The Late Braking F1 Podcast - Ranking the 2025 F1 driver lineups: WORST to BEST

Episode Date: January 15, 2025

Which team has the BEST lineup in F1? The LB boys rank the 2025 driver pairings from worst to best, as well as hearing the order as voted by you, the listeners! They also discuss General Motors' new F1 venture, before finishing with a game of Late Faking... FOLLOW us on socials! You can find us on YouTube, Instagram, X (Twitter) and TikTok SUPPORT our Patreon for bonus episodes JOIN our Discord community JOIN our F1 Fantasy League EMAIL us at [e-mail]   & 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 check out new episodes every Wednesday and every Sunday. Welcome to the late breaking F1 podcast presented by Harry Ead, Sam Sage, and me, Ben Hocking, back with another midweek episode. And we're ranking today, Sam. Back again again with the midweek episode. Yeah, we are ranking today.

we've got a whole half an episode of ranking and it's going to be brilliant and there's other things we'll get me talking about because Formula One is in that winter period it's dark, it's gloomy so we're trying to come up with nice fun things and there was a list published recently about teammates

I'm doing the intro, it's Benz segment I've just taken over the whole show That's all right Should we swap roles for a day? We've done that before We're never doing that again Never again No sure, oh again

The world doesn't need that You just don't want to do all of the and I just pour teal down myself. I just actually spilled teal and yourself. Fortunately, it's actually just like a lemon water, but yes. A lemon water? I am slowly scolding. Well, at least you're not quickly scolding.

That's true. That's my outro sorted. Yes, we are ranking the driver lineups on today's episode. We've got, I don't know about. you, this was tough. The amount of rookies in the field this year made this more difficult than what we usually have to do

because it's not the first time we've done this. No, true. It's also not just the three of us that we're looking at for this ranking list. Kirsty is too. Oh no, sorry. I'm only joking. Sorry, Kirstie. I'm interested in seeing Kirstie's ranking though, so we'll see what Kirstie has as well. Because what Sam was actually referring to

was the Discord. We put we put a link to a survey in the Discord, and we're going to get your consensus. So we've had over 100 people vote on that. We'll see how far aligned or far you are from what we're doing. So all 10 lineups for 2025, we're going to do 10 through 5 in this first segment, and then 10 through 6 in this first segment, and then 5 to 1 after our first break. So, Sam, you can kick us off. Who's got the worst lineup on the grid for 2025?

I have to agree with you. This was tougher than I expecting, especially at this back end group. I actually felt the first second. I was quite happy with where the rankings lied. But this kind of 10th or 9th in the list, I was like, oh, so shocked myself a little bit here. But I've gone for the Racing Bulls team in 10th place.

Yuki Singoda and Isaac Hagar in 10th place. I feel like I'm doing a little bit of disrespect to Yuki Sengoda here, but you've got to think about the balance of that team. And whilst Yuki has got some fantastic, qualities. He's a Hall of Famer here, which sends him sky high, of course. He's that fiery personality, but he just can't seem to do middle parts of the season. Brilliant at the start, pretty at the end, can't seem to deliver the whole way through, despite having a very good year last year. I think Hajar feels like the least known quality for me out of all the

rookies coming through. So when you pair the slight inconsistencies of Yuki Sondoda with the lowest rating, in my opinion, rookie coming through, there's a lot of attention that. There's a lot of potential in that team, but currently for the year, I don't think it's truly realized. It's a good time to bring in the people on this one, because the consensus from the people is that you're wrong, Sam. They don't have the worst line up. In fairness, it was very close, but the people think Alpine have the worst lineup. Harry, who do you think's got the worst lineup? I've actually not put money in order, so somewhere in between 10 to... I'm only joking, folks.

I agree with Sam. I've got the racing boards. And again, it does feel slightly harsh on Yuki Sonoda. But to be honest, it's more the unknown of Isaac Hajar in respect to Formula One. Because, I mean, we'll get to the other teams later on. There's only a couple on there that are unknowns. And their teammates, I rank higher than Yuki Sonoda.

And that's kind of how I've come to this conclusion. So, yeah, that's basically the reason. Sonoda was better, much better. He had his best year at F1 last year, but he is inconsistent quite often. And I think that does let him down. That might have, if his consistency had been better, they might have got him above who I've got in ninth.

But yeah, that's my reason, really. I just think it's not like it's a terrible lineup. And I feel like we should caveat this. the quality of F1 drivers these days. Very good. Go back to like 2003. Yeah, we used to have some apps. I mean,

Carter game was still going in 2012. Whoa. Yeah, that's not who I was talking about. I was sorry, here were you talking about? Anyone other than Carolega. Than the ghost. Jimacher was in that field. Yeah, yeah.

But my point being, this is, well, this from my side, this isn't us slanging off these driver lineups the back end of this list. They're just not quite as good as the others who are very, very good. The people are wrong, we're all right. They're the worst line up for me.

The same reasoning as what you said, Harry, in that you've got so many teams at the back end of this grid or what we expect to be the back end of this grid, where you've got a more experienced driver and you've got a driver that's either a rookie or very close to a rookie. So ultimately, I think it is actually Sonoda that's putting them 10th rather than Hadjar. Hadjar's an unknown quantity at this stage.

I think he's got potential Hadjar. His career in junior formula, I think, was solid, but maybe not as spectacular as some of the other rookies that we've seen come through. But I think his raw pace in F2 last year was probably the best in the field. So there is a chance he could be, he could be good. The question is the consistency and how early he can get up to pace. And then from Sonoda's perspective, you just look at some of the other more experienced driver of the pairings. And Sonoda, who has had a solid last couple of years, just full short of where some of those drivers are.

So, yeah, I've agreed with you both. I've gone with the racing bulls team. We still need to figure out our 2025 nickname for them. But I've gone with them in 10th. Of course, we've got Kirstie's here. Kirstie's gone for she's actually agreed with us. No way. Well, that's the first time in about two years.

I'd love to see it. Yeah, Kirstie thinks it's racing balls, and she's also a message through to say the reason is she hates Sonoda. Yeah. She loves his auntie, though. Hey, we've got anti-Sanoda coming up later on in this list for sure. All right. Shall we move on to the penultimate place in this list?

Ninth. Sam, who's ninth? Well, this is where I would have agreed with the people had they put this place in because they went last. I'm going ninth. The difference maker out of that pack four is Pierre Gassley, in my opinion. He is significantly better than I think anyone else in that top four. He cut up through his best as Yuki Sanoida.

I think he elevates Jack Duhans. We're not sure, right? We're not sure where he's properly sitting. A bit unknown, but not as unknown as Isaac Hajar. He's under one racing, essentially driving around in a pink box that hasn't got anything to do. Other than these legs that are running around that racetrack. it is Gasly that elevates it. Gassi really is a bit of a dark horse

and unsung hero of Formula One. I do think he's an individual driver is really quite fantastic. But the unknown of doing, and probably the lower ceiling in terms of his potential keeps them in ninth place rather than moving up.

There was another driver that they had in Alping actually. If they had Gassie and that other driver, I don't if you've heard of them, it's called Eskaban Okon. They probably would jump right up, at least a good three or four positions, I reckon.

But it's relatively unknown that he'd grow for them and they got rid of them a while ago. Never heard of them actually. No, oh well. Yeah, controversial opinion to talk about someone I haven't even heard of.

