The Late Braking F1 Podcast - Hamilton to retire from F1? | Episode 86

Episode Date: November 4, 2020

Hamilton to retire? Albon to not have a seat in 2021? And can you name the year in our latest game? It's another fun packed Late Braking F1 Podcast for your ears!Make sure to SUBSCRIBE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This podcast is part of the Sports Social Podcast Network. 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 to the late breaking F1 podcast. Thank you so much for joining us wherever you may be listening in the world. My name's Ben Hocking and this is your weekly fix of F1. Of course, joining me, Harry Eid and Samuel Sage. How are you guys?

we are the Joe Biden and Donald Trump of late breaking and we are here to stay and if Harry slash Trump disagrees with me we're going to the Supreme Court fake news I don't think you've done very well on that one I'm afraid Harry

you've been given the short straw there I do not want to be Donald just saying no one does let's talk about F1 shall we it's much nicer yeah and we'll avoid what my next question would have been is what does that make me I don't actually want to know the answer

to that. All right, Kamala. Yeah, I should have seen that coming. Anyway, what have we got to discuss today outside of Chris Kamala Harris? Well, the second Alpha Tauri seat to start with. It remains up for grabs, although Yuki Sonoda seems like the most probable option right now. We'll be discussing whether this would be unfair on Alex Albin if he loses his red bull seat and has nowhere to go. We discuss whether Kevin Magnuson is unfortunate to be.

leaving Huss at the end of this season. And we play a game of F1, guess the year, Harry versus Sam, or as it's apparently now known, Biden versus Trump. But anyway, we're going to kick off with something else. Lewis Hamilton, of course, closing in on his seventh world title, which would leave him level with Michael Schumacher. But is there doubt as to whether he would return for a crack at an eighth championship?

The contract remains unsigned. and at the weekend, Lewis Hamilton stated that whilst he would like to be around in 2021, there is no guarantee. Harry, do you think there's any chance that Hamilton walks away? You know, I wouldn't say never, but then again, I wouldn't bet, you know, my car on it that he's not going to stay. Yeah, there's every possibility that he might not. You know, I think this year, more than any other year, because I'm not. obviously we've had coronavirus and we were locked down for the first half of what would have been this season. And Hamilton's even admitted, you know, he's got a different perspective on his life.

And I think Toto Wolf has said the same. And, you know, I think they're almost in similar mindsets where they're starting to think about the end of the road for their F-1 careers. Doesn't mean it's going to happen immediately. But, you know, I would not rule it out. You know, the Mercedes had just won their seventh constructors. Hamilton's now taken the all-time race-win record. He's going to win his seventh to match Schumacher. I don't know.

I could see him walking away. I mean, I've already said this to you both. We'll do this bit now on this podcast, and he'll sign literally tomorrow morning, and we'll look like false. But anyway, never mind. Yeah, actually, he's got this, you know, Extreme E-Team. He's going to go and join Nika Rosberg for a bit of banter there.

he's got other exploits outside of F1 and he could easily come back and win title number eight next year. I don't doubt that. But maybe there's a bit of him that, I don't know, doesn't want to, thinks he's achieved or he can achieve an F1, I'm not sure. And the fact that he hasn't signed yet,

you know, suggest he's clearly not quite sure what he wants to do yet. So I wouldn't rule that out. I'm not going to, as I said, I'm not going to bet any money on it. I think he will still be back next year. I wouldn't be totally shocked if it did happen. What about you, Sam?

Do you think there's any chance this happens? Well, I can I dig a hot take on Twitter. If you don't follow us and the boys, go and check us out at Lbreaking on Twitter. Join the discussion that we have over there every day on F1. And I dig a bit of a hot take that was at Hamilton will retire this season and he'll go and drive slash directly manage his extreme E-team. And I wouldn't be shocked at all.

I think he's very content with where he is at the moment. He's very happy with what he's achieved. We've almost seen a bit of a lighthearted side of Hamilton the last few races where he's almost shrugged everything off. It's like he's hit the number that Schumacher had hit and surpassed it. And kind of been like, I'm all right now. I've done it. I am the best there's ever being in terms of statistics

because he is going to win that seventh title. Now, I'm going to quote Ben what Ben said the other day, that Hamilton won't go for an eighth because he's too scared and he's not good enough is what. what Ben said. I disagree, but I almost be a little shocked if he didn't give it one more time

until the new regs coming. I'd like to see him go for an eighth. I think it would be good, but it's a pretty unblemished record. So I wouldn't be surprised if you decide to turn around and go, thank you very much. And off he goes,

I really would be shocked if he does actually go and race somewhere else other than his own team. I don't think he'll join any other category, really. I think he's got other things that he wants to go and achieve now. music, fashion, world peace.

