P1 with Matt and Tommy - Reaction to Dutch GP practice

Episode Date: August 23, 2024

We're back on track! We recap an intriguing, close few practice sessions from a windy Friday in Zandvoort. Plus, we react to the news that Alpine have confirmed their driver line-up for 2025 with the addition of Jack Doohan! P1 Live is heading to North America this Fall! New York is sold out, Toronto is nearly sold out and all other shows have very limited tickets. Click here to get your tickets before it's too late!Sign up to our Patreon here! You'll get access to bonus episodes, our classic race series, every P1 episode ad-free and access to our Discord server where you can chat with other F1 fans!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 B1 podcast with Matt and Tommy. We are fully into a Grand Prix weekend. We're here. The Dutch Grand Prix has arrived. We've had practice, or at least two sessions of it. And we're here today, myself and Tommy, to digest what we've seen, which wasn't the biggest amount of things we've ever seen in two practice sessions. But we have a few other bits of news to discuss as well, don't we, Tommy?

We do. It's nice to see F1 cars, particularly with that very awesome gyro cam thing that basically is made for Zandvort to really add the rollercoaster vibes of this track. So that was very cool. Basically goes upside down, doesn't it when they go on the gyro? On the bank, sorry, the gyro is just... Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it doesn't know what to do. But it looks cool.

I'm here for it. And I'm here for you, Tommy. So let's go into the news that we had before practice started. and that was that Alpine have signed Jack Dewan for 2025. Now, this may have come as a bit of a shock. I think if we were to reflect on the grades out of 10 that we did in terms of likelihood that Dewan was going to get the Alpine seat, I think we both went very low indeed

because we didn't quite think of the, didn't think the CV was strong enough to perhaps get him a seat for 2025. But Alpine have gone for him. He's a lovely bloke. we spoke to him at Silverstone, didn't we? And he was very, very nice indeed, giving us a bit of insight. Wasn't it to how he gets around the track, I think, at Silverstone or something? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

He was struggling to get round. But no, Jack Dewin, Alpine, 2025. What's your initial thoughts, Tommy? My initial thoughts, I've kind of maybe changed my perspective on it a little bit with just how sort of Formula 2 has gone. and that is that I also have been of the opinion for quite a while now that his CV didn't look maybe strong enough to get the Formula One Drive. However, I do wonder in these recent years, if we have maybe been spoiled a little bit by the likes of Oscar Piastri, George Russell, for example, who kind of win everything on their way and you kind of, and Charlerc and you, expect that kind of driver again to be, you know, that that has to win everything to get into

the session because we have seen two of the most impressive rookies that has to be said recently. It's been Oliver Bairman and Liam Lawson. And you can argue that the two of them, while have had good careers, they haven't had that same stratospheric junior career like Charle-Claire, George Russell, for example. So they've shown. They've shown that they can do the job. And I feel like maybe, you know, I think there are a lot of capable drivers in Formula 2 that could say. I'm very much, it would be very, very interesting to see how Jack doing gets on.

For sure. I am interested to see how he does next year as well, especially stacking up against Pierre Gazley, who is by no means a slouch. So it's going to be quite the throwing in of the deep end, I would say, for doing up against Gasly. Alpine, so yeah, we'll see how that one goes. And best of luck to Jack for next year.

and as a question from Excess Gaming J, without being now confirming their lineup, does it now look more likely that Bottas stays for the Audi project? Either that or Bottas is going to Mercedes and he'll win a world championship. Thoughts? I mean, I'm not against it.

That would be quite something, wouldn't it? What a redemption out. That would be quite something. But no, I think, you know, we've discussed this more recently. I do believe that Bottas will stay at stake and then perhaps it will then merge into Audi. Maybe he'll just have another one-year contract.

Who knows? But I do think the Bottas is likely to stay there now, and I think it will be a very good driver lineup himself in Holcomberg. So I don't think, as long as he wants that seat, I don't think it would be a bad thing for steak slash Audi to secure those two. No, I, now we've had the science confirmation and not Antonelli, but looking 99.9% going to be Antonelli. It's only really the announcement that's not happened.

I do think Bottas will stay. And yeah, it's a sensible option, if not maybe a bit underwhelming when Audi came in, kind of all guns blazing and roasting Mercedes in their press release and saying we're going to be the next big thing. And it's a solid, good lineup, but it just shows the position they're in that they can't bring these maybe next tier drivers in. but if they have Holkenberg and Bottas, it is still a very good lineup for where they are on the grid. So I think it will be that. Okay, then let's get into practice then today

and start with free practice one, which was very wet and it did dry out towards the end. So we did see quite an exciting sort of final five, ten minutes where the track just kept ramping up and up and up and getting drier and drier and it was Landon Norris that was fastest in FP1. But I think the main thing not was really the rain as such, because we saw that last year.

