The Late Braking F1 Podcast - "Hamilton beating Russell to the championship is a best case scenario for Mercedes" - is that true?

Episode Date: February 22, 2023

Not long to go before the cars hit the track for testing, so the LB boys are looking at what is the best case and worst case scenarios for some of the teams in 2023? They also discuss Stefano Domenicalli's comments on human rights and talk through the impact of Lance Stroll missing testing... SUPPORT our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/latebraking JOIN our Discord: https://discord.gg/dQJdu2SbAm TWEET us @LBraking BUY our merch: https://late-braking-f1-podcast.creator-spring.com/ SUBSCRIBE to our podcast! EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/lbf1 Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Maybe too long. Freezing. Save up to 50% November 20th to 27th. Conditions apply, details online. Thank you for listening to the Late Breaking F1 podcast. Make sure to tune in for new episodes every Wednesday and Grand Prix Sunday. Hello and a very warm welcome to the Late Breaking F1 podcast presented by Harry Ead, Sam Sage, and me, Ben Hocking. Can you believe it?

it, Sam. Just two episodes after today is done, and we will be at the first race of the 2020 season. Doesn't seem real. It's amazing how slow the winter break feels when you're clawing your way through it. I'm watching Harry and Beny beside me through the trenches of the cold, cold winter. And then all of a sudden, it's like you part the leaves of the bushes that you've arrived at. All of a sudden, it's first race weekend. It's here. But, you know, we've gone through the swamp. We've gone through the shelling and the flooding and the mud and I'm coming. I've lost an arm

at some point. And yet in two weeks time... You haven't spent much time in the trenches, have you? No. You haven't been going to be myself. Anyway, in two weeks' time, we're going to be back. And we've got testing this week as we speak as well. Very exciting. Harry, have you recovering from your trench crawling?

Yeah, to me as I don't remember being there, so I must have got lost on the way. Surprise. Yeah. I was elsewhere. The back line is not the front line. Sound offence somewhere. A, see. Yeah, it's less than two weeks. Like a week and a half.

I'll just give you a jump. Well, no, this week is testing. Actual testing. As we all know, all the times that are set mean everything. They do. Bear that in mind. Yeah, it's a real session, people. Yep.

There's no much point watching the season, because what you see in testing is exactly what you get every single year. Yeah. You're testing my patience already, actually, Harry, with your silly. I mean, every episode, so. Yeah. Look at that giant mug. And what's talking about it when you're holding?

It's a lot of, everyone can see that. Yeah, I know. It's irrelevant. Again, it's visual shimber that we're on a podcast. We really are bad at this, but he has got a mug literally the side of his head. We'll get it nailed down one day. People can't see what we're talking about. One day you will see us.

Yeah. Oh, fingers crossed on that. Coming up on today's episode, everyone's favourite, F1 back and forth, is making an appearance to close out the show. Lance Stroll is going to be missing preseason testing later on this week. We'll be discussing that and also Felipe Drogovic taking his place in preseason testing. F1 prepared to cancel races over human rights concerns. Comments by Stefano Domenicali coming up.

But we're going to start with best case scenario, worst case scenario. Before we get to that, a quick announcement on Patreon. So we announced this very last minute of the last episode that we did. So to give it a bit more formality, new Patreon benefits coming in starting from March. So if you sign up now, you're there in time for when those benefits go live. Two extra exclusive bonus, whatever words you want to use, two extra episodes like this every single month if you sign up to the Patreon. on a couple of the tiers that we have. So check it out.

We'll make sure the link is in the description as always. Harry, put it at the top, would you? Put it at the top of the description. That way people can find it very easily. We like our list. I'll put you at the top in a minute, if not careful, sunshine. Thanks, Harry.

You'll get more of that on those secret episodes that everyone else listing on Spotify and Apple wouldn't usually hear. So if you want to make sure you're catching all of the late-breaking action, nothing is going away on the normal episodes. We'll be here twice a week every single week, but there'll be even more content. And if you sign up for the top tier,

top of the top, where I'm sure Harry's putting Ben right now as we speak, the Hall of Fame tier, you'll also get a monthly video of us where we might be a little bit tipsy, trying a few beers and discussing life and F1. And also,

you get a little birthday shout out, don't you? Yeah, you do. On your birthday month, on the podcast, you'll hear your name. Happy birthday to you, Harry, Ben,

me, Ian, Hall of Famer. You know, that'll be you. You'll join that amazing collection of names. So if you like all those tasty things, as well as Ag-Free Podcasts, a discount on your merch and gaming nights thing, give it a little look. It massively helps us. And we love you very much for those that are already doing it. Thank you. So let's get into best case scenario, worst-case scenario.

Each three, each of us have picked out two teams that we are going to give a best-case scenario, what could realistically be the best version of 2023, and then look at potentially what is the worst version of 2023 that could happen for these select teams. Sam, do you want to kick us off with one? Yeah, so one of the two that I've chosen is old Ashton Martin, you know, where the goat himself, Fernando Aloncester, has found himself, and we've got Lance Dordle. Yeah, I could do the meme again. I'm sure people aren't getting tired of me saying it like that. You know, Lance Stroll is there alongside the goat. And, you know, Ashton Martin, I did. You're right. I mean, a very precarious situation, I think, in their development of their timing Formula One. They're building these

huge facilities out at their home base. They've hired someone like Fernando, and also straight after Sebastian Vetto, and that's not just for his brilliant pace on the track. It'll be for his development knowledge and understanding of the cars and how, you know, feedback might work. And strolls there, which is great. So, yeah, what's the best and worst case scenario for Asken Martin this season? Best case scenario, you know, the facilities maybe start to have a kick in, the development that they put in place starts to work. They are competitive and, you know, Fernando also settles into that team super quick. I think best case scenario is they fight it out for best of the rest.

They are up there without peeing and maybe McLaren as your thought processes are, if it's standing order, and they could, if they're lucky, if they have a good run and fortune goes their way, end up in fourth place. Feels like it's going to be tight. But in theory, possible. Worst case scenario, this backfires massively and they are dragging themselves around in, you know, as the 9th or 10th worst car. And it could definitely happen.

You know, we've seen it happen to other teams before that have put investment in. They have to go the right way. So I think, you know, worst-case scenario, they end up being maybe the second worst car on the grid, which would be a real shocker. Almost no point scored. Funding is low. Fernando Alokso gets very, very grumpy boy. And, you know, they don't have long to turn it around.

Questions of the room in terms of worst-case scenario on that. If it does go that way and they are, because they were that ninth place team probably at the beginning of last season. recovered throughout the year. If that ends up being the case again, Toyota, late 2000s, does that start to become more and more of an accurate comparison? Because they invested a lot in Formula One towards that point and it didn't really come to anything. I mean, it got them more than what Aster Martin have arguably got already, but does that start to go true? I mean, what are you doing, Ashton Martin, if it does go that direction, if they throw,

hundreds and hundreds and hundreds, if not billions of pounds or dollars at Formula One, and they skill are slogging it around in the eighth or ninth worst car on the grid. Why don't you go and do what Red Bull have done to Mercedes and go and nick all their best staff? You've got the dollar. You've got the bills. Start tempting some people away because it's the people at the end of the day that are going to make this car good enough. So you need to take away from your competitors and hiring the best people if you want to be successful. It's not just money speaks.