He genuinely thinks he can probably achieve it. Greenpeace. The guy's got many fingers in many pots. And I think he's using his platform for the right stuff. And maybe now he thinks I've hit a point where I can go and actually make a change. So we'll see. Again, he will now sign this contract tomorrow before midday. But either way, I think it's the right call.

I don't think there's a wrong call for him at the moment. I make absolutely no apologies for spitting pure facts, by the way, when it comes to Lewis Hamilton. He won't come back next season. He will realise that seven is the maximum he can get. And he's not a better driver than Michael Schumacher. So he's just going to quit while he's ahead. He's not good enough for that eighth title. Yeah, he's going to run scared. I presume that is still the logic, considering that was what the logic was with Nico Rosberg four years ago, right? So, I mean, if it works there, it works everywhere, right? Yeah, it sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?

Anyway, there's that over and done with. Of course, I don't believe anything that I just said in the last 30 seconds. Lewis Hamilton has always been, I would say, a bit blazé when it comes to records. I don't think it's necessarily something he, at least he shows that he cares about, whether he does care about them sort of internally is, you know, up to be discussed. but at least from an external perspective, I don't think he necessarily, yeah, he doesn't show that he cares a great deal

about all of these stats, all of these numbers that he's beating. He's obviously very appreciative and very graceful when he does so. You know, when Schumacher, or Mick Schumacher, I should state, he gave him Michael's helmet, and we had the Aet and Sena one back in Canada a few years ago. Obviously, very appreciative when he gets these accolades. But I don't necessarily think it's number one on his mind.

At least that's his persona. And I guess it comes down to two questions here when it comes to stats. And it is, does an eighth title mean as much to him as it would to others? Because I'm sure for many Hamilton fans, and even just fans of motorsport generally, would like to see it, or at least would like to see the attempt to do it, does Hamilton care as much as they do? And I think then the other question is, does it actually mean more to Hamilton than he lets on? Because I don't think he lets it on a lot. But then, you know, he's on the cusp of being the most successful Formula One driver in history,

if you're going to use titles as the barometer. That's got to weigh up, there's got a way in your mind somewhat. You know, I know we had at the Nureberg ring when he, when he matched the tally and he said after the race that, oh, he didn't even realize he'd done it. Don't really buy it. So is there a case here where he's just, he's playing it a bit? I don't see any reason why he's going to step away, quite frankly. I think there's too much keeping him in F1.

Deep down, he is a racer, and I think he loves F1. I think it's something that's downplayed somewhat. But he is, he's a passionate racer. And I think that will be one of the factors that keeps him in. obviously Mercedes aren't too shabby. You know, Mercedes are capable of winning a race here and there. So I think you'll probably stick around for that. He's getting paid a few pennies.

You know, I'm not sure exactly how much it is, but he's not on a bad wage. Should we put it that way? 20 quid a week, isn't it? Yeah, something like that. He's rolling in it, really. and he's still at the top of his game. And there's not really any indication to say that he's going to drop off that pace anytime soon.

If it does happen, it will be a quite dramatic fall from the standard that he's at because there hasn't really been any signs of even slowing down gradually. He's still at that peak. So no changes in 21 as well. So that's another factor to bear in mind. there's a lot of, or I said there's a lack of uncertainty when it comes to 2021. We kind of know what we're going to get in terms of performance. You're not going to see anything dramatically different, which is, of course,

going to help Hamilton and Mercedes being as good as they are. And just to add another factor in there, actually, I'm not sure if this will be a huge one in it. But I do think that Hamilton will want to see out of his, see out his career with a live crowd. I don't think he'll want to finish his career behind all of these sort of close. door races as we're getting at the moment. So I think he'll stick around. I don't see any reason why he won't. Interesting point, that.

I haven't thought about the live crowd. Of course, Hamilton has the hashtag best fans. Exactly. Wherever he goes. Wherever he goes. So it would be pretty devastating for him to win possibly an eighth title, or to win a seventh thing his final title, rather, and have no one there to thank for the sport.