So it doesn't exist. So you've got Alpine 9th producer Kirsty agrees with you. She's got them 9th as well. Harry, do you agree with both of them? It's 3 out of 3 so far. I have got Alpine in 9th. I'm with you, Sam.

It's Pierre Gazley doing real, real heavy lifting here. do and yes is also an unknown he's done one race but quite frankly as you said it doesn't really count um he's an unknown quantity but so it's gazley versus sonoda and gazley gasly gasly wins out here um so that's why i've got them got alp in ninth as you said would have been a better driver on how they had an you know another experience stuff on hand uh in this in the other seat but that's you can't do that at alpine so um it's not allowed so yeah i've got them in ninth yeah i've got them in ninth yeah i've

got the 9th as well. There's a lot of agreement early on in this episode. Disgusting. Yeah, same reason as well. Gazley is better than Sonoda, because we saw it and Gasly was better than Sonoda. They were teammates. That did happen, yes.

It's crazy that we've got Alpine, after what a great season, Gassley had in 24, and in fairness in 23 as well. In fairness, let's just say since he got dropped by Red Bull. Literally, the race he got dropped, he's been great. All good seasons, yeah.

It's weird to think, he's in a lineup that can be considered ninth on this grid. But here we are. Doing, I think maybe his, his, his, his, his ceiling's a little bit lower than the others, which doesn't make sense because he's quite tall for an F1 driver. But yeah, I, I think if you look at Hadjar, you look at Bortoletto, you look at Antonelli. I have slightly lower expectations for doing compared to those names. So, yeah, that's what's put them ninth for, for me.

and the people have just reversed what we've done. So they've put racing balls in ninth. Eighth place, I think this might be where we start to get some variety, but we will soon see, Harry, eighth place. I've put the Haas driver line up in eighth place. Estabano Kohn and Oliver Behrman. Now this one is where I've found it a little bit tougher. I've gone, and we'll go out to seven.

I've gone for Ockon of Bearman. It's a solid lineup. Bearman is a more known quantity, certainly than more than Dewan and Hajjar. He obviously had a great, great debut with Ferrari. He then did a couple of races for for Hass. They were less impressive, but not say awful. One was Brazil in the wet, terrible time to try and jump in a car. although having said that he was a little bit

I'd say hot-headed but it was a little bit inexperience showed that but yeah I've gone for Ocon on Behrman I think that's a fairly solid line-up Ockon not that he had a he didn't have a terrible year but Gadsdie was you'd say Gassie was better than him

in 2024 whether you put it down to reasons with the car etc but Gassi had a better year and Berman yes he's still relatively unknown so I've gone for them I've gone for them in eighth, and I'll explain why when I get we had seventh. You have two disagreeers. Disagreeer number one is Kirstie, who's got Salba in eighth place.

Disagreeer number two, the people. I'm counting the people as one person. I mean, because the wrong will all together so far. Well, the people agree with Kirstie. Also, Salba in eighth place. So, Sam, this is where you tear it up completely and go for someone. else, but Salba, Hass, who's eighth?

Tearing it out completely, ago for someone else. For me, and I think, oh, this is he gets some groans. Aloxso and stroll are eighth place on this list. We love Fernando Alonso. Oh, I love that man, right?

And he is not the Fernando Alonso from even five years ago. He's still incredible. And he is not the reason that they are in eighth place. But I think current Aloxso, whilst fantastic, cannot constantly be dragging up

these very, very, very poor and regularly inconsistent performing Lance stroll. I'm sorry, I would rather now have the unknown of a really positive rookie that could come up and do something exciting that has great potential, such as a Borderlet who I haven't mentioned yet, or a bearman who I haven't mentioned yet. And as brilliant as a long so is.

He hasn't got the pace anymore of a Lecler, a science, a Russell, Stappan, Norris, Piastri, right? He isn't there now. He has to be more smart with his driving. He has to come up with different ways to try and produce what the pace isn't there to do anymore. So that drops him back a little bit. But then Stroll is such a weak teammate

that I genuinely think that Alonso for me beats Yukiya Gassley, but Stroll is only marginally above currently Hajjar are doing. And that's simply because they're unknowns and they haven't wowed me to death with their junior careers. So, yeah,

got on Aston Martin in 8th and I was prepared to be roasted for this choice. Not by us but the people will I mean the people will just go at us for many different opinions that will have up and down this list

I I wasn't sure which way to go with it I was really torn as to who to go with I agree with Harry I've done with Hass in 8th but it is very close 8th 7th and 6th

So I think Ocon, as we know, I think Ocon's pretty good. In fact, if I were in charge of Alpine, which I think I have been in the past, I would have kept him. Weirdly. Yeah, yeah. No way. That's a controversial. You know what, Ockon and Gazley? Their names wouldn't be said yet in this list because they'd be higher up the positions we're talking about right here.

But yeah, I've gone with Hasse. Ocon, good driver, but will it, there will be a bit of adapting for him. in a new environment. Behrman is tough to judge at this stage because he had a very good junior career, had a very good substitute appearance for Ferrari, he had a very good first substitute appearance for Hasse as well. I'm willing to put Brazil to one side, to be honest,

because there were many experienced drivers that struggled that weekend. It wasn't just Behrman, the likes of Carlos Sines, for example, at a really horrible weekend. His F2 campaign, I know Pramers struggle, in F2 last year. But it was odd how much he struggled versus Antonelli,

who of course will get onto in a little bit, which just makes me go, makes me just stop a little bit on Berman and be like, I'd like to see a few more races, if that's okay, just to put that F2 season in the rearview mirror. But it's a solid lineup.

It's a solid lineup, but I've got the Mave. Seventh place, Sam. So this is where I have gone down the Salber route. I've got Holkerberg and Bortoletto. Holgerberg has shown this season why he's still one of the drivers to having your team. If you can't get one of the absolute quote unquote, the big guns, you know, your Lecleros, you just happen.

Holgerberg is the guy to having your team at the moment. And Bortoleto is the reigning F2 champion. He was sublime during his F2 season. I think he's one of these guys that's got a lot of real, raw pace. out of the unknown rookies. I'm not counting Bearman in the unknown rookies. We've seen three Formula One races from. I've got some idea in my mind now.

I think he's pretty much the top gun coming into this season. So he sits above Ashton Martin, Alpine and RB for me, because I think as a pairing, they complement each other really, really well. Portolese feels like he's got that raw, almost scary pace where he could bing it 10 races out of 24, but he could get the job done when it is clean. Hulk's Missy Consistent is always pretty quick

He gets the job done If the car is somewhat there Like it was right at the end of the year They could be an outside threat For scoring some good points with this line-up So for me it does just sit in front of that Ashton Martin lineup Harry

I've got Holkenberg and Bolterlato next I appreciate Bortoletto is a complete unknown again in terms of racing in F1 you know, versus Berman who has had time. So it comes down to Holkenberg and I think

Holkenberg I know I've banged on a lot about Holklenberg last year but he had such a good year such a good couple of years I should say at Haas but last year especially that he

outranks Ockon and Behrman for me so that's why he's doing the heavy lifting here in the way that Ghastie was for Alpine. So yeah, I've gone for them mainly purely based on Niko Holgerhkenberg being quite so good

over the past couple of years. Portolete, we don't know much about. If there was someone else in that other Salba seat other than Holkenberg, they could be at the back, quite frankly. But Holcomb has been that strong. The people think Hasse have the seventh best lineup on the grid. Of course, they've already used up Salba.

