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. Follow us on socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandprickspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandprickspodcast/ X: https://x.com/grandprickspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grandprickspodcast Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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! Follow us on socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandprickspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandprickspodcast/ X: https://x.com/grandprickspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grandprickspodcast Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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! Follow us on socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandprickspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandprickspodcast/ X: https://x.com/grandprickspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grandprickspodcast Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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. Follow us on socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandprickspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandprickspodcast/ X: https://x.com/grandprickspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grandprickspodcast Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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. Follow us on socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandprickspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandprickspodcast/ X: https://x.com/grandprickspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grandprickspodcast Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Formula One fans, welcome back to the Grand Pricks podcast for our complete Monza Grand Prix race recap and analysis. This episode covers Max Verstappen's record-breaking victory at the Temple of Speed in Monza, where he dominated the Italian Grand Prix and surpassed Michael Schumacher's historic achievement. Our discussion dives deep into McLaren's controversial "Papaya Rules" implementation during the championship battle between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. We analyse whether McLaren made the right strategic decision for the team while potentially impacting their drivers' individual title chances. This Grand Prix recap also examines Ferrari's long-awaited upgrades and improved performance from both drivers at their home race. We provide rookie driver analysis, highlighting which newcomers impressed and which fell short during this crucial F1 weekend. Beyond race analysis, we explore F1 behind-the-scenes drama, including Franco Colapinto's criticism of Alpine's merchandise pricing strategy. Plus, we dive into the unexpected world of Formula One fan fiction, ranking popular Wattpad romance stories featuring current drivers. Our podcast includes a parody musical segment featuring our F1 version of "Bella Ciao" - fair warning about our questionable vocal abilities! Next week's podcast will focus entirely on silly season contract negotiations, examining which drivers have secured their seats for next season and analysing the remaining uncertainties in the driver market. Subscribe to never miss our weekly race recaps and deep dives, driver analysis, team strategies, and the lighter side of motorsport culture. We bring you comprehensive Grand Prix coverage with humor, insight, and plenty of chaos. Follow us on socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandprickspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandprickspodcast/ X: https://x.com/grandprickspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grandprickspodcast Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The summer break is finally over as F1 returned with a bang when we went racing in the Dutch Grand Prix this Sunday. And what a race to come back to. From the start, the weather set the tone with wet conditions and constant uncertainty, and the drama unfolded almost immediately. Lewis Hamilton crashed out early, Kimi Antonelli tangled with Charles Leclerc to end Ferrari’s second car, and in a heartbreaking twist, Lando Norris, running strongly in P2, suffered an engine failure. That retirement not only ended his race but also dealt a blow to his championship hopes, widening the gap to his teammate Oscar Piastri, who went on to take the victory for McLaren. But it wasn’t all bad news. F1 Rookie Isack Hadjar delivered a stunning drive to secure his first-ever Formula 1 podium, finishing P3 alongside race winner Piastri and home hero Max Verstappen in P2. The race also sparked debate as Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson collided, a clash that ultimately earned the Williams driver a 10-second penalty. Tune in to this week’s episode for our full F1 reactions, analysis, and of course, to hear who made it onto our Grand Pricks Podium. We’ll be back next week for the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss it! Follow us on socials for even more F1 content: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandprickspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandprickspodcast/ X: https://x.com/grandprickspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grandprickspodcast Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We’re back for the second part of our completely unhinged and slightly factual 2025 F1 mid-season review, where we’ve once again spun the wheel to decide who will be debating which teams and drivers deserved the title of Prick (disappointing), Grand (good), and Grand Prick (absolutely legendary).  We’re breaking down the F1 performances of the Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Red Bull Racing, Kick Sauber, and Williams teams and each of their drivers, and this time we spared a bit of controversy between each other on the pod as we voted for who deserved what title.  Not only are we bringing in the facts and stats to back up our arguments for who deserves what, but also passion, sometimes too much of it, as we scramble to get our point across in limited time.  This is the final deep dive of the summer break, as F1 will be back next week with our race reactions and breakdowns of the Dutch Grand Prix. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it! Follow us on socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandprickspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandprickspodcast/ X: https://x.com/grandprickspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grandprickspodcast Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Grand Pricks, we dive into the F1 2025 mid-season review with a hilarious twist. Using our “Prick, Grand, and Grand Prick” scale, we debate which F1 drivers and teams have been disappointing, impressive, or truly legendary so far. Kicking things off in alphabetical order, we break down the performances of Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Haas, and McLaren, analysing everything from on-track results to surprising storylines, before crowning each with its well-deserved title. This is part one of our two-part Formula 1 mid-year review. Next week, we’ll be back to cover the remaining teams before the F1 summer break wraps up. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it! Follow us on socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandprickspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandprickspodcast/ X: https://x.com/grandprickspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grandprickspodcast Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The F1 summer break might be here, but we’re not taking any time off! In this exciting episode of Grand Pricks, we’re kicking off our special "F1 2025 Mid-Year Exam," putting our rookie fan, Reem, to the test on everything she’s learned (or hasn’t learned) so far this racing season. From tyres and regulations to safety and race strategy, we’re revisiting past episodes to see if Reem has been paying attention… or just nodding along. (Spoiler: she definitely didn’t revise.) Think you can beat her score? You can download the exam paper here and take the test yourself! (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y7am34BIwslQqCDy_8lwBcGvb77YS8IY/view?usp=sharing) Be sure to let us know how you got on! Next week, we’re back with the first part of our F1 Mid-season Review, a deep dive into how the drivers and teams have been performing this Formula 1 season, covering the highs, the lows, and all the off-track drama you need to know. Follow us on socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandprickspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandprickspodcast/ X: https://x.com/grandprickspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grandprickspodcast Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.