Welcome to Inside the Piranha Club, a new podcast brought to you by Rebecca Clancy and Ben Hunt; two F1 journalists with a combined 19 years in the sport, who will take you behind the scenes of the dizzying spectacle that is Formula 1. We will be at the races. And without shareholders or bosses to keep happy, we won't be afraid to tell you exactly how it is or give you our views. This is not F1 from our bedrooms, this is straight talking from the track. It will be frenzied, snappy and will bite. This is Inside the Piranha Club.
Bec and Ben are back after a few weeks away - and what a race to feature. The São Paulo GP had the lot - and virtually killed off Lando Norris' title hopes. There is plenty to discuss from Verstappen's brilliance, what happens to McLaren now? And does Sergio Perez have a place on the grid for 2025 - or not. There's loads more, including the odd swear word, so some community service/fine (delete as applicable) will be on the way!
After a fantastic week at the Singapore Grand Prix, Bec and Ben reflect Max Verstappen's swearing, his punishment from the FIA and his protest against the governing body. Plus they discuss Daniel Ricciardo's departure and assess his replacement, Liam Lawson.
Not one for the purists, but the Azerbaijan Grand Prix served up another cracking race and raised a number of talking points. Has Oscar Piastri's win given McLaren a happy problem to manage. All the talk going into the race was about the Aussie supporting Lando Norris but it was Piastri who came out on top. Ben and Bec discuss the smash between Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez and asses just how good Olie Bearman and Franco Colapinto actually are
Aston Martin have got their man. Adrian Newey, F1's most-successful car designer, will join the Silverstone team next year with the goal of delivering them the title. Ben and Bec discuss his move from Red Bull and what it all means for both teams. Plus they preview this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Ben and Bec get stuck into the McLaren team orders saga. Have they left it too long to prioritise Lando Norris to help him win the drivers' championship? Or should they keep on sticking with keeping things even with his team-mate Oscar Piastri? Also, what is going on at Red Bull? Has Adrian Newey's departure already had an impact? Antonelli's debut, Williams picking Colapinto over Schumacher… there is a lot to take in post Monza.
Has Max Verstappen's out-burst during the Hungarian Grand Prix reopened a move to Mercedes? Silver Arrows boss Toto Wolff is hoping so….And what is going on at McLaren after those team orders denied Lando Norris a win? Plus Ben and Bec discuss Esteban Ocon's move to Haas and ask if he is a trouble-maker?
Lewis Hamilton's victory in the British Grand Prix was emotional. Coming 945 days after his last win, Ben and Bec discuss what it's been like watching the Mercedes man going through the turmoil. They also discuss Lando Norris' most-recent near miss and just what is going wrong with Ferrari.
Max Verstappen might not get it all his own way after coming to blows with Lando Norris in Austria. Ben and Bec dissect the relationship between the two and ask whether this proves Norris is now ready to mix it with the reigning world champion. It was the middle race in the triple header and Mercedes look like they've finally cured their problems after George Russell capitalised to win his second race. And the guys look ahead to this weekend's British Grand Prix, which is certain to be another thriller!
Max Verstappen won again but the Spanish GP threw up plenty of talking points. Ben and Bec discuss why Lando Norris is so hard on himself, the controversial return to Flavio Briatore and how Mercedes are finally making progress. They also look ahead to this week's Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring.
Bec and Ben preview this weekend's Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix - the first of this F1 season's triple header. The tightly packed schedule means that the races are coming thick and fast in what will prove the perfect time to see if anyone can challenge Max Verstappen's Red Bull. F1 Teams will be brining lots of new parts at a track they know like the back of their hand and the race will offer us the best opportunity yet to see if Mercedes are over their problems. Plus we discuss the mess at Alpine, Ferrari bouncing back while Sergio Perez gets mentioned three times.
Montreal served us up a treat - even if it was a bit of a shambles at the track. Max Verstappen triumphed in what was another example of a perfect weekend for the Dutchman - unlike his team-mate, Sergio Perez. Ben and Bec discuss the race in Montreal looking at how close Lando Norris came to winning it, and assess what's wrong with Lewis Hamilton. There's also a curious off-piste discussion about electric cars off the back of the 2026 regulations. Plus, they look ahead to the triple header.
fter another dreary Monaco GP the team ponder what can be done to make the race more exciting. They also consider what has prompted Red Bull to resign Sergio Perez, plus the feel-good factor at Ferrari and McLaren. Plus a look ahead to this weekend's Canadian GP
Lando Norris pushed Max Verstappen the the wire in Imola as this season may have another twist yet. Ben and Bec discuss McLaren's improvements, whether Mercedes have finally found something and investigate some of the stories involving the driver market for 2025. Plus they preview this week's Monaco Grand Prix and Ben's reoccurring nightmare of being stuck on the grid for the start of the race.