I mean, regardless of whether you think there is no chance at all that he's staying or there's he will definitely stay you can't deny that it is a bit strange that he hasn't signed that contract yet harry why do you think he wouldn't have signed his contract up to this point even if he does think he will be there um i think they might have forgotten to ask him that will be it nice one yeah hold on i'll just give him a ring this mate you got to sign the contract Oh, he's twig now. Good. Oh, follow me contract.

Kid, chis, bike, bike, bike, fight, fight. He won't hang up first. He never hangs up first. He's so needy. Honestly, I don't know. You know, I made a point maybe he's contemplating retirement. That could be a possible reason. You know, he's spoken earlier on in the year, you know,

in the midst of the complete chaos. 2020. He, you know, I don't think he felt comfortable negotiating a huge 20 quid a week contract that he gets now. Yeah, I think that's the factor. I think money's a factor. I think contemplating where he is in his career. I also think the other factor is Toto Wolf and I wouldn't underestimate that one. I think they are, you know, they're very much like Schumacher Tot or Schumacher Braun back in the day. They're very much. much a unit and I think one without the other is not impossible to see but I think it would be I don't know I would feel unlikely to see and you know wolf again has also admitted you know

the pandemic and lockdowns given a new perspective on life he spent a few months locked in with his his his son and his wife and I think he quite enjoyed it so um yeah I think maybe that's another factor because wolf's not confirmed what he's doing next year either um but yeah and he's also safe in the knowledge that Mercedes aren't going to go and find someone else. So he can take his time over this one, I think. I've got this really weird hunch that Lewis is going to like race for free next year. And he's trying to work out a way to donate or do something with that money that he's meant to be paid. And I feel like there's some kind of strange legal difficulty or something they're going through.

He's been so public about helping people and donating and voting and change. I feel like there's going to be. be something with the announcement when it does happen, you know. I don't feel like it's just going to be a, another year or a, no, I'm retiring. Thanks. I think there's going to be something else tied to it all. He's paying for George Russell to race instead. That's what's going to be.

That's it. He's gone, Williams, take my 40 quidder a month and let George have the seat, please. Right. So, I don't think that's going to happen. And that's the end of that. On more serious note. Sam, do you think that, well, you've kind of shown your hand, I guess, if you think that is potentially a reason that he hasn't signed his contract up until this point,

do you think that there are other factors at play? Yeah, I'm saying, I do. I think that Lewis has almost had a bit of a revelation in the last 12 to 18 months. We've seen a massive shifting his online persona. He's become incredibly vocal events. You know, we've seen the T-shirts, we've seen the slogans, We've seen the physical movements and what he's saying whenever he gets on a mic after or before a race. He's becoming a real advocate for change, regardless of where it is, whether that be the veganism, the supporting the planet, Black Lives Matter, you know, making that equality in the sport.

I don't think you want to give that up. And I think he's trying to continue that legacy, but also build a foundation for that to carry on when he does leave. And I think if he were to leave this year, he would carry on doing that. I think it would end up coming to an abrupt halt. I feel like with Mercedes, who are definitely one of the most supportive teams in Formula One, if not throughout Formula One history, he can really set himself up to have a proper long-lasting legacy if he gets it right over the next year or so. So I think he will stick around for one more year, but I think it's going to be announced with some odd changes or something going on

in the background. Yeah, I guess there's the other end of the spectrum of driving for free, which is holding out, maybe he's hoping to up that contract value. I think he probably knows Mercedes well enough that he's not going to try too much there, but maybe there's something in that. Maybe he's playing the old hard-to-get game. But yeah, be interesting to see what happens, but of course we already know what happens. Lewis Hamilton has already signed his contract when this goes live.

Every damn time. Moving on to the next announcement that will be made before this podcast airs. Yuki Sonoda, the possibility that he'll be racing alongside Pierre Gazley at Alpha Tauri next season. So Helmut Marco said over the weekend that it will be someone much younger partnering Gasly. With Sonoda, of course, he's four years younger than Gasly. And the other rivals for that seat, Albin is the same age as Gasly. And Caviar is older than Gasly. So it looks pretty good for Sonoda, if those comments have believed.

are true or not. Sam, do you think that Sonoda gets the Al-Fa-Towery seat, and do you think it would be harsh on Red Bull? Sorry, harsh on Albon if he's left without one? This is a really tricky one, because I don't think Al-Bon deserves that Red Bull seat for another season. I do think they should put Sergio Perez or out of push Nico Holgerberg into that seat.

