The Late Braking F1 Podcast - Norris signs with McLaren until 2025 - a bad call?

Episode Date: February 11, 2022

The LB boys discuss the biggest concerns for each team as they head into a new era of F1, discuss the signing of Lando Norris at McLaren until 2025, and play the first round of F1: Back and Forth in 2022. JOIN our Discord: https://discord.gg/dQJdu2SbAm SUPPORT our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/latebraking TWEET us @LBraking 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. And a very warm welcome to the late breaking F1 podcast presented by Harry Ead, Sam's age and me, Ben Hopping. We're going to kick off. We're going to go right forward this week. None of this preamble because it's big stuff. Harry, usually it's pizza Wednesday for Sam

and we're going to turn things completely on its head because you're the one eating pizza this week. I know, and it's National Pizza Day and everything and Sam hasn't had a pizza. What is going on? But I have. Well, I've had a taste of the pizza Wednesday life and I like it.

It's very enjoyable. You know what? It's like life through a 50-50 at me and I didn't know the answer, of course. It's like, Sam, you can have a pizza Wednesday,

yes or no, and I went, you know what, I've had a lot of pizza Wednesdays, I'll have a week off, I'll be good to my body, no,

and then the world went, incorrect, it's National Pizza Day. Out of all the Wednesdays you should have had a pizza today, wrong again. And then you had a cream egg?

I had a caramel cream egg, folks. You know, for those that, America, I have been to you, I have been in you, your chocolate is appalling.

So, sample some English chocolate Come on, come on. It'll just taste it tastes like actual sick in your mouth. What's that about? Hershey's fight me, I'm calling you out. Come up. Right, well, to all the non-Americans

that are still listening along, we do have plenty of F1 to chat about this evening to any Americans that are still watching, thank you for bearing through Sam insulting you every week. Sam, you'll be glad to know there's no 50-50s coming up for you at the end of today's show, but there is F-1 back and four.

which makes its first appearance in 2022. We're going to be discussing the Wii Races 1 gesture being removed for 2022. Big thank you to Lando Norris and McLaren because they've decided to give us some news ahead of the podcast rather than afterwards. So they are our favourite team of the week. And we're going to be discussing sprint races because apparently that's what you want us to talk about. So we're going to fulfill the people's wishes on that. But we're going to start with what we believe should be the main. concern for each of the 10 teams coming into this season.

So we'll start at the top of the grid, the team that won the Constructors Championship last year. We'll start with Mercedes. Sam, what do you believe is the thing that they should be most concerned about heading into 2022? Now, I actually did some thinking before we started the podcast. Nah, not having that. No way.

It's happened. When I don't have pizza, my brain works. And initially I thought, well, the obvious one is George Russell. isn't it? That's going to be the immediate worry. George Russell is the unknown here. But actually, I think I'm going to flip your baby and reverse it on you. On to the other side of the garage, I think the big worry has to be Lewis Hamilton. What is the mentality? What is the mindset? What is the long-term focus? The goal of Lewis Hamilton in this sport in the car. I feel like, yes, he's one of the greatest of all time. Many people believe he is the greatest of all time.

he is obviously fully committed to winning but is he going to throw a curveball this season is it not going to go his way is he going to be too aggressive is he going to be single-minded about wanting to get his own back and I think that

that combined with the unknown of what George Russell could achieve could create a very turbulent mindset and culture within Mesaegas this season of course there is every chance that Hamilton rocks up on day one is as quick as always and just gets the job done

and loves his Mesaagia's team as he always has done and supports George. It helps him nurture and grow George, not physically. George is already tall enough, but, you know, as a racing driver, which is possible.

But I do think there is a real chance that we could be going into an unknown. And I've seen a lot of people say the last time that Hamilton lost a championship, you're going to be scared because he came back and he absolutely demolished him for the next, whatever it was, three years.

So could it happen again? Will he be that aggressive? Or will he just switch off and not what would be interested? We don't know. So actually I think it's the driver pairing and what they could achieve that Mercedes need to be most careful, aware of, because that car, it's Mercedes in a car, they cannot make a good car, that's got the problem.

It's what those drivers are going to achieve. Yeah, I think it's a fair point because you have to consider that since Mercedes returned to Formula One, this is only the third time that they've had a new lineup. You think back to 2013 when Hamilton joined in the first instance, 2017 when Bottas joined, and now this is the third third instance. with Russell coming on board. So it's not something they have to deal with very frequently. That's very much true. I'm going to go with Red Bull next. And I think their biggest fear, I was initially going to go in the direction of Sergio Perez here because naturally Max Verstappen won the driver's

championship last year, but the team did not win the Constructors' Championship. So there is somewhat of a fear you would expect that Perez doesn't actually make that step forward and they're stuck in the same position again. But I'm going to go in a different direction with this. And I'm going to say their biggest concern is that they put too much into beating Mercedes in 2021, which I think is a realistic concern if you're that team. Mercedes, have they played them a bit? We know that Mercedes absolutely nailed the beginning of the regulations in 2014. There's every chance that they've been planning to do exactly the same thing for this year.

Is it actually going to come out? But they were willing to have a closer last season of the hybrid era, the long-term game in mind where they're going to say, okay, we might sacrifice the championship this year, but if it means we can get the next three or four, maybe we should go ahead and do it. So, you know, are Ferrari and McLaren a threat, or other teams are threat? We don't currently know, even if we think the instinct is no, we're not sure at this point. So I think that's what they're probably most going to be afraid of. Red Bull were very much clavouring for a championship versus Mercedes. They hadn't won one in.

it would have been eight years last year so there's definitely pressure from the powers that be to go out there and win a title whether that is drivers or constructors so maybe they bow to that pressure put too much energy into last year and they're going to face the consequences of it

I'd at least be slightly concerned if I was red bum or Matt apart from everything going wrong what would you say is Ferrari's thing to be afraid of Harry I think the biggest thing to be afraid of is the placement of the shell logo on their new merch

because it's in a red box while the rest of it around is black and that gives me nightmares already. It only came out this morning and it's given me a lot of concern already. So I'm going to go with that. Oh, wow, what an answer. If it was any other team, I'd let you have that, but there's too much to be worried about if you're Ferrari so you can start again.

Start again. No, fine. I'll be serious this time. I genuinely, I know we make jokes about Ferrari strategy, but I think if they have got a car this year that's capable of winning races, dare we say, winning a championship, I think the thing they've got to be worried about

is the pit wall, is the execution of a race on the pit wall, because realistically, if you think the last time, well, last time Ferrari were winning, they were still making a few howlers in terms of strategy. I think the last time you remember them being that competent on a pit wall. I don't know, late naughties, maybe very early teenies, like 12, 2010.

