The Late Braking F1 Podcast - Are F1 Races TOO LONG?!

Episode Date: September 10, 2025

It's time to raise the LB boys' blood pressure as they tackle some of the latest F1 silliness from Gasly extending his contract at Alpine to Domenicali's latest head-scratching comments about changing the sport. They also discuss Colton Herta's induction to F1, and wrap up with some Higher or Lower... >>> Don't miss out - limited tickets left for our 2025 LIVE SHOW in Austin TX! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to grab yours or for more info!

This podcast is part of the Sports Social Podcast Network. Thank you for listening to the Late Breaking F1 podcast. Make sure to check out new episodes every Wednesday and every Sunday. Well, welcome to the late breaking F1 podcast presented by Harry Ead, Sam, Sam, and me, Ben Hocking. No F1 race coming up this weekend, Sam, but you know what? I'm excited for this one. I think this could be a good one. A bit of midweek Magnus for you, Ben, in the off race.

week. Yeah, we've got some spicy topics coming up and there's three of us, three to make it a beautiful Trudeau. Everyone loves it when the LB boys are all together. How are you doing, Harry, mate? You're right? I'm all right. And actually, a spoiler, we're recording this the day after the Italian GP and not technically on a winter or midweek. So we're still really annoyed about the whole thing. I'm furious, you know, tempers are up, but it's all going to be good. We have a great show for you, ladies and gents. We've got higher and lower coming up later on, some comments from Stefano Domenicali. You might have had a sneak preview on our thoughts on that yesterday at the tail end of the episode. Colton Herta has signed for Cadillac

as test driver for next season. But we're going to start with another contract, this time Pierre Gassley, because he has signed a multi-year contract extension at Alpine, signing a new deal that will keep him at the Endstone-based team until at least 2028. The French driver last extended his contract in June of 2024, securing his seat through to the end of next season. But this latest two-year extension represents a strong vote of confidence in the team, which has faced a somewhat turbulent 12 months. Gassley said, as a Frenchman, especially driving for a French car company, makes me feel very proud. Since I joined in 2023, I've always felt that this team is the right place to be for the future. Flavio's support and belief in me, Francoise Camézsche's,

commitment to the Formula One project, as well as the people we have in Endstone, made this a natural decision. And I want to be here in years to come and deliver on our joint objective to win races and win world championships. I love the optimism. Right, Sam, before we get into whether it's the right decision or not, what was your initial reaction to the news? Was there any surprise? Yes, I put this on my Instagram story with simply the words, in all capitals, why? I believe this man loves pain. Stockholm syndrome is only thing I can describe as what is going on for Pierre Gasly.

He has suddenly become affectionate with his captors and now wants to remain in their company and doesn't want to leave this hellhole that is Alpine. Yeah, it's a bizarre situation that he finds himself in. I can only point it down to what I think are maybe three factors that are all converging together to mean that Pierre Gasly wants to ensure that blue and pink torture chamber,

which is that one, I don't know if he's got anywhere else to go. Now, Formula One is the dream. He wants to be an F1 driver. He's a very good F1 driver. I think he's very underrating of what he does. I do think he's unfortunately at the end of a contract circle, which means that he hasn't really got anywhere else that he could get up and go to. I don't think he'd want to rejoin the Red Bull family.

I think he's like one too many falling out with helmet marker and the like. Things like Ferrari and ever going to be on the cars, same as Haas. Kagalak wasn't ever an option. So realistically, I don't think there's anything there other than Alpine right now. So that's kind of the best of his options. Equally, I do think he's somewhat being swindled into believing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for Alpine. Flavio has been so optimistic that in 2006, they will have a race-winning title challenging car. Of course, they are moving to a Mercedes power unit.

They'll have Mercedes gearboxes as well. And that might make things a little easier we have seen after the Italian Grand Prix, just how much that seems struggles in a straight line. So hopefully that cures some of their elements. But nonetheless, Pierre, come on, be a realistic man. The French are famously pessimistic. Where's the riot?

Where is the strike, sir? Come on. You should be asking for more. That's my out of context post sorted for the week. Thank you. Good. So, yes, I think he, I was shocked at the decision but it does in a horrible, horrible way

makes sense for a very talented driver to re-sign with this quite simply woeful disorganised team. As much shock from you, Harry? To re-sign, that's with the dash folks, not resign, to resign with alpina's not a shock because, as Sam said, at the moment,

where else is he going to go? There's not really any real option. on the table that are better or open at all, quite frankly, for next year. I am a little bit convinced how Sam is that there's some weird Stockholm syndrome going on here. Him and Charles LeClair just really like, it's almost like self-hate at this point that they keep doing this themselves.

Pierre, mate, multi-year. Are we sure, son? Multi-year. Because, okay, best case scenario, is next year's Alpine is as Flavio Briotori, the profit, for tells, and it is a championship winning car, ex-doubt, meme. But that's the best case scenario,

Pierre Gasly, multiple race winner, could be a champion. That's as good as it goes. Worst case scenario is it's the same as this year, a part of garbage that doesn't move. And maybe more realistic scenario, it's better than last year, but they're not necessarily challenging for wins. I think even the realistic and worst case scenarios

would mean I wouldn't sign for a multi-year deal because come the end of 22, I know there's a lot of movement in the driver market all getting ready for 26, but quite frankly, there's quite a lot of movement that could happen from 26 into 27, where drivers who have had a first taste of the regs

and have left their options open beyond that. Might not be happy with their team. I'm thinking people like Max Verstappen. Now, I'm not saying he's going to go off to Red Bull. But it might be a different place then. It was Christian Horner that didn't like him. He's no longer there. So, you know, options are open.

Aston Martin, for example, I'm not fully, you know, we think that Alonzo is going to finish after one year in 26. There could be an option there. I'm baffled by the fact that he's committed himself. to Alpine and maybe there are break clauses here but for so long but oh yeah I want to say so long but for more than one year surprises me because for Alpine I don't think they have many options themselves so I think the you know the ball was in Gasley's court on this one he could have afforded to just say look I'm going to sign for one or a one plus one and just see where I am

well see where we are as a team at the end of 2026 so I'm baffled and I think it's a shame that Gassi didn't have maybe more confidence in his ability because, as we've said, he's been driving superbly, not really been showing this year because of the car's terrible, but for the most part, he's been driving superbly, and it's not translating into results. So a bit confused about that one. I'm mostly surprised by the timing of this. It's not like it was essential to get a move done now.

