Welcome back to Reading the Grid — your guide to Formula 1.

Season 2 kicks off with a deep dive into one of motorsport’s most iconic rivalries as we review Ford vs. Ferrari (2019), the racing drama that chronicles Ford’s all-out attempt to end Ferrari’s dominance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While the film isn’t Formula 1, its themes of rivalry, innovation, ego, and obsession hit especially close to home for F1 fans — particularly as Ford prepares to return to the grid in 2026.

We break down what the movie gets right, what feels more Hollywood than history, and why Christian Bale’s Ken Miles stands out as one of motorsport’s most compelling figures. From 1960s racing technology and Le Mans lore to modern F1 parallels, we explore how this story lands differently when viewed through a Formula 1 lens.

Then we shift gears into one of the paddock’s most revealing moments: the F1 Secret Santa gift exchange. We’re judging the most thoughtful gifts, the most confusing choices, the worst reactions, and the drivers who perfectly embodied peak F1 personality — because in Formula 1, even a gift exchange can spark chaos.

This episode sets the tone for Season 2: smarter breakdowns, deeper context, and a modern take on Formula 1 — without the gatekeeping.