The Late Braking F1 Podcast - Could Mercedes' upgrades SAVE their season? | Cancelled 2023 Emilia Romagna GP

Episode Date: May 17, 2023

This episode was recorded prior to the cancellation of the 2023 Emilia Romagna GP due to adverse weather. Our thoughts and wishes are with those affected in the region and we are 100% behind the decision to cancel as safety must always be paramount. There are still plenty of relevant topics covered on this episode for you to enjoy including who is currently under pressure on the grid, Mercedes' big upgrades, Daniel Ricciardo's seat fitting at Alpha Tauri, and Bottas' future in F1, before a game of F1: Late Faking. SUPPORT our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/latebraking JOIN our Discord: https://discord.gg/dQJdu2SbAm JOIN our F1 Fantasy League: https://fantasy.formula1.com/en/leagues/join/C3CCEW8P704 TWEET us @LBraking BUY our merch: https://late-braking-f1-podcast.creator-spring.com/ EMAIL us at [e-mail] SUBSCRIBE to our podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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but I'm sure you have seen or are aware now that the Amelia Romano GP has now been cancelled. And this is due to the severe weather conditions that are happening over in that region of Italy right now and the devastation that surrounds the circuit as we speak. And obviously, it's 100% the correct call from F1. on that one. And we, the three of us, myself,

Sam and Ben, obviously, send all of our thoughts and good wishes to the people who are living there and are affected by this. Now, obviously,

because we're late breaking, and all news comes after we record. We recorded this the night before the F1 race was called off. So what you're about to hear is a preview to the Amelia Romagna GP,

which is obviously not happening. So, we thought maybe we could do another one but you know we thought it was a pretty good episode anyway we talk about other things other than the race preview there's a good game of late faking at the end so here it is in all its glory just please bear in mind all of the stuff about the preview and indeed we do address the weather situation was recorded before we knew the race was cancelled so sorry about that we'll be back on sunday with something not a race review but something but anyway enjoy bye thank you for listening to

the late-breaking F-1 podcast. Make sure to check out new episodes every Wednesday and every Sunday. Hello and a very warm welcome to the late-breaking F-1 podcast presented by Harry Ede, Sam Sage, and me, Ben Hocking. We're back with a preview,

three races in a row. We've got Spain in two weeks' time. We've got Monaco in one week's time, but coming up this week, we have the 2023-Katar Airways, Imala, made in Italy, San Marino, European

Grand Prix. The podcast will be over before he finishes that. Yeah, the race is actually over. This is the review rather than the preview. We've got a race coming up this weekend. We're back on four. And we're back as a trio.

Thank goodness. Wee. Can't lie. A little bit worried about Sunday's episode. Didn't need to be. Bloody nailed it. Sandwiches, mate. That's all you need to remember for a successful day out.

Your sandwiches. Perfect. It's also the nicest thing beggas ever said to the both of us. Yeah, sorry, bad, probably. Thank you. Thank you for that. We didn't. Also, I was like 99% sure that Sam was going to say something that utterly infuriated me.

Ironically, the only thing that I shouted about when I was in the car listening to the episode, 13 teams on the grid in 2010, Harry. Thank you. What are you all about, me? Thank you. Oh, it's so good when you're writing it. Oh, it feels so good. Where did the other two come from? Other two?

What, two drivers? Oh, I see. In my head, we had 10 teams and then... And then we just added people on. But then we gained three. So in my head, we always had 10. We never went below 10 teams. We didn't have more than 12.

I'll take your word for it. Ever. Well, yeah. Who is it? Pick it up. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, he says, please stop calling me.

Oh, he called us? Real or no real, by the way, was utterly fantastic. Completely sidestepping the fact that it's not really a new game. It's just exactly the same game as true and false. I made it more fun. Hey, it's a better presentation than what true or false was. Won't go against that at all. But new game, a bit of a stretch.

I think we should start calling true or false real or no. I just forget true or false ever existed. Hey, I'm happy to do that. I was going to propose this maybe offline, but, you know, we're not on the podcast. Meeting on the podcast. Hey, I'm happy. Adjured.

I was having a whale of a time in my car. Sam, Edmont is forever. Let's just have two moments to, you know, remember true or false for a second. Okay. Oh, well, wherever it. Good. Okay.

Yeah, thank you for leading that one, Harry. Appreciate that. What have we got coming up on today's episode, though? We've got late faking coming on later on in the show. We've also got Valtry Bottas going to be discussing that he still thinks he has many, many years left in Formula One. Will Alfa Romeo commit to him long term? We're going to be discussing Daniel Ricardo having a seat fitting at Alfa Tari. Does that increase the pressure on Nick DeVries?

But we're going to start with, of course, the Imola preview. So we've got a question on Mercedes coming up very shortly. But before we get there, we know that there are weather concerns going into the weekend. We're recording this on Tuesday and a few hours ago, it was confirmed that there was an evacuation of the track for precautionary reasons based on the potential for flooding. It's something that the area has suffered with for the last few weeks. And whilst the weather might not necessarily get worse throughout the week,

there's also concerns that it won't actually get much better, heavy rain forecast all throughout until Sunday. Sam, any thoughts on the weather and whether this could decide? disrupt the weekend potentially. This is our favourite topic as British people. It is. The weather. We love talking about the weather and queuing.

And you know what? The rage when someone doesn't cue. Oh. I can't stand it. I mean, it infuriates me beyond all understanding. Fuming. Yeah. Fuming.

Oh, I will turn to other people. Be like, have you seen that? Someone's just walked past the queue. And you do that thing where you go, oh, there's a cue in, mate. Yeah, sorry. We're all queuing. You do some kind of rude.

As if, like, they've done it by accident. Have you seen the queue? Anyway, we're off topic entirely. Sorry, that destroys any English person beyond all recognition. The weather, the other good thing, well, bad thing in this case. Honestly, this is so Formula One, this is so FIA, that they're going to leave a decision until all 20 cars are lined up on the greed and the red lights are counting down and they might go,

oh, a bit wet. Well, we won't now. We'll stop. honestly, this is not just a bit of rain. I know there's been a few people making silly little comments online and, you know, fine, it's all good to have a laugh at anything. But this is really severe, almost, you know, life-threatening levels of weather that the area has seen.

People have been harmed. People have lost their homes. Severe damage has been done to the surrounding areas. And with that comes a lot of consequences and issues that can impact an event like Formula One. For example, if a serious disaster like this takes place, then where do people go to seek refuge who maybe don't need medical help? Well, usually a government would put people up in the likes of hotels

that are providing rooms that are available. Those rooms will have already been booked out, of course, for Formula One guests. And as much as we love Formula One, it doesn't really take priority over literally people having their lives ruined by severe flooding. So that's one concern that I don't know they might be addressing. Secondly, something I read earlier as well is that due to the medical and emergency effects that are being caused by this rain, emergency services are really, really stretched in the area, so much so that there is real worry that there could not be a sufficient medical and police set up at the track over the weekend, which means that there could be serious security risks. And if someone were to be hurt or a driver were to be caught up in a serious accident, it would be. may mean that the ambulance crews that are on standby at the racetrack are not sufficiently

kitted up and ready to go to help anything that happens maybe to either a spectator, a driver, team member, whoever it might be, which of course means that really a race shouldn't go ahead. If anyone's life is going to be put at risk due to the fact that help cannot be administered as is expected to a good standard. And I think realistically, we've said this enough. It happened, you know, in Saudi where the missile strike happened. And we've seen it in other places where there were severe, where the problems that have caused, you know, issues in that in beforehand, people's lives and the areas around them come first. And Formula One need to learn to make a decision before, you know, we get set up on the grid.