Ben and Bec reflect on an excellent race in Miami as Lando Norris recorded his first win. Bec ponders Adrian Newey's exit, Ben predicts a return to the grid for another British driver. They discuss what's going on at Williams. And just what was F1 thinking about parading Donald Trump?
Bec and Ben bring us up to date on some career moves before getting stuck in on the Adrian Newey rumours that he's quitting Red Bull. Will F1's greatest car designer be joining Ferrari? Plus, any one for a point? They discuss F1's latest attempt to detract from Max Verstappen's domination by rolling points out to drivers who finish in 11th and 12th. They also preview this week's Miami GP
A familiar winner in Japan as Max Verstappen returns to the top step of the podium. But there is still plenty to discuss ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, including, what is going on at Mercedes?
There is talk of Sebastian Vettel coming back to F1, both Ben and Bec give their verdicts on the four-time F1 champ. Plus, McLaren's reshuffle, Merc in a mess and will Max Verstappen win in Japan?
Have Ferrari finally turned a corner? Carlos Sainz's win in Melbourne gave everyone a boost and a sense that F1's most famous team are back. We get stuck in to Max Verstappen's DNF, the rise of McLaren, debate if Fernando Alonso deserved his penalty. Plus we delve into the murky political world of F1.
We finally get round to answering your questions in a special episode recorded ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. Looking at all the big talking points from around the world of F1, and why the Melbourne race is in Bec's top 5 destinations.
We get stuck into the talking points that have dominated the opening races to the season, looking at what is going on at Red Bull Racing. From Bulls to Bears, we also discuss the brilliant debut for Oliver Bearman and why Carlos Sainz is an absolute legend.
Scandal, smear campaigns, anonymous emails, investigations and internal fighting, the 2024 season - the longest in F1's history - has only just started, but while the on-track action has been predictable, the drama off it has been explosive. Ben, who was in Bahrain, chats to Bec, about a turbulent opening week of the season.
We react to the bombshell that Lewis Hamilton is joining Ferrari, looking at the reasons for his move - and what it means for Mercedes. We discuss his potential replacements and identify whether he can win a record eighth world title at the Italian team.
A look at the preseason optimism at McLaren, pesimisson at Mercedes and poor old Gunether's departure. We get a flavour for how 2024 is shaping up as Bec delivers her own bombshell 24 hours before Hamilton's!
Was the #LVGP really that bad? Or were all the problems overblown? Ben and Bec discuss what it was like on the ground at the inaugural race. The ridiculous timings, disgruntled fans but a thrilling race. We look at whether Max Verstappen was right to be so critical. Plus Mercedes are heading for their first winless season since 2011 at this weekend's Abu Dhabi GP.
A heavily jet-lagged Ben & Bec report on their first experience of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Fresh from a FOUR-hour tour, they list the good bits and bad bits in what will be a TV spectacle for viewers, but how will it be received by the high-rollers, where ticket packages have cost $1m?
HOW bad were Mercedes in Sao Paulo? We look at this hat has gone wrong with the Silver Arrows and question whether Toto Wolff has the ability to turn the team around. Ferrari still arent good enough, so thank heavens for Lando Norris giving us something to enjoy. Plus, was Alonso's poidum, really that good...?
We look back at the Mexico City Grand Prix and Sergio Perez's first lap crash. Bec thinks it's curtains for the Mexican racer while Ben is not so sure and says he reckons he's in that Red Bull for 2024 - but for how long. Bec triumphs Lando Norris' best drive in F1, while Ben has a word of caution about hopes of Mercedes comeback. We preview the Brazilian GP and YOU CAN WIN A GUENTHER STEINER T SHIRT.
We are back! And we are talking about the US Grand Prix in Austin, where Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified due to the thickness of the planks underneath their cars (get your heads around that, new F1 fans!). We were both in Austin and discuss all that, plus McLaren's resurgence and look ahead to this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix.
