Fresh Rubber

Lando Norris is the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion – and he didn’t have to become “Max 2.0” to do it.

In this episode of Fresh Rubber, Jase and Gav unpack an Abu Dhabi finale that somehow managed to be tense, clean, and deeply satisfying:

• Lando’s “I did it my way” moment and full hero arc

• McLaren’s philosophy on trial: equal drivers, papaya rules and long-term belief

• Yuki Tsunoda’s controversial defence on Norris and the p...

What a race. What a mess. What a championship fight.

Jason and Gav dive into a chaotic Qatar Grand Prix full of strategy misfires, emotional meltdowns, and a title fight that refuses to calm down.

We unpack McLaren’s baffling safety-car decision, why Lando somehow still holds the statistical upper hand heading into the Abu Dhabi finale, Max Verstappen’s unstoppable momentum, Lewis Hamilton’s painful season at Ferrari, and the rema...

The Las Vegas Grand Prix delivered one of the most dramatic swings of the 2025 season. What looked like a straightforward one-stop race escalated into a four-hour global refresh-fest as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were dramatically disqualified for excessive plank wear. The fallout from that decision has transformed the championship fight and set up one of the most intense finales in recent memory.

In this episode, we unpac...

Sao Paulo gave us everything: a wild Sprint, a Grand Prix full of storylines, and two title rivals heading in opposite directions.

We break down Lando Norris’ “zen mode” weekend, Max Verstappen’s proof-of-standard drive from a poor grid slot, and Oscar Piastri’s form dip since Baku. We also dig into Kimi Antonelli’s breakout P2/P2, what that does to George Russell’s “team leader” identity, and Ferrari’s very public frustration afte...

The Mexico City GP delivered chaos, controversy, and career-defining drives.

Lando Norris dominated every session (except FP1) and reclaimed the championship lead , while the FIA triggered Hamilton fans with a bonkers 10s penalty.

We unpack Max's rogue driving, Bearman’s breakout for Haas and the Russell radio soap opera that summed up Mercedes’ weekend. All that plus: how Aston’s “tyre scrubbing” became unintentional comedy, why...

The US Grand Prix delivered a hard swerve in the 2025 title race. Max Verstappen swept the Sprint and Grand Prix, shrinking the gap and transforming the narrative from chaos agent to potential champion. We dig into why the tide turned at COTA: Red Bull’s front-wing/skid-block tweaks, Max’s mistake-free racecraft, and a team that suddenly looks happy and operational again.

On the McLaren side, Lando Norris looks mentally sharp and p...

Singapore turned into the Sauna GP: drivers wrecked, ice-bath prep debated—and Max still refusing the new cooling layer. We break down George Russell’s statement win, a suddenly lively Mercedes, and McLaren’s lap-one flashpoint between Lando and Piastri. Is it hard racing or a media beat-up?

• 🔥 “Sauna GP” vibes: Drivers shattered under the lights, ice-bath prep only helping for half the race, and Max refusing the new cooling ...

Baku served up a weekend of contrasts: record-long qualifying chaos followed by a processional Grand Prix—yet the storylines were huge. Jason and Gavin unpack Max Verstappen’s clinical grand slam and whether Red Bull’s post-Italy upgrade has turned “the Joker” into a late-season contender. They dissect McLaren’s rough round—Piastri’s uncharacteristic errors (jump start, wall, the lot), Norris’s “out first” quali gamble and pit stop...

Jason flies solo to unpack a brisk Monza weekend: Max “the Joker” disrupts the title race, McLaren’s “papaya rules” spark debate after a slow stop flips track order, and rookie storylines add texture to a shortest-ever GP Sunday. Plus, how Azerbaijan and Singapore may swing momentum next.

• Max the Joker: Verstappen nails setup and mood → poles & wins for his 3rd victory of 2025; disrupts the McLaren 1–2 script.

• ...

After a long summer break, Jason and Gavin dive straight into the Dutch GP drama: Lando’s gut-punch DNF, Piastri’s relentlessness, and Max’s very Max moment at Turn 3.

