The Critical Lap F1 Podcast

Monaco heard our snores and brought an interesting twist to the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix. We break down how the mandated 2-stop strategy split the grid: Racing Bulls and Williams made it work brilliantly, while Mercedes, Aston Martin, and even Hamilton were left frustrated and furious. Who played the team game best — and who got played? Chaos, controversy, and championship-defining moments — The Critical Lap is here for all of it. 

In...

In this episode of The Critical Lap, we break down the 2025 Imola Grand Prix where Max Verstappen secured yet another confident victory—despite Red Bull's ongoing narrative that their car isn’t keeping up with the competition. Are fans catching on to Christian Horner's sandbagging? We dive into Verstappen’s clinical drive, full-send pass on Oscar Piastri, and how he continues to keep the top drivers sharp with his relentl...

In this week’s episode of The Critical Lap, it's the Imola Grand Prix-View — your all-access preview of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix — but not before unpacking a huge week of F1 drama and news. First, we break down Franco Colapinto replacing Jack Doohan at Alpine for at least five races and ask: is this a trial run for a permanent seat? Then, the bizarre saga of Oliver Oakes resigning as Alpine Team Principal just days after ...

We’re diving into the action-packed weekend in Miami at 2025 Miami Grand Prix and Sprint weekend in this episode of The Critical Lap! Oscar Piastri pulls off a hat trick with three GP wins in a row, Lando Norris has to settle for a Sprint win, and Lewis Hamilton has another great Sprint (why can't he do that in a GP?). Max Verstappen is wondering "can defense win a championship?" It was a weekend packed with action o...

It’s Race Week in Miami and The Critical Lap is bringing the heat! We’re talking Max Verstappen’s new dad energy, Mercedes teaming up with NASDAQ, and a review of the first look at the F1 movie soundtrack (spoiler: no Kane Brown???). Plus, we break down the best and worst Miami GP liveries from the pink Racing Bull to the Sauber Slime to the Ferrari... choices that were made. You'll get tips on exactly when and how to watch th...

The 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit delivered on speed, strategy, and drama—and we’re here to break it all down.

Oscar Piastri takes the win with a cool, composed drive while Max Verstappen plays his old games with the stewards with a calculated foul. We unpack whether that’s fair game or crossing the line.

This season is shaping up to be a thriller with Verstappen delivering jaw-dropping performances in a ch...

In this episode of the Critical Lap Podcast, Reuben and Daniel preview the upcoming Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, covering everything from McLaren’s flexible DRS to Fernando Alonso’s hints for Max Verstappen’s future. They also take a closer look at Aston Martin’s current performance, Adrian Newey’s early focus on 2026, and the evolving dynamics across the F1 grid.

The conversation includes a breakdown of the Jeddah street circuit, expec...

The 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix brought the heat—and The Critical Lap is here to break it all down! After a sleepy Suzuka, we were treated to a full-throttle redemption in Bahrain. From Oscar Piastri’s flawless pole-to-podium performance to wild midfield battles and dramatic strategy shakeups, we cover it all. Carlos Sainz making an appearance, Alpine finally putting points on the board, and Ferrari fighting for consistency! This one i...

Get race-ready with The Critical Lap! In this Bahrain Grand Prix-View, we're breaking down everything you need to know heading into what will hopefully be a wake up call after that slow burn in Suzuka. From Jeremy Clarkson’s spicy take on how to fix F1 to toilet fines and team drama, we’re covering the latest developments in F1 that continue to change the sport.

We also take a deep dive into what makes the Bahrain International...

The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit looked quiet on the surface—but still had big implications for the 2025 Championship. The Critical Lap is back with a deep dive into the highlights of a slow-burn race in Japan. This is the third race of the 2025 F1 season—and the third different winner. We unpack how Max Verstappen kept McLaren at bay, some key storylines that continue to play out this season, which rookies are gettin...

Get ready for one of the most iconic races on the Formula 1 calendar — it's time for the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka!

We’re breaking down the biggest F1 storylines heading into the weekend: Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson moving the saga on-track, Carlos Sainz stepping up at Williams, and Ferrari trying to bounce back from a crushing double DQ in China.

We dive into what makes Suzuka Circuit so legendary for both fans and dr...

The F1 world has been buzzing non-stop about Yuki Tsunoda replacing Liam Lawson in Red Bull’s second seat—so let’s settle it once and for all. We break down why Red Bull made this decision, how it fits into their history of ruthless driver swaps, and how Tsunoda's driving style may actually suit the car. Plus, we separate fact from fiction in Drive to Survive, dig into Mercedes’ push for P2 in the Constructors’ battle, and tac...

The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix and Sprint Race had it ALL! Oscar Piastri stunned the grid with his first-ever pole and a dominant GP win, while Ferrari rode a wild rollercoaster—Lewis Hamilton celebrated his first Ferrari victory in the Sprint, only for both cars to be disqualified after the Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Haas had a dream weekend, racking up massive points as Ocon and Bearman pulled off stunning overtakes. Where's Guenthe...

The 2025 Formula 1 season kicked off down under with an unforgettable Australian Grand Prix! This race had it all—chaotic weather, stunning performances, and a nail-biting finish that kept us on the edge of our seats. We break down the biggest surprises, from unexpected winners and losers to rookies facing a true trial by water as rain shook up the grid. Which teams look like early contenders? Who flopped under pressure? And how di...

Preseason testing is complete, and the 2025 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be an absolute thriller! In this episode of The Critical Lap, we break down the biggest takeaways from testing, compare results to 2024, and analyze what the narrowing performance gap means for the grid this year. Plus, we dive into the most fire helmet designs—according to both the official F1 fan vote and our own Critical Lap Research Team. Which driver...

Formula 1 just made history with F1 75 at the O2 in London—the first-ever global season kickoff event! With all 10 teams unveiling their 2025 car liveries in a star-studded spectacle, we break down the biggest hits and misses from the night. But beyond the cars, this event signals a new era for F1—one that’s leaning into glitz, glam, and black-tie prestige. Is F1 really a fit for this Hollywood-style spectacle? Let’s dive in!

#f1 #f...

F1 team launches are here! What’s worth watching, and what’s just smoke and mirrors? With 2026 regulation changes looming, will teams invest in 2025 or just ride it out? Red Bull might be pushing their car too far, Verstappen is racking up penalty points (on and off track), and rookie seats might already be under pressure before the first race. Plus, the FIA's cracking down on driver behavior, Esports are not a joke, and we&ap...

The 2025 F1 rule changes are here—closing some loopholes and opening others. We break down the most intriguing changes—including DRS/rear wing fixes and the mandatory air conditioners. Plus, is Verstappen really on the move to Aston Martin for $1 billion? We dissect why this rumor might not be as wild as it seems. And Hamilton has officially entered the Ferrari chat—how much is real, and how much is just marketing hype? Tune in for...

Lewis Hamilton is closing out his Mercedes era in style—literally. From his bold fashion statement to his “new job” flex on LinkedIn, we dive into the hottest F1 headlines. The fans have spoken and named the best driver pairings of 2025—but are they right? We break down some overlooked duos, debate whether the U.S. needs a fourth Grand Prix, and unravel a mysterious force in racing—what do bad braking and bad baking have in common?...