The Late Braking F1 Podcast - Fernando Alonso to make F1 return in 2021?

Episode Date: February 7, 2020

Will Fernando Alonso take advantage of a "good opportunity" and return to F1 in 2021? The guys discuss how realistic this is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you fly in Emirates business class and you're picked up by your private, luxury, chauffeur-driven car, you'll see that your vacation isn't really over until your flight is over. Fly Emirates. Fly better. This Giving Tuesday, Cam H is counting on your support. Together, we can forge a better path for mental health by creating a future where Canadians can get the health they need when they need it, no matter who or where they are. From November 25th to December 2nd, your donation will be doubled. That means every dollar goes twice as far to help build a future where no one's seeking help is left behind.

Donate today at camh.ca.ca. slash giving Tuesday. Ontario, the wait is over. The gold standard of online casinos has arrived. Golden Nugget online casino is live. Bringing Vegas-style excitement and a world-class gaming experience right to your fingertips. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, signing up is fast and simple. And in just a few clicks, you can have access to our exclusive library of the best slots and top-tier table games. Make the most of your downtime with unbeatable promotions and jackpots that can turn any mundane moment into a golden opportunity at Golden Nugget Online Casino.

Take a spin on the slots, challenge yourself at the tables, or join a live dealer game to feel the thrill of real-time action, all from the comfort of your own devices. Why settle for less when you can go for the gold at Golden Nugget Online Casino. Gambling problem call connects Ontario 1866-531-260. 19 and over, physically present in Ontario. Eligibility restrictions apply. See Golden Nuggettcasino.com for details. Please play responsibly. Thank you for listening to the late-breaking F1 podcast.

Make sure to look out for new episodes every Thursday and Grand Prix Sundays. Hello and a very warm welcome. This is the late breaking Formula One podcast. We've got some interesting topics to debate tonight and we've got a full house in order to do so. My name's Ben Hocking alongside Harry Ead and Samuel Sage. Guys, how are you doing? We are now incredibly close to the start of cars being launched.

I'm pretty buzzing to finally have some cars back on the screens, bring back Formula One. the weights has been ever so long. So, so long. That was beautiful. Thank you so much for your input, Harry. I feel like the first car launch is like the 1st of December in the F1 world. So we are nearly there.

We're nearly through the long, hard, cold winter. So today we're going to be talking about Jack Aitken. We're going to be looking at his move to Williams. Is it a good move for him? We're going to be looking at who needs a big 2020? Of course, there are a number of drivers on the grid who are under pressure before the season even starts. We're going to be looking at a few of those options. But first, we're going to kick off with Fernando Alonzo.

Perhaps, as Alonzo would put it himself, karma in that Honda have apparently nixed his decision to race in the Indy 500 with Andretti. There is just a rumor at this point. It isn't confirmed. Sam, start with you. Do you think that this is something of divine judgment? justice for Fernando Alonzo after so many years of him tarnishing the name of Honda? Or do you think this is just Honda being a bit petty? I mean, regardless of your opinion on this, it's quite funny, isn't it?

It is amusing that Honda have gone, nah. You were rude to us. You were like a naughty school child a couple of years ago. And now we've grown up. We're taller than you. So no. Obviously, I think it's quite petty. If we're going to be totally honest, that Honda engine was terrible.

It was by far the worst engine on the grid. Farol also is a two-time world champion. He has every right to complain about the one thing that's causing him the issue, and that was the power unit. Honda have come on loops and bounds. They're making a great power unit. It's nearly the same power as the current Ferrari and Mercedes, which is brilliant.

I'd arguably say it's better than the Renault now. So I think they should have just been the bigger group of people and say, why not put one of the best drivers in the world in our much better car, redeem this story, make it a lot better, and let's wing something together. What a great swan song that would be for the kind of Fernando Alonkso Honda partnership to see them go and maybe win something like Indica. I would love to see it.