It's not a surprise. It's more the wind. The wind was incredibly strong. Now, you do actually get some shelter around some of the track because of the bankings and things like that. So there are places where the drivers can still push. But it's certainly something if we do see that for the rest of the weekend that's going to be something to watch out for

because you can't plan for a massive gust of wind into a breaking zone. So it could make for some safety cars because, as well, Zanfort, if there's a beached car, it's a safety car because there's not really anywhere for the car to go once it's stuck. So that could make for some very interesting racing on Sunday. And I'm also very excited just in general because this Friday has, it's not like a team, Red Bull, have gone, oh, we're actually really quick again and we are miles clear because we'll see that when we speak about FP1 and FP2 that it's still looking very tasty.

It is looking very tasty. It's very close and yeah, the weather caused a bit of chaos at the in FP1 tomorrow is meant to be that similar level of bad weather so it could be a very very interesting qualifying if we get a mixed up grid because we know how hard it is to overtake around Zandvort in dry conditions of course we had all those overtakes last year but that was in a in a crazy race so yeah the wind is does seem to be almost more of a factor than rain these days you've you've seen even in dry sessions when I think Nico Rosberg was the famous

gust of wind moment where he went off and said there was a gust of wind and I think it's caught out there was that random race at Barcelona that it caught out Sainz and Vestappen in one of the corners so it sounds kind of really pathetic to be like oh the wind but

these Formula One cars are very sensitive to it and when you're flying into corners and you're you know you've got unpredictable for wind direction, then, yeah, you are going to have a bad time. So that's what caught people out today. It did indeed. We saw spins for Gazley, Perez, Vestappen and Holcomberg. So yeah, it was a difficult session, but of course we don't read too much into FP1. And I don't think Gasley was actually 9.7 seconds off the pace down in 20th. Let's get a free practice too, then, the more representative

session. And this is where we saw some very fast lap times. And it was George Russell, fastest ahead of Piaastri, Hamilton and Norris. It's looking very close between two and a half teams, I would say, Tommy. You've course got McLaren, Mercedes and Vastappan. And then Ferrari looking really bad, don't they? Ferrari looking very, very. And they were, they did struggle last year as well. But they've gone the wrong way, even more so.

I felt like they were like comfortably just behind Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull. This hasn't given me too much hope after Friday at least. Yeah, maybe Carlos' move will actually be an upgrade in the end, going to Williams. But no, it is... Yeah, thanks, mate. It's incredibly close between Mercedes and McLaren. I know it's only practice.

I do feel like a bit of an idiot now for maybe not saying Mercedes would be in my top three when they have won the last few races and got... And you flopped Hamilton. Podiums, but we shall see. It's only Friday. It's only Friday, of... This is exactly the scenario, right,

of, you know, McLaren and Mercedes very close, and it was Vastappan out in front. We've now got the scenario, Vastappen now not in front, and we've still got this close competitive fight right at the front with Mercedes and McLaren. So it's just dreamland right now. Safe to say Perez had a different...

Friday again. He didn't do much running at all in FP1 and then down in 12th in FP2. So it might be another difficult one. And I know we did say about the crazy prediction of him making it through the Q3 and we're like, oh, surely that can't slide. He's going to make it through to Q3. From this, from Friday, I would be probably saying that him not making Q3 would have been, well, who knows, but it's not look great for him so far, has it? No, it hasn't. yeah that this track I mean you throw wild conditions into the mix

like we might expect and yeah I think Perez will just be happy to to make it through into Q3 and just just needs to have a quiet weekend and at least somewhere near the top because he kind of has that excuse now

of Red Bull not being off the top because if Max isn't winning every single race we now know that that red bull is nowhere near as good as it was at the start of the season and it's not just Perez falling off. The Stappen is struggling as well to be as dominant as he was and he's not won for a while. So he's kind of got a pass there. It just depends how well or badly he does in the race, whether we have to have that wonderful discussion after every Grand Prix

or if Perez will keep his seat, which we of course know, yes. He is at the moment and Christian Honigar asked it again after the session and how Perez wasn't doing that great and he's, he could tell he was just kind of like, I've answered this every single week. We are Red Bull. We are now quite soft when it comes to driver moves rather than what we used to be like. Question from people on Patreon member, Sophie. Is Mercedes baiting us again in practice sessions or is this actually their pace now? Look, you can only take so much from Fridays, but from what it looks like. And Mercedes, have literally won three of the last four races. Yes, Mercedes have figured it out finally. It's only taken them three years to sort this car out and to get towards the front.

