The Late Braking F1 Podcast - Is Lewis Hamilton BACK?

Episode Date: March 18, 2026

Is Lewis Hamilton truly back on form, and just how far could he go this season? The LB boys get into his promising start, the chatter around the cancelled Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs, and asses how Cadillac and Alpine are performing against expectations so far this season, before finishing with Higher or Lower... Get involved in F1 Fantasy this season! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Late Braking league⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and see if you can beat us... LEAGUE CODE: C6Y6R4ZUY02 Want more Late Braking? Support the show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get: Ad-free listening Full-length bonus episodes Power Rankings after every race Historical race reviews & more exclusive extras! Don't forget! You can also gift a Late Braking Patreon subscription—perfect for loved ones or your own wish list. Choose anything from 1 month up to a full year of top-notch F1 content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/latebrakingf1/gift⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Late Braking: You can find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Come hang out with us and thousands of fellow F1 fans in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ server and get involved in lively everyday & race weekend chats! Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠F1 Fantasy League⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and see if you can beat us! Get in touch any time at [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When West Jet first took flight in 1996, the vibes were a bit different. People thought denim on denim was peak fashion, inline skates were everywhere, and two out of three women rocked, the Rachel. While those things stayed in the 90s, one thing that hasn't is that fuzzy feeling you get when WestJet welcomes you on board. Here's to Westjetting since 96. Travel back in time with us and actually travel with us at westjet.com slash 30 years. Thank you for listening to the Late Breaking F1 podcast. Make sure to check out new episodes every Wednesday.

and every Sunday. And a very warm welcome to the late breaking F1 podcast presented by Harry Ead, Sam Sage, and me, Ben Hocking. Back with another midweek episode, not a preview this timeout with no race this weekend, but it won't be too long until we're in Suzuki, Japan for our third race of the year. But Sam, more important news than anything that can happen on an F1 racetrack. Brad Pitt, F1 the movie, winning awards. We won the Oscars, baby.

That's right. Formula One, but in particular, took home the audio Oscar. So to celebrate, I spent the whole day walking around making Formula One noises to everything that I do. It's the best way to really embrace, immerse yourself in the culture, the sport, the film. Harry, I know you're a big F on the movie fan, love Bradf hit. How did you celebrate the awards? It's my favourite ever movie. I have heard of this. It's not the best movie.

I'm sorry, Ben. What is? Flushed away. That's a big call. obviously. Bloody else, son. I'm not sure I want the audio or flushed away on the podcast. I'm not sure I've actually ever watched it.

I thought you were going to say chitty chitty bang. I would have been a good shout too, yes. You also can have got a subalba reference there because so we're aware. You've done it for me, mate. Thank you. What are we talking about?

This Formula One related? Nothing. We are just talking about our favorite movies. F1, higher, lower, coming up later on. Our thoughts on Cadillac and their just two races in, obviously, to their F1 career, but our thoughts on how that's going so far. The news that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will not be going ahead next month.

But we're going to start with Lewis Hamilton, where Lewis Hamilton was unable to get a podium for Ferrari last year, 24 attempts in a main Grand Prix, none of them successful. It's taken him just two races in 2026 to secure a podium for Ferrari with that third place finish, of course at China this past weekend. Sam, is the old Hamilton back? Oh, it's a big claim, isn't it? Because the old Hamilton was maybe the best we've ever seen on a racetrack. Do I think he's at that point?

No, but even Hamilton at 75%, it's better than 99% of the drivers you'll ever sit on a racetrack. So it's a big thing to have when it's your car. And this is what Ferrari have signed him for. We've entered a new era of Formula One. They've developed a wholly package, and he's being instrumental in designing that. We've heard the way that he's spoken about being

heavily involved in the way it's developed. And he's been quite vocal that the previous era of cars, who didn't suit his driving style, he didn't feel comfortable in them, didn't have security in them. And yet here, you see how late he is on the brakes. You see how good he feels when it comes to wheel to wheel combat. I just stopped saying combat. The F-1 movie has really got into my head. So does Oscar obligations. And yet, you know, Lewis Hamilton is seemingly able to go toe-to-to-to-wheel to will with Charlotte Clure, who, let's face it, gave him a real hiding last last season. He really,

he really, not bad in the old man. No, pretty damn good in old Charlerc. But yeah, at the start of this season, they're neck and neck. They're beating each other

once each in a main Grand Prix and they were right next to each other in the Spring Grand Prix as well. So all things considered, pretty great. Now, I do think there are some mitigating factors to Lewis Hamilton's return. The ones I've just mentioned,

his involvement in the development of the car, I think is crucial. Every time that he has been involved in developing a car, namely the Meseagis starting in 2014, it turns into a big of a rocket ship. It's pretty, pretty good. He had less involvement, of course,

also listened to a lot in Mercedes in the ground effect era, didn't go the way he wanted it to. Was it particularly keen on the way the car works? Equally, the other thing that I think is helping him a lot in this resurgence is unlike last season where the cars were so close together, all the teams were so packed in. He is essentially only going up against Charles LeCler for the podium position. You get, the Mercedes down the road, Russell and Antigli.

If they don't finish first and second in that car right now, that's a disastrous turnout. That car is good enough. It should be a one-two. Equally, McLaren, Bastapen, Red Bull, even some of the other teams that might be popping up, you think they might show a little bit of variation. Nowhere to be seeing. They're just not close enough right now.

So whilst I think Hamilton is definitely back on the right track, he's the best who's seeing him in a long time, maybe well over a season and a half two seasons, I do think he's also being supported by some other elements that are outside of Ferrari's control. Harry, are you encouraged by what you've seen from Lewis Hamilton at this very early stage in this 2026 season? yeah absolutely i think um he he seems much more comfortable with these with these regulations and he's been very open about that i will caveat that this at this point last year i know they weren't as quite as quick you would say maybe the same thing it wasn't they were pretty even stephams hamilton and lickler hamilton picked up the sprint win obviously in china they got a score of

fight the dead day after but um it wasn't it wasn't looking too bad at the beginning of 2025 so um i will throw that pinch of salt into the the equation um and as you said sam i think whilst he yeah like said he's very openly happy about these new regulations feels much more comfortable much more positive about them i would like to see where his mindset would be if he was in i don't know a red ball at the moment or even further back down the grid. I'd suggest that some of his positivity is held by the fact that they are the second fastest team at the moment. And as you said, they're the Ferrari of the ones fighting for the last podium spot, at least in the first two races. So it's great. I think they definitely

suit him more, suit his driving style more. I think a lighter car definitely does. And allows him to exploit his particular driving style. Like you said, some later on the breaks. I will be intrigued to see where this goes for the rest of the year. If other teams, I mean, McLaren could like do a race at some point or Red Bull finish one, etc. And getting the mix, I will, you know, it may change things somewhat because at the moment they are just the two Ferraris having playtime every race at the moment just for P3. Yeah, pretty much. And I'm going to join both of you in being somewhat hesitant in making too many judgments after just, to Grand Prix.