It's not like his contract was up at the end of this year. This is purely optional. So I am at least a little bit surprised by how this has gone down. to give a summary as to what Pierre Gasley has endured when it comes to Elpin and his tenure there, he joined this team at the end of 2022. Now, when Gasley joined, this was a team that had 173 points in the Constructors' Championship and finished in fourth place. That was, by the way, we used to laugh at them for consistently finishing fourth and fifth.

they'd take that now, wouldn't they? But it used to be the meme of the time. But they scored like really consistently. And I mean, to make matters even worse, that season before Gazzley got there, they beat McLaren to fourth place in the championship. And to see the very different to the point where you couldn't be more different, first and tenth journeys of those two teams, it has been tough for what Gassley has endured in just a couple of years.

The team has gone from 173 points in the Constructors' Championship to 120 in 2023, 65 last year, despite the fact that you had two more races last year than the year before, and they're currently on 20 points here in 2025. Does anyone want to place a bet that they're going to beat their 65 point tally from last year? It's looking tough. I suppose the only positive they can take from this is fortunes can be so fickle if McLean were able to go from that fourth-fifth battle up to winging a. the Constructors' Championship in only a couple of years,

and they kind of got their pyramid sort of, they had their three struts to build through, and they managed to sign some great talent. Then White Kong Alping recovered to some sense of respectable position in the championship. I think what's the craziest part of this journey are the drivers that they could have had if it wasn't Pierre Gasly at the helm,

the fact that they could have had a duo of Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri driving for them at one point. And now one of them is a possible, be about to become the world champion for the first time. The other one, of course, is one of the most successful Formula One drivers of all time. It just shows you the way their fates have gone. Pierre Gassi is like an elder statesman of Al Pee. He's like the only man left.

Everyone comes and goes. And Pierre Gassely is just an old man now sat there. Hello. Will you stay and be my friend? No, it's just Pierre. Yeah, it's a bit tough, isn't it? I can't see them going above that 65 point tally this year. and you can say, well, they're going to be focusing 100% on 2026 at this point, sure.

So are all the other teams that you're in and around. And as Harry kind of alluded to, what happens if we turn up Australia next year and Alpina 17th and 18th or 19th and 21st? It's kind of where I expect them to be. Why do they think they're suddenly going to have this magical car that can fight for wings? What do they think everyone else is doing up until that point? Maybe they think that. But Gassley clearly has some inkling that they're going to be doing that because that risk is massive that they turn up at Australia next year

and they're just not any quicker. And at that point, you can't say, well, if you've only got one year left on my contract, I've got other options out there. Nope, you've got three years left on your deal at that point and you've got a hope for a turnaround in a new era of F1. The only thing that doesn't surprise me about this is I guess there is a logic to negotiating when you are in a position of strength. And Ghazly is that at the moment for sure.

He is responsible for 100% of the points that Alpine have so far this year. That second seat, we don't know what they're going to do. I'm not sure Alpine know what they're going to do. Alpine are last deservedly so and need Ghazly a lot more than Ghazley needs Alpine. maybe he's done that to, maybe he's negotiated to get a boatload of cash. I hope for his sake he has. Yeah,

I think about the time thing, his comments about, you know, genuinely thinking, oh, I could go on to win titles here. A lot of the time on this show, we might say,

well, you have to say that because you've decided and concrete, you'll come out and go, you have to have a two-year extension, but I'm miserable, and I think we're going to be rubbish,

and I hate every second. Usually they give it a PR spiel. But the extra two years does make me think that he thinks there is some kind of, of glimmering light at the end of the tunnel that they might actually be all right. Maybe the readings from this Mercedes power unit are so much better that somewhere there's a good car under all that and it really is the engine holding them back. I'd be shocked, but maybe that's where they're going. Moving on to the second seat discussion because Flavia Brio

Briozori has had some comments about Franco Colopinto and his chances of keeping that Alpine seat for next year and he has praised his recent progress. For the moment, I believe Franco is doing a good job, Briatore told Sky. He paid a bit for his inexperience in the beginning, like a lot of the rookies, a lot of young drivers. Now, in the last three or four races, he's been much more consistent, no mistakes. We have another four or five races to judge, and after that, we will see. There's another eight races to go in the season, Flavio. I'm not sure if you know that. Brioitori said other new drivers have taken a similar amount of time to get up to speed. You see all the rookies we have this year. The first six or seven races were difficult for everybody. Now, I will ask Harry you

the question in a moment, but I cannot let that last sentence fly. Six or seven races for rookies to get up to speed. Yes, that's how long you gave Jack Duhon. Can you not see it? How many, how many points are doing, score, Ben? None. How many points is Colin to score, Ben? Also none.

Right. Okay, good. We're all in the same page here. He's got the answer in front of him. And he still doesn't know it. impressive. Great point by Flavio. Harry has

Colopinto's chances of sticking around improved? I don't know I worried about it then because he'll just deny he ever even said that ever. Great point.

So flamm. I don't know who said it. More like Blavio Fleutori, I reckon said that one. Got him. Has he? Has he?

I, I, maybe, I don't know, because you're right. In the, I think doing could have been in this position. Had he been given more than more races, doing probably might have scored some points by now. So, yeah, like you said, Ben, it's like he's working out the answer that you already had in front of him, but really slowly.

It's quite painful to watch, to be honest. But, yeah, so maybe this does bode well for collarpins in that sense that, that Flavio is finally cutting on to how experience works in F1 and I don't know. But yeah, look, I don't think they're going to get rid of him before the end of year or anything like that. So I think he's safe until the end of the season.

And quite frankly, who else did they put in that car? Into next year, I don't know. I think if he'd have to continue to show improvement. But the problem is the car's crap and it's really difficult to show improvement in a car. as that garbage. The one thing I think has boded well for him is that he's shown

you know, at least in the past couple of races some pace that's been more relative to Gazley, particularly Monsa. I think he looks pretty comfortable

against Gatsley for the most part. So I think that, you know, that's what he can do if the car's going to be that garbage. But, and it might help him. But I wouldn't,

I just don't believe a single thing that comes out of Flavio's mouth. It's just all rubbish all the time. So who knows? Franco doesn't know. No one knows.