You've got to have the talent behind it. So put that money into practice and bring something on board. I think Toyota, what they've always said were maybe a season away from everyone of the best cars on the grid and they pulled out a Formula one too early. So I'm just hoping that that, yeah, you know, what if? Who knows? Maybe. But I just hope that that doesn't happen to Askin Martin. I don't want them to get, you know, two or three years in when they've been trungling around

as the eighth best car and they go, oh, the next season, actually, the car was looking pretty rapid. Yeah. Alonzo's notoriously patient, so I'm sure it would be fine if they were like ninth. you're right yeah do you want to introduce another team into the fray area yes

my team are Ferrari everyone's favorite poor guy so best case scenario for them I'm assuming it's where you want me to go with this cheers look best case scenario is

they walk away with both championships I think because I thought it's realistically at the start. Everybody, cheers. Look, they were in the, if they weren't in the championship fight last year, I know they gave it a good go to not be in a championship fight, but they were for a bit, okay?

So this year, that's got to be their best case scenario, hasn't it? Because they know they've got the talent within the team, you know, both engineering-wise and driver-wise. they've been able to win races. Again, they gave it a good go not to, but they did win some. So, yeah, that's got to be their best case scenario for this year, I think. I mean, I've gone to worst case scenario in a minute,

but yeah, for me, that's the only thing that at the end of 2023, I think they can only be satisfied if they've walked away with a championship or two. That's what I was going to ask, actually. Is that Ferrari's best case scenario? Is that Ferrari's only case scenario? I mean, arguably, yeah, I think. Yeah. If they're second but in the championship fight

up until the last race of the season, I think I would take that. If I was a... If I was a Died Hard Ferrari fan, I guess I wouldn't. But realistically speaking, I think inside the building you would maybe accept that? From outside,

the three of us who are, we like to hope, relatively neutral, I think if I watch Ferrari battle it all the way down to the final race of the season and it got to the siding in the final lapse of the season,

I'd go, fair enough Ferrari, you can't really, unless, of course, they'd lost it earlier on in the season by making some stupid strategy thrown away a hundred point lead. Yeah, if they were 100 points clear, four races before the end,

and then it went down to that, now I'd go, you're an idiot. But if this is the case, and they go, we're three points behind, you've got a wing to take the championship. I go, whatever happens, you put up a good fight. Worst case, I can't even imagine what the worst case scenario is for Ferrari, like both of their cars burn and Maranello turns into a theme park.

I don't know. What's the worst case scenario? I think worst case scenario is, I was thinking about this. I was like, oh, is worst case scenario? they're back at 2020 when, you know, something happened to their engine. I don't know what, you know, no one knows what I'm to the engine. What are you talking about? I don't know.

It's very mysterious. Something's under the rug. I think someone swept it there. You stop this slander. Nothing was confirmed. So I was like, well, that's the worst-case scenario. But I actually think the worst-case scenario is they're like at 2021 level, which is not in a championship fight.

Because for so long they've been on this sort of like build up to, to, you know, the new regs and we're going to fight for championships with this new car. And if they end up, they do a year where they have fight for a championship, let's say, and then the year after they come back and it's just like a car that will school podiums, if not a bit worse, each race. You know, they're fighting McLaren. That's like a worst case scenario, I think. so um well i didn't sorry i didn't mean they're fighting for third it's what i've ended there

um so yeah i think that's for me i was which obviously isn't as bad as 2020 but i think i know 2020 is more of a one-off i think it's if you end up in the same position they were two years ago i think that's worst case scenario as an extension to that i would say all of that plus lecler has a opportunity elsewhere or gives up on the team because it feels like, at least in the current market, Leclair and Science, they've got a really solid pairing there. If either of them left, is there an obvious contender for who goes up? I mean, Lecler, when Vettlin Reichenham were together as teammates, Lecler was very obviously the next guy up. It doesn't feel like there is that

driver out there at the moment. Maybe they could poach someone from another team, but I feel like they need to keep hold of that lineup. And what you described there isn't a great way to go about doing that. No, no, that's a very good point. And that driver market is so volatile, isn't it? Next year, like this coming year, they muck it up, and it's clear by a kind of September-August time

that it's not going well. It could very easily cause a mass shuffle by them going, I'm jumping ship, see you later. Can you imagine a Leclair-Stappan lineup? No, no, it's the end of the world, unfortunately. I'd watch it then. I'd watch it. I'd watch the world burn to enjoy that in 23 race calendar. I'm going to introduce Mercedes into the mix, where realistically, the best case scenario is the same as what Harry's outline for Ferrari, where they win both championships.

But to be slightly more specific about how they go about winning those titles, I don't think they would be particularly picky about how they do it. but if we are talking true best case scenario here, I feel like it would probably be, and this sounds counterintuitive, I would say it's Lewis Hamilton winning the championship with George Russell in a very close second. Now, you might think that it makes more sense for Mercedes future that George Russell

is the driver winning the championship, preserving the future for them when Lewis Hamilton decides to call it a day. I think I don't have any concerns about George Russell that if he was close to Lewis Hamilton, That would be enough for me to be convinced that he can step up when it's his time to lead them to championships. I mean, the best comparison would probably be, remember, Prost and Louder as teammates in the mid-80s? Yeah, I was alive. I remember. Yeah, you were there.

You were 26, mate. I was. I was going to go older than that. I was on the bridge. But, you know, you have Prost and Lauer. Prost was the up-and-coming driver. Lauder was in the very last few years of his career. Lauder wins the title against Prost in 84 by half a point.

That doesn't stop Prost winning multiple championships after Lauder goes. And I think that you'd get a similar scenario, even if Hamilton were to beat Russell to the championship. And I think marketability-wise, Hamilton as a world champ does more for Mercedes right now than Russell does. So I think that's probably the best case scenario. Do you agree with that or disagree with that? Because I understand that theoretically you want your young driver to be ready

I think the thing that I took away from your point, Ben, is that Proster Loudoun might be the best driver line-up that actually happened a whole time. Wow, that's huge. That's not what Ben was going for. No. I don't care what Ben was going. I never care what he's going for.

I admire improvisation. In all seriousness, Sky, I think what you said makes a lot of sense. Actually, I think also, not even from marketability-wise, I think for their story, I think they would feel maybe it's been a little bit incomplete if they didn't manage to get Lewis that eighth. Because they got obviously the eighth constructors. They didn't get the eighth drivers.

So I feel like they missed a little trick there. And I think they want to give that to Lewis after all he's done for the team. Worst case has to be for me that they go. Obviously, design-wise, they have stuck to their guns. Like they had a choice at the end of 2022, mold themselves into what Red Bull are going for, which clearly worked last year. or stay true to what they were doing last year, which was a bit more radical. They've gone with the latter decision, which could pay dividends, but if it doesn't,

and they realize partway through this year, we've made an error, we're going to have to go back and go towards the other way of designing the car for next year. That's a lot of catch-up not only for next year, but the year after, and it has a ripple effect from there. So I think worst case is, regardless of where they are results-wise, if they realize in terms of their overall concept, they've gone the wrong way about it. And really on top of that, if Lewis Hamilton decides to call it a day just based on Mercedes not being competitive enough, because whilst George Russell's place in the team came about,

it was very carefully planned, wasn't it? It was almost planned years ahead of time for him to replace Valtrey Botas when he was ready. If Lewis Hamilton were to go, similar to the Ferrari discussion, if Lewis Hamilton were to go, where did they go with that seat? they're going to have to make it up on the spot. I don't think there's anything planned. So those are the two sort of component parts to what I think would be a worst case scenario.