It's a long time ago. So if I was Charlotte Claire and Carla Science and I get in that car and start testing, and it's really good, the first thing I start worrying about is, oh, but how the pit wall gonna mess this up for us? So, yeah, I think that's probably the thing they need to be sharpest on.

I mean, that is assuming that everything is going well elsewhere. within the team with the car, etc. But, you know, there's a realistic chance for Ferrari could be back on the pace this year. So, yeah, for me, I think it is the strategy, the pit rule, the execution of a race that should be Fezzar's big concern for 2022.

I mean, we actually decided before the podcast who is going to take each team. And I'd just like it noted how well I've done to give up the responsibility of Ferrari and put it onto someone else. because as I'm sure you're aware, I could very easily have spoken a lot about Ferrari. In fact, we probably wouldn't move on to the next team before we were 45 minutes into this episode. So maybe it was a good thing I didn't take on Ferrari myself.

I mean, I wouldn't disagree with you whatsoever on that. I would add potentially, I know the budget cap isn't new, but with the amount that they have spent traditionally, whether that's going to have a negative impact on them. If you were going to pick one, Sam, what would you go for? What for Ferrari? Yeah. Of course, a plethora of choices, isn't there?

I would probably agree literally with the two points that you gave, both of you, are exactly the points that I will pick out. I think the one weakness they definitely don't have is their driver line-up. As we said in the last week's episode, if you haven't gone and listen to that, go and listen to it. We discuss who are best driver-line-up star of the season, who we think the strongest are. A couple of us said Ferrari, and there's a reason for that. That's where they are not struggling and they need to deliver on the car side of things. They need to make sure they've got a consistent, reliable, well-performing car that meets the budget cap requirements. No silly cheating allegations.

And they just get strategies to a normal level of success. That's all you're aiming for, Ferrari, a normal level of success. Oh, and knowing, of course, if you get overtaken, you won't win the race. Oh, very good point. Very good point. Well made. I guess we should also add another one on there, which is there is a fear. possibly that COVID strikes again and all the races have to take place at Austria, in which case, Charles LeClaire

will be last in the championship. It does not understand physics when it comes to Austria. There's only one race in Austria this year, Charles, so you're better off. Exactly. That's why they're going to succeed this year. We'll stick with you, Harry, on the next

one. Macca. Daniel Ricardo, I think, is their biggest concern for this year. and I have a lot of faith in Ricky Bobby and I think he will as he did at Renault I think he will come on strong in his second year in McLaren

there are definitely glimpses of it towards the end of the last year but it's got to be weighing on the back of their minds you know we've probably spent a fair amount of money getting this driver and if he doesn't perform this year then Maclare can maybe start weighing up their options again

so I think that's probably their biggest concern because everything else at McLaren you'd argue is going the right way. They've got Orlando, who's shown a lot of promise already. The team, the car, has been going upwards ever since 2019, basically. I know they didn't get third in the championship, but they weren't far off it last year again.

So, yeah, I think the biggest one for them is going to be, Daniel Ricardo. I think it's going to become an unfounded worry, but I think that's probably the thing they're thinking about the most. Yeah, I'd say it's the logical one. I don't think they have too much else to worry. Obviously, Lando Norris is even less of a concern now because he is very much committed to the team

with the news that came out today that he signed on for even longer. So I think I would agree with you on that. Just to, I don't know, play a few hypotheticals here. If McLaren are in a good spot and Ricardo is much improved this year, Sam, the relationship between Norris and Ricardo, do you think that is of any concern whatsoever? We could see, well, Norris came out, didn't he? He said, you know, I like Danny Rick.

It seems like a really nice guy, but I'm not going to have the same relationship with Daniel that I had with Carlos and Carlos Seinfest said. They were very much a jovial, bromance, fiercest rivalry on the grid, thanking Netflix. You know, there is already a difference in relationship between the two. I think they're sensibly holding each other at arm's length. But I also think that Daniel Rekano has history with drivers that are arguably tough to get along with on the grid.

You know, we've seen how we got along with Nax for staffing, someone that a lot of people, along the paddock have said, he's blunt, he's for the point, and he gets his head down and gets racing, and that's what he cares about. And actually, those two, for the most, but I've got a very positive relationship. And I do think that McLaren are very loyal to Norris, so I don't think Norris were having anxiety issues there. Daniel Ricago is coming up to the end of his career In the autumn of his career I would say last few years now to go I think that the dynamic is so different

With those two drivers That even if they were both in a championship fight Long term I do not think that relationship would become too afraid I think they'll be able to keep it mature And keep it together They're both quite level-headed I think they know what they're doing

So actually I think they could get quite heating On the track if they want to And I think at the end of the day They'll be able to keep it together I'll take on Alpine next which again this is one way you could just pick out the team generally that have had quite lofty ambitions for the last sort of five or six years and they've never materialised and if they don't materialise now

are they ever going to so that's definitely a concern in its own right but I do want to pick out specifically the power unit because they are in a slightly more high risk, high reward scenario where most other teams have at least one other teams that use the same power unit as them. Alpina are in a position where if their power unit delivers the goods, they are the only ones that benefit from it, which is great, but it works the other way as well,

in which if it doesn't work very well, they're the ones that lose out. And at least in recent time, it's been more of the latter, not a lot of the primary. So I don't think that there's going to be too much difference between the power units. They seem to be somewhat set now, very balanced versus the beginning of the high,

hybrid era. But those power units are essentially stuck for the next five years. So if you're not in a good spot now, you're probably not going to be in a good spot for quite a few years. And traditionally, the Renault power unit has been a bit suspect. So I would at least be until a few races have gone this year and you can actually see the results. I'd be a little bit on the edge of my seat about that. Anything else you would offer up, Sam? I completely agree. The power unit is when I saw, I'm the list that we were doing for each team of you had Alpine, my first thought for Alpin was the power unit. We remember to the start of the hybrid era, the turbo hybrid era, just how well Mercedes nailed the power unit. The fact that the front three or four running teams,

essentially, they were only there because they ran the Mercedes power unit. The advantage that a strong power unit can give you is meteoric. So if Alpina, they only seem to run that Renault power unit, of course they are a Renault brand, and they absolutely nail it for the final development for the next four or five years, they can have a 10, 15% advantage over the grid for the next half a decade. It is absolutely crucial that they can step up because I would say that they are the weakest of the power units on the grid currently, not by a long shot, not by, you know, by a couple of miles an hour, but it is enough to make a difference over several seasons when you've got other developments going on. So I completely agree. They need to

nail the power unit. We'll move on to Al-Fatari next, Sam. What we've got for them? Alpha Tauri I mean it's got to be Resident Hall of Fame a little Yuki Sankoda isn't it? Pierre Gazley is he's gonna deliver I think I think Pierre Gassley is now a safe pair of hands