It happened in Australia with COVID as well, right? The COVID pandemic was spreading across the globe and Formula One were sat there ready to go and only made a decision after what the 300,000 spectators had turned up across the weekend. And then they went, actually, we're not going to do it anymore. It puts a lot of people at risk. It puts a lot of strain on the local service. services, both emergency and non-emergency. And if this really is as bad as is being reported, and you know it's bad because

Al-Fatari released a statement saying that members of their team have been badly affected by this and were struggling, maybe a little bit of care and love and attention needs to be given to this area, rather than just forcing our sports into their faces and going, yeah, we're going to go racing regardless of all the local people struggling. Obviously, if the track's not threatened by the rain, I reckon they go ahead. But for me, there maybe needs to be a little bit of sensitivity around this, a little bit of extra care and love, because I think a lot of people are going to be displaced, affected,

including spectators who are flying from around the world to come and watch the sport. It's going to be a difficult weekend, I think, for a lot of people. Any thoughts from you, Harry, on the circumstances heading into the weekend? I'll fall on the side of F1 for a bit of balance on this one. But I agree entirely with what Sam saying. I think when it comes to of a you know

shock events like this F1 for the most part I mean Australia 2020 was Dodge but they still came to the right decision in the end maybe a bit too late but but for the most part

they act they do act with with the safety of everyone within the vicinity of the track in mind I take your point about you know there's it's bigger than that F1's coming to town there's

there's lots of other things effective. But when it comes to the people working there, racing and watching, I think they do act appropriately. I think we had, I can't remember what year now. There's a couple of years ago, we had, like, Suzuki qualifying was completely cancelled because there was a tornado on the way and they just called it off. Like, they didn't wait. They weren't, as you say, like, waiting on the garage is on the grid. They just said, we're not doing. Yeah, I was exaggerating with that fair. No, no, but I, but I take your point, you know, and as messy as,

spa 2021 was. It does spring to mind. They were, it was messy, but they were still, the reason we didn't go racing is because they were, they were, they had the interests of the drivers, I guess,

a, at heart. So I'll fall on the side of F-1 for that. I think they will make the right decision. I get today is bad and tomorrow's going to be bad weather-wise. But I think making the cool, It's a tricky one because if they made the call right this second. And it turns out to be a lovely sunny weekend.

Even if it, and it clear, but it clears up, then F-1s, they won't do that, but they would look stupid. So I understand if they're, you know, they're saying at the moment it's going to go ahead, but I don't have me down F-1. But I trust them enough that if it continues to be that as bad as it is today, I mean, there's no way a race would run anyway, but if it continues to be as bad today when we get to Thursday or Friday and then they make the right call to call to call it off. But fingers crossed, you know, the clouds go away and the sun comes out to play.

Nice. Oh, that's lovely that. With his hat on. Hip, pip, hooray. Very good from you. Thanks, Harry. That was the best end to a point you've ever made. You're welcome.

I'm going to end up. Bye-bye. Cheers, sorry. yeah I agree with you but I'm just hoping that we get to the end of the weekend and we're not sat here doing the Imala reviews and we are slating the FIA for making a stupid decision. That's all I'm hoping for. And I do sympathize with Formula One on this because there is that fine balance that you've both referred to in that you don't want to make a decision too early and cost the entire Grand Prix unnecessarily. You also don't want to make a decision too late and mean it means that. Everyone has traveled to the track and is disappointed at the very last moment.

So I appreciate there is a balance and I hope the FIA and Formula One get through this one unscathed. And we are talking about racing on Sunday and not F1 doing something stupid. Please, fingers crossed. I mean, the other issue there, of course, is if they do decide, we're going to go ahead with the event, it turns out to be far too wet. There was a real problem with admin and whatnot for fangs last time this happened at Spa, right? they didn't get their money back. Travel, of course, happened. They struggled in the wet for hour after hour after hour. There's been a lot of reports as well at certain tracks where people haven't able to get to water comfortably. They hadn't been able to get out of the venue properly.

All of that in torrential rain. I mean, there's enough water, I guess, if you want to... Yeah, that's it. Thank you, Harry. Stick your mouth out in the air and drink the skies. But my point is, Formula One has had some murmurs of, you know, events for spectators is not working brilliantly in terms of its organisation, would a serencial downpour and flooding, that's a lot of safety risk. And also a lot of admin risk for a lot of people turning up. You know, people will fly from America,

from, you know, deep parts of Asia. And I said, you know, Japan and other areas like that, which are very far away. Obviously, it's a real shame, but you have to put those people as part of your decision, I think. I wouldn't. And also, I've got another one next week. So, yeah, go again.

Just go again. Also, they haven't sold all the tickets. for that one, so give some of them away. What to Monaco? Yeah, still tickets going. Four. And for Spain? Spain?

Loads of tickets, mate. Loads of tickets, mate. No one wants to see it. It's because I bought them all. Anyway, that's someone to keep an eye on as the weekend unfolds. Let's talk Mercedes because they have a significant upgrade package coming this weekend. What Toto Wolf is referring to as a new baseline, so modified front line. suspension, new side pods, new floor.

Basically, if it can be changed, it's being changed outside of the drivers and maybe the tyres. A lot changing for Mercedes this weekend. Sam, is there any way that this is the transformative weekend that they are probably hoping that it is? I mean, I'm no mystic Meg. I can't look into the future. And also, I don't have any kind of qualifications when it comes to both aerodynamic or

chassis building, you know? I'm called Meg either. I'm not called Meg. I'm called San. I do have a GCSC in physics. Got an A. It's anything to do with being mystic? No, but I argue I have some degree of airflow.

Good stuff. Anyway, my point is here. I love that they've gone absolutely bonkers with it. They've gone bold. They've gone crazy. They're like, change it all. We're only the third fastest team of the grid. There's only six other teams slower than us,

or whatever it might be in terms of maths. Didn't do well in maths. You know, so... My point is, fair play. They haven't wrestling on their laurels. They're not going to sit there and wait until the end of the season. They're not going to, oh, you know, oh, we'll put some time into research in the 2024 car. No, they're doing it now.

They're getting their act together and they are using this series either as a test bed to see what works and what doesn't, which makes sense, well done. Or they're going to unlock something. And we are going to turn up to Imler and hopefully go racing. And Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are suddenly going to be fighting for pogiums, for wigs, for wiseries, for wings, because, you know, put the car into perspective, right? It's still one of the fastest cars on the grid. And if things go their way, a podium is still very much a realistic option for Mercedes, right?

You know, bag race for Alonkso, the Ferraris are Ferraris. Boom, one of them's in third, one is in fourth. It's not an impossibility at all to see Mercedes in third and in fourth place. So if this works, in theory, they've got the car to fight for Red Bull, and they seem to be doing enough to absolutely overhaul the entire chassis, aerodynamic capabilities. Maybe we've got to hear complaints of the likes of porpoising and no side wings.

I'm really excited, even if it doesn't work, to see someone this far up the grid takes such a radical and different approach to building their car throughout the season. Usually when it isn't performing, these teams just get on with it and it just doesn't really perform

for the rest of the season. But Mercedes don't fancy doing that, which I commend them for. I think this is actually a really good approach. It's exciting, it's fun. I'm excited to see what the car looks like come testing. I can wait for that budget cap to be miles over.

I mean, screw it. Who cares, well, there's no consequences. Is you fine? Yeah, I don't see this being transformative just because of where they are in the championship. So they are third at the moment, six points behind Naster Martin,

and this doesn't seem like a real number. There are 128 points behind Red Bull. We're five races in. That's ridiculous. Anyway, so those are the two teams ahead of them. I don't believe in numbers over 100. after five races I don't, that's mad. That is mad.

It's shocked. So they don't need much to get past Asthmartum, right? I mean, they're already in the fight for P2. So they don't need these upgrades to be massively transformative to get second place away from Astor Martin. But I do think they would need a near miracle in order to overhaul Red Bull. So what they could end up doing is having a pretty good upgrade that works well for them, but actually it'll only game them one place and can't game them too. So I think they could be stuck in a bit of a middle ground almost,

but remains to be seen. For me, this doesn't feel like a very assured and confident Mercedes that we've seen in previous years. It feels very un-Messadies this approach, because normally they have a problem and in years previous, they haven't had many problems, but they've had a clearly defined problem and a clearly defined solution.

This just feels like a stab in the dark, a Hail Mary, a throwing poo at a wall and hoping something will stick because what they don't know what's wrong. They don't understand why their car isn't quick. So they've gone with the approach of, oh, no, let's change everything we can, which might work, but also doesn't feel me with confidence that it will

because they just don't know what's wrong. If you look at Toto Wolf's response, so he said that, The car is not a nice car. I wouldn't be able to point out where the fundamental problem is. It's the basic performance of the car. It's the lack of understanding of the car. The performance is just really bad.