I mean, that side pod strategy is a bold call, cotton, and we're going to have to see how it plays out for it. You know? It's the same, but they've added some, like, chunky bits to it. The halo goes all the way back, doesn't it? The halo goes all the way back. I'm quite, I mean, it's there for a reason. I'm sure, but I'm like, it looks thin but chunky at the same time.

She's got a skill. This is how I would analyze you, Harry, on the podcast. You're here for a reason, I'm sure. Thin for chunky. Thin but chunky at the same time. We should call it funky. Funkey yet funky. Oh, good.

I'm actually, it's August, August, serious, though. I really hope the Mercedes development works, at least, because I become like a title, tender because I want something rogue to go right in Formula One. I want to see a team go, no side pods saying it's just as quick if not quicker, then side pods, minds are blown across F1.

I think it would be hugely challenging for F1 if suddenly and no side pod design was as good if got better than something that we have ran with in Formula One for decades now. It would be very interesting. Indeed. We've got three more teams that we're going to discuss on the other side of this break.

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that showcase the future, not just the past. Choose from 14 flights per week between Canada and Dubai. Book on emirates. today. Okay, we've given one team each and we've got one more team to go each. So Sam, back to you. You had Aston Martin for your first one. Who is your second one? We've had too many chats about people potentially winging the title here. So we're going to just, come on, tether ourselves in a little bit. Let's calm down. We're going to Williams, who, you know, if you could have said that 20 to 30 years ago, you'll be like, really? That was rude. Anyway, Williams who have been literally, apart from

Hars taking an actual year out, Williams had been the worst car in the grid now for some time. I'd argue maybe even half a decade they've been the worst car on the grid alongside Hask now every single season. And best case scenario, they're not dragging their heels at the back of the grid. You know, I'm not saying points finishes every single race. If I point something, a point finish every single race. But I think best case scenario, they're having regular fights with the MIG field cars. so, you know, they're picking up regular 12th, regular 11th,

sometimes getting a 10th or a 9th in there. And they're not embarrassing themselves by being, you know, half a lap, half a lap, half a 10th slower than everyone else in the big field. Because it has happened in their very, very recent history. And I think just some consistent, it sounds awful for Williams especially, but consistent mediocrity in the world of Formula One would actually be quite welcome, I think, for Williams. Just, yeah, we're going to end up being,

the sixth or seventh team in the point standings, and we're getting a score points at 10 of the 23 races this season. Great stuff. I think they'd look at that and go, that's a good step forward. And also get some bloody sponsors on the car, Williams. You've got golf, and you've got the lovely juror cell. And the other than that, is looking very...

Do you see the new thing on the livery? Obviously, Ben, you are one comment away from me leaving this podcast. Did you not see it? The brand new battery that they've got. Oh, God, the stress boils my blood. Yeah, they need some outside

sponsorship, though. They are looking bare bones. It's looking like the hearse or the McLaren, you know, in like 2016, 2015, when McLaren had like one sponsor on the car. They've got to get some sponsors on there, and you need results to do so. Worst case scenario,

they're last again, big times. James Vowel doesn't know what he's doing, which would be really upsetting for everyone because I think we're all wishing him success. And then their major boxers pull out throughout getting any air time, the likes of golf and juror sell. It can really fall apart, I think, if they have an absolute shocker of a season and go backwards.

So what do you guys think? You think Williams can do it? I'm not sure I have too much optimism. Yeah, well, based on the best case scenario centering around mediocrity, I think that, but I think it's fair as well, because this feels like, this doesn't feel like a year in which Williams going to succeed, quite honestly. But it does feel like a year where they can set the foundations

for succeeding in a few years' time, because certainly with James Vow's coming on board, changing the culture, like that's, it's almost setting the scene for the years to come in. If it works, if it works, it won't necessarily show itself in results this year, is my inkling. I think it sounds awful, but I know it's a long way away, but Williams should be reshaping for 2026, I think. I think they should be naming down an engine supply that's better than there's a moment. Yeah, you are. Exactly. And I think, you know, yeah, okay, keep plugging away.

Don't get me wrong. But coming swinging in 2026, all these new engine manufacturers and, you know, whatnot start appearing. And we've got slightly new rule sets coming through. And bounce your way up the grid. I think they're already bad. No point waste of a resource because to carry on being bad. Williams Mecha Chrome, here we come. I would like the Williams car to be a transformer next season.

Williams Judd, mate. It's happening. old school power units All right Harry over to you for the second team My second team is Alpine Bonjour

Yes bonjour Indeed The cowards that weren't paint their car Fully pink Best case scenario for them is I think is that best of the rest spot But it's the best of the rest spot

And they're fighting for some podiums more often like the two they got in 2020 I think it needs to be more more like McLaren 2021 vibes in that sense because they have been in a very similar position for a long time

I had a look at this and I think they finished fourth or fifth every year for like the last five years or something. Yeah, so that's going to be their best case scenario. Also, the other bit to add to that is that Ockon and Galsley don't kill each other. That's good. That's a good scenario for them.

But, yeah, I think that's going to be their best case scenario here because just move slightly higher than you have been, guys. You've been in the same place for a while. Alpine, you ought to get a life, loves, because what you're doing in Formula One, is really boring. Do you remember when they came back as Renault, and I believe their target was that they wanted to be fighting for the championship by 2019 or 2020?

I hate to break the news to you, Alpine. We're a few years past that now, and I don't see any championship fight. You've succeeded. You've got us all. Time to reveal the big plan. When did they come back properly? Well, there was Renner, wasn't it, 2016?

2016, yeah. What a line up they had as well. K-Mag and Jolian, don't you mock it? Yeah. I mean, they're further ahead than when they were at that point, but you're right in really versus 2018 when they finished fourth? I mean, have they moved forward at all? Not really.

The fact that there are four engine manufacturers currently in the sport, they're then being the fourth one, and they're still regularly finishing behind McLaren isn't really good enough. You know, it's, they should be fight, they've got the finances, they've got the resource, they should be fighting at least with

Miss E's who finished, obviously, third, last time around. It's not good enough now after this son of the sport. Also, strong effort on spending all your money on Daniel Ricardo and Fernando Alonso and then losing both of them. Oh, that's all right.

They've still got Piastri. Oh, don't say it, because Ahtmar is going to cry. They spend their time crying about losing drivers too often. instead of developing their car. Come on. Oh, dear.

