The Late Braking F1 Podcast - Has Daniel Ricciardo been treated unfairly?

Episode Date: August 10, 2022

The boys are back as a three as they discuss the ongoing Piasco! This week they ask whether Daniel Ricciardo has been treated poorly by McLaren, rate their top races from the 2022 season so far, and have a quick review of their pre-season predictions... JOIN our Discord: https://discord.gg/dQJdu2SbAm SUPPORT our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/latebraking TWEET us @LBraking BUY our merch: https://late-braking-f1-podcast.creator-spring.com/ SUBSCRIBE to our podcast! 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 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. The summer break continues and it appears as if F1 finally do realize it is the summer break because the news has somewhat slowed down over the last week after a hectic first couple of days after the Hungarian Grand Prix,

but there is still plenty to talk about on today's episode. God forbid, we are going back to our preseason predictions and we're looking to see how they're doing halfway through the year. That is not going to be pretty. Alex Albin reviewing a multi-year deal that he's been given by Williams. Didn't quite make the slate last time out, but we'll be discussing that one today. our top five races of the year so far to discuss what we agree on and more importantly what we disagree on

and also Daniel Ricardo and how he's been treated in what Sam refers to as the Piasco. Sam, I feel disgusting having said that, to be honest. Why? The Piasco is great. It's got even mine. I've entirely shoveling it off some other joker on the internet. What a joker! It laughed its way. What a joker. It laughed its way all the way to my heart. and the Piasco will live on as one of the great controversies in Formula One. Harry, you weren't here, of course, last week.

Got any thoughts quickly on the Piasco? How have you been? It's been a while. Yeah, I mean, Cheers, Ben. Thank you for that. I had to listen to you say that even more. I was for those.

Yeah, to be fair, I think I saw someone in our business. I would also say maybe it's a piastrophe rather than a piazco, which one will want to go for there. Sorry to him. whoever that wasn't Discord, because I've completely forgotten who you are, but thank you for that. Yeah, nice to be back. I'm only back because the F1 Newsweek has been, it's been quiet.

So that's why I'm back. Obviously, if there was lots of news to talk about, then I wouldn't be on. That's how that works. That is generally how it works with you, Harry. But it's good to have you back, nonetheless. And most importantly, you have brought up the all-almighty question. Is it a piasco or is it a piastrophy? Please get in touch with us via Twitter at Elbray. in our Discord as well because we are very keen to know exactly what it should be. Please leave us positive reviews. We're a great podcast. Moving on, Daniel Ricardo. Hashtag Juvenile. Daniel Ricardo, he's kind of been involved and also not involved in this whole McLaren issue,

Piasco, Piastrophy, call it whatever you like. McLaren clearly want Oscar Piastri in their race seat alongside Lando Norris next year, but of course we know Daniel Ricardo has an option of another year on his contract, which would also be next year. So a bit of a bit of a battle there. Question to you, Sam, is do you think McLaren have treated Daniel Ricardo right in this process? Yes or no? Ben, it's a great question. I only do something that I've never done before, I mean, I defer to my notes. Avaday. He's actually gone. No way. Folks, you can't see this. He's actually brought out a notebook. Does that, Does that notebook have the old LB logo?

Oh, wow. It does. Oh, my God. I got giving it as a secret Santa gift a couple years ago. Oh, old school. That's lovely. We don't make these. We ever will.

It's the old branding. It's also got, if everyone's really interested, it's got a Michael Scott quote in the back page. It says, Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me, which is a motto I live by.

anyway. Can you actually make any notes? Yes, Ben. I have actually got notes. I've got one page for the Ricardo content and now I've got another page for the other bits of Bob. So we're going to be using the notebook

the whole way through the episode. Here we go. Ricardo fans, you're welcome for the in-depth analysis of the San Chartered territory. It will be the worst answer I've ever given now. So, I'm McClaran treating Ricardo poorly.

So we need to go on a little bit of a timeline to understand how someone could be considering being treated poorly, of course. We know that Ricardo's form has not been brilliant, but that isn't necessarily a deciding factor. McCarrow may have gone after Piastri had this situation arrived at anyway, whether Ricardo may have been leading Norris by 30 or 40 points. Who knows? So there was all the controversy when Ricardo was performing badly, where the likes of Cydell and Zach Brown were

coming out into the public on interviews on race weekend saying, you know, Ricardo's got a contractor of 2023. That's where it's going to be. Ricardo is going to be our driver until 2023. And we all knew that it came out in the press that it was in his hands. Ricardo had cleverly worked into the contract, but it was entirely up to him, whether he gets to stay or not. And McCleon don't really get a say in the matter, which, you know what, whoever wrote that little number into the deal, incredibly cut of a business by them. Also, the similar fact that Ricardo's put a 21 million pound price mark on his head to get himself out of the job, which is also a fantastic, clever little deal that is put on there. Anyway, this encouragement that Zach Brown and Seidel gave

in the public sphere, in the Twitter sphere, in the news area, I think led on the to so much encouragement that Daniel Ricardo felt confident enough to put on his social media that he's committed to the papaya, he's happy to be part of McLaren for at least another season, he feels confident, he knows that the car isn't where it should be, but he knows his building, he's growing, he's developing, and he really went in on it. It wasn't a half-hearted statement, it wasn't a small Instagram caption. There was a series of posts and stories that really drove home that he's committed to McLaren and it's growth and its development, and he knows he wants to turn things around. So those two things go hand in hand. I think that, alongside playing out the

whole discussion in public, is where we can say that Daniel Ricardo has been treated poorly by McLaren. Now, it is poor treatment because to lead a driver on publicly, with so many fans and so much love going on, is one thing. But I think Danny Ricardo is going on panic a little bit more, because Danny Ricardo, as we know, is not performing up to standing. He's not beating Landon Norris. he's not even close to Landon Norris in terms of the points hall. But historically, Daniel Ricardo is not alone in terms of being a driver who's suddenly being given his marching orders on a successful year. If you cast your minds back to Damon Hill in 1996 in his championship winning year,

Frank Williams told him to get on your way out, Sunshine, despite going on to win the title. And the number of things have happened to, I would say legends, but one of them is an asshole, PKK. That happened to him. The other ones are legends. Prost and Manxel, both legends of the sport, also got

marching all this on years that they were on their way to win championships. Daniel Ricardo is not on his way to win a championship.

Daniel Ricardo is lacking in points. Mathematically. It's possible. It's possible. Let's see if he gets there first. Danny Ricardo is lagging behind his teammate

and he's also lagging behind the Alpine drivers who are their direct competition this season. He's arguably holding the back from securing that fourth place coming the end of the season.