I'm not Red Bull with Liam Lawson. I'm going to give this time. I have some hesitancy just because if you think back to 2025 and it's related to what you've just said about it's so obviously the second fastest car right now. How many times did Ferrari have the very obviously second fastest car in 2025?

Like twice? Once maybe, yeah. You can look at LeClaire and he got P2 twice, I think last year at Monaco and at Mexico. So maybe those are the two opportunities you could say that were best for Hamilton to get a podium there. But that Ferrari is just so far clear right now

of McLaren and Red Bull. And I'm not even really talking pace. I'm just talking their cars of making it to the end of the Grand Prix, where obviously McLaren and Red Bull aren't with regularity right now. My second area of a hesitation about whether it's really the old Lewis Hamilton

is what that means, because as you said, Sam, this is a seven-time world champion. He's got, I mean this with respect to, say, the Cadillac drivers, where I think we're asking a similar question of, can they get back to their best in F1? They haven't got as far to go as Hamilton does to get back to Prime Hamilton. So, yeah, I'm a little bit on the fence about this for now, but the most encouraging thing is his relative pace to Charles LeCler. It's been close in every session so far. If you look at qualifying, Hamilton's now 2-1-up, if you include sprint-qualify. The biggest gap was actually in Hamilton's favour in Chinese sprint qualifying, where he was three and a half, temp's clear.

You look at the races, Australia, Leclair is half a second ahead at the end. The sprint, it was about two seconds to Leclerc before the safety car came out at the end. And then, of course, Hamilton beat Leclair in the main race. That was by three and a half seconds. So there's not really anything between them. I'm not sure Prime Hamilton is ever coming back, at least not with the same. That's all right. Absolutely it is.

Yeah, I don't think he can meet the same consistency that he had 2018, 2019. But I think we can get some better performances on the regular versus what we saw last year. I think his two biggest tests are going to be, number one, what you've already said, which is what happens if and when McLaren and Red Bull catch up, and it's not just a Ferrari battle for P3 and P4. The other test, I think, will be related to Charles LeCler. Because right now, I think LeClaue would probably admit this. he is not driving that car particularly in qualifying optimally.

The way Charleclochle likes to go qualifying is, and we love to see it, we have loved to see it for the last few years. He is on the ragged edge of what that car is capable of. And as much it pains me to say, right now in qualifying, that approach isn't going to work. Lecler has said it. I think Bearman has said it as well, where they've tried to be really aggressive in qualifying

and found themselves just completely sapped of any energy on a back straight, that's where the limited lap time is coming. That's where they're becoming slower. If Lecler adapts his approach, can Hamilton still be ahead or still be competitive with him? Not sure yet, but I'm intrigued to find out. What do you think Sam could be achievable for Hamilton this year? The obvious next objective after the first podium is going to be the first win. Is that achievable? Is it multiple podiums, multiple wins? It's early, but what's achievable. Yeah, if you're going to shoot for the stars, sure. A race wing, multiple race wings would be Hamilton's ideal, a championship. It's obviously Hamilton's ideal scenario here.

I'm going to right now say that it's slightly out of the question, but it'll be interesting to see, and we spoke about this so many times, I guess it is integral, how this compression ratio changes the pecking order, how coming down from 18 to 1 to 16 to 1, which is most likely going to have to happen from Mercedes with the new regulations on testing, how that affects their overall speed because we saw in China, for example, the tens of seconds that they picked up against Ferrari going down that back straight just because the power unit, the extra capacity they have, is phenomenal in comparison to the likes of Ferrari. So right now, I think podiums are all that a Ferrari driver can realistically achieve without there being a proper reliability issue to a

Mercedes driver. And that will have to happen realistically to both drivers for them to really pick up a victory. But if what I'm thinking is true is going to happen and, sayes are impacted by this compression ratio, although I'm sure they've already got a contingency plan in place. Latter season, there could be opportunities for wings. And if they could just stick close enough, you know,

this is coming into what, June, affecting June? You've still got half a season left at that point. I do think that Ferrari could mount a late challenge. And Hamilton needs to feel as confident, as happy, as comfortable as he does now, the moment that tick over happens.

Because if the Ferrari does take a two-tenth, three-tenth step forward towards Mesaic towards Masekis with this change, that's when they have to strike. So how much it needs to be doing what he's doing now then? And I'm worried that if the tracks get a little difficult, if Lecler feels better, if his morale does take a knock, as we saw with the last couple of years, and we know he wears his heart on his sleeve, there's a real chance that he drops his head and he ends up just floating around in fourth place while the Clare picks up the rest of the podium. So they need to let him ride high on this hype that he's got going at the moment and hope that

the car comes their way. I certainly think more podiums are in the offing. And maybe a win or two as well. That wouldn't surprise me. I would say right now, the early race battling that Ferrari have done and the amazing starts, obviously, that Ferrari are getting,

I think it is slightly misleading as to where Ferrari are versus Mercedes. I think they're further back than what the average person maybe thinks, because let's eliminate all the other teams and just focus on Mercedes at the front and the gap back to Ferrari. If those gaps existed last season, we would be saying Ferrari are really slow. How are they not closer than this? But because Red Bull and McLaren are even further back,

it looks better than what it is, I think, right now for Ferrari. So I'm not sure at least maybe in the short term, I'm not sure that Ferrari can compete with Mercedes on pure race pace. But that doesn't mean they can't, that doesn't mean it will stay that way, first and foremost. and that doesn't also mean that they can't take advantage of late race safety cars or strategic brilliance Ferrari, I don't know, reliability, that sort of thing. Maybe that's where a win could come Hamilton's way in the first half of the season. Harry, why do you think Hamilton is,

is suiting this car better than the last generation? Is it just his style of preferring later braking? That should be a spin-off, shouldn't it? Later breaking than earlier braking? Earlier breaking, ugh, we wouldn't do that. I think that has to be, there has to be a big chunk of it, how comfortably is on the brakes,

because we saw, especially, I think last year in the Ferrari, but also in his Mercedes, Mercedes days, he couldn't pitch. I think Hamilton likes, in,

you know, with late braking, likes to pitch a car into a corner as late as he can and then sort of deal with it when he gets there and then he accelerates that, whereas the ground effect cars were much more about momentum and carrying speed through corners,

I don't think he suited him as well. So I think that's definitely going to be a big part of it. The cars are a bit lighter, which is helping as well. And, you know, he's a seven-time-more champion. He should be able to adapt to a new style of car. Whilst he didn't necessarily adapt as well as others in the Ground Effect era, he's adapted to quite a few iterations of Formula One over his 20 year career. So why shouldn't he be able to adapt to this one?

