A smaller, lighter chassis, no MGU‑H, a huge jump in electric power, and active aero replacing most of what DRS used to do—2026 is the biggest Formula 1 rules reset since 2014. In this F1 Tech Talk episode, Dick walks Sabrina (and the rest of us non‑engineers) through the new regulations in plain language, explaining what’s changing with the power units, batteries, fuel, and aerodynamics, and why the FIA is trying to avoid another one‑team domination era.​

They unpack how the loss of the MGU‑H and a 350 kW MGU‑K will shift the balance toward energy deployment strategy, how active aero modes could either unlock smarter racing or turn into push‑button engineering, and why battery design, software, and reaction speed in development may matter more than outright ICE horsepower. You’ll also hear about the new sustainable fuel rules, the FIA’s built‑in “catch‑up” mechanism for underpowered manufacturers, and which types of teams and drivers might thrive—or struggle—when F1’s 2026 regulation cycle begins.

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Have episode feedback or ideas? Want to connect with 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1? Drop them a line at: sabrina@2guysagirlandf1.com

Interested in Dick's YT Channel about his return to kart racing? See this link.

Like the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 background music? It's "An Adventure Called Life" by Score Squad. It's available for purchase at Premium Beat. Use referral code SNSAEDUB at checkout to get 25% off your first purchase.

2025 Sound Engineers: Paul Douglas and Elena Richey

Three title contenders, three very different journeys, and a final month that nearly rewrote F1 history. Dick and Sabrina revisit Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi to unpack how McLaren almost threw away the drivers’ championship, how Max Verstappen dragged a difficult Red Bull back into the fight, and why it’s possible to be thrilled for Lando Norris and still heartbroken for Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton at the same time.

In this race review, they focus on development lessons fans can actually apply when watching, what November and December revealed about McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Williams, Aston Martin, Haas, Sauber, Racing Bulls, and Alpine, and what this closing stretch really tells us about the strength of the 2025 grid. They also offer guidance for newer fans on how to view these “processional” finales in the context of regulations, car size, and razor-thin margins—and look ahead to which teams and drivers are best positioned to thrive (or stumble) as F1 heads into the reset of 2026.

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Thanks to all who have become members of the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 via our “Buy me A Coffee” page. This community is growing because of you. To become a member, click here.

Follow 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 on Instagram.

Have episode feedback or ideas? Want to connect with 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1? Drop them a line at: sabrina@2guysagirlandf1.com

Interested in Dick's YT Channel about his return to kart racing? See this link.

Like the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 background music? It's "An Adventure Called Life" by Score Squad. It's available for purchase at Premium Beat. Use referral code SNSAEDUB at checkout to get 25% off your first purchase.

2025 Sound Engineers: Paul Douglas and Elena Richey

Three contenders, one final shot. At Yas Marina, Max Verstappen did everything he could, Oscar Piastri delivered under pressure, and Lando Norris brought it home exactly where he needed to to finally clinch the drivers’ championship.

In this solo race notes episode, Dick breaks down how McLaren’s Abu Dhabi strategy contrasted sharply with their Las Vegas and Qatar missteps, why Lando’s race management and pit timing were spot on, and how Max still ended the year with the most wins. He also spotlights standout drives from Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso, reflects on the physical toll of the ground‑effect era, and looks ahead to 2026 testing, tyre changes, and young driver outings for Pato O’Ward and Jak Crawford.

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Thanks to all who have become members of the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 via our “Buy me A Coffee” page. This community is growing because of you. To become a member, click here.

Follow 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 on Instagram.

Have episode feedback or ideas? Want to connect with 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1? Drop them a line at: sabrina@2guysagirlandf1.com

Interested in Dick's YT Channel about his return to kart racing? See this link.

Like the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 background music? It's "An Adventure Called Life" by Score Squad. It's available for purchase at Premium Beat. Use referral code SNSAEDUB at checkout to get 25% off your first purchase.