But no, they've got confidence. Hamilton says he's growing in confidence every time he's going out in this car. So it's definitely Mercedes pace. I think we've seen that now from the last few races. And we can get very excited that they're not figured it out and they're now half a second clear. They are right in this pack. and it just makes for such a fascinating weekend. And this is where the pressure goes back on McLaren

because it's not just Max that they're fighting. It's both of the Mercedes. Russell and Hamilton are such a strong driver pairing that you have to beat them and also beat Max for Stappen. So it has to be a perfect weekend, almost week and week out for McLaren now. But what I will say is if McLaren do sort their S out, and Lando does sort his starts out,

he could win a race and Max finished fifth. with this Mercedes now in the pack. So there is a chance for this points overhaul to happen, but it's going to have to take some serious, serious work from the Papaya team. It is. You can't really say that Mercedes are baiting us with their pace because, like you say, they've won the last few races. They have had a very good form now.

It is not like they've been on this run of ninth places and then they're topping FP1 again. now we know Mercedes can win races and fight at the front there's no sort of reason to think this isn't where they are so yeah they have figured it out now like you say it's not it's not a case of them doing crazy experimental things it seems anymore and then sometimes just finding themselves in a random practice session at the front and going oh okay are we back

and then you get to tomorrow and they're terrible, like the next day and they're terrible again. They are back. Like, finally we can say Mercedes are back. Finally. And watch them now not be back tomorrow and qualify seventh and eighth. And we've fully drinks them once again. Next question, Pee one Patreon member, C.C. Hollister. How refreshed and ready does Norris look to win this weekend?

I mean, refreshed, sure. still carrying the same self-criticalness that he'd had when he left for the summer break. Obviously, I think it came at a right time for Lando, but at the same time, it doesn't really matter how he looks. It's not like he's dominated the two sessions. Of course, he finished fastest in FP1, but that was hardly representative with the changeable conditions.

And free practice, too, it looks like it's going to be very, very close and qualifying. That's why I backed Piastri in my predictions, because it could go either way. I know Lando has out-qualified Oscar quite a lot this year, but you can also sense perhaps Oscar getting closer and closer. So it's by no means a foregone conclusion. Max Verstappen, you cannot write him off even though he was fifth in FP2. It is all going to come down to qualifying.

I'm convinced of it because it's Zanvort. Yeah, you're right. Yeah, Lando, he needed that break. He needed a refresh. But then, you know, at the start of McLaren's amazing run, I think as the narrative went on of McLarenrae should be picking up wins and they weren't that's when it really got to him

so now it really is the time to start delivering and you look based on their kind of run in FP2 and their pace at the moment they have to they have to deliver like they really have to they have to get victories and if they can get poll they've got a huge chance to

the race if they can just stay there at the start because that has been Lando's Achilles heel really this year is losing places at the start. Certainly is. What kind of run is it down towards term one? I guess it's a medium sort of length, isn't it? And then you've got the opportunity to swing it around the outside into term one and it all gets very, very tight and congested through there. And to be fair, actually, the banking is fascinating to watch on lap one, because you think drivers are making a move up the inside only for them to lose the place because the other drivers have such better momentum.

But yeah, Lando's going to have to figure it out and it's going to be interesting to see if he does get on top of these starts now, whether he's worked mentally to get on top of this very small percentage that he's giving away there. But yeah, does he look ready to win? We will find out the qualifying. It's going to be a massive, massive part to it.

Moving on, Holcombberg. we of course mentioned it is a good signing for Audi wasn't great today because he not only had spins but went off at turn one, it looked like he just locked the rear brakes and went and went flying thankfully for him wasn't a big impact, was it, it was just a light tap on the wall

but not the best of starts for Hass and I guess in general for Hass there's a lot of things going on legally with them, isn't there, from the time when Hass was sponsored by Uralcali and it sounds as though they may not have any equipment or cars because they have to pay back what they owe before they leave the Netherlands, which is bad.