I think both of those drivers would gel with what is desired for that second driver. I think the Staffen probably doesn't care who's in that other seat as long as they're not getting in his way. I think that'll be fine for both of those guys. And Perez especially will turn out consistent results time after time. And I think he would do a better job for a year or two until Albon picks up that experience. Now I say Album picks up that experience, meaning that theoretically, he needs a seat in F1 somewhere.

Gazzley is currently doing what Album needs to do. Gassley is a year ahead of Album theoretically. And Gassie's doing a great job. We've seen that to him. He's a race winner. You know, he's a race winner. him sitter, the guy is churning out. Great result after great result.

If he's finishing the race, you can often say that Gavis has a really good race, and that's the mark for a good driver in the future. Albon needs that. Albaugh needs to come back to a midfield team, scrap it out, prove that he's better than the other drivers around him, get really comfy with how he likes the car, how he likes his atmosphere, you know, the culture, what he wants in a team, and then assert that and give that when he moves to a bigger team, possibly,

if that opportunity comes up. But saying that, Yuki Sano is a good driver. Yuki Sanooga is strong. Yuki Sanoa is being backed by Honda, and Honda are rushing the fact that they want a Japanese driver in Formula One while they are still backing a car. Even though they're leaving early, I don't think they still want to get it there.

But Yuki Sano does also deserve it on his own merit. He's a very good driver. The issue for Yuki Sanoa is that he's still a rookie in F2. He's had a good season. I don't see why he couldn't benefit from another season in a junior formula and possibly go on to win that junior formula. And then he would really have kind of made a name for himself as the up and coming and deserving of an F1 seat. If he moves up this season, I feel like a lot of people will always point to him as you got the seat because of Honda though. And I don't think that's fair because I do think he deserves a seat, but maybe give it a year and prove really, like Mitch Schumack has done.

And Callumailant, you know, these guys have taken a couple of years in the sport now in the junior formulas. they've proven why they should have taken the step up. The other issue, of course, a lot of people between about Daniel Kiviat, who is the current Alpha Tauri driver, a lot of people say after his performance in Imala, which was fantastic, by the way, that why doesn't he deserve the seat? Why don't we just keep it all the same and let teams develop,

let time take its course? Well, one performance doesn't mean you get to keep his seat. Kiviat's done a good job throughout history, but I don't think he's more deserving or better than Sano. who deserves the growth, Albon who maybe needs a little bit more time and has more time on his hands than Kivya. So, yeah, it would be really harsh

if Alba completely kicked out the team. But, I mean, I don't really know what they can do. It's really difficult. So unless they keep everything the same, and they just swap Kviyat and Senoda and take Kviyah out of the sport, someone's getting the bad end of the deal, unless they keep absolutely everything the same.

What do you reckon, Harry, in that possible situation where Sonoda gets the Alpha Tauri seat and Albin doesn't have anything at all. How would you think that would that would reflect on album? Right. Christian, Helmut, are you listening? You've got a problem. I don't mean it with yourselves. I just mean you have a general problem problem in Red Bull and Alfortare in that you keep promoting junior drivers when they're not ready to be promoted. We've seen it with Gassley, we've seen it with Albon now as well.

Don't put up another junior driver in Sonoda who has had a good slash encouraging year, but not outstanding. And I agree with Sam. I think he needs another year in F2. Don't promote him because you need to get your other young driver that you've already shafted by promoting him too early, back in a car where he can build up his confidence again,

before you put in another young driver and shaft him as well because this is not a sustainable way to run your junior program. It doesn't work. And I just struggle to see why why they can't see it. And I'll put it down to the fact they've had success with their young drivers. It has worked. But it doesn't mean it will work every time because it's being proven that it doesn't work every time. Not every driver is a Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel or Daniel Ricardo.

And, you know, Daniel Ricardo had a few years in a lower team, as did Sebastian Vettel before he got moved up. Yeah, look, I know we've been really harsh on Albonne, and rightly so, because he's not driven well, particularly well this year. But he doesn't deserve to lose a C&F1 altogether because he was shoved into the Red Bull, half year into his Formula One career it's clearly not working

as it wasn't for Gassley as well and he deserves at least to get to regain his form confidence in an alpha towery before they completely kick him out of F1 like it's just that's not fair and I know F1 is cruel but that just doesn't seem fair