So yes, McClellan, Zach Brown, side of the team are handling this very badly. They are treating him poorly. They are leading him all in the public eye. And I think that he has every right to be frustrated by this scenario. But on the flip side, Danny Ricardo fans might be asking, well, what was Danny Ricardo? Look at his previous form. Look how he did for Red Bull. Look what he did in his second season at Rengo when it was Rengo. Surely that's got to give you some solace. Well, history tells us that

maybe he could be the best driver on the grid. But because he's in his early 30s and the next possible prodigy of F1, as he's been, you know, kind of crowned, Oscar Piaschri, has come along. He's become a free agent. He's become available. Are they wrong, McLaren, to want to snap that up to cut their losses and go, right, we'll have two Norrises technically on the cars.

And if Norris ever leaves, we've got a young driver to take his place. So while I think it's wrong, how McLaren have treated Daniel Ricardo. I think they're treating him poorly. I don't think it's very fair. Do I think it's wrong in terms of a business decision? No, I don't. So, tough one. If you're a Ricardo fan, it is tough.

If you're Ricardo, it's tough. But yes, the treatment is poor. And I think that they probably can have hang on this much, much better. Don't worry, McLaren. I'm sure that's the only driver you'll be in question of treated poorly at the moment. I'm sure there's nothing else going on as well. Thumbs up, guys. Harry, what do you think?

Do you think they've been treating Ricardo fairly? or do you think this is just business? I mean, it's Formula One. It's all just business in this game. The Piranha Club, as old Ronnie Den called it, Ron Dennis. Ronnie Den. Ronnyden. Ironically, McLaren.

Yeah, look, yes, I think it can be seen as unfair on Ricardo. But, yeah, this is, this is the game. It's F1. It's not anything new, I don't think. And I get the frustration from Ricardo fans that this is not fair on the driver, particularly considering that he has got this clause, which means he was going to be in the car in 2023, no matter what. And McLaren really don't want him or want Piastri that much,

that they're prepared, I guess, to pay him out of it. I think A, pay him out of it, but also B, help him get another seat, and I'm guessing it might be at his old team at Alpine. But yeah, look, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a rough situation. I don't know what McLaren are doing with their contracts at the moment because, as you referenced, Ben, there may be some other, there may be some other issues with other drivers and other categories that they're dealing with. Yeah, I'm not sure who's in control of that.

Maybe it is Zach Brown, but, but the whole, I'm sure both parties, Ricardo and McLaren, thought it was going to work out well, this deal. But there's always the possibility in Formula One that it doesn't. So don't write yourself into a corner as a team, which means that you can't get rid of your driver without having to pay millions and millions of pounds to leave because that's just a mugs game,

especially when there's a price cap. And McLaren of recent times, have had some money trouble. So it's got to hurt financially this one, as well, considering how much they've already been paying Ricardo. So, yeah, not sure. I think that might need some review. As much as Alpini reviewing with their contract negotiations, I think McLaren probably do as well.

But yeah, back to Ricardo, it's a tough one. But like I say, I think it's, it's, it's, this Formula One. And performance is what gets you drives. And for Ricardo, despite the win, it hasn't got hasn't hasn't hasn't been enough hasn't been enough for McLaren and I understand why McLaren are doing it it's it's unfortunate that it's in the open and I think I think what what's caused all this is probably Alpine that that infamous Alpine announcement we had last week that drew this all out into the open because that obviously then led Piastri to call out that it it wasn't true and then

everyone you kind of knew what's going to happen next so from that point of view maybe if that I'm not blaming Alpine for tweeting there or anything, but I think that's what's caused this, and maybe we wouldn't have even seen it. It would have been all behind closed doors. So, yeah, it's unfortunate that it's out in public so much, but, you know, I hope maybe this is a blip in the Daniel Ricardo story. He gets another drive now, and he returns to the old honey badger we know.

We all know and love. So, yeah, I hope that's the case. But, yeah, tough one, but this is. them's the brakes. No. Them's be the brakes. That's a nice, boris reference there for everyone involved,

thank you. You're not resigning from this podcast, are you? Maybe I am after that. Well, ladies and gentlemen, there is a vacancy available on the late breaking F1 podcast.

Get your applications in at Lbreaking. Yeah, I don't actually think that McLaren have been unfair to Daniel Ricardo here. It's a weird grey area because certainly if it was more cut and dry, you could be very clear about whether it has been fair or unfair.

So if Daniel Ricardo was fully contracted for next year, no doubt about it whatsoever, would their treatment of Daniel Ricardo be fair? Absolutely not, nowhere near because they have an agreement in place. Similarly, if Daniel Ricardo had no tie to McLaren for next year whatsoever, would their treatment be fair? Yes, absolutely, because it's a free month. market, they can do what they want. But Daniel Ricardo is in this middle ground where he's not

necessarily contracted to next year, but he does have an option to race for them next year. So in that respect, it's a bit tougher to determine what is and isn't fair from a team's perspective in looking out for their best interest. And you've already mentioned it. But Formula One, for better or for worse, is this dog-eat-dog world where if you're not the team that is willing to make those ruthless decisions, another team will step up and do it for you and they'll win. And you can't allow yourself to be caught and to be lagging behind as a result of that. Daniel Ricardo has not performed anywhere near as much as he would have wanted, as much as the team would have wanted. And whilst he's confident that it can get better, and I'm glad to hear it

from his side, it's hard to believe that because we've gone through nearly two seasons now and two generations of cars. The excuse of season one where the car wasn't built to his liking is less applicable when the second year is a brand new generation of car that neither he or Lando Norris has any experience in before the season. So there has to be that doubt from McLaren's side whether it is going to come good in the next year and a half or so. So I think they are fair to go out and get what is possibly the most sought-after free agent in Oscar Piastri in the last couple of years. He's probably the most exciting talent to come out of F2 since the George Russell-Lando Norris

cohort. So I don't think you can pass on that if you have the opportunity to do so. What I would say, though, is if Daniel Ricardo decides to stick it. out and he does next season and they can't get a piastri, tough. If you are going to have this sort of agreement in place, you can try and force him out the door if you want. If it doesn't work and you have to, if you have to keep Ricardo for next year, so be it. Them's the brakes, as the immortal Harry Johnson once said. Right? You've got to deal with that. And it would be, either way, it might end up being a bit of an embarrassment for McLaren because either

Piahtri races for them next year and they have to pay Daniel Ricardo a reported £21 million. Could you imagine a situation? I think there's only probably about three or four drivers on the grid that are paid more to race for a team than Daniel Ricardo would be paid to not race for a team.

That's pretty embarrassing if you ask me. And the alternative, of course, is that they don't get piastri. So it's not great. either way, and I don't have much sympathy for McLaren, if you're going to have that agreement in place, you've got to deal with the consequences if the driver wants to see it out. It's on him. Just a quick one before we go to a quick break, Sam. Do you think that there's any chance that how Ricardo's time at McLaren has gone? Is there, do they run a risk here in terms of F1 as a whole that teams might be less willing to get other drivers on model?

multi-year deals from outside their team? Because we know that the likes of Vastappen and LeClair and Norris have all secured multi-year deals, but at existing teams. Do you think what's happened at Ricardo with the experiment of moving him to McLaren might dissuade teams on doing the same thing for other drivers? I mean, if you look at the real world outside of Formula One,

when you start any job, you have a probation period, right? We've all been through that. I mean, in the UK especially, I'm speaking here for the whole world, like we're all like the UK, but it might not be. But in the UK, you have a probation period. Typically, it's around, it's back. It's around six months typically that you have a probation period.

