THE HOSTS
RICK HOUGHTON
Rick is a seasoned British radio broadcaster and producer with a career spanning several decades in the UK radio industry. He has held prominent on-air positions at various radio stations, including Rock FM, Radio City, Key 103, Metro Radio and was Programme Director of several radio stations in the Middle East. 🎧
In the noughties Rick worked with Mastercard who were main sponsors of the Jordan F1 team. He has also worked in television and was lead Formula One commentator for 2 seasons on the Ten Sports television network, based in Dubai, UAE. 🎬
In Jan 2025, Rick started hosting the "2 Soft Compounds" podcast, a weekly show dedicated to Formula 1, alongside motorsport journalist and GrandPrix247 founder Paul Velasco. As a presenter and co-producer of the podcast, Rick combines his broadcasting expertise with a passion for motorsports, delivering unfiltered analysis and behind-the-scenes insights into the world of Formula 1. 🚀
PAUL VELASCO
Paul Velasco is a seasoned motorsport journalist and photographer, best known as the founder and editor of GrandPrix247, a prominent Formula 1 news website established in 2009. Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Paul’s passion for motorsport ignited in 1973, leading him to follow Formula 1 with unwavering dedication.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Velasco carved out a notable career as a motorsport photographer. He worked with Jeff Hutchinson’s International Press Agency (IPA), covering major events for Marlboro's F1 and MotoGP accounts, and later served as a specialist photographer for Reuters. His tenure in the F1 paddock during this period allowed him to document the sport's evolution firsthand.
Beyond photography, Velasco has contributed extensively to motorsport journalism. He held the position of photo editor at Johannesburg's Sowetan newspaper and served as photo director at Dubai's Gulf News. His deep-rooted experience in both visual and written media has provided him with a comprehensive perspective on motorsport reporting.
In addition to his editorial endeavors, Velasco co-hosts the "2 Soft Compounds" podcast alongside radio broadcaster Rick Houghton. This weekly show delves into Formula 1 topics, offering unfiltered analysis and behind-the-scenes insights, further showcasing Velasco's commitment to engaging the F1 community.