There's no specifics in that at all in terms of this is wrong or that is wrong, which doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence to say that they're going to fix this, because they're just like, ah, well, let's throw something at it and maybe it will work. Maybe it won't. I'm not overly confident that this will transform things for Mercedes. And hopefully, because I think throughout 2023, regardless of whether this works or it doesn't work, there will be glimpses and small pockets of optimism like there were last year. There were instances like Brazil and Hungary, maybe, Netherlands, where you could point to Mercedes performance and say, ah, maybe there's something there, which meant they stuck with the overall design for this year. I'm hoping they don't get stuck in the same trap this year

where they have one or two good afternoons and think, yeah, maybe this concept isn't too bad at all and we're back in the same position next year. Even if they can't fight in 2023, please Mercedes or indeed someone else get in a position of fight for 2024. Harry, what do you think? I 100% agree with you, Ben, which makes it feel a bit ill.

You're both wrong. That means we're both wrong. I know you Sam you said you know most teams people go oh what go and focus on 2024 great impression thank you of your impression but for me I think this

yes as you say Ben it something might or as you say as well Sam this might work but for me this is you said it about it being a new baseline I think it is they're like starting again because they just don't know they just don't know what's going wrong with the car and I think this is what they're hoping is

that these upgrades, I mean, ideal world, they work straight away and the car's quick, obviously. But at the very least, they need it to be that baseline to fight again for next year. So I think as much about next year as this year. But yeah, I believe in Mercedes, but it is a worry that they don't really know what's wrong with it. And I know it's way deeper than that, and I'm not an aerodynamicist, but sticking AirPods on your car. I only got a be in physics. I did only get a being physics. Oh, look at me.

I'm a genius. And yeah, anyway, I'm going to go through my grades. But yeah, sticking out one by one. I've got a being chemistry. I've got a being chemistry. I've got a B in math. I've got to see a math to tell you. It wasn't good.

Oh, no. My point is, you can't just stick some side pods on it and hope it's going to work. I know it's deeper than that. I'm more complicated. But for me, that's just, that's what it sounds like. And for the sake of a championship battle or anything, I hope it does work. It'd be great to have Hamilton and Russell up there on a reg. But it just, as you say, Ben, it doesn't fill me with confidence because I'm just not entirely

sure they know what's wrong with that car and just adding, changing bits and adding it. Yes, I think we'll help them in the long term. And they've got to do it. But straight away, I feel that a lot of people might be a bit disappointed this weekend. I think you're both so wrong. Not really news. No. Oh, what is he wrong?

He says he doesn't care. You go out of the phone. You can't pick up. I do. What does he say this time? Still doesn't care. Oh, he keeps ringing, didn't he? Can we coordinate this?

Do it again. All right. Oh, who's on the phone? Oh, hang on. Banks picking up. Hello? Oh, okay, the bankers actually, he doesn't care. Good.

I've had my own. joke turned against me. My point is, folks, for you serious listeners, who want to learn about some real physics, is that Mercedes are not idiots. The stupidest person at Mercedes will outdo the three of us with their little finger with a twirl of the hat,

I imagine. And if you think that they haven't actually got a clue and this is an media jargon that is trying to downplay what this could mean for them, and they haven't got an entirely second and running of a car going on on all data and simulation back at the factory and they haven't done for the whole winter period, you are silly. Mercedes will have run so many different versions of what could come, they have worked out, so many different variables, they are a Goliath of engineering success. It is not like it's me building a car and going, oh, I hope it works, because

you'd be right to doubt me, it won't work. These are some of the best minds in racing ever, not just, you now, but ever, they are genie-eye, brilliant people, and they will have background information, they will know what's going wrong, they will have a degree of understanding, and they're not just doing things willy-nilly, it makes sense to them. I'm not saying that, you know,

they're going to turn up day one, boom, with 15 seconds clear of the rest of the field, by the end of the race, you're right, that probably won't happen, but I do think they wouldn't just stick things on for fun and go, like it worse. It might be worse. I do not think it might be worse.

I don't think it will. I can't wait for them to be less. going to take our short break sandwiches are at the ready right back after this let us know what you're having your sandwich please do you know what I on the way home from work I listened to

alpha beat fascination I've never this on a long time Fascination Absolute belt her What a song Do you remember the very childish and rude version of that song? Yes so

Well I'm not going to go ahead Work it out in your head Okay well we've just had a very sensible break let's go on with our next segment, which is talking about Nick DeVries and Daniel Ricardo at Alphiari. So we know recently Daniel Ricardo has had a seat fitting at Alphiari as part of his general reserve driver role at Red Bull. Sounds a bit odd given these Red Bull's reserve rather than Alphataris Reserve, although it is believed that a seat fitting at Alphatari for a Red Bull reserve is actually fairly common. So this doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary, but given the circumstance, is that Nick DeVries has started this season.

It has caught a bit of win in terms of F1 media. Sam, as Nick DeVries' biggest fan, do you think this adds some more pressure onto him? You know, I think as a racing driver, I don't think it does. I don't think he's looking at it. I don't think he's concerned by it, especially if it is considered relatively normal practice internally. I think what it does do is it fuels the public fire.

It fuels the rumor meal. It fuels everyone's, everyone seems to have a little bit of, you know, hope that Daniel Riccardo makes it back on the grid. And that's no slight on Nick DeFries. As much as I know I've been kind of public enemy number one for Nick DeVries recently, I think people care more about Daniel Ricardo coming back to the grid because of the love for him rather than Nick DeFrease being kicked off early on, you know? And if Nick DeFrease is, you know, the sliding door, so to speak,

that, you know, he walks out and Ricardo walks in, I think a lot of people are very much on board. So I think they've gone, you know, sniffing to try and find any kind of sense of a hint that he could be back within a seat. And don't get me wrong, I know the three of us are all dangly Rick fangs and we'd love to see him on the grid. But I actually really think the media

are very much looking into this a little bit too much. And I think that after five races, people have had just as bad campaigns as Nick DeFries. It hasn't been good. You know, we're all aware of that. But people have continued to be this bag for longer. And Nick DeFrig's never brought in

to be some prodigy child for Alpha Tauri. He was always going to be a bit of an outlier as a signing. He was never going to be a long-term slung. He's there to fill a seat and get a job done until, I don't know someone like Lawson or Iowasa or Denghis Hager turns up and goes, I'm good enough to fill that seat now. That's really what Nick DeVries is doing. And Nick DeVries in his own mission is trying to prove to other F1 teams

that, hey, when my time is up here, I've proven I'm good enough to come and drive for you. He's not doing that quite obviously at the moment, but I believe that's his mission. So, no, I don't think that this suddenly means that, you know, come to Spanish Grand Prix or something, Ricardo is suddenly driving an Alpha Tauri. And if you're being strategic and logical about it,

putting Ricardo in an Alpha Tauri, mid-season, I don't think it makes a lot of sense. I don't think it's the logical choice to go down. I would go and get Liam Lawson, who's having a bit of a cracker over and I think Super Formula and doing a great job, stick him in the car and have fun with it

and let embed himself in for half a season before next year comes along. So for me, as much as I'd love to see it, it won't happen, I don't think. I really do think this is a bit illogical, and I think people are just getting their hopes up for the sake of it. I agree with your point on what Nick DeVries is there for, and certainly he wasn't brought in as a Max Verstappen-like prodigy, and no one was expecting that. I think that's why his struggle so far this season are more of a concern than they would be if he was filling that prodigy role, because just compared to, say, Logan Sargent, I feel like Logan Sargent has a bit more leeway in terms of these rookie errors. because he is seen as more of a project than, say, Nick DeVries.

I think Nick DeVries, many people thought you bring him in, yes, he might not like the world of light in a few years' time, but he will be solid from very early on in the season and will be able to churn out good results earlier than most rookies would, just based on his age and experience, which isn't happening. So I feel like the pressure is more because he's not performing this early on. I also agree with what you said in terms of, you know, The seat fitting is, in most instances, a non-factor.

It's a standard procedure for a reserve driver to do so. And I think it is just rolling into something even more because of the way in which, I don't know, because of the way in which Nick DeVries is struggling right now. So it's one of those things, though, that for Nick DeVries, I hope it doesn't, but it could mentally impact him. It's say you're in a position where you've been outqualified by a teammate, by a tenth of a second. If you're level on points

or if you've outqualified your teammate more often than you've been outqualified, that sort of thing doesn't matter at all, doesn't register. But if you are constantly being outqualified, it can act as a small thing can just be another added on detriment to your overall psychic confidence.