And that means that during that six month period, your employer or you as the employee can turn around and go, this isn't for me or you're up to standard. We're giving you seven days notice period. You will leave the company after that time. Once you hit the six month period, you have a review. And you go, yeah, this is working for us. We're going to carry on with this employment.

and therefore you get a longer notice period, whether it be a month, three months, whatever it might be. And I am very surprised that Formula One doesn't employ a very similar tactic as to what you're mentioning here, Ben, which might be a, will give you a one-year deal. If you achieve X, we will have the option to negotiate a multi-year deal. If we feel you fail X, then you will be put on either another one-year deal or you'll be released from your contract.

Why teams, especially when it's not a top driver, we're talking about here, don't add these kinds of clauses to allow for further negotiation into contracts, is a little bit baffling. And I feel like we've seen two big examples with Alonso and now with Ricardo, where teams have been absolutely had. They've been played. They've been sent for a bag of chips by the driver who has manhandled the contract negotiations. They have controlled it in every one that they want to. And the team has just been left dry in the sense of either. McLean have got a fork out a possible 21 million quid to get rid of a driver or face being with a driver that they have openly stated they don't want over another driver.

And Alpine have been left around the sense that they're desperately hunting for someone to fill their seat for next season. And they're panicking about it. So you're right. I'm surprised that they don't have these kinds of contracts and these kinds of agreements in play that other teams have a bit more control on the longevity of a contract. I've just realized what F1 needs. I've got it. The solution. I've got it.

It's simple. What is it? F1 Championship Edition trials. Oh, yes. Send Ricardo for three laps in a superoguri around Magnicor. Then we'll see how good he is. That's all I'm saying. And no one would be able to drive an F1 because those tests are impossible.

This is a very niche gaming reference. No one has ever done. about us. True, true. Quick thoughts from you, Harry, in terms of do you think this will dissuade other teams from doing a similar deal

to what Ricardo's had at McLaren? I mean, definitely disobeyed them for doing a similar deal to Riccados. I don't think it will disobeyed them to have multi-year deals because in the same way that they don't want to be mugged off like Alpine and McLaren have been here.

They don't want to lose a good driver and I think sometimes that multi-year deals help secure drivers for a longer period So multi-year deals are fine, but you cannot, you've got to have some exit clauses. It's a lot of some solid exit clauses that means that you, the team, aren't stuck with a driver that you don't want or have to pay off a driver that you don't want. I mean, I feel, look, we all love him. I feel like Eddie Jordan would have a few things to say about the way that these contracts have been handled.

He was a he was a he was a crafty dog when it came to to negotiations and contract dealings. And I feel like if this was E.J. or people like Flavio Briatore, I know he's got a check and pass, but as a negotiator, I think he's probably one of the best. He was involved the whole this, how this all started, the Alonzo deal. So yeah, I think they're just going to be wary and maybe get some better people involved to negotiate these contracts and not just sign a way, sign a driver away. for years and years and without a way of getting rid of them. I miss E.J. We all do.

Oh, endlessly. Well, I've got a question, Benjamin. Do you think that contracts should have a cap on how long you're allowed to sign a driver for? No, I don't think they should. I think if a team is stupid enough to go ahead with a 10-year deal and it ends up being awful after two,

then they have to stick it out. And if they don't want to stick it out, then they have to pay for it. So if they're stupid enough to make the decision, I'd say let them. You know, I'm sure Sam, you're perfectly aware of stupid 10-year deals given Alan Parjee's time at Newcastle United.

But see how well that ended. Don't bring it out. Nice. Football reference. Got it. Yeah, I can smack me in the chops with it as well. Hey, you're doing better now. You're doing better now. You're fine.

That's true. Up the two. And with that, we'll take a short break. After the break, we're going to be looking at our top five races of the year so far. Stick around because Sam has notes. Sam, since I'm so proud of you for having notes for today's podcast, I'm going to let you start here. Run through five down to one. A couple of reasons as to why you've got them in each position.

what have you been your five best races of the year to this point? Okay, so I actually have got a nice little backdated list here. There you can hear the notepad rustling folks. Sorry to headphones use if that's incredibly annoying. I don't know. All right, in fifth place. Barang is in fifth, and Barang gets a little bit of bias

because it is the opening race of the season. And that always comes with a bit of excitement of, we've got no idea what's going on. And there was some drama though, right? It wasn't like it was a drama-free race. You had the moment at the start of the season where Perez couldn't get the car going, and they did get the car going.

You then had the brilliant and intelligent battle between the Sapping and the Clare, and the realisation that Mercedes might not be where they thought they were after. And we'll see from our predictions later on, quite comically, how wrong we all were in that scenario. So that revelation, I see, is a big part of Bahrain, which is a lot of fun. And then also, of course, the drama of both Red Bulls running into issues right at the end of the Grand Prix,

which was very much a gasp moment, especially in the first race of the season. So that's Bahraining Fifth. Canada and fourth is just, it was just an all-round good race. And I'm not going to go in too much detail because the other boys are getting stuff. It was all-round good race. There's always some drama at Canada. But the one that always surprised is one is surprising me. It might surprise you guys on this list in third place is hungry.

Now, we did an over-rating under-a-a-old. just before the Hungarian Grand Prix, and we all agree that Hungary is underrated. And I think it once again proved that it's a saucy little track. It can deliver a good little race. And the Ferrari issue on the tyres, the way that we had the problems with,

then we're able to activate the softs properly, but Hamilton charging through the field, Russell getting that magical pole position, Hungary was great, really, really fun. And then my top two, second place, Austria, first place, Silverstone. I think they speak for themselves. The on-track racecraft was fantastic, really fun. I don't care if the winner is relatively far up the road at this point. You know, with Silverstone, the through goes Hamilton getting two in one. The on-off

trap battles between that top lot. They're all so close together, even along. So I think in sixth place, Norris was there as well. It was all a lot of fun. Of course, the Sykes-Hang and the Ferrari absolutely going boom out the side was pretty dramatic in Austria as well. So that's why list five down to one. Bahrain, Canada, Hungary, Austria, Silverstone. And for a bonus point, Sam, what was your worst race of the first half of the year? Do I need to bother telling you? Or is it obvious?

I don't know. It could be anything, right? I'm absolutely baiting him in here. Folks, it's, it's, it's, uh, Monaco is the worst one. Thank you. That's a shocker. Interesting. Are you all surprised?