But I do think a Honda would be a little bit petty. I think Alonso has been right to be frustrated while he was at McLaren with that Honda engine. I see why they've done it, a little jab back at one of the most powerful people in motorsport. But I really think they've burnt a brick there. I think Alokso is one man, Honda are a whole organisation and they've ruined a relationship entirely. But you could say that Alokso did that a long time ago if you want to see it like that. But for me, I think Honda probably killed with the bigger people. And I think this boils down to something that you would never expect to have seen about five years ago,

that it's actually Honda that hold the power in this and they're preventing Alonzo from doing something. So, Harry, obviously president of the Fernando Alonzo fan club. So I'm interested to know what your views are on this. Do you think that it's Honda just being a bit petty? Membership is free, by the way, guys. I agree with Sam on this. Look, Alonzo didn't go about, you know, the Honda problems, perhaps in the best way.

But not to say, as Sam said, not to say that he was wrong about the Honda engine, because it was terrible. Yeah, so from the Honda side, I do think it's a bit, I don't know the word petty, but it is kind of petty, isn't it? It's a bit like, well, you said a mean thing about me, so now you can't come play with us. Yeah, like bigger picture here, lads. That sounds like they've got a chance to renew their vows and end the Alonzo-Honda relationship on a positive note.

Because, you know, when they went to India together in 2017, he was, you know, in the mix to the whole thing. So, yeah, if it is a true story, then it's a missed opportunity. And it's just, yeah, it's like he said, she said a bit, just a bit school ground, isn't it? So, yeah, it's sad to see. I can understand it from Honda, you know, pride and honor is a big thing in Japan. And he diss them at Suzuki. But, come on, guys.

Bigger picture here. Yeah, I have to say there's a part of me that just can't stop thinking that this is amusing. I mean, it is funny. There is something very funny about this. I have to say, Fernando Alonzo, he is an incredibly talented driver. I don't think anyone is going to go against that viewpoint. But the number one criticism that most people have of him, including myself, is the off-the-track shenanigans that he's got up to.

And he's struggled in terms of building relationships with those he's been around. and when stuff hasn't gone his way, he doesn't necessarily act in the most mature manner, as we saw with Honda just a few years ago. It wasn't just him involved in that situation. It was Stoffel Van Dorn as well. Obviously, they were in completely different parts of their career. Alonzo, if he left the sport after 2016,

he wouldn't have necessarily mattered for his legacy. He had already achieved so much. Van Dahl was in the completely opposite situation, of course. but as a veteran driver, it was down to Alonzo to go through it and to really not burn those bridges, to keep everything afloat, to be that veteran presence that he was required to be. And he wasn't. And now it's come back to cost him. Ultimately, yes, Honda could have put him in that car,

but Honda have been on this hard road ever since 2016. And they were rightfully criticized for their. engine, but it went to the point where people were laughing at them. And memes were, I mean, the meme culture of 2016 around Honda completely destroyed their reputation. And it's taken them a long time to get back to that. You could argue it's only really this season, or say last season, where they have fully regained some of that reputation that was lost.

Are they going to now threaten that? Are they going to put that into disrespeat by saying, okay, we're going to let Alonzo in that car because ultimately half of the field are going to be running with Honda engines. If Alonzo retires because of an engine issue, it does not matter if every other Honda finish that race. The only thing that people would talk about is Alonzo retiring. And then suddenly all those years of hard work, to a degree, they're all for nothing. And suddenly people were making jokes about Honda again.

They've got plenty of other opportunities to win with other drivers in the Indy 500. Yes, Alonzo did very well a couple of years ago, but there are plenty of other great drivers who race in the car week in week out. Honestly, I don't blame Honda for this. I really don't. Well, this is... Ben your band from the club.

Yeah, I agree. Ben-O-Boward. Who ever wants to be in my club? Ben Bokking Bang from Bando Bonsso Bainblub. Right, great. Thank you, Sam. You were on my side then, but you've just ruined it. Get in the comics. A lot of podcast sorted up.

Who's a, who's signing you on on this one? Do you think that Alonso is wrong or are Honda being ridiculous? The answer is Honda being ridiculous. So there you have it. So that's the situation. But of course, Alonzo not only have the talks been around his Indy 500 appearance this year, but there have been renewed talks about whether he will return to Formula One in 2021. I mean, Harry, obviously you're going to say that you want to see this, but on a more realistic matter, do you think that it is, do you think there's potential for it?

