The Late Braking F1 Podcast - Andretti F1 entry REJECTED

Episode Date: January 31, 2024

The LB boys discuss the breaking news that F1 have rejected Andretti's bid to enter the sport in the near future, until at least 2028... They also cover the rumours of a Chicago GP, Szafnauer's comments on Aston Martin, and Marko's claim that Sainz was unlucky to enter F1 at the same time as Verstappen, before finishing with a game of F1: Higher or Lower. FOLLOW us on socials! You can find us on YouTube, Instagram, X (Twitter) and TikTok SUPPORT our Patreon for bonus episodes JOIN our Discord community JOIN our F1 Fantasy League BUY our Merch EMAIL us at [e-mail]   & SUBSCRIBE to our podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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or a heartfelt gift for a family member. Say more this holiday season with Pandora. Shop now at ca.pandora.net or visit your closest Pandora store. Thank you for listening to the late-breaking F-1 podcast. Make sure to check out new episodes every Wednesday and every Sunday. Very warm, welcome to the late-breaking F-1 podcast presented by Harry Ead, Sam Sage, and me, Ben Hocking. Flashback to about five hours ago, we thought we had our schedule fully laid out, no problems whatsoever. But bam, here comes F-1, saying no to Andretti.

How about that, Sam? Right on time. How about that, eh? How about that? Yeah, I can't wait to get into that. That's going to be feisty. I know that we've all been feeling a little bit. Spicey.

Getting into this one. I've even brought notes, folks. There's actually two whole pages of notes. So it's going to be intense. F1 have done one thing right today. Release news before we record. Thank you. Yeah.

And to be fair, recently, as much as they haven't always got the timing right, there has been a good flow of news over the winter period. Steady flow of news. A steady flow of news. A steady flow. Thank you. We love a steady flow of news. Good. Thank you for that.

So, yeah, I mean, as mentioned, our previous schedule completely ripped up. And Andretti, of course, now the main news. If you haven't heard already the breaking news from this afternoon, Formula One have denied entry for Andretti for the 2025 and 2020s seasons. They did say as part of their statement that 2020, might be a possibility, depending on what happens with General Motors, those generous, generous people at F1. It's been a while. It's been pretty much four months since the FIA

gave their green light on this whole Andretti project. We were waiting to hear when Formula One would come back with their green light. And the answer is never, of course. There's a lot of what they said. We'll get into in a short amount of time. I'm just going to read out a couple of the things that came out a conclusion in their commercial assessment. Our assessment process has established that the presence of an 11th team,

they don't even name Andretti, by the way, an 11th team would not on its own provide value to the championship. The most significant way in which a new entrant would bring value is by being competitive, we do not believe that the applicant would be a competitive participant. There are a couple of other things, but I might save those for a little bit later in the topic. that initial statement, Sam, your initial reaction, what do you make of all this? Oh, you've curtailed my momentum by talking about one topic,

only one topic, but I have notes for that one specific piece as well. Can I just say as well? I must have known this before. Bloom of mind that you're left-handed. You definitely knew that. I know, but that just shooketh me. I am left-handed. Yeah, anyway, sorry.

I'm the only one on the show. Ben, you're right-handed, aren't you? I'm right-handed. I knew you were left-handed, but also I'd completely forgotten you're left-handed. He started right with his left-hand and I was like, what are you doing? Honestly, folks, it's not that interesting. It's not really worth talking this long about. Something just left-handed.

Not competitive. Now, this is a really hilarious statement to kick off with when you're deciding whether a team should join Formula One or not. Firstly, what you're basing it on. Are you having ever been in Formula One as a team? Andretti has an actual team. Show me the evidence. Right?

Show me the evidence. What are you going to do? If you can't talk about Formula One evidence, you've got to go outside, you've got to look at further elements to look at what could provide whether they are competitive, that's the word I'm looking for,

or not competitive, unlike my speech, it's not competitive. So it's a few stats for you to show if Andretti are or are not competitive. Andretti in Indycar have a total of 260 wings. They've got four IndyCar series championships. They've got three NXT indie series titles. They've got five Indy 500 victories.

And they've got one Formula One world champion. If you tell me that that five family and the business that they've created are not competitive in motorsport. I don't bloody know what is. I don't know what you're meant to achieve. I don't know what you're actually meant to obtain if you can't be in Formula One. What else are you meant to win? I don't get it.

It's such a vague term as well because you could easily make the case that last season, 90% of the teams in F1 were not competitive. What are you based in competitive of? Are you saying that being within three seconds in qualifying is competitive? In which case, sure, you can make the case that everyone on the grid is currently competitive, but also Max Verstappen wrapped up that championship very early on, in which case you could definitely make the case to say no one apart from Red Bull was competitive. I don't know, it's such a loose term, isn't it?

Yeah, it's an incredibly loose term, and you're right to look at the current grid, because you look at Alpha and Mayo now steak, and you think, okay, they may not have Enter as an 11th team, but they have entered as a new team in Formula One. They've been accepted as a brand, as a running concept, is a running forefront of, Formula One, they've been allowed in where Andretti have not been allowed in. And what has that outfit, which was Salber a long time ago, achieved over the last three, four years? Barely got close to podiums, regularly missed out on points in multiple races, have often been the worst team on the grid. Sometimes do not get out of Q1, race after race, after race, after race, and they string them together time after time again.

So what is it that someone like Haas, who in 2021 could get around the track on the same? lap as anyone else or Alpha Romeo who could barely get out of Q1 is competitive about those outfits that is not competitive about multiple race championship and title winning outfit and Dretti. Call me mad, but I feel like the track is a good place to determine whether someone's competitive or not. Makes sense, isn't it? I don't know.

And on the tracks that they have been on. Ben is so wild. He's so mad. We are mad today. I can see it in his face. He's absolutely fuming. Mad dog hocking. if they had stopped that statement after the first line,

I'd have been fuming. And then, oh, it's a good thing. It's a good thing I like and respect producer Kirstie. Otherwise, there would be plenty of S words and F bombs, I reckon. Get the beeps out, baby. Goodness me. Harry, you actually were the first of us. For the first time ever, you were first on something.

You were first on this news. and I want to quote you directly. You said, banter. Do you have anything else to say? Yeah, that's it. That's so you. I rest my case, Your Honor. Shuck me the evidence.

There is. I am shook us that they've, this is what they've done because I was certain that we were in for a long old just kicking the can down the road because this is bad everyone. This is not good, lads.

You don't look good now. I, yeah, so that's, that was mainly why I said banter, because I'm just, I'm just a bit shocked. Yeah. They've just out, I'm like, how did they, how do they think this is going to go? I think they think that their audience will love them. I think that's bad.

I think they've done what they're talking about. Yeah, I, this, what are you doing? There it is. I, I, I just, looking out for themselves, that's what they're doing. I know, but cash money. But even the way that. I've got, maybe their, their, their, their thoughts are which is, we'll just kill us off now. But they, they don't look good.