The man is Rapido The Gasman I think the only concern of Gassley is Does he stay at the end of this year Or does a seat open up for him that he can go elsewhere That's the big concern there But you know for this season at least Gassie's gonna do the job

The issue he here is Yuki Sanoda Now the cars and the tyres As I said previously are way more similar to the F2 cars. You've got the 18-inch tyres now. The cars are more aerophocused on the bottom and the body of the car

rather than the sidepox and pushing the air at the top, which is very F2 related. And I think that benefits the likes of Guan Yu-Zhao, Mick Schumacher, Mazapin, and Yuki-Sanoda. Now, if Yuki-Sanoda can feel confident, if he can carry the end-of-season confidence that he had from the 2021 season into 2022,

he could deliver. If not, and Al-Avateri have a competitive car, I think this could be the end of his Formula One career if he does not get it together this season. It could be game over, and Alfa Tari can find themselves with points only in one half of the garage, meaning that they're not scoring a lot of points,

they're not high up the table, that money coming in is minimal, and they are struggling for the season. So it could be a tough year, but I'm hoping the little Yuki, he is a Hall of Famer, so you've got to have a little love for him. I hope that he gets it together.

Hall of Famer, Yuki Sonoda, what a guy. I wouldn't disagree with what you've said there. I'm going to add one more possible concern into the mix, which is, we know that Alpine have been directed towards these new regulations for a long time. We know Aston Martin are very much doing the same thing. We know that McLaren are doing the same thing. Williams and Hass basically gave up on the last era in favour of the new one coming in. Harry, do you think there's a concern that all of those teams looking to 2022, they might just jump ahead of Alvatari? Yeah, I mean, I think there's always a genuine concern.

for any of these teams to be honest because they may be working on it for a while but they might have got it wrong and then you really look at BMW I think it was back at the 09 regs they worked on that car for ages and then it was terrible so yeah look for Alvatari

that's a definite definite risk and something they they're right to be concerned about in the same way that I think Red Bull should be concerned about like you said Ben so um Yeah, it's going to be interesting. We'll have to see.

But I hope a little Yukiah Hall of Famer steps up. Otherwise, we'll boot him out. Forget him a school. Wait, he's the only Hall of Fame representation we have on the grid, so he's got to perform. There's no question, he's got to do it. Has my fire alarm not made the cut? Yeah.

Has he got a drive this year? Didn't get a drive. Him and Piastri, the biggest snubs of 2022. Yeah, I agree. Aston Martin, Sam. I've been going a bit of a different direction to what we've been speaking about to some of the other teams

and that is the topic of leadership with Ashton Martin. Obviously they've removed Ottmar who I think skedied the helm he's been there a long time he's been a stalwart of that team throughout all its guises that it's occupying over the last few years

and then, you know, Papa Stroll, Father Christmas Stroll has come in and shaken the money tree around a little bit and then we wants to turn Ashton Martin around, you know, both their actual car production has been not perfect over the last few years and their sporting production in terms of Formula One

hasn't got off to the best start so by removing Ombar it was an interesting choice and then they had the likes of Martin Whitmarsh they bought Mike Crackin I try and got to laugh at how are you thought it got me to bring this up I really tried to be serious yeah they brought Mike Crackin

and then you've also got the leadership on track of Sebastian Vettel who there's no guarantee that he sticks around for years to come. So I feel like if they haven't nailed the winter break, they haven't nailed preseason, the development hasn't gone the right direction due to this lack of understanding. Obviously, Mike Crack hasn't got the Formula One history either, right?

He was obviously BMW Motorsports leader at that point. He's not a veteran of Formula One. That could be difficult for him. I just feel like they need to have come together and sorging it out. Otherwise, it could be a very, very troublesome. some start to the season. If Sebastian Bettsen isn't fully focused, Martin Whitmarsh is only working on one area, and that hasn't necessarily on to plan. Mike is still finding his feet, and Lawrence is all about the big business. So I do feel like if they haven't got a proper

focus on this, they could really miss out for the next season or so. I think, sort of related to your point, I think I would say just they can't lose their identity of what's got them to where they are. Like they can't, obviously this is going back pre-asked the mind, but They were so efficient as a team. They were able to make the most out of nothing. They can't lose that even as they expand, but remains to be seen. I'll go with Williams, and very simply put,

I'll say it's the driver lineup that is a bit of a concern because Nicholas Latifie is one of the weaker drivers on the grid. I don't think there's any doubt about that. And George Russell's a massive loss, and the question is, how much of George Russell's talent is going to be replaced by Alex Albin. All of it? No, absolutely not. Part of it, maybe. It's a bit of a question as to whether Albin goes down the Danny Caviat route or whether he goes down the Pierre Gazley route in that they were all dropped

from the Red Bull program. Pierre Gasly goes back to Toro Rosso and then Alfatari and he's flourished ever since and he's done a great job. He could do that and he could be great for Williams. Alternatively, he might have lost all his confidence like Viat did and it might not work out whatsoever, in which case an Albin and Latifi lineup doesn't inspire a great deal of confidence. So I think it remains to be seen whether... It's probably more on Albon than it is on Latifi

because we kind of know what Latifi is at this point and I don't think you can expect more from him than what we've seen. But with Albin, I think it's more of a question mark given that one year out that he's had. I think Latifi's got... nothing to lose. I think it's a wing-wing situation. Latifi either delivers what he did last season and people go, that's what you expect from Latifi. And what Latifi delivered last season wasn't bad. It was just, I think he was outshone by George Rosser as you'd expect. But Latifi

just needs to deliver Latifi. You're right, Albon, this could be career defining in terms of whether he's able to progress up the grid or he just becomes a back of the market, Williams driver that people go, will drop him when the next available thing comes along. That'll be a shame. Alpha Romeo, Harry. I think their business concern is an out-of-form Vouchy Botas. I don't think it's going to happen. I think this is going to be a really good thing for Botas too. Finally, not have to be Lewis Hamilton's teammate anymore.

