P1 with Matt and Tommy - Our reaction to the 2026 Madrid GP announcement!

Episode Date: January 23, 2024

F1 have announced that, from 2026, the Spanish grand prix will move from Barcelona to a new hybrid track in Madrid. But will it be any good? And should we be worried that street tracks are going to ta...ke over F1? Let's talk about it!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.

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:05 Hello everybody and welcome back to another emergency podcast. It's been rumoured, it's been tweeted about and it is finally here. The 26 Madrid F1 circuit has been announced and this has broken the internet and many hearts around the world of secret Catalonia lovers that are now coming out of the woodwork to say how much they love that circuit now that. it now that the last chicaner's gone, Tommy. I know. Outrageous. But I don't know about you. It feels like we've had more news in January than we did the entirety of last season,
Starting point is 00:00:46 which is pretty wild. I'm happy with that. I'm happy with that. It's setting the trend. I like it. I like it as well. I don't like this as much, but we'll get into that
Starting point is 00:00:55 because Formula One has announced that the Spanish Grand Prix will be hosted at a new circuit in Madrid from 2026, which means we still have couple more years to soak in that beautiful Catalonia track that everyone now apparently loves before we say goodbye to it and we head to Madrid. A hybrid track. Now, I guess we can, it is kind of a street circuit, but there is parts of it that will also be permanent and kind of away from
Starting point is 00:01:24 being a street circuit. But I still feel like it's going to feel like one, even though it is, I feel like F1 are trying to push the fact that, no, no, no, no, it's not a full. It's not a full. It's not a full street track, I promise. Yeah, it does feel like that, doesn't it? Yeah, you've got like a kind of... The street circuity bit looks very street circuit. We'll get into the track and our thoughts on it later, but yeah, you kind of like 90 degree turns around the street bit,
Starting point is 00:01:53 but then the other half of it is going to be like, you know, in this area that's like tarmac and look more like a proper circuit and that bit does kind of look more like a circuit, kind of a bit like spoon at Suzuki maybe, just the first thing that comes into my head, or like a Zandvort corner. And yeah, so it is very much that like half and half thing. And yeah, I agree.
Starting point is 00:02:21 It does feel like it's a way of Formula One to be like, no, no, we do have new tracks. Like it's not all street tracks, just half maybe. I guess it might feel a little bit like Australia, for example, where it is a street circuit, but it doesn't feel like a street circuit necessarily. Do you know what I mean? Well, there's a few of them now, isn't there? I was thinking about this, that Canada's one, Australia's one, even like Miami doesn't,
Starting point is 00:02:50 it doesn't feel a street circuit in the same way like Monaco and Singapore and Vegas or a street circuit, if you like. Yeah. So let's get into our first thoughts then, shall we? The circuit has 20 turns, and as we said, is a mix of street and permanent. It's a 10-year contract because apparently we don't even try tracks that haven't even been raced on before we go. No, I think this track, as I can see it on the piece of paper right now, looks like a 10-year deal, perhaps to even be extended to 2074 if we have a good first race. F1 just like to do things in 10-year deals, don't they tell me?
Starting point is 00:03:27 There's no trial period. five years feels like a lot a long time to commit to a new track but no 10 is the way that formula one seemed to be going of recent and it's so you think 10 years like it's such a long time and formula one can be so different you wonder if a lot of it is them trying to like lock in the buzz of formula one while it's like you know this growing and massively popular sport and they're like no let's lock in for for 10 years so they have to like host this race in the middle of the circuit in Vegas and all these other new circuits that they're having like this big fanfare and stuff. But yeah, from our side, it's weird because, you know, you're used to kind of circuits being like,
Starting point is 00:04:11 oh, it's a new circuit, let's see how it goes. And then sometimes they'd drop off the calendar. But it's very much like, yes, 10 years. And come to think of it, like, it is funny, isn't it, that when we had the COVID calendar and there was all that talk of like, oh, maybe we need to like swap circuits in and out and stuff. But now it's got like completely the opposite way where it's like, no, everything's locked in for years and years and years and years. Yeah, I mean, yeah, there is that side of things isn't there where we will have recurring tracks as we have always had in Formula One. But I suppose it is exciting in the sense of it is a new track.