It will be even more surprising when Harry has Monaco first. What have you got for your top five, Harry? If you have. If you have. No, I did consider it, but... You'll bake me, mate. I'm not going to...

Not even I can pretend that that was a belter. Okay, number five, I have Oscar Bahrain. So I don't think my list is entirely grids as Sam, but Bahrain is... is number five. As Sam said, intrigue of a new season.

Generally, Bahrain is just pretty good. We had some nice battling with Mustafa and the sign, Lecler, sorry. And then obviously the shock of the two Red Bulls going out on the final lap,

or final couple of laps. So, yeah, Barrein in fifth. Fourth, I've got Imola or the Amelia Romana GP. And look, I know there was a sprint race attached to it. I'm not counting that bit. What ifs.

But the race itself, again, pre-tasted. We had the Mercedes are out of position. Again, of a Stap and Lecler fight. Lecler then binned it into the wall, had a Norris podium. It was mixed conditions. And I just love Imola. So I think I'm a bit biased about it, but Imola is in fourth for me. Right.

This one, I wrote it down. What are you going to do? What if you've got conjured up here? Because I wrote it down and I was like, no, Harry, come on. surely not. And then I was like, no, I don't,

I think it was. I've put Saudi Arabia. Oh, come on. And I think it, and I, look, hear me out here.

Look, I still hate the track. Um, I think it's a dangerous hell hole. And yes, we had, uh, some missile strikes on the Friday.

Put all of that aside. Yeah. We can't, put that to one side. Just ignore that. Minor detail for a second. Um, The battle we had with Lecler and Vestappen, hashtag DRS chicken,

which I completely forgot about, that feels like to me, apart from maybe Austria, as Sam mentioned, feels like to me one of the last times it felt like we had a true championship battle. And maybe that's why I'm reminiscing about it so much. But I loved it. I loved that race. And I know it was kind of ridiculous with the DRS chicken, but I yearn for the days of,

a battle for the championship that was that close. And we don't have that now. We just sad. So Saudi's gone third, even though I hate the track. Can't wait for KFC to sponsor DRS. Hashtag DRS chicken, get it trending. Number two, Hungary, all of the above reasons, as Sam mentioned, was just a decent little race.

Always flies under the radar, but another decent race from Hungary there. So yeah, that's number two. And then number one, British GP. easily the best race we've had all year was just a belter all round. The chaotic start, that double overtake from Hamilton, Lecler's overtake around the outside of Hamilton at Copps.

Yeah, that entire entire battle was sourcy to say the least. So yeah, British GP is my number one so far. Least favourite? I mean, it's got to be Monaco, isn't it? Sorry, Monaco. Come on! We've done it! Yes!

I still love Monaco, but not even I can pretend that that was not the worst race this year. So even Spain had a little bit to offer. So, sorry, sorry, Monaco. So, firstly, I will say, one that isn't appearing in my top five that Harry has just mentioned, I'm being stubborn on this, even though I know Harry is right. Saudi was a great race but I am being stubborn because I think it's

too dangerous and I can't ignore everything that happened throughout the weekend so I'm being stubborn and saying it's not I'm being stubborn I put this list together

I did exactly the same thing I went you know what I enjoyed the Sunday it was good racing but for the sake of the people I'm Max deastafing smelling the fire due to the missiles I can't put it in there

I'm being stubborn, but I do agree with all your points, Harry, on that race. You not need to loosen up, gosh. Anyway, that's soon going to be nothing because I'm going to shock everyone with my fifth place selection. Long live the circuit to Catalonia. I've got Spain 5th. It was a great race. It was a great race. And to be fair, there's quite a...

The battle for 5th was quite close for me. But you had Sergio Perez, George Russell, Max Verstappen. That was an epic battle. Fernando Alonzo went from 20th to 9th. Lewis Hamilton's charged through the field as well. I thought it was a really entertaining race. And say what you like about Spain. And I berated it quite often. It's delivered two good races in a row from where I'm sitting. So I've got Spain 5th. The rest of the top four is looking quite similar to what you've got. Four or five, I've got Austria for the same reasons that you put it. second, Sam, really.

George Russell, that was entertaining through the field. You know, Hasse versus McLaren was interesting in the midfield as well as obviously the battle out front as well. Third, one that appears on both of your list, but I've got it slightly higher. Bahrain, perhaps I am using

first race bias here a little bit because as you mentioned Sam, there is that factor. But certainly it was a great race to understand what the regulations could be. and I think both good and bad. I think the race proved that there was going to be closer racing

and dirty air was going to be less of a factor, which was fantastic, and we got evidence of that almost straight away. There was the negative of it as well, where I think it also proved that the hope that the midfield would be way closer to the top of the front of the field. It didn't materialize, and I think that was foreboding what would happen throughout the rest of the year. But as a pure race, I think it was very entertaining.

and apologies to all of the Melbourneians, Melbourneites out there. I prefer Bahrain as the first race of the season. I still love you, Australia there. Second, I've got Hungary. Again, this might be recency bias because we've only just had this one and it's most fresh in the memory,

but it was a cracking race where you had three teams in the fight. All of them legitimately had very similar pace. Ferrari decided to make it interesting. Thank you for that. By putting Charlotte-Claire on, might as well have been intermediate tyres. Plenty different strategies going on. We always say it. F-1 is better when there are multiple strategies at play.

When a one-stop is viable, when a two-stop is viable, when a two-stop using different tires is viable. That's interesting. It's exciting. And Hungary proved that. No surprise number one, though. Silverstone British bias is well and truly alive on this point. It was a great race.

Goals save the coin. Ferrari versus Red Bull. Max Verstappen, obviously not great for his own championship aspirations in terms of being bogged down in the lower end of the points. But his battle with Schumacher was pretty tasty towards the end of the Grand Prix. Carlos Seines getting his first win was an epic moment for him. And again, Charles LeClaire being screwed out of a win, which seems to be a common theme this year. But at least they made it an interesting race. I'll tell you what, though.

I think there's a debate as to what the least favorite race of the year is. I think Monaco is definitely a contender, but I think there's another race that is close. You can say Miami? No, I quite liked Miami, actually, more than most people did. Good, because I also liked Miami. I was a bit shocked if you were a big amount. I'm interested to hear what you think.

Baku. I wouldn't put it as worse but it didn't deliver what it normally does, does it? It was a bit of a dull Baku. In fact, Ferrari, again, didn't help that one in that it probably would have been closer, but after Ferrari went out,

yeah, nothing has a done deal, wasn't it? It was a bit better further down the pack. We had some better moves outside the points and things like that, and I think that's why it separates itself from Monaco. but yes, in terms of the excitement that Baku gets, and deservingly so for the last couple of years that it's had, it wasn't a spectacle like it has been.

And sorry, Harry, I'm not with you with Imala. Nah. That's because you suck. Yeah. I am with you on Imala. I'm a big Imala. I'm an Imala lover. Hey, I like him.