This feels like it could be the same sort of thing where Nick DeVries is struggling, wasn't able to, you know, crashed to Miami, crashed multiple times in back, who seat fitting from Ricardo is given, you know, a lot of the public more ammo against him. It feels like another thing on top of everything else that's already come before it. And from Daniel Ricardo's perspective, I know from Alfa Taros,

but it might not make sense to put Daniel Ricardo in the car. But I think Daniel Ricardo might be, I think it makes sense for him to push at this if it is somewhat of an open door or even if the door is open just to crack. because Daniel Ricardo wants to stay relevant within the world of Formula One. Even if his long-term ambition isn't at Alphiari, which it shouldn't be, I feel like a short-term half-a-season stint at Al-Fa-Tauri

does actually benefit Ricardo just to stay in the here and now to put his driving ability in front of fans and media and sponsors and other teams. But bear in mind that Daniel Ricardo is probably outside of Lewis Hamilton, the second biggest personality in F1, and he's not even in F1. Like, that's how big of a personality, Daniel Ricardo. I mean, he was invited to the Met Gala, for goodness sake.

But if he's out of F1 for another year, he's not getting that sort of opportunity anymore. So I think it is within his best interests as a brand and as a driver to short-term get into that Alpha Tauri seat, which, again, puts the pressure on Nick DeVries. I hope Nick DeVries can rise above what is going on, right? now and he can overcome these poor performances, but I can understand how it's going to take a lot of inner strength to battle back a lot of these things. What do you think, Harry? I agree with your points.

I think this is done on purpose. I know you've already said that it's standard procedure for the rebel reserve driver to have a seat fitting, and I can understand why. But I think this has done someone's, I don't know, leaked this or just. It's a motivational thing. Yeah, just someone internally, you think is, well, I'm not as like, like, but I feel like that's, that's come from somewhere and, and it's just a little, it's not a,

you're going to lose your seat, Nick, but it's a bit, it's a bit of a stop crashing, Nick. There's other people hearing it. There are other options for us at Red Bull. Daniel Riccada's one of them. And whether he actually is a realistic option, I don't know, because you've already mentioned, but Liam Lawson, who's actually still, you know, racing cars at the moment, which Daniel

Ricardo is not doing. So, yeah, I just think it's a bit of that. I think it's a little, I'm sure he's putting pressure on himself, absolutely, but I think it's just a, a nudge in the back of Nick DeFries's neck. Do you think it's a good idea for Ricardo to take that seat, though? I think it's a terrible idea. For most parties or... If I'm talking about Ricardo, I think...

this is a awful choice. But I think I'm with Ben. I think it's not great. And look, if he was, if he's going to end up driving half a seat and half a tarry, you should have taken one of the Hasse seat that was probably going to be given to him. I mean, yeah, that, but also, what if he jumps in that seat?

He gets absolutely whoopped by Sengoda, who's in great form. He crashes the car. He will just deplete stock for the sake of, oh, I've got back. His stock is still high right now, right? People love him. It could go down. But I mean, if that happens to him, that will happen to him anyway. and his stock will go down next year instead.

Like, if he's going to struggle in a team he's already been at, in a reserve driver role that he's been at for half a year and struggles against no disrespect to Yuki Sonoda, he's not going to prosper anywhere, right? I mean, I don't know. That's my point. My point is if you gave him a full preseason, let's say, Red Bull.

Let's say Checo says, I'm retiring at the end of this year. He gets the Red Bull seat in that fantasy world. I think if you gave him a full preseason, get the car tuning properly, let him have some input in development. and allow him to actually go into testing and then build throughout the season. He's not expected to perform at his utmost instantaneously. And I don't think the three of us have the same viewpoint

that a lot of casual viewers will view. They see Daniel Ricardo sit in that, you know, Alpha Towery and go, here he comes. It's Daniel Ricardo where everyone talks about him. Everyone loves him. He's going to be great. And he doesn't instantly click and it's going to take time to develop. And I think people will then go,

I've washed my hands with him. He's not what he used to be. Whereas I think if you gave him a full season, to build into a role at a team that is more likely out the front, less cars around, that's big field trouble to get involved with. I think he can re-establish himself. I just think this is far too risky as an option.

I think that he had that in McLaren, so I don't... And he was NAF. And it was NAF. So I think he can go, I'm with BAT, I think he can go either way. And if he's going to be crap in an Alpha Taur for half a season,

then he probably was going to be crap in a, in a better car for, or a different car for a whole season or two seasons. So I do see a point. It's a risk. But for where Ricardo is, I don't, I don't know what actually is. I guess I either way on whether Ricardo would want it or not. Usually when you're a rookie driver like Nick DeVries,

you've got another rookie driver or an inexperienced driver in the reserve role, right? So there's less pressure there. You've got to feel for Nick DeVries that part of the Red Bull Reserve program is someone who has won like eight races, got like 30 podiums, beat Max Verstappen over the course of a full season when they were teammates at Red Bull. Like, normally you don't have that pressure from a reserve driver. Nick DeVries has got this guy staring down his back. He also does the big smile, which I imagine at nighttime is really scary.

You don't even regard it. Yeah. Not only is he staring down at you, but he's got that really big, lovely, gorgeous gring. He stares down at you and you're really happy about it. Oh, good. He's really nice too. Great. It's terrifying.

I also think, you know who's judgment I think this looks really bad on? I think Toto Wolf looks really bad right now because he advocated for Nick DeVries for years and years and years. And it was always in the press of giving him a drive. He's my driver. Give him a go. He has been the worst driver on the grid by a country mile. And I think maybe the all seeing Toto Wolf hasn't got a perfect eye.

But for Toto Wolf's perspective, all of the terrible results are coming at his main rival sister team. I mean, if he's played the game, no bad results, 1,000 IQ plays. He was thinking years ahead, this guy. Red ball playing checkers, Totos on chess. On that point, I saw today, and this is getting off topic now, but there's a few things about Logan, Sergeant,

and, you know, a bit of calm, a bit of calm needed within his, in his camp. But also that Toto Wolf might be trying to always whispering in his old friend, James Val's ears to go give Mick Schumachery. I did hear that. Yeah, that's banter. Shoemaker to Williams. I like the idea. This has happened to Ockon now and now to DeFries.

If it does it a third time, it's like, that's his niche now. That is his niche. I'm just taking drivers and I'll get you, don't you worry. I'll put you at the back of the grid. I'll sort you out, son. Don't you worry. I'll get you an Alpine drive for 46 years that doesn't do anything apart from finish fifth.

Thanks, Toto. Love you, Toto. Papa Toto. That's all I ever wanted. Papa Toto. I'm hungry like. the wolf. Oh, Papa Toto, definitely has potential as a character. Oh, man. Papa Toto. Oh, yeah, hello, Papa Toto. Right, we're going for a break. Sandwiches time. Get your

Papa Ginkle. We're back talking Bottas after this. Before we talk about the boat, Valdry Bottas, quick mention that we have our Patreon, already recorded. one episode for May, but you get two exclusive extras. Yay! If you can't beat him, join him. You get two exclusive extras per month, the second of which we're recording a bit later in the week. We're talking about Aston Martin and Honda,

whether they'll partner up for 2026. F1 Order, Please, is going to be on that one episode as well. Miami viewing figures are out. I think we'll have a bit of time to discuss a bit of a drop, if that's a concern at all. So a few topics coming up there on our Patreon episode. All you need to do is subscribe. Link is in the description.

Also, Ben, before we got on to Boat, the Boat, a couple of things that I mentioned on our podcast when you were absent, was firstly, I said if you could get the YouTube channel to 10K followers. Oh, yeah, that was funny. A good chuckle. By the British Grand Prix, I think I said. I forgot what the thing was. 10K by the British Grand Prix on YouTube.

Yeah, but what was the, we'll do what? We'll do a giveaway. Give away. Yeah. I don't know what the giveaway will be. Pretty merch related. But honestly, we're doing a lot of videos now,

pretty regularly. We've got producer Kirsty, who is on the call. We can't see or hear her because she's kind of muting herself. Wave, Kirsty. Wave for your blank camera. Hang on,

can see. Anyway, she's revolutionised the channel a little bit, which is great. So we've got lots of figures. Go and check them out, please support it. What are we on now?

3.6K. I don't think we're doing a giveaway last. Well, if you don't want merch, don't subscribe. But, you know, if you do, also a great line from you, Harry, to say that we should do it anyway. That's really great marketing. Also, I'm good at marketing.