And, um, I'm just, yeah, I'm just a bit short. And the, the last point they make about, oh, but we will consider them in 2028, maybe. That, that, that feels like the lamest way to just, you know, try and, uh, cushion the blow. Yeah. We'll get on to that in a minute, I'm sure. Sorry, I don't bring, I'm skipping ahead. But, um, yeah, they're on the, on the, on the, on the, on the, on the, on the, competitive thing. It's just absolute

horse poo. Horse manure because what how are they going to do before they get? Exactly. How do you prove this? Because they can't prove it until they're in F1. You can't say someone's not competitive when they're not in a sport.

That's not how it works. And And Andretti have done other sports. I've been quite good. Indica. Yeah. It would be like us three being like, hello, fast food restaurant group. We'd like to become late-breaking burgers. Well, you got allowed. Why?

You all got competitive for making burgers? Again, I know I'm not, I won't read them all out, but the point you tweeted these, Ben, 14 to 20, just, you might as well have just scribbled on a page

and said, this is our reasoning because it doesn't mean anything. None of that means anything. Get in the bin. Good. It is properly bonkers as well. I mean, they've got 70 people in the UK on this project already

and 50 people in Charlotte in the US. So 120 people on either side of the Atlantic working on the F1 project. Again, how do you prove yourself more than throwing such resource into your home base, into your employees, without even getting approval? But that's real dedication in that before they've got the job, they're doing the job to show that they really want this to happen. I am struggling to see. We've seen some awful entries in F1 over the years, no doubt about it. But does this feel like any of those? Does this feel like HART or Virgin?

It doesn't. It doesn't feel like that at all to me. This is an established name, an established team that wants to try its hand at something else. And quite honestly, F1 teams just trying to protect themselves and their wallets. That's it. that's all this is, is them protecting themselves and the cash they've got coming in over the few years. They keep, you know, they've kept moving the goalposts over the last few years.

Initially, it was, well, you know, they'll have to cough up some money in order to, in order to enter. And Andretti going, yeah, okay, here you go. Well, actually, no, that number's not sufficient anymore. We need this instead. Okay, here you go. Right. Well, now you're not bringing a manufacturer with you, so we can't consider you because of that. Okay, here's General Motors. Well, they're not coming in until 2028. So it's just moving the goalposts over and over again to protect their own interests. And it's honestly a joke. The whole statement's a joke. Another line from this conclusion of commercial assessment, as they have called it, the need for any new team to take a compulsory power unit supply,

potentially over a period of several seasons, would be damaging to the prestige and standing of the championship. Now, we know that Andretti had ambitions to join as early as next year or 2026, but we also know that General Motors and Cadillac, who they'd be partnering with, wouldn't come into the sport until 28. So in theory, if they were given the green light, they would have needed another power unit supplier for a few years.

Sam, your thoughts on that statement? Yeah, so this one is absolutely hilarious, really. Firstly, part of that reasoning was they weren't happy with a new team coming in before a regulation rule change might take place, which means that that team might be severely undercompetitive. Just go back to when Hask joined in 2016, right before a major aeros shift in the regulations that changed in 2017. No problems with them joining. Did they bring sponsors? No.

Did they bring an OEM? No. Did they buy all their parts off another? team already? Yes. So you compare them with Andretti who have got an established deal and partnership with General Motors. This ain't nobody. This ain't, you know, little Sam Sage down the road trying to build his first engine. This is, which would be terrible. This is General Motors. In 2023, they were the fifth largest automobile selling company in the world. Above them only, I believe were Toyota, Hyundai, the one that is technically that owns Fiat, Chrysler.

It's got a silly name that isn't car-related. You can never see it on the car. They're in Persia as well. They're massive. They're bigger than Ford. Where a Ford, they're powering Red Bull. No problems. No questions.

Ask. No issues. They're allowed in. So the fact that Andretti might have to come in and go, hey, Honda, who we've already got a massive partnership with an Indy car, can we have an engine for three years, the one that you've already built and it's fine, August buy it off you, and then General Motors,

a huge manufacturer, bigger than Honda, is going to come in with us and you've gone, nah, that doesn't work for us, doesn't work. Well, you might lose both now.

General Motors might turn around to go, you're not letting them in, you're not letting us in. It's just a load of old gobbledy gook. You are talking out of your absolute backsides, and it doesn't make, I got the eyes from Kerski then,

it doesn't make any sense as to what your reasoning is. Again, you've waffled on, to try and provide some kind of excuse, and it doesn't work. And if this OEM, even though it's coming in a couple of years, can't be allowed in on the deal with Andretti, who are as a team allowed to establish themselves in Formula One before they come in, then who can?

What are the teams that are allowed to come in straight away with no issue at all? Because if you're not on OEM now, if you're not Hyundai, if you're not Toyota, who are you? Who can you be? Can you be, you know, a brand anymore on coming to Formula One? What if McLaren have now decided to turn around and go, we won a racing Formula One. We're a new team.

Not allowed? Who knows? Doesn't seem like you can. It doesn't seem like one of the most successful brands in American racing is allowed to walk into this sport, then what is allowed to walk into this sport? Because again, unless you're one of these top four selling brands, sell cars, because Audi weren't on that list. They are below General Motors.

Mercedes-Benz were below General Motors. So, why are they allowed in? Ferrari, not even on the list. So I don't understand what the criteria is again in this point. I know it's coming in a couple of years, but I think having a concrete deal that is signed, sealed and delivered is a perfectly fair reason to enter into this sport. Yeah, I don't understand what they're talking about

in terms of prestige and reputation and how that would be damaged by having a team join and use a customer. And half the grid uses a customer, it uses customer agents. What's the issue? We saw McLaren and Astor Martin this year. We're very successful using them. what's to say that Andretti can't do the same thing.

It's just the amount of holes you can poke in these statements is maddening and ridiculous in equal measure. It's almost impressive from F1 because I could be wrong on this, but it feels like in today's society, it's really, really difficult for something to be like universally popular. Like everything is like split down the middle and you've got two very extreme camps on either side, right? somehow F1 have made a decision that 99% of people are mad about. That's almost impressive. Well done. Yeah, I mean, that line was a bit of a joke as well.

Harry, do you fancy supplying Andresi with your power units? Yeah. Yours are massive. I've got massive power units. I've saying them. Two big fat ones. Look, Alpine, they don't supply anyone. They could give some of them.

Why? I'm not saying it's a good option, but this is just where the argument doesn't work. They'd take the money. Exactly. They'd make some more. They'd make some more engines for some more money from Andretti, wouldn't they? They would definitely make some more money. God.

This is why it should, you might as well just scribble it on the page, because this is another meaningless. Literally, take the contract to the toilet, wipe your bottom with it and hand it back over, because that's what they've done. Just sat there and gone, wow, what other excuse? Oh, I got it. The engines. Definitely the engines.

They haven't got it for right now. absolutely insane. I mean, we'll get on, I'm sure we'll get on to HASS, but more. Oh, boy, do I have notes about Hars. They, it was not that long, eight years ago now. Yep, they came in and, oh, they've not made their own engine a to. Who did they bring in? Well, exactly.