Love that. All right. One more team. And it's Alpha Romeo. Best case scenario for Alpha Romeo. To be honest, this is almost like a, the plus version of what Sam's got for Williams. It's a bit more of an encouraging outlook,

but it's a very similar situation in that really they're buying, they're not buying time, but they are to an extent, treading water until 2026 comes around. So really, anything that helps them be consistent, no drama, steady, solid in the midfield,

ready for Audi to take over in a few years' time. That I feel like that's where they need to get to. So anything that works towards that is a best case scenario. If they can solidly fight for points, nearly every weekend, I think that's a best case scenario because we saw, at least in 2022, they had a great start, first five races, but as Harry's mentioned before, Bottas fell asleep after Miami and Alpharet didn't really score any points for the rest of the year. So can they consistently fight for points all the way throughout a year and actually do like over 20 races rather than just five? That would be a great start. Bottas is in year two. If he can improve even further, that's great. And really like regarding the steak. sponsorship, if that proves to be a good move for them and there's no, if difficulties there, there's no big departures in terms of personnel, just anything that feeds towards

Audi in 2026 is a best case scenario, I think. Worst case scenario is going to sound weird, but I do have a point for saying this. Worst case scenario is that Joe Guan Yu improves a little bit, because if Joe Guan Yu improves a little bit. They will do what Alfa Romeo do better than any other team on the grid, and that is settled for average when it comes to their drivers. Quite honestly, Antonio Juvenazi and Kimi Rykinen should not have been there for a collective six years. But the problem was neither was bad enough to get rid of them, but neither were good enough to push the needle and actually get things done for the team. And I fear they're going to get in that spot again if showguanyu is a little

bit better than last year, but is still quite comfortably in the worst third of the grid. Because if that happens, they might pick him up for a third year, in which case, Teo Porcère doesn't get a shot in that seat. And Porcère might or might not be great when it comes to Formula One, but potential-wise, there's a lot more there than pretty much any driver coming up through the ranks at the moment. And Porcère, they've got a chance to keep him for a couple of years if he were to get to F1, and he ends up being quite good. But if, you know, if show Guan Yu completely fails this year,

not that I'm hoping that happens at all, but if that does happen, it gives Alfa Romeo a reason to move on from him. If he improves a little bit, they might just stick with him for a third year and lose out on that opportunity, which I don't think serves them well in the long term. I think very good point about drivers,

but I'm going to just move away to talk about the team itself. Do you think that there is a real risk that Alpha and Mayo don't have any motive, to carry on performing to the point where they could comfortably find themselves sliding down into maybe 9th every season. Because, you know, Audi are coming in. The investments been made, right? They're making their moves regardless. It's not like the alpha and mayo side of things.

Why continue to put time, effort and money into the project when the deal is done and dusty? They just have to give it the time required to finally think that. Do you think there's a risk of them going, we'll just get our pay out and see you in two years' time? I'll let you answer that, Harry. I don't know, because, yeah, for Alfa Romeo, the company, what, like, what you're doing now, lads? Yeah, that's a great question, actually. What, what's the point of being here? And I mean that with the greatest respect to anyone who works for Alfa Romeo, but, but what's the game?

It's like you're keeping the seat warm for your mate. Exactly. Exactly. So, I don't know, it is as a, I guess it's just a marketing exercise for Alfao the company, but I'm not sure what it gains them. So it's a fair question. Motivation, I don't know, but that might be like a harsh word because, you know, the people that will work at Alfao Mera, but it's just Salba, isn't it still, that gets rebranded every few years.

So they still want to go racing. They're like a billboard, aren't they? They're literally like a racing billboard. Your time's up. Which company's flavor of the month. Yeah. Exactly. Which manufacturer wants to buy us now.

So, yeah, I don't doubt, like, the racing team's ambition to be good, but from a wider standpoint in terms of Alpha, May, then maybe there is a lack of ambition there now, because, like I said, why are there? What are you doing? Don't know. I got a clue. You got the clue.

Yeah, I mean, you get situations where drivers are probably knowingly in a position where they're a bit of a seat warmer, but generally speaking, that will only be for a year. There's still three full seasons to go. So it's not like, that's a lot of treading water to do. So if that motivation from the, and I agree with your point, Harry, if the motivation isn't there from the overarching company, because I don't think anyone would question the motivation of the individual employees,

regardless of whether they're drivers, mechanics, whatever, if that motivation isn't coming from above, then that's the tricky spot to be in. I mean, that's what my point is, right? You know, three years is a long time. There's going to be no investment. You wouldn't invest in a project that you know you're leaving, you know. And also, if you've got some really good key members of staff, maybe a lot of the team are thinking, well, is there an exit here?

Is there an exit there? You know, I'm a saying he's wanting to hire, a Ferrari wanting to hire. They're only up the road. You could end up losing a lot of key valuable things because you're just doing nothing for three seasons. They're not going to win. Let's be realistic. They're not going to win a title in the next three seasons.

Dumb question for me, but Alfa Romeo, the company, staying with Salba, the company, right until the death of... No, there's a year. There's a year break. The intention is to make the name as long as physically possible, so it will actually be, for a short amount of time, Alpha Romeo, Audi, Salba, BMW. Oh, Bima coming in. Yeah, they just wanted to ask something else on you. there is a year between Alfa Mayo leaving and Aldi joining it's the 2025 season and I'm very interested to see what I don't have Salberg just going on run as Salba for a season and fully funded themselves I imagine Audi would give the backing because obviously

they don't want to start collapsing into a you know nothing they'll put some stickers on it when they but it will find someone to do with Alba you'll probably just sell to the best sponsor right and just go you'd have a one year deal where you will be called whatever salber for one year Chelsea. They'll get involved again. Chelsea Salba? No. Not happening. Sports Direc, Salba? Oh, God. Don't let Mike Ashley get anywhere near it.

Say away, Mike. We're going to take a short break. On the other side, we're going to be discussing comments from Domenicali. At Desjardin Insurance, we put the care in taking care of business. Your business, to be exact. Our agents take the time to understand your company, so you get the right coverage at the right price. Whether you rent out your business, building, represent a condo corporation, or own a cleaning company. We make insurance easy to understand so you can focus on the big stuff, like your small business.

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Black Friday. IKEA, bring home to life. Okay, some comments from Steve Sunday, as Harry likes to call him. Stefano de Menacali very recently. That's his name. Yeah, it's his name, isn't it? If you put it into Google Translate, Italian to English, that is what it comes out as. which is exactly how everyone wants to be referred to, putting their name through Google Translate.

I feel like this is probably irrelevant. Pete Gazzle's great. Sure. He was speaking to Sky recently and said the following. We have in our contracts, very clear articles that if we see something that is not going to the right direction, we have immediately the benefit of stopping our relationship when talking about human rights. There are independent auditors that are following this. Sam, what's your thoughts on this?

Do you think there's any chance that F1 would actually go through with this on a regular basis? We know that obviously the Russian Grand Prix ended up being cancelled, but there are other countries on the calendar where human rights are very much a concern. So what did you make of the comments overall? Yeah, lovely comments, aren't they? If you guess, can I look at the comments? Like an ice little gift-wrapped bow, you know, they're delightful. I would happily absorb them into myself any given day of the week.