There's definitely potential for it, but I don't see him coming back unless he's in a car that's going to win him races, and that looks pretty damn unlikely. I don't know where he would go. I mean, the driving market is still fairly open at the top, but Lecler and Vestappen are secured. But there's potentially seats in Mercedes. There's another seat of Red Bull. But it's which top team would want him. Would he get back to Ferrari?

I think that would probably be his best chance. But, yeah, really is clear. Don't see it happening. But if it's 2021, you know, he might take a punt on a, what is a now midfield team. But he's ended that relationship. relationship with McLaren has now ended. He's no longer an ambassador. So those ties are no longer there. So as much as I would love to see it, I don't think I'm skeptical

that's going to happen. But I would love to be surprised. And people said about his age, but, you know, Schumacher came back when he was 39 or something like that. So I don't think that that matter too much. And it's not like a long that's been sat on the couch for the past couple of years who's been, or the past year even. It's not annoying with that very long, has it? But yeah, he's been busy doing other other motorsports. So he'll still be quick. I just don't know where he's going to, what seat he would take. So, yeah, I don't see it happening.

But I would love to as the president of the Fernando Alonzo fact club. Sure. And to that point, about 39, he would be 39 if he were to return in 2021. Of course, Kimmy Rykenin is currently on the grid and he is older than that. so definitely not unachievable. Sam, I mean, this idea of Alonso returning has kind of gone in and out of the news over the last couple of years. Do you think that it's realistic?

Do you want to see it happen? Do I think it's realistic? No, I don't think it's realistic. I think if you were to pick up Fernando Longso now, you might get one to two years out of things, which is, yeah, that's okay. But there's a lot of young talent coming through that is very good. We're in a very well-established pool of talent at the moment. A lot of it is yet to be explored.

I think we're in a bit of a golden age for actual talented drivers. I think the level of talent across the whole field is so strong. To bring Fulano Alonso back in a play, I'm not sure where he would go. I physically can't think where he would fit into that makes absolute sense right now. So, I don't see it happening at all. Do I want it to happen? If the whole new team appeared, a Fagano Alonso was a driver, then yeah, sure. But do I want him taking someone else's seat?

I don't think so. the grid. I like a lot of the youngsters coming up through F2 as well, and I want them to have a chance. I also have plenty of time. He took his time. He's very successful. Go and do something else, now, Fernando. You're doing welling. The Dakar, you gave a good shot of that. You're trying your hand it in. Obviously, you've done whack. Go and carry all those ventures, my friend. Be successful elsewhere. I love you in F1, but your ship has sailed, sir. So I bid you a Jew, and I wish you all the best. We'll see you in other things, but I don't think I'm backing F1. I would like to see Fernando Alonzo back in Formula One, but it would have to be under

certain conditions. Basically, I don't want to see a return of 2016 Fernando Alonzo because I don't think it was really fun for anyone. But I think Fernando Alonzo, look what he did back in, back two years ago when he did Indy 500, the interest in the race and how that peaked just because of his involvement in it. Fernando Alonzo, competing. A motivated Fernando Alonzo, who is just focused on getting the absolute maximum amount of his car and not worried about making jokes about his engine, is brilliant for the sport and it's brilliant for, it's just brilliant for, brilliant for motorsport in general. So I would like to see it under those conditions. Of course, realism then kicks in. Is it realistic to think

he will be in a position where he's competitive in 2021? I don't know. Ironically, perhaps the one place that would have made sense would be Red Bull in that 2019 they were able to see that the fact that they didn't have two drivers at an elite level cost them. If they had two Max Verstappans, they might well have beaten Ferrari in 2019. As it happens, they couldn't get the second driver right. So at that point, you think, okay, if Ghazdi's not the answer, maybe Albon won't be the answer. We know Kavirat's not the answer. Let's bring in someone an external like Fernando Alonzo, oh wait, we've got a Honda engine. That's not going to work. Other than the Honda engine, I think it would have made complete sense. So, yeah, that's not

going to happen, obviously. Return to Ferrari. Yeah, maybe that's his best chance in. I don't know whether they'd want to threaten this whole continuation plan that they've got. Obviously, Vettel has held the mantelpiece for a few years. He's going to pass everything over to Chal LeClair with his long-term deal. Do they want to throw a nuclear Alonzoam bomb into the middle of it and see what happens? I'm not convinced they do. So, yeah, I think realism will probably take its toll here, and I don't know if he'll be able to find the seat that he needs or the seat that he wants.