Be right Ferrari. They are, yeah, just ridiculous. I can't talk about too much. It makes me mad. Are you angry boy? Angry boy. Angry bird. The other thing you could, another thing you could.

Another thing you could poke hole in is how they're saying, oh, about lack of competitiveness and the power unit supply, blah, blah, blah, blah. But why have they just, I mean, this is a 2025 and 2026 that they've denied entry for. If you were that worried that they were going to be uncompetitive next year because it's one year before the regulations change. And you were to say, if the F1 team's turned around today and said, we're going to deny entry for 2025 because we don't think someone can be that competitive in this era, given how many years there's been of it, I'd have been like. fine, I get that. That makes sense. And then they allow them entry in 2026 when the new regulations come in. But they haven't done that. So that's another thing that for me doesn't make a great deal of sense. This is a funny one. The addition of an 11th team would place an operational burden on race promoters would subject some of them to significant costs. Grow up.

Reduce the technical operational and commercial spaces of the other competitors. Grow up. Will no one think of the race promoter? Grow! Literally, literally grow up. Grow up for crying out loud. You're an event provider. Oh no. Our facilities have to meet the requirements for the event.

And we've got two years minimum to sort this out. It's not like they're arriving tomorrow morning. The only venue I can think of that might struggle is Monaco. And they've done 12 teams for Christ, even 12. stupid F1. Just imagine all of the drivers and teams like cramped into this one room, I told you Andretti was a bad idea.

Andretti's got 12 rooms and every other team is on the boat. Imagine if they let them in and Andretti get just a garage at the end of the pit lane and all the F1 teams like to spite them just squeeze into the end. We're all in Red Bulls garage because it's your fault, Accreti.

I hate you, Andretti. It's a logg of old pigs poo. This is. It's such. rubbish. If you stop making street circuits the fundamental way of racing, then racetracks have a beggilion garages. Have you seen Silverston?

Have you seen it? Bajillion. They go on for decades. They're still building them in 1843. They're still making them. It is audacious that this is an excuse. Absolutely audacious. I don't know if I've ever been more angry.

Grow up. Grow up. I can't believe it. We've got to my favourite point yet. We've got another one coming. Oh, Lordy. Oh, he might as well crack on, Sam. Well, read it out, Ben.

Read out the one about the money. Which the number was this? I've lost count now. This is four, I think. Oh, God. Oh, I haven't got four, mate. He hasn't got four? I want to hear the one about them not providing value to F1,

but F1 providing value to Andretti, please. Oh, is this? Oh, yes. Number 16, this one is. 16. 16. 16. That's like in between.

reference again. I've shouted so much of my ears. I'm sorry to any headphone list because obviously this is turning your volumes down. Statement 16 from the conclusions of commercial assessment. While the Andretti name carries some recognition for F1 fans, our research indicates that F1

would bring value to the Andretti brand rather than the other way around. I know F1 count their lucky stars that They've got Hass in the sports. So, yeah. They're lucky stars and stripes. Because that American team that always represent. Thank God V-Carb are bringing their value to the F-1 brand.

Bringing that bread. We're doing without them. Oh, yeah. We are flying high at the moment. This is just hilarious. Okay. If I had to ask you one market that the Formula One brand were trying to grow in right now, based on tracks they're into the calendar,

advertisement, TV deals they're doing. What market would you state that they're trying to grow the most in? America. Oh, Bulgaria. Sorry, yeah. I had forgotten about Bulgaria, but after them, I'm going to say it's the North American market.

Now, Andretti, famously, the family, where did they tend to operate race, do very well in? Bulgaria. Again, did forget about them, but the North American market does come a very close second. To Bulgaria.

Famously, a brilliant... Borgaria. Wacing nation. We love you, Bulgaria. Firstly, they are massive in... America, right? You think Gene Haas is big in NASCAR. Andretti as a name is a household name in North America. It is known by all. Even those I think that don't watch racing have some idea of who Andretti as a brand is. So if you're trying to grow in a North America market, why not bringing one of the biggest sporting stars who has also got history in Formula One into the sports who help grow the sport? It also hits a massive demographic

because Andretti, of course, historically used to race before we were even born, right? The Andretti family. They were only before we were even really into life, let alone Formula One. So there will be an older demographic, both in America and in Europe, that remember the original Andretti series

that went on within Formula One. Some of them were a bit better than others. I do agree. Mario was all right. Yeah, he was. Mario. Anyway, so that will bring an older demographic. which is something that Formula One is struggling in.

Their new demographic between the ages of about 15 and 35 is currently their primary graphic. Their primary demographic, they are losing out on the 50s and overs, which is still a big demographic to appeal to. This appeals don't really to that. But the biggest thing. Let's look at the sponsors that Andretti could bring into Formula One. Currently on their cars in Indycar, they have M-A-P-E-I, which is an Italian brand. It's all initials.

And I'm not going to say it because we know how bad I. I have my pronunciation. Mappy? Mappy. It's not actually Mappy, though. Oh, I know. That sounds like Nappy. Meepie. Yeah. Close enough. Anyway, their revenue in 2021, $3.2 billion.

It's quite a lot of money. Quite a lot of money. Remember when Formula One was evaluated recently by the Saudis who wanted to buy it, $10 billion in total that went up for, although F1, of course, valued themselves way higher. hilarious. Next up on the Andretti sponsor list.

Hmm. Automation. How much are they worth in 2021? $25.8 billion. Next up on their sponsor list, D.HL, the delivery giants. How much are they worth? $81.7 billion.

Julit Packard. How much are they worth? $2 trillion. $2 trillion. They still making printers? Still making printers, baby. Bringing money. Yeah, damn right.

Half title sponsor, money. How much are they worth? A twix and a carton of milk. They may as well be $900 million. They're going to break the billion record. And the point that they've turned this down and they're adding no value to Formula One

and you have the audacity to say that you can only bring up the Andretti brand like it should not be a mutual relationship that aids both parties is just farcical. I'm glad I wrote notes. I feel really good about that. These looking smug, folks. I have buried you F1.

ratio. Have that. You're done. He's chucked away his notes. That's it. That's it. I've run out. I hope there's no other points. Good. That might be the end of the show. Good.

So it might be the longest topic in late breaking history, but fully worth it for whatever on Earth, Andretti have produced today. Sorry, F1 have produced about Andretti. On the other side, we're going to be talking about a potential Chicago Grand Prix right after this. right after this Patreon plug that we're about to do.

Right now. We are going to do it right now. Before the break. Before the break. Before the break. You're crazy. No, they deserve it. Folks, if you like this ranting and raving, we've got a whole new Patreon coming in 2024

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We're going to be talking about the Chicago Grand Prix. Now, you're probably thinking what on earth is that. but it looks as if F1 are making moves to maybe make that a possibility in the future. So the Formula One licensing team have gone ahead with trademarks for Formula One Chicago Grand Prix and Grand Prix Chicago. US, of course, already has three races. And significantly in 2017, the last time that they went through a bit of a batch of trademarks, two of those three were for Las Vegas and Miami, which indicates, this might be something that F1 is taking seriously.