So it'll be intriguing to see where it nets out over the year, as others catch up. As like you said, Ben, if, you know, Charler-Claire starts to adapt to the start of qualifying because at the moment they seem relatively evenly matched, I think I would like to say that LeClau's probably ahead now. sort of average qualifying pace, but we'll see how that works out during the year. I don't think that's showing up at the moment. So we shall see, but for sure, it suits his style more. Yeah, I'd agree with you on that.

Whilst Lecler and Hamilton both prefer like an oversteery kind of set up, Hamilton's a bit more particular in that he needs that rear of the car to be consistent and stable in a way that balanced in a way that maybe LeCleur doesn't. his input into this car might well have helped him with that. I think that is, I know Sam, you mentioned this earlier, it's a big factor right now that is probably helping him a lot. And yeah, those ground effect cars where you need more precision, more early braking momentum, as you put at Harry, that isn't the same with these cars. You can go into the brakes a little bit later where you're not harvesting a ridiculous amount of energy and deal with the consequences mid-corner,

which is what Hamilton thrives at. Final one on this one, Sam, do you think, he's had a very positive demeanour from the start of the year. He's very positive about these regulations as well in a way that a lot of other drivers aren't. Do you think that stays? I don't know. I don't know. I think for now it does. I think for now it does. I wonder if we see Mercedes dominance come around. I do wonder if he tires of that and goes, you know, we've got to change something to make sure that we come back together. Because he's been on quite literally in the other side of the garage where he's being in Mercedes and they've been dominant. He knows exactly how that feels.

And so I wonder if there's a little bit where he's not as hampered as others might be who haven't tasted that level of success where he's like, hey, comes and goes, that's Formula One. I got to be the benefactor of that. So I'm not going to be too downbeat about it. But if Lecler starts to rise up against him and can I do a better job and if other teams around him start to get closer and we see him fall back, that's not saying we will. But if we do see that, then I do wonder if he starts to get frustrated. in the performances that he puts out.

But at the end of the day, he does seem to enjoy how the cars work. And you know what, of all the drivers, maybe Alonso would be the further exception to this for Stappen, I thought he'd have a problem with this. There's a lot of in-car management. There's a lot of different buttons to press and systems to navigate. I'm surprised he's so enamored so far with the regulations.

He was a little bit that way in preseason testing. There were some comments that he had that were about this being so far different from what he's used to and it seems to be getting more positive as it goes on. I also wonder if, I don't really love to talk about this stuff on the show,

but I wonder if outside of Formula One stuff is also just all right for him at the moment. Like, I don't want. Why is that? No. No. He's obviously found someone that he clearly has a lovely relationship with

if that is happening. Good for you, Lewis. And I don't know. He's obviously got a great relationship with his. Oh, yeah. Oh, actually not the noise I was expecting to play. Better clapping, yeah, yeah. Yeah, good.

Yeah, good. We love an applause on this show. You know, he's very close with his dad. He's obviously very close with his mum. He's step-mom who are both there in China, which is great. I just wonder if he feels really settled. And over the last couple of years, he hasn't been, mostly because of expectations that were put on him by the current regulation.

So maybe he just feels better at himself. He's clearly a very emotional person, is it? Lewis Hamilton. And I do think that has a massive effect in how he then emulates his driving style. I would, sorry, but I would also say, yes, he is positive now, and the car is very competitive.

It's not, as you know, it's not as quick as the Mercedes. He's obviously got his first podium for Ferrari. I think it's easy to forget that the person who stood on the top step of the podium on Sunday was the guy that replaced him when Hamilton left that team if we have this for the rest of the year,

I don't think he stays as positive. I'd start to switch a little bit. I'll be like, I could have been, that could have been me. And, you know, we saw it in the very set up drive to survive thing where Toto was saying, basically wait until 2026 and Lewis decided not to.

So I don't know, just see how that goes. If they don't catch them up at all, and Mercedes continue to win, especially with Antonetti, for example, he might just start to be a little bit annoyed. He has, had some very kind words for Anthony

after his first win. I don't know what his words are after like his eighth win. This year. Yeah. I don't know. You can stop now. You can stop. First of Mengy, just wait till I'm retired and then have Mengy. Yeah, well done, Kimmy. Oh, man. It's a me. Lewis Hamilton.

No. No. Well, let us know how you think Hamilton's first couple of races have gone in 2026, whether you think that will maintain as the season goes on. Will he get his first win at Ferrari later in the year. We're going to take our first break on this episode. On the other side, we've got the news that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will not be going ahead next month. At Desjardin, our business is helping yours. We are here to support your

business through every stage of growth, from your first pitch to your first acquisition. Whether it's improving cash flow or exploring investment banking solutions, with Desjardin business, it's all under one roof. So join the more than 400,000 Canadian entrepreneurs who already count on us and contact Desjardin today. We'd love to talk, business. This episode is brought to you by FedEx. These days, the power move isn't having a big metallic credit card to drop on the check at a corporate lunch. The real power move is leveling up your business with FedEx intelligence and accessing one of the biggest data networks powered by one of the biggest delivery networks. Level up your business with FedEx, the new power move. Welcome back, everyone,

to the second part of today's episode. Some news that broke over the weekend, although in truth, it has been rumoured for quite a while now, and that is that after careful evaluations, due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will not take place in April. While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions will be made in April. and just in addition, the Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy rounds will also not take place during their scheduled times. Harry, kick off of you on this one, just your reaction to this news?

Unsurprised is probably my biggest reaction to this one. Yeah, obviously there was no way that this could continue, or these races could continue at least in the short term, them being both only next month with everything going on. I'm glad F1, I mean, it's been rumoured for quite some time now, but I'm glad F1 have made a decisive decision on this. Memories of Australia and GP 2020 probably sit in the back of their minds on this one.

They don't want to be seen to making the wrong one. And plus, you know, we've seen it was 2020, wasn't I think Saudi, where there was a... What was the staff would say, I can smell burning. Yeah, you just did a cloud of smoke in the background. So I think any... Even if there was... because I believe Jeddah you can still fly to at the moment, barring less so.

But even with that, I think there's no way that F1 could have, in a conscious way, made all these people that, A, work in it, but B, also fans all congregate in a place, or two places with these two races. when there are attacks happening on relatively random places in the region. So the complete right call from F1 and glad they've made it. Glad they made it soon.