Yeah, I think his chances have improved a little bit. I will say I'm not sure how much it relates to his performances and more to do with the lack of availability of both Sergio Perez and Valtry Bottas on the market. If you believe the rumours, both of them were targeted by Alpine. And obviously they've both gone a different direction. They've gone off to Cadillac. Colopinto has been, having said that.

looking better. I agree with you on that point. I think the last few races, he's been a match for for Pierre Gasley, which is good to see. And I think you're also spot on with the other point, which is it's difficult for him to show what he can do in that car. It's just that bad. And you look at some of the other rookies that are on the grid, and I appreciate some of them have multi-year deals anyway, but look at Isaac Hadjar at RB or Gabriel Bortoletto at Salba. They both have, they don't have the best car on the grid, for sure, but they've got a good enough car that they can display what they can do and give the team's confidence that they're the right drivers for the team heading into next season and beyond. Colopinto has been very difficult to showcase what he

can do just based on that Alpine. But I do think his chances have slightly improved. Sam, what do you think? Do you remember the game in Takeshi's Castle where you used to have to pick a door and run through it? And sometimes you open the door and there'll be ground behind it. And sometimes you bounce straight into the door. Best game, man. And sometimes you go straight. straight through it and land in like some water, some horrible muddy water. Knock, knock. Exactly.

I think it's what it was called. Flavio is playing that game and each door is a driver. And essentially, he's going to try and run through one and hope that when he gets through it, there's another week done and it will stick. And Colopinto is four or five doors in at this point. But you can never know when you're going to hit that door that's going to bounce you straight back again. The issue is what other door does he go through? Who else is there actually available for Colopinto to be replaced by?

If the rumours are true, as you mentioned, both Peras and bossats were approached, both very comfortably turned around and saying, no, thank you. We'd much rather actually deal with something entirely new and unknown than this dumpster fire of Alpene. Unknown wins. Unknown wings. Now, choose your fighter, the shadow figure in the background is who everyone is chosen in this scenario. It's basically desperation or a rookie. That's who you've got a pick if you don't want Colabinto.

It's someone who's got no experience and gang, and you hope that they are good at. enough that they won't do Oscar Piastri deal where they go, or I'm better than this. I'm going to get signed by somebody else actually. Or you get someone who's completely desperate to get back on the grid that maybe isn't there. Nick Schumacher, he keeps being brought up. There's the room that he might come back into it.

Is he really a better option right now, the Colopinto? Maybe. You've got someone like maybe Porchair, Ben, the Invisible Man, of course. Don't do that. Come on. The Invisible Frenchman. Maybe they love it. I got a French chie or.

they kicked out the last one. The problem is when the car is so ropey, what's the point? What is the point? Prove yourself, run this 100 metres. The difference is your shoes are cinder blocks. You've got to wear cement on your legs to try and do anything good.

How can you? It is a joke for anyone. So I'll call up it until it's the end of the year. And I wouldn't be shocked if they give it to him. I wouldn't be shocked if they give it to a total random. It could be being driving that car for all I know. The chances are just as good. I'd never thought,

about the fact about Perez and Bottas. You've got one hand team whose experience in F1 dates back to the 1980s. Team never been an F1. That's the one. Definitely the one that's never been an F1. For two people that have as well, they're like, nah,

oh, that. Two race winners, being in the sport, combined 20 years. Yeah, we'll go for the unknown, actually. Pierre's like, guys, please, come on, it's okay. Would you have battery? We'll buy you. cheese.

Because that's the only thing for people I want to buy cheese. I'm really lost to it at the end of really got sure what route to go down. No. You could tell. Started that sentence. Yeah, yeah. No idea where the egg was. No.

Cheers, Michael. Maybe not on discussion for today, but I do wonder if Pierre Gasley might try that pitch on Yuki Sonoda. Why not? I think it's as likely an option as any at the moment, to be honest. we'll see that is a decision still to be made let's take our first break on this episode on the other side colton herder time baby yeah can't wait to crash out in the first minute welcome back everyone indie car star colton herter has joined cadillac as the new team's test driver for the

twenty six formula one season herter said he is incredibly excited by the announcement this is a dream opportunity and one i've been working towards for a long time to be part of the of Cadillac's F1 entry at such a pivotal time is something I couldn't pass up. My dream has always been to race in Formula One, and I see this move as a huge step towards that goal. For now, my focus is on giving everything I can to Cadillac F1, helping build a competitive team. Well, team principal, Graham Loudon described Herta as an exceptionally talented racer with proven speed, racecraft and maturity well beyond his years. His experience in top-level American motorsport as part of the TWG Motorsport family makes him

an ideal fit for this role, and it will bring valuable and fresh insight, perspective and energy to our team as we continue to build for the future. Sam, what was your reaction to this bit of news? I was overjoyed. This was a sensational announcement from Kurtter. Kurtz, Kurtz, Kallagalaki Kurtz. Well, well done to Kurta, because both of them together have made a brilliant choice. This is a wing, wing. This is a PR wing. This is a motorsport wing, giving someone who's really talented a chance to step into something different and provide. This is great for that Americanism in terms of Kangat being that true American team. And it's also good to get sick a rookie in that car. And I know that he's not a Formula One driver. He's a rookie in the sense that he's never being

Formula One. But he's won races in Indy car. He took pole positions. You know, he's fought for championships. He's in his mid-20s. The guy's experience, he's a really, really solid pair of hands. And whilst he's a little bit ragged sometimes behind the wheel, and we've seen a few moments where he's made good friends with the wall. He is a really, really fast racing driver. And I think this is fantastic. I'm so exciting. Ben, clarifying question is you are the IndyCar lord on this show.

Has he completely left IndyCar the sport to do this? Or is his skill racing there. He has. He has completely left. You heard it here first, folks. Score breaking story. Breaking news. We should do breaking news of stories that are already well established.

Breaking news. That's great. you feature. We should definitely do that. Breaking news is about two weeks old. Right. Signs for LP, but we're saying through race's time. We shall call it lead breaking.

Oh, great. Right. Harry, how are you feeling about the news? It's been a good couple of weeks for the good people of Caldack. Some big announcements here. The first thing I thought of here was, I do wonder what this announcement would have been, had it still been Andretti Cadillac.

