Hard Compound

Austin, Texas once again puts on a big, boisterous, welcoming party for F1.  Where Lewis Hamilton takes the fight to Red Bull. Finally. Logan Sargeant earns a point. Finally. And Ferrari implodes. Again! But, wait. There's more. Why we predict Gunther Steiner and Daniel Ricciardo will both be out of F1 before the 2024 season. Why we don't like these ultra-technical disqualifications. And...

Under the scorching Qatar sun, Max Verstappen wins his third WDC. That's 3 WDC in just 22 months! George Russell tells Lewis Hamilton he's no Valterri Bottas. Plus, why we predict Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo will be out of F1--before 2024. But, wait. There's more. How driving for Alfa Romeo is like working at Yahoo. Why McLaren will surpass Ferrari next season. Maybe this seas...

Max takes it personal. Lewis takes the mask off.  And the best team in F1 (spoiler: McLaren) finally has a car worthy of their talents.  But, wait. There's more. Why it's the end of days for Sergio Perez, why we want to give Logan Sargeant one more year, and why Liam Lawson deserves a grid spot more than Yuki, Zhou, or Daniel. Yes.  Plus, the best predictor of driver success in the new c...

The streak is over! Carlos Sainz puts on a strategic masterclass to take victory in Singapore. Max Verstappen and Red Bull are defeated. But, wait. There's more. George Russell flinched. Will that make him battle hardened to compete against Lewis Hamilton in 2024? Or will he wither? Also,  why Lance Stroll will be out of F1 in 2023. It's time. Plus, the future McLaren line-up.  It's...

Ferrari put up a fight. With Red Bull and each other. Max smashes the records. Mercedes gets nasty. Finally. But what’s holding back Lando? And why is Gunther still employed by Haas? Plus the reasons why Red Bull won’t win everything this year.   But wait, there's more. All the F1 drivers who will be out of a seat at the end of this season, and all those who should be. High praise for the Tif...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1. This week, the Dutch Grand Prix. Max Verstappen ties the consecutive win records. Alonso surpasses Schumacher for longest time between podiums. And the Dutch fans, remind us all  how much fun Formula 1 is, in all conditions.  But wait, there's more. The two huge problems facing Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. Neither is...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1. Brought to you this week from the hottest, driest place on Earth.  In this episode, the continued growth of Formula 1 in America. The continued dominance of Max Verstappen. All the chaos inside Mercedes and Alpine, plus all the troubles plaguing Ferrari and AlphaTauri. Why we love Nico Hulkenberg's hair. Why Charles L...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1.  In this episode:  We rank all the driver pairings. Plus rank the British drivers.  Expose a major weakness at Red Bull.  Celebrate McLaren's stunning P2 and P4 at Silverstone.  Tell you why Daniel Ricciardo will not be back in F1.  Ignore the latest drama surrounding a celebrity that refuses to talk to Martin Brundle...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1.  That always exceeds track limits.  In this episode, Max Verstappen passes the great Ayrton Senna. Will Red Bull soon pass McLaren? Why we want Lewis Hamilton to sign with McLaren. (Hint: Hulk Hogan is involved) Plus, we rank the best current British drivers. And explore the impact of "branded equity" on F1 team...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1. What black magic is Fernando Alonso conjuring? How close is Lewis Hamilton to another F1 victory? And when does Alex Albon replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull? (Hint: we tell you) But, wait. There's more! Don't look now, but Ferrari have turned a corner.  Why Christian Horner is never leaving Red Bull. Why Lando Nor...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1. Will Max Verstappen dominance lead to the "Max Rules?" Yes! This is a new era in F1 and fans, especially American fans, demand NFL-like competitive parity.  But, wait. There's more! Why is Indy racer Will Power talking smack about Formula 1? Why is Sergio Perez not able to get the best car onto the podium? W...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1. For our 50th episode! Not so fast, Las Vegas. Monaco reminds us why it is still the premier F1 event. Plus, why Sergio Perez will be replaced. But not Lance Stroll. Why F1 is no longer a place for hustlers like Eddie Jordan. And why the view that Fernando Alonso gave up wins and championships for money is just plain wrong....