I like him. Just the race itself, I don't think it was a top line. I love it. Him and a lover I'm a lover. I'm a lover. Mr. Himal lover. Mr. I'm a lover.

Go on Shaggy. Oh, I'm so glad Shaggy's got a shout out on the podcast. Mr. I'm in with a lover. Dearie me. We bring up some weird. characters on this show, don't we? Yeah. Nothing weird about Shaggy.

Shaggy, Pitbull, Top Dog. Djibui, Diog, Dublin. There's no one out of hands. It's not. Oh, dear. Yeah, that probably does it for that segment.

We'll be back with more Late Breaking F1 podcast right after this. Let's move on to Alex Albin because he's secured a multi-year deal with Williams. Of course, we knew he was going to be racing for them this year, but his future was uncertain after this year, but he signed on a multi-year deal, meaning he'd be there at least until the end of 2024, possibly longer, we're not too sure on that one. It would have been a discussion to talk about last week, but unfortunately, every single thing happened in the

world of F1 last week, so something had to miss the cut. But we're talking about you now, Alex, and I know you're a big fan of the podcast, so I hope you'll be glad to hear. we are finally getting on to you. Harry, do you think the Alex Albin move, a multi-year move is a good thing for both parties here? Well, Williams, I hope you've got some exe clauses. Obviously, I do in light of what we were just talking about earlier on. But yeah, I think it is.

I think a solid move for both parties. I'd say more of a solid move for Williams. But, you know, considering all the chaos that's been going on in the in the in the in the f-on driving market um you know i think a good shout for them to snap him up just in case i don't know whether he was and they're running for any any other seat but i think it's clear for williams to to snap him up because he's performed well this year i think alban's had a very very good um first half of the year and he had a gun only a couple of duff races that i can remember um so yeah i think sensible and then for for alex look he obviously has

aspirations to be in a quicker car on Williams, and maybe Williams can deliver that for him. But for now, I think it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a good move. I think he can build the team around him in the way that, in a way that George Russell did. If, well, it remains to be seen what Williams do with the second seat, but if rumor is to be believed,

and Logan's sergeant ends up in that seat, and that or Albon sergeant lineup is quite solid, I think for Williams. So yeah, for me, I think it's fairly good move. album maybe, how multi is this multi-year deal? Is it three? Three years? Not sure, just multi. Marty, 71. It's not 21 years, I hope.

But yeah, it's a nice F1, 2013 reference for anyone who didn't get it, but go watch it. Yeah, maybe, I hope Alex hasn't signed his life away in the same way as Estabant Ocon has. But yeah, I think overall solid, Solid cool this one. Did you agree with that, Sam? Solid call?

I think solid is the right word. Solid, good. I don't think great. I don't think spectacular. I think this is a better deal for Albon than it is for Williams because I think Albu has been good this year. I think he's outshong Latifi,

not that that is the hardest thing to doing Formula One. His school of Williams is three points so far this season, which is, I mean, in that car, it is difficult to do. So props too for doing it. And considering a year out of the sport as well, and the way he's turned back up in a new era of Formula One and delivered, is promising.

It's good to see. But I actually think there are longer term perks for him signing this deal. It looks like it completely moves him away from the Red Bull family, which, let's be honest, sorry Alex Albon Fangs. He wasn't going to get that Red Bull seat. And he wouldn't want to be in that Alfa Tauri seat because he'll do exactly what Pierre Gazley is. seeing what's happening to Pierre Gazley.

Pierre Gazley is finding himself in a situation where he is unable to move anywhere. And he's coming to quite a prime part of his career now. And he's stuck in a feeder team that don't want him. And because of that, no other team seems to really want him either. It's a tough one for him to be in. So I think this is really, really good for Albon to get him out of that situation. And he can build a team around him. And I think what Harry say about the Sergeant Albon line up, which is possible,

is a really solid, strong line up. I think it gives both seats a reason for long-term encouragement, long-term growth to build a team around them. But Albaugh doesn't bring anything else other than strong performances. He's not known to have a massively big financial backing, for example. I don't think his junior career showed that he's got endless amounts of talent, like the likes of Stappan or Russell or Norris, for example. So it's interesting how far he goes.

Now, the big thing that this helps with, I think, for Williams is one is one is the likes of pushes them away from a further Mercedes relationship. It allows them to go it alone. And I think that's positive because there are rumours of course of new teams looking to buy out others or join the sport. We've just had the Porsche announcement with Red Bull. Audi, another part of the VW family, have also had sputters, rumors, whispers of joining Formula One. And I wouldn't be against the idea, and neither do I think Williams would be, of having a Williams-Aldy team, an area to develop, an area to build. And if Alibon's played himself into a long-term contract

that gives him a direct relationship with Audi, a global giant of the automotive world, that is a really strong move. So for now, I think the relationship between the two is good. I think it opens doors for both parties. I think there's yet to be seeing if it can become great. But yeah, solid. The right move, I think.

I think well done for getting it done. Yeah, so a bit of a bit of a, A bit of a weird one that it is probably a good deal for Alburn. It's weird in the sense that where Williams are in the championship, I mean, Williams are the slowest car on the grid. Like you say, they've only got three points so far in this year. So being tied to that for multiple years, at least on first glance, you wouldn't think that's a good deal whatsoever.

And actually, if he's associated with Red Bull and by proxy Alpha Tauri, even if he doesn't have a chance for the Red Bull seat, you know, he's got far better potential within that program to have good results than where he is at Williams right now. But having said that, if you know that there is absolutely zero chance that you're going to get back in that Red Bull, you might as well try it at Williams or indeed anywhere else because, as you say, Sam, it's not happening.

It's not happening. If it doesn't happen for Gasly, if it's not happening for Gasly, it's not going to happen for Albin either. And for better or for worse, that is the way the Red Bull program works. It is ruthless, where if you aren't performing well enough, as Gasly and Albin found out, they will replace you. And as much as you can say, that is incredibly brutal to those as individuals, yes it is, would Red Bull be in a position right now where they'd be likely to win a Constructors' Championship

if it was Albin and Vestappen, possibly not. Even if they were, it wouldn't be as comfortable as what it is now. So to get to Perez, they had to make those ruthless decisions. And I don't know whether they actually would go for giving a driver a second chance. My inkling is no, because if Gassley's done such a great job at Alphatari, and that still isn't enough to get him back in the Red Bull, what more can a driver who's already been given a chance do? So I think Alburn recognizing that, at least this is what this move indicates, is that he knows that, he's recognized that, and he's adapted accordingly.

He's made the move as a result of his knowledge of knowing he's not getting in that seat. And he's opened up opportunities elsewhere. And I think he does have a chance to mould that Williams team around him. Certainly, regardless of what they do with the seat next year, whether they keep Latifie or, or go with a rookie, Albin is the lead driver. It doesn't matter that Latif he's been there a bit longer. Albin is the lead driver. So he's either up against the driver.