I mean, forget the fact that we wouldn't have an F1 team by the sounds of it if it was. But would Colton her to be announced as a reserve driver or as an actual F1 driver? I mean, it's not the super licence points to see, but whatever. Great, great signing. And like you said, Sam, I'm glad they have, you know, they've looked to invest it in an American talent,

an American driver here. Obviously, not for the, main line up, but good to have, good to have in, in reserve in case, you know, Botas or Perez don't work out. And look, these are two drivers, I think more so in Perez this case, but it's only two drivers who didn't have like the smoothest last run at the end, the last run in the sport. Obviously, that's only last year. So why not, why not have that in your, in your reserve? And you can, you know, you can build it up. He doesn't have any experience in an F1 team. This is a great way to gain that.

it's going to be a big day when he does is I'm assuming what will be a FP1 somewhere don't make it a street circuit not a street circuit it will be Miami it's going to be Miami Monaco if it's Monaco Sandivot is going to get it

oh my lord he'll just take like the pit the pit route through Sandavort not the actual line just got it like the coat of the Indy car take yeah exactly trying for a hotel long to extend the corner. Yeah, no, this is, this is great news. Great news for the sport.

And I hope it does develop into something that, that means that we do see Colton Herta, you know, fully competing in F1 because the world wants to see it. Ben wants to see it. I want to see it when Ben is crashing out because Herta's crashed out. But, yeah, hopefully that is a scenario that does evolve one day. But, yeah, for kind of like great signing, great PR, like you said, Sam. but it means they don't have to commit to putting like what is a completely unknown quantity in terms of F1, putting an unknown quantity in their car straight away.

Long-term listeners of this podcast will know how much I've wanted to see Herta and F1. It feels like something I've been pushing for years and this move has made it closer to happening than anything that's happened before. I've been a fan of this guy for a long time and I've got no idea if he'll make it to F1 and if he does I've got no idea if he'll be successful there but I can almost 100% guarantee it will be entertaining but this guy I feel like he is what motorsport is all about which is he's an absolute frill to watch

like there's a certain magnetism to him as a racer Like when he's out there on the track, sure, it doesn't go right 100% of the time, but he is a pure racer. And he's shown that in IndyCar for a number of years. His style of racing really appeals. And I think if you were to make it to F1, the sport would benefit as a result of that. Is it the right move for Colton Hurter? I think it is.

I don't think this kills any chance of him returning to IndyCar in the future if this doesn't work out, as mentioned in the in the statement he is still within the Andretti family as part of making this move. So maybe there would be an opportunity to move back there. But even if that wasn't on the cards, he's shown himself. He's won multiple races, pole positions all over the place as well. Another team I'm certain would make a move for him if he did want to go back stateside. So I don't think he's cut off the potential for a future in IndyCar by making this call. And he's pursuing his dream.

And, you know, we can we can sit here as we often do on this podcast and give our views on these driver moves and all of these decisions that are made in the world of motorsport. But ultimately, it often comes down to what does the driver themselves value? Like, what do they want from their career? And Colton Herta very clearly in this statement says, my ambition is Formula One. and it would be a shame for him if he decided to go against that ambition just because he thought it was too much of a risk. Like, he's going for it.

And regardless of whether it works out or not, I'm glad that he is pursuing something he considers to be a dream. So good move for Colton. I think it's the right move for Cadillac as well. I know Colton Hurt as IndyCar results have been a little bit inconsistent over the years, but at least some of that is related to Andretti letting him down on occasion. They haven't always been perfect when it comes to strategy and particularly pit stops. And also, you have to bear in mind with these super license points that he doesn't have the

required amount at the moment. So much of that is down to two things. Number one, I don't think IndyCar gets enough points full stop. And secondly, there's no division between ovals and your street tracks and road courses. Like, you will get however many points you get for finishing the season. It doesn't matter if you finished third on the ovals for the year and seventh in the roadcar races and vice versa. You'll still get the same number of points regardless of where you've finished. So I am intrigued to see it.

I have mentioned this before as well, but he has got a little bit of experience. of racing in Europe. He did that before moving across to Indy Lights in 2015, raced alongside at Carlin, Lando Norris, in 2015, and he got better as the year went on, to the point where if you were to split that season that they did together, Norris and Colton Hurtt, a very similar ages as well, Hurtt, Hurtt are ever so slightly younger. If you were to split that season down the middle, first half of the season, Lando Norris, 194 points, Colton Herta 101, so quite a comfortable win for. Lando Norris.

Second half of that year, the last 15 races. Lando Norris 219, Colton Herter, 254. This guy can race, and it's going to be an interesting ride to see if he can adjust to Pirelli tires and the like. It's not going to be easy, but there's potential in there, for sure. F2 in 2026, Sam. If he wants to get on that grid, he's got to go earn those super license points. So it is an absolute crime.

The Indy car doesn't get the super license. its points that it deserves because it's a sensational series and there's a lot of talent over there. So we might have to put what's going to look like this old man in with the kids. He's going to have to become the... Steve for Chevy, here we go. Hello, my fellow kids as he

rocks up with his skateboard over his shoulder. Yeah, the 25 year old Colting Hurst is going to have to go up against you know, remember Kimi Ansigelli where he ended was just turning 17. So that was kind of eight year difference if that was happening again. There is a big age gap.

And there will be an expectation. And also a risk for Colton Hurt, in theory, he needs to get into a good side. And, you know, where everyone says it's equal there, it does help to be in certain things in F2. He needs to get into the right side because he cannot afford to be embarrassed. If he doesn't immediately perform well

after being a race winner and Indycar, it looks bad on Indycar, it looks bad on Kaganak. It looks bad on him. He would have to go in there and pretty much win it year one, I think, being that different experiencing, the fact he has racing Europe, before. It's not like he hasn't got any experience over here at all.

But I do think if he wants to come into F1, unfortunately with the way the system is set up, he's probably going to have to do it. It's going to have to commit to a full season and do well in that full season. Harry, I've Colton heard a plus F2, man. I might just have to watch that for the season. I want it so much.

