P1 with Matt and Tommy - Predicting the 2027 F1 driver line-ups

Episode Date: July 31, 2026

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Hello everybody and welcome back to the P1 podcast with Matt and Tommy. You know it's summer break when we're bringing out the predictions. But this one I am very excited about. I like getting creative, Tommy. I like thinking what could happen to my beloved sport over the next year in terms of driver line-up changes that could genuinely rock the world. I know we've kind of got used to that with the biggest news we've ever had of Lewis Hamilton and go into Ferrari not that long ago.

So we're like, this happens all the time now. But yeah, we've gone through our teams. We don't know what each other have picked. And we're ready to share, aren't we? We sure are. Yeah, obviously summer break time. So people talk about silly season, whether drivers will move this early.

I think it's going to be a situation personally this year where it is that classic, same with Lewis Hamilton and years gone by and the kind of Sebastian Vettel retiring, where it's just one piece of the puzzle, that's what everyone's waiting for. So I think it's going to be fascinating to see when something big happens, then everyone starts shifting around. So always good fun and always fun to also look back when we're completely wrong.

Or maybe right. Or this time. This might be the one. When I've done this list, I'm like, it makes sense. But then I also thought about that in 2023, I think it was when we last did like a look to the future. although that was three years. This is next year. And so much can change and flip

from just tiny things that happened during the race. I'm pretty sure we recorded. This is our predicted lineup for a season. And then literally like a month later, Lewis Hamilton's gone to Ferrari and the whole thing's completely changed. So let me get you up to speed with the driver contracts that are expiring at the end of this year. So they are Colapinto, Bortoletto, Holkenberg, Ockon, Bearman, Stroll, apparently.

Alonzo, Linblad, Lawson, Sines, Albon, Hadjar and Antonelli. That is a lot of drivers. Tommy, don't, don't really? You never know. Oh, okay. Might be off to Indy car. No, I don't think he is. Spoiler allowed.

Yeah, could well be. But yeah, so a lot of changes could be on the horizon. And that's why we're doing this video. So we've mixed up the teams as well. Keep it a little bit fresh. We're not doing it in Constructors order. Don't worry, driver ratings fans. We're not starting with Cadillac.

We are actually going to start with a pretty slow team, though. Williams. So their driver line-up is currently Sines and Albon. My driver line up for Williams is Alex Albon and Leonardo Forneroli. Oh, okay. I've already got the spatula. out. I've already got all the spices and I think everything's on fire. So I'm not going to talk about where a certain someone has gone or anything like that just yet. And for Alex Albon, I think he

stays there for a very, very, very long time until Ferrari go, hey, do you want to have a go? And he's like, oh, go on then. That's what he's waiting for. He's waiting for the Ferrari call-up because he loves Ferrari more than me. And that's saying something. As Alex Albon, I think is a staple at Williams. As for the other seat, I think signs go somewhere. else. I think that where Williams are right now are so insanely far off that he will, as we've seen many times before with signs, jump ship. If you think of all of the teams signs has been at, he doesn't wait around. He's moved all the time. Yes, he's been at Toro Rosso, he's been at Renno, he's been at McLaren, he's been at Ferrari, and now of course he's at Williams. So that's a lot of

teams. So he's not afraid to bounce if necessary, although of course Ferrari was involuntary. So I think he's gone. Forno Roli is not linked to Williams right now at all, but we've seen in the past that vacancies can lead to teams looking at certain drivers. And I think for Noroli has done a brilliant job when he's stepped in and that McLaren. I don't think there's any chance of him getting a McLaren seat. Spoiler alert. So I think there might be a couple of vacancies that come to light this year. And I think Williams, if they lose signs, would be very silly to not go with a driver

that has potentially a very high ceiling. Anything I've ever seen of Fauna Roli has been really, really good, in my opinion. So yeah, it's kind of a bit of a left-field shout. It's a bit crazy. There's nothing to potentially link him right now, but Williams will go into slight panic mode, I think, if they lose signs and they'll need,

and the only drivers I think that will be available are up and coming talent, the ones that could well bring Williams to the front of the grid. Nice. So I have gone for Alex Albin and Liam Lawson. Again, a driver that is not being linked to Williams at anything and here is the logic.

