The Late Braking F1 Podcast - F1 tweaks 2026 rules: What’s new and will it make a difference?

Episode Date: April 22, 2026

The 2026 F1 regulations have been “refined”... but what’s actually changed, and what impact will it have? Ben and Sam break it down, plus Colton Herta’s F1 practice debut, a revisit of past world champion predictions, and a round of F1 Back (and Back)… We have an upcoming Q&A with a focus on the current F1 constructors. CLICK HERE to submit any question you may have on this topic. Get involved in F1 Fantasy this season! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Late Braking league⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and see if you can beat us... LEAGUE CODE: C6Y6R4ZUY02 Want more Late Braking? Support the show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get:Ad-free listeningFull-length bonus episodesPower Rankings after every raceHistorical race reviews& more exclusive extras!Don't forget! You can also gift a Late Braking Patreon subscription—perfect for loved ones or your own wish list. Choose anything from 1 month up to a full year of top-notch F1 content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/latebrakingf1/gift⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Late Braking:You can find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Come hang out with us and thousands of fellow F1 fans in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ server and get involved in lively everyday & race weekend chats!Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠F1 Fantasy League⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and see if you can beat us!Get in touch any time at [e-mail]  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Thank you for listening to the Late Breaking F1 podcast. Make sure to check out new episodes every Wednesday and every Sunday. Oh, and a very warm welcome to the Late Breaking F1 podcast presented by Sam Sage and me, Ben Hocking, back with another midweek episode. But before we crack on with today's episode, just a quick update from late breaking and more specifically from Harry, who sadly isn't on today's episode. Those that were listening around Christmas time would have heard an update. date from Harry regarding a loss in the family. He has decided to take a little break from the podcast

as a result of that, but he's very excited to get back when he's ready. He will miss you all greatly because you're all wonderful people. And I'm sure he very much appreciates all of your well wishes that of course come from us as well. Of course, yeah, Harry has our love, our English support. We're always here to make sure that it's all good and he just needs a bit of space. So, then I reckon we should get on with what's going on today. Let's do that because we are going to, we're going to go back to some of our World Championship predictions that we made last year. We did a bit of an exercise where we went through a number of drivers and asked, would they ever win a world title? So we're going to take a short trip back down memory lane to see how we answered and if we'd answer those any differently.

We've got news from Colton Herta and Cadillac that he'll be doing four FP1 sessions throughout the 2026 season. but we're going to start with undoubtedly the biggest news of the week. We knew this was coming at some point, and that is that a number of refinements are taking place to the 26 F1 regulations. They were agreed on Monday with the FIA, team principals, CEOs of Power Unit Manufacturers and FOM. They were all involved in an online meeting to determine these changes, many of which will take place from the Miami Grand Prix in just over a week's time.

we're going to try and split this up a little bit because there's maybe four key elements that they're changing here. And we'll try and tackle each one at a time. And then maybe at the end of the segment put together a bit more of our combined thoughts of do these go far enough? What might the future look like in terms of other changes? So let's start with qualifying because that is an area that we have particularly touched on in the last couple of months as something that needs improvement. they have announced that the recharge limit in qualifying will be reduced from 8 millerjoules to 7 milajels.

No, that would be really bad. 8 megajoules to 7 megajoules for each lap. This reduction will ensure more of the lap is run flat out with less need for unusual energy recovery tactics. Do you think this is a worthwhile step? What impact do you think it will have? It's interesting that they have decided to offer this one reduction because correct me if I'm wrong being that this is a experiment they brought in for

Suzuki before we had that break now Suzuki was one of those racetracks that we expected to be very difficult for harvesting and that was proven the flat out flat outness I like that's very American that yeah the flat outness of the lap was not

complete was it it was going near 100% in the areas you expect it to be we saw a lot of cutaways from onboard cameras we even had the debate of whether Kimi Antigli's qualifying lap was cut off or issues with the camera or through reasons I've got show certain super clipping. But this experiment was put in place. And if I'm totally honest, I don't think it had a particularly big impact in what we wanted. I don't think we saw a great significant increase in drivers running 100%.

We saw Charler still having issues where he had that big snap coming out of Spoon Corner on the one moment he did try and put his foot down. So I am surprised. Tends happen slower as a result. Bad Charles. Stop trying to drive it quickly. Drive slowly and you'll be fast. Listen to the battery. I don't think this goes far enough personally. I think the effect will be that we will see 90% of what we were seeing anyway. We're actually, we will still have qualifying laps that aren't flat out properly.

We'll still have a lot of harvesting that needs to happen. We'll still see managing throughout qualifying lap. For me, this does not resolve the lack of excitement, that lack of thrill. The qualifying is currently bringing where once before it was the most thrilling event pretty much every weekend. you got exciting. Even if the race was going to be dull, your new qualifying was going to be exciting. And I'd still think with this update, we won't see that. Well, as you mentioned, this is an area that they have previously attempted to tackle

with the Japanese GP. Of course, they were probably anticipating further changes in this gap that we've had, but it was one of those where they decided it was worth trialing it, even before we got to that point, because it was nine megajoules and we're now down to they put it down to eight as a result of that Japanese GP weekend. And now we've gone even further down to seven. It is very difficult to determine what impact it had because we didn't see what it was like with nine. And it could well have been even worse.

But you're right in saying it didn't solve the issue because we still had plenty of super clipping. We still had plenty of lifting and coasting even on a qualifying lap, which just saying that sentence is kind of disgusting. This will slow the cars down. on qualifying laps by, I mean, estimates are one second per lap. It's difficult to say, obviously, because that number is going to change circuit to circuit. But the average seems to be they will be one second a lap slower. There was a lot of talk about whether they would take this even further

and they would go all the way down to maybe like six megajoules. I think that's something we discussed in our sort of regulation special we did immediately after Japan. Now, that would slow the cars down even more, maybe by a few seconds. But that would increase the cars being, so I'll go with your term, flat outness. Do you think that that's why, though? They think that maybe they were worried that the cars would look too slow as a PR reaction. That might be quite detrimental to the sport in a different direction. Sort of, yes.

Because I think that is one thing they're always concerned about is they want to be this pinnacle of motorsport and being the pinnacle is being the fastest. So that is certainly something that they are thinking about here. I think maybe the reason they've done eight down to seven is because they will then have the opportunity to review that again at some point later in the season. We know based on what they did at Japan, it's not something that takes a huge amount of effort almost to make this.

They're not fundamentally changing the regulations here if they can just at really a moment's notice as they did in Japan go, we're going to drop it even further. The cars don't have to have any actual adjustment made to them. No, exactly. So I think maybe rather than go all the way down to six and slow the cars down even more, they've gone, let's try it at seven, let's see the next few races. And if it's still pretty bad, then we can go, we can take a step further and go down to six.