But the meaning of the comics are completely sparse, empty, meaningless rubbish. Boulder Dash is the work I'm looking for. Quite frankly, Miskiskew Sunday, Miskaskofa Dominga Kahlo, as much as I am a fan of yours, I do enjoy the work that you do so. It's a lie, isn't it, really? You've lied because we very much do still go racing in a number of nations that have got very severe, bad, negative human rights records. I mean, look what happened with Qatar, right, when they always

get that World Cup. A lot of people died, weren't allowed to wear rainbow armands, you get a fine for it. If you wore a rainbow shirt in the stadium, you could be arrested or removed and banned. I mean, that's just one example. Last year, if you remember, cast your minds back about 11 months. We were in a country called Saudi Arabia and a missile exploded into an oil refinery down the freaking road because they're at war with another nation for bad reasons. Now, that's just two of the nations. And those haven't resolved themselves, by the way. There's still problems in the world that are going on that, you know, you may or may not know about Steve. But I'd like to argue you do know about them. So really, given the ultimatum, either stop doing the bad

things and you can do the good F1 or stop doing the good F1 and you can carry on doing the bad things. But, you know, he hasn't enforced it. It's a load of rubbish. And I was actually quite disappointed with it because I'd rather hear nothing about it and then just enforce it and go, we've removed, I don't know, China from the calendar permanently until they saw out their issues with COVID-19 enforcement or something like that. Because obviously, that's been around the press. It's got been treated very well. China having a number of issues with their regulations and how they treat people. You know, that's the kind of thing I'd like to hear. Just come out and do it. Just rip the band-a-off and go, nope, we don't want that. And there's

enough places that would take a race. We've already. seen. There's enough phrases on that calendar already. You ain't missing out. Do it. Put your foot down, Steve. I want to see you get freaky with those nations. And by freaky, I mean delete my place. I want to get freaky with you. Those nations.

That sounds just like Domenicali. That was a real serious point, Sam. Well done. It's a serious matter. Ended in a really non-serious way. Very late breaking of you. What were your thoughts on Domenicali's comments? sorry. Yeah, I mean

exactly what Sam said. I think all were good to say that and I think he's capitalizing here off the back of the good press he got by saying that F-1 drivers can say what they want about political statements and stuff like that.

Which is all when I good, you can capitalize as much as you want, but not unless you're going to act upon it. And it sounds right. We've only stopped going to Russia because I'm just going to check my notes. They invaded another country last year. That's the bar we've set so far for not going to places. And even then, I'm not sure we are consistent with it. So it's fine to say

that, but, yeah, you've got to put your money where your mouth is and not where the oil is, Stefano. So... It doesn't taste very nice either. Well, exactly. Exactly. I just want to eat oils. You were doing oil wrong, son. You know in films where they do that thing where they suck the air through a hose

and they try and pull the oil out of the car? I just drink it. Yeah, and they all go, oh, God. I don't do the spit out bit. I forget to do that bit. Well, that's fair. So, yeah, another great way to end that point. But, yeah, look.

Salmon, it is a freakie, so. Yeah, true. Again, Lovar. I'm in full agreement with. with the, with time here, it is, it is a one and good set out.

And we've been through this before with the, we races won, but we go to these countries where you can't, you clearly don't, you know, we don't race as one. We don't agree on things. So,

um, yeah, I, I'm happy, I'm happy for him to say it. But that needs to be backed up by, by doing something about it because there are races on the calendar that, with that logic should,

should already not be on the calendar. but I don't see that happening. Yeah, and I think when it comes to these human rights questions, I do think despite our platform being infinitely smaller than, say, F1, I do feel there is a shared responsibility here not to stay silent on these sorts of issues and to speak up, because we will watch the races in countries where we don't agree from a human rights perspective.

So I think it's only fair and right that in this forum that we do speak up on these issues. I don't think any of us claim to be human rights experts overall or indeed in any one particular country, but we do have views and we do have morals, and I think it is right to air those when it is related to the sport that we love. And to Mani-Kali, what he's done here,

I think he's protected himself quite cleverly in terms of his wording, because he's not outright saying, if you have bad human rights records equals no F-1 race. That's not what he's saying here. He's very cleverly said if it's going in the wrong direction, at that point we reserve the right to step away. The thing is, a lot of the countries that are in question here

are starting from a very low bar. So you could argue, for example, Saudi Arabia, you could argue human rights-wise, it is going in the right direction. Now, could you argue that it's going far too slowly? Could you argue it's not doing enough? absolutely you can, but you can at least make the case if you're Stefano Domenicali to say it is going in the right direction, which protects himself in terms of the comment that he's

made here. So I think he's been quite shrewd about his wording. Having said that, at least I'll use Saudi Arabia as an example again. I mean, in March of last year, 81 people were mass executed in the biggest mass execution the country has ever seen, which doesn't sound a lot like progress, if you ask me. So, you know, there's certainly a case to argue the opposite of what I've just said as well in terms of it not going in the right direction. They could do 80 this year in one mass execution and that's progress. Well, that's the point. That it protects him from that sort of situation to say it's going in the right direction. And make no mistake about it, call me a fool if you think I'm wrong, but F1 only races where it races for monetary reasons. And I don't just mean

that in terms of questions where there are questionable human rights records. We'd speak a lot about Silverstone and about even the likes of Spa or Monaco or these European races where human rights records might not be as in the spotlight as other countries. They're still only going there for money reasons. There is not one venue on the F1 calendar that they go for nostalgic reasons that has nothing to do with the bottom line. Cash is king, and even the European races that you might think are under threat as a result of not being able to bring as much cash, they're still there for a monetary reason. That nostalgia does feed into the money aspect.

So, and I think Domenicali is aware of that. Even with human rights records, with Russia as an example, he can point to that and say, we didn't go there because of human rights records. It's not true. They didn't go there because the money aspect of going there was outweighed by the potential negative reaction of going there. So again, it wasn't a human rights decision. It was a monetary public relations issue.

Domenicali does claim that F1 can do good, and I think he's right in that respect. The problem is it's a hypothetical. because I agree with what you've said that they don't do what they could do. They could do a lot more. There's been a lot of watering down of statements and movements.

I don't even think you call the movements, but we race as F1 as an example, massively watered down versus where it was a couple of years ago. So in that respect, yes, F1 can do good and it can be a leading influence. Is it at the moment? I don't think I would argue

if that's the case. I also think that, I think everything you said there is back on, by the way, Ben. I think we've also pointed to a lot of fingers at Russia, understandably, and at Middle Eastern nations. But also, you've got to look at those European nations that you mention, because Britain, right now, I wouldn't say our human rights record is improving as a nation. You know, we've got so many families going into austerity, using food banks, having to sleeping, not permanent accommodation because they can't afford it. We've got people who are being turned away from the nation going across the channel and dying and struggling.

You know, the Britain as we know it, is on the decline in terms of looking after the people that live or want to be in this country. But you'll never hear if one say anything about it because as the rest of the world knows and as the press knows, Britain's all right in it. Wink, wink, Britain's fine. So it feels like FIA and Liberty.

have got a bit of a line where they think, as long as it doesn't fall below this level, aka literally trying to evade someone in the face of everyone, we're not going to cancel the race that we have there because they're paying the dash, and that's what we care about. We're going to take one last short break, and then on the other side,

we're going to be discussing Aston Martin's plans for testing as a result of lunch stroll, not able to participate. Here's a quick message from our friends at Norv, Isn't it frustrating when you find a new TV show that you really want to see, only to then find out that it can't be watching your country? Why, yes, Sam. That's very frustrating indeed. Well, fortunately, you don't have to suffer any longer.

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Happy birthday, Nord. Happy birthday, Nog VPN. birthday. Oh, God. So it was announced yesterday. Was it yesterday? I can't remember. Yesterday. Not for Monday.