that's not what they should do it. And it's not even for someone who, you know, Sonoda, I wouldn't say he's better than Albon. So it just doesn't make sense. It seems like an odd move. And it's almost like they just don't want to admit that they're wrong. And I think that that's just Helmut Marco, to be honest. So, I mean, something that is being considered here is that Alex Albon,

this is a possibility that Alex Albin goes back to Alpha Tauri. He gains some experience and gained some time there after a failed spell at Red Bull. Wouldn't it be brilliant if they had some sort of evidence to prove that that works? Wouldn't that be brilliant? If only they could have some sort of conviction behind that plan, because it's already been done before. Oh, wait, hang on. It's literally happening at the moment. They only have to look in front of themselves to see that Pierre Gasley, who was promoted too early to the Red Bull seat, same as Albin, didn't do very well there, same as Albin. and is now doing much, much better when he's given more time to gain experience.

That's the third part that Alburn could do as well. So you've literally got the evidence right in front of you, Red Bull. Use it, take advantage of it and make the right decision here. We have to remember that Alex Alburn, he's had a tough year, and we have been critical of him, but I don't think any of that has been unwarranted. He's done as well as Gazzley did in that car. I think some would argue maybe even slightly better. But at the very least, they've basically done the same job in that Red Ball car.

Ghazley was given another chance and he's performing very well as a result of it. I've got no doubt that Alex Albon could do the same thing again. And something that you raised, Harry, but it's important to remember as well, is that Alex Album was promoted after just half a season in the Toro Rosso as it was back in 2019. Pierre Gasly, we agree that he was thrust way too early into that seat as well. But he had over one season at Toro Ross. He had the full 2018 season, but he also had a few races at the back end of 2017 as well. So if Gasley can recover after having had more races under his belt, I've got no doubt

that Albon could do the same. But they've got to give him the opportunity. Albon has proven that he's got potential. All you have to do is go back a couple of years to his. last year in F2 to really find evidence of that. He was right there with Lando Norris and George Russell competing for the championship. He ended up finishing third, but there wasn't a great deal in it. It is important to remember that Albin is older than the pair of them, which is important in the junior formula, but still something that has to be beared in mind. He is a good driver, and he's got

potential, and they need to work out a way to extract that, because it's not happening at the moment, and it's definitely not going to happen if they ditch him all together. They've got a good driver there. They just need to find out a way to use it. I think Albin losing his seat entirely from F1 would be massively unfair to Albon. However, I just think it would be Red Bull shooting themselves in the foot. I don't think this would benefit Red Bull any more than it would benefit Albon. As you raised, Harry, they have got a problem with their junior program.

And if Album was to go completely and Sonoda was to go into the Alpha Tauri seats and they were to get someone else in for the second Red Bull seat, suddenly, it's not as if they have the, it's not as if they have the plethora of talent like Ferrari do. If Ferrari have got Islet and Schwarzenman and they've got Schumacher, Armstrong, all waiting in the wings, ready to be promoted at some point. Red Bull don't have that. Red ball have got Jayantaruvula, but I don't think he's going to be Red Ball quality. They've got Yuri Vips, but they're doing a masterful job of messing up his junior career. So it's not as if they've got someone next in line after Sonoda.

I think Sonoda would do, I think he could benefit from another season in F2. And I don't think it would cost him in terms of his overall progress in the sport. He's had a brilliant first season in F2. 2. And I understand the comparison to Schumacher, but I think that does something of an injustice to Sonoda, to be perfectly honest, because Schumacher was not inside the top 10 in his first season of F2, and that same applies for Eilat as well. Sunoda in his first season currently sat third in the championship. So I think he's done a really good job of adjusting to the series straight

away, where a few of his rivals couldn't. But having said that, I think he's got every chance of coming back and winning the championship next year without it hurting his development. So the way in which I would do it is get Album back in Alphotauri alongside Pierre Gasly. That's really helpful for Red Bull because whoever comes out on top in that rivalry is in a good position to go forward. And they will kind of know definitively who loses that rivalry who definitely doesn't have a place in Red Bull's future. And then higher, you know, my preference be Perez, but Holkenberg's there as well for that second Red Bull seat. which means they will probably do the complete opposite. But there we go.

Bloody Red Bull, get it together, lads. Honestly, Red Bull. You're our chance to take down Mercedes. You've got to take them some more seriously. Come on. Move on to box office, Kevin Magnerson. Because it was announced a few weeks ago now that Kevin Magnuson would be leaving Hass

at the end of the 2020 season. Roman Grojean, of course, is as well. No other realistic F1 alternative in sight seemingly. Harry, do you think that Hasse were harsh to drop box office? Nah. Not really. Decisive. Yeah, he's not, we love him.