Yeah, that is a crazy situation. We've not seen anything like that before. Hasse didn't really want to kind of wait to stay at the news, I guess, so the fact that Holcomburg went off twice in FP1 and then crashed in FP2 and bought out a red flag isn't. isn't great but I do wonder if Holcombberg's FP2 moment was potentially a brake problem or something because it did seem to like completely you know you know like when you go off and lock up it was a proper like where you're like almost on like a banana skin which normally feels like there's a bit more um

of a car issue rather than it just being a driver error but this whole situation over their their sponsor of course um you know it was a sponsor uh when they had mazapin on there it was a big money sponsor, of course everything that happened with the war in Ukraine with Russia, they pulled the plug on that sponsorship and they were, you know, I think the courts deemed they were right to do that and of course they were going to do that. But they had to refund the money in some way and from what it sounds like they haven't done that and now that sponsors come knocking and gone, no, you've missed the payment. So yeah, it is a crazy situation. where apparently if they don't pay,

they cannot leave the Netherlands with their cars and equipment, which is mad, isn't it? Especially in a back-to-back. It's a back-to-back race. So you have to get there. I mean, well, we've done the trip in a... From Zandvoort to Monza way back when. So, yeah, you've got to get there and, like, it's a quick turnaround.

So, yeah, not good for House at the moment. Yeah, they can't have any delays. What I would suggest is Andretti. Just sell them up. Just sell it up. Just give it to Andretti, for God's sake. There's clearly a lot of things going on. Just Andretti.

Yeah, just the answer is Andretti. Let's just figure this out right now. But yes, not great for Hass. And a question from grand structure was, what vehicle will Hass drive next race? Well, we thought they were coming into this season with two dustbins. And they actually turned out to be reasonably aerodynamic

and fast, grippy dustbins. So what they will drive come next race, at Monza when you need quite a fast vehicle down those straits. I'm not sure. What would you suggest? Monza probably like, yeah, you just want like a drag racer, don't you in hope? Yeah, a toboggan. Well, that's what Williams have done for the last few years, basically. Yeah, it might need to be a bit icy for it to actually move. But okay, and finally, worth mentioning because, sorry, it was my biggest flop, Carlos Sines, who ended up having a gearbox issue.

So all I'm saying is Ferrari, Carlos, should have come on the P1 podcast and you would have gone on a run of three 10 out of 10 performances. But alas, a gearbox problem for Carlos signs. But I'm not counting on my lucky stars. I don't want Carlos to do well, but I do want my point. I'm not going to start counting them yet because I've got ahead of myself after practice previously of drivers crashing out or whatever and then they score a point in the race and it's all nullified.

So not the best week. weekend for Carlos Sines so far and for just generally Ferrari, they do look slow, as I've already mentioned. And my God, I hope they are at least ahead of Hasse and R.B. and Aston Martin when it comes to qualify. Yes. You don't want Carlos to do badly. I think you said you don't want Carlos to do well, which I know what you meant. Wait, did I say I don't want. Yeah, you don't want Carlos to do well. I'm sure you did. And did I say, I don't want Carlos to do well. I'm sure that's what my brain computed it as. I thought I said I don't want Carlos to do well. I'm sure that's what my brain I thought I said I don't want Carlos to do badly but maybe yeah yeah I do what you meant and

I was just like covering that before um everyone's like oh you science hater um but yeah I want you to do fantastically well but also not because I want a podcast and also go on our podcast um but yeah he oh just Ferrari yeah not looking quick and then having the issue as well not a great uh return for Ferrari they've kind of slipped back from the others. I say the others, like you say, it's two and a half the teams at the front now, it seems. Formula A had gone from Max and then both Merck's, both MacLau.

And now it does seem like it's those five going for the wins and stuff. And then Fernando Lombo, P6, biggest good surprise. So come on, Fernando. Keep that up and we'll score some points in and then basically exchanging that for Ferrari misery. So I'm not sure why I've done that. But anyway, we are done.

It's great to be back. I hope you all are excited for Zanvot this weekend. We'll, of course, be live on Twitch, Matt P1, Tommy, if you haven't followed us over there already for qualifying and the race. And also our North American tour, as, you know, if you want to go get tickets, links are everywhere. and we will shout about it more because it's not that far away.

So we'd love to see you there. Love to see Tommy there. Honestly, seeing that complexion, IRL is crazy. So we'll see you very soon. Before you do, Tommy, what your final thoughts? I completely forgot. I nearly got away with it. My final thoughts are that.

I'm just looking forward to a competitive session now because, yeah, it was great to see Formula One cars back, running again, but nothing beats the excitement. And I'm excited to get back on Twitch and that's what, you know, just get back into this amazing season that we couldn't have seen coming. Before we then have a four week break at the end of September. Yeah. Yeah, very true. But then we're touring, so, well, it's nice of Formula One.

That is a sentence we should never have ever been able to say, but here we are. No. Nice of Formula One to do that break for us to talk. I know, right. Thanks, F1. Appreciate it. See you soon, everybody. See you tomorrow.

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