Harry, what do you make of this? The potential for a fourth race in the US? I'll tell you what, if you're going to have a fourth race in the US, do you not be really good to have? Oh, don't get me started, baby. Oh, US, another US off one. Like actual one proud to be in from America as well. Anyway, no point trying to discuss anything else today.

I'm sorry. She's going to come back. Yeah, I don't want another street track. Please. Please. Please, F1. Yeah, look, this, again, nothing is confirmed here. They've just done the trademark and it may not come to fruition.

As you say, two of three, but I mean one of the previous ones didn't come to fruition or hasn't yet. Do you know what that other third one was, Ben? No, the other one was New York. Interesting. So there go. So maybe they're just covering the bases on that. But yeah, I just, I don't. Yeah, we've already touched on the street tracks.

Obviously, we had the Madrid news the other day. I just don't want another street track. If you're going to go to another race in America, let's go to a circuit. There's loads of good ones. There's a lot of good circuits. Really good ones. Got a few of them.

You could, right America. Watkins Klan is right there. Yeah, so, yeah, this isn't fill me with much, in the same way Madrid didn't. It doesn't fill me with much joy. But that's, you know, it remains to be seen. It's clear that they want, to keep expanding in the US.

Again. Maybe you could learn the USF one time. So I understand why they've done this, but I don't really want them to do it. Yeah, I mean, initially I thought this might just be a

sort of protective measure against the series, but then, you know, you look at the trademarks and they've actually very specifically stipulated Formula One Grand Prix in Chicago. So, you know,

there is a potential that they are seriously considering. considering this. It makes sense just based on, I know it would be a fourth race in the US, obviously, but in terms of location, in terms of geography, it would make a lot of sense in that currently, if you think the three races are spread out quite well, you've got obviously one in Texas, which is the second most popular state in the USA. You've got Las Vegas, which is roughly four or five hours outside of California, which is the most popular state. And then you've got one in Florida, which I think is maybe fifth on that list. So you've got a lot of

big areas covered by those three races, but there's nothing really covering anything in the sort of northeast-ish. I appreciate that. extends out a little bit further to reach Chicago. But yeah, there's not really anything in that area, as used to be the case, with Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But in that, Chicago would be able to serve that sort of market, would be able to serve you know, Michigan, where F1 has had races before, it would be able to serve Indianapolis. So it would, from a geographical standpoint, makes sense. I guess what's going to be the sticking point is that Formula One is always looking for long-term commitment, especially with these street circuits.

And that's what they've got from both Miami and Las Vegas. So Miami was a 10-year deal. Las Vegas, I think it was only a three-year deal, but they've actually got a 10-year deal with the city itself. in terms of the use of the roads. So you've kind of got two 10-year deals in operation. And it's about whether Chicago would want to sign up to that or not. And I know that NASCAR has a presence in Chicago now.

I think that's on a three-year deal. And I'm pretty sure the circuit that NASCAR used is not currently F-1 fit for purpose. Now, of course, they would, I'm sure they would throw a lot of money behind it. That's unless Andretti come in and take all of the money from all of these race-promotes. but if that doesn't happen, they'll throw all the money at that and make this happen. But yeah, I guess it's just going to be a question of whether they would want that commitment.

But it's early days, so it's difficult to tell. Sam, what are your thoughts? Yeah, I mean, a lot of people's initial arguments for this, which I've seen on social media and the like, is another race in the US, you know, that would fall. And I think I urge you, if that's your way of thinking, to think about the size of the North American continent. If you think about, you know, the race that we've got in Mexico, that's one, Florida is two, Texas is three, Las Vegas is four, this one in Chicago would be five, and then Canada is six. So six Grand Prix across an entire continent. That's pretty fair. You know, we've only got Brazil in South America. You've got, of course, plenty in Europe. But, you know, the gap is starting to shrink between the two. And then we've got a few in Asia and Australasian content as well. So it's fair to spread these around. And again, with the market growing in North America,

it makes a lot of sense to broaden your horizon, broaden your tracks. What is concerning me about Chicago coming on board is one, yes, it's a street circuit and we'd like to differentiate from that because there are some amazing actual tracks in America that they're not using. One of them, Ben, you've mentioned,

Indianapolis. It would be quite good, you know, quite famous. Give it another go, guys. You know, I know that we had the silly thing that happened, which we don't talk about, but it's been a long time. We all made mistakes. Anyway.

And it was Mitchell and not us. Yeah, okay. cares about Michigan. Funnily enough, when you said silly thing, I immediately thought of the Schumacher and Barrakello cross in the line. And I was like, oh, wait, no, something even sillier happens. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, the six cars starting the race.

But the point I wanted to make, which concerns me about Chicago, is that I don't know if it will be a fourth race in the US, if this does go ahead, but rather a replacement for Cota. No. Their contract ends in 2026. and I would argue now that Cota has done so well at becoming a mainstay of the F1 calendar. People rate that track.

We read that track. We went there last year and bloody loved it. It was sensational. And the racing there is often very good for the amount of lines you could take through term one, the Ragh, oh, rag, all right, the McConaug, as they call it, the triple right-hander.

It's got fantastic drag racing ability. Yeah, the McConaughey. It's all right, rag, all right. You know, there is some brilliant racing that goes on around that track. And geographically, with Texas there, it makes sense, as you said, Ben, it's the second most popular state in America. It will be a real shame if Chicago were to come along and just take that away,

because I do think that Cota has earned its place as a long-term staying track. I hate that we're getting all these deals out for, you know, Florida for 10 years and whatever it might be. And Cota might go. It's the same with some of the other classics we're seeing, because I do see Cota almost is a bit of a classic circuit now. So whilst geographically, Chicago makes sense. and that's fine.

And I do believe that North America should have another track, have no issue with that. I just don't want Cota to go because I do love it. It's in my heart. We love you, Cota. We love you, Cota.

Should also say as well, because I know what people will come after you for on that is that, you know, the likes of Africa don't have any race whatsoever. To be very clear, I think we're all in favour of at least a race happening

on the African continent. So we are absolutely in favour of that. 100% related to that. This is really random. Did you see that there is an effort

for a Tanzanian Grand Prix led by Changalo Fizzigella? God, Fizzy! Come on, Fizzy! You defend that thin air boy. That boeing owes how being all the right places

at the right time, unless he's on a racetrack. Apart from Zizugro 5. He was in the wrong time. I haven't got a clue. Sorry, yeah, I just thought I'd mention that because, you know, that's pretty funny, isn't it?