Starting point is 00:04:47 And of course, that will provide uncertainty. Who knows what we're going to see at the 5,474-meter length. track, a lap time of, I love how they can say a 1 minute 32.4. Put Max Verstaple on there is 1 minute 29.7. Exactly. I love the way they've even gone to the, yeah, the 10th of a second rather than it's like, or just say like it's roughly a 90 second lap time. And this is the new regulations as well.
Starting point is 00:05:14 Like this isn't even the current regulations. How the hell do they know is a 1 minute 32.4? But still, it's kind of, I don't know, when I first look at the track, I see bits of Baku in there with 90 degree corners at the start. Is that the start or the end? No, it's the end. That's the final few corners, isn't it? They said where the start, finish straight is actually going to be.
Starting point is 00:05:37 Well, I can see the arrows, which mean that it's... I feel like the finish is on the left-hand side. I might be tripping. I might be wrong, but that looks like it would be like the pit complex. It makes sense as well, doesn't it, to have it in the street part of it, rather than in the permanent part of it, away from the sort of street hustle and bust. But yeah, then you have that long loop. And my first thing was thinking of like the Saudi sort of curve.
Starting point is 00:06:03 You've thought of Spoon because you're an old school legend. Always think of those tracks. But I don't know. Of course, first impression has been nothing. A lot of people, you know, despised Las Vegas. And we had an amazing race around there due to many different reasons. It wasn't just because of the track layout. It's because of the strange conditions that we had, that we had a battle for the lead,
Starting point is 00:06:23 all that sort of stuff. But when I look at that track map, I go, yeah, yeah, that looks like a lot of heavy breaking zones. Oh, wait, no, it doesn't. So how are people going to overtake? It's kind of my first thing, because I like a heavy breaking zone, Tommy. I like a long straight into a heavy breaking zone so that people can actually try to go for a move. You don't really see too much of that, do you? No, and maybe it's a trend now.
Starting point is 00:06:50 like, I think we said this about Vegas perhaps as well. And the kind of mid-2010s era was where like Herman Tilka was building these tracks and it was very much like the way cars overtake is long straight, heavy braking zone hairpin. And, you know, we always mention it when we talk about circuits. But Sapang is a great example of that, Malaysia where you had that really, like the final sector was essentially like long straight hairpin, long straight hairpin, long straight hairpin, long straight hairpin and that's why we saw like good overtaking there. It does make you wonder how much Formula 1 is like pushing overtakes now just being these DRS passes where it's not done in the breaking
Starting point is 00:07:38 zone, it's done on long straights and it is conflicting because I personally think it's similar to Saudi like Saudi is like high speed and you go, oh there's not. many like places to like outbreak someone and overtake but I do think that circuit is really exciting and thrilling and it has produced some good races um so yeah first thoughts are it's really hard to judge um as we know one thing that is amusing is it still looks like they've kind of drawn in roundabouts and things which i do wonder how much that is actually going to going to view that way. Well, kind of.
Starting point is 00:08:19 If you look at the bit where the road is, it looks like this, that looks a bit weird to me that the way they've drawn that straight, but it's not really a straight. It's kind of, yeah, it's not quite as extreme as the initial thing. So if anyone saw the initial pictures on Twitter
Starting point is 00:08:37 where there was the rumours, they actually drew the roundabouts in and we're like, well, that's not going to be right. That was clearly some random person, though, wasn't it? as opposed to like Formula One saying, yes, we are deliberating whether there will be a roundabout in the Grand Prix. Yeah, because I think you knew that the area it was going to be. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:08:55 I don't know Madrid very well personally, but it's some, is it like some exhibition hall or something that it goes around? So yeah, it's... Wait, Formula One, going around a place that they want to promote. A place of interest. No way. Yeah, sure. It's funny when I look at that track map that Formula One,
Starting point is 00:09:15 Formula One have posted, it looks like someone has done it freehand, and it doesn't even look clean. I think that's probably what you mean. Yeah, that's what I mean about it. Especially at the top of the track. The top of the track, it looks like you've got a bit shaky. You're like, oh, I'm not sure, like, you just kind of, the coffee's kicked in when they've been drawing that line.