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1. In this episode, rap stars, tech billionaires, and South Florida sun. Miami goes hard but doesn't go over the top.  Why Max Verstappen is the best, why Lewis Hamilton will have to wait till 2025, and why Fernando Alonso is the GOAT. Plus, the future of F1 goes through America.   But, wait. There's more. No King C...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1. In this episode, Baku hits the snooze button. Sergio Perez rules the streets. And F1 goes plaid. With Charles Leclerc doing better on iTunes than he is in that Ferrari. And the ageless Fernando Alonso dating the ever-now Taylor Swift (allegedly).  Plus, what the perpetual complainers got right about the new F1 sprint forma...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1. In this episode, the Australia Grand Prix delivers spills, thrills, controversy, the most red flags ever--and one of the greatest podiums in Formula One history, with Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso.  Carlos Sainz deserved that penalty. The Stewards get it right. Again. We come to praise Michael Masi, n...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1. Night time is the right time for Sergio Perez and Red Bull as they cruise to easy victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.  Race analysis and more. Has the fight gone out of Lewis Hamilton? Should Zak Brown join Daniel Ricciardo? Will Alonso make it onto the podium every race this year? Can Ferrari ever get it right? We te...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1.  It's the first race of the F1 2023 season! Max is unstoppable. Ferrari remains in disarray. And Alonso is back on the podium.  "Alonso made Mercedes blink."  There's more. Is George Russell sabotaging Mercedes? Is Lando doomed to drive with a bad McLaren? Plus, our crazy predictions (including big ones...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1.  It's testing tumult on track to tap what looks to be a tight, tempestuous, and spicy 2023 F1 season.  Don't look now but Red Bull and Max Verstappen are struttin. Who is already on the hot seat?  Why George Russell is the villain F1 so desperately needs. Our F1 2023 Constructors Top 10 prediction. Our WDC predic...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1.  A very special episode, we look at the rapid growth of Formula One's popularity in America. And how America is forever changing F1.   The impact of Drive to Survive Why Apple or Google, not Ford or GM, will follow the Red Bull model to F1 success. The end of daddy drivers. How America is uniquely professionalizing Fo...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1.  A very special episode, our second annual F1 awards show. The biggest, the best, the most. And the worst.  Best drive of 2022 Best F1 race of 2022 Best F1 team and teammate Biggest disappointment in F1 Biggest surprise of F1 and much much more Also, the greatest Ferrari movie of all time! Send us Fan Mail And as always, t...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1.   All our big, bold, and crazy predictions for  F1 2023.  Daniel Riccardo to replace Sergio Perez mid-season! Why Ocon and Gasly will be awful together.  11 teams, 26 races, and 26 sprints for Formula One. Yes, really. Yuki smash! The definitive ranking of The Fast and the Furious movies.  Why we expect George Russell to b...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1.   DankeSeb! DankeRicc! DankeMick! George with more points than Lewis is the second biggest story of the F1 season.  Is Lando Norris the first, second, or third best British driver in Formula One? How come it's no fun driving for Ferrari?  Why Christian Horner is the most influential person in F1. Our predictions for F...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1.   George Russell gets his first-ever F1 victory.    The best races of the year are in the Americas. Texas, Mexico, Brazil. And just wait for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. How Ferrari became the Yahoo! of Formula One. Driver or dick. We debate if it was a driver move or a dick move.   Why we expect Mercedes to dominate in 2023....

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1. Show highlights:  Fernando Alonso is God. It's science.   George Russell is our favorite new Bond villain. FIA got it exactly right in assessing its spending cap penalty against Red Bull.  We are tired of Gunther Steiner's antics. Time for him to go?  That Mercedes paddock is going to be a powder keg in 2023, wit...

Join Brian and Patrick on the Hard Compound, an American take on Formula 1. Show highlights:  George Russell lets his frustration get the best of him, and takes Carlos Sainz out of the race.  Is a five second penalty enough for getting rid of a rival?  HAM VET VER we had an almost-podium with 13 WDCs!  How in the world does Alonso do what Alonso does?  Europeans need to learn the massive outsized...