I did ask as well to let us know weird places that you listen to the podcast. So we got a couple that I just want to shout out because they made the effort to writing. Keniff in New Zealand, big fan of the show. Very lovely. Good name. Great name. It's a frequency. He works with the old cattle on the farm and he regularly listens while, apparently according to

him covered in poo, which is brilliant. I think that's a commentary on our podcast. So he's got poo on his arm and poo on his ears. And pooing his ears from us talking, which is great. And then you've got Charles, who is a lovely listener as well, who, I guess maybe two ends of the spectrum here. He was on the

same sound stage as where they recorded help by the Beatles. And in between recording times for a company that he works for, got our son. Obviously. You know, two very great examples of niche places to listen to the podcast. help.

And cow poo. I need a podcast, help. So good. Just any podcast. I think I realized we had John Lengen on the pod. Thank you. Question we asked before we started recording. If we were the Beatles, who would each of us be?

There was only three of us, though, and four Beatles. So feel free to mix out. Well, no. Kirstie's going to be one as well. Oh, yeah. Just put Kerski and the Oghwang out that you've got left. Yeah, pretty much. Ringo Star, son.

I don't know anything about the Beatles. You're the voice of Thomas the Tank Engine. Do do, do, do, do, do, do. I just love Thomas the Tank Engine. Do do, do, do. The Ben controller side. Anyway, let's move on. Yes.

Let's get to boat. Let's get to the boat. Valdry Bottas, who has very recently said that he still has many, many years in him for sure when it comes to Formula One. We know that he's been at Alpha Romeo. This is his second year at Alpha Romeo. But of course the team is transitioning to Audi at some point in the very near future. So the question is, should Alpha Romeo and I guess then Audi, look at Valtreibos,

has long term. Harry, what do you think? This is Valtry Bottas going to the Audi bosses. I'm still here, guys. Hey, guys, I like a paycheck. I'd love a drive. Many, many years. Like, good decade in me.

I've got a long time left. See, Alonzo. That could be me. Double it. Give it to the next person. Yeah. It's, I mean, sure. Valtrey might be, Valtry.

We've said this a lot. He's transing's age. He's just living his best life. Did you see it at the weekend? He was just like drinking margaritas. He's also got some crazy panks. He does. He's having a lovely time.

So in that respect, yeah. It's driving less so. It's got his best work. It's not his best work so far. And I admit, I feel like the, the, the, Alfa Romeo isn't, isn't the best work either. So that's, you know, fair. There's only so much he can do. But he's not even that great compared to Jeux Guineau.

And that's no disrespect to Jacques Guernue. But Bottas, you know, regardless of a very good driver, went up against Lewis Hampton. Obviously, he beat him very often. But he could. He could beat Lewis Hampton sometimes. So now he just feels so chilled. And I love it. I'm here for it.

But I don't know. I think he might have to do a little bit more than just say, Mark could still be here. Does it feel a bit more, a bit Kimmy? It's so Kimmy. I'm telling you he's going to his Kimmy years. And,

you know, that's fine. That's allowed. He doesn't have a world title. He's gone there a bit sooner than Kimmy did, though. He has, he hasn't won a world championship either. Oh, yeah, that point.

That one as well. So it's, yeah, a little bit early for Botas. And maybe it picks up. And like I said, the car's not great. I have also seen,

again, these are very wild rumors, that the Audi bosses are, they want to get Vettel. Yeah, they want a German. I get that, but by the time they get to 2026, Vettel will be in his, he'll be in his armchair with his slippers and a... He will. He'll be joining me. Exactly.

But the thing is, he's not as, he's not that... I'm comparing to Fernando Alonzo. He's not that old, I know, I know. He's not that. Oh, he's still a few years younger than Hamilton is. But given where Vettel was, which is, like, fair to say, not at the peak of his career when he left. Which is fair. Yeah.

he has four years out and then comes back. We are lacking premium Germans. We, we, Nick Hockenberg's going to come after you, mate. He keeps coming back first. He's got to stop coming back to the Formula One grid. Hey, Adrian Soutel got a podium and some Ferrari challenge race the other day. Great. Remember him?

I do. Adrian. A subtle reference. Marcus Winklehawk. Nice. He was great on his first Grand Prix. Manfred Wilkulhock. I watched, I was at home the other weekend and I watched a bit of the 1984 season.

You're not home very often, though, are you? And Manfred Winklehock was a part of that. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, if you think of relevant, I know this is a bit off topic from Botte. Sorry, Bottas. Sorry, Bottas. If you think of relevant German drivers at the moment that could theory compete for

Audi, Schumacher? I mean, he wasn't set in the world a light. But possible. And he's under... Pascal. He's under Mercedes wing now is mixed. And they low-key hate each other, Audi and Mercedes. I know it's got actual hate, but it's like German rivalries.

Yeah. I don't know who Who knows Anyway well Botas could be going after the other seat And I guess that's what he's trying to do here by saying that But to conclude my point that's good Heywire He needs to do it more than just say he could stay around

Basically Yeah I think I think Bottas is currently living The crap drives great vibes life You know Love that He's fuelled up on quality vibes And don't be wrong I'm very envious of the life

That Valky Bratass is living He, if you could paint out a dream picture of life, you know, cool guy, great hair, mustache, good bum, racist fast cars, lots of money, you know, what more do you really want in life? You know, I can't think of many things like, Wurly bars. Yeah, I mean, when you got that much cash, though, you could probably be the owner of the Wurly Bars, you know? Yeah, that's a lot of things you could do with cash. So, that's a great point, Sam. Put that in the book.

Bring it in the book. A lot of things you can do with cash. Anyway, my point is, I get why he wants, you know, many more years in the spo. It opens up great doors for him. It allows him,

he's got a lot of ventures outside Formula One now. He's got his own hockey team. He's got the gin thing. He's got the coffee thing. He's got the bum thing. You know. He's a thing.

Yes, it's a thing. A lot of people have made a lot of successful careers off their bum. So, you know, let him do it. Yes. My point is, why would you want to give it up? Obviously, you want to keep doing enough to say on that grid,

earning your money and, you know, having a great time. He's just, he knows he's not going to be in it to wing it anymore. He's not in it at the top. And unless Audi take him on and bring him out a world championship fighting car in their first go, I just really can't see Bottas ever fighting for the top again. He's got what? Ten Grand Prix wings under his belt, which, you know, that's, there's nothing to really, you know, frown on. It was up against Lewis Hamilton. He picked him up where he could. And in these Williams' Williams' days, he was considered like

one of the best to come through at the time. Wasn't he people looking at him like Valcouveru Bottas could be a world champion wherever he goes next. I remember there was a lot of hype around him. It just hasn't materialised. And I think that's okay. I think he's kind of realized that. I think he's just making the most of the Formula One ride.

And I don't blame him for it. But I do think in time there might be something else that maybe deserves that scene. So do you think that Alfa Romeo should stick by him, commit to him long, term or is it more of a case of the jury's out and stick with him short term and see what happens? I think Alfa Romeo as a company, or as a Formula One team rather, in such, you know, like a holding pattern that I don't think they know what they want to do with themselves. I think you need

Audi to almost take a, and I know that obviously they have started to take over the internal workings of the team a little bit to try and be more involved, but they need to start declaring what it is they want because for Alpha, it doesn't really matter anymore. So if Audi won't Botas. Botas is safe. If Audi are bothered about Botas, then it makes sense in my opinion to go ahead and get yourself someone much younger, maybe from the

F2 Paddock who's up and coming, really nurtures some talent and then hand off to Audi someone who can leave that team for years to come. I would, as much as I love him, and I'm by far his biggest fan, I really do think that his time will be up when it comes to Audi taking over the team.

Yeah, I'm with you. I do like Botas a lot and I've got to be honest. I expected more from him when he moved to Alpha Mayo. I appreciate the car hasn't been what it could have been. But at the same time and you made this point, Harry, that he's gone from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as his teammate to no disrespect a rookie into the sport in Zhou Guan Yu. That is a huge juxtaposition in terms of the teammates that you've got. And I thought he'd fare better than he has against Joe. I know the points last year look pretty good in Bottas's favour. But pace-wise, if you take the second half of last year and the first five races of this year, there's not much in it. There's not much in it in terms of

himself versus Joe Guan Yu. And sure, he's delivered some solid results as Bottas, but has there, when was the last time Bottas delivered a result where you've gone? That is great. Like that is an eight out of ten race. I don't know. Which, a long time ago, as in Miami 2020. As in the one that just happened. He was like,

it was pretty far back, wasn't he? I thought it didn't do much. Oh, I'm misremembering. I mean, that's got a show. I think my, I've said this, Miami 22 is when he just stopped, he checked out. Yeah.