I would have liked to have more seeing a variable change with this, where they have stated that certain races where they feel it may be heavily affected will have a different limit set. And maybe somewhere like, I can use a drastic example, Singapore, for example, right, where, you know what, it's a really tough track. There's a lot of heavy braking. There's a lot of slow corners coming round. They could change it to be really drastic. So we see a different result. I would have liked a more open variable to this where much like with our tire compounds that we bring to each track, you'll have, you know, the C2, three or four and we'll have six megajoules on the recharge or something like that. That's something I would have

been quite keen to see. They might still do that. I'm not, because I think that was their idea was what you just laid out is that there would be a little bit of variance track to track. But I don't know, based on the language here, it sounds a bit more blanket that anything will be seven. But maybe that is the max. Maybe they would go lower than that if they feel it's necessary at some of these circuits. I do think it's a positive change, even if this isn't a game changer. And honestly, I don't think anything is at this point. Do you think it's resolvable? I think it can be resolved, but at what costs. They could reduce this down massively and make these cars like 10 seconds slower. At that

point, I'm pretty sure would be flat out all the time, but we would at that point be a lot of not have a battery in the car, right? At that point, you might as well take it out and go back to a fuel-based car. Exactly. So that's, I think that's the dilemma they're in at the moment. I am at least glad they've done this, though, because I don't know about you. And I think Norris has spoken about about this a little bit as well. When the cars, it's not even super clipping. It's when the cars are dropping speed going down on a straight line. That is the one that really hurts. Like, that's the one that cuts deep. Yeah, I mean, I don't care about Formula One being the fastest car on a straight line or whatever it might be. Don't care. We can be slower than

endurance racing. We can be slower than indie car. You know, I don't care. What I do care about is how it looks and feels when you watch it. And seeing a car that's meant to be going up to eighth gear, in theory, pushing 200, 220 miles an hour, actually dropped down to sixth gear from seventh, you think, ah, that's kind of excitement there. You're preserving, you're conserving, you're conserving, you're trying to look after things and gain rather than throwing that car into a corner at the optimum speed. It's just not the excitement that we want. And qualifying, as we mentioned, is where that happens most. Let's move on to the next thing they've tweaked, which is the super clipping recharge allowance, which will be increased.

from 250 to 350 kilowatts in both qualifying and the races. This should, in theory, avoid the temptation for drivers to lift and coast as much to recover energy. Do you like this one any more than the first one? This one is quite technically difficult to explain how this works. Down a big straight, let's take the back straight in Shanghai, right? The really long straight. I've seen that the cars were lifting off quite early dropping down because they were super clipping. and they were using the revs at high power to harvest the battery, essentially.

This now allows you to do that from a higher speed, I believe, so you haven't got to drop down as much to properly conserve. I think is how it's actually interpreted. You might be smarter out there listening to me that can tell me otherwise, but I think that's what happens. Yes, it's incredibly counterintuitive superclipping, because I think maybe we've rallied around superclipping being a bit rubbish, which it is.

You don't want to see cars just hit their maximum and go nowhere at the end of the straight. So making super clipping more powerful, which is what we're doing here, just doesn't sound right. You're getting more of what you don't like. But I agree that this is a good step, because whilst I don't like it, I would rather it at least be incredibly powerful when you do it to avoid using it too often. Yeah, in theory, it means that when you do start superclipping, you'll recharge. your battery faster. So you won't need to do it for as long. You'll gain more benefit whilst doing it, which means you can stop doing it quicker. So in theory, you'll start doing it later. So we'll see a

car hit 8th gear and now actually staying 8th gear for a moment until the super clipping actually then starts to kicking, where they will then start to drop down their speeds due to this baton theory. If it works as expected, it will be a shorter period at a higher speed with more benefit, which those short words sound great. That works. Yeah, it's almost a bit of a necessary almost at this point. And I'm not saying I'm a massive fan of it because I'm not, but I think this will at least help solve some of the issues that we've had with super clipping to this point.

And as much as I don't like super clipping, I really don't. And I've already hit my quota on how many times it can be said on a podcast. I do still just about prefer it to lifting coast. And we will get reduced lift and coast as a result of this. It's almost like, and they've kind of framed this one from purely a performance perspective as well. I think there is a safety benefit to this as well

because whilst, again, super clipping isn't inherently safe, there is at least a predictable element to it in that you've got the warning lights, you know that it can't really happen at low speeds, so you know roughly what the other cars around you could be doing in that regard. Lifton Coast is far more driver-centric of when they decide to do that. I think that's a lot of the reason why Bearman and Collopinto had their crash in Suzuki was more on a lifting coast front rather than a super clipping front. Yeah, I mean, previous superclipping, to put it into real silly layman's terms, was like being punched in the face. The new superclipping is like being punched really hard in the arm.

I still don't want to get punched. It does still hurt, but I'm not getting punched in the face anymore, which is a bit better. Yeah. It's almost like before you were being punched five. times and now you're getting punched only twice, but it is being hit a bit harder. Yeah, I would rather just take two that I'm like, guys, over and done with, then five, still quite hard. F-1.

Good thing, allergies here on the show. If people aren't aware of our great analogies by now, their loss, honestly. Next thing up is a new low-power start detection system, which has been developed, capable of identifying cars with abnormally low acceleration shortly after clutch release. In such cases, an automatic MGUK deployment will be triggered to ensure a minimum level of acceleration and mitigate start-related risks without introducing any sporting advantage. An associated visual warning system is being introduced, activating flashing lights on affected cars to alert following drivers.

So we've seen a lot of teams this year have struggled on race starts and some. Mercedes, Audi, Max Verstappen very specifically at Red Bull. And we've seen others like Ferrari really take advantage of that. It sounds based on this that we're still going to get a bit of a difference in those that can start well and those that don't. But this is almost like a failsafe for those that are starting really horribly. I'm going to come out bold. I hate this. I absolutely hate this.

The only good thing that's come from the regulations so far is that the starts seem incredibly varied. There's real driver's skill and how to deploy it. You know, you get a real dynamic between someone doing well. And there's punishment, if you cannot do well, as we've seen both with Audi, with Max Verstapp and with Kimi, and Geliang George Russell, Ferrari on the other hand, doing brilliantly to utilise their starts. And they've already been pigeonholed by this changing situation when we've got the longer buildup time for starts to spoil up that turbo. Whereas here, it's now kind of holding the driver's hand.

It's a get out of jail free card. I like the light situation for safety. I think that's sensible. If you get off the line and you're not going anywhere, a flash of light tells the driver behind you that that's what's going on. All for that, I just don't need this safety yet. There's got to be some risk going on in Formula One,

and I do think this is just bailing out the drivers that just can't seem to get this right. I do understand where they're coming from in terms of that safety perspective, and I think we're quite, as a podcast, quite vocal about ensuring that safety remains very integral to anything that happens when it comes to rule changes in F1. So I do understand what they're getting at here.