He knows he can be or a rookie. And he'd fancy himself in either situation, and rightly so. So Albin has a real chance of forming this team around him. I think the question mark from Albin's side is, are William's going to come good? Are William's going to elevate themselves back up the grid? because there was a lot made around the Williams family when they owned Williams themselves and a lot was made about the structure of the team being archaic and not being up to the standard

of modern F1. And I think those criticisms were valid. But when they left, it was always with the intention that, okay, they're going to modernise. They're going to get to grips with the current level of F1 and they're going to elevate themselves back up the grid. And they haven't. They're still in last, they're still the slowest. And through what, 13 races so far this year, they've got three points to show for their efforts in an era that is supposed to be closer. And it hasn't happened for them. So I think the question that Alex Albin almost has to answer, maybe he already has answered it in his own head and has made this move as a result of that, are William's going to come good? Is it a question of Doralton Capital and the investment

is going to work? It's just not going to work overnight. Similar question to say, Aston Martin and the investment there, I guess. Or has it not worked? And they're going to be languishing down in 10th for the next couple of years because that's going to be a long couple of years. I think it's a good move because I don't think there was much else on the table for Albin. But even so, there's got to be a little bit of fear there. as to what can Williams do? Do they have the ambition to get themselves at least to the bottom of the midfield? But he's going to want more than that as well.

What about the million dollar question, Sam? Do you think it will be Sergeant alongside him? I don't see why it wouldn't be if I'm totally young. Sargent is impressing very much at the moment in his junior career. He's incredibly well in F3 and he's doing incredibly well again in F2 since it's on his first season there as well. I'm impressed by him and I also think that

having a young American in a car where the market is growing at such a rapid measurement is a clever business idea it makes total sense for marketing for financial backing for possible sponsorship and you never know

and I know I'm thinking outside the box here but a possible engine supplier if they like what they see we've had the likes of Ford in the sport before that allows Williams to become a main construction a main provider where they're not linked to somewhere else.

Yeah, there's a lot of viable avenues. And I'm sorry, Nicholas, Mr. Nattella, you know, you are absolutely lovely. I do really like you, but you are not up to scratch when it comes to Formula One. You're not there. You've got hitting those performances.

So despite the amount of money you're bringing in, it clearly isn't enough to warrant you sticking around. You're not doing enough for the Williams team to revolutionize things, because I feel like we would have seen it by now. So yeah, scrap the T-fi, get a rookie who is hungry and what's going to perform well and show himself for what he could be on a really budget, you know, a budget contract. I'm sure Sergeant would take a cut price offer to get himself into Formula One and then invest

that money, make that money count elsewhere and then get marketing involved because you've got the option to do so. For me, it feels like a bit of a no-brainer. Do you know, it must be kicking themselves right about now who might well have had a shot of this seat. Dan ticked them. Oh. I mean, oh well, no-moy.

Ah, well. Absolutely. Jeremy Clark's a meme right there. Anyway. Harry, do you think it will be sergeant? And if not, is there anyone else you think that might be in contention for it? I know. I think it will think it will be sergeant.

I'm not sure who else to go for. I think for, as Sam's mentioned, I think this is a, you know, You know, they might lose some money from whatever Latifi brings. But this can be a cheap deal for them. Sorry, Logan, but I don't think they need to pay him a lot to get him on board. He is a rookie after all. So I think it can be a fairly cheap deal to get a sergeant in that seat. Anyone else who might be a viable option?

Drugovich. Yeah, Drugovich. I mean, Mick Schumacher could be another one, but, you know, I guess more of a proven F1 he's got more proven F1 experience but again I think I see him saying it has but anyway Sargent seems like the most sensible move there

he's been in their program it makes sense and like say what I've already said it is I think it'll be a solid lineup and as Sam's mentioned if there is backing from a bigger manufacturer further down the line such as Audi then then this could be very very solid sorry if you had a moped then.

Got my window open. It's quite hot here, folks. Yeah, I think it could be a solid little lineup. So, yeah, I think they'll go for Sergeant. My worry right now with Logan Sargent is that I agree with you. He's come along very well, and he's doing very well for a rookie season in Formula 2. The problem is if I look at the last direct comparison point in terms of a driver who was a rookie in F2 doing pretty well in around P3, P4, it's Yuki Sanoda.

And we know Yuki Sanoda was promoted a year too early. Now, it might not really matter too much because if Williams are in a similar position next year to what they're in this year, and ultimately it doesn't actually matter that much if sergeant's a bit off the pace and making one or two errors, okay. but if the Williams is in a more competitive state next year, I think there is a concern that Sergeant would have been pulled up a year too early, I think. So in that case,

I think it depends on their confidence as to what they can do for next year. If they think they'll be in a similar position, I'd say, take Logan Sargent now, you might as well do. If they think they're going to be in a better spot where they want a more reliable one-year stopgap driver, maybe at that point you look towards the Hulk or you look at you maybe look at Nick DeVries possibly maybe they can work something there in terms of Mercedes I know that was actually a bit more of a rumor earlier on in the year but it's died down a lot since then now Nick DeVries would

obviously be a rookie to the series so if you want a safe pair of hands maybe you would go towards Nika Holkenberg instead and with Nika Holkenberg you know that you know he's not going to drive anyone off the track as Nick DeVries likes to do in full New Jersey so So maybe you'd take him in that respect. But maybe Toto Wolf gets his claws in on this and manages to get a deal for Nick DeVries. Yeah, that is my concern with Logan Sargent. I think he can make it as a good driver in Formula One.

It's about whether it's going to be all right in year one and whether it might turn out to be another Yuki situation. That means that Logan Sargent is going to be in the Hall of Fame end of next year. That's how that works. Well, we still need to think about who's going to appear

in the Hall of Fame this year, to be honest. We've got second class of inductees all going to happen in the award show. I mean, now it's not that moment.

We should not be doing this now. Can I nominate my gam. Gammon and Jubilee. Yeah, a QO. So basically, Albert and Surrey. Rockin are going to be the drivers at Williams next year.

We have decided that. Oh, God. Don't bring up Sir Rockin. So gay. He was all right. He was all right. I think he'll qualify. He's a terrible person now, though.

I think that's... Isn't he said some really awful things? Oh, I'm getting me rushing's confused. Sorry. Petrov. You are the devil. Oh, dear. We're going to be reviewing our preseason.

predictions, a bit of a halfway review. I don't know why we're doing this. We are tormenting ourselves. Stick around after this. Guys, we made some pre-season predictions. We always do this. So we have a look at constructors' predictions. We look at drivers' predictions.

Of course, many of you would have heard us make those predictions back in February or whenever we did them. But we also know that we get new listeners all the time. We would have joined us throughout this year. Firstly, thank you for being here. Welcome. We want to bring you up to speed as to what we predicted happened at the beginning of the year. And if you had any notion whatsoever that we know what we're talking about,

we're going to dispel that right about now. So the constructors' predictions and the driver's predictions will get to. Teammate Wars will start with. So teammate wars is something we've been doing. This is our sixth year of doing it, where we choose between the 10 teams, which of the drivers is going to secure the best finish, who's going to score more points out of the two drivers. Just a quick rundown as to how previous years have gone in terms of results.