Similar for producer Kirstie, was already gone in eighth place. So it's Aston Martin in seventh for Kirstievo. She does admit that Stroll is doing a lot of the heavy lifting there. Sorry, Alonzo, my bad, my sign. I've agreed with Sam and Harry. I've got Salba in seventh. I almost had them sixth because Holcomburg and Bortoletto,

that has a lot of potential as a lineup. Whether they have a car to do anything with it remains a question mark. But as you've said, Harry, 24 was a good. a great year for Nico Holkenberg. So was 2023. And the only difference I think between the two years is he actually got a chance to show it more often in 24. But given in 2023, all he could do was qualify the car before the car decided it can't

do races. He did that down to a T. Like the amount of Q3 appearances he made in that 23 house was ridiculous. So they are getting a very good driver in Nico Holkenberg. And Bortoletto, you know, F3 champion and F2 champion in consistent. There aren't many drivers who can say they've done that, and all the drivers that have done that are doing pretty well in F1, George Russell, Charles, Clair. Like, it's a pretty exclusive lineup.

So Bortoletto, I thought his consistency last year was pretty impressive. He's not being in his junior career, someone who, someone like Antonelli, who just like, from the moment go, it's like, okay, this guy's got F1 potential. Orte Letto wasn't quite like that. It's almost the second instance of it just clicks. all of a sudden. And it came some point after his year in Frecker and just before going into F3. At some point it just clicked. And he's done very well the last two years. So I don't know if they'll have a good car, but I think they've got a good lineup. I'm sure we will touch on this

during the year. But Portoletto is part of the Fernando Alonso management team. How does that work when they get together? I'm sure Fernando's wishing they're nowhere near each other on track ever. But what if? Did you hear Alonzo's very unbiased? comment about Bortoletto. No, could you remind us? Come at wars, please, Ben. Is he, is he the go? Borsolette was the best rookie on the grid.

That man has no shame. He's the third best driver in F1 behind Stroll and Alonzo. Larsstrel will be the world champion after he leaves, Bortoletto, who he manages is the best rookie on the grid. Of course, I don't know. I love it. Let's round out the bottom half of the grid.

Sixth place. Sam. The only one I haven't mentioned from this trio that have come up is Ocon and Behrman. I was really impressed by Behrman when he came to Formula One and I do think there is a situation where a driver doesn't fully gel with an F2 car, but actually they get into an F1 car and they just feel comfy. They get in, it feels natural, it feels good. Berman's performance in Saudi Arabia was sensationally good. I don't think it could be said enough how difficult it must have been to not only get into a Formula One car, but for Ferrari to get into that Ferrari car and not just any racetrack.

At Saudi Arabia at Jeddah, which is one of those lethal racetracks we've seen for a long time appearing on the calendar, to score points, to beat out the likes of Lewis Hamilton and other great rivals at that point, he kept Ferrari in that title fight. Because if they scored no points that race, coming into the season, they're going to be even further off. It would have been that simple. Less points in the fight, but he got the points that they needed. You pair that with Esteban Okon, who I think got dealt an absolute crap. panned last season. The start of his season was fantastic. He was right though with Pierre Gassely, if not beating Pierre Gassely for the first few Grand Prix. Of course, the Ingers thing in Monaco happens. He gets dropped. Well, dropped for the end of the season. I had to endure prison,

Alpine prison in the worst car they could ever create. And he just had to go around in an absolute turd of a vehicle while Gassi got to reap all the benefits of scoring points. But the one time it was all balanced with the rain came down and people had to get it on the track in Brazil. He finish it in second place. At one point, it's pulling away from Max Blaney Verstappen in a car

that I've just described as as a third because it wasn't equal to Gassus at that point. Occo has some serious talent and I think if him and Gassi had equal equipment for the entire year,

they'll go right down to the wire again as they did in 23. And if Gassi and O'Kohor in the same team, I'd be putting them in the top five as a line-up. It really is that simple Alpine.

So for me, half have got themselves a line up with a long potential and a lot of consistency. And if Berman does hit the ground running like we saw with that Ferrari, all that driving back you that you had four hars.

I think they could have something there. If the car's good enough, this could be a real threat to that top end of the midfield. You have an agreeer in producer Kirstie, who's also got Hasse in sixth place. The people have got Aston Martin in sixth, as do I. Alonzo is very good. I still think he's really, really good.

And I don't care people who tell me, well, he's over the hill and he's got strollers. No, he's great. he's still great. And Lance Stroll, yeah, he's pretty bad, but if we move on from Lance Stroll, I still think

to echo produce Cursley's actual word, which was that Alonso is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. I still think that I know he's not as good as some of the other drivers we've discussed and maybe has less potential than

some of the rookies we've discussed, but he still it sounds so patronising he's competent he's not awful which is why I've got them sixth and I'm gonna guess Harry's got Astor Martin's 6th but we'll see

yeah what you said Ben Lowe's is quite good still I Sam I think you point he is he does not have the raw pace of a Russell Vastap and Lickler I'd even say signs nowadays which is quite frankly why 6th is the ceiling

for this driver line up. But he, 2024, I think you said this, Ben, he still had a really good year. I know over, there were a dip in the mid part of the season, but also the car dipped with it. And I think Alonzo just sort of lost interest, but it picked up again towards the end. I still think he had a really

good year and it just, it went more under the radar because obviously weren't the great results to go with it. Some of the points finishes he's secured towards the end. Well, the ones at the start obviously great. Some of the ones he did towards the end of the year where that car didn't deserve. of any points. It was almost like, it wasn't fair to give that car any points.

So that's what I've got them in sixth. Similar as I said to Holcombergen and Bortoletto, you take Alonzo out of the equation. I think they're fighting for last place that drive lineup. Okay, that's going to round out 10 through to six. On the other side of this first break on this episode, we're going from fifth to first. From back, everyone.

We're starting to get to the elite lineups on the grid. already given our thoughts on who is 10th down to 6th. So now we go from 5th to 1st. Sam, the 5th best driver lineup on the grid is. Russell and Antingelli. I think Mercedes have got the 5th best driver line up here. Russell is, again, probably doing a lot of the heavy lifting. And I am just slightly unsure on Kimmy Antingelli.

He is potentially the next Vestappen-Hamilton Schumacher. A lot of people have come out and said that. And boy, that would be a lot of pressure on a young man's shoulders. Now, he might think that pressure is for tyres, but I think that, yeah, thank you. He's not Alan Shearer. That man don't get pressure. But pressure could get to you. And also it can cause you to crack.

And I do think that there's a risk that Mercedes don't look after him and they don't nurture that talent. And they see kind of maybe the glowing symbol of Max Verstappen coming over the hill. If there is that weird change, it keeps being rumored. because Toto Wolf can't seem to let that go. And I think it might cause him to struggle if Russell comes out the gates and absolutely demolishes him, but equally on the other side, Russell has been fantastic for the last three years.