They want to ensure that, remember the Australian GP with Colopinto very nearly going into the back of Liam Lawson, they want to avoid a situation like that where I know they're not going at their top speeds, but they're still going fast enough that if you go into the back of another car off the line, that's going to hurt. That's going to hurt quite a bit. But I am with you on this because, firstly, in terms of the warning light system, especially off the line.

If you've got three cars, imagine three cars that are all on the same side of the grid, obviously one after the other, and the first one doesn't get away. The guy behind has enough time to respond to that, but has to respond almost straight away after they've accelerated to go left or right. The third car can't do much.

That car's going to see that car move out the way. Suddenly, there's an immovable object right in front of them. Yes, which brings me on to my point, a light isn't going to do anything. Like, I understand, like, safety lights from a more high-speed perspective because they are really helpful. But at this point, I think drivers are just operating off reactions and instinct to the point where I don't think they'll notice a light by the time that they've made the decision to go left or right. Maybe I'm wrong, but it just... I think that's a very fair point. It's a fair criticism. I just think, look, we're at Formula One.

it's high octane, crashes will happen. No matter what we do, crashes are going to happen. And I'd rather have the safety continues to be built around the crash cell of the driver and ensuring that if there is impacts, they are as protecting as humanly possible, hence why we now have the likes of the halo, to make sure that they are really looked after

from the head all the way down to the feet. But for me, crashes will happen at the start. It's going to happen. It always has happened. I just think that this is negating competitive interest for a point of where we've always had this safety element anyway, these crashes have happened anyway, having fast reactions to get out of a way of a stalled car, a failed car, a car that can't gather its battery properly. These aren't new problems off the line.

We've had them for decades. This is no different to me. I don't know why we now have to negate it with a handholding mechanism because you can't get off the line properly. Honestly, I'm with you. Like, it's when you look at that, again, that Australian GP start where Colapinto had, he had cat-like reactions in order to get out of the way of loss. Right. And then in the review, in power rankings, whenever it was, we are complimenting him.

Like, there was no guarantee you were going to avoid that. And yet your driver skill has enabled you to avoid that. Incredible moment for him. And if another driver couldn't do the same thing and they were out on the spot, it's like that's the punishment and reward that you get from driver skill in F1 or what you should get. And this does strip that away a bit. So that's why of the three things we've discussed so far, this is the one that I'm most skeptical about and maybe least positive about.

The same if you remove the safety conversation at all. I don't want someone like Kimi Anthony Elliott on pole who can't get a good start to then get away with only being second into turn one. Sorry, if you're sick because you're not good enough off the start, you're sick because you're not good enough off the start. I don't Ferrari punish, for example, because they can maximise their starts

and they don't need a handheld device. Yeah, and I know they've said that they want to maintain that sporting advantage to ensure this MGUK boost that these cars will get, it will be at the limited minimum amount to ensure they are just, they're getting away, but they are still getting away far slower than everyone else. It's still a bit of a, you get what you deserve.

And I don't mean that from just a driver perspective. I mean that from a team and driver perspective, because a lot of these issues with the starts are not driver-specific. Like if you see Mercedes, for example, Antonelli seems to be struggling a bit more with Russell on the starts, but they're both struggling. It's a Mercedes issue. Yeah, the deployment isn't right.

But you win and you lose as a team. and I'd like to see it remain as natural as possible, almost, these race starts. I want the drivers in charge. I still want that with the battery deployment generally. As we mentioned before, you hear stories of them not having control of that. I want those drivers to be in control of when they deploy or harvest their battery. Indeed. I agree with that.

Let's take a short break. On the other side, we'll finish off this conversation and we'll get into Colton Hurtt, who'll be doing some FP1 sessions for Cadillat this year. Welcome back, everyone. The final change we didn't quite get to on the other side of the break that has been announced is that boost limits will be changed

during races to avoid risks of big closing speeds in unexpected areas. So the maximum power available will be capped at an extra 150 kilowatts above current power levels with limits of 250 in areas that are not key acceleration zones. We know that after what happened

with Behrman and Colopinto, this was always going to be one of the bigger discussion points with these media. that the FIA F1 have had in the last couple of weeks. This feels like one of the answers to that. Yeah, this is actually a safety problem, proper safety problem, right? We saw the crash at Olibehrman had collarpinter and not a fault in the slightest tier.

He was just trying to get down the track at the speed of the car was allowing him to do. He ends up really hurting himself as he hits a barrier that isn't usually hit in any way, shape, or form. So it's not one of the kind of extra secure barriers that you have around some racetracks here. He saw him limping off. and glad he's completely falling after that really. But this is a safety requirement that is likely needed. I think the negatives for me here is how complex it's going to possibly make the viewership for us as fans, for you listeners, for broadcasters.

You're trying to watch a lot of new things happening Formula One. There's so many changes going on. We already don't get graphic measurements for battery usage, for how much battery a car has got, for if they're in the, the overtake zone of one second behind the car, right? It's already complex. So now having certain areas that are capped or not capped or 150 or 250 or 250, it's another scenario for Formula One, for broadcasters, for us to have to learn, explain, understand.

I do just think this is another barrier to entry to F1 fans that it's going to deter a lot of people from fully immersing themselves in the sport because they won't understand what's going on. And I don't blame you for understanding. It is not simple to grasp. And I do think this will put people off. I've seen the phrase quite a bit over the last few days putting lipstick on a pig when it comes to these changes in terms of the regulations.

And it's not one I completely agree with. Not because I don't think there are some flaws with what we have. I think the issue is a pig is a pig and lipstick are really simple concepts to understand. this is all really complex. And it's as a result of the design that F1 has created. Even without these, like this is a complicated formula now, for better or for worse. And I think in a lot of instances, it is for worse.

This is tricky. The fact that we've had to break down these rulesets on the podcast. And I had to go and read a lot of articles. I watched a few videos. And even then, I'm like, are these reliable sources? Am I understanding the information properly that's being put out? I know we joke about this a lot of the time, but this would be a weird instance where we don't put ourselves down. We've been F1 fans for a number of years.

We have to do a lot of research for two episodes every single week. We dedicate a lot of time to this. And we do that for good reason. We love this sport. There are people who want to sit down as a form of escapism on a Sunday afternoon for two hours, block out the rest of the world, and just watch fast cars. go around a racetrack and they don't want to learn these terms and don't want to, I don't want to get stuck in the weeds of this regulation and that regulation.

It makes complete sense why you wouldn't want to be that way, but that is where we've been driven to. Yeah, I mean, you've got to remember that the customer base of Formula One will go from 10-year-old newbie who's being inspired by cool cars and great athletes and six-year-old Michael and Margaret, who are, you know, doing their part-time work, who just want to come I'm going to sit and watch the telly together on a Sunday. And the difference in access to information or understanding where to get that information will range drastically between those two ends and what's in the middle.