So we've both gone for science going. I think he will get fed up and leave at some point. 2027 or 28 I think that there's a chance if there is a chance science stays I think waits out one more year and then goes but for this yeah I think he I think he's going to get fed up at the end of this season I think James Vows will then want the best driver that he can similar to your thinking and maybe spoiler alert someone on the market maybe Liam Lawson having an amazing season. And I think James Vowse is a clever man did with Sainz in the first place that I don't think promoting someone like Luke Browning, who's the reserve driver,

is the right move to go for Williams. I think they will chase a new driver if Sites goes. I did also flirt with the idea that that could be Esther Bannock on as well. But I'm going for Lawson. Okay, wow. That's really taken me back.

there. I did not have Liam Lawson going to Williams that is for sure. And remember we didn't have science going to Williams as well. No, no we didn't. You never know. Okay, look forward to watching this back next year or to be fair

at the end of this year. So let's now move on to a very interesting team. Red Bull. I have gone for Red Bull. Isaac Hadjar So the wave starts. Martin with Hajjar is ridiculous.

But let's see. And Max Verstappen. I think Max is staying at Red Bull. I'm very confident of it, actually. I don't see Max leaving now. I think that he'll stick at Red Bull, hope they improve, see out his contract and then see where he goes there,

even though it seems that he's been holidaying with Toto Wolf again in Sardinia that we even joked about and I can't believe it's actually happened again. As for Hadjar, he's done enough. I think a lot of it, he's got the dream ticket, I think, at Red Bull in the circumstances that Horner and Helmut Marker have gone.

There's less pressure on him. He can, what many Red Bull drivers haven't had the luxury of, he can learn on the job. You know, he's still very new to Formula One. He can gain more experience, keep getting better and better and improve over time. So I think Red Bull will stick with what they've got.

I can hear everybody saying boo, boring. Boring, boring Tommy, boring Bellingham's, as we already know lovingly know them as. So my line up at Red Bull is Isaac Hatcher and George Russell. George Russell, wow. Okay, where's Max going? Who knows?

Who knows? Look, I see your logic and I very much like your logic. I think it makes a lot of sense. But I want to have a little bit of fun. I want to sprinkle a little bit of spice into this. You want chaos. I promise you, a video where we say that the teams are going to be the same is not a video worth even talking about. Whereas this, where, you know, look, Hamilton went to Ferrari.

It is possible that crazy things. things happen, all right? We laughed. We've laughed at many things. Many predictions. We laughed at your dad in Monaco predicting Gassley on the podium and look what happened. So, Stranger Things have me saying Kimmy Antelotti will join Formula One. That's

a niche reference. That was in fact what I'm called Kimmer-Tenelli. Exactly. I've got for George Russell and Isaac Hatcher. Just purely because Max has been seen on holiday with Toto Wolf again enough. I'm literally like, I'm one. I'm one.

I am one of those fish in the ocean right now. Hook line and sinker. Oh my God, he's going. I can only imagine what those conversations are right now. And I think it's unlikely what I've gone for. It's a bit of fun. But also, if Max does go and Toto gets him and I don't know, the tone of the season doesn't feel like Toto is particularly cotton-willing George Russell.

It feels like Toto is very gladly just outing him when he thinks his engine is working. Yeah, yeah. Rather than sort of protecting him and going like, no, George is a phenomenal driver. You know, we've had moments where, you know, fans have picked up on it and George has finished P2 in Barcelona and all he did was speak about Hamilton winning

and Kimmy Antonelli DNFing. So I don't know how much love is actually there and how much I'm reading too much into this, but it's a bit of fun, right? Interesting, you've gone for George at Red Bull as well, obviously, like the heavily sort of, There was a bit of a rumor wasn't there that if if the Stappan did go, Piastri might go to Red Bull. I don't believe any of that.

No. And I think it sounds insane to go to go with George. But if if the Stappan does go, Red Bull will want a race winning and top driver. And why not take the person in a straight swap? And the only, yeah, to be fair, like the only other scenario was that signs would go to Red Bull because I think that he would be available. but then I can't see Russell go into Williams like oh I'm back guys

here we go back when they're at the back he only likes to be with them when they're yeah exactly guys I'm going to humble myself for a year then they'll go back to a top team so now I couldn't see that happening so that's why I've just gone with a pretty crazy

Russell and Hadjar but yeah I like it Red Bull would be looking for a top driver a race winning driver that's what George Russell is and Carlos signs may be another one but then again that's all speculation as well so instead we've gone

fun. We've gone for Red Bull, Russell and Hajar. Racing Bulls. All right. Are you ready for this one? You thought the first two were crazy. This one. Okay, my line up for racing bulls is Liam Lawson and Arvid Limblad.