He hasn't come back since. He still lives in Miami mentally. Fair play to him. Yeah. It's just been a lot of okay in the last 12 months. I don't know whether, kind of to your point, Sam, before Aldi get in is the time to experiment. It's the time to make a splash now because when Aldi come in and there's more on the line, you don't want to wait until then to start tinkering around with lineups and the like.

If you can make a bit of a play now, which could be risking it on Teo Porcere or risking it, I don't know, Daniel Ricardo. Sure, it might not work out well. but at least you'll know before Audi come in and you can pivot away from that. I feel like, I don't know if I was Audi right now, if I was, sorry, if I was Alpha-Maya right now, would I want to risk committing to Bottas long term?

No, I wouldn't. Maybe I'd give him an extra year, which I appreciate it must sound awful for Bottas because that's literally how he lived his Mercedes career. But I wouldn't want to give him more than a year at a time at this point. And commercially, Joe has more value, right? Audi want to sell cars. China is a giant market, obviously, to sell vehicles in. As much as Finland is an incredible place and, you know, they were robbed at Eurovision.

I really do think that, you know, Audi probably have the area locked down in terms of commercial opportunities. So it would make sense if that's your deciding factor to go with Shoguan Yu. Let's move on to under pressure. So three of us will, as usual, give our under pressure submission, then we should have a bit of time for some Discord submissions to Harry, what have you got? Who or what is under pressure?

I've gone for Lance Stroll this weekend because I know we're talking about Mercedes upgrades and I'm not, well, convinced they're going to work straight away. But as you say, Ben, it doesn't really matter because they're not even that far behind Aston Martin anyway in a constructor.

So I know Lance did have an engine blowout in cell. He broke down in Saudi. It's not his fault. Uh-huh. Big egg you blowout. Precisely. But he wasn't great in Miami, obviously, with the qualifying issue. So, yeah,

Lance Stroh under pressure because he needs to be back up there with Fernando. If Asthmata want to keep a hold of P2. I think that's a fair shout. I feel like Stroll's gone under the radar a little bit in terms of being under pressure when he probably should be because Alonzo is comfortably

outperforming him on most weekends. I've gone for Steve Sunday. I've gone for Stefano Domenicali because F1 could really use a good race. Oh boy. Genuine question for the first five races, how many have been good? I would say none.

I would rate over a six. It's a fair, if you were to say to me, of the first five races, none have been better than okay. Fair. Like, completely fair. The best race so far this season would go down as one of the worst races in the last two seasons.

And do you know what? Doesn't bode too well. We've got Monaco and Spain as the next two, which aren't known for producing certified bangers. So Imala could really do with being a good race. And it could go one of two ways because we know the weather is certainly a hot topic for the weekend. That could result in something very interesting.

but I'm going to say this quietly. Bad weather underdelivers more than it overdelivered. You're so right, Ben. You're so right. And that's why I, you know, people big up Sepang. And I'm like, Malaysia, they only love it because of the rain. And then the rain causes problems. Yeah, look, we don't people, people, people now I'm going to sound like real high, mighty.

You people think you want lots of rain, heavy, heavy, wet rain races. You want a sprinkle. That's what you want. You don't. Exactly. you want a bit of, bit of rain and then it dries, or it's dry, and then just a little bit of rain. It's like someone's tripped with a full water bottle, the lid off, and spilt it on the track. That's as much water as you want, and then it's like dry again.

Yeah, and I, separate issue that we should be able to run in heavier rain conditions. But, like I say, it's not as good. I actually think heavy, heavy rain races are not as good as, like, intermediate races. Although Singapore was good. It was, but that, that was because it ended up, like, it just took so long to dry. So it was kind of like intermediate. But that's when rain is good, right? When it's like, we don't know if it's wet or dry.

That's the only time that I think... Is this rain wet or dry? Hello, are you wet or dry? I'm quite moist. What an awful conversation. But yeah, I think there's a lot of pressure and it could... Imagine if we get a Belgium 2021 scenario, that's probably not what F1 want at the moment.

Because at least when it happened last time, we were in the midst of something really, really interesting. We're not at the moment. So fingers crossed, Imola is a belter. Sam, what or who have you got? Yeah, I mean, we need it for the content as well, please. For the down. Yes, please, we need you to download the episodes.

I have actually gone in very much the same vein as Mr. Benjamin Hawking, but I've gone for the TV director because the cameras, and I think across the whole season, but it was really highlighting big time in Miami, has just been awful. I do think that as much as the races haven't been brilliant, they would have all been elevated, at least a point or so,

by being able to actually watch the actual action of what's going on, or an overtake, I've only watched it on replay, or I've watched it on the timing board on the left side of the screen. How often has that happened? This, I should probably say,

for a pump the brakes, and it's obviously coming up next week. I think Monaco would be viewed far more favourably because it's not done by F1. No, they have their own one, don't they? I think it would just, look, it still wouldn't be perfect in some people's eyes. Not mine.

But I genuinely think if it had proper TV direction and we weren't cut into Lance Stroll every 30 seconds for a replay. That's so good. I think it would be viewed way more favourably. But anyway, good point. I think that's a good show. So yeah, do better with the cameras.

I actually want to see some action. On the telly, not in life. I don't want to see it on Twitter two days later. That is ridiculous. It's one of the best overtakes still wasn't showing on the telly. Donoda. Yeah, great. Let me go a week later.

Put it in the post. What have our Discord submitters got to say, though, Harry? Of course, if you'd like to get involved with these, throw me right off there, Ben. Go on, mate. Get on with it. I'm ready. Now, if you want to get involved in these pre-race and post-race

Discord submissions you can do, just get in the Discord, which the link is in the description. There is a submissions channel. We always inform everyone when we're looking for submission. So you should be ready for when we're, for when we're, when we go ahead with that post. But are you ready now?

Yeah. Yeah. Oh, lovely. Right. First one, lengthy one from Skyler, as ever. Debreze.

Hopefully, Debreze could take the clouds away and we can have a lovely race. Nice. I was like to say that that was so short from Skylar that it doesn't even register as a second.

Nort point, nought, just naught. Next one is not Katrina May. Who is it? Me? I don't know. do you know? Good day

fellas. Now last preview you introduced Katrina May, not sure who that is as I'm clearly not Katrina May. Anyway, under pressure this week has to be everyone's favorite Formula E World Champion Nick DeVries if only to shut up Mr. Samuel Sage. I'm a big F.E fan and I rated him really highly going into this season

and his performances so far have been less than disappointing. Snow has shown that that Alfa Tauri can be somewhat more than a tractor in the right hand, so DeVries really needs to pull his head out of his butt as always keep breaking late and join the Patreon stick out your butt

thanks Stanley we have a first time submission here from TBF otherwise known as the unfortunate Ferrari fan you are unfortunate you have a good weekend guy hey boys TBF here you know originally I was going to say

Nick Debris but I feel like everybody else that submits is going to say the exact same thing as well so So what I really think in terms of under pressure this weekend is Ferrari. With the rule changes qualifying, you know, they're not known for their tire management. So fingers crossed for my fantasy team and cheers to you guys. Have a good one. You know what?

I really like that you've got this power. Why? I feel like it gives you something I do. Thank you, mate. Keep you out of trouble, son. That keeps on the straight and arrow. Who's calling? Earned money, Jake.

Good. next all good all way oh wait on go on ben no no yeah i was just getting a call hello oh it's the banker oh oh yeah he just said um sam yeah you're a dick good leave that one up kirsty sorry kirstie all good all ways is next highly breaking i'm so excited for this week it's finally race weekend i just got back from my first vacation since COVID. So excited to get into the regular scheduled programming. I didn't get to submit my submission on time after the last race because rookie mistake,

I went to sleep, went back to sleep right after the checkered flag. Not happening again this weekend. So all is good. Under pressure, definitely Logan Sargent. I mean, the last race was as close to home as you can ever get to your home Grand Prix, quote unquote. So, yeah, P20, not a good look, Logan. Do better.