Yeah. Chish, Sam. Yeah, Lance Stroll isn't going to be able to compete in preseason testing in Bahrain later this week. Stroll himself said that he had had an unfortunate accident whilst training on his bike in preparation for the season. Aston Martin as a result of that. said that they expected a quick recovery and returning to driving duties as soon as possible. His fitness to return to the cockpit will be assessed daily and the team will issue an update ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. So I think the intention is for Landstrol to make the start of the season,

but at least not compete in preseason testing. And firstly, congratulations to Aston Martin for announcing today as we record this, who will be taking on the slate. So Fernando Alonzo will do the afternoon of the first day of testing, but it will be a flea. Pope Drugovich does the morning of the Thursday. Now, day two and three, we don't yet know whether Drugovich will feature in either of those two days, but we at least know he'll be doing the morning of the first day. Harry, what's your thoughts on Landstrol, first and foremost,

being, obviously missing this test. How much of an impact is that going to have on his start of the season? I think it's going to have a massive impact, because we saw last year, it was Ricardo that missed the entire we had two tests last year we're only on one test but he missed an entire second test because of COVID and yes I know

didn't have a great year I'm not blaming it on that but at the start of the Bahrain he was miles behind Lando more so than he ever was for the remainder of the year so it's undoubtedly going to have a negative impact on Lantz because there's only three days of running and he's not going to be able to do any of them he's had a few runs at shakedown or filming day or whatever a week a go so yeah not great

I mean he'll get up to speed but but the first race he does come back is going to be going to be a tough one and but yeah we'll see it's not it's not going to help him again you know he's got Fernando Alonzo up against him this year a bit of a problem in it a bit of a problem when you don't even get your three testing three days of testing and yeah yeah yeah Your experienced teammate gets the three days testing, and you don't. You're even more experience, I should say, because we should not think of Lance as inexperience anymore.

He's the ninth most experienced driver on the grid this season. When you said that the other day, it didn't shock me because, yes, of course he's been around for ages, but he's been around for bloody ages. I just didn't re-remember it. Too long. Sorry, Lance. You give something else to go. Yeah, anyway, look, it's not...

Certainly not going to help whenever he gets back in the car. It's going to be, you know, it's going to be tricky for old glance. Because there's no, there's no faffing around at testing anymore. But back in the old days, not saying they're good old days, but in the old days, they used to test for weeks before a season. And during. And during a season. And now, you know, last year we had six days.

This year we've got three days of testing. Teams can't afford to just mess about. We didn't have six days of testing last year. We had three. Oh, God. We only had three days of a collective shakedown. Just want to make sure we get the terminology right on that. Yeah, I'd be sued for improper information.

It was a test. A test. Testing my patience as well. That's the second time this podcast. Love it. We do a lot of testing patients on this podcast. I think there are some things that go in Lance Stroll's favour in that he's not rookie. That's good. He's not new to the team. And to your point about his experience in F1

overall and how that's a bit shocking, perhaps even more shocking, and I could be mistaken here, with the exception of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, is there anyone else on the grid who has more experience at their current team than Landstrol? I know it's gone through name changes. Well, of course, yeah, if you talk about name changes thing, if you clue that, no, I don't think so. Yeah, I believe you're right. Which is, again, feels mad. But that really helps him as well. So he's not having to embed himself in a new team.

He's been there for a long time. That helps him out in this situation. I think overall, just in terms of, and this might be a comparison to a long time ago, obviously, simulators aren't the real thing, but he can probably gain enough from that that it's not going to be incredibly detrimental. And it's not a new era of F1.

So obviously, Daniel Ricardo, losing out last year, painful for a number of reasons, one of which was, it's a brand new car, brand new regulations. Stroll doesn't have to compete with that this year that should work in his favour. The problem with all of those points is it is completely superseded by Fernando Alonzo is on the other side of the garage and Lance Stroll is in a position where he needs to send a message early on. I've been here for a few years.

I'm an important part of this team. I'm not going to roll over and just allow you to beat me. out of the gates and not have a chance. He's got to stand his ground early on. This really doesn't help in that regard. And look, I'm not going to say too much here because I don't want to be sued. But you always say when it comes to these sort of detective shows, right, you get down to the motive.

Like if you're trying to find a suspect, who has the most to gain? Fernando Alonso has more time in the car. I'm not saying Alonzo caused Landstrol's incident. but do you know where he was at the time? These are the questions that need to be asked, Harry. I'm of course joking, but Alonzo does gain a lot. And I'm surprised he gave Drogovich half a day. I thought it just that I'm having all three.

Yeah. I am shocked about that because I thought he would have been straight up. I've had all three. I wouldn't blame him for it. Maybe we'll get onto this. But the fact that they've given Drogavich, even half a day, suggests that they're slightly worried that Stroll isn't going to be there in time.

time. This weirdly doesn't it doesn't count for anything contractually, I guess, either. He was never going to have half a day, right? They haven't just gone, well, we may as well move your half a day earlier, which you were going to get on the last day

to my knowledge. Not that I'm aware of it. I know that has happened in the past with some contracts. I don't think it was a case for Drogovic, but never know. Well, since you posed the question so beautifully, Harry, you can answer your own question.

what does this say about the potential for stroll missing the first race of the season or longer than that that Drogovich is getting an opportunity in that car? I don't know really, mate. Good stuff. Thank you, man. Well, I mean, I obviously don't know, but... I guess it's sensible from the team's point of view

to give Drogovich at least some time in the car. They're going to have to pin Fernando Alonzo down for that morning, just so he doesn't. jumping before. Let me in! Just let me drive! But, you know, I don't think it necessarily automatically means that stroll isn't going to be back

for a two weeks or a week and a half time. But it's, yeah, like I say, it's a sensible thing for the team to do to cover their basis because at least then when, not when, if Drugovich gets the call up to jump in an FP1, it doesn't have to go through all the like boring, I guess, ad-mini bits of, you know, getting the pedal sorted out and the seat fitted and all that sort of stuff. So they'll have covered that in the first morning of testing, I imagine. So it's a sensible move, but I don't think necessarily doesn't suggest that Stroll's not going to be back. I guess it is interesting as well that they are, they've already said they're monitoring stroll's progress on a daily basis

and they haven't released what they want to do on the Friday and the Saturday yet, which might well have been their plan anyway. But, you know, with conspiracy theories in mind, maybe they're only announcing the first day because they want to find out a bit more on stroll's condition before giving Drugovich more time in the car. If it isn't needed, they won't necessarily want to give it to him. If it is needed, they definitely will. So perhaps they're just playing for time a little bit in that regard for not announcing ahead more than just one day. Sam, what's your thoughts on Drogavich getting the opportunity? And if he was needed on the first race, or if a driver was needed to replace Landstrol in that first weekend, for you, does it make sense that it's

Drogovich doing it? I mean, firstly, my thoughts go out to Lagerstrill. I mean, we've all been desperately tried to get home as quick as possible through fear of us missing the toilet and he unfortunately has had an accident. Another toilet gag. And he needs to recover. Obviously it's hurt his ego. It's going to take a while they're checking him daily, I imagine, to see how he is. Ingle serious, because Druggovich is probably the best person they could put in the car

that they have available to them, but this is probably why I would maybe have jumped on the Mitch Schumacher option, but the Sagers have picked him up. Druggovich is your current reigning F2 champion in terms of young drivers that you could have at your availability there isn't anyone better really and I think it sounds silly and it's pretty a bit far-fetched but let's go conspiracy theories while we're here

because it's fun what if Drugovic does have to take to race one to Bahrain and he matches Fernando Alonso what happens then? What does ask Martin management go because imagine the second race if Fernando Alonkso finished she's saying, I don't know, 10th place. And Drogovich finishes race running Bahrain in 11th place.