Fizzy, send us out. We will big it up. do a show on it. I am all for Tanzania. Late breaking live from Tanzania. Tanzania. I want to tanzumia up. Oh, that's gone bad. I really regret giving you caffeine. Hey, it's more the Andretti that's pumping up.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, it was a good tea. Well done. Oh, that's great news. Don't do that again. In terms of like what this move would mean for F1 itself and it's ever increasing calendar. Do you do you think, Sam, that it would be good for?

for F1 itself. Sorry, I thought there was more to that question. I really thought there was going to be another few words. I think it'd be good for F1 itself. Taking away our fans' view at it. Talking more from a sport and business perspective. I think, no, personally. I don't think that Formula One needs an ever-bloting track.

I think if someone came up with an idea that had something along the lines of a revolving calendar that had, you know, set tracks, and then we went to others every couple of years, that makes a lot of sense. So good idea. But I haven't heard anyone bring that up at all. So someone should pitch that.

Maybe, but not now because it's just too farcical. He's viewing again, guys. Love rat, like it, mad dog hocking. But I do think that there's too many. There's too many at this point. And when we do have so many brilliant racetracks in nations that also love Formula One, Germany being one of the big ones,

Africa is a continent, has nothing. And we're on this bloated, bloated calendar, 24 tracks. Even I look at it sometimes and I go, I will not get a day off. You know, this year, not going to get a day off. And I feel sorry for those people that have got to go to every single bloody race.

Yeah, no, it's too much. It's too much. Scrip it back. Srip it back. I don't mind if it revolved. I don't mind if Chicago came once for three years or something like that in replacement of one of the other peripheral circuits,

but I just don't think we need it. Also, in terms of regions, I know this sounds a bit political, standing maybe, if you're going to start going to more countries outside of, you know, key markets, China could probably do with another racetrack, another one in the Far East, something, you know, could do really, really well. There's a lot of big markets in the globe that have an interest in Formula One.

I think there's better locations in Chicago. I think in terms of it being a street circuit and what you said about Cota, I guess there would be, I think, a crossover point where maybe we're already there, but to the point where F1 loses so much of itself by sacrificing all of these dedicated racetracks for street circuits to the point where there isn't actually anything to gain for F1, like they might gain something in terms of the local market, but F1 has lost itself so much that for the overall package of the sport, it's just not worth it.

I don't know, we had this discussion the other day about how close we are to maybe there being as many street circuits on the, calendar as there are actual dedicated racetracks. And I think the closer we get to that, and if this was a move that got us closer to that, it's a dangerous tightrope, I think, that F1 are walking. Yeah, it effectively becomes a plus two for street circuits if it does replace COTA as well, right? So I think we worked out one or eight, I think so far, so one third, essentially. This would bring it to 10, essentially, in terms of the crossover.

It would be nine out of 23 rather than eight out of 24. So, yeah, it's getting risky. It's getting close. We're about 45% street circuits at that point and, you know, start calling it Formula Street Circuit and we'll have an old series back. Sergio Perez, delighted. I'm not going to sing the song.

Sergio Perez, world champion, 2029. It's just got a wing every street circuit and forget about the others. Yeah, not turn out to the rest. That works. Right, let's take our second break on the other side. We're talking about a late-breaking Hall of Famer. The banker. Oh.

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Okay, welcome back. Late Breaking Hall of Famer, Othmar Saffnauer, who of course was cruelly taken away from Formula One. This on Dutti news from today is pretty awful, right? Because there were rumours that he might be involved in coming back for this. I was gutted. He's going to have to,

don't worry, the 100 race plan starts as soon as Andretti enter, not from now. So we're all okay. But completely separate to that. He had some comments about Force India and Aston Martin, of course, a team that he was previously at, saying that he believed that Force India was in a very similar position, if not slightly better position, than where Aston Martin left off at the end of last year.

What do you focus on that, Harry? I don't know. I've got my interest. I mean, I'm surprised a man's got time to make his comments all the childcare is going to do. Come on. It does not get. Just like his kids. Have that, Othmar?

Oh, Lord. No, Omar. I don't know what you mean. It's quintessential Harry E. It's a big old no for me. Look, there's no doubt that Master Martin had an up and down year last year. Like a roller coaster. Yeah, very up.

And then it went down a bit. And then it went down. Then it sort of started to go back up again. Great, right. Towards the end. I mean, but oh my mate, show me the podiums, all the podiums you got. They got a few podiums, I will admit, in forced India, but they were like random races. 2020 being the best, best year of that.

And obviously there was a win for Perez, but again, slightly extraordinary circumstances. Yeah, I just, this just feels like he's like, yeah, well, you got rid of me, but it was better than, when I was there. It was way better when I was there. I'm way better than you are. We were pink, not green. Yeah.

Yeah. Got you. And even then, we weren't actually called Force India at that point. We were called Racing Point. There was a bit, I think, Force India pink.

Anyway, yeah, I don't, I don't really buy this. I guess maybe he's getting out the consistency over a season, which you'd say, Force India or Racing Point

didn't fluctuate in performance like, like the Astor Martin did last year. you know, they were very solid, but they didn't get as many podiums or almost a race win. I guess Monaco, for example, apart from 2020 when they did get a race win. But my point here, that was slightly more fortunate than Pace. So don't buy that. Sorry, Altma. Go back to the childcare.

You ain't buying what he's selling. Nope. Yeah, it's an interesting one because first of all, you have to work out what he actually means by the end of Force India. because if we're using the actual end of Force India, the constructor, we're going back to the middle of 2018 when they weren't very good. I don't think he can mean men.

Yeah, that's fair. They were not very good at that point. I think they had Perez got that really random, very good random podium at Baku that year. But outside of that, that first half of the season before they became racing point, they were, I don't mean they got a finish above sixth place other than that.

So I don't think podium in Baku 2018. Yeah. No, I'm not doubted it. I just completely forgot that. A street circuit, it doesn't matter. According to Wikipedia, they weren't racing pointing at 2018.

They did. But I think they became racing point halfway through the year. Anyway. So I don't think he's referring to that period anyway. I think he's probably referring to the end of 2020, which, like you say, they did get that double podium,

including the win at Sequeer. and I think Perez also got a podium at Turkey that was a couple of races before that. So they did have a good run to end that year. And actually, in terms of championship position, yes, they were ahead of where Astermott had finished off in 23. So they finished fourth in 2020. Astermott finished fifth in 2020. I think the point that you're making, Harry, and one that I agree with, is that that

doesn't really tell the entire story because whilst they might have finished fourth in 2020, 2020 was basically the season of, and I'm telling Harry this because he probably doesn't remember remind me, mate. Yeah, you have like amnesia for one year. It was just Mercedes, Vastappen, who knows? That was the order of every race. And you had Ricardo on the podium.

Sometimes you had Albin on the podium. You had, you know, Perez and Stroll found the podium. Ockon found the podium. Stroll found the podium. Stroll. Says a lot. It was a pretty random year outside of the top three. So I feel like there was more opportunity for a team like Force India to grab the fourth place like they did.

Astor Martin's fifth place. I mean, the start that Fernando Alonzo had itself was pretty incredible. But also the gap between, let's face it, the gap between second and fifth wasn't that much. Like, Astor Martin had their time at the front at the beginning of the year. Then it kind of transitioned to McLaren at the end of the year and Ferrari and Mercedes were there or thereabouts throughout. I don't know. But it's just looking at the results themselves as standalone. I don't think does how well Aston Martin did last year justice.

