2 Soft Compounds: Talking Formula 1 Testing, The Wolffs & Others

Tuesday, 04 March 2025 at 17:40

Hi Readers, trust all is well ahead of what promises to be a mega-entertaining, talking point-packed 2025 Formula 1 season, of course, GRANDPRIX247 will as always write all about it in abundance, but now a chance to talk about it has arisen.

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When approached by Ian Carless and his W4 Podcast Studio team with Rick Houghton to chat about Formula 1 once a week for the 2 Soft Compounds Podcast, all I had to do was talk they said! Born with a motormouth, I jumped at it because there's a lot to say about my sport, our sport.

So for the foreseeable future, every Tuesday (and perhaps on the odd newsworthy occasion) Rick and I will dissect the news and the bullsh!t that permeates the Formula 1 paddock as part of our ongoing independent and non-mainstream coverage of the sport.

As always with such audio-based start-ups, plans aplenty are in store for the Podcast (eg. guests, polls etc) but for a healthy kick-off we depend on growing our listener base and growing a community around the podcast through GRANDPRIX247, social media and simple organic growth.

If you like what we are doing with 2 Soft Compounds please spread the word, the help of listeners and subscribers will be vital to growing the listenership as this salubrious Formula 1 season progresses and our episodes mature along the way.

Until we set up bespoke social media channels for 2 Soft Compounds, please feel free to leave messages in the comments, criticism, and ideas to improve would be welcome and appreciated. Even sound bites we can feature on the Podcast should it be deemed fit. Email MP3 file here:

Help us grow, and we will deliver! Enjoy the show!

2 Soft Compounds: Let's get this party started

When approached by Ian Carless and his W4 Podcast Studio team with Rick Houghton to chat about Formula 1 once a week for the 2 Soft Compounds Podcast, all I had to do is talk! I jumped at it because I have a lot to say about my sport, our sport.

Testing, Tyres & Toto's Canon! This week on 2 Soft Compounds, hosts Rick Houghton and Paul Velasco break down Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, revealing which teams look hot, which look lost and why McLaren might just be the ones to beat.

They also dig into Hamilton’s smooth start at Ferrari, the latest paddock gossip (including that wild Susie Wolff FIA presidency rumour) and why rookies and sandbagging teams could spice up the grid.

With bold predictions, plenty of banter plus a few spicy takes, this is your fast-lap guide to the 2025 F1 season opener.

New episodes every Tuesday – follow us on Instagram to join the conversation!

Latest 2 Soft Compounds Episode Rundown:

1️⃣ Bahrain Testing: Fast Laps & Red Flags - Breaking down pre-season testing — who's hot, who's not.

2️⃣ Hamilton at Ferrari: Smooth Operator or Bumpy Ride? First impressions of Lewis in red — is this the car that finally gives him his 8th title?

3️⃣ Rookies, Rivals & Surprise Packages - From rookie debuts to midfield movers — who’s impressing, who’s struggling, and why Haas might be in real trouble.

4️⃣ Susie Wolff for FIA President?! - The wild paddock rumour that’s got everyone talking — would she take on the top job (and should she)?

5️⃣ Aston Martin: Green Machines or Lost Cause? - What’s going on at Aston — are they giving up on 2025 already and waiting for Adrian Newey’s magic touch in 2026?

6️⃣ Looking Ahead to Melbourne. - Early thoughts as the countdown to the first race begins — why this season could be the closest, craziest yet.