They had to make it soon because logistically, after Japan, everything's going there anyway, so they had to do it now. I know they did it on the morning of China. But I think, yeah, sensible decision. Do you agree, Sam? Yeah, well done. Formula One. Generally, well done for getting the decision out there, recognising the situation

and making that call. Formula One is obviously owned by Liberty, an American company, and, you know, I don't want to delve too much into the political sphere that's going on there right now, but it seems like a good target for someone who doesn't like America right now to sit there and go, oh, look at all this congregation of thousands of people and purse and out and brands, that we can really annoy someone by hitting it with something that is going to cause a lot of destruction. We never want that. We don't want crowds, personnel, drivers, whoever it might be at risk. And I'm really glad they've made the decision super early to say, we're not doing it. We're going to move it. And I think that is the tone. Ben, you kind of raised the point quite

nicely when we first spoke about this, that the word cancelled isn't in the vocabulary that's being used. It simply says, we will not race there in April. We'll get on to other options or possibilities. But I do think it hints at the fact that they would still like to go to the region at some point. And I'm glad that they have made the decision early on to move this away. It just feels like a go-brainger, but that doesn't mean that decisions get made the right way when it's a go-brainger. But well done. Completely the right choice. Yeah, it's F-1. You never know with this sort of thing. But I... Never quite know. I'm with you both here. I think it's a sensible decision. And whilst we like to think that F-1 is at the centre of the universe,

and it might be at the centre of our universe, it sadly isn't actually the case. And safety must take priority. And in this instance, it has. I'm glad. F one have been pretty swift about this. Again, I know it's been sort of rumbled and discussions for a few weeks, but they've still made it fairly promptly. And to your point, Harry, they couldn't have actually left it too much longer, I guess, because of the logistics of Post-Suzuka. But I'm glad that we're not, I don't know,

on the Thursday of Race Week, wondering if this is going to go ahead. That's not a scenario that any of the teams, fans, that anyone wanted to be in. And you're right, Harry, in that there were some rumours that maybe Bahrain was definitely not going to go ahead, but Saudi Arabia there would be a better chance because Jedder, if you're unaware, is on the west coast of the country. So furthest, of course, away from Iran. I think it still would have been incredibly dangerous to give it. Don't make any difference.

Realistically, they hit what they want to hit. Quote. Political analysis from some stage. Come on, really me? Concise, can't fault it and correct. Call me up if you need to use that, BBC. I think they've played it well for F1. So well done to you.

It's rare that we give F1 credit for things. We will on this occasion, though. But to what you said, Sam, interesting wording. And the way in which I quoted this, by the way, at the start of this topic is exactly the way that F1 have put this out in a statement, no change whatsoever. And I've been really surprised to see multiple reports that this has been, but that both races have been cancelled. So I don't want to pick out one particularly, but I'm going to do exactly that after I've said that. The BBC, for example, they've said in

their article, F1 cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The races will not be rescheduled or replaced, so the F1 season will be reduced to 22 Grand Prix. Now, I'm not saying that won't happen, but where in that statement does it indicate that that is the case? I... In that article, it doesn't directly quote anyone saying that they've got further information, they've had a further interview, the press releases, release it. Nowhere has said that. It's just pure assumption.

And I thought, oh, I'll have a look at, actually, where they might be going to reschedule it. I can see one place where it logistically, it's tricky, but viable. And that is putting Bahrain one side and Saudi Arabia, the other side of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. You would have to move pretty quick, but logistically, you. you go from Singapore, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Jeddah. It's a bit of a fath, but it's also you're not travelling the world. It's not like going Vegas to Japan and then back to the Middle East.

For example, I'm just making up directions, but that's my point. That's the only place I can see it fitting, but it is possible. See, I, and again, to the point of the word cancelled is not used at all in this statement and will not take place in April, it's said twice. So I think you're right in that they are probably evaluating what they can do here. in terms of replacements, but also just holding these Grand Prix later in the year, I am not sure what they're going to do

because I know in terms of just placement in the year, like you've outlined before and post-Azabazazan as an option, climate-wise, I don't think you can do it. I think it will just be too hot. We saw what happened with Qatar at the beginning. That was the 9th of October, the 23 Qatar Grand Prix, where if you weren't a fan... It was in September.

Yeah, if you weren't a fan at that point, there were multiple drivers who were suffering with heat exhaustion and it was a really difficult race. We'd be going even earlier at the very similar climate for both of these countries. I just don't know if F1 are going to risk it. Yeah. If they're not going to bring those two Grand Prix back, which is, especially for Bar-Aid, my personal taste, I actually really love that race. So I'm going to be gutting not to see that one. I'd like to see an announcement, if they can, like essentially COVID times, where we can bring back maybe one race. that isn't being used right now.

Imala would still be set up perfectly for the conditions, of course. So maybe we could go somewhere like there. Portemau is being discussed, of course, for maybe other seasons. That's still going to be fit for it. It will be nice if we could fit one in that gap of April somewhere and do something. Maybe somewhere completely new. I don't know. I know they'll question ticket sales.

It will be difficult to set things up. But they've done it before. And I think Formula one has the popularity that I think it will be able to get sold out to a good degree and they still be able to put on a good show. I think they might be more likely to do a test. Yeah. Change the regulations to run somewhere. Like I'll go out to Catalonia or something.

Just for the, I mean, I can see the F1 teams lobbying them for it because they've got two races, two race distances they're going to lose out on here, plus or practice sessions, etc. I just, I just think they might lobby them to do like a two-day test so they can,

if you're, Aston Martin or anyone like that, you are pushing hard for that. That's good. That's a fair, that's an interesting point. And it's easier than a race weekend to set up. You could open it to the public to come along, potentially. If I was free, I'd go.

Where do they do that? Is it a... Do they do it in Suzuki or? Yeah, well, you tag it on to either what about Suzuki's going to be difficult because it's literally there. Fuji, Fuji, Fugee. Just after Fuji we go. I don't know. I think maybe they'll do it somewhere in Europe because I read somewhere that I don't think

Honda have that much appetite to do anything else in Japan. Honda don't have any parts to do anything. I just don't know where like the, sorry, just without the two-day test, like where the freight is supposed to be. Like, is it supposed to come back to Europe before it goes on to Miami? Well, it must do, surely, because there's no point, why hold it in Japan anyway. Sure, yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, and obviously, if Bahrain and Saudi were going ahead, you would fly it to the Micalis, they'd fly Migalese over the Atlantic. to Miami. You wouldn't go back across the Pacific. So they'd be coming back this way, I suppose. I think, by the way, the only time that if, and I could be wrong on this, I don't think that they would schedule the races for September because of the climate. F1 have surprised me before. Who knows?

The only date in really November or December, if we're not going after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, is the 15th of November. If they were to put one of these two Grand Prix on that weekend, you would have six straight races to end the season. Sorry, no, seven race, because you've got a triple header, one week gap, and then another triple header. That would also mean going from, see if I get this right, because you would be going from Brazil to Qatar back to Vegas and then back out. You would be going multiple times across the world to do that. Just destroy your ability to keep track of jet lag and time and everything. There's also a real risk that they stick one at the end of the Grand Prix.