So as much as I think you are a wonderful Hall of Famer, and I give you all the admiration in the world for your great care of your nine kids. I don't think you're right on this one. I think if he had said something slightly different, something like we did a better job with less, or we were able to produce similar results. with a much smaller budget or something like that. I've gone, yeah, fair play.

That team dig a lot with a shoestring budget, and they really excelled in getting the most out of the least. And they did. I think we can all fairly say that, both Force India and Racing Point, whatever version you want to have a bit. They're a very good job at being a low-budget team that excelled. Right?

Yeah, I agree. I was just going to say, but he obviously left at the end of 21. Yeah, 21 was a back. But my point here is 21 was a bad year for Aston Martin. 22 was already in progress by the time he left. I'm not sure he could blame that on Mike Crack, how 2022 went. So I'm like, you kind of left them in, you were totally, but you left them in a bit of a mess.

Yeah. And 23 has been like the comeback year. I don't know how, I don't really know what the point he's trying to make. He just got to keep himself in the press, isn't he? But I think if you were to equate them as you've got, guys, I've really mentioned about results and progress, how many times if we say that Ashton Martin were the second fastest team? team in 2023. I don't think I've ever, ever said that about both forcing, forcing point. Great. Racing point or forcing point. I like it. Classic stupid brain. Can't get words right. But Aston Martin, regularly competing with the best,

they could have had a race win against statistically the most dominant car across one season of all the time. And they are building a legacy. Look at the infrastructure they're building. Look at the team they've now got that surrounds them. Fernando Alonso is thriving. And that's not just Lance Stroll. That's two-time World Champ. Fernando Alonkso. Thank you, Ben, for doing the dance. My point here is that whilst

Racing Point and Force India survived, they clung on, they did a great job with little that they could. Ascom Martin are building something for the future. And I, you know, don't, don't say that they can't go on to get regular podiums this season. Don't say that wings aren't in their wheelhouse

at the moment this season. I would never ever said that about Racing Point or Force India. And Othmar, you were there for a lot of that period. So, yeah, okay, whilst the overall championship position doesn't add up for them, they were so close, as you said, Ben, to kind of, you know, fourth, third, against one of the most competitive, not even a midfield, top of the midfield battle there,

that fifth actually makes them look so much worse. And I think they actually were for the whole season of 2012 and 23. They were brilliant. So sorry, up Mar, not buying what you're selling. Hopefully you can feed your family and someone will buy it off you. You're not picking up what he's putting down. I don't like picking up a lot of what he's putting down. No, no, don't trust him.

A lot of that will be nappies, probably. People, there are going to say, so many people that haven't actually seen or heard of the quote. Go and YouTube. Ockmar, Safnauer, nine children. Do not YouTube that.

That's worse. Quote, wasn't it? Do not do that. Whatever you do, no. A slip of the time. Prochise and Kersey's got a hand over her mouth. I feel like that might not make it in.

That's got effective. He did say that. Just get, oh, it doesn't matter. Yeah. I do want to say, I don't want to defend off now too much here, but I will say, just reading this quote because he was doing a bit of a comparison between Lauren Strull and Vijay Malia.

And I was like, wow, he's had to work for both of those guys. and he's a demanding couple of jobs he's had. Yeah. But, I mean, I don't disagree with the points. Let's move on to someone who's much less demanding. Helmut Marco. Yeah. Interesting segue.

He said that Carlos Sines was unlucky to enter F1 with Fostappen. Now, of course, we know that they both joined Toro or so for the 2015 season. Max Verstappen won out of the two in terms of points. And then they didn't have too much. of a partnership for 2016 because he had replaced Danny Caviat by the Spanish Grand Prix that year. What are your thoughts on this one, Aaron? I don't want to say this phrase, but I agree with Helmer Marco. Oh, it's happened. Oh, my dear. Not on all matters or basically any matters, but apart from this one. Is that Armageddon? I can see out the window. It may as well be.

I think it's a fair thing to say because I've just signs was sort of dealt unlucky by the fact that it was Max Verstappen. He did not, he was very competitive against Fassappen in 2015 and he wasn't getting lucky. Yeah. Not just to be against Fustaping, he was generally unlucky that season. And 2016, obviously they weren't together for that long, but even then he was still competitive.

So you put him in that Torosso, Menardi, Alfortowary, whatever you want to call it. All better names. E-Carp. Put it in that door. Also, see a couple of years, obviously can't be held because just that's where he was in his career. But if time was different and he was a bit older or a bit, even maybe a bit younger and came a bit later, I think his, his progression up to Red Bull is just way, say, way easier. Say he is like Pierre Gasly's age or Alex Albon's age.

when Ricardo leaves Red Bull Boom, and he goes. Has exactly the same trajectory of how he's performed. Because even, he was still slightly unlucky to, I guess, not get the Red Bull City in the end because he'd gone to Renner by that point, but that's because he was holding on for so long, etc.

So, yeah, I think it's a fair thing to say. Helmut Marker probably means it in a way like, big enough Max for Stapner. Of course he does. But I think in, you know, general, that statement's pretty true. um signs is unlucky to not end up in that red ball seat it's kind of worked out he's at Ferrari now but um he's gone the long way round he's having a bloody lovely time in life in it

really might not be a world champion but and he's a lovely looking man oh i'm sick of these handsome men when do i get a bit of that juice clip that kirstie sick of these handsome men i'm sick of them so handsome and gorgeous that's gonna be used that's a new meme they haven't got my charm yeah I don't think there's any moving on from that. But I'll give it a go. Yeah, as mentioned, Carlos Sines was desperately unlucky

against Max Vastappen in 2015, not only to be up against him, but, you know, that 49 to 18 scorecard that 2015 ended up being didn't tell the whole story. I mean, if you look at in races, Max Vastappen was 118 against Carlos Sines, and Kuali Vastappen was 109 against Carlos Sines.

That is pretty close on both. front. If anyone was that close to Max Verstappen now, that would be considered a phenomenal achievement, which just, it goes to show how good Carlos Sines actually is. And I, you know, I'm pretty convinced that if Fostappen in some weird parallel universe was not an F1 driver and everything else was the same, Carlos Sines would have been in that Red Bulls see at the end of the 2016 season. I don't think they would have promoted him at the same time as they did for Stappen. obviously they did that after like three races in that year. But I think at the end of that year,

they would have replaced Kavirat with signs. And, you know, he might still be there now competing for, or dare I say, winning championships. He's a great driver that I think ultimately, and I hate to say as well, Marco's probably got a point here. Some? Yeah, I'm not going to add too much.

He's criminally underrated as Carlos Sikes. And all the stats that he provided, they paint a much better, better picture, then I think a lot of what just reading up on Wikipedia can actually present. They have a story behind them. And Carlos Sites has got the ability, I think, if given, a regular race-winning car, to possibly go on and still do something. He's unlucky that he had to come into the sport the same time as for Stappen. He's unlucky that he then went to a team after Renault, where he was up against Landon Norris, who long-term, I think, probably has more raw talent than him.