What? That's crazy. No, that's what I've gone for. Lawson and Limblad. I don't think they changed racing balls. I know Nicholas Solov is waiting in the wings. There's been speculation. There's been headlines. oh he's coming in he's replacing one of the drivers it's going to happen that was squashed

and i see no reason for racing balls to make a change right now limblad rookie season doing really really well lawson's having the season of his life why change what why why why they're going to crash into each other every single race for the rest of the year season we said that about signs in leclair did they crash once no no so the more we hype it up yeah the closer they'll get, but they won't hit. Yeah. So I really do, and this one is, you know, full brain switched on. I just don't see why racing balls would change.

I think Lawson to Williams is, you know, quite frankly, an insult to what he's done this season, if that did actually happen. So I hope the Red Bull Racing Bulls team do not get rid of Lawson because I think he's just growing in confidence, growing in consistency. So I've gone for the same, which you obviously haven't. Which I obviously haven't because Lawson's at Williams. Yeah. I have gone for

Arvid Limblad and Nicholas Solov so I have gone for that I do think Solov will get the jump up it is very difficult because the fact that Limblad's only just gone there

and is doing a really solid job and Lawson's having a really really good season the problem I foresee is the fact that if Limblad continues to be close to Lawson as much as Lawson is doing an amazing job and I don't agree with this, that they should be doing this,

their argument would be, well, Limblad has a higher ceiling if Limbladd is continued, like, starts matching Lawson, for example, later in the season. And Lawson, not that I think it's fair and have had this conversation about Hadjar, because I think Hadjar's, Lawson's looking at that Rebel seat going, my God, I wish I was in there now. But he wasn't. And as much as we've seen drivers like Gazley and, he's, I think Lawson would do the same if he joined another team, show that he's still got a lot there for him and a lot and a lot of talent.

It's unfair to grade them of what they did at Red Bull, but unfortunately, I think they kind of do a Red Bull. I know Helmut Marcos gone, but that team and that whole philosophy is all about promoting drivers and Solove is leading Formula 2 this year. And if he wins the Formula 2 championship, I think Red Bull have promoted people for less and I think equally solid would be

feel hard done by if he doesn't get a seat for winning Formula 2 because that's probably what he's been basically said well if you do a good good job in junior categories you'll get to Formula 1 which is the Red Bull way and there's not really a lot better if anything than winning the Formula 2 Championship so obviously you know all the teams are going to be tuning in to what Me and you think.

So racing balls, listen up, okay? If they are genuinely believing that Liam Lawson's ceiling is not as high as Limblad, sort of almost painting him as this veteran, my argument to this is that he has had two seasons worth of races in Formula One. That's all he's had. Yes, he started in 23 with a few races, 24, a few races, 25 was a full season. And then we're halfway through 26. He's had two seasons full of races.

That's nothing. Yeah, agree. So I really... Yeah, it's cutthroat. Yeah, it's cutthroat, but also why would they do that to him? I really, I strongly think that they don't change it. Why would they sack him after two races? They did.

Whatever, he was, you know, quite rightly doing awful. No, but he still was the wrong decision, wasn't it? Wrong decision to stop it that quickly, but also we don't know what's going on behind closed doors and the things I heard was that he was honestly crumbling it with what was going on. So I don't know. I think it was the right decision because he's bounced back brilliantly now. And yeah, he's obviously thriving this season. So I don't know.

At the time, of course, we discussed it, didn't we? And we said, oh, that seems very early to get rid of him. And as much as you say, Williams is a disrespect for Lawson, which I think now currently, but, you know, for someone like Liam Lawson is the plan to do a Gazley. and an album and just try and get out of that Red Bull stable because is he going to get promoted to Red Bull again? Maybe if he keeps doing this well, and Max leaves,

maybe they do to promote him. But there's also that case of Red Bull being very savage of like, well, you've not made it, off you go, and it's very hard for a driver that's had that horrible time at Red Bull to move on and do something else. And it's worked with Gazley and Album, so maybe it is a case of like, try and get somewhere else and see what you can do there.