Starting point is 00:09:34 Like, you see, I'm assuming, you know, you have the straight and then into turn one, which is like a little chicane by the looks of things. And then you have, it goes round to the right. and then it's a straight that curves round and then you've got this very strange little like... That's the bit that I find really weird. Is that a really weird corner or is that just someone not being able to draw properly
Starting point is 00:09:56 but then it goes kind of under the sort of freeway thing that the bridge that you've got above the track it looks like and then I don't know. Yeah, you do wonder as well because... Or does that go across? Is that a bridge or is that a road? I can't tell. I don't know Madrid, so... Who knows? But yeah, that bit of the drawing to me, the track map, if you see it from the...
Starting point is 00:10:15 We're looking at the graphic that Formula One tweeted for audio listeners that are probably like, what are you talking about? Yeah, that is very bizarre that bit. So I also think if someone had drew that freehand bit at the top better, Formula One might have predicted that would be a one minute 31.9. But, you know, with that squeakliness, you know, it's going to be a little bit more difficult to get through. Question from P1 Patreon member James BWFC22. Only just seen the actual track layout. What's the point in a street circuit in a capital city if it doesn't actually go around any of the streets?
Starting point is 00:10:51 Because there is a Madrid exhibition centre, which everybody can go and visit when they are at the Formula One Grand Prix. I don't know why they've gone for this particular area. There are obviously many conversations that go on around how they would actually make it happen. because it's not like they can just plonk a Formula One circuit in the middle of any street. I mean, Vegas kind of proved that maybe they can, but I don't think every single city in the world can accommodate for Formula One to just disrupt everything. So I imagine that's probably the thinking there is like, okay, if it's maybe just a little bit out,
Starting point is 00:11:31 but we can still say it's in Madrid and in the heart of it, and we can do a little bit of a permanent thing, that's good, yeah. Then we can write that one down. So then we can say it's not fully street. Yeah, yeah, yeah. that's probably the thinking there is that not every track can accommodate 3, 400,000 people to rock up and watch Formula One.
Starting point is 00:11:50 Exactly, and I think as well, the big complaint is that street circuits, people don't like them, and they're all seemingly becoming street circuits. But the fact that this one does have a bit of a permanent feature as well, I think is a good thing. And while it's maybe not the most interesting thing for Formula One fans, of course, like Formula One are pushing the whole like sustainable message as well.
Starting point is 00:12:24 And however much we don't like it because we love our Silverstones and spars and Monsors and things like that, like in the modern world, it's not. it doesn't make as much sense for promoters and things to have everyone arrive by car in the middle of nowhere, parking's a nightmare, no one can get out, all those logistics when I think they've already tweeted a graphic that's like 90% of fans will arrive by public transport and bicycles and things like that,
Starting point is 00:13:01 which obviously like from a Formula One fan, you just go, I want a good circuit, I don't care about this, but it is obviously something that Formula One. one will think about and that is probably why a lot of these street circuits happen. And it's quite funny actually because Formula E that was their like whole thing and Formula One have gone, that's a great idea. Let's do that. Even to the point where yeah, like they're now building these tracks in capital cities like slightly like outside. But I'm not against the fact that it's a mixture of both. I kind of like that it will feel like that rather than it just being a
Starting point is 00:13:37 Monaco. Yeah, Zanvort do it very well, don't they, with the whole, everyone going in via public transport, especially via bike,
Starting point is 00:13:44 and it's one of the most sustainable in that sense. For Madrid, again, it's awesome to see that much public transport being used. As a fan, that also provides me
Starting point is 00:13:53 with slight horror that 90% of Formula One fans are going to be taking, you know, a bus or whatever it might be and how that might affect my journey in and out of the circuit,
Starting point is 00:14:04 but I suppose a lot of people might stay in Madrid or just outside. So we'll see how that one goes because a first Grand Prix and then figuring out all the logistics
Starting point is 00:14:13 could well be quite chaotic. But yeah, it's going to be interesting. It doesn't actually really show where the grandstands are going to be either, does it at the moment? No, I guess it's still a way off, but yeah. Where would you want to watch, Tommy? You know, you look at the track map.
