P1 with Matt and Tommy - Our 2024 Chinese GP predictions

Episode Date: April 16, 2024

After five years away, we're back at the Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix! Will the new drivers struggle on a track that either throws up a stone cold banger or an absolute dud? Let's find out!You can sign up to our Patreon here! You'll get access to exclusive episodes you won't hear anywhere else, every P1 episode ad-free, full driver interview videos, early access to tickets and more!Follow us on socials! You can find us on Twitter, Instagram, Twitch, YouTube and TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello everybody and welcome back to the P1 podcast with Matt Sobey. My voice is a little bit strained after all of the P1 live shows we've done over the last four days. But we are back once again. And this time is for the predictions Chinese Grand Prix. And side note, I'm flying to China in four hours. So we're doing a predictions video before I pop on a flight to go and see Babe and a few other people. but then coming back before the race actually happens. So don't worry.

We'll still be here with all the content that you know and love with us. But yes, a rather busy period, Tommy. It sure is. Yeah, live shows are amazing. I've also kind of lost my voice a little bit and very tired. But predictions time. Grand Prix, let's do it. Well, you're really selling it, Tommy.

Thank you. Wow, you should be a salesman. Right, let's get into our predictions, shall we? And start with biggest good surprise. And I'm ready for it. I am ready for this to happen because I think it is going to. Lewis Hamilton. Enough of the slander.

Enough of the he's washed. Enough of the, does he belong to go to Ferrari? Let's get rid of all of that now. He's going to China. I feel like, you know, it's a track he's been too many times. There are some drivers on the grid that have never been to China, which is quite ridiculous to think how long it's been off the calendar. But I feel as though, I'm not.

expecting a Mercedes win or even a podium, but I'm expecting him to dispatch of George Russell this weekend. And that's where it'll be a good surprise for him. Oh, very nice. It is crazy to think that, yeah, I do associate Hamilton with being good at China and it feels like, it feels like a new Grand Prix to me and it's mad to think there's going to be so many fans that have never seen one. Yeah. And crazy. Get ready, because it is the most underrated track in the world. Better deliver now. My biggest good surprise, I've gone for,

and I'm back on the team, the team predictions. I've missed them. I've gone for Alpine. Oh, no. This could go horribly wrong. What have you done? So, this is my logic. There's two bits of logic here.

One is they can't get any worse. It's a loophole more than logic, if you asked me. It's a loophole more than logic. And two, I predicted Alpine biggest flop in Vegas because I was like, oh, long straight, they'll be awful. Yeah, absolute tractor. They'll be rubbish. And they did really well. So I'm going for the same logic and thinking that my brain is telling me that Alpine might be absolutely awful and get lapsed six times. So if I go for the opposite, maybe it might. Now, usually second guessing yourself now, mate. That's it. That's how bad is my good surprises have been this year. And I love how you've compared Alpine last year to the Alpine this year,

where they have truly built something that they regret for this year because they've fallen probably five positions lower in the pacing charts compared to where they were before. Fair enough, you've gone straight. Yeah, Alpine will be good there. So let's see if that pays off for you because your logic never usually works for good surprise and biggest flop. It's just a top three merchant. That's what you are. Right. Okay. Biggest flop. You're not going to like this one, Tommy.

My biggest flop is Yuki Sonoda. He's had far too much hype coming. No, not far too much. I'm kidding. He has deservedly received the hype around his performances so far. Although I smell a little flop on the horizon. I feel as though... I hate you.

It's going to come true as well. Well, I'm four from four. it's probably not going to happen this time now that I'm getting a little bit confident with how many biggest flops I've got right but yep just purely based on vibes no other reason. Yuki Sanoda might just send a little dive bomb

into that hairpin straight into the side of Daniel Ricardo. Who knows? Oof. My biggest flop I've gone for Oscar Piastri. Again, I hope it doesn't come true because Oscar's doing well this season

but the reason I've gone for it is I think McLaren might struggle on this track. I know there's a few high-speed corners, but there's that incredibly slow and long turn one and the really long straight as well. And they've had some problems in the past on tracks with big long straits. And I do believe China has in the past.

We don't know how it's going to go this time because we're not raced there for a while, but a bit of a tire. tire killer and that is something that Oscar has struggled with in Formula One. So maybe there's a bit more logic to this one. So fingers crossed. I say fingers crossed has come through. That's wild. I can't believe you've just

actually said fingers crossed to that year. I hope it doesn't come true for Oscar Piastri, but also fingers crossed. Give me that point. Thank you very much. Yeah. I will sacrifice him for one point in their predictions. Have you got one biggest flop right this season? Oh, you put me on the spot there. I don't, I just feel as though you just not. I must have done.