Give it to me now. Yes. I sincerely hope that does happen. And I agree with you. It's just ridiculous that it does have to be that way and he's going to have to get into the junior formula just to gain the points to get into F1 on the first place. But entertainment purposes, this could be superb.

And we're talking about Sandovaat, so many other tracks as well with the F2 calendar is on. I mean, if anyone, I didn't watch it fully up, but I've seen highlights of the F2, I think, feature race in the weekend. Oh, boy. Good, I can. If that doesn't mean anything to go, I put Coltrane Herter in the middle of that

and it could be very entertaining. So, yeah, it could, well, it might have to happen with this series about this. So I'll be tuning into every F2 race from next year if that's good. I think F2 does make sense. And I know he'll be doing it from a super license perspective. There's a few different things to know about the super license points. But the only thing you really need to know is that he's close but not quite there. F2, I think, makes sense to just guarantee.

that in that there's obviously a lot of points that go to F2 when it comes to super license more than any other junior series. So if he does well, we know that Bottas and Perez have multi-year deals. So it would give him a little bit of breathing room because super license points last for three years. If he didn't make his entry or if he didn't want to make his entry or Cadillac didn't want to make his entry in 2027, there would still be the option for 28. And those super license points would still exist for him. if he was going into that season. The other thing is, outside of super license points,

I think it could be really helpful just in terms of tire knowledge. Like, these Pirelli's are funky. Like, they are very different from the firestones that he would have dealt with in America. And there's a certain amount of getting accustomed, you know, a climatization when it comes to this way of racing. And even someone has experienced as Colton Hurtt might take a lot of, a little bit of time to get adjusted. So I don't think it's the worst thing in the world

for just experience reasons to be an F2. If it was just from a super licence perspective, they could do something like put him in however many practice sessions and then maybe enter him into Formula Region Oceania or something like that. And that's a pretty easy way to get some ones. Could you imagine?

Could you imagine a Formula Regional Oceania? Possibly. I mean, that's essentially what Red Bull did with Harvard Lindblad. It's just they put him there for some easy superlisings. points. So they could have done that. That's a child. Sure, but it's the same theory, right?

It's still trying to make F1 and get the super license points. So I think it would still stand. But your point is a valid one because when it comes to reputation and when it comes to expectation, people are going to look at Colton Hurtter as someone in his mid-20s and see him racing against 19-year-olds and say, well, if he doesn't win or very close to win from the off, he's going to get a lot of questions come his way.

There's more to it than that. Again, like these, even though they will be 19 years old, 20 years old, most of these drivers would have come up through F3 where you do have the experience of these Pirelli's. Like, they're going to be experienced over Colton Herr and in other aspects, but the court of public opinion is not going to see it that way. They are just going to look at his age and say, where he's 25, he should be winning from the off.

So a lot of pressure on it, but I'm intrigued to see how it goes. Shall we take our second break on this episode? On the other side, we've got some quotes from Stefano Domenicali. Oh, this is going to be fun. It's going to be someone. Welcome back, everyone, to the third part of today's episode. Now, Formula One could see major format changes as the sport looks to engage younger audiences with shorter attention spans, according to CEO, Stefano Domenicali.

Ideas under discussion include adding more sprint events, altering their format, and even shortening Grand Prix. Domenicali claims most stakeholders, including drivers, are now in favour. Domenicali had this to say. There's a topic on the table concerning the format we'll use in the coming years, starting with sprint weekends. We need to understand whether to increase them, how to increase them, and whether to use different formats. I have to say that aside from some older diehard fans, everyone wants

sprint weekends. Promoters push for this format and now the drivers are interested as well. I'm being a bit provocative, but free practice appeals to super specialists. People who want to see more action prefer a sprint weekend. The direction is clear. I can guarantee that in a few years there will be demand to have all weekends with the same format. I'm not saying we'll get to MotoGP, which has a sprint at every round. That's two bigger step. And then regarding shorter races, he said, we're seeing on many of our channels that highlights do very well. For those of us who grew up with the current format, everything is fine as is, but there's a large segment that only wants to see the key moments. There's some really interesting quotes in here, Harry Ead. Let's start with the shorter

races point, and then we'll move on to sprints. We'll save that for later. Do you support Stefano Domenicali's thoughts on shorter races I'm really sorry, Kirstie, but that's the fucking dumbish I've ever heard in my life. The doubles! The red.

I, uh, okay, there's so much to unpack. It's the quote about the highlights package which gets me every time. That is how highlights work because they're a shortened version

of the main thing. If you were a highlights package of a short race, there'd be nothing. It would just be nothing. That's a spring race. That is a spring race. You understand how that works? Oh,

Stefano. I know he's just, he's baiting us and I know it, and he's even admitted it. He said he's been provocative. Get some people going. Also, what drivers, as he's spoken to that are in favour of this? The ones that are bored of their job?

I don't know. Who's that? for example. I didn't include this in the quote, but according to Stefano Domenicali, when sprint races came in, 18 drivers were against sprints and two were in favor.

He now claims it's the other way round. You're just making it up. That's utter rubbish. Yeah, sure. It's completely changed the other way. Oh, my God. The, I mean,

Alonzo has already made, comments about this saying people don't say it's about a football match which is entirely, I know we shouldn't really be comparing to other sports all the time,

but who's ever really, I've never heard massive arguments for this football match should be 45 minutes actually, just one half. We'll do. Because no one's making that argument.

That's the point of the sport. It's the way it is. I know he's bringing it back to sprints and we'll get on to sprints, but we've seen with sprints, a lot of the interest isn't there in terms of how a sprint plays out

because you need the length of the race of a normal race to make it interesting. That's why sprints in our view, I think we're aligned, don't work because you're getting like the first third of a normal race and it doesn't play out that way. I hate this idea that we're trying to care. I don't know whether I believe it.

I'm sure they obviously have data that they're looking into here. But I don't think it's a big chunk of people that are so bored that they're not watching the entirety of a race. And if you are, grow up, okay?