I don't know. They bump Abidabie back. It wouldn't shock me if there's a conversation that happens like that. Abu Dhabi, if this carries on could also be at risk, right, towards the end of the season, as could Qatar, if this carries on for longer than a couple of months. And is that the last time we see Jedder? Is that that we've already seen it?

Well, it would go to the new race next year, right? That's correct next year. That gigantic ramp still really worries me. Yeah. We'll get on to that. but that is a choice. Harry, can I hit you with a tinfoil hat sort of moment? It's not that controversial.

Can we smack me, Ben, go. If F1 were really delighted right now with the regulations, they would push the teams to do a race at some point between now and Miami. We are going to have, like, was it, one race in seven weeks? So we're going to have four weeks without a race, will then have Miami, and then it's two more weeks without a race until we get to Canada. So one race in seven weeks, given the amount of eyeballs that are on F1 right now, the interest, the intrigue, Apple TV is a new broadcast partner,

you would think F1 would be like, we need something. We've got people's interests right now that we need to hold it and keep it going. It just makes me think that they're not, I'm not saying they're unhappy with it, but if they were completely sold on what they've got right now, they would tell the teams suck it up. We're doing a race here. And if you don't want to attend and you want to say that's not feasible for you,

that's great. The other 10 teams will have a better chance at points. They'll be along to that race pretty quickly after they hear that. I don't know. Yeah. It's because I saw that they postponed any sort of immediate rule changes after China.

I wonder whether they're going to use this lovely little break they've gotten out to have a little think. Yeah, I don't know if they're. there yet. Obviously, this has all come very quickly. So arranging a replacement for that space. It's not something you could do at the snap of a finger, you know, the drop of a hat. So I do wonder if they've gone, we have to do the, we have to do the sensible thing and say that we're not going here. But I wouldn't rule out something being in that gap. Just because we haven't heard it yet, there's a couple of weeks even until Japan. I don't think

this is the end of that space being used for something. I think we'll hear something before Japan. We did. There was one rumor going around that there might be a double header at Suzuki, but apparently the team's shot that one down. What, Suzuki, then Suzuki? Yeah, yeah, you just do two races at Suzuki. You know what? I don't need that in my life. Don't need two Suzuki.

Not in one go. You know, sorry. Fuji, Fuji. Fuji, Fuji. This is where Suzuki this year is an absolute banger and Sam's quickly back, dragon, go, man, I wish there's another one. If it is, replay this clip. I'll happily be wrong.

I mean, we're not in Japan preview mode yet, but I will say, of all the tracks this year, Suzuki is one of the ones I'm most interested in, like, how will the new regs do there? Because as much as I love Suzuki, the old regs, we had some stinkers. We had some bad Japanese Grand Prix, but maybe this could be intentional.

We spoke about Ferrari in the first segment. If it is the same as the last year, but they get a great start again, there's a real chance that Ferrari just can't get past. Like no one could pass them because the way the track works. That could happen again. Shall we move on to our F1 Fantasy Update? Everyone's favourite two minutes of the show, right?

Of the week. Of the week, man, the month. Man, enthusiasm. We've got the whiteboards again to see how we're doing. Shall we reveal? You ready to reveal? Ready to reveal. Harry?

I am very. writing it. I'm there. Lovely. In three, two, one. This is where we are ranked and we're doing all right. Sam. Up in 312th. I've made some progress. I'm 792nd and Harry you were 838th. Man, it feels good to be in three figures, doesn't it? Oh, I love, I love the three figure. I've not seen it for a long time. I'm I feel like Ferrari right now. You know what? It feels great. If I was a in three figures, I'd be embarrassed. 1,495. Yeah, oh, that's tricky.

Yeah, Kirstie hasn't fair particularly well this week. Do you want to come on and talk about it? No. No, okay. There's plenty of time still to catch up. There's plenty of time still to join the league as well. We've got over 3,300 of you, which has gone far beyond what we had in last year's league. So thank you very much indeed.

in terms of we're doing all right but we're not doing the best in the league obviously right now that honour goes to Ministry of Silly Choices still at the top

821 points to you P2 overall is down with the Piastriarchy which is a fantastic name Yeah great one Great name and Tennessee Brent is third

with 790 points And sometimes a simple name Just gets a job done Tennessee Brent is good Brent he's from Tennessee Yeah. He might not.

He might be called Tennessee Brent. He might be from Arizona. He's related to David, Brent. Almost definitely. The word of hog of America. And congratulations as well to Down with the Piastriarchy and Globetrotter F1, who led the Chinese Grand Prix very specifically, but not quite in the top three overall,

though, Ministry of Stilly Choices leads the way. Okay. I feel like F1 Fantasy can only go downhill from here throughout the rest of the season. I don't know how exciting I have been to reveal that for the first two weeks. After this, I will struggle, but I have really looked forward to this. Did you have it written down on your whiteboard, like five minutes after the Grand Prix? I was so excited that when we did power rankings yesterday, I had it written down thinking

we were revealing it in that episode. We gutted when we didn't. Well, I realized that we don't do it again. I was like, okay, I saved that for tomorrow. Yep. Right, let's take our next break on this episode. On the other side, we're chatting Cadillac. Getting ready for a game means being ready for anything. Like packing a spare stick. I like to be prepared.

That's why I remember, 988, Canada's suicide crisis helpline. It's good to know, just in case. Anyone can call or text for free confidential support from a train responder anytime. 988 suicide crisis helpline is funded by the government in Canada. Welcome back, everyone. Just two races into Cadillac's F1 career, a lot of intrigues to how they would do early on. in their career. And, well, Perez has managed to finish the Australian GP,

the only one of the two in 16th place, but a better result for them in China, 13th and 15th, with Bottas leading the way on that occasion. And that was the first time, given they also had a retirement in the sprint race, the first time that both cars managed to cross the line at the end. Team principal, Graham Loudon, was very pleased with last weekend's result as well.

How would you review their progress so far, Sam? Yeah, so when we started the season, I was pretty confident that they were going to be last in the standings. And no disrespect to them. That's okay. Brand new team. Lots to learn, lots to develop. I think most of us expected this. I was, I'm going to be honest, I was a little disappointed just how far off the pace they were.

I did think it was going to be a little bit closer, not to the point where I would see them occasionally qualify 16th and 18th or anything like that. But I didn't think it was going to be seconds occasionally behind those in 15th, 16th. I thought it were being a 10th or two, three to four attempts maybe. So when they both finished the Chinese Grand Prix, after I settled my expectations and realized actually, they probably are a couple of steps behind what I was originally expecting. They've come to terms with that.