I think I did get one good one. Fair enough. All right. Well done. Maybe. Fingers crossed. You've also reminded me that we've not mentioned the scores, but we were, it was 10, 9 to me. Well done.

I didn't bring it up because no one cares when you're working. Oh, yeah. Well, I don't care. We only do it when you. Yeah, yeah. If I'm leading, I will be shouting it from the rooftops at the start of the podcast. Right. Sprint shoot out now, because of course it is a sprint weekend.

Do not forget. And if you live in Europe, it's another painful time. Although I think I'm going to be on China Times, so I don't really know what's going to happen this weekend when I'm back from China. I, locking in, Characalach, he's taking Sprint, shootout, pole position. He's going to say, F the haters, F everyone that's been saying, did Ferrari fire the wrong driver? It's time.

It's time to get that quali specialist back out. out and yeah I feel as though could maybe happen interesting I have gone for Carlos Sites so we're both going

on the Ferrari hype train but you've gone on the other side as I have another little voice crack there that's crazy yeah I'm going to be doing the same a lot in this podcast yeah I've gone the other way

mainly because I've back to Claire last time and he let me down so we'll find out. Wow. Goodness gracious me, let you down. That's wild. Sprint winner. Max Verstappen.

Yeah. I feel as their rebel are going to be really good around China. I just feel it in my bones. I don't know what gives me that indication that Red Bull might be quick around here. Perhaps their recent run of former has been reasonably good. But yes, Max Verstappen, sprint winner. and heart broken once again.

Although I will actually be... No, actually, no, I tell a lie. For the sprint shootout, great. Actually, I really hope that doesn't come true because Charles LeCler is going to get a sprint shootout pole when I'm on a plane. So, but I've locked it in now. We shall see, we shall see.

Sprint winner, I've gone for colour science. Why not? You are. You are doing something there. What am I doing? You want to sit... Because this whole time in the P1 live shows, you were like, oh, it's 3-0 to Carlos Sines.

You want to make it 4-0, don't you? You say this. No, no. Well, I really back Charlene the last race. I think this is going to be a track that Walsuit Ferrari down to the ground. So I am basically just going on the form of sites that he's delivering and doing a good job. And we'll see. it would be obviously very cool to see if we get a bit of a mix-up in the sprint.

It feels weird to be doing a sprint. I almost like forgot the concept existed until I wrote all this down. It was like, oh yeah, the sprint. And it's also changing a little bit. I say changing a little bit. They've swapped a few bits around. So, yeah, it would be interesting to see how that goes. I'm sure we'll have a nice little sprint.

discussion in the podcast when you're back from China. Well, when you say sprint switch around, they've obviously made it so that the sprint qualifying is on Friday and the normal qualifying is on Saturday. So that's the change that they've made so that people don't actually miss out on a Friday too much. I mean, sprint quality is still fun, but at least it's the shorter one that people tend to miss out.

And it's something we've said they should have done from the get-go. And thankfully, they've listened. Let's now move to poll position. It was getting poll on the Saturday. And it is for me, Max Vastappen. Congratulations, Max. I hope you're very happy. And yes, I'm hoping I'm wrong.

I'm hoping I don't cash in whatsoever on all of my Vastappan predictions. And if it is a Ferrari Hypatrain Express, then get me on board because I will be there. Yeah, I've also gone for Max Vastappen. and he has got pole position in every race so far. They do seem a lot stronger and qualifying this year. He's got a bit more of a buffer,

although that being said, Perez got very close in Japan, but it's hard to bet against Max, isn't it, for another poll? Absolutely, but we should continue to enjoy Formula One no matter what. Let's go to our top three and begin with third place. I'm locking in Sergio Perez. Yeah, he's going to have another little podium. It's not going to be second, but it's going to be there.

It's going to be solid enough. And, yeah, check out another bit of silverware for him. Very nice. P3, I have gone for Charlerler. So he'll be on the podium again. Ferrari continuing their lovely start to the season, I think. Don't be saying too many nice things. things about Ferrari

because it could go very wrong and they'll be listening to this podcast and get a little bit too ahead of themselves. Oh God, you're interviewing them both. You're meeting them both. Oh, no. Why have I not put it to them both biggest flop? Oh, God.

Why have I just discovered this now? Yeah. So I'm going to an event out in China and yes, I am seeing both Carlos and Shal. So... Although, no, actually, when we see Carlos, he becomes the greatest of all time. Oh, so we should actually say he should win.

Yeah. Oh, no. But it was just me. though, it's not both of us. Lots of moving parts here. But either way, second place, I am going for Charles Leclair, a lovely little P2, back on top-ish, well, back on top of Formula 1.5

and gets a little nice to... P2, I'm ready for it. Give me it right now. I need it. Back on top of Formula 1.5. They're 1.5 and then the backmarkers are B now. 4.5 and B. Sure. Nice.