Starting point is 00:14:29 Where would you want to watch the action? And don't say from home. well I feel like that the thing that you said was a bit like a Saudi corner or I said spoon that that kind of quick corner would be quite fun but I guess you won't see much overtaking so you're probably looking into the street section where most people are going to try a move it feels like if indeed that bottom left corner is the kind of final corner those kind of corners there where people might try and move because you've got to imagine that cars would run closely through that sector and maybe try a bit of a move into it. And you've got to imagine
Starting point is 00:15:13 that you can kind of already predict where the DRS is going to be on that, kind of, if that is indeed the start, finish straight and then the one after it to get a bit of, you know, slip streaming and overtaking. Next question from P1, Patreon member, Nicola. How long until every race, is a street race. It's funny that you brought up Formula E recently about the whole public transport and things like that because also I would say that there's been a shift
Starting point is 00:15:44 where Formula E used to be the street circuit go-to and now they're going to China. They're going to Mexico. They're going to actual proper racetracks. And Formula One are the ones that are now adding more and more street circuits to their calendar. I don't think every race will be a street race,
Starting point is 00:16:03 but Formula One clear. have this mission that the best way to garner more fans and to keep momentum is by going into highly populated areas, i.e. city centres and making lots of noise with their cars and people go, what's that? And then they all start watching. That's kind of my feeling of why they're going to so many street circuits and they're adding places like Madrid onto the calendar. I can't imagine there's more money to be made because, you know, as far as I'm aware, I could be wrong, this isn't Formula One hosting this one, this is a traditional Madrid paying to have it there and then they're the ones that then recoup the losses of
Starting point is 00:16:47 paying Formula One through ticket sales and merch, etc, etc. So I think it's more just Formula One strategy of, well, you know, if more people see the cars going around, even if it's from their house, that we might board up with advertising, let us, you know, we'll let you know on that one near the time, then they might get into Formula One. Yeah, the biggest thing I've seen on Twitter is obviously the big complaints of like, oh my God, it's another street circuit. Formula One is just becoming a street circuit calendar. When you actually look at the calendar, if you don't count like, which I don't personally,
Starting point is 00:17:23 like Montreal and. Well, Tommy actually, technically they are. Montreal and Melbourne. Because, and also like people love those tracks. So it's not even like people want them. Sorry for Australians. I will count track and say Melbourne. Melbourne. Melbourne.
Starting point is 00:17:35 Melbourne Alam. Ding, ding, ding. Literally last podcast I said that, I said I changed it and I still didn't. I got you, Aussie fans, I got you. Yeah, so you look at the calendar and there's 24 races
Starting point is 00:17:51 and it's only it's not a huge amount of them of street tracks. It's not like, it's half of them. So we've got Saudi, we have Miami, Monaco, Baku, Singapore and Vegas.
Starting point is 00:18:14 So six. Six of 24. So a quarter. And I don't think a quarter of the circuits being street tracks is a problem. Where I think F1 fans problem is that every modern track is a street circuit. But I think so naturally when I started watching Formula 1 in 1902, it was just Monaco. And when, and even like 10 years ago, there was, Singapore was like, oh, there's a new street track and it was that and Monaco or whatever. And there wasn't many, whereas a quarter is a lot compared to that time.