Just grow up and watch the race. If you, like, that is just what Formula One is. It's not, it's not tried to survive. I know that's hooked a lot of people and it's been great,

but that's not what a Formula One race is and it should never be that way. It should not be a bite-sized version of this sport. Because I think you'll take, you'll take something away from the DNA of F1 but I also think you'll end up with crap races if you make them shorter

or sprint lengths all the time where you have like two sprints a weekend who's gonna watch that? Not me. No, I will still. I'm like Pierre Gassley in the situation. It's just I'm about to punish myself. I was so furious when I read this

and I hate that it's it made me so mad but you just make you just make stuff up, Stephano. And for no good reason. You're just changing things for the sake of change when, and it's annoying because Liberty Media have done such a good job in promoting this sport and making it into a behemoth that it's never ever been before. I'd just why this sort of chatter is going to ruin it. And I really hope that's not the case. That was everything I hoped it was going to be. Sam, I don't know if you do believe this point of view, but if you are on the opposite side of this argument right now, it could be really funny.

It could be. Oh my gosh. Can you imagine? I am. I'm sorry. You know when you hear a statement? It's so wrong in so many ways. You don't actually know what part to start with that's incorrect.

You can't get your head around. What bit is wrong about it? All of it is wrong. And I have struggled on which bit I want to hone in on the most to call out Stefano Domenicali, Steve Sunday, who, for the most part, is a sensible, level-headed man. And he chooses now to be provocative. Nobody knows what it means. That's what he's doing right now.

I don't think he knows what that means. It's insulting for a start to a young generation to assume that people who are under the age of, what is even into the demographic he's labelled, what we'll say, 25 is a roundoff because he hasn't given an actual number, have got short attention spans. That's insulting. The three of us had to sit down. down on watch Grand Prix so that I can tell you

were far more boring than what you get now on a regular basis and we're here, we're loving it, we're the weird kids at school that liked Formula One and everyone went,

why do you like those cars that are hanging circles? It's really boring. I got it. I understand why you found it boring. I loved it, but you know what? Everything has to be for everyone.

You have to love everything that's putting you on your plate. You're allowed to go, I don't want that, and move on with your life. And that seems to not be allowed anymore. You can't just say, I don't enjoy this.

I'll let you enjoy it. I don't enjoy it. I'm going to move on with my life. Show how long football's been 90 minutes for? Do you know how long it's been 618, 66, 90 minute matches? That's ridiculous. That is 160 years of the same time. You think crowds are going, boom, I already play one half.

We're bored. There might be some teams out there that are hoping for that. I don't know. No, I've been through some tiring times. Castle Fad, but even then I wouldn't want the games to be shorter, okay? If you bring the length of these races down, you won't get your highlights packages, because it will just be a highlights package, but there won't be any highlights. You'll just be watching a what?

40-minute race? Monzo, it'll only be about three seconds long. It'll be over and about eight laps, because if you're going to make it that much shorter, you remove any strategy element, you remove so much of the ingenuity, the smartness, the brilliance, the DNA of what is Formula One. It's not just about, oh, cargo quick round track. That's not what just Formula One is about. It's a technical marvel.

There's so much behind the scenes that goes on. If you boil it down to one third of what we've got now, everything is a sprint. You're ruining it. You're ruining it because you've seen from springs that you don't get this flat out action. You don't get this wheel-to-wheel fighting. You're allowed it because of the rules anyway.

You don't get the brilliance with strategy. You don't get the right choice in tyre. You don't get this converging where teams all end up on the same lap at the same time, but different strategies. You have to shout at your screen. who might come out on top, you will lose that. You will lose so much of the passion that is Formula One by taking away so much of it.

You imagine you buy a ticket. How much is a Formula One ticket just for the race day? Hundreds and hundreds of pounds, minimum for the cheapest one of the year. Yeah, you only get 40 minutes of track time. I'd be livid. I'll be like, I'll watch a film. I got watch the F1 film,

which was two and a half hours long for 12 pounds at the cinema. But the actual race can't be more than an hour. It's farcical. There aren't many things again. F1 that I've disagreed with more. This is up there. This is just silly.

I keep remembering points as we go along. It's a point about free practice, by the way. Look, F1 of, I don't think shot themselves in the foot here, but, you know, even 15 years ago, 20 years ago, let's say, free practices weren't really televised at all. Like, you didn't see it. It wasn't on mainstream television. And as we've, you know, gone through time, it has become more and more. like BBC or in the UK at least, BBC put it on like the red button,

equivalent red button or eye player. And then when they come onto Sky, it's obviously all sessions are televised, which is great because there are nerds like us who love, who love the sport, I've loved the sport forever, who, I mean,

I do not sit and watch every practice session, but occasionally I have it on, it's on the background. I love a bit of F1 on a Friday, just, you know, in the background. There's like,

this thought that instead of it being practice it has to be something entertaining at all times when it doesn't need to be because I hate to keep going back to football it's like would you practice their football team's training ground practice session there might be some real diehard fans

that wouldn't tune in and watch it that's great but not everyone's going to because that's not the point of watching the F1 of the weekend is it or watching the sport the weekend you tune in for the main event. So trying to make those things entertaining and, you know, the other bit shorter. Just it's the wrong approach. It's stupid.

The definition of practice is a repeated exercise in or a performance of an activity or skill as to require and maintain a minimum proficiency in it. Is that meant to be fun? Is that meant to be exciting? No. Let them get on with it. We'll end up with testing, preseason testing being a race at this, right? Oh, no.

That's been a astral. That will be the last one. I'll be out of that point. Qualified, straight out of the blogs. Come on the garage, off you go. The podcast is just no hosts. It's just tumble weed on the mic.

I don't have too much more to say on the highlights side of thing in the shorter race because it is as stupid as both of you have outlined. We've already got shorter races. They're called sprints and they suck. And you've established why in that there's just, there's no strategy. I mean, a great, very, very recent example. The Italian GP that we had at the weekend, perfectly fine race, nothing wrong with it, but equally not a classic. I preferred last year's race. Last year's race featured some two-stop strategies. This year, it did not. You start to reduce

down the time of these Grand Prix, and then suddenly the time lost in the pit lane for these two, or there I even say, three-stop races, what's the point in trying that sort of a strategy? You're never going to have the time to make that time back in the race on track. So you're going to be pushing everything back to a one-stop. Everything you've said about football is absolutely correct. I was trying to find any examples of footballing people who have advocated for shorter matches or anything like that. There's a couple out there, including the former or the current, I think, Real Madrid president, but also the former Juventus chairman who suggested a subscription option for just the last 15 minutes of football games,

which I thought was absolutely hilariously awful. And then I found out who the defender's chairman was and do some research on him because he's very well linked to Ferrari. And it all makes sense now. For a minute, I thought you were going to say it's to fire with a Meghaaliki. No. Wow. Hello, I'd like a subscription to the last 10 laps of a race, please.