Yeah, he lost to Hamilton in one of those years, but the most recent season, I know Hamilton didn't show with that car, I know setups weren't great, but Russell was just relentless. Even when the races were not going his way, he got a lot of bag, I still stand by the fact that he would have had a much bigger gap

to Hamilton and the points tally if he didn't get the bag back that he'd go, the DNF in Silverstone, the disqualification in spa. That's two examples alone of two things that set him out completely. Russell is a real talent. And I think if you gave him a shot at a world title, he could really go for it at this point. But because of that combination of such inexperienced

and such juniority in comparison to Russell, who is so well established now and so brilliant, I just, there is potential for them to be much higher than fifth, but right now I can't comfortably say they are really high than fifth. Harry, have you got? I've gone for signs and album. Carlos Sines had a great year last year, and I hope he rides that confidence

and excels this year at Williams because if it works, if the Williams project works out, this could be a great opportunity for Carlos Sines. I really hope he does not his head drop. I think there's potential he can have another great year. It would be the same sort of greatness as he had at Ferrari, I suspect.

but it'll be, it could be great nonetheless. Alex Albonne, the problem for me with Albon, this sounds ridiculous to say, I don't feel like he's much of a known quantity because he's had Vestappen and bad teammates. Yeah, Vestappen he struggled against because he's Max Vestappen, as we've learnt. The teammates he subsequently had

have been Nicholas Latifie, Logan Sardin and Colopinto for half a year, and Colapinto rised him a headache, I think. And that was only a few races. I was a headache. Colipinto knows how to. I love that. It was so cool.

I have a headache. Yeah, I don't know what to do. My point being the Colopinto gave him a bit of a run for his money, at least pace-wise, not consistency-wise, although they seem to crash and was the same amount in Brazil. So that worries me for Al-Bin, because I just, I actually don't really feel like I know where Albon stands. And that's why I've put him below.

the rest, you know, the Mercedes and the rest of them because you think on, you say he signs an album, that's an experienced lineup in Formula One now. You think that should be high up the list. But I just, I just don't know where Albon sits. So that's why I put in fifth. And I feel harsh for it. But I honestly don't know where he is and where his potential is,

to witness, because we just haven't, he's not had anyone to go against since Max Verstappen, who was a decent driver. Yeah, not bad. Balladol. Kirsty agrees of you. Kirsty has gone

for Williams in 5th. This was very close for the people. There were not many points at all between

fourth and fifth, but they've agreed with Sam and gone with Mercedes in 5th. I'm going to do the same.

I've also got Mercedes and 5th. It was very close between these two, to be fair. But yeah,

George Russell, George Russell is knocking on the door of being a top three driver in the sport now after what happened in

2024. If he can have another season like that, then suddenly he's in the conversation for probably second or third best driver on the grid. Stappen might be a ways out front in that regard. But he had such a good 2024. Sam, you've already gone through all of the unlucky moments that would have made it seem

like an even better year for him. Antonelli, he's got a lot of potential. He has got buckets worth of potential. But whether we're going to see all of it in 2025 remains to be seen. If this was a ranking list of which, which team would you like for the next five years? They would definitely be fourth, if not probably higher than this. But at least for 2025, I just, Antonelli has been, for better or worse, he's been rushed through the junior system.

He's had one, one year in F2. He didn't have any years in F3. So he has really been rushed through quicker than anyone has in the last five or six years, I'd say. It might just be that he'd take. takes a little bit longer to get the consistency compared to some of the other rookies. Could be very wrong as well, just based on, again, the amount of potential he has. I expect a few times in 2025, and we're not going to get on to any bigger predictions

in terms of championship and teammate wars today. But there will be times, I think, this season where Antonelli makes you go, wow, okay, that was pretty damn good. Are we going to get that 24 races? I'm more doubtful. So I've got them fifth. Fourth place, Sam. I don't think it's surprises anyone, but I'm going to give it the old switcheroo.

And Williams are in fourth. Sikes had a phenomenal season last year. You got to remember he took a race out. And even then he finished, what, less than five points behind Oscar Piazzi, who was in that McLean, which of course won the Constructors. He was a brilliant secondary driver to Charlotte Clare and regularly gave him a great rival for his money. He probably should have won Cota if the line through turn one was a little bit more favourable

for him. And of course, Mrs. Out McCleck. of that. He had a fantastic season and Carlos Sines is maybe one of the most underrated Ferrari drivers that we've had for a very long period of time. So the fact that Williams have got him, I think it's an absolute steel. I really think they've come down with absolute grab there. It's an absolute burglary, a robbery to pick up Carla Sites that seem like Williams. And then Alex Albon, I think, I think Harry did Alex Albon a little dirty on his description there. I think Williams have been woeful for years. And the fact that he's regularly got them into the point.

the fact these regularly beating cars we know are faster time and time again. Yeah, he had a bad time against Max Verstappen. And the bit I do agree with is because, frankly, if you haven't noticed, that's Max for Stappen. Guys won a few world titles, won a few Grand Prix, pretty darn good at the F1. Alex Album's a very good racing driver. And I get the argument that he's had Latifie DeVries, Sergeant. Colopinto gave him a bit of run for his money to start with. And then he was quickly tucked away again after the first couple of Grand Prix.

Albuhr is never going to be, I don't think, a world champion, a world beta. But he's a great guy to having your car alongside someone like Carlos Sykes. I really respect that partnership. Unfortunately, I highly doubt this season they're going to have any sort of machinery to do anything productive with it. Which is a real shame. I got it. Before people come after you, Sam, he didn't have DeFries as a teammate because he was having this appendix out. Oh, yeah.

Before anyone comes up. He's restored more points than Albin did on that day. Yeah. So it's fact. Put DeFries and signs in the car. You're fair there. Sorry, appendix. Really, it's just Albin showing weakness, isn't it?

Yeah. I think he's removing the weakness to come back stronger. I mean, as a team, they are so light this year. So light, appendixless. No appendixes. Oh, maybe only have fun team of history to not having appendix. Do you know what?

You know what? Let me check the stat book. I don't know. Could you check the appendix for it? Wee. We have to drive around with appendixes in the cockpit. Yeah, extra way. Turning up on his one foot.

I'm sorry. Bless it. I have Williams 4th, which shouldn't be a massive surprise. I definitely didn't consider them to be amongst the top three in this conversation. Carlos Sines, he's not had it easy in F1. No, he's had a lot of good cars and a lot of opportunities to win races and get podiums. But he has not had it easy when you consider. Who are some of the best drivers in F1 right now?

You'd probably say, Vestappen, Norris, and LeCleur would be right up there. Sines has had all of them for teammates. He's had a really tough job against teammates in his career, and he hasn't been embarrassed by any of them. I mean, he beat Norris, but he wasn't embarrassed by LeClau. He wasn't embarrassed by Vestappen very early on in his career.

I mean, adding that, yeah, he is a really solid driver, and you're right to say that Williams have really got a coup and pick him up. Albin, I accept your point, Harry. I am intrigued by Albin this year because I don't know what we're going to get. This is the first time that in theory Williams will have a somewhat competitive car and he will have a somewhat competitive teammate, which is really underselling what Carlos Signs should be in that Williams. Whether they'll be close, whether Albin's experience that Williams helps him out, whether he gets absolutely demolished. I don't know, but I am intrigued. Yeah, I've got them before.

Harry, who've you got, Phil? Did you forget where we've been? Yeah, I was like, who have I asked already? Sam? Who's the other one? Yeah. Have we done the people yet? Yeah.

People yet. I love number four, please, Ben. I've gone for Mercedes. I, it was close for me too. I just think the, like you said, Ben, the Russell's year last year, the talent of Russell and the potential talent of Anthony Lee just outweighs it. I am prepared to be very wrong as I often am on this one. And if Antinelli treats every single lap of the season as a cordial lap,

it could be an issue. I mean, sign me up. I mean, sign me up. Yes. But my, for this, for this point, no. But yeah, if he does do that, then that can be a problem. But I just think the potential he has, means that, to combine with the talent of Russell,

they just outrank signs an album. But it was a real, real, Real close one. I reckon you'll be right only because there's nothing riding on these. Well, exactly. It's not teammate. If it was, you'd be wrong. Yeah, exactly.

