The Inside Track

Lando Norris becomes F1 World Champion... but is Max Verstappen driver of the season?

Rick and Matt discuss the final race of the 2025 Formula One season in Abu Dhabi, Lando Norris’s first time becoming world champion, and Max Verstappen’s valiant second half of the season, which saw him come within two points of finishing top. The pair ask: Was this Max’s best ever season? They also review the F1 highlights of 2025, look ahead to what’s to come in 2026, plus we hear Red Bull chief engineer Paul ‘Pedals’ Monaghan’s assessment of the season. Also in this episode: * The key moments which led to Lando Norris’s first world championship win * Why Max was ‘the most upbeat person’ in the Red Bull camp * Rick’s favourite F1 memes * Next season’s Formula One regulation changes explained * Rick & Matt’s 2026 predictions Don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive F1 insights, race recaps, and all the gossip from inside the paddock. - For the entire season Matt Majendie and Rick Edwards are embedded with Max Verstappen and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. Matt will be in the pits and in the garage, with the drivers and in the factory, at the debriefs and the strategy session. Get involved with the show! Email us: theinsidetrack@bbc.com Follow us on social media: Instagram: @theinsidetrack_podcast TikTok: @theinsidetrack_pod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinsidetrack_podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theinsidetrack_podcast] This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. Producer: Jon Weeks Executive Producer: James Cook Social Media and Video Editor: Georgina Revell See omnystudio.com/listener [http://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Max Verstappen takes the 2025 F1 Championship fight to Abu Dhabi

Rick and Matt discuss yet another strong race from Max Verstappen in Qatar, as a tactical pit stop saw Red Bull outwit McLaren.  The pair also discuss all highlights from the Formula One race in Qatar, preview the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, and consider whether Isaac Hadjar is the right man for the job at Red Bull for 2026. Also in this episode: * Have the Papaya Rules damaged McLaren’s driver championship title hopes? * How Carlos Sainz secured the podium * Will Isaac Hadjar break the ‘curse’ of the Red Bull second seat? * Rick and Matt share their final race predictions for the 2025 season 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive F1 insights, race recaps, and all the gossip from inside the paddock. - For the entire season Matt Majendie and Rick Edwards are embedded with Max Verstappen and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. Matt will be in the pits and in the garage, with the drivers and in the factory, at the debriefs and the strategy session. Get involved with the show! Email us: theinsidetrack@bbc.com Follow us on social media: Instagram: @theinsidetrack_podcast TikTok: @theinsidetrack_pod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinsidetrack_podcast This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC.  No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. Producer: Jon Weeks Executive Producer: James Cook Social Media and Video Editor: Georgina Revell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Max Verstappen BACK in Championship contention after McLaren double-disqualification

Rick and Matt react LIVE to McLaren’s double disqualification in the Las Vegas GP, and discuss Max Verstappen’s renewed chances of winning the Championship, at just 24 points behind Lando Norris. The pair also discuss all the drama from the race in Vegas, share insight from Red Bull on their second seat for 2026, and hear from Red Bull strategist Hannah Schmitz on proposed mandatory two-stop races in future Formula One seasons. Also in this episode: * Why the Vegas road surface was so tricky to drive on in the wet * Was Kimi Antonelli’s five-second penalty fair? * Max Verstappen set to lose ANOTHER engineer * Matt misses out on a SIX-POINTER in the podcast predictions league   👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive F1 insights, race recaps, and all the gossip from inside the paddock. - For the entire season Matt Majendie and Rick Edwards are embedded with Max Verstappen and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. Matt will be in the pits and in the garage, with the drivers and in the factory, at the debriefs and the strategy session. Get involved with the show! Email us: theinsidetrack@bbc.com Follow us on social media: Instagram: @theinsidetrack_podcast TikTok: @theinsidetrack_pod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinsidetrack_podcast This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC.  No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. Producer: Jon Weeks Executive Producer: James Cook Social Media and Video Editor: Georgina Revell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

How Max Verstappen has become a ‘complete driver’ - Former Red Bull F1 mechanic Calum Nicholas

Calum Nicholas, Red Bull team ambassador, tells Matt Majendie why he thinks Max Verstappen is the best driver on the grid in 2025. Calum also discusses his time behind the scenes at Red Bull, including the 2021 Championship Season win, what he learned over ten years in his role, and how the culture within the team breeds success. Also in this episode: * Calum’s struggle with leaving work behind * Max’s personal character and being a ‘great human’ * Calum’s mission to diversify the F1 workforce * Laurent Mekies Vs Christian Horner * Calum’s experience writing his book: Life in the Pit Lane * Will Max stay at RB beyond 2026? * Why Red Bull’s powertrain shift for 2026 is a bold strategy Don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive F1 insights, race recaps, and all the gossip from inside the paddock. - For the entire season Matt Majendie and Rick Edwards are embedded with Max Verstappen and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. Matt will be in the pits and in the garage, with the drivers and in the factory, at the debriefs and the strategy session. Get involved with the show! Email us: theinsidetrack@bbc.com Follow us on social media: Instagram: @theinsidetrack_podcast TikTok: @theinsidetrack_pod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinsidetrack_podcast This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. Producer: Jon Weeks Executive Producer: James Cook Social Media and Video Editor: Georgina Revell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Can Red Bull make a COMPETITIVE car for Max Verstappen?

Ben Hodgkinson, technical director of Red Bull Powertrains, discusses the team's progress in making the new Powertrains for Red Bull and Max Verstappen's thoughts on its progression. He also talks about leaving Mercedes to work for Red Bull and what he believes could go wrong with the new regulations in 2026.   👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive F1 insights, race recaps, and all the gossip from inside the paddock. - For the entire season Matt Majendie and Rick Edwards are embedded with Max Verstappen and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. Matt will be in the pits and in the garage, with the drivers and in the factory, at the debriefs and the strategy session. Get involved with the show! Email us: theinsidetrack@bbc.com Follow us on social media: Instagram: @theinsidetrack_podcast TikTok: @theinsidetrack_pod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinsidetrack_podcast This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC.  No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC. Executive Producer: James Cook Social Media and Video Editor: Georgina Revell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.