Love you guys, love the podcast. Bye. Love you, too. Where'd you go on holiday or good or waste, let's know. Let's go. Thanks for the life update. Next, son, do. Apologies if that's wrong.

Son, son, do you? Hi, boys. This is Ali from Portland, Oregon. Debris is still under pressure. Never not going to be under pressure until he, like, I don't know. does something. Also, Alpine. They need to keep some momentum going. Otherwise, Aunt Murray's about to lose his head as they will. Okay. Have a good day. Hey, I mean, Lauren Rossi, he's angry. He might go straight for his head.

Lauren Rossi would be making me nervous. I think of what's going on with that man. Oh, boy. Ali just sounds like she just woke up. Ali is like, she's so chill. I love it. I wish I was that relaxed at any point in my life. Especially on this podcast. Next is Brown 30. Great name. Hey guys, this is Brown 30 for my under pressure submissions this week. We'll start off with Nick DeVries.

He needs some kind of positive resort real bad because it looks like he's been put on some sort of replacement notice. Also, Lance Stroll at the finishing 12th of Miami and Alonzo finishing third again. I think Stroll is going to need to have a top 10 finish this weekend. Constructor-wise, Haas, Alfa Romeo, Alphatori and Williams If these teams want to do better

And compete in the midfield They need to start doing something real soon These next three weeks Is our perfect opportunity for that The time for them to show something is now Let's go, do better Thanks guys Oh, it's a great submission

We have all got the absolute giggles over it What, hang on I've known what's about with you two What's the matter? No Why? I don't know I think he was just the name Brown. Great game.

It's because of like, I thought about the other twanging I'm Browns. He's got on the Discord as you're on Brown. Oh, and it's been taken. Brown one, I've been taken. Brown two. Also been taking. It's like Forrest Gump walking down the bus.

Thanks, Tense crying. Thanks to take his glasses off. Oh, man. Oh, good. Deliery. He has set him. And that will do it.

Oh, no, hang on. We got another one. Oh, God. one more from absent beef he didn't even do one after Miami. Hall of Famer apparently. Allegedly,

should lose it after that. Hello, let me just get in my car. Flammy door. First of all, quite rude that none of you boys pointed out that I didn't do a Miami

Not our job. Mover race, that was rude. Everything else ago. Second of all, update, because I've been out of office beef. I did all sorts of

I got a tattoo. I got a tattoo. I got my hair done. Had physio. Move boyfriend beef to his new flat. Boyfriend Beef started his new job. Went to a wedding and enjoyed Eurovision.

It all happened. Anyway, I'm back at work, so I'm miserable. It was under pressure. The weather. Let us have a race and let it be a good one. All right. Okay, bye. God, that really was an update.

Full family account. So many names in that. Yeah. Miserable beef. Pizio beef. Eurovision beef. Yeah. It's a car slam beef.

That's like, yeah, it's like roadkill beef. Tattoo beef. Tattoo beef. Tito beef. Thank God this is the end. Oh, no one near the end, son. Oh, God, it's gone forever. It's time for your third sandwich of the episode, everyone.

and then we'll be back with late faking right after this. Who's stupid cuts their sandwiches into thirds? What a freak. You fake. Freaks. At Desjardin, we speak business. We speak startup funding and comprehensive game plans. We've mastered made-to-measure growth and expansion advice,

and we can talk your ear off about transferring your business when the time comes. Because at Desjardin business, we speak the same language you do. Business. So join the more than four. 400,000 Canadian entrepreneurs who already count on us and contact Desjardin today. We'd love to talk business. Okay, here we go. Late faking.

This is the late faking game where one answer is fake and the other one's all right. So help me, Christ, I'll make my decision in a second, Sam, you're going to have to wait because Ben made this game so hard and I'm down by five. Sorry, I was giggling because I'm just picturing a sandwich cut into three. And it's just so weird. Fair. It doesn't make any sense, like, in all the geometry options. If anyone cuts their sandwiches into thirds,

please let us know, but also don't listen to us ever again. You're a freak. Live Laptifle-Laflifle, we think you did a shorter version of that, but maybe we're making it up. If you did, can you let us know, please? Leg-foking. Drop me a message, mate. Is that the first question?

No. I'm not doing the quiz. Oh. I'm not bent. No, not this time. Thankfully. I mean, this isn't going to be real or no real. It can't meet that standard.

Stop doing everything. You can go, oh, God. Sorry. You're going to kill the vibes with that game the first week after it's happened. Anyway, late faking. Very simple concept. I'm going to give the guys interns a question. There'll be four possible answers.

Three of them fit within the category that I say. One is a fake. One doesn't belong in the category with the others. It's the job of Sam and Harry to identify which answer it is. So, Sam, starts off. One number do you want? One through six. I'll have number six, me lord.

Oh, all right. Number six. All right. Four drivers. Three of them finished in the top eight on their F1 debut. Which one didn't? You got Nico Rosberg. Right.

Sebastian Vettel. Yeah. Alan Prost. Mm-hmm. And Damon Hill. Okay. Um, so there's some of the things that have gone on in this podcast that my mind is like,

you just get a limp biscuit reference when you went, all right. Partner. Did I say all right. All right. A minute ago. All right. Keep my own rolling movie. Also, it sounded like bang earlier called his interns.

Because he said, you're going to take it interns? I thought it was calling us like, take it away interns. Yeah, I was like, oh. I mean, if. We are the intents of this podcast. I'm not. You are. I think that's very rude, mate. Get back to your little discurs submissions.

Oh my God. Take the sample away from you. I'm going to say that Prost is the one that didn't finish in the top eight on is W. It is not correct. Buggier. What would you have gone for out of interest? This isn't a stealing situation? No.

I'm just interested to know, though. I'd go with Dill because he was driving a Brabham, I think. It was Dill. So Prost finished sixth on debut, which I think was worth one point back in the day. Nico Rosberg was seventh. Sebastian Vessel was eighth, and then Damon Hill finished 16th in his Brabham.

God, he's rubbish. Whisper away. Terrible. What are you doing Dill? Harry, over to you. What number do you want? Anything but six. Number one, please.

Nice, my lord. Of course. Okay, so I'm going to give you four drivers, three of them finished on the podium at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, which one didn't. Oh, I get this one right. Lando Norris. Okay. Daniel Ricardo.

Yeah. Sergio Perez. And Valtrey Bottas. Sergio Perez is the correct answer. McLaren's out front. Bottas came back from a really low grid position because he had a pay. after he won the sprint race. He was just brilliant at Monza that weekend for some reason.

But yeah, Sergio Perez did not finish on the podium. So we're at 1-0. Sam, back to you, 2, 3 or 5. 5, please, my lord. Okay, number 5. 4 drivers, 3 of them won a race before they turned 25 years old. Okay. Which one didn't?

Nico Rosberg, making another appearance. Kimmy Reichenen, Robert Kubitsa, and Emerson Fittipaldi. Three of them won a race before they turned 25. Which one did? I don't know. There with names. Um, I go. Rosberg. You are correct to say Rosberg.

So Reichen and Kubitsa and Fittipaldi all won races when they were 23 years old. Rosberg didn't win his first race until he was 26. Oh, good little information bomb there. Caboom Caboom I mean you do Sam levels it up One all

All right It's a game Factman Fat man Fat man Don't assault yourself Two Three or four Harry

Two please Number two Four drivers Three of them Raced for Renault One never did Which one is it You got René Arnu

Warwick Worry I'm just kidding it's his son there it worked Keke Rosberg is his son famously The man who bathed in reindeer milk

of course Bruno Senna which one of those four drivers never raced for Renault I think it's Kakey Rosberg He's pretty good in he

Keket Rosberg Never raced for Renault All three of the others did So we're at 2-1 It's Bruno. I thought Bruno Center was Lotus, but it was that team, I guess. I was it not called that then.

I think it was Renno. Oh, no, I think Harry's right. They had that weird thing where they were like Renaultus, but we also had Lotus Renault. That was also the most stupid thing in Formula One. Don't know what happened there.

Bit of a grey area. Anyway, I'd probably take the point and shut up, Harry, if I was you. Okay. Two one. Sam, you need to get this one right to stay in the game. number three or number four?

Number four, please. Nice. Okay. Max Verstappen has won two races at three of these circuits. Okay. Which one has he not got two wins at? Okay. He's got less than two wins.