And you have to make this accessible for your lowest common denominator. How is it simple for the person who understands in the least way, right? Yeah. That is not this. This is so tricky to get your head around. So if you're listening at home, you think, I still don't understand. Don't beat yourself about it. It really is not easy to grasp.

And I'm not saying that if you want to become. I'm a fan of F1, you shouldn't expect to not understand a few things. Like, if you're picking it up as a new hobby, you should expect that you will need to at least do a little bit of pre-ready or a little bit of background, you know, research to understand what's going on. Like, of course, but this, I think this takes it to a brand new level. And that's not to say I'm against these changes, by the way. I'm actually, I think my biggest takeaways from all of this is I think they are an improvement.

I think we will see improvements as a thanks to these regulation changes. They've gone further than I thought they were going to, at least in one go for Miami. But what is also true, my third sort of takeaway from this, is if you are expecting Miami to be radically different, I think you will end up disappointed. Yeah, I see your point there. I think I agree. I do think safety-wise, I like that they put safety as a real paramount of what's going on here. I'm completely in agreement. I don't like the hand. hand-holding thing that we spoke about the starts. But I do think they've looked at everything with the safety first point of view. I'm totally okay with that.

I do think it's not going to spice up the racing. Unfortunately, I don't think we're going to see a drastic change of what goes on with our racing. I don't think you're suddenly going to get a really fresh, competitive, natural style of racing in Miami. So don't turn up to Miami, expect it to be different to Japan or China. I don't think that's the case. The third point of view is they need to find a way to make this simple and easy for people

to grasp because you are going to lose fans. I feel like, and there's a massive disparity between people who like these regulations, the people who don't. I think the easiest way I can put it is if you think the racing at the moment is an 8 out of 10, this will probably make it a 9 out of 10. And if you think the racing at the moment is a 3 out of 10, all of these changes will make it a 4 out of 10. Like, I think it will be an improvement,

but it's not going to change drastically where you are in terms of your opinion on where we're at. It's going to take a lot longer than... this one change to really bring it back to a place where 85, 90% of fans love what's going on. Realistically, this year, there's not a huge amount more they're going to be able to do on top of what they're already planning on doing. And when you've asked manufacturers and engine buyers to spend so much on research development, you can't just snap your fingers and make it change because you may a mistake with how the guidelines are.

Final point on this, I just really enjoyed when I was researching this earlier in the week. and I actually went quote-wise of what F1.com has said itself. And they went with, I just love they went with the term refinements to the regulations. I really like the idea of Stifamond, Demangarli working in F1 refinery, being like, press that green button. So it's like, it's great. We just need to tweak it ever so slightly to make it even more great. They didn't use the word tweak.

They didn't use the word change. Just refining. That's all we're doing. Yeah, when I got a D in my AS-level psychology exam, my lecturer came up to me, we just got refined this slightly, and you'll be, you'll be the best.

It's as simple as that. With the greatest respect, Sam, that I am absolutely delighted you failed that class because, this wouldn't be if you didn't do that. That's the kindest excuse that you've given to that answer. Well, that's the only answer of ever given.

Well, I was waiting for some kind of psychological insult. No, I was actually being quite heartfelt and genuine. You were. I was waiting for the roast. You know. Man, aren't we all waiting for a roast?

Bring on the roast. Bring on the roast. Let's move on to Colton Herta, because Cadillac have announced that Herta will make his practice debut with the team at the upcoming Barcelona, Catalonia Grand Prix. I just don't want it to be the Spanish Grand Prix. After appearing in FP1 in Spain,

Hurtable tackle three other Friday sessions in place of regular drivers, Valtry Bottas and Sergio Perez, over the course of the season. I don't think this is a massive surprise that Herta is at least doing some of these mandatory sessions, but this is, I guess, an announcement that he will do all of them. They do have Zheguanyu, of course, at the team as well.

They've got Pietro Fittipaldi, I think, is still their development driver. But is this STEM showing that they are committed to Hurtr. Makes a lot of sense that they've gone this way. Joguang Yu is there as an experienced hand in case something goes wrong with Bottas or Perez. You know, they storm off and don't want to drive the car anymore. Or, you know, that horrible. probably there's an injury to one of these drivers that needs to be sorting out quickly. Shoguang you knows how to drive a Formula One car to an acceptable standard.

He has the super licence points done and dusted, equally marketing in China through the roof. There's some boguses there. Yes. I think we all go with that PXO is probably unfortunately not going to be at the quality that he needs to have to come into Formula One. It looks like his trajectory is very much going to be behind the scenes and other racing formulas and categories. It just happens. That's some drivers. Herter is made at the right.

stuff. We know that. We've seen him go around these proper tracks in the likes of indie, you know, got ovals, actual considered circuits. And I do think that we know that his trajectory for Cadillac anyway is to get him into a Formula One car competitively. Now, I am really pleased to hear that Kagalak are taking these practice sessions seriously and they are giving it to Colton and they're not sharing it out a little bit, not trying it one through another. Their eggs are in one basket. And announcing it early. announcing it early. They're removing any kind of speculation about this.

I think this is the right way to do it. I like the way they're doing it. They've got two committed drivers that they're happy with right now, give the young kid a go to really get comfortable in this car. Because let's say he has a smashing F2 season, even though it is a bit disrupted. He might be Reading, actually, right? He might be.

Might be another year, but he'll have at that point, I imagine, what, eight free practice sessions. If he goes for another year in theory, that's a lot of time. That's a lot of time in a Formula One car to get his. self-comfortable. So they're going the right way about it, in my opinion. And just a reminder of what the rule is for everyone. Each team or each driver, with the exception of any rookies on the grid, of course, that's only Arvid Limbaard this year.

But any driver that's not a rookie needs to give up two FP1 sessions throughout the year can be any race to give up to someone like Colton Herta in this instance. It's been an interesting one this year for the teams because, of course, they normally have 24 weekends where they can use this. That's already been cut down by two, probably, to 22 races. Six sprints still exist, which cuts it down to 16. Like, it's, we're going to see a lot of FP1 switches throughout the year, just as really three races into the season as well.

So that's 13 available. Yeah, annoyingly, I imagine Bahrain was one of the ones they were probably targeting as well as one of these. Because we've got so many laps, so much practice. Of course, the pre-season practice session was happening, testing was happening at Bahrain as well. So all of our drivers have done endless laps, countless laps around Bahrain. If it's anywhere they know and they're comfortable to give up an hour of their time in the car,

Bahrain's an obvious hit for these juniors to get involved. So they'll be quite gutted. They've lost that one, I think. No doubt. There would have been quite a few teams that used Bahrain for this reason. It's the same reason why Catalonia is now being chosen. That's why Barcelona has been picked as well. I do hope for her to sake, actually, the other three happened maybe slightly later in the year

because that Cadillat right now, it's not great. And I'm not saying Hurtable, get nothing out of it. He will get something out of it, but he'll get something a bit more out of a car that is competitive, which Cadillac will be hoping,

at least later in this year, it's a little bit more competitive. So I kind of hope that they at least save a couple of them for later in the season. I have no doubt he will either get Cota or, is it a spring weekend this year? It's not, no. I think he'll go around.

there or he'll go around Vegas one of the two because of the American influence of course I think there'll be a bit of a get him out on the track let's get an American in the American car Cota wouldn't shock me at all but yeah that that feels a likely one um I'm glad they're using him for for all four of these sessions with the greatest respect to to both fitzapal Lee and to show they aren't the answers to Cadillac's future and and Herta might not be either we don't know that but there is at least a chance and throughout the course of this F2 season and these practice sessions, we'll start to find out a little bit more.