And I was unlucky to be up against Charles LeCler, who is also one of the absolute golden generation in Formula One. So, In another time, Carlos Sank's probably is good enough to be a multi-time race winner and he's probably good enough to be a multi-time champion if things go his way. One of those, you know, two or three, if the cards fall correctly. And he won't be, unfortunately, I don't think, because I just think he's going to get pipped out by these absolute 10 out of 10 drivers rather than himself, who I think is maybe an 8.5 to a 9. And he is a bit unlucky because he's very deserving of success because he's incredibly talented

at what he does. Good stuff. Should we take our final break? Okay, bye. Sure. It's week three of Canadian tires early Black Friday sales. These prices won't go lower this year. Maybe too long.

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would you do? Business. So join the more than 400,000 Canadian entrepreneurs who already count on us and contact Desjardin today. We'd love to talk, business. Okay, welcome back, everyone. We're going to round out today's episode with a game of F1 higher or lower. Let's get old, does it? Doesn't it? And it's unbelievable that that wasn't sung to the tune. No, you just editing it. Sam sings and they used to put it. I sung that a cappella. Imagine that without a backing track. Now we've just got the non-headphone users left

after the beginning of that. Sorry, everyone. Not sure what happened there. Oh dear. It's all right. I'm only deaf now. Six questions. Harry and Sam will take it in turns to select a number.

The question has a numeric answer. They have to make a guess at that number. They get it right. They get two points. If they don't get it right, the other person has the opportunity to say, whether it's higher or lower than the guess. If they're right, they get the point.

But if they're wrong, the person who guessed first gets the point. So, numbers one through six, as per usual. Sam, what would you like? Number two, please, Ben. Okay. How many Italian drivers have raced in F1 this century? Shankalo Fisichella. Higher.

No, he's got, you can't go higher, he's got it right. He is correct, always. It's like a buzzword. You just get it right immediately. I'm going to go with seven. It's a perfect start. Oh, it is seven. Hey!

Seven! I would have gone lower, actually, if that was wrong. So that's interesting. Who are they? Fizzy, Trilly, Giovannazzi. And then I assumed there were four, I forgot. That's been four more. I don't know anymore.

What are the others? You've got Georges. Pantano, Mitt Antonio Luetzi, Bruni and Luca Badoa for that one race in 2009. Oh, thank you, Luca Badoa. You didn't know what you were doing for me, but you've come through.

So, Sam takes a 2-0 lead, a rarity to start a game that higher or lower, spot on first question out of the gate. Harry, what number would you like? Number six, please. Lower. Sam's right. Imagine 3-0.

How many laps are there at the Australian Grand Prix? 56. Oh, I think that's right. No, it's not right. Oh. I don't, you're not far off. I'm going to go lower. Harry's on the board.

It's 2-1. It was a good guess. 58. It couldn't work out as 54 or 58. It was a good guess, which means we are at 2-1 as we go back to Sam. I'll love number 5, please. Okay. We've already spoken about how Andretti would be the most uncompetitive team of all time if they entered F1.

But we might actually go to something a bit closer to that reality with this question. Going to go back to the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix, which was the first race of the 2010 season. and if anyone has been listening this long and they go back all the way to episode 50, you'd have heard us talking about HRT with Karin Chandok, which was a pretty awful car. My question is this, in Q1, how much slower was Karin Chandok

compared to Fernando Alonzo, who was fastest in that Q1 session? And this is not a dig at current Chandok, that car was awful. It was awful. And you know what, though, to Karin Changok's Kroen Chandok's credit, he got interviewed after, I think, that session.

And he was brilliant at the interview. He was clever, witty, charming. The guy was an actual. You can see why he presents now and why he's a friend of the podcast. Very much so. Okay, how much slower was he? I'm going to go with 4.1 seconds. It's not 4.1 seconds.

Harry. Higher? What does that mean? So, more slower. more seconds. Closer to five. Close to five, not to three.

Yes. Okay. Higher. It's two all. Nice. 10.3 seconds. I think it was that bad. In Q1.

How did they qualify? They didn't have the 107% raw, I don't think, in 2010. Yeah, they were allowed to raise. They were the reason for it. I think they were. They both retired. But yeah.

Yeah, it was something like a 154 something versus a 204 something. I also forget how long that track is. Yeah, this was the endurance version. So, yeah. Two all. Cool. Harry's on the comeback. What number would you like, Harry?

Number four. Number four, please. What do you have faster? He doesn't remember either. Five, fine. You want to go for number four? Yeah, please. I'm mustering in the background of our own podcast.

I just realized. hear us. Everything that said is like a microphone. Hey, sir. What did you go for? Good. Good. You'll hate this question.

You're probably going to hate this question. Great. It's a horrible question. If you were to take the 10 teams on the grid and you were to add up the driver numbers of each teammates, what would be the highest number you get from two teammates? Oh my God.

I believe in you. I believe in anything called love. I'm doing thumbs on my phone. Um, you would get 83. You would not get 83. I feel like Sam knows this. I'm going to say higher, but is it 107? It is higher.

I can't give you two points for it, but it is indeed 107. Who are the two? Hamilton and Russell. 44 and 63. Very good. Well, good knowledge. I think good number knowledge.

The stake team is fairly close to that as well. They're just over 100 because Valtrey Bot has 77. 101. So, nice. We are at 3-2 with two questions left. Back to you, Sam. I'll have three. In their five seasons in F-1, how many points did Jaguar score?

Oh, I'll have a day off, Ben. I was on a flyer. 24. It is not 24. Harry. Hi, yeah. You've got this in your locker, mate. We are at three all going into the last question.

49 points they had. Thanks to Eddie Irvine picking up a few podiums here and there. Well, on Eddie. Picked up a few kids at this time as well. Way, up I go. For people who don't know the story. Goodness me. Good Lord, man.

Sam was held as a child by any of them. Correct. I never said anything wrong. It's just the context. Just posed with families a lot. I don't know that's better. Is that better?

Eddie, get out the photo, mate. We're having a family fellow, right? Just talk to you guys. Just talk about you, baby. Oh, Lord. Now we get to the true test of any game that we play. does Harry know what numbers left?

Number one, my lord. I think I do know that. Would you've said that anyway? Sam was putting his finger up at me. There's a camera? I think I did know number one. Well done. Okay, well done.

Okay, number two, please. For the win. How many points did Max Verstappen drop in 20203? He's carrying quite a lot. Oh, God. I should have got a bag. Overflowing. There are only 10 p.

Um, he dropped. You could probably work this out. Oh, 33. Because that's his number. That's his number. I don't know. That would be appropriate. But it's not true.

Sam, higher or lower than 33 for the win? I'm going to go with higher. You would be correct in saying higher. 45 points he drops. It was Singapore that I was basing it on and then I was trying to go up from there. Absolutely washed. I mean, even at Singapore, he didn't drop that many.