I think it's going to be not the making of, but it is going to do him the world of good. but I think that I would be concerned still heading into the year that after several years of being the number two to Lewis Hamilton is Bottas's motivation still there? And if it isn't, then they're in a not great position because they've got a rookie and then they've got an out-of-form finish driver, which isn't a great lineup in that sense.

So yeah, I think that's the thing that I'd be worried about the most. Like I say, I don't think it's going to happen. similar story with the McLean Ricardo concerned to be honest but it's a possibility. I agree with you. I'd go slightly more specific on it and I'd say Bottas is overtaking. It's got to come back to where it was in the Williams days because we saw it constantly. I didn't see it constantly. That's almost the problem in itself. We saw it whenever he needed to in Mercedes when he started lower down the grid or in any of that sort of format. He wasn't able to get through the field as quickly as say

at Hamilton or Vastappen was able to. It wasn't clinical enough with those moves. He could kind of get away with it at Mercedes because he only needed to do it once every 10 races. He's going to need to do it almost every race you'd imagine at Alpha Romeo. So it's a bit of a question about whether we can get back to that.

I think I'll go in a slightly different direction actually and I'm a little bit disappointed that they haven't released Alpha and May and A's yet. That's a concern. For you? That's a different direction. Is it a concern for the team that they're not going to launch it?

Think of the revenue that they could bring in with Alpha Romeo games. Are you saying that they're sitting around like, oh my goodness me, the shareholders are going to be so annoyed because we haven't launched it this year. Yes. Yes, think of it next to Himes. Alpha Romeo have been a sponsor of, let's call it Salba, since 2018. And you've only now made the Alpha Rao. a mayonnaise joke.

I'll be saving it, you know. What are you doing? Don't take any glasses off, he's swimming. All I'll say is, I don't think Helmonds are quaking in their boots. Hey, they can be the fastest mayo in the West.

Why is that a tough? What are you want? The fastest Mayangays. On the shelf. Come on. All right. Last team. Which is half?

Apart from the concern that they turn up this season after not doing anything last year and they're slower What are the concern with you have if your has? For variation, I'm going to avoid the generally slow and obvious point. I'm going to go down the route of public relations with Haas Haas are obviously in a controversial position. They are being sponsored by a clearly Russian-focused sponsor. Obviously Russia are going through some interesting times in the

political world and one of their drivers also hasn't fallen under the best flight. I'm getting a Mazepin there because I don't want she-macca to come under any speculation. I wasn't sure you meant, so thank you for clarifying. I'm glad I'm glad I cleared it up. And I think that

those two situations combined with possibly being stuck at the back of the grid again and you know it is definitely possible. I think that lack, that combination of negatives can cause a real ripple of negative public relations, which causes fans to turn, fans to lose interest, and then because of that, I feel like your sponsorship slowly slips away.

And if you're only left with one sponsor, Earl Carly, which is obviously related to Mazurping, and Mazurik doesn't want to be there anymore maybe because of how poor the team is, Haas could find themselves in an incredibly difficult position financially, which we already saw that Gene Haast wasn't swimming in cash when it came to Formula One investment previously to this season. So I feel like they need to make some advances on the grid

and they need to make sure that their public relations to Formula One fans and relative sponsors and possible sponsors is as positive as it can be. I think otherwise in the long term, financially, they could find themselves in trouble. With that, we'll move on to our next topic, which is join the Discord server because you get some sort of choice here.

We offer up every week a couple of different choices as to what a topic should be. And whatever the winner of the poll is, we go ahead with it. And this week, one of the options was to discuss sprint races and how it doesn't look like we're going to get six anymore. And instead, we might well be stuck with three, which is the same amount we had last year. And that was the one that won. So clearly people don't care about my blood pressure and they don't care about my health. And they want me to talk about sprint races.

so I appreciate it, people in the Discord. Sam, are you surprised that it seems likely, it's not confirmed, seems likely we're only going to get three when the plan was going to be six? Harry, I was going out of the start of this segment. Should we just turn our mics off and let Ben go at it? I thought, I was going to say, same to you honest, thought it was only fair.

I mean, Ben, I know you've asked a good question, but do you want to just get it out? Let the people have it? All right. Good, I'll mute up. I'm going to go and get a coffee. All right. See, man.

Yeah, yeah, cheers. Shockingly, I'm not actually going to go massively after sprint races here because I've done it so many times before. And as I've said, my blood pressure cannot take it. I will die recording, which is not okay. So am I answering my own question here? Am I surprised about this? It looks as if, from my perspective, and this almost relates back to, some comments that Zach Brown made in January.

It very much seems like the top teams here are trying to force the hand of F1. Because what they are essentially trying to... I think the analogy I used when we first discussed this was that you're essentially walking into a bar. You're either 18 in the UK or you're 21 in the US. You've just turned that age where you can drink. But all your friends aren't old enough yet. So you go up to the bar.

This is sprint races walking up to the bar, asking for six. six beers and the bartender looking in like well are they all for you you're not going to share them with your friends and you've got aerodynamics and engine in the back going oh yeah we're going our drinks essentially all of that analogy is to say that the big teams want more money in all for the budget cap they want more of a budget cap in order to pay for these additional three sprint races when in fact they don't need that money and instead they'll pour it into other resources And it's like, are you sure you're going to pour it into sprint races? No, they won't.

I understand that with six races rather than three, there is a slight increase in the chance that you might come into some damage. We didn't actually have much of it in the three races last year, but there is more of a chance of that. The big teams are essentially saying, we need more money in order to do this, but are just doing so that they can actually outspend some of the others, which is what we want to avoid.

And I can't, I believe that's happening because I can't understand any other reason why they wouldn't want six sprint races. Now, my opinion is that sprint races are goddamn awful. If you haven't been paying attention, that's my opinion. I've been sheltering it pretty well to this point. But, and this is mad, this is truly crazy. F1 don't really care what I think. So my opinion doesn't mean much to them. And they think sprint races are great.

And that's all that matters to them. They think sprint races are great. Fans generally aren't quite as opposed as I am to them. And in terms of pure financials, it's a success. More time on track, more competitive action on track versus practice time is good for ratings, good for sponsors. So basically what I'm trying to say is there is no reason that F1, going to do, are going to try and get rid of these three sprint races other than the potential that these three teams are trying to leverage them. So do I agree with what those big teams are trying to

do here? Absolutely not. I think it's a ridiculous rationale. Do I care that that's the way that we would get less sprint race action this year? I don't care whatsoever any means necessary as my approach to less sprint race action. And now Sam, I will let you answer the initial question I post. God, there's Bernie Hocking over there. Any means necessary? The thing is for sprint races is they're a complete gimmick. And I think you're right, Ben, that they allow for increased exposure.