They have made good progress between race one and race two. It's such a short amount of time. They're learning a lot. Their pit stops are pretty efficient for the most part when they're actually getting a proper in-race pit stop, which isn't often, of course, because they've had a car not finished the spring. They've had a car got finished Melbourne.

so they're not getting a lot of opportunity, but operationally, they seem sound. Less bits fell off the car in the Chinese Grand Prix. Cal, that is a win, yeah. And Melbourne, you know, this is good, this is good. The car's holding together, despite Paris attempting to take out Botteis to hope bits do fall off the car. And equally the drivers, when they're not hitting each other, are right, they're next to each other for the most part as well. So it's baby steps for this team.

And as I mentioned, I was surprised at how far back they were. but at least its progress. I would have been worried if we got to the Chinese Grand Prix and actually neither car got off the line or they were both in the pit laying a gang or something like that. You think, oh gosh, another Grand Prix when they barely got any running in?

That would be disappointed. But the opposite. Both finish the Grand Prix. A tricky one, especially when other very established teams, some can even get the car out of the garage. So fair play two of them. It's a good start. Can they be content at this point, Harry? I think so, yeah. I think if anyone was expecting Perez and Bottas to be delivering, you know, middle of the field performances right now, I think that was probably ambitious.

And yeah, first race, one car finish, second race, both of them have. Obviously, they had a little kerfaf on at the start, but that was not the cars or the team fault. I think, yeah, I think they can be content. And given that they are getting actual mileage, that's an encouraging sign. said Sam, there are much more established teams that are not McLaren, Aston Martin. I've read a mad stat yesterday that Aston Martin have got double the race laps

of McLaren so far, which is ridiculous. But that in itself shows what kind of lack have been able to do. I think that should not be taken lightly. I think that's very impressive from them, given how new they are as an operation. So, yeah, you want to see progress.

You don't want them to stay as they are for the rest of the year. But I think what they've done so far is definitely part of their targets. Yeah, I think they can be pretty content with where they are right now. Whilst reliability isn't brilliant, they're far from the best. It could also be worse if you think they've had three finishes in two races. And McLaren have had one, Red Bull have had two, Audi have had two, Astor Martin technically have zero based on how many lapsed stroll

was behind in Australia. So there's quite a few teams there are ahead of in that regard. Performance is, yeah, it's some way off at the moment. Anyone not named Astin Martin is quite a way away from them at the moment.

Even Williams are probably not far off a second ahead of them. And that's not going to disappear straight away because whilst Cadillac will make progress, so will all these other teams. It's going to take a while. But they did make progress. from race one to race two. I know this is going to sound really patronising. They were only

lapped once in China. They were lapped three times in Australia. And like five other cars were lapped as well. Let's say that in China too. Points might not be possible for quite a while. Maybe not at all this season. That wouldn't shock me at all. But they didn't enter F1 for 2026. They entered F1 thinking five years ahead. So as long as they can keep making progress both on track and also behind the scenes, that will be enough for now. Sam, is there anything you've been particularly impressed by in terms of Cadillac so far or anything that you're particularly worried about for them heading forward? I know this sounds like a bit of a marketing corporate speak here, but I'm really quite impressed with their morale and their culture and their

overall appearance of the personnel of the team. They seem to be very family-like in how I've seen on their social media, where it comes across as the broadcast. Their team principal seems very much a kind of arm round the shoulder type chap who's willing to kind of say, you know, we're getting through this together. The drivers are mucking in, it feels like, which is really great to see. And I think that's a great way to start such a tricky uphill battle in a very confusing, fast-changing technical world that is Formula One. So that is something that has got me very encouraged, because I think if they can maintain this culture of togetherness and beating the problems and working out solutions, that's great. That's really really great. the negatives I've seen were how far off the pace that they were in race one.

When they were lap three times, when they walked five, six seconds, sorry, slower in qualifying between their Q1 time and Mercedes Q3 time, that was a gap bigger than I was really expecting. I was surprised just how large it was. Now, they brought that down already. And as you really mentioned, Ben, they went from being three laps down to one lap down. This is good stuff. A lap down on your last is not the end of the world. That happens to many teams across many seasons to Formula One.

It's not rare at all. So that's good. That's where I thought they'd be. So that's a positive, I guess, that they've already somewhat rectified it. I'm really curious to see how they go around a downforce heavy, aerodynamically important track such as Suzuki. I'm really fascinated to see how the car handles that because they've got the Ferrari engine in their car. We know that's solid. We know that does a good job. I will see how that car is built going around these really tricky corners, the S's and everything through there. So that will be a fascinating test in the next challenge that Kagalak have to face. Yeah, I do wonder as well, like three laps behind in Australia, one lap behind in China, they keep this up, they're going to be lapping everyone in Japan and winning. There'll be three laps clear in Miami. They're onto a winner. That's how it works. Yeah, I think the fragility of the car does make me a little bit worried, as you've already referenced. It just makes you never 100% certain you're going to get to the check of flag. Like there's always a DNF that could be around the corner. But more positively, the medium in high-speed corners at the moment look pretty reasonable. Now, we are coming from two tracks that

don't have a huge amount of them, but yeah, they look better in that regard than they do in a straight line and in the low-speed corners. So when we get to Japan, we'll see if that still holds true because there are a lot of medium-to-high-speed corners there. The last one on this one, Harry, just we know that they are going to be introducing, or at least plan to introduce their own power unit in four years' time. So they have given. themselves quite a runway with this, but they are probably already adjusting to F1 and how much work needs to go in to develop the current car, next year's car. Can they effectively build this power unit whilst everything else is happening on track?

I think so, yeah. I think the Cadillac have the tools of their disposal, sorry, that as a main manufacturer to allow them to do this. And we said this before, by giving themselves that run up as you said um they're not doing you know doing one year with ferrari and then going all in they're going to really take some time to learn the sport and i think that is a very sensible thing to do so they've got time they've got time to do this um and to learn from well they're going to have a Ferrari engine in their car for the for the time that they are working on their own one that is a lot of knowledge they're going to gain so i think it's uh i think it's a sensible decision. I couldn't say as well, Sam, you mentioned the team principal, Graham and Alden.

He's been around for a while because he used to be manners team principal. And at that time, was never really afforded any money or resource to do anything. So I'm quite interested. I think he has got his head screwed on straight, but we never really saw it previously. So I'm intrigued to see how he does. I think so far, so far pretty positive. Yeah, if anyone knows what it's like to be in a similar competitive position, it's him. So yeah, that might well serve him well going forward. Graeme Lauder might be quite happy with how things are going. One man that wasn't very happy out of Australia was Flavio Briatore, who said that he was not happy at all with the team's very weak performance. That is a quote, I'm not saying that. They only scored one point,

courtesy of Pierre Ghazley that day. Of course, a better outing in China with Gasly scoring eight points for P6 and Colopinto getting in the points. finishing in 10th. Do you think, therefore, Sam, that China will have changed anything for Flavio Brutori? What does that man want? Like, he wants global success.