Yeah, we are very sort of, we always think that drivers want to bounce to, you know, to somewhere else. I think Lawson's pretty happy right now at Racing Bulls and would want to stay there for another few seasons, really solidify himself as an F1 driver, showcase his midfield qualities because he's in the midfield. And I think there's nothing wrong with that.

As I said, two seasons worth of races is all Liam, Lawson has. So I'm sure he would happily take two or three more seasons at Racing Balls and then maybe look to the top four teams if they are top four at that point and hope for a little second seat. So I've been a great time getting rage baited by the social media admin. Consistent basis. They are really good. I love big up social. It's great. It really is. It's a great way to do social. Okay, let's move on to Mercedes.

Mercedes I've gone for Kimmy Antonelli. and George Russell. Boo. Yes. I'm keeping Russell there. I think at the moment, we'll see. I think,

I don't now think Russell's going to be there for a long time, particularly if Antonelli wins the World Championship. And then maybe, maybe again, I think that sadly,

I'm going on the whole thing that we've just spoken about as drivers don't like to bounce all the time, but you've got to think if Kimmy Antonelli wins the world title this, year and he's that young and just come into the team. And with also the stuff we've spoken about,

about Toto, probably not being the most, it's not like he doesn't like George Russell. It's just that he doesn't have that same affection. You can just tell very clearly to an Antonelli, to a Lewis Hamilton, that they do with George Russell. So he will probably think to look elsewhere, but I don't see it at the moment. And I think with this whole situation with Mercedes, I think it's just going to maybe be a bit of a stalemate until the year after. And then we'll see if George gets beaten by Antoni again,

then he probably does think, well, I need to maybe go to like a Aston Martin or something crazy like that. Don't want to stay long enough at Mercedes to become a botas. No one wants that. No, exactly. But then also, if there are no other places, you'll take the podiums, you'll take the occasional wins, maybe. Who knows? It depends how dominant Mercedes are in a few years.

My Mercedes lineup, Kimmy Antonelli and Oliver Berman. Max Verstappen's going to Hass. No, I'm kidding. It is Kimmy Antonelli and Max Verstappen. I'm in Dreamland. Please. I'm in Dreamland. Look, they've signed the contract on that yacht.

It's done. That's what I saw. that's what it was there yeah uh yeah so look russell antonelli is very very very likely to happen but there is a small chance that max fastappan and toto will have come to an agreement we're speaking about the affection mat toto has some affection for max he is that long lost prospect he never got to sign for his team i saw a great meme that was like toto's like what do you mean i love all my kids equally and then it was a picture and the the the drivers in the frames where lewis hamle Kimi Antelli and Max Verstappen.

Oh right. Yeah, that's sad. I feel bad for George. I do as well. He was the prospect of Mercedes. But Tateau does not hide it well, does he? I don't know. Not seemingly anyway from an outside perspective.

So look, let's go for it. Max Verstappen goes to Mercedes. That McLaren, I really don't see the McLaren move anywhere near as closely as I do this Mercedes one. I think it is most likely, stay at Red Bull. there's, you know, let's live a little, Mercedes, which I don't think is far away in his brain. Like, get me into that race-winning car right now. Like, Max is a winner.

He loves racing. And so many people from Rebel have left, what allegiances does he have remaining? What loyalty does he need to show this team that is merely a shell of what it was? Well, yeah, even GP's going, so. Exactly. And then that's why the McLaren rumours, I guess,

have been fuelled because of the fact that he's going there. Well, another interesting thing about the McLaren rumors, because a lot of people are making big things of like Yoste Stappen and Max's manager going into McLaren. Another side to that is that the Stapin Racing have signed a young Dutch driver who is part of McLaren's junior program. So that's also a side to it as well.

I know we love to, every time we see a chat in the motoc and be like, oh, what's going on here? But they're always doing it, aren't they? They're always talking. There's so many reasons. Exactly. So I've gone for it.