When you're at the track, it is more interesting to watch an extra third of a race than it is to watch a practice session. And there are positives. I'm not going to sit here and act like every single check in the box as a negative. There are some positives. You see, you know, Brazil, for example, we saw Hamilton have an absolute delta. It was a really fun thing to watch. It was a great weekend.

I'm not going to lie, there are some positives. But it frustrates me that certain racetracks seem to be given extra priority over others. Why, what decides whether you get a sprint race or not? If we're going to have sprint races, then the format of Formula One should be changed. And every race should just have a sprint race. and that should be the weekend that we now accept and go with. And in that case, I don't mind if every single team has a budget allotment

to encounter the much larger amount of miles that they are going to have to endure. And their engines would endure and they will end up struggling with wear and damage and reliability issues. That will be fine because that will be part of an every single weekend package that Gagos becomes Formula One. The issue is six races is clearly a gimmick to ensure, a bit more TV time to bring some people in, and I think to sell a few more tickets at a race weekend.

Three sprint races in the first season as a trial, I guess it makes sense, okay, as a trial, but just to have three every single season, it just feels irrelevant, it feels pointless, it feels unnecessary, it feels like we're chucking stuff in because we can't really admit that it's failing and take it all the way, but also we don't want to give in to those Formula One teams

that are desperately asking for a little bit more money and look weak. So I feel like Formula One, as a management, group have caught themselves between a rock and a hard place. We either give it to the peer pressure of the F1 teams and give them what they want, which they're trying not to do anymore, or we give it to the peer pressure of the fans and take everything away and concede that we've lost. So three just feels like a really awkward middle ground that doesn't achieve anything. Am I surprised that they're at three?

No, this is the kind of decision that I think we've come to expect from the Formula One management group. this weird compromise it doesn't make a lot of sense it's okay to trial something for it to not work and I agree with being in the sense of if teams asking for more money is the reason that we

lose all sprint races they don't for it I roll they stick to that budget cap and we go back to a Formula 1 way of doing things that works normal qualifying is a spectacle I love qualifying I get as excited for qualifying as I do for the race and theoretically with the new downforce

rules the racing should be very exciting and I would just like to see 20 races with the new rules and it'd be exciting but if it can go out sprint races I should all have sprint races and I feel like it's got to be awning or not at all so I'm not surprised at the realist position I think it's a little bit cowardly a formula management to not make it just a concrete one way or the other it's a little bit sad and I fully agree with what Zach Brown is saying that seems we're trying to once again leverage their position politically to go more out of it that's my stake on it go more sprint races amen sir not that I'm one way or the other of what you said.

Harry, what do you think? Is this a surprise that it looks like it will be three rather than the six that was initially pitched? No, and I don't really have much more to add than what Sam just said. It's just a result of the steaming part of monkey doo-doo that formal and one of the management have got themselves into. And being lobbied by teams again, we said this the other week. so yeah no I'm not surprised and like Samson is it's like a halfway house of

while we still you know it was still a success in their book even though it wasn't because they sucked but it's to success success in F1's book the sprint races last year so we've got to at least keep three of them but we can't have all the ones we wanted because F1 teams are asking for more money for it

which we can't do because we've got a cost cap so yeah just rubbish To be honest, and obviously we don't want people to be hurting crashes, but I wish a few more cars had crashed out of the sprint races last year, because I think we would be down to zero by now, because I think they'd have a turnaround and gone, we can't keep doing this every weekend, our cars keep crashing out, and then the F1 team sort of lobbied,

even though I hate that, they were lobbied the F1 management to have none because they kept crashing out last year. But unfortunately, it was only like Pierre Gansley, who lost his front wing, and that was by it in the sprint races last. year so never mind but um yeah in short not surprised disappointed but we're halfway halfway there to none i guess down from six so it's an improvement and it's not going to be at the first race which it was

planned to so also an improvement i mean i it does very much seem like we are almost asking the fia to make a decision that benefits the show um but doesn't benefit their pockets their pockets which based on experience i'm a bit doubtful um overall the you're asking the fia or f1 management because well people also have all right very true all of them no it's um yeah it does feel like because they have been a financial success it's just that hasn't exactly replicated in terms of the in terms of the action so they're they're almost competing with one another at the moment the finances the financial of it versus the show's side of it and I think I know which one will win if it's left to to F of him it was the it's the same with the with the races Saudi I think as members of what we said

this after after that one it's yeah you get Muppets like us talking about it and and it was chaotic and but that's now kind of the measure of of a thing that's good which isn't the case we are the problem we are we are I mean this is a news god damn it this It really isn't news. So we've basically started on sprint races and concluded with we're at full. Great. That is so late breaking. So late.

Great conclusion. Let's leave that there. Then let's move on. Again, a massive thank you to both Landon Norris and to McLaren, who are our favorite driver and week, a favorite driver and team respectively this week because, you know, they gave us news prior to podcast recording. because with our British buyers that's not why they're favourites as much as we tried to hide it it is because Brexit back again it's because they gave us news like yes to dober in a timely fashion

yeah you know me he's extended his deal until 2025 do you think this was a good move from both the team and from Landon Norris's perspective harry um I was a bit confused when I saw this news before this morning because I swear last year he signed a multi-year contract then but anyway i think he was doing until 2024 and i think he's extended by a year extended again basically so he's added a year to what it was so i think he's put a conservatory on it yeah he's basically put a conservatory on his f1d or fancy good stuff um yeah so i think we've we covered this when he extended the first time um and it and it was it's a good move from mcclaren and

And, you know, if it's rumors are to be believed, I think Red Bull, well, Mercedes and more specifically Red Bull, were really sniffing around Lando Norris, like a persistent dog, trying to get him to sign for either when Lewis Hilton leaves or as a replacement for Sergio Perez, I'm assuming. So from McLaren's point of view, this is another win-win because they've signed their arguably Star Man, for even longer than they had him already signed for already.

So, yeah, good move for McLaren. From Landers' point of view, again, I think we said this at the time. I think it's a risky move. And who's to say McLaren won't come good in this new era, Formula One? They may turn up this year with an absolute rocket ship. But to sign again, he signed once, and now he signed again, before actually turning a wheel in these new cars. It's a bold call, to be honest,

because it might not leave his options open. I mean, we don't know specifics of exit clauses, and if his management are sensible, then he's got some. But, yeah, it's definitely bold. And I guess that's kind of also the counterpoint. That's the point of it. It's a sign of intent from both parties. But who wins out of this and the most?