And then we get to Saudi Arabia alongside another 10th place. And then Lark Stroll, who's back, 18th place. With no issue. You know, normal running. What happens at that point if they go, ah, this kid's really quick and we've got, we're stuck with the boss's son who will never leave. I don't know if that makes the last questions.

But I think realistically, makes total sense that Drugovich in the car, makes sense to getting running. Harry was right with the admin stuff on the, seat fit and the wheel and the pedals, getting it all out the way now and not at the first race of the season where he might be having a little panic. Yeah, totally logical. I think they're covering all their bases.

Yeah. It's an interesting question on the Drogovic situation as to what happens if he does compete and he ends up being quite good. I think it's probably a situation where he does go back to the reserve driver role and a lot of Aston Martin employees go, really wish that wasn't the case.

but it probably would happen. I mean, we had a situation last year where Nick DeVries comes in and beats the regular, I'm not comparing Latifi and Alonzo here, but he beats Latifie straight off in the Italian Grand Prix, but there was never really a question

that he would step in from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards. So I don't think it would impact anything for the current year, but certainly for future years, I think that's a question. Well, I'll open a door for him if he performed well.

Alonzo's going to come after you, Ben. you've insinuated that he's run over Lance Stroll and then compare him to Nicholas Latifi. He would catch me, but he's not quick enough. You'd have to catch him first. It begs like a whip it. I'm joking, Fernando, of course. I know he's a big-time listener of the podcast.

I can't believe I've managed to get a Louis Spenks reference onto this podcast, by the way. That I never thought was doable. I can. I can very much believe you've done that. well good yeah I actually think Druggovich getting in the car

I logically I understand it if Stroll was to miss the first race of the year my option would probably be

Mick Schumacher just based on he's raced this era of car and I think he's got more chance to step in straight away and do something Drugovich getting this time

is I think either very good news or potentially quite bad news, I think it can go one way or the other, in that if they think Stroll has the potential to miss more time, and that's pure speculation at this point, then Drogovic is the person they'd wanted as a bit more of a long-term option.

But also, if Stroll isn't going to miss the first race of the year, which we believe is going to be the case at this point, then you might as well put Drogovic in for the test because he can get the experience and it doesn't affect the first race of the year whatsoever. So I understand what they've done here if Stroll is looking likely to come back. And there's been no indication that he won't. There hasn't been a great deal of detail shared in all honesty,

but there's no immediate reason to believe that he won't be there come the first proper weekend of the season. And as you said, Sam, obviously our thoughts go out to lunch, stroll and wish you the best possible recovery and hope to see you on track, first race of the season. which is very fast approaching. Speaking of fast approaching, F1 back and forth, anyone? Let's play a game.

Let's play a game. Terrible segue, but yes, let's do it. Shut up Harry. F1. Back and forth, it's F1. Back and forth, it goes backwards. Then goes forth, it's F1. Back and forth, F1.

When we get to Austin, in October for our live show, Sam has promised he's going to sing that live. If that doesn't give you reason to buy tickets, as and when we are organized enough to have tickets and a venue. You'll all be getting involved as well. It's not just going to be a one-man rendition. I expect you're all up on your feet, singing along, dancing, almost like a gospel choir where you put your hands in the air and you sway side to side.

I want to echo through the hills of Texas. Good stuff. Thanks, Sam. F1 back and forth. Simple concept. Harry versus Sam in a battle of wits. I have got a question that has a number of correct answers. There's 19 correct answers to this question.

Harry and Sam will go back and forth with correct answers until one of them can't think of an answer or gives a wrong one with the other person than being declared the winner. Do you like to find out today's category? Tell us today's category, Ben. Please. Certainly will, Sam.

I want you to name the 19 drivers that have won the first race of the season since 1981. What, to modern, yeah, that's what? Oh, because there's doubles, obviously. Yes. So any driver that has won the first race of a season since 1981, 19 correct answers. And we'll kick off with you, Harry. Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton, three times he's won the first race of the season. 2008 in Australia, 2015 Australia and 2021 Barron. How many of these are there? Did you say that already? Yes, he said 19. Good. I'll ask again in two minutes' time, but just so everyone's away. Good stuff.

We're on the board of Lewis Hamilton. Sam, your answer. The most recent one. Charles Leclair. Charles LeClair won 2022 in Bahrain. Harry, back to you. Valtrey Botas. Back to back, 2019 and 2020 in Australia

and then Austria in 2020. Sam. Sebastian Vettel. Surely he has a few under his belt. Three to his name. One for Red Bull in 2011. two for Ferrari in 2017 and 2018. I'm sure those championship years went swimmingly

and ended well. Oh no. That's four on the board. Harry, back to you. Nico Rosberg. 2014 and 2016 in Australia. Correct on boat. Sam? J.B. Surely. As a couple.

O'9 and 2012. Harry. Kimi Reichenen. Two as well. 2007 and 2013. Sam. Well, there's a reason why he's the goat! And that must surely be Fernando Aluxa.

Two times he's won the first race of the season, much like he's a two-time world champ. Neither of which happened in Australia, though. He won 106 in Bahrain and 2010 in Bahrain. Harry. Michael Schumacher. One, two, three, four, five, six times. Michael Schumacher has won the first race of the season.

94 in Brazil, 95 in Brazil, and then 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004. He was quite good, wouldn't he? Sam, back to you. You know why I did it in 2003, don't you? Because Michael Schumacher's greatest nemesis, I reckon won it that year David Coulthard I want to say you're wrong

because he's not his greatest nemesis but unfortunately I do have to say you're right so he did win it in 2003 the Australian Grand Prix he also won the first race one other time as well what year was at 97 one other time

good stuff yes Harry back to you um Eddie Irvine 1999 he won the Australian Grand Prix? Correct answer.

Sam, back to you. I think eight to go. I'm really glad that you said, Eger Fy, because I was thinking of 99 and I had a driver in mind, but I think this driver managed to give it more than one year anyway, and that is Mika Hakenen.

You're right and you're wrong. He's a right answer, but he only did it once. 98. Blimey, come on, Mika. Skip out of retirement and do it again. Pull your finger out, mate. Harry, that's you. Dill.

Dill. He won it in 1996, the first race of the year, the year he won the championship, of course. Sam? The professor himself, Alan Prost. Alam Prost. Yeah, so he won it six times, the first race of the year.

He won in South Africa in 1982, and again in 1993. And then in between that, he won the Brazilian Grand Prix four times, 84, 85, 87, 88. It's quite good at the F1. It's Pras, wasn't he?

Yeah. Yeah. What an hour, Alan. Five answers to go. That's it. Um, Ayrton Senna.

Two times. 1990 and 1991. He won in Phoenix both years when that opened the season. Sam. Oh, it's getting slim pickings. Yeah, we've had a lot of the obvious answers. I'm going to have to go for our very

favourite moustached doctor and that is Dr Nigel Mansell It's a good shout he won the first race of the season twice in 1989 he won the Brazilian Grand Prix and then in 1992 he won the South African Grand Prix there are three names left Harry have you got any more

you've got the years left Ben or have you not count the strike on the last I was going to ask the same thing could you give us the years please Ben I was going to say no isn't he? Oh he's going to give away Okay, have we got one still after 2000? Yes.