Starting point is 00:18:54 And I guess people, the concern is that in 10, 20 years time, it is 75% street. So it's half and it is more. So that is the concern. because at the moment I don't I personally think because I've seen a lot of backlash but
Starting point is 00:19:15 I don't mind it at the moment I just I understand fans concerned that essentially it's going to go that way next question from siwi kiwi kiwi what is f1's obsession
Starting point is 00:19:30 with street tracks I don't mind a couple during the season but they're taking over and from a sports perspective with the bigger cars it just makes no sense that is also true
Starting point is 00:19:39 and I can see why people are concerned about that because street tracks they have a maximum width because they can't start knocking down buildings and I can understand again the potential concern about this we don't know how wide this particular circuit is going to be especially when they've got the permanent side as well
Starting point is 00:19:56 but I think I've sort of covered F1's obsession from my opinion as to why they're going to more and more street tracks is there any other things that you would say Tommy on that front? Not on that side, but I would say that I will controversially disagree that the sport, having bigger cars, it doesn't make sense because if you look at the circuit as replaced and we'll get onto this later, Formula One, as much as I'd love them to, because it's probably the one thing I'd most want to change about Formula One cars is how hideously large they are. and I don't think it makes the racing as good as it could be. But the cars are getting bigger and bigger and wider and wider. And in theory you'd think, oh, yeah, street tracks, that's not good.
Starting point is 00:20:43 But the problem is they're outgrowing the traditional tracks. Like Barcelona, it was never the greatest race in the world anyway, with or without the chicane, you know, even in the 90s or whatever. But in those cars that were a lot slower, they had a lot less downforce. Corners were corners. So these high-speed corners, you couldn't take every single one flat.
Starting point is 00:21:07 So people would make mistakes. You could follow each other because cars were going around the corners at different speed, whereas now they just fly around those corners. Every corner is pretty much flat out and there's nowhere to overtake because the straits don't feel long enough.
Starting point is 00:21:23 It's full of high-speed corners and stuff. Whereas you'd argue that the, the tracks that have produced good races, as much as we all complain about street circuits, is like Saudi provided some bangers. Baku provided some good races. In my opinion, Las Vegas was the best race of the year last season. And that is because these street circuits aren't Monaco. They are like these new street circuits where they are actually quite wide.
Starting point is 00:21:58 and they can accommodate the cars and they suit how modern Formula One cars race. So I actually think that while I don't want them to go down the full street circuit route, I actually think that this circuit is a better trade-off than having Barcelona. And I guess to continue your point, Tom, it's a really good one. You think of tracks like Zanvort that are not street circuits and they're the most narrow things in the world because they are permanent and they're old school and they haven't really changed that.
Starting point is 00:22:28 much. There are a lot of tracks out there that aren't, you know, in the middle of a city center that still have that problem that they can't accommodate the bigger Formula One cars. So I guess that problem does also carry over to the other ones as well. So interesting stuff. Next question comes in from Annex underscore Max Tech. If we continue like that, classic F1 circuits will all be gone by 2035 and street circuits will take their place. What do you guys think about that? Now, we've spoken about the division of street tracks to carry. sort of permanent, wonderful tracks
Starting point is 00:23:00 and the split is fine for me. I think it's going to increase more. That's that, I think that's the way Formula One are going and we'll see how far it goes. For me,
Starting point is 00:23:13 what would the split have to be before I get really concerned? I would say half and half would be cause for concern and a bit too much. But that's because I am a diehard Formula One fan for many, many, many, many years
Starting point is 00:23:26 and I am used to it not being street, tracks and and I guess Monaco, I know Tommy, I'm going to throw a little bit slander here, Monaco has set a president for older, former, older school, old hardcore, old hardcore Formula One fans that street tracks are rubbish because there's no overtaken. Yeah, exactly. But I think that if it accommodates, like you said Tommy in that previous point, of, you know, it's wider and they can actually overtake and race, then I don't have too much of a problem with that because I'm here for the racing. I don't really mind too much whether it is a street or a, or a, you know, a traditional track.
Starting point is 00:23:58 But when you look at a track layouts like the one we're looking at now at Madrid, of course you're going to come to opinions. You're going to jump to conclusions. But until we see it, we kind of have to give it the benefit of the doubt if we possibly can. Yeah, exactly. The Vegas example is perfect and people won't like to hear it because we all love a good moan, don't we as Formula One fans when things change and we don't like change. Even when it comes to Barcelona.
