F1: Into the Barrier
A Formula 1 podcast discussing all the excitement from the pitlane. Host George Close provides his armchair opinions on the F1 Championship whilst trying to avoid crashing into the Armco barrier of podcasting.
Episodes
George receives a controversial 5-second time penalty as he dives into a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that brought just enough excitement to keep things medium spicy. In this episode of Into the Barrier, he breaks down Max Verstappen’s pole and penalty combo, Red Bull’s MAGA-Republican energy as they refused to back down over Turn 1, and Oscar Piastri’s ice-cold pass on Lewis Hamilton en route to the win and championship lead.
There’s a...
George struggles to get his transponder working like his namesake as he delves into a Bahrain Grand Prix. In this race review, George unpacks Oscar Piastri’s cool, calm, and commanding drive to his first F1 hat trick, George Russell’s peak-era form, and Lando Norris’ fast-but-flustered Sunday.
He breaks down Red Bull’s pit lane problems (‘release lighting rig’?), Verstappen’s miserable stint on the hard tyre, and Alpine’s turnaround...
George dons his smartest outfit (and forgets a hat) to dissect a Suzuka Sunday that was light on overtakes, heavy on Verstappen domination. In this Japanese GP race review, George breaks down Max Verstappen's pole-to-flag masterclass, Lando Norris’ frustrating P2, and whether McLaren missed a trick on strategy.
He dives into the dirty air debate that’s plaguing the 2025 cars, Verstappen’s post-race McLaren shade, and Kim Antonel...
George realises he would never last in a Red Bull driver academy whilst dissecting the news that Liam Lawson has been dropped by Red Bull and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda — just two races into the season!
In this solo interim episode, George dons his (possibly fake) signed Suzuka cap and dives headfirst into Red Bull's ruthlessness, the mounting pressure on second drivers, and the Max Verstappen-shaped shadow looming over the team. ...
George presents a handy 3-minute guide on how to sound like an F1 expert in 2025 — without watching a single race. Whether you're trying to impress a McLaren-loving partner, decode why your sibling’s up at 6am every Sunday, or just fake your way through small talk, this episode gives you the key headlines, major drivers, and one spicy rule change that’ll make you sound in-the-know. Perfect for casual fans, supportive friends, or an...
In an Into the Barrier first, George spins like a rookie – and brings you the debut video podcast. He breaks down the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, from Oscar Piastri’s maiden pole and McLaren’s crushing 1-2 finish, to Ferrari’s double disqualification disaster and Liam Lawson skating on thin ice.
🏁 Sprint shock: Hamilton wins in red🔧 Norris' brake scare + Doohan’s dodgy defending📉 Red Bull unrest: Is a Tsunoda swap looming?🔥 Haas he...
George shares his own tribute to Eddie Jordan, the growling, wild-eyed Irishman who went from grid-fighting team boss to unpredictable TV pundit — and made F1 infinitely more fun.
George reflects on the life and legacy of Eddie Jordan, the maverick who gave Michael Schumacher his big break, called Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move years before it happened, and once turned a midfield team into title outsiders.
He breaks down Jordan's wild...
George decides to get back behind the microphone for the 2025 season after a year hiatus. Yes, this one is a little late, but let’s not get too bogged down with that shall we?
In this return episode, George breaks down all the key talking points from a chaotic and wet 2025 Australian Grand Prix. From Lando Norris’s dominant win in Melbourne to Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s rather impressive (with some luck thrown in) F1 debut. McLaren’s r...
George can't quite believe how many records Max Verstappen has broken this season and, in the interest of saving on editing time, decides not to list them! He does, however, get quite excited about the Ferrari v Mercedes and Williams v Alpha Tauri battles that kept everyone interested down to the final laps of the face.
He finishes off by making some hilariously unfounded claims about next year and offers his very relaxed arm chair ...
George takes a gamble in Vegas but finds himself out of luck, much like Carlos Sainz's brush with a drain cover and Lando Norris' bump in the road. George reflects on an exciting race where Charles LeClerc actually managed to challenge Max Verstappen on pace for.. well.. 5 laps? Still something to hold onto in this dreary season and no better place to reflect on it than Into the Barrier!
George suffers an electrical outage on the out lap of podcasting as he reflects on Max Verstappen's Brazilian triumph, Alonso's last lap heroics, dismal Mercedes, and solid progress for Mclaren.
George finds himself lost in a carnival of madness in Mexico as he gets over excited about another loco Grand Prix. A huge qualifying upset for Lando Norris and a Ferrari Saturday special wasn’t enough to stop Max Verstappen’s 16th win of theseason, but George presses on with the podcast and gives his 2-pence on Sergio Perez's turn 1 crash, Dani Ricciardo’s form, K-Mag’s crash, and Lewis Hamilton’s medium tyre super stint.
George reveals he is as thick as two short Ferrari and Mercedes planks as he reflects on the Austin GP sprint weekend commenting on the disqualifications, Red Bull's reliable strategy, Lewis Hamilton's form and the over criticism of Ferrari strategy.
George tries to go around the outside into the first corner and spins into the podcasting gravel trap whilst discussing Max Verstappen's Third* World Championship, Peak Piastri, heat stroke, Alfa Romeo's double points finish, and a Mercedes' first corner blunder..
*Second
George suffers a brake-by-podcast malfunction as he reluctantly pontificates on Max Verstappen's statement 19.4 second win, questions Sergio Perez (again), and considers how badly Mercedes are missing the cool head of James Voules.
George delights in the best F1 race of the year after Carlos Sainz's 'Jarno Trulli' magnificent win. He discusses Carlos' impressive strides in qualifying, flexi-wings and George Russell's crash!
George squeezes the outside car onto the metaphorical grass of podcasting with his thoughts on Max's 10 wins in a row.. (come on Sergio..), Hamilton and Piastri's incident, and Albon's Saturn V Williams Rocket Ship!
George remarks on Max Verstappen drawing level with Sebastian Vettel and Alberto Acari* for the most consecutive wins in Formula 1, Fernando Alonso's matador performance in the rain, and Carlos Sainz's form at Ferrari.
George dives into the Belgian GP where Max Verstappen finished 22 seconds ahead Sergio Perez... a bit too easy? George also reflects on a good weekend for Mercedes, another superb Piastri performance and Otmar's last race.
George and Ben swerve quickly into some predictions as they try to avoid some podcast debris with this quick preview show of what looks to be a very very wet Spa!
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