Oh, God. We've done this five previous years. I've got three wins. Sam has two wins. Here we go. Thanks for competing, Harry. It means a lot to us. Every year.

I live for that joke. It's like that is Simpsons. Simpsons mean with Bart and they're like, say that I'm Bart. Thanks for competing, Harry. Yeah. Poor Harry needs a win to stop me from saying that joke. We'll get on to what we said at the beginning of the year and whether that is looking likely. Obviously, this isn't the confirmation as to what is going to happen,

but we're going to see who's looking good at this point in the season. So actually, with our teammate wars selections, We did have quite a lot of similarity. So we all said that Vettel would beat Stroll, and at the moment that's looking okay, and we all said the Stappan would beat Perez, and that's looking okay. We all said Alonzo would beat Ocon,

which isn't looking quite as okay. But we matched each other quite a lot for a while. And we determined, basically, we had a few differences, so I'll go through what the permutations and what needs to happen for each of us to win. I'll start with myself, because I went bold at the beginning of the year and I called it career suicide at the time

and I'm excited to hear that it hasn't really gone out that way. Got to have a career for that. True, very true. You probably made the same joke when I said that last time. But George Russell beating Lewis Hamilton was my prediction for Mercedes at the beginning of the year. And basically, if that's right, I'm probably going to win. It's happening at the moment,

Although I have to say I'm a bit scared as to what's happened recently because Hamilton is looking pretty good at the F1 at the moment. It's like jaws, isn't it? It's like Jaws. It's like Russell is on the boat and the shark is getting closer and closer every single time they turn around. Hamilton, of course, being the shark here, folks, if you didn't get the reference. But I do have a bit of a get-out clause here because we all predicted Hasse

before Mazepin was kicked out of his seat. and we all said Schumacher would beat Mazapin. Oh, I forgot about this. But then when Magnuson was announced, we redid it. And I was the only one who said Kevin Magnuson would beat Schumacher. So I'm hoping that bails me out if Russell doesn't win. Oh, no. What's the difference between Schumacher and Magnuson points-wise?

Good question. I will Google. Just bear with us whilst Sam does a Google. Um, Thank you. Thank you. They are 10 points apart. Magnus sings on 22,

Schumacher is on 12. I thought it was a few more than that. It's quite close. Come on, Kevin. Come on Kevin. Basically, I need if both of those happen, I think I've won. If one of those two happens, I might win, depending on what else happens. We're also up against the Discord this year, I should also mention.

We gave polls to everyone in our Discord at the time, who's going to win. The part where they differ from what we've got is they need Carlos Signs to beat Charles Clare. We all said Chal LeClaude, but the Discord's have Carlos signs. So, that's in play. It's in play still, right? Yeah. Although I like previous in. Ferrari are doing their utmost

to make it happen. Maybe Discord is in cahoots with Ferrari. Maybe they've paid Ferrari off. Yeah, Matea Bonotto runs the polls in our Discord. Did you not know that? If they'd like to pay us off any time soon, that'll be lovely because that's a lot of money to pay Ferrari off. So pay us off if you fancy it, please.

I'll be nice to you. If Ferrari gave me 10 grand, I would spend 50p on a pack of Harrybo Tengfastix, and then I would use the other £9,000, £950 to put straight back into the strategy team, quite frankly. I wouldn't keep a penny of it. Part of the Tangfastics. I'd like to know with the other £49 pounds.

£50p went that you haven't spent. Oh yeah, good point. Embezzlement Ben, as they call me. EB, back on it again. So basically, here's where we stand right now. I need George Russell to beat Lewis Hamilton. I could also do with Kevin Magnuson beating Mick Schumacher. The Discord needs signs to beat Leclair.

All of those seem in play. Oh, no. You're right. Harry? Oh, no. What's it done now? Is it the Ricardo thing again? Do you remember where you differed from us

at the beginning of the year in terms of your predictions? It might well have been Daniel Ricardo. You need Daniel Ricardo to beat Lando Norris in order to win, I think, Harry. Oh, mate, come on. Oh, dear. What's the points difference for those two?

More than 10. Hold on. He's better with. Norris is on 76 Ricardo is on 19 there is a 57 point gap That's that's recoverable In the immortal words of

Harry Ead Oh no Oh no Oh no Oh man I thought this would be my year Never mind Sam you basically Sam You need everything to happen

Everything not to happen what I just mentioned and you'll win. So mine are all the, what I think everyone will assume is the obvious ones. I actually didn't go bold anywhere. Yeah. Okay, that was safe with me. Well done.

That is unusual. If normality could resume everyone, do it. Oh, yeah. And the Ongon-Alonkso gap is actually 17 points. So there's quite a gap there. Because they don't score podiums. So, you know, they know. That might not happen either.

We could be wrong on all of those. But yeah, that's where teammate wars stands, if you're interested to know. So still plenty to play for, as long as Daniel Ricardo gets some wins. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's going to happen. Yeah. Well, unbelievably, that's the least embarrassing part of our predictions because we have to look at driver's championship and constructors championship.

Oh, dear. Yeah. So long and short of it is this. We thought Mercedes were bluffing. they weren't. Can you blame us? Can you blame us for this? Got real trust issues.

We didn't trust that Mercedes was slow and they were slow. So just bear that in mind, folks, when we made these predictions. We all said a Mercedes driver was going to win the driver's championship. We all said, well, you two said Lewis Hamilton would win the championship.

I said George Russell would win the championship. it doesn't look like either of those are going to happen right now. I guess maybe you're in the best position though, Harry, because you put Max Verstappen's second

and me and Sam both have him third. So you lose better than us at the moment. I guess selling that I'm going to put that as my Twitter bio. Yeah, I mean, I To be fair, I don't look good at this at all Because I just said it would be Merck domination I just put Russell first and Hamilton second

Which if you haven't noticed isn't happening You at least put variety in there So you you alternated So Sam had LeCler second, Vestapp and third And Harry had Verstappen second, LeCler third So I didn't I didn't put enough trusting for Harry Technically my second place is right

I'm getting a point on that at the moment you are come on yes I've done something kind of and to be fair you've both put George Russell fourth

which is far more in play than George Russell first is so you probably look better than me on that front Harry let's take him down let's get him the nerd yeah freaking nerd

and then fifth I put Carlos signs as did Sam Harry you put Perez in fifth, which unbelievably is the highest position of any three of us put Perez. So again, you're the least wrong on that front.