Dominance. He wants dominance. I don't think it's safe to answer that question. Immediate dominance. You know, come on, come on. Any normal, realistic person in this situation would look at that step forward from last season and go,

yeah, Gassi was fighting at one point for P-F. and it wasn't too far off. That's a far cry from what we had regularly last season. And Colin O'Nso, before he was biffed by Ocon, was comfortably getting up being cited the points. Speaking of O'Con, I bet that lad absolutely rang away from the Alpine Gallery. He's been fired from there once already,

and now he's taking off the driver that replaced him. Well, kind of replaced him after six. I prefer Biff to her taken off, to be honest. Let's get Biff trending, please, folks. Hashtag Biff. What year is this like 2013? Let's get it trending. Let's get it trading.

Let's get it trading. Hashtback, Pift. In all your comics, please. Like to subscribe. Like to subscribe. And Bift, please. Fift to subscribe. Anyway, I think that most of people in Formula One look at Al P and, okay, we ribbed them for it, but the move to the Mercedes Engines and gearbox, whatnot, we laughed

at them because it's like, well, what was the point? You're a constructor. You're a factory team. You are someone that owns your own manufacturing process. and Rengo are very proud of what they do. I have had a lot of success. But you have to say it is working for them.

That is driving a lot of their key success. They are more competitive because the power unit, as we know from Mercedes is doing them a great job. They're seemingly getting more Albert than McLaren can right now. The chassis seems better than it has done. More to come, but I think it is better.

And if you were anyone else, if Oli Oaks stopped hiding somewhere in this world and came back to me a team principal, I'm sure he might look at this again. this is a good step forward. Well, that goes. Harry, only three teams have scored points on three occasions in Grand Prix so far this year. The obvious three, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Alpine.

So I assume that Flavio is going to be delighted by this. The big three, as they call them. I'm sure he'll be happier than he was after Australia. He was even like sort of giving Frank Cohnab into a hug. after qualification. A bit weird. Love it. But yeah.

The kind of touched bodies. Yeah. Oh, God. No, Flav. No. No. Don't do it. It's like I've had to hug someone before.

I'm not lucky. I had a great winter. Maybe that's what made his winter so great. A little hug from Flap. a body touch. Oh, no. Anyway, but I don't think

this will keep him very content for very long. Given what he said about LP before the season and where he wants them to be, as we've joked many a time, this is,

all it seems to have done is get them back to where they were so far. And whilst Gassie's, you know, racing in China, I was very good and it was a great, great P6. As I said this in my power ranking submission, it's just all contributing back towards that coveted P5 that they always seem to end up with.

So I think it's obviously a big step from where they were in Australia, and I think that'll be enough to keep Flavio happy for now. I think if they keep having the same sort of results, I think he gets unhappy again. Yeah, I think you're right. Less body budget. Oh, thank God. Maybe that's the best bit about it.

Yeah, you know what? Franco's going to like a spin on purpose. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, not again. I'd prefer it when you shouted at me. Please do it again. Yeah, I think China will have helped Flavio Brioatori's mood, as they did show much better pace there than they did in Australia.

Like, Gassley getting two seventh place finishes in qualifying, then obviously P6 in the race as well. Colopinto was on course for far more than just one point, if not for that safety car as well. I think at least establishing themselves as the lead of the midfield might do for now. But yeah, to your point, only for now. You'll need to see more than that at some point. Shall we take our final break on this episode?

And on the other side, we'll play a game of F1 higher or lower. You don't need AI agents, which may sound weird coming from service now, the leader in AI agents. The truth is, AI agents need you. Sure, they'll process, predict, even get work done. autonomously. But they don't dream, read a room, rally a team, and they certainly don't have shower thoughts, pivotal hallway chats, or big ideas. People do. And people, when given the best AI platform, they're freed up to do the fulfilling work they want to do. To see how ServiceNow puts AI to work for people, visit ServiceNow.com. Welcome back, everyone, to the final part of today's

episode. It's time for F1 higher or lower. Is F1 higher? Is F1 lower? Is F1 lower? is sad faster, is Harry slower, F1 higher, F1 lower, F1. Beautiful, F1 higher or lower. Six questions in front of me, Sam and Harry will take it in turns to answer the questions. They all have a numerical value. If they get it spot on, they get two points. If they get it wrong, it's handed over to the other player to guess higher or lower. And if they get it right, they get a point.

But if they get it wrong, the person who gets it. guest first gets the point. And we'll start this time out with Sam. What number would you like? I'll have number four, please, Ben. Number four. This is very interesting that you've got this question and not Harry, because this was at least somewhat referenced earlier.

Including the sprint in China, how many racing laps have McLaren done so far this season? Oh. Okay. I'm working out, sorry, folks. B.R.B. Burb. Burb. Bub. Bob. Burb. Bob. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B.

It's not 76. Harry, would you like to go higher or lower than that? Lower. Lower. No, it's higher. They have done 96 laps overall. So Lando Norris. Why do I only say that only one of them did the spring in my head? that was stupid. Yes, so they did, Norris did 58 laps in Australia,

and then they collectively did 38 in the Chinese sprint, and then of course nothing in the main Chinese Grand Prix. So they've done 96 out of a possible 266 so far. Which means, Sam, you get the point, and it's over to Harry for your first question. Number one. Number one. You've picked a very special one,

here because this is actually a higher or lower submission from a listener. Thank you very much to... What wow. Thank you to Cooper for getting in touch with this question. And I thought it was a very good one. So I've gone away and actually found out the answer and put it on here. So his question was, how many seasons have we had where there's only been one world champion on the grid? Oh, Cooper.

Can you wind it in? Yeah, jog on, Cooper. Oh, well, mate. Man. Real good way to keep up the interaction. from the listeners. Jog on. Good, loy strategies.

Treating me. Oh. You know what? I reckon the first season of F-1. You can rule that one out. You know what? I'll give you that one for free. None.

You're going to go with none? That doesn't work. That doesn't work. I don't know. Seven. Not seven. Sam, would you like to go higher or lower than that? I literally have no idea.

It could be 26. It could be three. I'll say higher because he's gone a bit close to zero. It is higher than seven. So you get the point, Sam, but not that much higher. Nine seasons where there have been exactly one world champion on the grid. A lot of them happened in the first 10 years or so of the sport. So 1951 and 1952, Farina was the only world champion on the grid.

56, 57 and 58, Fanjo was the only world champion. on the grid, 1960 and 1961, Jack Brabham, and then two more recent seasons, say recent. 1996, the only world champ on the grid that year was Michael Schumacher, and 2007, the only world champ was Fernando Alonzo. Well, the more you know. There you go. Sam, for a good start for you, and it's your question. I'll have number six, please.