Did Pietro get FP practices, sorry, FP practices, good. That's like any other business Aobs that we joke about. Yes. Yes. Did he get free practices with Haas? I feel like he probably did. There's a chance he's definitely had F1 experience.

I think so, yeah. I'd be shocked if he didn't. We know he actually was in the car as well. Yeah. As a result of Grosjean's craft. but yeah, I feel like he must have done some practice. He's had some laps, unlike Colton. Yes, yeah.

Something that you alluded to was his F2 season and Tao, it has been somewhat disrupted. Of course, they did the Australian Grand Prix, did F2 at the beginning of the year. Their next scheduled appearance was going to be this Bahrain and Saudi Arabia doubleheader. And with that cancellation, it looked like it was going to be a full three months until F2 would next be on track. Instead, it's two months because they are going to be. at Miami and Canada. But it's not the way that Colton Hurtt or indeed any of these F2 drivers would have been anticipating the start of their season. No, and at least for Colton Hurtes sake, he's going through the same problems as all these other drivers. It's not like it's only

affecting him. But I think Formula One I've done well to react here and to get F2 alongside them for the support series in Miami. These young drivers, getting time racing properly, competitively alongside others that might be Formula One challenges is really important. And having a three-month gap causes a lot of problems, not just for the competitiveness of the drivers who are learning, but also for interest in the sport, for sponsoring interest, for young people who want to get involved in Formula One, it's the real lack to suddenly lose something for a quarter of a year. You can very quickly lose interest. And there's a real chance that Formula One will be suffering with a lack of interest after losing

a whole month of racing, a very integral time of a new set of regulation. So I'm glad they brought it forward to Miami. I wouldn't be disappointed if they also picked up another race. They weren't going to a little leg around in the season. Yes. It is tough for her to just based on we've got, again, it's a two-month break between Australia and Miami, but it's also a two-month break between Azerbaijan and Qatar later in the year as well.

So whilst the F2 season does technically go from Australia to Abu Dhabi, there are a lot more gaps in the middle which will really have about half the races. Yeah, I think it's 14, so it's, and it would have been 12, if not for the pickup of Canada and Miami. So it is tough for all of them. I think there are some maybe that are viewing his F2 season

as just an excuse for him to get, not even experience, the super license points, yeah. But I do actually think the experience element of this is important. He's obviously done European racing before, he went. But a long time ago. A long time. I think this is a great way to resettle him. The racing is different. You see that when, you know, F1 drivers go over to IndyCar.

They don't pick it up and win, right? The success rate is rare. So it is a big change. It's a big shift. He's young enough that he's got the time to adapt to grow and develop. He needs, I think he needs two seasons like F2 to really come about. And I'm not sat here going, Gogol win it. If he doesn't win it in the first year's a failure, I think he needs some time to re-embed. Yeah.

I would think they're targeting 28 if they are targeted, like in terms of an F1 seat, I think two years and F2 could be quite useful. I'd like to see him top six, top seven this season, and then top three, fighting for a championship. Realistically, if the development is a good progress. Yes, we'll have to see how that one unfolds. Before we go to our next break, a quick shout that our next episode is going to feature a Q&A segment, but we're targeting this specifically towards questions about the 26 F1 Constructors.

Might be a slight spoiler that we're going to do drivers at some point in a future Q&A. But we're looking for your questions about F1 constructors from the 26th season. It can be anything in that department. So if you're on Discord, you've probably already got the notification that you can fill in the form that exists there. But if you haven't, if you're not on Discord, we do have the link in the description. You are going to have to be quick, though, because we're recording this one a little bit earlier in the week. So Thursday is the deadline for this. Perfect.

Hopefully make it fun. I would hope so, yeah. I mean, again, constructors, I'm sure you can be creative with what you want to ask. Indeed. We're going to hold our heads in shame for this next segment. We'll take a quick break. On the other side, we're going to revisit some predictions we made last year. Terrifying and embarrassing.

Welcome back, everyone. On the 10th of August 2025, we asked the question which certain drivers would win a title at some point in their career. We're going to revisit that today and see if we want to change our answers at all. Stick or twist. A bit of a stick or twist, yeah. So we'll run through them in the same order that we did it in August. We'll just see where our confidence is based on our answers at the time. And again, we can change them now if we want to.

So we'll start with Oscar Piastri. This was an interesting one. All of us, including Mr. Harry Ead, said that he would win a title at some point in his career. Now, you and many others, I'm sure, at the time said it was going to be that season. We were close. We were close. Does that change your answer long term? No.

No, I'm very confident. It was his first proper go, right? even Norris, despite not delivering the year before, he did have an opportunity to have a crack at a world title, where Piastri was only in his second year in the sport. I do think that as he continues to develop, you look at the form we displayed in Suzuki after having no long-term racing laps. He was already immensely quick.

The raw talent is there. He's already got the relationships in the right areas. He's destined for big teams, whether it be McLaren or someone else. I think if he doesn't wing it, it's because he's one of those. drivers. A bit like Daniel Riccardo maybe where we look at him and go, you could have been a world champ. You just were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I think he's got the talent to do it. He has the talent to do it. Absolutely. That's why I am sticking with yes. I think he will win a world title at some point in his career. He has only just turned 25. He has the potential to

improve. I am somewhat fearful that the 2025 season, both for him and Norris, I hope we don't look back at it and say that was the one they both had to win. Well, you say that. How many champions have we had in the last 15 years? Four. Not many. Yeah. Like four different champions since 2010, I think.

What, Vettel, Hamilton, Rosberg, Bastaphn, now Norris. So the fifth one was only last year. It is slim pickings if you're in the wrong place. The only thing that I would say is that Oscar Piaastri, like, year three, very early in his career, comes close to winning a title, doesn't do it. I'm not sure I can think of another recent example where someone was close to winning a title that early in their career and then never did it. Yeah, Hamilton is the obviously immediate example that you think of.