I'd say it definitely McLaren. Yeah, I think McLaren have pulled a blinder here, and they should be patting themselves on the back, because it really is a no-brainer. Norris is super talented, as we know. We know that Lando Norris has had interest from other teams, even though he can't be poached for, well, maybe he could be poached, but his contract isn't up for a few years. So he's had interest from other teams. And we know that it's easier to pay a guy that's never won a race versus someone who's won quite a few or won a championship. The fact that they are paying for that 2025 year now is going to help them out in the

long run financially. Even though we know Norris is talented, he hasn't got the accolades to back that up yet. And I think it will come if McLaren give him a good car. So essentially you're asking McLaren, do you either pay for 2025 now when you are paying for a guy that's never won a race, or do you pay for him in a few years time where he might have already won a championship, he might have won multiple races. He's not going to come as cheap. So I think from McLaren's perspective, yeah, they've absolutely nailed this and they don't even need to prove their car. They don't need to prove their worth this year in order to get that deal done. So from Lando's perspective, it shows how committed he is to the team. It shows how much faith he has got. And I understand

that in most instances, you know, there are only 20 drivers on the grid and it's very difficult to get any seat in F1, let alone a seat that is, we believe, pretty good. So you don't want to, you know, if you're given the opportunity to extend that, you in most instances want to grab hold of that opportunity as quick as you can. I think Wulando Norris's perspective, though, he's actually talented enough that he didn't need to do so. So I'm a bit surprised from his perspective, but McLaren have nailed this. What do you think, Sam? I completely agree with you on the McLaren front. It's an absolute genius move. Zach Brown is an absolute master marketing. tier and you know I will see it from the response as they brought on the side of that car

is such an appealing brand and I think Landau has quite rightly been drawn into it they've created a culture that fits around him very well it's suiting all of his characteristics we know that behind the camera he is quite a reserved person he's a little bit camera shy he's quite introverted he cares a lot about his mental health which is you know a fantastic thing to see from a modern day driver and I think McClaher understand that and my lovely mum always did say it matters more about the people you work with rather than what it is that you're doing in work. And so if Landon Norris is the option to go to St.

McLaren with a group of people that he adores working with and he feels comfortable with and that gets the best result out of him and he commits to that for an extra year or he goes to Red Bull, which is, you know, there are a lot of people talking and saying that it's a toxic place and second drivers don't do well

and you'll always play second field to Verstappen. Does he want that atmosphere? Does he want to go through that? Maybe he's spoken to Daniel Ricardo, and he's gone, mate, if you don't want to go into that very competitive team internally, it's not for you. So he might just be more comfortable,

McLaren. You know what? If that's what he's basically decision on, brilliant for him. Great decision. But, you know, Harry said it, and I completely agree. I hope that his management have been clever.

I hope they've entered a lot of clauses into it. I'm sure they have. For example, race swings or championships increase a big pay boost. And finishing below a certain level, allows him to go and look for another deal should get a rise he is a one of those generational talents on the grid there are only a couple of them and i think if a big team move came available he would be an immediate target for them and they kept the money i imagine to buy him out so it's

risky i think from lando gorse's point of view in terms of championship slash race wings points of view but culture and having a drive and being competitive my car is one of the biggest games in motorsport not just formula one he's going to be comfortable he's going to be comfortable he's going to be there for a while. I think in terms of securing yourself a future and a place to build from, it's sensible. It's sensible.

But yeah, it's risky when you haven't turned your bloody wheel in the car, but genius move from McLaren. Shout out to Mrs. Sage, by the way. Yeah. Go on, Jackie. Go on, Jackie.

Yeah. Wise words. We'll move on to the We Race as One gesture and the evolution of that as we go into 2022. So as we understand it right now, the Wii race as one video package that we get at the beginning of before every race that will remain that will remain in place however when the drivers have the opportunity to show their gesture which is essentially those who kneel and don't kneel it looks as if that is going to disappear this year so Sam what are your thoughts on this? Firstly the gesture itself the initial gesture

was, I think, a good idea. It was nice to see all the drivers do something in unison to stand up for a cause that's very important. Of course, Formula One themselves have signed on with the Lewis Hamilton Foundation to become a direct partner with, as of Sky Sports, to become a direct partner with that foundation to try and help children from a minority,

a group of minority, you know, whether it be people of colour, or whether it be female drivers or those are the LGBTQ Plus. community to be able to come into the sport and have a successful career in the sport. I think that's brilliant. And I think the Wii Races won was meant to be a public showing from the 20 most influential people in motorsport, basically to show that they're also committed to that.

Unfortunately, I think it became very much about race and media-driven allowed it to be Lewis Hamilton and Shums against those who necessarily didn't want to go the extra hog and take a meal. Because of that, it divided the grid. and also it made it look like an absolute fast. It was a joke. You know, we have this little speech at the start in black and white for even more drama, and the likes of Kimmy Reichen and Mazepin and Carlos Sites would have literally one word

when they put together the Wii Racers One area out of a whole two-minute VT, and then you cut to the grid, and only some of them will be standing, and some of them will be kneeling, and it just looks so ironic that it's so far from Wii Races 1, It's clearly we race as individuals and we stand up entirely for what we want, and that is, you know, a bit hit and miss. So the fact it's gone, I think, removes a controversial talking point from Formula One, and I think that's positive. The fact that it is gone, on the other hand, is a real shame.

It's a real, real shame, and it's a real miss from Formula One, because they are the pinnacle of motorsport, whether you agree with that thought process or not. They are what most drivers want to achieve. and the fact that they're no longer having a public display, there elevates people of colour, women, LGBTQ plus members, you know, is atrocious. It's a shame because it is very conflicting with the message that they are trying to then send off for others to join in the sport

and to be aware of other societies. So once again, Formula One management are making a farce of something, they're not committing to something, and those other drivers that are trying to represent certain areas of it have made it very difficult to show that the drivers are all a part of unison. So, yeah, the only positive out of this is we go longer get to laugh at those people who clearly aren't conforming to the message that is trying to be sent out by Formula 1. Other than that, it's a real shame. Yeah, I don't think it's a great look.