Excelling. I'm going to laugh at him. Now I'm embarrassed. Well, here's the thing, because Harry put Sergio Perez fifth, which is selling him short versus what he's doing. I put Sergio Perez sixth, which still doesn't make me the most wrong. we didn't go down to seventh but Perez wasn't

in your top six oh no quite wrong on that so far why did you that would be that who right

anyway I mean I'm wrong on lots of things but that given that it's Ferrari Mercedes Red Bull who did you think

was going to Lando Norris Ruff I put Norris got it Got it, got it. I mean, yeah, a good 20. The fact, McLaren looked all right early preseason.

True, true, true. Yeah. And then they turn up at Bahrain. Don't talk about Bahrain to them. All contracts. Do you remember who we put down as our biggest surprise of the season? So best, best surprises in there would outperform what we thought? No, what do we put?

Well, I put Mick Schumacher, which at the moment that's probably an L. I'm afraid. Sam, you put Valtry Bottas, which... Yeah, that might be in play, possibly. He's probably done. I mean, he's doing well. He's doing well. He's beating a long-so at the points, and I think he's...

I think that's all right. That's debatable. We'll see how he does for the second half. Harry's looking good. Harry picks Sonoda, and Sonoda's probably done better than what we fought as well. So I think that's in play. All the fame.

I saw... I saw a graph which F1 put out, which was the average finishing position for each driver. They were put on the grid of 20. Sonoda was 19th, which shook me to my very core. Yeah, because if he doesn't score points, he's last. Yeah, quite literally, that's what's happened. He scored points twice, and he's been last. We had a biggest letdown as well as a category in these preseason predictions.

based on Sam putting Perez not in his top six, you can probably guess who Sam had written down for that one. I bet it wasn't Perez. It was actually Perez, yeah. Oh, that'll be so me. To fair, if he carries on with the last few races, he's going in the right direction. So we'll hold.

Please hold. I put Fernando Alonzo. I'm willing to hold on to that. I'm willing to hold on to that. Give it a rest, Ben. El. Being beaten by Esteban Ock. on.

You know, couldn't beat Sergio Perez. The goat. Also, the really awful logic here. It's terrible logic. I'm really annoyed here because, again, Harry, you might be in a good position here. You put Pierre Gassley as the biggest letdown, who, in retrospect, is probably the right answer at the moment. That's fair. That is a fair shout.

Well done. I mean, why not that I say Pierre Gassley? What? You just thought he was going to lose motivation. Maybe he has. Maybe he has. And lastly, we put who would finish last in the championship. Now, this one isn't sewn up, but there is a good chance this doesn't change now

because Nika Holkenberg is last in the championship. And it's... Oh, that is such rubbish. Yeah, we didn't actually put Nika Holkenberg, shockingly, because he wasn't ready, he wasn't scheduled to race at that time. That doesn't count then, surely. Well, okay. Fine.

Let's say Nicholas Latifie's last. None of us arrive still. Me and Harry both had the same answer. We had Jo Guanyu, who is 17th at the moment. Sam, did you just say ha? Yeah, I'm expecting a ha back. He's been quite good. I've given you a few seconds.

I've given you like five seconds. to rescind that laugh, Sam. No, I'm willing to take the hand back. I'm okay to be laughed at. Well, Joguanyu is in 17th place, which is six positions lower than the guy Sam had kind of written down. We gave the option to the second hash seat, because we didn't know who was going to be in it.

And Sam decided to take up that option. So it ended up being Kevin Magnuson, who is 11. You got to remember, folks. I picked that based on an unknown entity. And you know what? I'll take it on the chin. I gambled on a 50-50. And once again, it hasn't paid off.

But that's a life I live now. To be fair, the next, I think it was the next episode when Magnuson had been revealed, you asked, can I change my answer to Joe Guan Yu? Yes, I did. I remember that. I did. Joe Guan, you slander from the three of us.

Sorry, Jay. You've been quite good. Constructors' standings, just to close this off, was an absolute shambles. I mean, we all had Merck first, which they aren't. Again, Harry is most right, because he's got Red Bull second, whereas me and Sam had Ferrari second. So, again, good job, Harry. Well done.

Thanks. And then we kind of just copied each other for a bit, where we all thought Astin Martin would be better than what they are. Um, me and Sam thought Alpine would be worse than what they are. Well, actually we all thought Alpine would be worse than what they have been. We all thought Williams to be eighth. They're not. And then we had,

Oh, we're so bad at this. And then we had Hass and Alfa Romeo as ninth and tenth. I had Hass then Alfa Romeo and you guys had Alpha Romeo then Hass. And they're both probably laughing at us right now because they're both doing better than that. Well done, F1. You get the last laugh. Enjoy your sad little life. So that'll do it.

That's what we predicted at the beginning of the season. It's all wrong. It's all to play for. Yeah. Shall I feel like we should put a forfeit on these predictions. I feel like we should let the Discord come up with it or vote on it. Because we got a fair comment. And that was we did a lot of old predictions and a lot of predictions.

That's going to record. Harry, we're not. You've got in a forfeit. You've gotten away with this. Yeah, but I'm not volunteering myself for a forfeit just because you had to eat pasta out of a slipper once. That doesn't make me want to do a forfeit. All right, fine.

Well, we need to come up with something that keeps us accountable for our predictions because we are rubbish. We are a bit rubbish. And that is the title of today's and indeed all of our episodes on our podcast. We are a bit rubbish. We'll probably just leave it there. we've drowned ourselves in the sorrow of our terrible predictions. We'll be back next week, probably.

But honestly, at this point, I don't know if we will. Sam, get us out of here. You know what's a fun fact? I've Googled, obviously, to look up the standings, F-122 standings. You know the bit on Google that says people also ask, first thing that people also ask, do F1 drivers pee in their suits? So that's fun.

Good to go, a lot of people are asking that. Our strengths and button. Anyway, folks, I hope you've enjoyed this episode, a bit of a summary and a bit of a debate. Let us know what your thoughts are on, Daniel Ricardo, of course, on the Albonne situation, what are your favourite races? And how are your predictions going? You can let us go over on Twitter at Elk, or in the Disco, the links in the description. We have other social media as well.

The Instagram is late-breaking podcast. If the kids come knocking, we go TikTok, and that's the late-breaking F-Wodcast on TikTok as well, because we are down with the kids. And, of course, we have things like merch and dice, which you can go and pick up. up if you want a snazzy cap or a nice jumper or a t-shirt to keep you cool in these hot conditions they're all available as well and we have patreon which has got a whole new set of perks all the tiers have been rejigged as well you get more for your money. Merch discount.

There you go merch discounts as well which is great so you get money back off things which is cool give it a little checkout the links there have a little look um that helps us more than anything else so it's massively helpful so thank you so much of those that already are patron you mean the world, quite frankly. I think that's it for now. We'll be back very, very soon, of course. In the meantime, I've been Samuel the Sage. I've been Van Hocking.

I've been Mr. Imala Lover. Keep breaking, lay. Shaggy! Drama. Past is part of the Sport Social Podcast Network.