Yeah. Kirstie has got the same order as you. So also got Mercedes in fourth. The people have gone for Williams in fourth, which means all four of us and the people have got the same top three. What order? Harry, kick us off third place. I have got

I've got Red Bull and I can hear Vostappan fans screaming at me now he is sensational and if there wasn't a driver in the second seat who was only a few races into their career they've done a handful of races in 2024

an even smaller handful in 2023 I'd have that team higher at the list because Vestappen is sensational because it is Liam Lawson and no disrespect to Liam Larson I just don't think that that line up is as good as McLaren and Ferrari

and and yeah it just says a lot about what we think of well what I think about McLaren and Ferrari's lineup that Vostappan can heavy lift his way up to the top with all his skill but it's just where I have them

as a pairing it's third for me. I've also got Red Bull in third and I know you're worried about people coming after you for that opinion, Harry. We are the only content creators out there, folks. Don't even bother to anyone else. Apparently there are actually some other content creators out there.

Some of these, and we aren't the only people doing this task. I've seen some lists have Red Bull in sixth, in fifth, even in fourth and I respect everyone's opinions but grow up but can I please have what you're smoking

because Vastappan in a shoebox would be third he's really good and Liam Lawson has proven he's pretty all right as well now I will continue to say

I think it should have been Sonoda in that seat rather than Lawson but Liam Lawson went into that RB Alpha Tauri Minardi team and was

pretty much on a par with Sonoda from the off, which means that in theory, I don't know what's going to happen this year with Vastappan versus Lawson, but I don't think Lawson is going to embarrass himself more than Sergio Perez did, which might be setting the bar quite low, but I do think that Lawson and Vestappan

is still good enough to be third best, because Vastappan's the best driver. I mean, what's the best driver in the sport? Like, do I need to say anything more? I don't know. People are going to come for you for that as well, mate. So probably. The people have got Vastappan in third.

Just for Stapen. Yeah. Kirsty has got Lawson in third, but also says Fustappen might help out a bit. Sam. Let's round it out five for five, shall we? For me, I don't need to think or speculate. I don't think anyway.

I don't need to think. End of course. I saw it last season. If Ferrari and McLaren have a car that compete, Max Verstappen, even at the peak of his powers, is not able to lift that team above third place in the championship if he hasn't got a teammate that is unable to be up there with the rest. I respect Lawson.

I think there's a lot of potential there. I really think he could go on to be something really good. I don't think he's going to be able to deliver much more than what. let's put it this way I don't think he's better than any other of those drivers inside that top four teams that finished in that order last time out so therefore why do I think that he could go out

to be a McLaren teammate or a Ferrari teammate Max Verstappen is a generational talent he's the best driver in Formula One right now and has been for the last five seasons four or five seasons Liam Lawson has got a lot to come but I can't see it being delivered right this season and it's a real risk with a rookie in that team

as we've seen it fails so so many times So I cannot put them above McLaren or Ferrari. So we have agreement on the top two across all five of us. This was very close with the people. There was not a lot in the scoring at all. But the people think McLaren, the Constructors champions, have the second best line up in the sport.

Kirsty also thinks that McLaren have the second best line up in the sport. Sam, do you agree? this out of all of the rankings on the entire list was the easiest two to decide for me mcclaren had the second best line up in the sport lander norris is becoming a an absolute sensation uh went up against as i've already mentioned the best driver in motorsport last year didn't come out on top no real shame in that had his moments where it wasn't brilliant but equally had some moments where he was brilliant and i think that coming into this year he will excel again oscar piastri who is It's not only a sensational Formula One driver

is a comedic genius because I once again watched the clip of him spilling his drink and going, or I've made a scene. And it is just so brilliantly timed, but I watch it for fun. And it's in a press conference. And I rarely watch the press conferences

because they are dull, and that was brilliant. He is bringing brilliant pace. It's just, it's only his third season coming into that. We've seen there are some inconsistencies there. I just came to teed out those potential moments where it doesn't seem to be right there with Landon Norris.

But it's there. I don't believe that he hasn't got it. He will turn up and be one of the very best. Just give it a bit of time. But for this season, I don't think it's quite there when I compare it to Ferrari, who I've obviously got in first.

Harry, I'm looking high and low for some variety here. Can you provide it? No. McLaren, a second. Their driver line up is top quality. Bordering, sensational. It's just not as good as Ferraris. that end of point

solid point there mate it just isn't and that's no that's nothing against their line up norris and piastri are quality quality lineup they won the constructors championship for mcclaren last year if you know as you already mentioned you can have a max vastappan in your car

but if your teammates not the teammate or the second driver's not up to scratch you can't win a constructors norris and piastri delivered that because they were both for the majority at the sharp end of the grid together In fact, so much so they had to start deploying stupid orders and team, team radio. So that's how good they are. It's just not as good as Ferrari this year. Is it?

Oh, here we go. Don't be silly. Don't build up this suspension for, Clifton suspension bridge for nothing. Nice. They call me Brunel. I build that suspense. Brunel Ben. For no reason I've got McLaren.

Yeah. Yeah. Look, there is a situation where, let's say, a third of the way into 2025, I realize I'm wrong and it's actually McLaren because if Piastri takes a step forward, again, which we saw from year one to year two, and Hamilton doesn't get back to where he was in 2003, McLaren will have the best lineup, probably. And we don't know yet. So I'm banking on Hamilton will get back to form because I don't think 2024 was a great season for him

and I think that's mostly an opinion shared by all three of us. I think he can recover that. I don't think it's too late for him. I think he will be reinvigorated as he goes to Ferrari and starts to deliver again, some of the 2023 performances. I know it wasn't a championship winning season

but in what wasn't a championship winning car he delivered some excellent performances. I think he can return to that and that's what my ranking is based on. but we'll see. It's still a very good lineup for old old McLaren with Norris and anti-Sinoda. How about eat your dinner?

Anything else to be said about Ferrari being first? They've got LeClaire and Hamilton. That's pretty good in it. There's a guard driving for them and also a seven-time world champion. It might be one of the best lineups of all time in Formula One. I think it's up there.

If they deliver where you think they can deliver, if we get to the end of the year, we go, Hamilton was right on it, and that's the best season we've seen from LeClaire. It might be one of the best lineups in Formula One history. What happens if, and I'm going to say this quietly, what happens if Ferrari for the first time in ages actually deliver a car that's capable of winning a title for Charles LeCler,

and he doesn't win it because of Lewis Hamilton? Good. It has been there in 40 years. I'm not getting into speculation because that might give away a good teammate was. Very true. Very true. Well, that's our top 10 lists. A little bit of variety across all four of us and the people and the consensus we got from the people.

Do you agree with us? Do you disagree with us? Is there anything completely out of whack compared to all five of our lists? Let us know. We'll take our second break here. On the other side, we've got some news from Cadillac. Everyone, TWG Motorsports and General Motors have formed a new company to build the future Cadillac Formula One team's engines beyond its initial arrangement for a supply of Ferrari power units. TWG is the majority owner of the team originally started by the Andretti organisation, which will make its F1 entry under GM's Cadillac brand in 2006.