Number six. How many points separated first to fifth in the... a 2010 Formula One World Championship. I could ask a really stupid question, man. How many did the first, first? Sorry, I was considering at the end of the year. See, up the start of the year. 2010.

I don't know why I'm asking. That means absolutely no difference. It's not 2010. That's very high-gay-dust. Big gap. Huge win for Sebastian better that year. I'm going to go for 27. It's not 27.

higher or lower than that? Lower. Not lower. It is 42, the correct answer. And in fairness here, like, if it was just the top four, I think they were separated by about 14 points. So that would have been Weber, Alonzo, Vettel and Hamilton, but Button being introduced in fifth makes the gap 42.

Harry, back to you. Bloody J.B. Number two, please. Number two, how many podiums does George, Russell have? He has 21. He has not got

21 podiums. Sam, do you want to go higher or lower than 21? I'm going to say higher. Racking up the points, mate. It does start in the 20s, but 26 is the correct answer. And no doubt that will not be true for much longer.

It might be in the 30s pretty shortly, you imagine. Sam. Three! There it is. Now, as we all know, Franco Colopinto was the inaugural Aramco Speedmaster at the 26 Australian Grand Prix. How fast was he going? And you can answer this in kilometres an hour or miles an hour. I've got both written down.

We're at Melbourne. The top speed. Ever, yeah. I'm going to have 346 kilometers an hour. It is not. Not 346 kilometres an hour. Harry, would you like to go higher or lower than that? Lower?

It is lower. Well done, but a very good guess from you, Sam. You were just two out, 344 kilometres an hour, or 214 miles an hour. Are we having a Chinese GP speedmaster? Is that pretty good? It happened. It was another Alpine, mate. Yeah, it was Gasseney, wouldn't it?

Yeah. So Alpine would just go... Maybe they can use that as like the winning the chance. championship is the That's the championship We won again Harry, four one down feels unlikely

that a comeback's going to happen but you've got one question to see what you can do all to play for number five please number five since the start of 2018

what is the biggest run Vostappan has had without a podium it's the largest number of races that Vastappen's had without a podium It's 2018 I'll let you have this one mate

Seven races Not seven Higher or lower Sam Higher It's not higher It's lower than seven Vestappen since the start of 2018

Has not gone more than four consecutive races without a podium My man is a baller Yeah Bloody hell He loves that silverware He must have a separate house for it That's happened twice

by the way, the start of 2018, he had literally the first four races he didn't get a podium. And then also last year as well, which was in between it was the run that had the Hungarian Grand Prix in it, that sort of, he had four there, but never more than that. I liked F1, higher or lower.

Can't lie, but I can think of an even better segment to round out this episode. It is of course the greatest segment in all of podcasting. It is the LB question. of the week.

A big weekend, of course, for Kimmy Antonelli, who took his first ever Grand Prix victory. We asked the question, what was he doing to celebrate? Enjoyed this one from Annette on Instagram who said, he'll leave the trophy,

take the can only, which sounds like a lyric from a street song. Oh, yeah. Not that street song, I'm sure. DG on Instagram said a soda and a little more screen time before bed. Well done. Good boy.

A little prize. Going with that sort of theme, I'd won from Gem, which is bring cupcakes, shaped like Pirelli tires into school for his classmates. Oh. That's very cute, isn't it? Very sweet. Maybe little first place trophies. Like when you come back from your holiday at school, you bring in a bag of sweets.

What was that one about, by the way? Why do you have to bring sweets back from your holiday? Why is the owners or me for having a good time? Why have you got enjoying my fan on holiday? Giving you my Mowams. What are you doing? Oh, my Turkish Mowams. It's not a Mowam for a long time.

It's the same as when it's your birthday. You've got to bring in your own cake for a lot of pretty much. Let me a cake, you're lazy kids. Speaking of food, DJ Spinter Wing said, easy. Dinger with spaghetti, dinger lady. Yeah, there are a few shouts. spaghetti did a lady on this one,

which is, yeah, an easy one. Joe on Instagram said that he's going over to my house, as in Harry's, and they're having gammon. Shout out the gammon. Now, I've highlighted this one. I've done by Gammon for a long time. I'm not sure I'd deserve the title anymore. I was going to say, we haven't had it brought up for a little while.

No, maybe it's time I get back into the gammon game. Yeah, it's been missing you. Time of you a cook. Yeah, what's he cooking? Gammon. This is going to be Michael Schumacher's 2010 comeback, but Harry version. So it's going to be a little bit slower. It's going to drop the gammon a few more times than he used to. But you'll make a great gammon in Monaco on one occasion.

Oh my God, the gammon. The gammon pole in Monaco is going to be huge. The Monagas Gammon. Okay, good. One from me, from Elishia. He'll have some tiramisu, Christopher Walker, in pronunciation. You know, when you win a race, you take a tiramisu.

I've done a Christopher walking impression for a while. It's a bit a while, yeah. It's a bit, I'm a man. Oh, God. Anymore. Oh, nice. This one from Stig on Instagram, at home with his family in Stevenage,

a reference to the fact. Oh, no. No. No. No. It's me. She sat there with Anthony Hamilton. No, no.

That's your song. I am from Pasteland. It's like you've got your own space at the Tesco's exceeding, mate. I've covered it, to be fair. Last one from me is from Casey, which is by making the Italian national anthem his ringtone. And to be honest, that should be everyone's ringtone. Yeah, I get it. It's mine.

Final one from me from Timothy A, interesting spelling. Watching Borat, I seem to be more friends with George Russell. God. While on that bombshell, I think it's time for us to get out of it. Sam, if you wouldn't mind doing so. Folks, thank you for listening. I hope you enjoyed. Let's what you think of the game.

Did you score better than me and Harry? It's always interesting to know how you play along. Ben puts a lot of effort into making me. So it's always nice to get some feedback on how brilliant they are. join us on social, late breaking F1. If you're going to be in question of the week, you're going to see our silly memes or the reels that Kurski put together, which are absolutely brilliant.

Always a laugh, getting your reactions to those on social. For also YouTube, Leaprinking F1, on that road to 10K. A short, gentle walk, hopefully, to 10K. Maybe by Silverstone. Honestly, this year is happening. A short, gentle stagger. Might sit down a bit first. Of course, Discord and Patreon are available if you want more content,

more involvement and to be part of our brilliant community. Fantasy, the link's always in below as well if you have got joined yet already. Thanks for this again. We will be back on Sunday for another non-race episode, but it's a Sunday episode. We get involved in more content, more news, more chit-chat. Let's go over something you want us to chat about. That's dyingly important to you as well.

In the meantime, I've been Samuel Sage. I've been Ben Hocking. And I've been a monogast, gammon. And remember, keep breaking late.