I don't think he's going to be motivated enough to do what Kimmy Reichen is doing. Kimmy Rykenon obviously took a massive step back this year in terms of car performance, but he got stuck in with the midfield fight, and it was great to see. I can't see the same thing happening with Alonzo, though. Yeah, completely agree with you, Ben. I think that realistically, I don't think he'd want to be a development driver. And if Philando was going to rejoin the sport, we don't want to see him in a possible championship winning car.

We want to see him fight for the title against the likes of Hamilton again. And I don't think that's ever actually going to happen currently. So I guess it's time over for a long time. He did say it was a good opportunity. So he's probably just keeping doors open. But we'll see how that develops. Moving on to a few drivers who need a big 2,000 We did this at the beginning of 2019 as well, established who might be under pressure if things don't go their way throughout the first half of the season.

We've each selected someone who we think needs that big 2020. Sam will kick off with you. Who have you gone for? Probably the most obvious choice on the grid, I think. It can all be changed come 2021 for Mercedes. I think that realistically, Hamilton is safe literally regardless of what he does. I think Hamilton could DNF every single race. this season and he'd still be put in that seat in 2021 if he wanted it. On the other hand,

Valtrey Bottas, he needs to be right up there in Hamilton. He doesn't need to beat Hamilton to the title, but he needs to be winning two races less than the season. He needs to be one position behind him every race. He gets to be pushing him the whole way and fair player, I can't have to say this, like Nico Rosberg did the entire time they were in the Mercedes together. Rosberg was a much more competitive teammate than Bottas as being to Hamilton. Hamilton's wiped the floor in pretty much every single season. The fact that Bottas went a whole season out getting a wing is worrying, and it wasn't too great come last season. Yes, it was a better season. It wasn't brilliant. He was still being pushed by the other cars who had a weaker pairing of engine a chassis

than Mercedes did. And that's worrying when Hamilton got eight wings not from pole, which is incredible. Now, the other threat, obviously, comes from the fact that Mercedes will be playing in their future. And they've got George Russell, who is a fantastic talent. And if you beat Latifie you hand over Fisk again this season, like he did with your Kibitsa last time, then I think that realistically, Russell's the obvious choice to replace him. They've also signed on Landau-Norris, of course, who is now McLare and Moseg's driver. He's showing great form as well. Norris is a fantastic season, maybe beat Sites and a great turn of events. I'm really nervous for Bottas. If he doesn't pull out all the stops, I think that Bottas could be out of a top seat drive very

quickly, and Mercedes will start their 20-21 era with Hamilton on his last couple of seasons looking to take the all-time record, or the youngsters are learning from Hamilton, who doesn't have any of the pressure that Bottas has to immediately perform, and then I think they can grow their team from there, then maybe bring the other person in, either Russell or Norris, depending on who they go for, or Hamilton leaves. If Bottas struggles this season, I don't know where he goes. I don't know what links he has, maybe even a step back down to Williams or something like that. I just don't know what happens to Bottas if he struggles to perform in Mercedes once again. And we all love him. We all have Valtry 2.0 with the porridge man, but I can't see him being good enough.

He's not even a strong enough wingman at the moment to make sure that the Sega is a 100% comfortable. Yes, they've one of the titles so far, but it's not been as easy as it should have been for how good that cars being and how well Hamilton's performed. So for me, Votas does need to step up. I think he's a massive 2020. Just a disclaimer, 2020 is the same size for everybody, though. Thank you for that disclaimer, Sam. Just to give sort of an example here,

what kind, if, let's just put a situation out there, Hamilton wins the championship ahead of Bottas in second with two races to go. Is that enough for him? I think realistically, Hamilton can only win the championship, maybe by a maximum of 25 points. Okay.

maximum. I think he needs to be pushing Hamilton all the way, yeah, like maybe to the penultimate race, maybe even the last race. Even if it's Hamilton is 24 points ahead and all he needs is to essentially get one point to win the championship, fine, but at least it's gone down to the final race. This is a chance that Bottas could win. You can't be in the championship winning car year after year after year and simply not push your teammate all the way. You can't be beaten by that extent. So I think Bottas needs to take it all the way to Abu Dhabi, realistically to show that he's deserving of being the number one driver when Hamilton in time retires.