P2, I've gone for Carlos Sites. Unbelievable. And they... That is 4-0. We'll find out. You just want to see me break down throughout the season as he continues to whitewash him on you?

That's crazy. Well, it will be fascinating to see how that does continue, like how it works between them. I don't think it will last the whole season, but Carlos is in a really good run of form. let's see let's see indeed

and finally the winner of the Chinese Grand Prix is Max Vastappen congratulations once again full stop

you've won yeah congratulations wave to check a flagged now yeah P1 I've also gone for Max Vastappen but you know

it could be a worldly all right China is a bit unknown in terms of you know we've not been there in a long time it's funny that that China used to be the one that in theory was like back back back when back when we did use to race in China it was like the circuit Red Bull hated because they didn't have a very good engine and they struggled on the the long straight and it was like the

Mercedes track but a lot has changed in Formula One Max had five wins the last time we raced in China and well that's changed a lot. Yeah, that is ridiculous. It feels like we haven't been for 20 years, but no, that's not the case either. Now let's go to our one crazy prediction. And mine is, difficult to measure,

but I'm locking it in anyway. It will be a banger and everyone realizes China is underrated. Mic drop. Okay. Yeah. It'll just be a great race. People will enjoy it.

It'll be right. And then everyone will go. go, wow, China. What great racetrack? I can see it. China has a habit. I think we said this in our Patreon pod where we went through a classic race where it can either be absolutely dull or it can be unbelievable and there's kind of no

in between. You're like vacuum, really. Yeah, but yeah, definitely. The similar vibe. I really hope you get a point for that one because I'd love to see it. my crazy prediction is that Lance Stroll makes Q2 Sorry Lance Stroll makes Q2

Lance Strall makes Q2 is your crazy prediction Yeah So wait, so he has to make Q2 and Q2 only So if he makes Q3 No no he gets out of Q1 basically He gets out of Q1, that's not a crazy prediction Is it not? No!

What a joke. Absolutely disgusting. How many times has he missed Q2? Like once this season. That is not crazy. You're looking at last year. I was counting us last year as well. All right.

All right. Lance straw makes Q3. Yeah. I'll allow that. I'll allow that. Goodness gracious me. Unbelievable. I was like that's not a loophole.

That is the tiniest loophole you trying to jump through that. Yeah, yeah. I just, you know, I, F1's about pushing the boundaries and I thought I'd give it a go and see what the regulation were in so.

Yeah, and the regulation said no. And finally, three crazy predictions from you wonderful lot. If you want to get

involved, Matt P. One Tommy on social media where you can reply to a graphic and they are actually three

all from the Patreon gang. So first and foremost. Yes, because we've not done the graphic yet because we're recording this so early

so we've got our wonderful patron gang to give us through predictions. Patreon gang are great. So, you know, they get a full

segment this time. So P1PATRIER member, SCONESTECTSMER. Logan finishes ahead of Alex. Zero points. P1 Patreon member, Katie. Ocon gets points. Also zero points, probably. And P1 Patreon member, Lord of Admirals, all drivers finish the race.

Potential. Potential for that one. So, okay, fantastic. We are done. I need to now go catch a flight to China and catch some feelings as well for Babe once again. Tommy, what are your final thoughts and don't get jealous? I won't. I hope you have an amazing time.

And yeah, I'm looking forward to the Chinese Grand Prix being back because like you, I really like the circuit. I think it has delivered some very enjoyable races in the past. And yeah, I think I always like going to tracks that we've not been to in a while because it adds something a little bit different. So yeah, looking forward to it this weekend. Hell yeah, me too.

I've always been a fan of the Shanghai International Circuit, and I'm ready for some more gorgeous action around there. We'll see you very soon. We'll be live on Twitch, not on where you, are you going to do Friday, Tommy or not? I might do. Go on. Everyone wants a little solo Tommy stream.

Yeah, why not? Solo Tommy stream. Oh, that'll be so filled. And then I'll be back for Saturday and Sunday in some realm of jet lag. So look forward to that as well. And we'll see you very soon. Lots of love.

And thank you to everybody that came to our people on, shows. It was amazing. Yes, it was unbelievable. See you soon. Bye. Make sure you follow us on all of our socials. We're Matt P1-Tommy on Twitter, TikTok, Twitch and Instagram. You can also sign up to our Patreon at the link in the episode notes for ad-free episodes, full video interviews and extra bonus episodes for as little as $5 a month. Finally, make sure you're following us on Spotify. See you soon. of the ACAST's creator network.