Look, he's box office, he's entertainment, and on his day he can have a solid drive sometimes. But I'm not saying he was worse than Gron. I'd say out the two of them, he was better over the, over the, uh, stint they've had together at the team. But Hass are in a rut. And I'm not saying it's all down to the drivers. Absolutely not.

Um, because, you know, they're both F1 drivers. They're both quality drivers. But I just think they need to, we've been saying this for about three years, but then they finally decided it's time. But they need, they just need to freshen things up. There's new, new blood in the team. And I think it will help. So, um, yeah.

I think it was the right call. You know, we love KMAG, but I can, we spoke about this the other day. I could easily see him going off to IndyCar. IndyCar is right up Box Office Street because IndyCar itself is Box Office a lot of the time. So, yeah, you know, he'll be fine. And it's probably a case of another career that, you know, what could have been? If Ron Dennis hadn't dumped him on his birthday, which is incredible part. I know. And, you know, they chose button over him for 2015, which I still think was the right call, but the way they handled it and then basically just booted out, booted him out of McLaren was cruel. And then he had to find his way back in, which fair dues, he did and got back in a Renault.

Yeah, there was potential to be much more there and it was perhaps never fulfilled. But yeah, I think it was still the right call. I don't, I don't. I don't. I don't see. Maybe they could have kept them in with one rookie, but I stand by the fact they just needed new blood in that team for 2021. Do you think that Huss were harsh at all, Sam? Yeah, I do. I think that KMAG is actually a really tricky career since kind of arriving in McLaren. He was dumped all his birthday.

He kind of arrived in that McLaren was plummeting off a cliff in terms of form, much like Sergio Perez, really. those two have kind of hang a similar storyline, but Perrette's almost, Perrette, I think he's a better driver for a start, but I also think Perez has fallen on his feet at Lingermore with the teams that he's found himself into. K-Magg then went to Renno, obviously,

when Renno were not the best that they were, which is tough, and then Renaud went through a period where they were just booting drivers out, left, right and centre as well, ripped Jonion Palmer, and then, of course... Oh, Joni, you know, turned up at Haas,

and dig really well in the couple of seasons that Haas were a strong, midfield team. And he's then, I think, falling foul of, you know, the poor harsh reputation they've had over the last couple of seasons. He's not necessarily the best at developing a car, but it's not all about the driver when it comes to developing a car. You know, aerodynamics, engineers, all these people are there. They can pay a lot of money to create a strong car. And their engine is a great either. They're running a Ferrari engine in that harsh car. So I think it's very difficult for him to apply his trade and apply his skill. And we regularly see

Kaman cropping up a lot higher than he realistically should be. And I think the points are a bit deceptive. He's currently 19th. He's last of pretty much everyone other than I think George Russell who's behind him, which is tough. But yeah, I think he's an underrated driver. I think if he does go to IndyCar, he'll absolutely love it because it'll just punch anyone that gets in his way,

which I'm awful. I'll happily turn up for that every weekend. But yeah, so for me, I do think he'll be good to give him another year. I'd like to see him in a better midfield car. If he was in a racing point or still in the McLaren or even still in the Renault next to O'Conn now with Danny Rick leaving, I think he'd be telling out some pretty good performances.

I don't think he's a world championship level man, but I think he's a good driver. So I'll have one more season with a rookie, but I also completely understand where the management's coming from. I understand the decision. But it's a shame because I think he could have been something decent. Yeah, I think it's somewhat harsh. Just because Hasse have been in such a dire situation in the last couple of years,

just to compare this to, we'll go back to Albon. With Albon, you know, the case for dropping him is that if he wasn't there and someone else was in the car, they might claim that they could have had an extra, I don't know, 50 points or an extra 70 points. with Hasse, it's not as if they can claim that. You know, Kevin Magnuson can sit there and think, well, I've been fired. Could I have got more points than I did? Maybe a few, but realistically, nothing he could have done would have changed their situation. Hasse were and still are in an awful circumstance.