Okay. So moving on to you, Harry. Who have you selected for who you think needs a big 2020? Well, I'm still recovering from shock because Sam said something nice about Nico Rosberg for once. It can happen, folks. It can. Unbelievable. So my driver who needs a big, massive, or they're not.

same size 2020 as everyone else, is Sebi Vets, Sebastian Vessel. Look, we've spoken about Vetter a lot and how we performed in 2019 compared to LeCler, but,

and we've said it wasn't as bad a year as some have made out, but even so, he still needs a big 2020 to effectively keep his seat in the team, I think. He's kind of fighting for a seat there because if LeCler

takes it to him as much as he did last year, then I think Vetter is in trouble and Vettel needs to come out with the year. I don't necessarily think he needs to win the championship, although I'm not saying, I'm not broading him out for winning the championship, but he needs at least more than one win out of the year.

And he just needs to get rid of these silly mistakes that he's occasionally been making in races. So, yeah, for Vettel, again, I'm not saying he used to win the championship. I don't even think he needs to beat the local He just needs to be more consistent, consistently fighting for wins and not, I don't know, not look as off the pace as he did at times in 2019 because at some races he was anonymous,

not at all. Some of them he was a classic Vettel, but not all the time, which is what we've grown accustomed to. So, yeah, Vettel is an important year for him because, you know, he's coming up to retirement age as well. So you might want to put some slippers on instead of racing boobs in 2021. But yeah, it's going to be a big year for the four-time champ. I love talking about people who are in their early to mid-30s and saying, oh, I'm heading up to retirement age.

It really does show what an industry F-1 is. I am going to stay within the Ferrari family, but I'm going for Antonio Gio de Janeiro. and I won't pronounce his name like that ever again. He needs a big year, though. After what was basically his rookie year in 2019, I know he raced twice in 2017, I'm not counting that.

It was his full rookie year in 2019. He had two things that went his way. And I think it was an okay year for him. I don't think it was great. I also don't think it was terrible. He had two things that went his way. First of all, it was his rookie year, so he gets more leeway. For example, Lando Norris didn't beat Carlos signs.

That's absolutely okay. It's his first year. It's not what you're expecting him to do. He put in a good season. Nobody is out there saying Lando Norris doesn't deserve a seat. I'm not saying Jemnonatseed is good a season as Lando Norris, but him not beating Kimmy Rykman isn't the end of the world in that opening season. So he gets more leeway.

The second thing that went in his direction last year was the fact that it didn't really matter if he had that much of a bad season because ultimately he was going to replace him. The reserve driver for Alfa Romeo last year was Marcus Erickson, who of course was on a full-time indie car schedule. So it's not as if he was ever at risk of him replacing Javanazzi. So realistically, who was going to step up if Jervonazzi was bad? You know, it was fine. again, gave him a bit more leeway. That disappears in 2020 because suddenly he's heading into his second year of Formula One

and he did improve at the end of 2019. He was definitely better in the second half of the year than the first half of the year. He just needs to continue on that upward trajectory and he needs to at least compete with Kimmy Reichen in this year. At the end of last season, qualifying-wise, there really wasn't much between the two of them. And even in races, I don't think there was that much.

if he can continue on that path and either finish very similar level of points or maybe even beating Kimi Rikinen, that will be great from Jovanazzi's perspective. But of course, now there are a few young Ferrari drivers who are starting to make them up. They're starting to put their foot down and show what they can do. And it's only a matter of time before one of them is at least prime and ready in a position to pounce if Jovenazi is not at the standard that they require him. to be. I think after Charles LeClair was promoted to Alfa Romeo and then to Ferrari, it left something of a bit, something of a gap in that Ferrari driver academy. But now you've got the likes of Mick Schumacher, who will be going into his second year of Formula 2. And we saw how he improved in his second year of European Formula 3. So if he goes on that same path, he might be in a position to get a Formula 1 seat

next year. Similarly, you've got his teammate Robert Schwartzman, who, many view as a future Formula One driver, including myself. And Marcus Armstrong, who's very much the same mould, Marcus Armstrong was, you know, pushing Robert Schwarzenman to win that F3 championship last year. So in Formula 2 this year, you've got three Ferrari Driver Academy, Ferrari Academy drivers. Jovanazzi, if he does not have a good season, is banking on all three of them not being ready for a seat in 2021.