Oh, intriguing. Okay. I thought we'd cover the more off. The other two are from the 80s. I'll give you that. Oh, bloody hell. All right. I don't think I'm going to get the other two for the 80s.

Or maybe, there's one main for the 80s I can maybe get. It's the one from the 2000s that I've got a hunch about. That's why I asked if we've still got one after 2000. I feel like if you made your way through the years, you'll probably get there. That's why I'm doing it. In the 2000s? Who have I missed in the 2000s? If I'm right, it's...

You think it's rogue by saying the game, but actually when you look at the season, it's happening, it's not that rogue. I think it's how I would describe it. If that helps you out at all, I'm helping you. I'm against you. Um, uh, uh, uh, thin air boy.

Fisichella? Very happy. Shankarle, Fisichella. 05, he won the Australian Grand Prix. I love the fact that Fizzacela has led the driver's championship at one point in time where he should be. What's the name I had in mind? So I'm a bit frustrated.

Two to go, Sam. The only other name in the 80s I can think of that has some form of prolific success, which is a real shame that I've got to say it because he's a bit of an idiot, is PK. Yeah, it's the logical choice if you're looking for a name from the 80s where Senna Proster Mansell

have already been said he won his home race in 83 and 86 which leaves Harry to potentially complete the board there's just one answer left and I will give you a clue on this

it was the very first year of this category 1980s I've got a clue I've got a clue four I don't know Alan Jones

He's got it Alan Jones Oh as if you've nailed that Come on You've collectively completed the board Alan Jones I'm glad you said it Because I was sat there going

Is it Reiterman? Is it Reiteman? I don't know if it's Reiteman I thought I thought I was too late But that makes sense I guess, 81. Oh, wow, I'm very impressed with that.

That's a tough one. Yeah. Well done, Harry. I mean, as guesses go. Names from the early 80s there. Well done, guys. I think we're quite lucky that a lot of them are repeats,

actually. A lot of those weren't repeats, I feel like me and Harry was a big in the mud. Yeah. Good little back and fourth time that one then. I could have got back further than 81.

Yeah. F1. Back and forth. It's F1. Back and forth. goes backwards, then goes fourth, it's F1, back and forth, F1. Might never die. And that leaves us with the most important topic of the podcast.

What is it, Sam? It is the LB Question of the Wee. Thank you, Harry. Yeah, welcome. And since Sam, you came up with a question of the week this time, out. I'll let you introduce it. Yes, so the boys left it up to me because they were both busy and I was not. So we definitely didn't forget to post this a little bit closer than what we thought.

No, no, no. So we thought, you know, what's the weirdest or strangest place that you have listened to our podcast in this? So this was more about you than it is about us. But boy, oh boy, did we get some weird and wonderful answers? Boys, have you got any of that stand out to you across either platform that we post? Of course, it's on Instagram and on Twitter. Follow us both there.

I mean, I think the immediate winner, because it came in early doors, was the lovely lady in hospital who was in labour and having five-minutely contractions. And she only turned the podcast off because her waters broke, which, again, I'd advise you.

you turn us off earlier than that, if I'm being honest. Go, let the baby, the first noise the baby should hear is our voices. Is F1 back and forth? Correct. Do you do something really bad? Because that was absolutely my favourite one of the week. But the way I read it, first of all,

was that listening to the podcast, having five-minute contractions, water's broke, and then it got too intense so she had to turn off. And I'm like, well, we really disagreeing that episode? Was that episode that intense before thinking, I think it was probably means the birth was too intense because that would make sense.

Well, that was from Samantha. So Samantha, I hope the little one is A-OK. And, you know, you're all good. But that was a lovely one. Any others that really kind of grab your attention, gentlemen. Sorry, beef saying all we've learned here is that all your listeners are farmers because there were a lot of farming. Farm-related listening.

I mean, someone said simply in a bush. Yeah. Good, cool. Yeah. Spencer, working on a high-pressure steam drum on the top of a 140-foot boiler tower at a power plant. That is a great answer. And not only, he's not put a photo in,

but he's actually put a five-second video on our Twitter on that. So, good for you. Yeah, speaking of the farm theme, half-ton damson, just a great username for Instagram. in the tractor whilst pumping liquid manure still doesn't stink as bad as your podcast. Thank you for that.

Oh, that was savage. I love that. True, though. They're not wrong. They're not wrong. We had some great ones that I thought, I was really surprised about them. You know, Barney on Twitter said,

from the arms of David Coulthard, I thought only I was managing to do such a thing, but I'll see you there next time. Aki said, not even joking. I was at the Visa Centre just before my appointment, where I was in, I was getting deported. So I'm glad that we're helping you through these stressful and difficult times.

You know, that's really great for us. Pregnancy, deportation, hope you're actually okay, and wherever you are, you're safe and warm and good. Or whether you're getting gags work done and providing food to the nation. Late breaking are there with you.

Also, someone snuck into my room, apparently, and looked at me while listening to it. And there's two people, technically, because if Nick Brown also was in the, cabinet with Clives listening along, then you've got two people at your house. I have a question to ask you, how many of you listeners are residing in my house at any one time, please? Because it seems like there's a lot of you. Keith's given the key over, ain't he?

They're all in the ceiling. That's why there was a hole. They're all in the ceiling. Keith. Get them out, Keith. Come on, Keith. So, yeah, thank you. It's incredibly normal responses. Appreciate that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The amount of stressful situations, as you say, I mean, I'm glad we can help. It's odd that you choose to listen to us in those times, but I'm glad we... I love it. The weirder, the better. Honestly, if someone could challenge themselves to do something really weird and listen to us and then either take a photo or whatever, I challenge you to do it. I'm all for it. Listen to us while doing a skydive or something.

Yeah, I was going to say the same thing. Go to the Arctic Sea. circle and stand next to a polar bear listening to us. You know, I want it crazy. I don't want just, oh, I was, you know, I went to the Asca toilet and I was doing a wee. No, I want through the roof, silly. But yeah, that's it. Shall I sing the lovely jingle again or do you want anything to point out anymore? Go on, sing away. Okay, good. That was smooth. LB question of the week.

Lovely. get us out of it, Sam. I think we're done. I've had too much talking to the end of this. This is not normal. Folks, remember Patreon has changed. Remember that you can get involved now. The tears are available. You can subscribe. One of the tiers is as much as a cup of coffee for a month and it supports us endlessly. It allows us to look at doing this full time. There are some great tiers on there where you get some great benefits. Remember, two extra topics. Topics, episodes, whole episodes. Every single. It's like eight extra topics.

Yeah, right, endless topics. It's like having a bath in topics. We're there with you. You know, you get them every single month. They're going to be twice a month. It's not like they're going away after you subscribe for one month. You'll get it every single month. And no one else will get to hear it.

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I've been Ben Hocking. And I've been Silk, who famously said, freak me. You're welcome. Oh, that is the worst one you've ever done. When you have to add parity after, it's definitely going to work. Keep breaking, like. Silk's meant to be smooth. Yeah, shocker.

God, get in the bin. Just move like some people. Podcast is part of the Sports Social Podcast Network.