The venture between the team's key backers was described as putting the squad on the path to being a full works team by the EU. end of the decade. The new organization will be known as GM performance power units and a new facility for the company is set to be established close to GM's technical center in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2006. The Ferrari deal to supply Cadillac is expected to conclude ahead of the 2028 F1 season, which would be the team's third campaign in the championship. However, Thursday statement suggests it could extend a year or two longer. First question on this one, Sam, is, is the end of the decade, a reasonable objective for this Cadillat power unit. Yeah, I think so.

I think actually they've given themselves ample time to at least get onto a pre-level playing field and they'll be clever about it. They've got a lot of smart people in that, in that workshop that they've just opened. If I want to a little invite over to North Carolina, Charlotte, we've got a PO box so you can send them straight to us because the links in down below,

get the address, four of us here, put the names on it, and we will promptly fly out there to do a podcast or whatever. As long as you pay for us. Preferably, if you pay for the trip, yes. Equally, we'll just come out for Bance. Because he's a right guy. He's North Carolina, isn't he?

Thank you, Rai guy. The lesser-known Discord legend. We love you. No, this is, I think, a very sensible way of doing it. Unlike Alping, who had decided to chop up bits of their team and throw them to the wolves and then buy whatever they can at the shop shop. I think this makes a lot of sense for Kagalak. They can learn from Ferrari.

They can take a lot of research from how the engine works. And Ferrari has made some pretty good engines. Of all the things that Ferrari do well, the engine tends to be the bit that performs pretty decently, tends to get them from A to B, you know? You turn it on and it does the bit that it needs to do. So if Kangalak are sensible,

they'll do a lot of research based on what they're using in their Formula One program, and I think this could be a great success. I don't think that they're going to come out into 2030 and be the engine, the people to beat, but I definitely think it's a real sensible and realistic chance

that they're on par with the Honda, the Mercedes, the Ferrari, and if they can be clever, they can be smart in their aerodynamic package, why not have a go?

I think it's definitely reasonable. Harry, do you think this timeline's reasonable? I mean, it's really important to note, firstly, that Saudi Arabia has reinvested a lot. Someone's like that. I hadn't thought of it that way.

Have you just said that? I've heard that. I just remembered that ridiculous comment. This timeline... Do you mean? The comment that made it all make sense? God, listen to the last podcast if you want context. No, look.

This timeline is... It's good. It's a good thing because we've seen it before with Honda, where they've tried to come in as an engine manufacturer and they've not given themselves enough time. and when they started in F1, I don't know if you noticed with McLaren, it didn't go very well.

They were quite slow. Yeah, pretty slow. It took them. They entered in 2015 and McLaren. 2019, their winning races. So it took them four or five years to actually win a race. It's quite a long time. So giving themselves this buffer of end of the decade.

Calac is a sensible move. We saw when Mercedes as well, before the hybrid era started. which is 2014, they'd started working on their engine in 2010. So I know it's not quite this same. I know they're still hybrid engines. It's not quite the same big rule change, but it's important for them to give themselves this buffer.

So I think it's very sensible. They're going about this properly, which I am pleased to see. There's no, even though the entry is as of 26, there's no, there's no, not urgency. I'm not saying, I don't mean urgency, but they're not rushing to get an engine in the back of the car for the sake of the fact that they're entering very soon.

And I am pleased to see that they're going about it properly because the worst thing they could do is put an engine in the back of the car that's terrible. And it could ruin the whole project because you have a terrible engine in the back of the car. The car does badly poor results. And the whole thing you get pulled because it's not bringing in the results or marketing or exposure that the company's after. So I'm pleased they're doing this the right way.

Yeah, Spawn. It's far better than rushing it through. And it's far better to wait that extra year because, to Sam's point, Ferrari and this famous last words I appreciate, probably going to produce a pretty good engine because if Cadillac aren't winning, it's not going to be because of the Ferrari power unit. I'm pretty comfortable in saying that. So it's far better for them to wait that extra year to make sure that they aren't going to completely write off a year because they're not ready. So, yeah, I think this makes a lot of sense. There is something of a risk for Cadillac, and that risk is present regardless of what they do, to be fair, in that we don't yet know exactly what they're going to do from like 2030 onwards in terms of the engine formula, because we have had comments from Stefano Domenicali in the last six months or so, where he said he's open to changes in that 2030 formula,

potentially to increase noise, maybe it's other things. We don't know where the world is going to be exactly. So there is an element of Cadillac will go full steam ahead on a power unit for this set of regulations. We might get to 28, 29, and actually it changes for 2030, in which case they might get a full one year out of it. So there is definitely risk to this. I guess the other added risk is Cadillac doesn't have many friends in the effort. one paddock because no one wanted them there. So if you think they're going to get much help from any other team to indicate where the

regulations might go, they're probably not going to get it. The only team that they have a relationship with is Ferrari, but it's probably not in Ferrari's best interest to help them move away from their power units because that's helping Ferrari. So, but again, it's risky either way because what do you do? Be cautious at this stage and not invest because at that point, you're never going to catch up with these other teams that have vastly more experience in the sport. So it is a little bit damned if you do, damned if you don't. But I think it's safer to go for it because otherwise,

you're not catching up with the other teams. I think on that, you mentioned obviously they might get one year usage out of that. You obviously get the announcement well in advance. I don't think, I think Kagalak would pivot very early if they found that we're going to deploy for 29. They should be the first to pivot. Yeah, obviously. That makes a lot of sense. Equally, you'll remember, I think 2019.

In 2020, there were so many claims of F-1 engines are too complex, they're too expensive. It's putting off manufacturers from wanting to join the sport because it just costs too much money to understand the technology to get involved in the sport. And that is changed a lot since that point. And that's why we've had so many more manufacturers want to be a part of it. We've almost got the most manufacturers on the grid that we've ever had. And that trend is set to continue come the end of the decade. So actually, I think Kagalak now in a very good space to take their time to build that new

engine because hopefully the getting it wrong element shouldn't be as likely as it would should be if they have joined a decade ago. And they did what Honda did where they built an engine in quite possibly the most complex engine time across Formula One's history at that point where it was an absolute nightmare. So I'm hoping that with the time, the effort and the cash, they will get this one right and be relatively competitive from the bounce. Harry, if you look at some of the other teams that have either entered the sport recently or are about to enter the sport, you've got Hass who didn't have to worry about a power unit at all because they have ever since 2016 taken the Ferrari power units.

And then you've got Audi who are about to come in, who are essentially adopting a base team that has been salber for as long as we can remember. With Cadillac, you don't have either of those. they're going to have to focus on building a team up and making this power unit in the background. Are there any concerns about development whilst they are, I don't know, getting up to speed with the sport? Yeah, I'm sure. I'm sure there is going to be an element of that. But on the flip side, they're going to be in the sports. They'll be learning as they go.

