Lando Norris dominates the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix, taking his 10th career win with a flawless drive that left the field 30 seconds behind. But the real entertainment? Pit-lane chaos, hot-mic drama, and unexpected heroes.

Reuben and Daniel unpack every wild turn - from Carlos Sainz’s pit-lane penalties (and unstoppable drive-through curse) to Oliver Bearman’s breakout performance for Haas, Hamilton’s costly penalty, and Max Verstappen’s strategy confusion that played out live on the radio for the world to hear.

They also dive into George Russell’s emotional radio saga, the lap-one chaos that sent Verstappen mowing the grass, and Reuben's ketchup explosion in an Irish pub in Italy.

If you like strategy talk, race debriefs, and unique F1 takes, this episode’s for you.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & welcome
04:10 – Italian-Irish pub watch party & the great ketchup explosion
11:03 – Jumping into the Mexico GP — race overview
15:33 – Race results & podium: Norris wins, Leclerc, Verstappen
17:13 – Carlos Sainz: pit-lane penalties and chaos
19:40 – Haas & Oliver Bearman’s breakout performance
20:55 – Radio gold: George Russell’s messages
24:03 – Verstappen hot-mic & pit-wall confusion
28:40 – Lap-one chaos, grass mowing & steward debates
39:15 – VSCs, Tactics - Ferrari Fading
45:01 – Leclerc off the market
51:50 – Williams "new" brand and logo
55:32 – Farewell - see you in Brazil

Critical Lap returns with a FULL breakdown of the 2025 United States Grand Prix at COTA in Austin - stetsons and all. We unpack a wild sprint weekend featuring the double McLaren crash, Sainz on the podium, and Max Verstappen suddenly looking like a real threat in the Drivers’ Championship. Has Red Bull secretly unlocked pace? Has McLaren melted down from the inside?

We also dive into the 3-way fight for P2 in the Constructors (Ferrari vs Mercedes vs Red Bull) and the 4-way midfield battle for 6th (Racing Bulls vs Aston Martin vs Haas vs Sauber). From qualifying shocks to COTA-themed liveries, from Antonelli vs. Sainz to Apple TV’s F1 deal - this one had everything.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro & Texas Big Hats
4:44 - Season is 75% done - still heating up
7:10 - Sprint: Double McLaren crash, Sainz podium, Verstappen back in the title hunt
14:50 - Qualifying: Where did Verstappen’s pace come from? Sandbag-city?
24:28 - Constructors chaos: Ferrari/Merc/Red Bull for P2 & 4-team fight for P6
26:22 - Race Recap: Verstappen domination, quiet Piastri, Leclerc defense drama
33:38 - QUICK REACTION: Sainz vs Antonelli - who’s at fault?
37:12 - QUICK REACTION: Best COTA livery - Williams, Haas, Racing Bulls, Alpine, McLaren & Aston “Math”
43:34 - QUICK REACTION: Best trophy of 2025? The longhorn track-mirror
47:08 - QUICK REACTION: F1 to Apple TV - good or bad for US fans?
50:10 - Wrap Up - next stop: Mexico GP

The streets of Baku delivered chaos, drama, and a statement drive from Max Verstappen — but the real story is Carlos "Smooth Operator" Sainz, who finally secured a long-awaited podium for Williams. In this episode of The Critical Lap, we break down everything from the 2025 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, including Verstappen’s seeming return to his dominant 2023 form, George Russell fighting through illness, and Yuki Tsunoda (finally) showing flashes of top-tier pace.

It was a weekend of contradictions with the Iceman Oscar Piastri taking his first DNF of the season, Ferrari flailing despite promising practice sessions, and a relatively quiet race after a chaotic qualifying session with a record number of red flags. Plus: Quick Reactions on Verstappen’s light-up trophy, Christian Horner rumors, and Yuki’s Red Bull future.

📌 Timestamps:

• (0:00) Intro & Baku Overview
• (4:14) Is '23 Verstappen Back?
• (10:12) Newbies stepping up: Sainz, Tsunoda, Lawson, and...Hamilton?
• (14:38) Is McLaren letting the championship slip?
• (20:09) Ferrari’s struggles & Leclerc Left on Read
• (27:09) Chaotic Baku Qualifying
• (35:00) Quick Reaction: Best Trophy of the Year?
• (36:41) Quick Reaction: Horner + Newey at Aston Martin?
• (40:11) Quick Reaction: Tsunoda safe at Red Bull?
• (45:32) Wrap Up: Looking ahead to Singapore

If you enjoyed this Baku breakdown, don’t forget to subscribe and share with fellow F1 fans. Next stop: Singapore!