Matt Majendie speaks with Rebecca Clancy, ex-F1 correspondent for the Times and former Editor-in-Chief at Autosport, about Max Verstappen’s chances of winning the 2025 Grand Prix Championship.

Rebecca explains how luck, mentality and raw talent will decide who wins, previews what’s to come in Brazil, shares her predictions for the end of the season, and shares her take on driver moves ahead of 2026.

Also in this episode:

• How McLaren have “shot themselves in the foot”
• Why 2025 has been Verstappen’s ‘most mature’ season
• Rebecca’s take on why the best drivers end up with the best cars
• Remembering Max Verstappen’s impressive drive in the rain in Brazil 2016
• The difference between Verstappen and the McLaren drivers
• Why F1 fans now have more respect for Max Verstappen

👉 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 for privacy information.

Rick and Matt discuss whether the late virtual safety car was necessary in Mexico, as Max missed out on second place to Charles Leclerc.

The pair review all the drama from Mexico City, and Matt shares some exclusive insight from Max’s manager Raymond Vermeulen on his future at Red Bull.

Also in this episode:

• Will the pressure of being top unsettle Lando Norris?
• Liam Lawson’s stewards near-miss
• Ollie Bearman’s impressive record finish
• Matt shares an update on McLaren V Red Bull “tape-gate”

👉 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 for privacy information.

Ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix, Max Verstappen tells Matt Majendie the ‘secret’ behind his recent success, the moment he felt like the title was out of reach, and the one thing that would stop him from winning the championship.

Max explains how significant winning the championship would be for him and the team, and shares his thoughts on McLaren’s approach this season.

Also in this episode:

• Why he won’t name the ‘best’ driver on the grid
• Laurent’s impact on Red Bull
• The success of his Esports team Red Line
• Max’s mission to get Esports drivers into Formula One

👉 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 for privacy information.

Red Bull’s Head of Sporting, Steve Knowles joins Matt Majendie to reveal how Max Verstappen has rediscovered his winning form, and why his belief could deliver a fifth world title.

Steve explains Laurent Mekies’s influence on Red Bull, the tactical tweaks made behind the scenes, and how important mentality will be for the end of the 2025 F1 season.

Also in this episode:

• Lando vs Oscar - McLaren’s ‘tricky situation’
• The pit wall dynamic under Laurent Mekies
• The mindset shift from “hunted” to “hunter”
• Max’s ‘very relaxed’ demeanor as the competition hots up

👉 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 for privacy information.

Matt chats to Dutch Journalist, Erik Van Haran, who knows Max Verstappen and the Verstappen clan very well. They talk about Max's season so far, his recent turnaround and whether he can really win the title. Erik talks about Max's character and reflects on his reputation, especially in the UK. H

e also talks about how the team are working differently under Laurent Mekies, and how those changes are helping to make them better.


👉 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 for privacy information.

In an exclusive interview, Red Bull's chief engineer Paul 'Pedals' Monaghan reveals his frustration despite Verstappen's podium finish. Rick Edwards and Matt Majendie explain why his second place spot was better than his wins in Monza and Baku.

Plus they discuss the growing tension between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, Christian Horner's plans to make an F1 return next year, and what to look out for in the USA Grand Prix.

Also in this episode:

• Oscar Piastri unleashes his grumpy side
• Christian Horner's £80 MILLION payout
• Why Hadjar looks poised to take Red Bull's second seat
• Ferrari's poor performance in Singapore

👉 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 for privacy information.

They have been described as the biggest overhaul of Formula One in 50 years. Sports Journalist Matt Majendie explains the five key things you need to know about the regulation changes, and considers whether Max Verstappen could benefit.

In this episode:

• F1 cars to become 50/50 ICE and EV
• Why Formula One is making changes for 2026
• Will there be 100% sustainable fuel?
• How the changes could make overtaking more exciting

👉 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 for privacy information.

As Max Verstappen seals his fourth win of the season in Baku, Rick Edwards and Matt Majendie ask can this momentum put him back in the title fight?

Plus, after a drama-packed Azerbaijan Grand Prix, they analyse Red Bull’s tyre-tactics, McLaren’s missed chances, and the growing tension in this season’s championship chase.

Also in this episode:

• Yuki Tsunoda’s strong points finish in Baku
• Rumour: Is Isack Hadjar set to secure Red Bull’s second seat?
• What will it take for Verstappen to do well in Singapore?
• Rick & Matt discuss Lando Norris’s missed opportunity in Azerbaijan

👉 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 for privacy information.