45 points across the entire season of 22 races. It's the... And the sprint races. And spring races. Yeah. Yeah. To be honest, it's the spring races and the fastest laps that kind of just add up throughout the year.

But yeah, you're right. He dropped technically 11, I think, at Singapore because he was fifth and didn't have the fastest lap, I think. so yeah. That's insane, Max. That is insane. I dropped nearly as many points in this game

that you did across the whole season. Yeah. It is still something absolutely mad like 680 something out of 720 or something along those lines. It's a stupid stat that it's only 45.

But well done, Sam. 4 3 win. Oh, that's a good F1 back and forth. It's a higher or lower. I'm playing the wrong game. Maybe that's why I won. That's where you won. You were playing back for four.

That's how I need to do every game, play a different one. I can't believe I've lost to a man even know what game we were playing. That's embarrassing. You can't remember the numbers of questions we've done, so it's fine. Oh dear. Well, I really enjoy higher or lower

and I really enjoy back and forth, but I can name you something that I enjoy even more than both of those. It is the greatest segment. In all of Formula One podcasting, it is the... LB question of the... The question of the week, man.

Oh, very Lewis Hamilton of you. Wow. All righty. Question of the week. After the announcement that Alpha Tauri have rebranded, we don't like the name, basically. You would have heard us talk about that on Sunday's episode. But what should they actually be called?

And this one's important because, hey, might just use this for the whole year now. Look, so many of you got. involved with this. So clearly you'll hate it as well. But I just have a plea for a lot of you. Read the caption that has been provided because it says, and I quote, V-carb just isn't hitting it. What do you reckon, folks? And then the first person to comment V-carb, honestly, you aren't alone. There are multiple of you commenting V-carb. So, pat yourselves on the back. Thank you for engaging. Yeah, we appreciate that. I also hate this, but I'm going to have to

shout her out, beef, I think had the most liked answer. Smashed it. Smashed it. And it, culturally appropriate as in terms of like it's a meme. It's not, that's not what I meant. Oh my God.

It's a good one today, isn't it? You're flying along. Won the game. I was screwing over F1, me and Andrea, riding off into the sunset. She's reading it out. She said, Visa, cash me outside.

How about that? F1 team, which was what, Bag, Babi. What was her name? Was that her name? Oh. What? Bag, Barbie.

me outside. I don't remember. She threatened that TV presenter. I absolutely love that answer, but it doesn't quite solve the issue in that it's still really long. That's true. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

To New Adventures on Instagram said, sugar-free, Red Bull. I mean, makes sense. Yeah, that could be a sticker that one. That one might stick. Ali, HR on Instagram said, Raw Bottom Racing. Oh.

Hall. Not going to ask why. Don't think that should stick. Master of the Sun said Cash Cow Racing. I mean, they really are trying to milk that baby dry, aren't they? For money.

Olly Noble said, Gary. I like that. Gary is simple and effective. Isn't that what the snail is called in Monster Zink that's trying to desperately get to his class? I think you've managed to mix up

Monster Zink and SpongeBob Square. Gary's the snail. Yeah, he is. Gary the snail. don't watch Spongrelpants so that makes sense. Sorry, confess, I do. Reg and a watcher.

Wrath on Instagram just said poo FC. Brilliant. That's a great name for an Fon team. I was wondering which of you was going to read that. Of course it's going to be in. I like this one, PRT, which actually stands for

the Perez replacement tryout team. Oh, that was savage. That is a bit savage. That is funny. Jason Gates just said, V. Crab. Skip, skip, I'm coming for you. The Tim Dale on Instagram said V. Carbonaro, which I kind of like.

Oh, yes. Oh, yes. Oh, on Twitter we had S.P. Harry say, Weatherspoon's Hot Pop Racing, because whilst the intention is carbs, it's usually just ends up in disappointment. Have you ever put your table on the, like, a social media, and they've got people to buy stuff off the app? No, but next, we should do that. Next time we go out, we're going to do that. Because I've never done it either. I thought I was with one of you.

No, I don't think so. I have someone bought a small, like, little dish of baby. That's real funny. I got a lot of people who get bought peas. Like a bowl of peas. It's like one fried egg on a plate. And like seven in the evening when you've got a pint. Hey, my hiker.

I'm coming soon. In bracket said, the artist's formerly going on was Toro Rosso, which I thought was very clever. Very good. Like that. Steve, oh, yeah, BTCC. Sergio Cruz. Yeah. Oh, yeah.

Brilliant. Sorry, Ben. Yeah, call it. Call it. Touring car. Touring car. Yes, I love that. Um.

I have to say, I feel like sugar-free red ball should be the name we call it for the rest of this year. That or Menardi, which also got votes. Menardi, yeah. I mean, sugar-free red ball. Red ball. Zero. Yeah, I mean, Courtney McCaw simply said bread, which, again, I'm not against it because I do like bread. I do that bread.

Just dasted. Square Portia said Arby's is in A, R-B-Y-S. Called them like the letter R-B, but you say Arbys. Like, is it a restaurant? Yeah. American restaurant. Arbys. That's all there are a few mentions of that.

Shall we just call them? Here come the Arbys. Hebby. Hebe. He's a heb. This doesn't make any sense. How are these butts? As for all you Texans out there.

Yeah. We love you. Among Rock says the corporate flogs, which I thought was a bit, you know, intense. Ash said a joke. That's a good one. And Matthew Bonger just said, Ian.

Of course. Of course. I'm exhausted. Yeah, it's been a long. It's not even a, well, it has been long. It's been an intense one. Yeah, good Lord. Sam, would you mind getting us out of here?

Yeah, happily. Folks, the Discord link is in the description. Join us because we are entering the month of Formula One beginning. And so we'll be ramping up all forms of chat entertainment, whatever you fancy. There's loads of stuff going on in there. It's not even if you get on related. There's also Patreon. Please check it out.

The link to the description, you do not realize how much new Patreon subscribers help us as a little F1 family to progress and to grow and to make more content. It is massively appreciated those who already do. Follow us on social media, late breaking F1 everywhere, including YouTube. This has been videoed. If you've got this far and you think, oh, I want to see Harry's face when Sam said something about Eddie Irvine holding children. Or you wanted to see my notepad being thrown across the room. Hey, it's all on video.

Go and watch it. I think that's everything. We're going to be here all bloody month. We did it. We were all here for every episode in January. Has it ever happened? Have we all, have we done a four month every single episode? Of course we've done that in January. Like, you can't pick a month in the season to do that.

I do have a genuine offer conversation to come. I'm not sure about next Wednesday. Let's stop. Okay. Anyway, thanks so much for listening. Thanks for sticking with it. Sorry for the noise levels because I'm sure they were awful today. And in the meantime, I've been Samuel Sage. I've been Ben Hocking. And I've been forcing point. And remember, keep breaking late.

I wonder what you'd go with. I was really struggling. There was a lot. Bye. This podcast is part of the Sports Social Podcast Network.