But then he did go and win his second title. I don't think of one that didn't. I don't think of one that didn't. No, you're right. They've got a single tribe where they came 10 points away from winning it at worst and never actually converted. At least recently. The only one, and this doesn't quite work, is Felipe Massa,

but Massa was like six years into his career. It wasn't three. And even then, you'd argue with what happened with Hungary, right? He lost something there, and understandably so. Yeah, so I'm still going with yes on this one. Kimmy Antonelli, this is a really interesting one. You were on an island with this one, Sam, in saying yes. Both myself and Harry said he will not win a world title.

I regret my words. That boy winning the title. In that smug pie, I am. I actually was thinking about this the other day when we did our driver's predictions for this season. You know how in 2019 I said, Charle O'Clao will be world champion, he beat Vettel. I got one of those two things right.

Sure. I was really tempted this year to say that Kim Mianzegh would be world champion. And I regret not being bold. Let me just call up my grandmother who has wheels a second. Oh, yeah. She's actually a bicycle. Oh, she?

Yeah. Oh. Oh. Maybe I'll give her a ride. Good. Now, the boy's got so much talent. Bags of talent, as has been displayed. I think if this Mercedes is as good as it has been right now for the next three seasons,

at least one of those goes this way. It's really funny. I was listening back to the segment, obviously. And the same, I made a point that I'm also going to make now, despite the fact that I've changed my mind. Because I said at the time, this guy's going to have like 25 years to win a title, maybe. Yeah, great point, Ben.

Say yes. Like the likelihood when you're already in a top car of getting the right car for two and a half decades. My opinion at that point was that Russell was quite comfortably clear of what Antonelli did last year. And whilst that can be somewhat expected based on it being his rookie season, I made the point that the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel,

they hit the ground running quicker than what Antonelli did. And I stand by that. Very true. But Antenelli is younger. And I think we've seen such an improvement from him already this year that I don't know if it happens in 2026. Maybe, maybe not. But if it doesn't, it's got to happen at some point. It's what?

Youngest Poulsitter, youngest race winner, youngest championship leader? It's disgusting. It's quite good, ain't he? Yeah. Yeah. Should I hear something really rogue about age at the moment as we're just bringing this up? Go for it. In my actual job, we have a work experience person.

They have three days. They were born in 2011, so they're 15 years old. And when speaking to this child, for some reason, the subjects of JLS came up. Who's JLS? And he said, who's JLS? No! He's never heard of J. He's never seen.

Merry Christmas. Put some respect on J.B. Gill's name. I know I will. I just have never felt more old in that moment. Do you want me to make you feel even older? Yes, I do. That kid has lived 15 years of their life. We'll do that again and will still not be older than what you are now.

Yeah, yeah, that's good. That's good, I get real good. Oh, love being old. I great, love my life, yes. I'm only 31 and I feel like I'm a billion years old. Well, I'm going to kick you on your down with his next one. Good. Because the next one we answered was Lando Norris.

You were the only one that said he will never win a world title, I'm sorry. I mean, you only scraped that one over the line, being in. Technicality, yeah. Yeah, he won't get technicality. Give it Piaschrist on end of season. Yeah, well, you know what? I'm an old enough man to realize that I was wrong. I'll ask you a different question.

Will he win a second title? No. We're going to replay this in two years time. Next year. He's the other one. No, I don't think so. I'm actually with you. I don't think he wins a second one. I think he's done well to pick up one. He's a world champion. He's a Formula One world champion.

There are so many drivers that will never even come close. He's such an accolated. And he's a magnificent driver. Great guy. I just don't think it's going to line up again. I don't think he's got the outreach talent that someone like the Stauffin does to make it happen in a scenario where maybe he's the outsider. I think he'll be going to little luck and timing on his side if it ever were to happen again.

I am going to know on this. It easily could happen again. He easily could win a world time. He's got the talent too. I was wrong about him last year. Another thing that I've landed, I know I've kind of alluded to this a couple of times over the last month or so. I am not certain he's here for the long term.

Like, really? As in I don't think he'll be here at 35 or 40. Right. I'm not saying he's gone this. he's gone next. But I don't think, I don't think he's Alonzo. You think he's in a decade. He's probably gone. I, yeah, I do. I do get

button vibes a little bit from Lango. Yeah. You know, great driver, great personality, but only achieved the one. Maybe, maybe. George Russell, we all said yes for George Russell. Yep. I'm standing by that. I think he does.

Signs still delivered. That man has got world champion written all over him. Does that have to be this year? I think it should be this year. It should be. If it gets beaten by answering only this year, shaking. Warning lights are going off.

I think he will hope that similar to Mercedes from 2014 to like 2016 or 17 or whatever a year you want to use there, he will have enough opportunities that one of them is going to happen. He'll hope for more than one. He's going to be hoping that he's not the Niko Rosberg of the situation. That's a question. Is George Russell Nico Rosberg or Lewis Hamilton? They both got fantastic hair. True.

I didn't know what that word was going to be. Hair, I agree with. Charler-Clau, he all said no. Do we actually? Are you mugging me off? No, we all said he's never going to win a title. It's because he's too committed to that blimming Ferrari. I mean, yeah, to be clear, this wasn't like we were saying he's terrible.

He's not going to win. This is, he's just going to be stuck at Ferrari forever and isn't going to win one. An equal machinery? Yeah, no problem. No doubt. In that car, it's got acting. I just liked it at the time. It was a fairly confident from me like, no, it's not going to happen.

And now, no change. Just as confident, not happening. Contract's still there until 2029. The car is better, but it's still quite a way off. How have you committed yourself to 2029? He loves red. I don't know if I'm committed to living here in 2029. Charlotte Glor would be.

He'd be committed until 2050. If as long as his house was painting in Reg with a prancing horse on the front of it, be here. Leclair's the first person ever to take out a 100-year mortgage. He's that committed. And talk about how it's called Ferrari. Can you tell I'm going for remortgage at the moment, thanks. All right.

How's it going? Oh, great. I love it. Imagine your rates are ridiculous right now. Yeah. Cheers. No, I'm not going to. Mortgage chat on the podcast.

Yeah. It was all looking very rosy until things happened not that long ago in the wider world. And I'm not blaming anyone. Let's just move on, shall we? Let's move on to Isaac Cadjar, because we all said no for Isaac Cadjar as well. This is the one I'm probably the most on the fence for, if I'm honest. You were at the time. Yeah, and I think actually I'm going to change my answer.

Like that. He's been so much better than I expecting, even in a Red Bull that has been dire. He really has surprised me. I knew he's amazing at racing balls. I probably backed him the most out of the first. anyone thought how good he was. And when you become the second driver at Red Bull, alongside Max Verstappen, we've seen the train,

we've seen the pattern, we know that it's a tough gig to get right. And I think we all expect it to not be good and be okay with that. That has been a surprise for me. That in the glimpses we've seen of him on track when the cars worked, and it's actually being possible to drive it competitively,

for the most part, especially still in qualifying, he is still competitive. Now, there's a few caveats. I think Max Verstappan has still in. the sport. Okay. Well, that answers my question, which was going to be, if Red Bull deliver the best car and Vestappen is there, is there any chance he does it, which no. The answer is going. If they deliver the best car and he's replaced by anyone else, I think he's got a fair shout. Okay. I don't necessarily think he's the favourite, but I think your logs go right up.