Bastappan and Antonelli at Mercedes. McLaren! My driver line up for McLaren is Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. This partnership will last a while, I think, unless some crazy stuff happens or Piastri's form falls off a cliff. This year's not been the greatest year for Oscar, especially when you compare it to last year. But not bad enough to even consider it. that McLaren would look to get someone else in.

I think these two are a great pairing. If anything, we talk about these. And another reason why I'd maybe go against my Mercedes thing is that, yeah, if Antonelli genuinely does have the pace over Russell, that's a good thing because you then have a little sort of weighted one-two than having two number one drivers that are constantly crashing into each other and constantly fighting every single race. So that's, again, another reason why Mercedes might not go for my incredible suggestion.

But for McLaren, again, if Norris does have the upper hand, but they're both pretty damn quick, then that's also good. Of course, last year, they were very, very closely matched, and that's where the tension within the team starts to rise. But, yeah, I don't think this changes. I think Lando's performing, as we've said, many times incredibly well, and he will stay there. Why would he move anywhere else? There's no need. He's won the World Championship last year. and yeah, Piastri is not going to Red Bull in my eyes.

So McLaren I've gone for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Had you asked me three seconds after Oscar Piacström's radio in Hungary where if this was the case, I maybe would have flirted with the idea of putting him somewhere else. Flirted? We both jokingly said on the watch long, he is leaving. He's gone. Yeah, I think there is some definite underlying frustration there with Piastri, even if he's not showing it at at McLaren. But he's in a, I think there's enough harmony there for him to stay.

He's in a great seat. You know, all these drivers, we talk about, you know, Carlos Sites and Liam Lawson and all these drivers doing a good job. And there's only so many top seats.

So I think for to, to leave, it's kind of like gold dust to be, even at McLaren, who may be like the third best team this season. but it's still an amazing place to be, and that's where everyone wants to be in a team that can challenge for the world championship

and challenge for wins. So I don't see this lineup changing, certainly not this year. Not yet indeed. We now go to Hasse. So Hasse, I've gone for Olly Berman and Raphael Camara. So I have gone for Ock gone.

Sorry, I had to get a dodgy in there. That's what I take it back. Retract that statement right now. He's Esty best steve. I know. I do think Ocon's performances mean that he will go. Based on this year, what we've seen from Olly Bearman, Kamara. It was between Kamara and Forneroli.

I know they're kind of assessing them both. Also, Yuki Sonoda is thrown into the mix. I don't see that at all personally. One, he's a Honda driver, not. with Toyota, whether they want that, that, and try and get him into a new contract there. But I just, I just don't see it. And I think they'll go for, they don't need an experienced driver like Ocon when Berman is driving so well. So they have that opportunity to take someone from this. And the reason I've gone for it is that Kamara is a Ferrari Jr. whereas

for one is Rayleigh is McLaren Jr. So I think that it's more likely from, from his side there. And he's also got more recent race experience because he's racing in Formula 2 and doing a really good job at the moment. Interesting. I've gone for Olly Beerman and Raphael Kamara. Copy and paste, what Tommy just said. Ockon's not been good enough for Hasse to keep him, I don't think. Sadly, it pains my heart to say it.

But, you know, his contract's up and I think the Hasse would be wise to maybe look elsewhere unless there are things we don't see behind the scenes that Esteban is able to bring the team in terms of developing the car and so on and so forth. but I mean, Hasse have gone backwards since race one really, so, or the first few races. And as for Kamara, yeah, he's obviously the sort of star driver at the moment. As you mentioned, there's a couple being weighed up, but I think Kamara will be the obvious choice there for Hasse. And I think it will be a deserved step up for him. So that's where I've gone for Hasse.

Ferrari. Gone for Hamilton and LeCler. What? Unsurprisingly. Hamilton and LeCler. What more to say? I mean, Hamilton's going to stay. He's, I guess the only question mark was whether we saw the Hamilton from last year coming into this year.