Yeah. exactly me just going off if you're not paid I missed it the last 10 minutes I was even going to advocate for mongs of being longer like more laps than any other

grombrey because it goes by so quick I want to see more strategy and more racing it's just so funny how wrong it is what would happen if Stefan Domeni Kelly was in charge of the World Endurance Championship you'd have the one hour of LeMond

what did you do The four minutes of 15 seconds of LeMont, I can't wait. 24 minutes. 24 minutes of LeMong. Driving change every 30 seconds. That's a highlights package, folks. You think he just doesn't understand what highlights are? You know what?

That was my last question. My last point is, I've got it written down here. Highlights. What the highlights come from? Does he know? Oh my God. Right. Sprints.

I this might have got me even more unsurprisingly it's sprint races um i've i've been warning you've all for years and harry's outlined this point already dominicali and f1 know exactly what they're doing in when they put sprints directly up against practice sessions they will never flow ideas such as we can cut half a day of the f1 weekend and remove a practice session they'll never say things like, I don't even know what else could be, could be out there. But there are other solutions than just it is F1 racing versus F1 practice session. Like, it doesn't have to be just that. But F1 wanted to be that debate because then you are asked the question, well, do you prefer cars practicing or cars competing? And any normal person is going to go,

cars competing is better than cars practicing. That means you love sprints. And you. you hate practice session's good, we have the mandate to go ahead with whatever change we want. I thought some of what he said. I've picked out one line in particular. I have to say that aside from some other die, sorry, from some older diehard fans, everybody wants sprint weekends. Everybody. I think that statement is like borderline disgusting. Like that is pretty bad, I think. Is it deceptive? Is it a lot? I, well... Is the light just making it up?

Where have you got the numbers from? Oh, here we go. Is it a lie? Great question. So... Oh, I'm sorry. Banks to slit the fuse. He's about to cook.

In 2021, F1 did a global fan survey in association with the motorsport network. And over 167,000 people filled in this survey. So across the entire world, a good range of countries, like a lot of people. sample size, 6.7% of respondents agreed that sprints improved the show. 6.7%. Now, I know Stefano Domanicali has said there's some old-timey F-1 fans who want to hold on to the past and that, but outside of that, he has said everyone wants sprint weekends. So what Domenicali is saying here is that in

the space of four years, and I appreciate we have had a four, format change in sprints in that time as well. In four years, we've gone from 6.7% support to what, 95% plus if he's saying everyone. Wow. I mean, that is some turnaround in four years. I wish there was a way to prove. Oh, hang on a minute. There is a way to prove it because you know that survey they did in 2021? They did another one this year. 2025. Again, in association with the motorsport network and over 100,000 people completed it across 186 countries. Really good sample size. That report is 102 pages long and I dare you to download it because if you do a

Control F and you search for the word sprint, you will not find one mention of sprint races in that report. Now that is weird because everyone wants sprints when no one wanted them four years ago. Why are you not shouting that from the rooftop in your fan survey report? Is it because you didn't ask about sprints because you know what would have happened? Or because you did ask about sprints and it came back just as negatively as last time. Unless you can prove me wrong, Stefano Domenicali, you are lying. And you have the opportunity to embarrass me on this podcast by showing me some evidence that makes me look like an idiot.

I welcome you to do it. Please, go ahead. Prove me wrong. I'm an idiot for thinking this. But until then, I don't think you're true when you say, everyone wants sprints. I would really hate to be working in a shop and see Ben Hocking walking with a receipt in his hand.

Because that man ain't letting it go until he gets his refund. I have receipts. 102 pages of that report. There is not one mention of Sprints in it. Well, I have nothing else to say that Benh hasn't got wrong you setting a perfect racket, so agreed. Let's just do the most obvious segue of all time then and talk about F1 fantasy, because that's what Domenicali's living in. Everyone on this podcast loves F1 fantasy. You know what?

Everyone does. And we've got no receipts to prove. You've ever asked. Right. Four teams have won this one. week at the Italian GP, so well done to all four of you. And I have to say, we do have occasions where multiple teams will hold the lead on a certain week. Great selection of names here. We've got McLaren at the title, pit stops and wobbly pops, that's great.

Russell Sprout Racing and Super Karate Monkey Def Car. Well done to all four of you, 156 points. Top three in the championship, a little bit of movement, but not for the driver in first. Warning door Hajar, dominance might bore fans at this point. Still leading the way, first driver over 3,800 points. A switch between second and third, Cartuzzo up to second, breakdown under racing down to third. But what about us for?

I've moved up three spots to 40 first. I feel like I might have hit the ceiling and I'm just trying to get anything else out of this season now, but I've kind of just... It's tough at the peak, mate. It's tough at the top. Well, Kirsty.

Well, Kirsty. Bip-de-b-b-pub-pub. It's being a tough episode. There it is. Kirstie. She's not here on this recording for me to ask her the question. What's going on?

Where's all this progress gone? down 47 spots to 778th. But that is still clear of Mr. Harry. Oh, no. Oh, no. It's Sam in third. He's gone up by 45 positions to 1,138. How does that feel?

Honestly, nothing has ever felt better, ever than this moment. Great. That's a lie. Springbeckes have felt better. Oh, you did it. You should have asked. Man, yeah, we love spring races here in North Korea. Right, Harry, you're down 15 spots.

You can slip that in there, could you? Come on, it's what the state wants. We love spring races. Jim John Sprint. Harry's down. Harry, you're down 15 spots, 1,1602nd. You are back in your rightful place, I'm afraid to say. I've made it to September.

I'd like it. Do you fancy your chances of getting back to third? No. No. Play the hour of context tell me a clip about Harry being realistic again. Yeah, yeah.

You see now it's gone for me all the other times. Yeah, I was let down by Fernando Alonzo's right front suspension. I'll be real. Yeah. Don't want to do this to you, but he was also in my team, so. That's a valid point.