I'm staying with no, but I'm not ruling it out. I have been pretty impressed with how close he's kept it to Vastappen so far this year. I want to see more of it before. I commit to a yes personally. But yeah, I'm probably more encouraged now than I was at the time we answered this. The last thing we asked ourselves was, is there anyone else that we haven't gone through that you would put on that list? And there was one name that we both had, and that was Gabrielle Bortoletto. Yeah, I stand by that.

I'm standing by that. If Audi could turn that car into a bit of a monster, which I think they're so out there with their design ideas and their logic, I think if it does click, it could be, magnificent. I really think he's got the raw talents and make it happen. I just don't want to get left behind because you see something in his drivers that are around him already thriving, winging races, picking up podiums, fighting right at the front. He's the champ. He's the guy that beat all of those guys. I want Audi to really build on early games and start being properly competitive in the next couple of years. Otherwise, I feel like he might end up as being lost

in the midfield and that would be a real shame. I'm sticking with Bortoletto as well, considering Berman. I wish I said Berman now. At the time, yeah. In between the start of September, so after we did that show, and now, he has been phenomenal. Maybe that was the motivation. Maybe he went. No, well, champ, late breaking.

I listen to you every week. That sounds like Bermann. How very day. This is exactly how he speaks. Well. He's besmirched, I think you'll find. So I do think that he could. have a good chance. If you get,

ah, yeah, I don't mind it. He's got a Ferrari. Oh, yeah. Well, if Hamilton stays and LeCler doesn't go, he will have no choice but to go elsewhere. To win it with Haas. Which is the obvious solution. Yes. Can't wait to see that. So we're not changing too much from our original answers. We'll just pretend the Norris one didn't exist and move on.

Yeah, I'm going to struggle with that one in the comments. Sorry, Norris fans. You're going to roast me there. Yeah, never mind. I never mind. Let's take our final break on this episode. On the other side, we're playing F1 back and back. Welcome back, everyone. It's time for F1, back and back.

F1. Back and back. There it is. A bit of a challenge for you here, Sam. See how many you can get on today's back and back. It's not going to sting, isn't it? It's the new game. Yeah.

I want you to name the last 20 drivers to race for a team that finished last in the Constructors' Championship. Oh, okay. And one small disclaimer on this one that will impact you. If a team was excluded from the championship, as might have happened at some points in the not too distant past, they are considered to be fully excluded. They aren't last. They are just excluded. They are disqualified.

Yes, yeah. Okay. Okay, okay, okay. or as outcast once said, all right, all right, all right, all right. Yeah. Lemmy or sugar. That's a boat.

That's a new show. Completely now. We are just outcast. Big up, Andre three stacks. Love that. The boy is a legend. But so is, is it bad boy? Big boy.

Big boy. Of course it's big boy. How dare I. The blasphemous terms. Right. let's think about things. Now, in theory, steak came last, last year, or did Alpine come last last year,

let's try things, because that's how this game works. I've got it strikes, by the way. Fire away, mate. No strikes. Valtry Bottas. Valtry Bottas is a correct answer because steak were last in 2024. Mm-hmm. Joe Guan Yu.

Joe Guan Yu is a correct answer for that very same reason. Okay. Pierre Gasly. Pierre Gasly is a correct answer. He finished last as part of Alpine in 2025. Franco Colopinto. Franco Colopinto is a correct answer. But that same reason.

I'm going to try this one, but it depends how much of a technicality you've gone down. Jack Dewan. Jack Doing is a correct answer. It doesn't matter how many times they raced for them, as long as they did at least once. So doing is a correct answer. Good.

I'm glad I've got the last two teams out of the way. That's fine. Yeah, that's got the embarrassing bit. Good stuff. For some reason, I don't think it will count because you said the last 20 drivers, right? Last 20 drivers, yeah. Yeah, I've got Roberto Merriam. Slightly too far back.

Too far back. Yes. Yeah, I guess you've got what, essentially a decade in case there's no repeats going on right now. Yeah, about that. Okay. Okay. Why does your brain go blank when you play these games? I don't have that

but I also have the answers in front of me so that helps me quite a lot I bet if we were down the pub we were just talking about this I'd be like I'd really laugh and go after these immediately Oh no doubt with some random one as well

thrown in there as well Yeah exactly that Ralph Furman or something It's always Ralph Fernal He's always here in him Right who came last further back Did Gutierrez.

Have I do it. Gutierrez, no. No? He was not last. Okay. What about... I've already said Mary. Why can't I get Robert and Mary's hang out my own?

This is Harry with Brabham all over again. I said Mary, by the way. Pascal Verline? Pascal Verline, is the correct answer. He is the penultimate name on this list. But yes, he was last with Salba back in 20s. 17, I think. Oh, not 2017. Damn it. I've got 20, like 15 drivers in my head. I've got

Willis-in-Ivonne. He ain't going to need to go that far back, I'm afraid. All right. Nick Latifi. Latifi is a correct answer. On two occasions, Williams were last and he was driving for them. Kubitsa? Kubitsa is a correct answer back in 2019 with Williams. Russell? Russell is a correct answer. The other name that's on this list twice with Williams. That's amazing, isn't it? If he ever becomes like a multi-sense, I'm world champion. That'd be a great pub quiz question. Albon? Albon is a correct answer. Yes. Again, going with his Williams days. Yeah. Thank you, Williams, for being so poor for so long.

Pretty much. Only moment. Okay. Other teams. How many have I done like seven? Is that right? You've done 10, I think. Wow. Halfway. Yeah. Okay. I don't think this team may finish last. Sonoda? Sonoda is not a correct answer No I didn't think the Alpha Tauri team They've been that low down

Gosh, it is difficult Because you think like Haas For example You're like you're a real slow team How many times have you actually been right At the very back So if I would say Grosjean No

Okay What if I would say Magnuson If you were saying Magdison That would be a correct dancer Hasse were last in 2023 When he was driving for them What about Holkenberg? And Holkenberg?

And Holkenberg was his teammate in that year. There you go. Okay. It's really difficult to remember who it is last overall in the season. Yeah. Unsprisingly, not a lot of focus there. You don't tend to pay that much attention to get that far back, do you? I'll give you a clue.

That's not the last of Hass you will see on this list. Oh, okay. So I've got to think of some other horse drivers. This is Harry, man. Harry would be all over this. Maybe all over this. Mick Schumacher? Mick Schumacher is a correct answer.

I'm assuming for Haas. Yes, for Haas, yeah. Okay. Who was in that car randomly that appeared? Berman? No. No. Further back? Further back.