We have not. We've seen a Lewis Hamilton that has the upper hand over Shell LeCler. And that's, that's great. But no, it is. Hamilton's done really, really well. And as for LeCler, of course, we all already know his contract extension, which was already long so they just made another announcement to be like LeCler will be staying guys leave him alone

so yes no changes at Ferrari unsurprisingly so I have gone for Hamilton and LeCler as well what a shocker yeah Hamilton's driving really well no question marks anymore about his performances at all doing a superb job looks really comfortable in that team Lecler's obviously signed till the year 3,000 and yeah it's going to be the same 100% sure what a banger

the busted version not the Jonas Brothers version oh geez okay you didn't need to say that you could you say it was a banger now now you've just triggered everyone that's a Jonas Brothers fan that likes a cover right let's go on to Cadillac Cadillac I've gone for Sergio Perez and Valtrey Bottas

yeah Perez is doing a great job don't see him moving at all Botas has improved as well since his pretty horrible start has to be said. He's looking much more comfortable. I think they continue that experience for another year, particularly as the car is falling apart every single week now. It feels like Herter is not doing well in F2, which does not surprise me one bit, to be perfectly honest.

Like, IndyCar is so different to F1 and F2. I think he needs more time in that kind of environment. And that's not a disa indie car. Equally, I don't think a Formula One driver could jump straight into an indie car and do amazingly well straight away. They're different beasts. And when Cadillac and said that they thought, you know, we're going to get Herta and he's this amazing talent, he's kind of like too far down like the whole like IndyCar career path.

And I think it's such a flip that I'm not surprised to see him way down the F2 championship and not doing particularly strong. It's not horrendous, but like equally... It's nowhere near where he should be, right? No, where he should be, exactly. So, yeah, I think they weight it out for another year with these two experienced Formula One drivers. He's even being beaten by his teammate, isn't he?

Meata, in terms of results from what I'm looking at here. So that's not ideal for Herter. My line-up for Cadillac is Valtry Botas, And Sergio Perez. No changes. Cadillac shouldn't make a change, unless Valtrey was going to be as slow as we thought he might have been at the start of the year. They're building a team,

and I think that the Bottas Perez combination is one that will help them continue to move forward, bringing a young driver in a team that is breaking down, needing just some foundation, some experience. They're not ready to bring in a young talent, I don't think, just yet. give Bottas and Perez a few more years, I think, and then perhaps when they've moved slightly forward, they'll be able to explore bringing a driver that might crash a bit because, yeah, they don't want to be fronting lots of costs either

because that is very expensive in Formula One. We now go to Audi. My line-up for Audi is Gabrielle Bortoletto and Carlos Sines. So this is, of course, sign. leaves Williams and he goes to Audi like we thought he was initially

going to go to. This, of course, at this stage, leaves Nico Holcomberg out of a seat, who I believe will be like 39 or so. So he's not a spring chicken.

And I do see this in my mind's eye. If Carlos wants to go, I think Audi will make moves for it. You know, we actually were at the Monaco Grand Prix, won't we, Tommy?

And I remember chatting with you whilst we were sipping a coffee in the Audi hospitality going, I reckon it's not long until Audi want to sign a proven race winner because they have huge goals and ambitions for the sport. They're not here to be a midfield team. They're not Saupor are they anymore? No. And they've done phenomenally well with the pace of the car.

The reliability has been pretty shocking. But the minute they start to get that reliability together, they are. already challenging for that sort of fifth fastest team and then the sky is the limit and I think signs would like that signs went to Williams thinking that might well be the play look at last year sorry not went to Williams but stuck with Williams

look at last year look at the podiums James Vowels like all the words are being spoken that are correct all right I'm sign I'm locked in James now Audi are looking like a much tastier prospect in mine and Carlos's eyes I would imagine so that's why I've gone for the move It's quite ironic as well that Carlos, when we were thinking about where does he go, when he obviously got dropped by Ferrari or made way for Lewis Hamilton, and where does he go?

We were kind of saying that he should go to Audi, but the problem is he's going to have a year of pain at Audi, where they are Kixalba and basically dustpins at the back of the grid. And ironically, he's now joined a team that are at the back of the grid and having a ring back. And Audi have sort of proven. and now they've stepped up. Their ability, yeah. He's done it in reverse of having a really good year and now gone to basically being at the back of the field

and being lapped and stuff. So, yeah, tough on Carlos Sainz. And speaking of, for Audi, I have gone for, Gabriel Bortoletto and Nico Holcomberg. I think they will stick with their driver lineup. A good driver lineup has to be said. I think they're pushing the team forward with youth and experience. I think it's a really good balance.