And to be honest, that's probably the best way. You can have, I know, this is quite a niche example, but you look at Toyota when they joined the sport in 2002. They had a whole year beforehand of testing in 2001. So they just tested for, and that's when you could test all the time. But they could, you could do that now, I guess,

because if not in the sport, you can test what you want. And it worked and they won the title. Yeah, yeah. They won multiple titles. Alan McNish was the 2002 champion. Famously, the most objective, most successful driver and team pairing of all time. Yeah. So folks, for anyone doesn't realize they were not.

successful they won no races my racer my point being you can be on the sidelines building up your resources and Toyota a big manufacturer as gal like are you can be building up your resources

but whilst just solely focusing on that and not racing and it can serve you no good I don't think there's too much of a concern I think you'll actually serve in the world to be doing this because they'll be learning on the go about the sport but also they'll be learning about

just you know how the engine is running there wouldn't be quite the same Ferrari and their own engine but it will help they'll just have all this data knowledge that I don't think they'll have necessarily otherwise so it could rather be a hindrance I think it could be a positive thing what do you think Sam I completely agree completely echo what Harry said I think you can do all the research in the world but actually being out on track experiencing it being a part of the

sport gathering all that intel it just makes your life easy I'm not going go on about it because he's absolutely hitting out of the head for the example was sensational. Why don't you use as to pizza references or anything? Why do you actually use Formula One examples? I don't understand that. I just want to shout out Alan McNish and Olivier Pannis more often because they deserve it.

They deserve the hype. So do Saudi Arabia, to be fair, they're going to be fair. They have reinvested a lot. Ben Suleim is going to come down here and he's going to have a go at us in a minute. We won't understand though. The Qatar Airways of podcasting. I think there are a few concerns just because if you,

we have to go back a long way to Hass for the last time a team came into the sport. And Hass's model was just perfect for, I don't know, getting their feet under the table, right? Because... She's cheerful. Yeah, they had DeLara for the chassis. They had Ferrari for the power.

units. I'm not saying they had nothing to worry about, but they could really fully focus on what was happening on track because they didn't have any of these other distractions going on. Cadillac is going to have the challenge of building from the ground up and creating this power unit in the background. It could be a rocky first couple of years. Having said that, I am incredibly happy that they're going about it this way and they've been allowed to do it this way because it's what we want to see. We want to see these proper works teams, these manufacturers come in and really try and make it like they're there to try and win. You know based on their approach that they,

whether it will happen early on remains to be seen, but they are going to be there to win. The only thing, and I'm sure they don't need this advice because they'll be doing it anyway, 2025 is such a crucial year because I understand exactly what you're saying about the Toyota example, but from a budget cap perspective, they just need to invest as much as they can

whilst they don't have that scrutiny this year. We've seen Williams over the last couple of years, years question the budget cap and how they haven't been able to fully invest because they're restrained by that. But also when the budget cap came in, there was just such a difference in infrastructure. Cadillac has the opportunity to just for one year at least completely make that obsolete and go all out. So I'm sure they will anyway. But if you were looking for advice, which I'm sure you weren't Cadillac, there you go. One last question on this. We've spoken a bit on Cadillac and what drivers might be in the picture to get a seat.

Taking away from who it might be, Sam, when do you think these decisions should be made? Do you think they should be looking to make them quite early on in this season? Or should they be waiting for some of the market changes to flesh out and make a change later in the year? For they drive a line-ups? Yeah. I'll give you a really boring answer now, but it feels like you wait for the right opportunity to strike. I wouldn't rush, is what I'm saying there. I wouldn't sit there.

They shouldn't be leading. They should be following. Yeah, I think so. I do think that because they're an unknown quantity, they need to keep a finger on the pulse of the transfer market between drivers. It's all when a good sitting there and go, right, we've got, you know, Valtry boss has a reserve driver at Mercedes. He's a safe pair of hand.

And Sergio Perez has just been kicked out of Red Bull. So why not go for him? But you never know when a relationship might go down the toilet or when someone might kick off and go, this isn't for me anymore, or when a rookie might absolutely demolish Formula 2, you never thought to give them any time a day because they just weren't on your radar. But if you jump in too quickly, you close all your doors far too soon. They need to be a part of every single conversation. So every time a driver is speculative on where they're going,

every time a contract starts to run down, every time there's a possible rumor that they might be looking to leave or walk out the door, Kagalak needs to have someone in the room going, could we be an option? Do we want to be an option? What are you willing to bring to the team? How much is it going to cost us to bring you to the team? And that's how I think they really spread their wings, find the best option for them,

and deliver what is going to hopefully be a competitive entry when they do finally join the sport. Okay, let's take our final break on this episode. On the other side, we're playing late faking. Back, everyone. It's time for late faking. Where one answer is fake, and the other one's all right.

So help me, Christ, I'll make my decision in a second, Sam, you're going to have to wait because Ben made this game so hard, and I'm down by five. Big up to Hall of Famer Live Laugh-Lafla-Tee, as always for that intro. Late faking, six questions, and there are four answers in each question, but one of them, one of them's a pesky fake, and it's up to Sam and Harry to identify which one that is. Sam, you can start us off. Four, please, Ben. Number four.

Which of these drivers has not won a championship at the final race of a season? So three of them have... I'm going to stop there. Okay, fine. One of them hasn't. All right. Ayrton Senna.

Michael Schumacher. Alan Prost. And... Nicky louder. Nicker louder. I'm going to go with Nicky Lauder. Nicky Lauder has won

a championship at the final race overseas. Do you want to have a guess what the right answer was? I didn't listen to so don't. Showing my options. One of these days... Higher.

Every time Harry doesn't listen to a question. I'm going to take a point off. Start doing it. Put your foot down, man. It'll be at minus 90 by the end of the year. Oh dear. Edm Senna hasn't won a championship at the final race of a season.

Dan, that Japanese Grand Prix, I thought that's... They'd always have Adelaide after, wouldn't they? I'll say, would. I forget it exists because... Who cares? People can't... Sorry to all of Adelaide. It's been a while since I've been insulting

in a large region. That's fair. That's fair. Harry, over to you. Number four. No, that's a joke. on, man. Number one. Which of these drivers

has not on a championship? Right. Number one, I'm going to give you four seasons and they aren't spring, autumn and winter. 2000, 2000,

2020, 20, 20, 20, four seasons. In three of them, there have been fewer than four race winners. Three of them.

Does it if that make sense? Okay, so one of them that have been four than four. Race winners. Okay. Race winners. Gotcha.

203, 2015, 1988, 1988 and 2008. I really hope you throw like a rogue like 19602 in there because he never got that.

No. It's Harry probably fine away. Yeah. 2015, 88. And what was the last one? Sorry. 2008.

I really like that you didn't throw that in here continuity there, you just back and forth. Yeah. 2008? 2008 is the correct answer. 2023, 2015 and

1988 all had exactly three race winners. How many do you think they were in 2008? None of interest. Five. Well, there were exactly five. Well, was Hamilton, Massa, Reichenen, Kovallino, Alonzo.

Oh, Sebi Vett I think he missed one Button No, you're winning In 2008 Hamilton Covalinen, Reichen and Massa

Alonzo Sebivette And Bobby Kay Seven race winners Single-handedly won that Grand Prix No, no No, no, no

No, no No, no Back to you What number one would you like? Oh, I've got my one No, I'm taking it. I've got a six, please, Ben. Four drivers, three of them, have had at least 50 starts for McLaren.

One of them hasn't. I keep wishing you to stop halfway through the question. I can. It just makes your life a bit more difficult. You've got James Unt. Oh, James, Un. Cigarettes. Men, men, yeah, racing was racing. Hormon before racing.

Mickey Lound. Eurton Senna and Kimmy Reichenen. I don't know, Jeff. I love we do that impression, and James Hunt was terribly well-spoken, but we always go to like a proper gaza. We as fans, because that were... Yeah, maybe, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Martin Brundall fans from the Sena. We're the hooligans in Norfolk. Right, sorry, Kimmy Ryking, Ertisdels singer, Nikola. James... Bunch of ants. Blivey. I think James Hunt had less than 50,000 McClaren.

