Norris Wins, Mercedes Melts Down, and Team Players Abound — Monaco GP 2025 Recap

The Critical Lap F1 Podcast

Monaco heard our snores and brought an interesting twist to the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix. We break down how the mandated 2-stop strategy split the grid: Racing Bulls and Williams made it work brilliantly, while Mercedes, Aston Martin, and even Hamilton were left frustrated and furious. Who played the team game best — and who got played? Chaos, controversy, and championship-defining moments — The Critical Lap is here for all of it.

In this episode, we dive into Lando Norris’s hard-fought victory, Hadjar’s breakout drive, and Mercedes’ baffling zero-point disaster. We also cover Adrian Newey’s Aston Martin update, the mysterious Disney + F1 collaboration, and our take on Netflix’s The Seat — the first of many new F1 content drops to come.

Add in some sketchy tactics, radio gems, and some completely unserious ideas to “fix” Monaco (Mario Kart, anyone?) — and you’ve got a jam-packed episode.

⏱️ Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Intro and Monaco vibe check
• 2:55 – Adrian Newey’s take on the 2026 car regulations
• 7:45 – Disney + F1 collab: exciting? gimmicky? beginning of the end?
• 14:05 – Netflix’s The Seat review
• 24:10 – Monaco GP overview - trying something new
• 29:50 – Driver reactions: Hadjar vs Hamilton
• 33:44 – Norris wins despite Verstappen’s Sunday driving
• 37:44 – Team games: Racing Bulls thrive, Mercedes implodes
• 44:40 – Drivers flirting with the limits of the rulebook (as always)
• 47:30 – Winners of the weekend: Hadjar, Ferrari, and the fans
• 50:30 – Best radio moments: Alonso’s misery & Verstappen’s on 1972
• 53:55 – Mercedes’ meltdown
• 59:48 – Fixing Monaco: Mariokart, Legos, Sprinklers
• 1:07:28 – MonacOLD Grand Prix
• 1:10:50 – What's Next for Monaco? Bottas and F1 Fans
• 1:11:33 – Checkered Flag: Wrap Up