We talk about the impact of safety-cars, rookie expectations around Kimi Antonelli (and “rookiehood” on both sides of the garage), celebrate Ollie Bearman’s opportunism, and wrap with a brisk Monza preview—overtakes, low downforce, and who might surprise on the strai...

🎯 Norris’s Best Win Yet?

• A one-stop gamble turns into genius.
• 39 laps on the hard tyre and flawless traffic management.
• Lando’s composure under pressure from a faster Piastri.

🥈 Piastri: Ruthless or Rattled?

• Oscar’s pursuit ends just 0.5s short.
• Ignoring the red car ahead: “I only care about beating Lando.”

🟥 Ferrari: From Pole to Puzzled

• Leclerc’s early pace looked untouchable.
• Sudden drop-off post ...

Jason and Gavin break down the wet and wild weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, where strategy, tire gambles, and McLaren’s rising dominance took center stage. Despite some calling it a snoozefest, we dig into why this race had more going on than met the eye — especially if you love the technical and strategic side of F1.

• Why the Grand Prix was more cat-and-mouse than lights-to-flag chaos

• Sp...

Silverstone delivered a chaotic classic — from slicks and strategy to safety car controversy and rookie carnage. Jason and Gavin break down all the drama of the 2025 British Grand Prix, where Oscar Piastri showed rare emotion, Lando Norris delivered under pressure, and Nico Hülkenberg finally stood on a Formula 1 podium.

• Was this the greatest fumble of all time? Piastri’s 10-second penalty and the emotions...

Austrian flair and McLaren fire! In this high-octane recap of the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, Jace and Gav unpack an unforgettable weekend of wheel-to-wheel drama, emotional highs, and strategic blunders. From Lando Norris reclaiming his “Last Lap Lando” crown to Verstappen’s rare DNF, the Red Bull Ring delivered on chaos and consequence.

💥 Topics covered:

• Lando’s emotional history with Austria — and his dominant win

• Oscar P...

This one had it all. Power unit failures, strategy chaos, pit wall arguments, protest drama, a groundhog-related car failure(?!), and the McLarens finally going wheel-to-wheel — until they didn’t.

We dive deep into:

• Red Bull’s masterclass in proactive strategy (and Yuki’s painful gap to Max)

• Whether McLaren got it right… or right-ish

• Antonelli’s coming-of-age podium and what it says about his future

• The Norris-Piastri c...

The brakes were hot and the takes were hotter in Spain this weekend. Barcelona delivered a dramatic farewell to F1, with McLaren’s Piastri leading a 1-2 finish and Verstappen living up to his “Red Bull” name with a fiery collision. We break down the key moments, controversies, and what it means for the championship fight. Tune in for all the hot takes and heated debates!

🏎️ McLaren’s 1-2: Piastri dominates, Norris keeps him honest...

This week on Fresh Rubber, we dive into the high-stakes, low-overtake streets of Monte Carlo. The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix gave us tension, tactics, and a few well-timed tantrums. From rule experiments to team shenanigans, there’s more than enough to unpack.

• Two-stop rule: innovation or illusion? Did the FIA’s attempt to spice up strategy actually work — or just confuse everyone?

• Still no o...

This week on Fresh Rubber, we break down a surprisingly action-packed Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Verstappen pulls off one of the cleanest overtakes of the season, Piastri learns a hard lesson in racecraft, and the new soft C6 tyres bring the heat to Imola.

We talk Lando’s late charge, Lewis’s red revival, and why Yuki’s crash and comeback deserves serious respect.

Plus: how Hulkenberg and Tsunoda turned one-stoppers into headlines,...

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris take center stage in a wild Miami GP weekend, with epic battles for the lead and a chaotic wet-to-dry sprint race. Ferrari keep us entertained with their classic strategic meltdowns, while Max Verstappen's ruthlessness and George Russell’s consistency keep the McLaren drivers on their toes.

We break down the drama, the fun facts, and who’s got what it takes to challenge for P3 in the standin...