2025 Sound Engineers: Paul Douglas and Elena Richey

A safety car, strict tire limits, and one massive strategic misread turned Qatar into a case study in how to lose control of a championship fight. Dick breaks down how McLaren stayed out when everyone else pitted, handed Max Verstappen clean air, and turned a front‑row lockout into damage limitation for both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

In this solo race notes episode, he explains why the 25‑lap tire rule mattered so much, how a simple pit‑stop delta turned into a 10‑second own goal, and why Williams and Carlos Sainz quietly delivered one of their most important results in a decade. Dick also looks at Ferrari’s struggle with sky‑high tire pressures, Fernando Alonso’s overachieving weekend, and why, if Max does take a fifth title, he’ll largely have McLaren’s Las Vegas and Qatar calls to thank. With Abu Dhabi looming, every point—and every strategy decision—now feels terminal.

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Support the show

Thanks to all who have become members of the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 via our “Buy me A Coffee” page. This community is growing because of you. To become a member, click here.

Follow 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 on Instagram.

Have episode feedback or ideas? Want to connect with 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1? Drop them a line at: sabrina@2guysagirlandf1.com

Interested in Dick's YT Channel about his return to kart racing? See this link.

Like the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 background music? It's "An Adventure Called Life" by Score Squad. It's available for purchase at Premium Beat. Use referral code SNSAEDUB at checkout to get 25% off your first purchase.

2025 Sound Engineers: Paul Douglas and Elena Richey

Rain in Las Vegas, cars on a low‑grip street surface, and a title twist decided more in scrutineering than on track. Dick breaks down a bizarre weekend where qualifying delivered the drama the race couldn’t, and a double McLaren disqualification blew the championship wide open.

In this solo race notes episode, Dick explains why Vegas was so tricky to drive, why the rain turned qualifying into must‑watch chaos, and how a simple skid‑block rule error turned Kimi Antonelli’s drive into a podium and dragged Max Verstappen right back into title contention. He also looks ahead to Qatar and Abu Dhabi, where just a handful of points could decide whether Lando seals it or McLaren’s season becomes a story of what might have been.

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Support the show

Thanks to all who have become members of the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 via our “Buy me A Coffee” page. This community is growing because of you. To become a member, click here.

Follow 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 on Instagram.

Have episode feedback or ideas? Want to connect with 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1? Drop them a line at: sabrina@2guysagirlandf1.com

Interested in Dick's YT Channel about his return to kart racing? See this link.

Like the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 background music? It's "An Adventure Called Life" by Score Squad. It's available for purchase at Premium Beat. Use referral code SNSAEDUB at checkout to get 25% off your first purchase.

2025 Sound Engineers: Paul Douglas and Elena Richey

Four races. Three championship contenders. One season-defining month that flipped everything upside down. How did Oscar lose a 100-point lead? Why is Max suddenly unstoppable? And can Lando peak at precisely the right moment?

Dick and Sabrina untangle October's championship chaos, exploring the mental resilience required to win under pressure, the rookie cohort proving they're ready for F1's future, and what's really at stake in Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

In This Episode:

The Drivers' Championship is Genuinely Up For Grabs – Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri face very different challenges heading into the final five races. From Mexico City momentum shifts to Brazil's pit-lane-to-podium masterclass, Dick and Sabrina break down who's positioned to peak when it matters most.

The Rookie Revolution – Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, Ollie Bearman, and Gabriel Bortoleto aren't just scoring points—they're reshaping F1's future and validating their teams' 2026 investments.

Qualifying's New Importance – Limited sprint-race practice time means track positioning matters more than ever. Dick explores why setup windows, pit lane tactics, and the 70% pole-to-win statistic are reshaping strategy.

Seasoned Veterans' Dilemma – Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Charles LeClerc, Esteban Ocon, and Pierre Gasly are facing a season that hasn't delivered. Are they preparing for 2026 while maximizing current opportunity?

What's Really at Stake – Wind tunnel allocation, staff bonuses, sponsor validation, and constructors' points matter more than you think, even after McLaren's title is secured.

Dick forecasts Mercedes throwing a "joker" at Vegas, forcing ripple effects through the championship fight. Heading to Abu Dhabi, the drivers' championship remains genuinely uncertain.

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Support the show

Thanks to all who have become members of the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 via our “Buy me A Coffee” page. This community is growing because of you. To become a member, click here.

Follow 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 on Instagram.

Have episode feedback or ideas? Want to connect with 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1? Drop them a line at: sabrina@2guysagirlandf1.com

Interested in Dick's YT Channel about his return to kart racing? See this link.