That's not a bet I would want to take if I was him. Sure, maybe two of them aren't quite ready at the end of this year, but you hedge your bets that at least one of them will. So he needs to up his game, continue what he was doing at the second half of last season, push it on even further, and we'll see what happens, but a big year for him. Very big year indeed.

And of course, we've also got the likes of Kimi Rikin, who is possibly going to stay on even longer than we all expecting. If he keeps his seat, which I believe you probably can, it makes it even more difficult for the likes of Juvenatzi to stay in the sport. to clarify, Kimmy is staying until he's 65. Yeah, he is making

sure he's here to actual retirement age. It's putting a long shift. Retirement, blah. It's gone for the Saturday over time.

Got to love Kimmy. I mean, we were talking earlier about Alonzo, is he too old, to come back to Formula One? Here's Kimi, basically at the age of 90

going around at such a pace. What legend. Absolute. Love you, Kimster. We do love for Kimster here at late breaking. Moving on to Jack Aitken, some news surrounding him. He has left Renaud and his role as a young driver, reserve driver, test driver,

whatever he was at the end of his stint there. He's left there, and he's gone to Williams, where he will be the official reserve driver. He will take part in at least one FP1 session during the season, which is an opportunity he hasn't got before. So, Sam, studying with you, he might have gone back down the grid somewhat to Williams from Renault, but do you think this is a good move for him? This really baffled me when he announced it. I was, it took me a little, a few minutes to get my head round it.

I mean, it takes me a few minutes to get my head around a lot of things. I'm not the sharpest tour in the box. But it really is, for a moment that you think, Reno. Mig field, Renault, Reno, challenging for fourth place, hopefully Renault. Williams, gigacubitsa, last place, Williams, very slow. But I actually totally understand why he's done it. If it gets him a driving Formula One, and theoretically Latifi doesn't perform, or moves his money somewhere else, or Russell goes to Mercedes,

and there isn't another driver ready and waiting in the wings, and theoretically, he can get to drive. And that's what he wants, right? He walks a Formula One drive. I don't think he was going to get one in Renan. they've signed someone like O'Con and Ricardo is there to stay for a while anyway. And they've got other young drivers coming through that Renault program now as well. I think Aiken was almost out of sorts there.

He wasn't being given the favours that he needed by the Renault team. And Williams is very much a British brand. It's very much a heritage team. He's obviously got a bit of a link to them personally. And I think realistically for the growth of his career, this is a fantastic opportunity for him. If one of the drivers fails to perform in 2021, they go, we're still at the back of the grid, Jack, but take a seat, my friend. have a go.

Well done him. It's a strategic move and it's worked for other drivers and why can't it work for him? I'd love to see him in an F1 car whether I think he's actually really good enough to compete at the moment in the F1

kind of spec that we've got at the moment, I'm not sure, but I still think it'll be really great to have him in a seat, at least for a season. If Will Stevens got to have a go, then why doesn't get cake him? To bring in Will Stevens.

Had to do my man dirty. Come on. So, Harry, do you, agree that Jack Aitken to Williams is a good move moving away from running? I think it was a needed move, wasn't it? I don't know who, from the way that it was written and portrayed it, it sounded like he left them rather than they got rid of him. I think maybe he was just growing a bit stale as that I don't know what his official

role was, was reserve or young driver, but he was. wasn't doing any FP1 sessions, whereas he'll be able to get to do some FP1 sessions. And that in itself, with no F1 test, it will very little F1 testing anymore, to show his skills whilst the entire F1 Paddock is watching, is probably very an underrated opportunity. So I think that's got to be a big, big part of it,

a big part of his decision. Yes, it's to a team that's struggling, but look, I don't see William staying there forever. I'm also saying they don't jump up to midfield, but Williams aren't going to stay back of the grid forever. So I think it's a sensible opportunity, and it may just open a few more doors. And then there's links to Mercedes there as well with George Russell.

