. And yes, that means plenty of Paddy McGuinness impressions, bad accents, and of course, repeated shouts of the iconic “No likey, no lighty!” It’s F1 meets game show chaos.

Looking ahead, the next big race on the calendar is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, which promises high drama on track and could confirm whether McLaren has what it takes to secure the Constructors’ Championship. We’ll be back to break it all down in our next episode, so make sure you’re subscribed to the Grand Pricks podcast to stay on top of the latest Formula 1 news, race recaps, off-track drama, and chaotic cultural moments.

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