Pietro Fitzapalby? No. Damn, really thought we got that one. Oh, Jack Aitken. Jack Aiken is a correct answer. Yeah, that's a tough one. But subbing for... Russell, when he went to the savings.

Yes, of course, yeah. See, this is what I mean in the pub. That one, I can. come straight out. Yeah. Okay. I'm going to be really annoyed that I'm going to get that one that's sitting in house right now.

Was it a sub-in as well? No. He was there full-time alongside Chumacher. Oh, that's even worse. That's even worse. He was only there for a season. Yeah. Was it another rookie?

Yeah. He was going to do a second season and his plans were thwarted. Oh, Mazepin. Mazepin, yes. Yes. is the other hash driver. Of course. I forgot that they were that slow.

They were really bad, weren't they that year? They were. They were really bad. Right. How many of I got left? Six? Five. Five left.

Okay. A couple years? Yeah. So I didn't write them down, but I think you've got two drivers from 2018, two drivers from 2017, and then you've got a sub-driver for 2021. Wow.

You can tell. 22, I think, actually. No, I was right the first time, 21. Okay. I don't think I'll get the sub. I don't think so. Okay, when you tell me it, of course. That's how it works.

Can I get any more? I don't want to drag this all either for people listening because it's always that really fun. No, tell me else's. All right, then. 2017, so you got Verlain who raced for Salba that year. He missed the first couple of races, which saw Jöbernazzi go in the car for,

Oh, yes. And the other driver throughout that year was Marcus Erickson. Erickson hanging my mind. I guess I can think that would sail were they were ever that far back. 2018 was another instance of it being Williams, which leads us to Lance Stroll and Sergei Sorokkin. Sorokkin, I should have got. And then the replacement driver is another Williams one from 2021.

And that was the Italian GP, Nick DeVries. God, that blows back. That's a raise from my memory. Yeah. I did really well. Yeah. I never would have got Nick to freeze. You weren't there.

That might be why. Was I on holiday? Yeah. You definitely weren't on the review for that Grand Prix, I remember. I mean, I was on holiday in 2021. I don't think so. What was I doing? It was COVID.

Unless it was Scarborough or something, yeah. Well, I can't bloody Bournemouth. That leads us nicely on to our final segment today, which is, of course, the greatest segment in all. of podcasting. It's time for the LB question of the week. Do I have permission?

You have permission. Weak. That actually leads us nicely onto one of these answers. We asked the question. The dangerous question to ask. Some of you are filthy. Name something longer

than the gap to the Miami Grand Prix. Jackson first answer from him, which is, we. Week. Which one of you put week in the tiny font? Well done. Well done. Sent great comedy from producer Kerski there. I enjoyed that. I'm going to go straight in with Hunter who has said the item that was between Seb's legs in Brazil. Great answer. Love that. And a great callback reference as well. That was one that I was thinking of. Finn has said Carlos Sines's full name. Please read it to us, Ben, if you have it. Well, I decided to actually go and get this because it is,

in the comment, but his full name is Carlos Sines-Vasquez de Castro. But I would raise you Esteban Ocon's full name. Which is? Which is Esteban, Jose Jean-Pierre Ocon, Kelfan. That's too long. Come on, Esteban, leave some words for the rest of us.

I haven't got a name now because you took them all. Yeah. Cheers. I didn't say anything because you haven't got a name. That's just air. Good. Fine. This one comes from Adam, which I really liked the gestation period of an African elephants, but they does not say how long the gestation period of an African elephant is.

Have you got that information? I have got that information. We're learning a lot. How long? You'll never believe this. 22 months. Wow. Honestly, lethal gestation for the rest of us.

Oh. I'm being corrected because apparently Wikipedia doesn't have his full, full name. What's the full full full game? Read it out. Well, his full full name. Is Carlos Ains-Vasquez de Castro, Senamore, Rincon, Roboyo, Berto Moreno de Randa, Don Perro, Biroi, no chance, Perez del Pulga.

And there's one other word in there. I'm not even trying. How long is the birth certificate? I don't know. I've seen my birth certificate. The name for space is not that big. The good news is, for sure, you can just call him CSV-D-C-R-V-M-D-P-U-D-P. the DP. Yeah, I will start using that. I think that's much better. Yes. Or go even shorter and just

go in his last two, which is DP. Oh, yeah. Just go really, really short if you were. Yeah, sure. I am actually he's part of DPD delivery. Yes, that's why I said that, yeah. Excellent. Um, good. Next one is from, uh, Ryan, who said the gap in living standards between Patriot City and Swindon. Yeah, got them right. If you're living Swindon, get down a picture on the system, you're going to love it. Big upgrade for a very little price. Got it sound like a TV advert. Yeah, that was nice, yeah. Thank you.

Cheers, JBC. I like this one from BJ. The Gap to the end of Larkstroll's contract. Just over the horizon, that one, isn't it? But we never know. It's always hidden. Like, what's his contract is. It could be tomorrow.

Just every day it extends. Next one from Bungers, the Hundred Years War. Oh, yeah. just 13 years longer than the gap to Miami. Yep. I'll have to say it because it annoys me all the time, but Steve has said the distance between two lakes. That's a great point from Steve, you know.

He's brought that up well, and even now I'm being irritated by that phrase. Last one for me is from Gary, Mika Haken and sabbatical. Great reference. I've just got to call out the final one, which I appreciate you always getting a mention on these. And that is from Matthew who said,

Sam's extensive list of vocabulary words. Do you feel besmirched by that comment? No, because that's got what besmirch means. Well, how do you feel as a result of that comment? Delighted. Cheers, mate. Thank you very much for all of your answers on question of the week. They are much appreciated, as always.

You are some very funny people. if you wouldn't mind getting us out of here until Sunday's episode. Thanks so much for listening to folks. Hope you're enjoying this weird, break content. You know, Ben's doing very hard putting together a schedule that's actually interesting for you. You know, get involved in the comments. Let us go if there's anything particularly you do want to hear.

And do not forget that we've got the Q&A. The link is in the description. It's on Discord as well. It'll also be our social media stories for the next 24 hours. If you want to go out there and say us a question, try and keep it constructor-related. I'm sure we'll do another one in the near future if you have other questions as well.

Speaking of Q&A though, if you want to ask more regular questions or get to know us as people, we have something burning that you think is interesting. Every beer with breaking, which is where the three of us sit down with a beer and we chat sitting us and have a big laugh, we start that off with a little Q&A, and that's on Patreon. And it is only about £9 a month at maximum level, if you want to try it out. You can cancel it immediately if you're interested or you think it's not for me. Totally fine, but it really helps the show. And we appreciate everyone that does.

Come on down to Patreon City and take up residence. Join the Giscorp. That Q&A is in there as well. and you can chat to over 4,000 F1 fans who all love the show as well, so get involved. We love having you in there as well. Follow us on social media,

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And I've been Ben Hocking. And remember, keep breaking late.