You are right to say that. He did. Of course you get the James Hunt question, right. Take up me closer. Harry's back to you. Nothing to do with James Hunt. I just love late faking. Ben, I've got no idea what numbers are left. Can you remind me?

You've got... Two, three and five. No idea, but I was confused about Ben. Number two, please. Number two. Four circuits. Three of them have started an F-1 season. One of them hasn't.

Okay. Brazil? Brazil. South Africa. Okay. It's tough on Africa. They're all World Cup destinations. Yeah.

Austria. And Mexico. Avocados from Austria. Mexico. Mexico's absolutely right. Well done. I remembered something from 2020. You did.

Come on. Sam, what number would you like? Harry, hit the button. Four drivers, three of them are in the top ten for points all time. One of them isn't. Oh, they're going to be 11, felt no. 12. Nico Rosberg.

Sergio Perez, Baltis, Baltas, Carlos Seines. Ooh, I'm going to go Carlos. You're absolutely right to go Carlos. Well done. which means we go back to Harriet, two all. If you get this right, sir, you win the game. But first, the even tougher question. You lose a point if you get this wrong.

Number five. Oh, he's on it. Yes. Can you give you four drivers. Three of them had a point after seven races of the 2024 season. One of them didn't. Okay. Kevin Magnuson.

Esteban Ockon. Pierre Gazley. and Daniel Ricardo. Kevin Magnuson. It is not Kevin Magnuson. Is it Danny Rick? It's not Danny Rick. Miami, I think, was a gym race.

He's about to say, great race in Miami. Pierre Gasley did not have a point after seven races. Yeah, he's in the first half. In the first quarter. Which means we end in a draw. Oh, that's the nicest way for Franks to end. in a draw yes

quite frankly we've wasted your time a draw might be somewhat underwhelming to some of our fans I don't know but I can tell you something that there is no chance

whatsoever anyone would ever call underwhelming it is the return it is the first of 2024 it is the one fan only God damn it I've killed the whole speech now a draw can be underwent LB Question of the week

Lovely Yeah it's the return of Elby question of the week And we asked the question What did Alpine do to convince Franco Colopinto To join them as a reserve driver And as usual, we have some wonderful answers There were a few that really caught my eye And then right at this very moment,

I've just seen this one from Tyler. Now, usually you have to really deliver a good joke, but it's just the way you've written this sentence, the Rissotori likes to cut of his jib. And the phrase cut of his jib is a sensational phrase, and that deserves a face on this show. Yep. J.D. Dunkley's made a really good point,

because Saudi Arabia has reinvested. It's a great point. It's not becoming a joke. It already has. Harry, I don't want to take this one because you have replied. I know, you go for it. You sure?

Yeah. All right. One shang ginger, regular Discord member as well. He's doing what's best for him. Come on. Excellent work. Ben, any jump out of you? Yeah, there was one from Nico.

And you'll soon see why I love this one so much because his answer was, in case do and go south and he replaces him. Yeah. Point. You've got the point there. Oh, good. My favourite kind of answers, people who just answered the question.

Like said they couldn't get anti-Sinoda. Obviously. Yana DeVos has said he secretly is one of Altma's nine kids. There it is. Before that, Joe was dying in 2025, you are wrong. There's one here which, I shouldn't say it, but I'm going to say it. Jim said he's been promised a bit of gassy sausage. and they always smell good.

Well, it's just an innocent butcher. A new year, but still the same weird countdown from C and C machinist. They've started doing our non-question of the week post.

Oh, no. It's because we weren't posting them for a little while. They've got to keep this up. Oh, by the way, on that, if you were listening just before the Christmas break,

we did a survey, not that long before, where we asked you to give some feedback on the podcast. There was one entry, and I can't possibly think who was from, where it was the same number posted for every single answer. Oh, no. You are a menace to say, I know who you are. What happens if we block you? What do you do then?

Well, they're clearly a listener, so that's not. I take this as a threat. Casey said this Colopinto feels threatened by the international success of Mr. Bean. Now any chance to get Mr. Being on the podcast I've all thought

because I think he's right up there with a Barry Mangolo shout if one of his Tadoy. Caddy. Sorry. Oops, all legends on Twitter said he was going to go to Hasse, but Gene doesn't know him. Aye.

Come on. when is Dan has gone for he's going deep undercover to bring down the French from the inside after Arkansas is fast as loud get up Franco oh dear I've missed this feature I think it might be the best thing we do

and all of them and is it because we basically don't make the content for it which reads stuff off on a page your correlation between good content and us not doing it Scott Scott. Yeah. All right.

Any others are we done? I'm not going to read it out, but there was one from ERISE 112, which is as long as war and peace. Oh, yeah, yeah. TLDR, let me know what the summary is. I'm sure it's really funny. Chat QPT, maybe you can summarize it for me.

I like this final one from Stephen, who has come out and said, what about flipping on his head? What's your favorite biscuit to dip in tea? He's asking us the question. No one has ever asked us the question. Yes, Greg, your point. I don't think I'm preparing for this.

No, no, we've got to answer the people. I mean, a chocolate digestive is always worthy. I love a hobnob. I was going to say hobnob. Quality choice is hobgub. Yeah. Just say hobgob a lot. Hobnob.

Hobnob. I love a nice biscuit. Nice. Oh, nice. I was really expecting, Harry, to go, yeah, but what biscuit do you choose? Thoughts of a bourbon? Yeah, like a boobo.

Has that ever been said on a podcast about F1? There's a lot of things that have ever going to be sitting on anytime, yeah, yeah. Would you rather have a bourbon or a custard cream? Custard cream. Love a custard cream. Bourbon, I reckon. Bourbon.

Do custard creams and bourbons exist outside of the UK? I don't care. What's your answer, some? I'm a custard cream guy. Oh. Could you raise your left hand for Bourbon, right hand for custard cream, please? Oh, but it's going to be opposite because they're on a screen. Custer cream!

For people on YouTube, she just did this on screen. Oh, dear. I think that's probably our sign to get out of it. That's definitely a sign to go. Oh, folks, thank you for listening to that. Let's know your rankings of those driver pairings. Let's have your thoughts on Kagalak. And let us know your thoughts on your folks.

Favorite biscuit to Duncan Tee, because that is the most crucial part of any F-1 podcast. If you'd like to talk to us more about biscuits and tea, you can join the Discord, the links in the description. Or you can pay to talk to us about biscuits and tea by joining the Patreon. You also get to listen to other content, two other brilliant episodes a month, a historical review episode. We're about to review the 20. What year is it again, Ben? 14. 14. Well, that's a worry.

I've watched the right one. Tony 14, Canadian Grand Prix, and we're going to be reviewing that one this month. You'll get a beer with Breaking, which we're recording together this month, very, very soon, which is going to be good fun. And then you'll get birthday shoutouts and the like. And everything is ag-free. So if you want to support the show and you can, we understand it's what for everyone. That is the best way to do it, and it's massively appreciated.

For us on social media, late breaking F1. Watch this upon YouTube with your very eyes, late-breaking F-1. And we'll see you back again on a Sunday for another brilliant episode. In the meantime, I've been Samuel Sage. I've been Ben Hocking. And I've been slowly scolding. And remember, keep breaking late. This podcast is part of the Sports Social Podcast Network.