And regardless of what driver they have, they're still going to be in that spot until they improve the car. So I can, I feel as if Magnuson can feel hard done by in that sense. And, you know, when the car was performing at a reasonable level, Magnuson did, for the most part, respond to it. I don't think he was brilliant, but he was better than Grosjean, which, okay, maybe that's not saying much, but he was all right. He was absolutely fine in that car. He put together some good performances. And realistically, 2018, if he has a better teammate, and if he is a teammate that performs on a similar level to what he did, there's every chance they would have nicked fourth place away from Renault that year. So, you know,

Magnuson was the guy that led the team that year. And, you know, Magnuson and Groson had the advantage in the first season they were teammates, but after that point, it was pretty much Magnuson all the way. His consistency is lacking somewhat. And just to say, I think there was a lot more that Magnuson could do to save his job just because you're not scoring points. You can still put together performances that show what you're capable of. George Russell's done that for the last two years. He hasn't got any points, but anyone with any knowledge of Formula One can see he's doing a really good job in the car.

Magnuson, I think he's had actually an OK season, really, and last season as well, I don't think he was awful. So he can feel hard done by to an extent. not completely, but to an extent. I thought that Hasse were going to go down the road of replacing Grogon and keeping Magnuson and then bringing in a rookie driver alongside. We know how difficult that Hasse has been over the last few years. One of the reasons that were cited for not replacing Grojeon or Magderson last season

was that the car was in such an awful state and it had very specific issues to that car that their experience with handling it and knowing how it's progressed or I guess not progressed, that was valuable to the point where they didn't feel it was worth getting rid of them both. So I feel it would have been actually quite useful to keep some of that experience within the team for at least one more season. And I think Magnuson of the two drivers would have been the best driver to carry that on. And, you know, you'd then have a rookie, whether that be Schumacher or Mazepin, or whoever it may be,

then has the opportunity to learn off of him. So, yeah, a bit surprised that they've gone down the route, they're seemingly going down the route of two rookies. So Magderson, I hope he lands on his feet because I do think he's a solid driver. Shame it didn't work out. Could he have done more? Yes. Is it a bit harsh?

Also, yes. Four K, Mag. We'll see you on Saturday night, though, mate, with the big screens and the curtains come back. I can't wait to sit in my box office seats. Oh, box office. Box office, box office. We'll have to find a new nickname for a driver

to replace Box Office Magnuson. Yeah, it'll be on the Sky Movie scene, weren't he? Or we just set up a Just Giving page and get him in one of the Williams seats. He can just become another member of the podcast. Yeah, I'd be getting for that. Stay tuned, everyone, for absolutely nothing going to happen on that front. Anyway, we'll move on to our final segment

of the podcast, and that is, of course, F1, guess the year. I mean, this is a great song, here. It's time for plenty of F1. Guess the year! It's no F1 back and forth, isn't it? It's not got the same vibe. Sorry, guys, sorry everyone who was expecting F1 back and forth. But we can't do that every week.

It's a treat. Yeah, exactly. All good things in moderation and all that. Everyone guessed the year is when we play quite sporadically, but we've brought it back. It will be Harry versus Sam. So they'll take it in turns. I will give three clues as to a year in Formula One. Very simply, they just have to tell me what year I'm talking about, and they'll have three each.

So, Sam, would you mind kicking us off? Do you want the first three or the second three? I'll give you the option. I will have the first three. Please, Ben. All right. Here we go. So, your first one.

Three facts. First fact. The winner of the Australian Grand Prix didn't win another race that season. One Pablo Montoya finished fourth in the championship. And Takumasato was disqualified from his home Grand Prix. What year am I talking about? Should be able to get a decent. range from the drivers.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, I do. I do. I'm just gowering it down in my mind. In my mind. And everyone listening, of course, play along. Play along. Can you guess what the year is? Oh, it's really difficult.

I'm going to go with... Wait, where did Mr. Chunky finish? Sorry? He finished fourth. Finish fourth. I'm going to go with two thousand. What's your logic on that one? Mr Chunkier moved to McLaren.

I feel like Armang Sato was about. I can't remember who won the Australian Grand Prix that year. If it was Schumacher, then I'm having a nightmare. Fortunately for you, it wasn't Schumacher, although he did only win one race that year anyway. But Fisichella won the Australian Grand Prix. You are right, 2005 is the correct answer. Come on.

He would have won two if he hadn't defended the name. bloody Suzuki. How busy. Come on, busy. Hote's fans. What a guy. What a guy. Harry, your first one.

The European Grand Prix has a brand new venue for this season. The driver who finished second in the championship had more wins than the driver who finished first. And

David Coulthard got his final podium. Damn, I was going to say, I was going to say 2020, whatever it was, when Valencia became the European Grand Prix. That's exactly what I was thinking as well. D.C. was old. Then, it was not racing anymore.