In 2020, we had very anti-racism shows of gesture. That evolved into we race as one last year and now it's completely disappeared this year. It does feel like the message was, you know, we'll give our two years' worth of messages to show unity. Because obviously this came about largely because of what happened to George Floyd. And it does feel like, at least from F1's perspective, enough time has lapsed now that we don't need to do anything anymore, which I think is a ridiculous notion.

Because ultimately those, you know, the values, the words, what it means, it shouldn't change, regardless of whether it's one day after such an horrific event or if it's one day before the next one, you should still stand by your values regardless. So I don't think it's a great look for them. I kind of agree with you, Sam, in that on the one hand, I'm not gutted that it's going because I think the words are so meaningless from F1's perspective, that actually the gesture becomes meaningless. And I don't mean that on the part of the drivers even. I just think from F1's point of view,

that there was the words meant nothing. And I don't think the gesture means anything as a result of that. So that's very specifically talking about the opportunity to kneel or do whatever, not anyone did anything different other than Neil or not Neil, but the opportunity was there. You know, that's gone and that's very specifically looking at that. In terms of like the video, which we think is going to stay, I'm going to pitch something here because I thought last year's message was awful.

I just thought it was massively diluted to the point where it didn't mean anything. It was almost became a game of how many buzzwords can you get into 90 seconds of VT, which I don't think is useful for anything. at least in 2020 when it was very much more directed towards racism like there was there was one issue one core issue that they were focused in on last year it just felt like what can we race as one and the words that came out as a as a result of that vt i just i just didn't feel anything from them i'll pitch this what i think should happen with that video spot i think every driver should have the opportunity to have one race in the year where they get ownership of that space and they can

essentially do what they like with it they can focus on racism if they want to they can focus on under-representation of women in motorsport or sexual orientation it doesn't matter what it is but they get their block in sort of one race of the year they can do it as whatever they want really they can do a talking head they can get other members of their team involved if they feel like is going to generate their message. And I think at that point, because they can focus in on what's important to them, the words start to mean something a bit more and it is very personal. And I think it would do a better job of getting it across than what we've got at the moment.

I think it is the prerogative of the driver. If they don't want to do it, that's fine. And I think if they don't do it, they should be judged accordingly. But they are at least afforded the opportunity to do that in that spot that exists. at the moment. I feel like those words would carry more meaning and they'd be able to do something a bit more personal to them. Harry, first of all,

what your thoughts on that idea is, but also more generally speaking, what's your thoughts on what's going on in? Yeah, I mean, hadn't even considered that sort of idea of doing one driver per race, but I think it makes complete sense. And like you say,

it stops the scripted, meaningless buzzword bingo that we have or we had last year. From the wider question, yeah, I'm largely aligned with what you have both said, basically. It's a real shame that it's going, but at the same time, I'd rather it not be there anymore anyway because, like you say, it's not contributing anything anymore. And I think when they started it,

at least there was you know the intention was there but I think as it's gone on like we've said it's just trying to make the gesture for the sake in making the gesture and I'd rather they didn't have it and did something practical and meaningful with

their time I know it's right before a race and they don't want to do it then but I'd rather they did actual practical things and spoke about that and whether that's put through the VT or whether it's done through other means through social media through whatever I'd rather they did that than the half the grid, not united with the other half of the grid by not kneeling. And it's just always been a mess.

Even since when it started back in 2020, it's just not been, it was never dealt with properly. So, yeah, I think the fact that it's going is as much a shame as it is a good thing in my book, because yeah I'd rather they did something with it something meaningful with it than have half the grid kneading down. Okay. With that, we're going to move on because Sam, you are in need of a first quiz win of the year. And the question is, will F1 back and forth give you that win or not?

It's F1 back and forth's first appearance of 2022. It's time to see if Sam can win. Oh dear. F1. Back and forth, it's F1. Back and forth, it goes backwards. Then goes forth, it's F1. Back and forth.

F1. Can the questions just be whether it goes backwards or fourth, please? No, because that's a 50-50, and you absolutely won't get them right. It's so true Who knows Maybe this is your week F1 back and forth

Obviously one we've done plenty of times before But we've got new listeners coming in all the time And thank you very much for listening to us And getting this far in the episode of course F1 back and forth is a game we play Where Harry versus Sam I will give them a category And there are a number of correct answers

Within that category They'll go back and forth with answers until one of them can't think of anything or gives an incorrect answer. So today's category, we're going to go all the way back to 2004. 2004 was the first year that the Bahrain Grand Prix existed. And we know that obviously it's the first race of the season coming up in about a month, about two months time. 2004 Bahrain Grand Prix starters.

There are 20 correct answers. answers. Sam, I'll let you go first on this one. Okay. First pick. First pick. Well, all right. Harry, you'll like this. We'll start the top. What? What's the category? 2004 barangre Grand Prix starters. Oh, right. Sorry, oh, four. Right, go. Sorry, Sam. Yes. Right. I'll do you a favor, Harry. We'll do it in all the like you like it. I'll try my best to keep you all if possible.

start at the top Michael Schumacher Michael Schumacher was there at the 2004 and it's over folks Oh it's over

already ever you'd be surprised to know you're right Sam Michael Schumacher did race Yeah come on

Harry are you going for Rubens Barichello if Michael Schumacher was there you know Rubens was there as well they're one of them

They've got to go together so yeah Barrow was there. Sam. Now, Harry, unfortunately, this is where my knowledge of the finishing order ends, so I'm now just going to say names like I think were there. Fernando Alonso. Fernando Alonzo was there. You are correct in that you have abandoned

that approach, but you're right, so it doesn't matter. Harry, Senor Chunky. Senor Chunky. one Pablo Montoya, as most would call him, is a correct answer. Sam. Jensen, don't we in my seat button? It was a good year for Jensen Button 2004. And he's a correct answer here.

Harry. Choochoo is Yarno Trilly. Yarno Trilly was there. as per usual he was outshadowing his teammate Fernando Alonzo good job Yarno have you got it in qualifying order there I've got it in race finish order alright fine did he beat him

did Yano beat Alonzo yeah I think Alonzo might retired from that Grand Prix possibly absolutely washed but yeah so Yano Trin is correct Sam Um

The Crimson chin David Cautard Wow What a name DC is correct though He was there Harry

Still going folks Um Ralphie Malfi Ralph Schumacher Ralphie the Malfi Of course Ralph Schumacher was there Yes that's a correct

answer Sam back to you Takuma tomato Sato Takuma tomato Sato is technically incorrect answer but I'll take Takuma Sato as your answer there which is a correct answer

Yay thanks Good stuff Going back to you Harry Kimmy Kimmy was there I think that also ended in retirement for him That's 10

So you're halfway there, guys. Well, that. I'd like to say you've probably got the easier half out of the way of, but what up? Good. What no? Back to you, Sam. I've got a couple games in mind, so that's good. Man who sits under a tree, Nick Heidefeld.