Like the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 background music? It's "An Adventure Called Life" by Score Squad. It's available for purchase at Premium Beat. Use referral code SNSAEDUB at checkout to get 25% off your first purchase.

2025 Sound Engineers: Paul Douglas and Elena Richey

What happens when a driver resurrects his title hopes with a 30-second masterclass while a rookie shocks the field with P4? Dick and Sabrina dissect Mexico City's dramatic weekend, where Lando Norris reclaimed championship momentum, Ollie Bearman announced his arrival, and a controversial VSC sparked debates about safety versus spectacle.

In This Episode:

Lando's Perfect Pressure Response: After weeks of mounting anxiety, Lando delivered: dominant qualifying, commanding pace, and a 30-second winning margin. Dick calls it "a master class under enormous pressure" that flipped the drivers' standings. Sabrina celebrates his brilliance while addressing unfortunate fan booing—respect for all drivers should be non-negotiable.

Oscar's Mysterious Struggles: Once leading by 100 points, Oscar now sits second. But Sabrina argues it's not pressure—it's adaptation.

Max's Rules Mastery: Despite struggling all weekend, Max secured P3 through sheer racecraft and encyclopedic regulation knowledge.

Ollie Bearman's Breakout P4: The race's true revelation. Exceptional qualifying, brilliant racecraft battling Max, and perfect team execution. Now comes the consistency test.

Ferrari's Podium & Penalty Puzzles: Charles secured P2 with strong pace, though Sabrina admits he should have received a penalty for a Turn 1 incident. Lewis looked competitive until a harsh 10-second penalty dropped him—a call Sabrina questions given other unpunished incidents.

The VSC Controversy: Safety vs. Spectacle – Carlos Sainz's smoking engine triggered a VSC that prevented a thrilling Max-Charles battle. Sabrina explores why Race Control operates under pressure-cooker conditions and why motorsport's life-and-death stakes demand caution over entertainment.

Stewarding Consistency: Sabrina addresses paid vs. volunteer stewards and penalty inconsistencies. Her take: no system is perfect, but transparency matters most. The question isn't perfection—it's whether decisions satisfy a reasonable person's sense of fairness.

Championship Implications: Lando now leads Oscar with four races remaining—a stunning reversal from Oscar's earlier 100-point advantage. Max sits third, still mathematically alive. The pressure has shifted entirely to McLaren's garage.

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Support the show

Thanks to all who have become members of the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 via our “Buy me A Coffee” page. This community is growing because of you. To become a member, click here.

Follow 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 on Instagram.

Have episode feedback or ideas? Want to connect with 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1? Drop them a line at: sabrina@2guysagirlandf1.com

Interested in Dick's YT Channel about his return to kart racing? See this link.

Like the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 background music? It's "An Adventure Called Life" by Score Squad. It's available for purchase at Premium Beat. Use referral code SNSAEDUB at checkout to get 25% off your first purchase.

2025 Sound Engineers: Paul Douglas and Elena Richey

After years of analyzing Formula 1 from afar, Sabrina attended her first Grand Prix – the 2025 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.

In this solo episode, she shares strategic observations and practical insights that only come from experiencing a race weekend firsthand.

From operational excellence to infrastructure challenges, from fan diversity to business strategy, Sabrina breaks down what attending COTA reveals about Formula 1's American market expansion and the sport's evolution.

Whether you're planning your first race or interested in the business of F1, this episode offers valuable perspective from someone who approaches everything through a strategic lens. Includes practical advice on logistics, seating, and maximizing your race weekend experience.

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Support the show

Thanks to all who have become members of the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 via our “Buy me A Coffee” page. This community is growing because of you. To become a member, click here.

Follow 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 on Instagram.

Have episode feedback or ideas? Want to connect with 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1? Drop them a line at: sabrina@2guysagirlandf1.com

Interested in Dick's YT Channel about his return to kart racing? See this link.

Like the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 background music? It's "An Adventure Called Life" by Score Squad. It's available for purchase at Premium Beat. Use referral code SNSAEDUB at checkout to get 25% off your first purchase.

2025 Sound Engineers: Paul Douglas and Elena Richey