I think Bortoletto has been quite underrated this year. Nico, probably one more year for him. And then, yeah, I do think Audi will then maybe start to think like what's next for us. But at the moment, I think that is a really strong lineup for Audi. I will also add, I don't think Holcomberg has been good enough this year in the comparison to Bortoletto. and that's another reason why I thought maybe Audi will progress those talks a bit quicker and sooner than anticipated. Let's go to Aston Martin. Ashton Martin I've gone for Lance Stroll and Carlos Sites.

So the more I think about Carlos Sites's next move, the more I have convinced myself that it would be Aston Martin and not Audi. There's a chance that I think it's a very strong chance we don't see. Williams. It's a bit like you said right with with Williams you said it about Alonzo that I think we were talking about Alpine and Alpine won't win a title but Aston Martin might and it feels the same for Williams that Williams aren't going to win a title no disrespect to them or at least for a very long time probably not in Carlos Science's career time but Aston Martin or Audi might and I think Aston Martin maybe with the leap that they've made up already of course

pains me to say that Fernando Alonzo is not there. We'll see. And yeah, for me, I really could see Carlos Sites going there to be the successor, if you like, of Fernando Alonzo. They want another big name. Stroll's obviously staying there for good, and Lawrence loves to make it very hard work for Lance by putting in really great drivers alongside him.

So Carlos Sites, I think as he's making his choice, I think what's really interesting is he's going to, if he does either State Williams or he's decided he's moved, now where do I look at? That ever-changing midfield and who's making big leaps and stuff is going to be the thing that decides for him. And if Aston Martin, you know, take another step forward in Zandvo, and maybe like the fifth best car,

he might be like, okay, they're cooking now. They're doing a really good job. Maybe I do want to be there and be the one to take over from Alonzo. So that's why I've gone for Carlos Sainter, Aston Martin. So just very quickly, is Aston Martin getting rid of Alonzo or is Alonzo leaving? Well. Well, no, but you have to tell me that part. You're not saying where he's gone, potentially, which is one other team, which I imagine

you're putting him in. But like, in terms of Aston Martin, what's the trigger here? Is it Alonzo or is it Aston Martin getting rid of it? I'm not going to spoil it. We'll do it the next one. No, you don't. You don't understand. No, I do understand.

No, you don't. rubbish. Okay, all right. Tommy's on something. So my Aston Martin line up. I ruin it if I tell you. I can tell you. Should I just ruin it?

No, no. Okay. No, don't. Don't. Don't you start shrugging your shoulders, sir. You get a little bit sassy. My Aston Martin line up. Lance Stroll.

And Fernando, Of all the predictions, I think this is like, you know, this is the one where I'm combating Tommy over because I do not see Fernando Alonzo leaving voluntarily. And I do not see Aston Martin getting rid of Alonzo. They have had obviously success when the car was good. Alonzo, he's kind of on a holiday at the moment. He's just tooling around waiting for the upgrades. And yes, Lance Stroll did beat Fernando Alonzo in the first race where they had. had proper upgrades.

Perhaps that's where Tommy's saying that Flando's washed. Is that enough? Yeah, yeah. I don't believe it. I think the minute Alonzo gets a car that's worthy of points and podiums, he will lock the F in.

And yeah, I see this partnership lasting at least another year. Let's see where Aston Martin are when we go to 2027, and as for Lance Stroll, you know, he has a permanent unlimited contract as we know. And I think his father won't let him leave just yet.

So that's why he will be staying. Let's now go to Alpine Where my line-up Let's see who's spicier Mine or Tommy's Is Pierre Gasley And Franco Colopinto Wow

Such, such creativity For the final team, hey I don't see this changing I've said this on the podcast And I need to stick with it That Colapinto's done a good enough job To keep this seat marginally, right?

He could easily go the other way if this second half the season has more crashes and so on and so forth. I think Flavio Brio Tori is very, I mean, speaking of a cutthroat, I think he could be the biggest one of all now that Helmut Marco's gone. So Franco needs to keep up these good performances.