He wouldn't have more than two wins. He's less than two. I've got it, yeah. You've got Paul Ricard. Yeah. Imala. Yeah. Monaco.

Right. And Austin. Damn it. I was really hoping you were going to say, Mexico. Paul Ricard, Imola, Monaco and Austin. I'm going to say

Monaco. He's still in the game. Yes. Paul Ricard, Imola and Austin, he won all three of those races in 2021 and 2022. So he's got two, all of those. Monaco, he did

win in 2021, but that was his first win in the Principality. So you are right to say that, which means we are at two all, And Harry has the opportunity to win. If he gets it wrong, though, we do end in the draw. Pick number three, me lord. Number three, please, Ben.

Nice. And this is very apt that Harry gets this question, because we are talking podium finishes. Not 2020. In Yong now. Oh, yes. Your favourite track. Four drivers, three of them have been on the podium in South Korea,

which one never did. Fernando Alonzo Jensen Button Lewis Hamilton Mark Weber It's a great list That is

That's tricky Yeah that is a tough one One of them Never finished on the podium I'm gonna go with Jensen Button He's only gone and done it He's a great answer Good work from both of you though

That's five out of six collectively Alan Pross has let me down there As he always does He does always let me down Hugh and Alan are going to fall out one day. Surprise we haven't already. Tell you what, Sam, you should swat upon your Alan Prost knowledge and do an episode about him. If only.

If only I hadn't already done that. Go back and listen to it, please. Anyway, like faking. Well, Alan. Yeah, it was good, that. Nice one. It was good. I'm a fan the jingle again.

Ah, no. Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it. But it wasn't great. And it wasn't the best. But what's coming. up next is the best. The best segment in all of F1

podcasting. It's really come around to this, you know. I used to hate it. I know. I know. All right. Are you going to do it? Yeah, shut up then.

It's the LB Question of the week. So this one was fairly appropriate because Sam obviously did a great job as Noel Edmunds on Sunday show. So we asked the question, if we were to present a TV show, which one should it be? Got a bit of mix of answers from UK and US, I think, in terms of good variety. Anything from you both that stood out.

I'll tell you what, we've had some of the best answers we've ever had, I think, for this question. I don't know. This whole segment cracks me up. I'm going to stick to Twitter for this one because, you know, there are some absolutely corpus. I'm getting there. hold on. So first one is said, it's got to be the weakest link.

Then will be a perfect Anne Robinson. Ang Robbenson. Also, someone managed to put Ben's face onto Ang. It was fantastically well done. Also, someone's done,

Are You Smart than a 10 year old with my face again on Noel. But I think we could rebrand it. Are you smarter than a Ben year old? Which? That's amazing. Genius work, am I right? Sure.

And then Matt Hughes came up. with this one, which I think's brilliant. Naked attraction, which I think is such a British program, by the way. More info gets revealed about the driver in question, starting with the ankles. You imagine that's lying F1 drivers up in these booths and they're just nude?

Get a lot of views, I reckon. I think it would go down really well. Anyway, there's loads more. I'm going to leave him because I don't want to jump into all the best ones, but honestly, seriously getting answers. Matthew Bonner has gone very... He's angry this week. Yeah, it was quite aggressive.

I won't, I won't do the actual squares. He said, whatever it is would be poo. Yeah, you lot can't get the soundboard to work on a podcast. Imagine how poo a TV show would be with no backing sounds or music. I feel like he's taking it personally. He's real, he's gone for us there, gone for the jugular. He's hit it. Question of the sport, I think we'd be brilliant on questioning the sport.

I would not be. You're hosting, aren't you? Oh, yeah, someone's saying I'm the host. that works. Sue Barker. Sam Barker. I've always thought of you as a bit of a Sue Barker. We've got the same hair.

Sure. What, no. Okay. The worst answer of the week, and I don't usually call that a worst answer, but this comes with Dave. Sorry, Dave. I'm calling you out.

It's terrible. Mrs. Brown's boys. No, I love this answer for how terrible it was. I hate that program. Everyone hates Mrs. Browns, but no one likes it. But there's always a Christmas special. Mrs. Beng's boys.

It's begging drag. Yeah. I appreciated a few hands. So Jason Gates on Instagram, Holmes under the hammer, of course. Do you on Dublin. Oh, God. It doesn't get better than that.

Appreciate that. In Sanford, it does not get better. So if it's a game show. Planet Earth. I think that would be a blast. Cowboy builders. Can you imagine us going around? Don Littlewood.

People. Yeah. I'll be Melinda Messenger, but yeah, that's great. My favourite answer, outside of the weakest link answer, which was great from Haley. My favourite answer came from Dakota, which was the BBC, which was BBC News, but Harry and Sam would do the music intro. Oh, yes, we do the Pips. But you've got so much before. I know, but we can't spoil it for the actual debut.

Yeah, fair play. But you're right, Sam. A lot of answers also for Top Gear That was probably most common We get that a lot though as a trio, don't we? Has happened. Although I've got to say Liam R Willis has said Got them one way around. What do you mean?

Oh, I thought you were reading the one where Someone labelled us as the wrong members of Top Gear. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's sorry, I thought he meant his name. I was like, no, definitely says Liam R. Willis. Willis R. Lewis R Liam. Yeah, I think, well, you got, you would be... No, it completely wrong. Yeah, because he said that Sam would be Hammond.

Wrong. I would be Captain Slow, James May. And Ben would be Clarkson. None of those are right. We've always universally agreed the way we would sit. Sam is Clarkson. Obviously. Ben is me and I'm Hammond.

I think there's a few like blends. So I see I see Sam as, I think you are half Hammond, Sam, but I think you're half Clarkson as well. Is it just because I'm small? Is that what it is? Is it because I'm the shortest?

No. It can get angry. And you can get angry because he's small. True. No. But I completely appreciate on the James May. thing. Also, another great one from Dan said that Ben should do Raven. I'm absolutely love to see him dressed up as Raven.

I'm up for that, sure. I'll do the assault course. You have lost a precious life. I will have to dress up or silly outfits are run through the gorklet. What a TV show that is. I love for everything. It's great. I knew this segment would become incredibly British very quickly. We need to wrap this up because it's been an hour and 20. It's the longest podcast we've ever done. on. Come on. I've got to do an outro yet. Oh, God. That'll be another five minutes. Let's get on with it.

Go on, Sam. Get us out of it. Folks, uh, thank you very much for listening. It's been a long one. Join the Discord. The link is in the description. We do lots of chatting. Of course, we were there all over the race weekend. Follow us on social media out or breaking for Twitter. We'll be doing lots of fun, fun tweets and things we talk about. We'll remember this. Promise. Also follow us individually on Twitter if you fancy it as well. The same with Instagram and TikTok. We are the F1, late break in F1 podcast. We've got just the F1. That's the real.

We're at the kids. There you go. We also have Huncolysh's merchandise, which if you're on the Patreon, you'll get a discount of, which is lovely. You'll also get two extras. One has really been done.

It's a history episode. I hope you enjoy it, folks. I put a lot of work into it. The other one coming up very, very soon. You also get beer with breaking. If you're on the top tier, and you'll get a birthday shout-out, which is always very nice.

And we will remember to do those properly an official time at some point this month. Also, coming up later on this week, alongside when we are going to be recording the Patreon episode, so that's a rather than it for you. We will have our gaming night. That is Thursday night this week. So that is the 18th of May.

Is it? Yeah. Okay. Well done. Yeah. You might want to attend that one. Yeah. Do it.

Ben, just so I can clarify, have we got a definite time, UK time that we're doing this? I can tell you, Sam. No. Good. So we said we should do it slightly later than last time

because I think we were a little bit early for our American compatriots. 10? 10 p.m. Yeah. Yeah? Sure. I didn't even know we were doing it.

So that's that. Are we recording on Thursday as well? Yep. Yeah. Good stuff. Heard in sheep over here, honestly. Yeah. This literally says everything about this podcast.

Might be a bit lame on the office, but it would be fine. Just we stop organizing everything on the podcast. Right. Thanks for listening, folks. It's been a crazy episode. There's been a lot to talk about. In the meantime, I've been Samuel Sage. I've been Ben Hocking.

I've been Aisley Harriet. Good. And remember, keep breaking late. Before you might go with Papa Toto. Oh, yeah. Papatoto. It's been so long. I've forgotten about Papa Toto.

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