The Inside Track

With five races to go, Max Verstappen is just 40 points off the top of the F1 Championship. Rick Edwards and Matt Majendie discuss how likely his comeback is, why he’ll do well in Mexico, and what must be going through the heads of Team McLaren. Also in this episode: How Charles Leclerc’s tyre masterclass frustrated Lando Norris in Austin Are McLaren’s Papaya Rules out the window? Yuki Tsunoda’s audition to secure the Red Bull second seat in 2026 Red Bull’s sneaky tape-tactics get called out by the FIA 👉 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.comFollow us on social media:Instagram: @theinsidetrack_podcastTikTok: @theinsidetrack_podYouTube: 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.

On a record-breaking weekend for Max Verstappen, Rick Edwards and Matt Majendie discuss his win at Monza, and Red Bull’s change of tactics for the second half of the Formula One season. We also dive into: Piastri’s less-than-bonza Monza race THAT awkward McLaren overtake Will the title race ever get ‘nasty’? Listeners’ reactions after Rick’s Piastri comments Will there be another fastest lap this F1 season? Plus, our usual race predictions, leaderboard update, and some listener shoutouts. 👉 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 season’s return, Matt Majendie rounds up some of the stories you may have missed over the summer break, before turning his attention to Zandvoort and the Orange Army that awaits Max Verstappen in his homeland.     First there is the question of who Verstappen’s driving partner next season will be, with rumours swirling. Matt discusses the likelihood of a whole host of names, whether moves for Álex Palou, Fernando Alonso, or George Russell, or internal hires from Red Bull’s stable for Isaac Hadjar, Liam Lawson or Arvid Lindblad.     Christian Horner’s future remains the subject of much speculation, and Matt assesses whether an appointment at Alpine, Cadillac or Aston Martin could be on the cards. No longer the subject of rumour is Cadillac’s driver line up for next season, with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez now confirmed to return to the grid with them, and Matt explains why this is a smart move.     Finally we look to the Netherlands Grand Prix, where Matt cannot foresee Verstappen repeating his success of previous years on this circuit and breaking up the McLaren drivers’ dominance. Meanwhile the return of the F1 season comes with the return of The Inside Track prediction league – send us your 1-2-3 on Instagram for Zandvoort, and help get the audience team some much needed points!    —    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.  Over the midsummer break we are bringing you special interviews and insight to give you the F1 fix.   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: Jarek Zaba  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 acting Head of Sporting at Red Bull, Steve Knowles is a familiar figure to the race stewards, often acting as a liaison between the team’s drivers and the authorities.    In the first of our summer break specials Matt Majendie speaks to Steve about the various facets of Steve’s role… which is everything from discussing rules, safety changes and race layout with the FIA; being the primary contact with race control during all the weekend sessions; and having to fight Max Verstappen’s corner, whether he’s attempting a risky overtake or throwing a towel out of his car.    Steve sheds light on the conversations he will have with the authorities over issues such as weather delays at Spa, and also gives it a bit more context to the summer break – and why exhausted teams are more than happy to switch their work phones and laptops off for a fortnight.    —   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. Over the midsummer break we are bringing you special interviews and insight to give you the F1 fix.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest Inside Track exclusive, Matt Majendie had the chance to sit down with freshly appointed Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies.   Laurent reflected on this week’s announcement that Max Verstappen is firmly staying put with Red Bull for the 2026 season, and provides an insight into working with such a formidable champion.    He also covers Red Bull’s efforts to get the best out of Yuki Tsunoda and his own leadership style – and we get a taste of Laurent Mekies the F1 fan and family man.  —   For the entire season The Inside Track has exclusive access to the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team.  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: Jarek Zaba Executive Producer: Paul Smith Social Media and Video Editor: Georgina Revell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the first race of the post Christian Horner era, so attention is firmly focused on the Red Bull camp ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. Matt Majendie questions just what the arrival of new Team Principal Laurent Mekies means for Max Verstappen and the wider Red Bull team. Has Oliver Mintzlaff brought in a football style ‘hire and fire’ approach to F1? The future of Red Bull’s second driver, Yuki Tsunoda, is the subject of speculation, and Matt addresses rumours that he could be ditched mid season. And, looking forward to the race itself, he assesses how changes to Verstappen’s car has the potential to be affected by the weather. — 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. Each week, Matt will share insider stories and updates with Rick in the studio. 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: Jarek Zaba Executive Producer: Paul Smith Social Media and Video Editor: Georgina RevellSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.