He has amazing fans, huge backing, and I think Alpine would want to keep him as long as the performances are consistent. And as for Pierre Ghazli, nowhere I see him going just yet for next year. And I think he should stay there considering Alpine are reasonably competitive. and I'm hoping for their sake they're able to extract more from the Mercedes engine,

more from the aer package and move forward like we've seen in the past. So for Alpine, I have gone for Pierre Gazley and Franco Colapinto. So Fernando Alonzo has retired. Retired. So he's gone. He's called it a day at 40. Well, he'll be 46 next year. And I'm on the first.

fence about when Alonzo decides to go because it's so difficult because he does have to leave at some point. I know this is insane and you could maybe like, no, he doesn't. But he will be 46 next year and it's like how long does he wait? Because I know there's the argument of like, oh well, if Aston Martin bring some upgrades and they suddenly get quite good, there's still maybe going to be like the fifth best car. And then what does he do? Wait another year and hope that they're suddenly winning the world championship. Some people say yes, but like, are they really going to win the world championship next year?

I really don't think so. And then you can kind of just repeat the same thing every year, 29. Oh my God, the third best now. Well, he's got to see his birthday in, you know? So, look, I don't want Alonzo to retire. Of course I don't. I want to see him. You really see this happening.

I could really see this happening this year, actually, now. Okay, so if this does happen, where does my prediction rank compared to your dad's Pierre Ghazli P3 at Monaco, where I said at the start of the year, Astor Martin would be terrible when Alonzo would retire. Oh, yeah. I forgot you said that. Start the year. I got so cooked by Spanish fans as well for that, by the way. Did you? How could you say that about. Well, they were so convinced that Alonzo was going to be so good.

Well, Aston Martin were going to be so good. Yeah, like my prediction was not about Alonzo being rubbish. It was about Aston Martin being rubbish. Neither of us believe the hype, did we, of Ashton Martin, and people were saying they're going to win the World Championship. But I don't want Alonzo to retire. Of course I don't. I want to see him in Formula One.

I want to see him competitive again. But he has to go at some point. I think when he does go, I've really, like, convinced myself that Science is going to replace him. And, yeah, I don't see Alonzo going to Alpine anymore. And I was kind of, when I first heard that, I was like, oh, that's actually a really good I bought it

I saw you go on another podcast and you literally said yeah he's going to Alpine it's happening because that's the mind we're at the back he was depressed he was awful you're not allowed to change opinion on the internet

yeah I know exactly just so you're aware we have to be perfect at all times but I do think Gucci coming into Formula One will want a big name in that team I think about Sanando wants to just wear Gucci

yeah oh my God tripped in the swag but Alonzo has, you know, a lot of interest outside of driving with Aston Martin as well, I think, as well, and kind of being in like an ambassador role. And I think the perfect person to pick up the mantle from him would be fellow countryman Carlos Sites. And as for essentially the Alpine lineup, no need to replace Gassley. He's driving really, really well.

Still, you know, one of the strongest, if not the strongest midfield driver. on the grid and colapinto as well i think has done a much more uh a much better job of things um you know much more competitive cut out a lot of the silly errors that he was making and you know he's 12th in the championship uh colapinto which i remember putting him in our entire list i think 11th or maybe i think it was and people being like you are absolutely insane um but yeah he's doing a good job uh so far so i think it's a line-up to keep and assess for the following year. Absolutely. Well, there we go.

For my list, Nika Holkenberg and Esteban Ocon are leaving the sport at the end of this year. Tommy, you have Ocon has gone and Alonso's retired. Okay, there you go, two each. That's what we think. Let us know your driver line-up predictions, or at least the changes. I know it's quite hard to do all of that for. comments, but let's know where you think changes will happen. Intrigued to see if we are cooking on steam or something slightly better.

But we, yeah, it was good fun. Oh, when nothing changes and Carlos. For the second time ever, no driver lineup changes. Tommy, give us your final thoughts, please. Final thoughts? For the good of this video, please don't like have a crazy thing happen before we can edit it and post it, please. And that would take like 24 hours In fact they won't even see this if that happens

because we'll be doing a reaction video to Microsoft and joining Cadillac. So yeah. Well, he could win in a Hass, so can he win in a Cadillac? That is the question. Exactly. All righty.

Thank you everybody for tuning in. Hope you're enjoying the summer break. We're certainly not because we wish Formula One was on. So we'll see you very soon. Lots of love to take care. Bye. Goodbye. P1 is a Stack production

and part of the A-Car created network.