Like Sam says, if one of them moves elsewhere, then boom, he could well be in a drive. I've got to say, though, Williams' young reserve test spare back of the sofa drivers, The list is huge. It's got Jack Aiken, it's got Jamie Chadwick, it's got Roy. Bloody old. Roy, Narrowe.

Don't Roy. Don't Roy. It's another one there as well. I can't remember. Anyway, it's enormous. I don't know why they need quite so many people, but fine. If they've got the money and resources to keep them, then why not? But, yeah, all no, I think a sensible, needed.

career move for Mr. Aitken. Who I like as a driver quite a lot, actually. He just needs to be a bit more consistent. I think that Williams are going for a strategy of if we can't beat you with two cars, maybe we can beat you with 13. They just steal, steal all the drivers and then no one can beat them. I think that might actually be their strategy going forward.

I think this was a brilliant move from Jack Aitken, which does sound weird going from Renault to Williams. But ultimately, I don't think. I think Jack Aitken had any chance whatsoever of getting in that Renault car. I mean, Daniel Ricardo and Esteban Ocon are locked in now. And even though he was their reserve driver, I think in a position now where Renault needed someone to go into that seat, maybe Ricardo or O'Con had to miss a race,

I don't think he's Aikin who gets a nod. I think it would have been Guan Yu-Joe. And it's not only him that's coming through. I think Christian Lungard, who will be competing an F2 this year, Within one year or two, I think he will be knocking on the door too. So I think Jack Aikin was falling out of favor with Renault. Aikin doesn't have the youth of the few drivers that I just mentioned. Guan Yu-Jo's 20, Lungard's 18.

Aiken's 24 now. So it's not as if he has the time that a few other drivers around him have. And like you say, I don't think he had any chance at Reno. He has at least a small chance at Williams. either George Russell might move on at the end of 2020 or maybe Nicola Latifi isn't up to the challenge and Jack Aitken can step in mid-season. Either way, it gives him a better chance of reaching his ultimate goal of Formula One.

And I personally don't think Aitken is good enough for Formula One, which might sound harsh. But like the roll call of names that Williams have that you list it off, he is in the best position of all of those guys, at least. Jamie Chadwick isn't ready for Formula One. Dan Tictum's not ready for Formula One. Roy Nassani is not ready to drive a car, let alone Formula One. So I think, yeah, Aiken is in a good position to take advantage

of an opportunity that might come his way. There is still this thing about that extra team coming in. It's gone a bit quiet recently, but I think that was in an association with Campos, who he was with net last season. So who knows, maybe he gets in some way through that unlikely scenario. But yeah, he's there to take advantage of anything that comes his way. Well, I think it's a fair assessment. I agree with you, Ben.

I don't actually think that Akeying is good enough for F1. I really like Jack Agen. Generally, he's a person. He's bloody lovely. But I think you're right. I think he's missed the boat a little bit. Unfortunately, he's maybe, I think he'd be very good in many other categories of motorsport. and I think he'll definitely get a shot somewhere,

but unfortunately, I think the boat has sailed a little bit for him, and there are just too many fantastic young talents at the moment in around the F1 paddock, so I just don't think he gets a shoe in. I forgot that Dan Tickton was the other bloody test driver, for God's sake. So many. So many. What are you, Dan Tickham? It's just...

I mean, I'm going to put some respect on Dan Tickham's name here. You can't compare him to Roy Nassani. No, but his personality makes him worse. So there you go. Slaps him down. I mean, you don't win too many races on personality, but... He doesn't win anything. He wins more than Roy Nassani wins.

Yeah, I know, true, true, true. Not much of an achievement, but... I win more than Roy Nassani wins. Harry, the last of you scored points It was in 1996. Same for Ronos. We're kidding. Goat Roy.

We love you, really. This podcast is part of the Sports Social Podcast Network.