D.C.'s final podium. What's the other one? European Grand Prix, D.C. and, oh, the driver we finish second. Yeah. At more wins. D.C.'s final podium, but 2007? That's what I was thinking. One later.

Oh, 8. So Felipe Mast. Yeah, Canada. Oh, damn. Cheeky D.C. Still churning out the results. Cheeky D.C. And that year, Masa had six wins to Hamilton's five.

So, 08 on that one. Absolutely robbed. Sam, we'll move on to your second one. A debutante claimed pole position in his first F1 race. Martin Brundle raced for the final time in F1 and Ligier

won their final race in their last season. Ooh, I'm going to go I'll have to take a pure punt and I think it's the Ligier thing that's giving it away from me

and the Brunnel, I don't know the well, yeah, I do. Is it 96? It is 96. What's, What's your logic on that one? I just, the liegee thing for me, I remember them being around.

It sounds ridiculous. I always seem to remember liegee not being an F1, and I remember watching F1 as a child. So they must not have been around in 97, 98, because I'm quite old, everyone. So, you know, 96 was kind of it for me. Brundle, again, I knew that he kind of was around the mid-2-90, he's got the mid-2000s. he's got that young poe. Again, who was the driver that took pole in their very first? Was it Schumacher?

No. No. Jacques Villeneuve. That's why I don't remember. Harry was fuming over there. Although that would have been very impressive for that to be Michael Schumacher, already a two-time world champion and being a debutist. It's impressive.

I think that. I thought what a silly thing to say. Anyway, you've got the right answer, yeah. At the end of the day, you're the right answer. All right, Harry, moving on to your second one. Mercedes-Benz return as an F-1 engine supplier. Ferrari win a race for the first time since 1990. And Nigel Mansell wins his last F-1 race.

Uh, 1999. Correct, yes. Oh, great shout. Smash it. Yeah, so Nigel Mansell won the Australian Grands. Pre that year and Ferrari finally won a race after a few years. Wait. So, last one for both of you, Sam. If you get this one, you get three out of three. Three out of three.

An Australian driver claims back-to-back wins for the first time. Sergio Perez gets a podium. And Jensen Button scores over 100 points. If there's 100 points in our heart, that could be any year. Yeah. True. Very true. Between 2000 and 2016, obviously.

I'll give you a clue. I'm not using our hearts as the determinant of how many points he got. I am not certain, but I'm going to say 2012. It's a good guess, but it's not right. I'm afraid. Any ideas, Harry? Checo's first podium. He got a podium

I got a podium 2014 2014's correct yeah so McLaren that was the final year that they weren't absolutely awful Sir Jensen Butter managed to get over 100 points

Perez got a podium at Bahrain that year and Daniel Ricardo his second and third wins were back to back so I was thinking of Weber damn it yeah so Harry can you get two out of three as Sam has done

with the last one here. Michelin returns as an F1 tire supplier. Prost have their last F1 season. Prost the team, not the driver. And Mika Hakenen did not beat his teammate across the season. 2001, because he was bad that year. Yeah.

He was. He was bad that year. Unlucky as well. Unlucky as well. True. We'll always remember. the US though if nothing else. What a moment.

But well done both of you. Two out of three for each. So it's a tie, which hopefully is not the way the actual election is going to go at the time of recording. But I don't think I can deal with probably four years of legal battles.

You're not going to challenge the result, right guys? Please say that way. Well, Harry did get my one right that I got wrong. so I'm quite happy to doff the cap to like a subtle victory to Harry's way. Wow. So Trump beats Biden. Oh, no. Plus go.

That's the conclusion from this podcast. I can't think of a better way to end. Well, actually, I can think a few better ways to end. Regardless, Sam, if you wouldn't mind getting us out of it. I don't believe it, folks. Next week, we're going to be in Turkey. Not for the three of us. We're going to be a lockdown in the UK.

The F1's going to be in Turkey. We're back at Istanbul, infamous turn 8. Watch it be a straight line now with these cards be so good. We've got another video coming out on YouTube soon. It's about Nico Rosberg. So stay tuned for that as well.

It's a little bit hot and spicy. And we'll be bringing you lots more F1 content as always. In the meantime, I've been standing safe. I've been Ben Hocking. I've been Frank Montangi. And remember, keep breaking late. Part of the Sports Social Podcast Network.