It was a race. It was in the 2000s. Nick Heidefeld was there. Come on, Nick. Harry, back to you. um Felipe Masa Felipe baby

he was there indeed not quite in that Ferrari yet but he was getting ready for it Sam next one man who defends this thinger Jean-Carlo Fisichella come on Fizzy yeah he was there

this is good stuff Um, seven to go, Harry. Everyone's favourite Australian, Mark Weber. Mark Weber was there. Well done. I think at this point, this is where we start to get a little bit trickier. Six left. It's all to play for, Sam. The man with a mildly gnaughty name, Olivier Pannis. Was he about? I believe he was.

That's not mildly naughty. that is absolutely not in any way Olivier Pannis though is a correct answer in his Toyota days We're still going Hurry 5 left Who was Panis's teammate

I can't remember what team he was driving for I just remember his game Was it Toy Boathe? Oh it wasn't even Ralphie at that point Ralph's in a Williams I haven't fired him yet Demata Cristiano de Matta was indeed

Panis's teammate What's de Maga with you Right That's 16 out of 20 names All done And there's four more to go Sam Are they all in two teams

They are not That's a shame So how many drivers have we got left? Four Oh poop there's only one that I can

confidently think of it's gonna be wrong now I've said that was Christian Clean kicking him out Clean was still kicking him out yeah I say he was still kicking about he was still kicking about

he was young at that point but yes he was there so that does just leave three names Harry can you pluck any of them out of thin air is one Mr Bumgardner it was in this

well Again, no, but close enough. Yeah, Hungary's greatest ever driver, Jean-Baumbgartner. Is that because he's the only? That is correct. Oh, bless him. Two left.

Can you name either of them, sir? I have, angrily, and I think I know the team. I think they drove for Jordan. And I'm trying to have bloody think of their name, and I think it leaves a P. Panis. Yeah. What's that Italian dessert? It's like a bread, but it's got like... This is a very weird way to remember F1 drivers. I'll put it out there.

What's that called? Panatoni. That's what it's called, didn't it? A panatoni. His name sounds like panatoni. I'm not giving you that. No, I know, I'm just getting there. This is my thought process. I'm not there yet. That's got my answer.

It sounds like Panetoni. Mr. Panetoni. Mr. Panthano. Pantano. It's Pantano. It's Giorgio Pantano. Was he there? Giorgio Pantano, yeah.

He was indeed there. Pantan. Panthano. I bet it's never been compared to a Pagotoni before. I bet he has. I mean, that does mean, Sam, that you cannot lose. because there's only one name left.

But Harry's been so great to... There is a chance that you don't win. There is a chance you don't win if Harry can somehow get a draw out of this by naming the last person. I'm glad I went first because if we've done this order the other way round

and Harry had gone first, I've not got a clue. This is the only one I definitely have zero clue on. It's a Menardi, right? That's the last one. I can't confirm nor deny. Right, so it is. This is a trick in it's Burned Myelander.

Who was in? It's not a trick. I'll go for, oh, I almost said Christian Alba's then. That's a bit later. Let's go for... I'll record go for it. Let's go for... Oh, my God.

Oh, the tension is unreal. Helpable. I'm going to go for the... My cold career is on the last. Kinds of Chief's song Brunny Brunny Bruny Bruny Oh, it's Albers It's Albers, Ben, please tell me it's Albers

I just want to be right for once in my life Sam, there's a lot riding on whether he's got this right or not You could have your first win Of the year Is the Kingdom of Brunei in this car? Unfortunately, Harry knows his stuff Jean-Mria Bruny

is the last answer, which means you have I'm never visiting the Kingdom of Brunei You have collectively run the board. Well done. I thought Panthano was a fair play to Sam because I wouldn't have got Panthano to be honest.

I thought Bloch drove that year. Am I making that up? Do you get replaced? Maybe he was the You're right. He did either race that year or the year before. O5 was his first full season, was it?

he did a he did part of a season then he didn't race for like three years yeah I'm old I'm I'm googling it oh it might have been that year I don't know play the jingle what son's googling Sam uh Ben yeah I'll do that all right mate F one

back and forth it's F1 back and forth it goes backwards then goes forth it's F1 back and forth it's F1 back and forth F1 He wasn't there in 2005 even Was he there in 2004 ever?

I'm not going through the old season I said different Google search Tim O'Glock Everyone's favourite Irish racing driver Just hold with us everyone We will close this out in a bit We just need to find the answer to this When you Google Tim O'Glock

The first question under what do people ask is What did Timo Glock do? Why did Glock go slow? It's probably just people seeing it's glott and wondering what did he do? What did he do? Racing record 2004 Formula One

I need to find the actual He did racing in 2004 then Yeah he did What does TD mean? I don't want TD Test driver I imagined Oh thank you That'll make sense He raced in Canada

He raced in Canada And then he raced in China Japan and Brazil. That is sporadic. And then he did not come back to Formula One until 2008. Yeah, well, what a history lesson that is. Well, I'm glad that we've managed to get the career of Timo Glock as a last topic in this podcast.

But I think that probably should be the last one for today. Good news is we've got a lot of incredible episodes coming up. Like ones we are really excited for preseason. We've got Pimp My F1, which is going to. come later on once alpha-rameo decide to actually release their car after it does the first test at the end of 232 exactly so we will get on that one we've got drivers and constructors predictions to go can't wait for us all to be wrong about that teammate wars is coming up in a couple of weeks time so we have got a lot of good episodes coming up before the season starts at the end of

march until then sam if you wouldn't mind getting us out of here yeah so many good episodes up and I'm here so you know those two can talk about F1 and I'll try and contribute folks if you have managed to get an hour and ten minutes into our podcast thing congratulations that is a real feat our parents can get this far into our lives we appreciate it if you do want to stick around for more Formula One content more chat more fun as we were mentioned earlier join the Discord the link is in the description I believe I counted earlier there are about 360 members in the Discord now is ridiculous

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we are massively appreciated we will talk more things Formula One. In the meantime, I've been Sanguelsome. I've been Ben Hocking. I've been Georgio Pannoni. And remember, keep breaking late. Our theme song is an absolute banger, isn't it?

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