Starting point is 00:24:27 Even when it comes to Barcelona, the one circuit we wanted to get rid of. And that's my thinking here is like, I don't want Formula One to do this for every single thing. But is the calendar better for this instead of Barcelona? In my opinion, it is yes. What would concern me is if, you know, because people are complaining right. like this circuit is like, you know, cash grab, they've gone to somewhere where Formula One is like not popular and they've just taken the money and ran. It might not be better, but they're staying in the same country that loves Formula One and thanks to Fernando Alonso and had to get him in there. has made it a really popular sport there
Starting point is 00:25:19 and you've got science now as well. It's a country that loves Formula One and it's staying in that country at might not even be a good track. In my opinion, it can't be much worse than Barcelona. They've been profiled. They refiled, my friend. I know, but it didn't.
Starting point is 00:25:39 It's banging now. It's still rubbish. It still doesn't suit modern Formula One, in my opinion, and it still will never be, a great track. So yeah, I think I can see why fans are concerned, but at the moment, as long as it stays this, and if circuits like, say, the bubble bursts,
Starting point is 00:26:02 and Saudi drops off the calendar and it gets replaced by a street circuit somewhere else, then fine, I think the cause for concern is when you spars. Do you say Saudi drops off the calendar? Sorry, what? Did you say, if Saudi drops off the calendar? Well, in 2030 years. That's like saying if Lance Stroll leaves Laster Martin, my friend, come on.
Starting point is 00:26:20 Well, true, but you know what I mean? But basically, oh, say like Miami or whatever or these circuits. I think the real tough one will be when Spar goes. Like, I would be much more outraged if Monsa got replaced by like a Rome street track. That's when I'll be on this podcast kicking and screaming and going, street circuits are the worst. Let's throw Formula One in the bin. but at the moment.
Starting point is 00:26:46 No, no, no, no. You're the one that's been an advocate all this time for Monaco. Oh, I love Monaco. And F1, listen. Tom Bellingham likes it. So we're going to add another 13 to the calendar. Next question, P1, Patreon member IndyXM. Will Barcelona disappear from the calendar?
Starting point is 00:27:03 Yes, I think that's my understanding. Not officially, but they... Yeah, it's not going to be... We're not going to have two Spanish squire. They've not announced that it's gone, but it... It will conveniently come out next week, won't it? But Barcelona's contract will be ending at the end of 2025. Unfortunately for Catalonia, Barcelona to Barcelona de Catalonia Grand Prix circuit.
Starting point is 00:27:25 I'm so good. The fans that have, as I say, come out the woodwork to defend this circuit due to the reprofiling of turn 10 and the last regained. They're not going to be too happy. Unfortunately, there's no place for it anymore. They've signed Madrid. They used to, of course, have preseason testing there. And Bahrain have taken that now. so there's nothing really left for it to do.
Starting point is 00:27:48 So I'm not going to be too upset with it leaving the calendar. They tried. I think they tried too late to change the track to essentially. Oh yeah, it was 10 years too late, wasn't it? Just a little bit. So, yeah, it does seem like it's going to be going. And no one, you know, a bit of outrage. But as we say, people love to be outraged on social media.
Starting point is 00:28:10 They won't be outraged the minute we set. onto Madrid, 100%. Exactly. It is a bit of an oh no anyway. And this is the thing with these tracks. People are like, oh, why is it this track? Why don't we go to like Hereth or something? Instead, like, none of these circuits would suit modern Formula One, I'm afraid. Like, it's just the reality that the Formula One cars have got too big,
Starting point is 00:28:34 they're too quick, and they don't suit these, like, short, narrow testing tracks anymore. and it is sad because the boomer Formula One fan in me would love to see them racing there still and that's why I'm desperate for them to stay at your spas your Monsas even if we say every time when we discuss the calendar when was the last time a spa even produced a good race it's been ages but I still want it on the calendar that's true actually same for Barcelona right
Starting point is 00:29:08 same for Barcelona you know you think of all the classic moments like. Right, next question. P1 Patreon member Michaela. Another 10 year deal for a track that's not even built yet. Apparently it's not entirely a street circuit. It worked for Vegas, luckily, but is it going to work again? Well, they're going to need to order. They're going to need to order from the weather, maybe like six degree track temperatures. That would, throw in an interesting mix. Do we actually know when it's going to be in the year? I imagine it's going to be sort of during summertime or sort of spring. So it'd be the opposite of Vegas where the tyres are like 6,000 degrees and it cooks the tires.