Oh, sorry, it was him and Holkenberg. I had Salvo as my team. Oh. I was expecting some sort of line from you about how it's a long season and you've got us exactly where you want us. But no, just giving it up. No, I had you exactly where I wanted you when I was in second. And that point in four, arguably, I don't have you exactly where I want you.

I forgot you were in second. That was a thing. That was a thing. It's a long way to go. time. Well, if you still want to join us in F1 Fantasy, you can do so. If you're not part of the league, the link and all the information for joining is in the description. Let's take our final break on this episode. On the other side, it's time for F1 higher and lower. From back to the final part of today's episode, it's time for F1 higher and lower.

F1 lower F1 beautiful wonderful F1 higher and lower so six questions in front of me Sam and Harry will take it in terms to pick a number which has a question

and each question has a number attached the answer is always a number and they will have a go and if they get it right they get two points but some of these are quite difficult so if they as they usually don't if they don't get it right it will go over to the other person who will have to say higher or lower than the person's guess.

If they're right in saying higher or lower, they get a point. But if they're wrong, the point goes to the person who guessed first. So, Harry, you can kick us off. What number would you like? Number two, please. Number two. How many podiums did Jensen Button have in 2009? Gosh.

Can I work that one? one out. I think you can. You're good like this. Folks, we'll be right back after this commercial break. The fingers are out, folks. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. It's be really funny if you've taken this time and then you're like five out.

That's so wrong. 21, the work back many races. Absolutely miles away. 10? The answer is not 10. Sam, do you want to go higher or lower than 10? Can we go higher, please? Well, Harry, your working out is not in vain

because you do get one point, even if you don't get two. You were one out. He had nine podiums in 2009. As we know, really interesting season, but as I was doing these questions, I was having a look at that 2009 season. After the first seven races of that year, in which the Braun and Jensen Button were very, very strong, if you were to take all of the other, I think it's 11 races to the end of the year, Jensen Button is sixth in the championship in those 11 races, and he wins the title.

That's bad. Yeah. Yeah. Vettel, Barrichello, Weber, Hamilton, Am Reichen, and all score more points than it. Oh, even Barichello. Yeah, I'm Barrackello had a couple of wins. A couple of wins. Yeah, for you, Jensen.

So Harry is on the board 1-0. Sound back to you. I have number five, please, Ben. Okay, number five. How many times has Australia hosted the F-1 season opener? Many. Yeah. 29.

Not 29. Harry, how are lower? Can you just go with your gut for once? I've only got so much time in an evening. The counter over here. Lower. Lower is correct, giving Harry another points. If you had to guess a number,

29 as far as 23. 23. It's actually, it's 23, yeah. Sorry, you don't get two points for it, but well done nonetheless. Back to you for the next one, Harry. number i forgot one sentence that already for god's sake you remember 23 but you can't remember two numbers no it's not that i don't remember i just i just blank out

i just stop listening to the number the whole show four yeah you can have number four can you tell me the collective age of the cadillac line up for next year not as they are now but when the season starts next how old will they collectively be? 77. Not 77. Go with Bottas' race number. Feels appropriate, but not 77.

Sam, higher or lower? Lower. Lower is correct to get you on the board, if you had to have a guess. 74. Closer, 72, 36 each. Sam, we're back to you at 2-1 down. Harry, how old did you think those drivers

were going to be against you? Botas is 20. I was like 30. He was not that far off. I had like 308, maybe. I don't know. I will go for number six, please, but. Number six.

So in 2024, the lowest recorded attendance at an F1 weekend was at Baku. What was the attendance? Is it the whole weekend attendance? Because they love to advertise. Okay. 165,000. Shockingly, not 165,000. Very difficult guess.

Higher or lower than that, Harry? Lower. It is lower. A measly 76,000. Blimey. Yeah. I will say there are a couple of venues where they don't publish the figures,

but only about three of them. But the lowest recorded one was Baku at 76,000. Which means, Harry, you have a chance ice the game here at 3-1. What number would you like, though? One. Oh, he's failed it. It's like praising the naughty kid at school when it doesn't behave.

Honestly, I never get this wrong. It's not like, stupid kid at school being like somewhat intelligent on occasions. I am now going to praise you every time you get the number right, Sam. Thank you. Harry, how many drivers have a grand slag. Lam? Ever just to ever?

Ever? Ever? Ever? Twenty, three. He loves 23. It would have worked for the other question, but not for this one. Higher or lower, Sam? Banjo.

Yeah, I'm not counting anything. I'm 19 lower. It is not. It's given a number as well. I know, I love that. But it's not lower. 23 was a good guess. 27 is correct. Which means we're just playing for fun at this point, Sam. The game's over, but... I never play for fun. You do when it's number three.

How many career DNFs does Oscar Piastri have? In Formula One. In Formula One. Six. Not six. Higher or lower than six, Harry. Lower? It is lower. This is one where the clue is in the question. The answer is three. Wow.

That's it. An average of one a season, so I've got a single one this year. It's not bad, is it? I've been absolutely punks to this game. Absolutely tranked. Also, just to add to the Piastri 3 DNF's thing, I'm pretty sure DNF at his first ever race at Bahrain.

He got one of them out of the way. 17 thing of DNA. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, he got one of them out of the way straight away. And imagine saying that. He's only have two more by the time we're nearly at the end of the 2025 season. He's a what, his 75th race coming in the season? Stupid. Well done, Harry, on the win.

No question of the week this time out due to the early recording this week, folks. But we'll be back with a question of the week this time next week. Sam, if you wouldn't mind, getting us out of here. We're going to be back. Thanks for asking folks. We appreciate you joining us for a midweek epi, especially when there is no racing. And we've got this isn't a preview.

It's just a standing episode. So thanks for joining us. Let's hear your thoughts on this shorter race thing. We know we've got a longer newer Liskers, a long of Drive to Survive, and we welcome you, you know, with open arms, and we'd love to know your thoughts. Have you transitioned out of Drive to Survive?

Do you like the length of races? Comments on pretty much every platform, and you can follow us on social media, late breaking F1, or chat to us in Discord. You have the description to let us know. Thanks for listening. I hope you have a lovely week. And I'll have a good old time

And we'll see you back on Sunday For I'll give you even nicer it No, that sounds wrong In the meantime In the meantime, I think time you're saying I've been bad hocking And I've been Kurta And remember, keep breaking late

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