Hungary saw another win for Max Verstappen who comfortably swooped to his seventh P1 in a row. Ben looks back at the Hungarian GP with ESPN's Nate Saunders, our special guest. We discuss McLaren's form, Lando Norris' future, the return of Danny Ric, plus the start of 'chip season' at Spa
Surprise surprise! Yet another Max Verstappen victory as he makes it 6 wins on the bounce, a feat only matched by a handful of legends. We debate whether we should just remove him from the Championship to make things more interesting? Also, we discuss Lando Norris/McLaren's exceptional weekend, after the young Brit delivered one of the greatest drives of his career in front of a home crowd. All this, plus Brad Pitt's British Grand Prix debut, as he filmed scenes for the forthcoming Formula 1 Hollywood blockbuster this weekend.
Max Verstappen's mega win in Austria is overshadowed by yet more FIA failings, with the sport made to look like a bunch of amateurs. We look in to the chaos behind the scenes at FIA HQ. We discuss Lewis Hamilton's rebuke from boss Toto Wolff and discuss hopes of a McLaren resurgence. We also speak about the Hollywood film being shot at Silverstone this week at the British GP.
Can anyone stop Max Verstappen after he made it win number six for the season and 41 for his career? We ask why are Ferrari still so bad? And wonder who is brave enough to tell Lawrence Stroll that his son is costing the team valuable points? Plus, we answer YOUR questions from the Canadian GP and reveal how to split the F1 calendar into types of food.
Max Verstappen won again but there is still plenty to discuss, with all eyes on a double podium for Mercedes. Could they be back in the hunt for wins? Ben brings us up to speed with the gossip from Barcelona on Lewis Hamilton's contact as Bec calls for professional stewards after another puzzling weekend from the FIA. We also look ahead to Canada and answer some of your questions.
Max Verstappen's win in the Principality was crushing, but had fans labelling the historic race a bore. Does this race need an update to remain on the F1 calendar? We discuss the celebrities with tales of shoe-less feet in the press room, where the biggest race of the weekend was for the tray of ham baguettes.
We dig into the controversial drivers' presentation ahead of last Sunday's race. Was it too much? Discuss poor old Jackie Stewart getting roughed up by security. Bec asks what is going on at McLaren and in segways about recurring nightmares, Ben provides an update on Brad Pitt's F1 film. Plus we assess the bright future of Mitch Clemence...
We look back at another FIA fiasco as Esteban Ocon comes close to running over people in the pit lane. Plus why was Max Verstappen so stroppy? We also look forward to Miami and seeing if the catering has improved!
We get stuck in to everything from Sunday's race from Albert Park. First of all, a debate about Race Control, after some drivers said they felt the FIA were making it up as they go along! Plus, are George Russell and Lewis Hamilton secretly at war with each other? Ben gets excited about Zak Brown in boxing shorts and Bec wants to know what Michael Masi is doing. Your 30-minute guide to the Australian GP, Inside The Piranha Club.
We go Inside The Piranha Club to assess the ridiculous and embarrassing outcome of the Saudi Arabia GP as the FIA proved they aren't fit for purpose. Lewis dumps Angela, much to ours - and Toto Wolff's surprise. Will Checo 'do a Nico' and do all he can to win the title? What on Earth has gone wrong at McLaren? Bec is unwell but thinks Toto looks worse and Ben has breakfast at Williams while there is also news on Will.i.am.
In our first episode of Inside the Piranha Club, we rip into Toto Wolff after he wrote off this year's challenger before the first race. We get upset because Ferrari have let us all down again. How Fernando Alonso has finally got it right. And how McLaren got it all wrong. Plus, how Alpine don't really matter and why a ‘spy' could scupper Max Verstappen's romp to the title.
Welcome to Inside the Piranha Club, a new podcast brought to you by Rebecca Clancy and Ben Hunt; two F1 journalists with a combined 19 years in the sport, who will take you behind the scenes of the dizzying spectacle that is Formula 1. We will be at the races. And without shareholders or bosses to keep happy, we won't be afraid to tell you exactly how it is or give you our views. This is not F1 from our bedrooms, this is straight talking from the track. It will be frenzied, snappy and will bite. This is Inside the Piranha Club.
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