Starting point is 00:29:50 Because when's Barcelona usually? Like May time. May, yeah. So perhaps it'll be similar to that way. I was June actually this year. Yeah, because it'll be really hot, won't it? If it's within the streets as well. So it could be a hot one.
Starting point is 00:30:05 Could be a hot boy. But yes. I'll wait until they announce that it's a night race. And then everyone will be like, Another one. We just have some races in the day. Yeah. I do get that.
Starting point is 00:30:15 I do get that. The novelty has definitely worn off of like Singapore being a night race now. It seems like every other circuit seems to do it now. Just to have the whole calendar at night. Monaco at night would be. Daytime racing. Come on. Do they have people in the F1 game, didn't they?
Starting point is 00:30:34 It was quite cool. But yeah. With no put spotlights on the cars for like hungry at night. That'd be interesting. But the question for is it going to work again? We don't know. Because it worked in Vegas. They might do a Baku where Baku somehow, you know,
Starting point is 00:30:53 they frauded their way to two incredible Grand Prix. And everyone's like, this is the greatest venue of all time. It's just Formula One there at the same time, isn't it? It is a roll of a dice. It could be a terrible track, but still get a good race because someone, you know, got really fortunate with a safety car and we get a crazy race and someone, you know, random wheel. I know 2023 didn't happen for that.
Starting point is 00:31:13 But that sort of thing. And then people's sentiment immediately goes, well, that was great, wasn't it? Next year. Well, like Monza, for example, when we had two of those crazy winners in Gansley and Riccardo. Oh, wow, spices are up so much. You know, the races were very good.
Starting point is 00:31:27 The races were like, there's no slipstream, and everybody can't overtake on one of the longest seconds. Zanvort had, was like questioned for like, it's only there because of Max, and there's no way anyone's going to be able to overtake ever. And then you had an apocalyptic rainstorm and it produced the most overtakes
Starting point is 00:31:42 in the history of Formula One in a race. That still will blow my mind. If that never gets beaten, Zanthor is the most overtakes. That would be such a, like, random F1 quiz question of like, what's the track with the most overtakes? You're like, oh, well, it must be monster or like,
Starting point is 00:31:58 spa. Spar, yeah. There's no good overtaking or racing in Spar, apparently. This is the thing. We can analyse these tracks all we want, but when Yuki Sunoda wins, then it would be the greatest track of all time. We just don't know, do we?
Starting point is 00:32:14 So, like, you want, it kind of, it's all dependent on so many scenarios in Formula One. And there is something to be said about good and bad tracks. But until we've seen racing there, like, yeah, we don't, we don't know yet. So there you go then. You've listened to a long podcast, and at the end, the conclusion is we don't know. We don't know. But who does? Join us next week where we...
Starting point is 00:32:41 discuss what will happen next year. Okay, so Tommy, give us your final thoughts then, other than you don't know. My final thoughts as the one of the most pessimistic people in the world and a very pessimistic person. That's what the P stands for in P1, actually. Yeah, pessimism one.
Starting point is 00:33:04 is that just I know we love a moan but just think of the positives and the short-term positives that a bad track has been replaced by something that might be good. And my final thoughts are it might also be bad. So we'll have to wait and see. See you in 2026. Exactly. For our next podcast, we're off. Right, thank you everybody.
Starting point is 00:33:32 See you very soon. Lots of love. Bye. Not really, we'll be back to Yeah, we're going to be back before 2026 Otherwise Tommy's down the job centre Unless Max wins every race And I'm doing it on my own
Starting point is 00:33:46 I'll be in the bed that you can see in Tommy's shop And if you're an audio There's a bed next to Tommy P1 is a stack production And part of the ACAST's creator network

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