The Late Braking F1 Podcast - Which drivers are most under pressure in 2022?

Episode Date: February 16, 2022

Who's going to be feeling the pressure in 2022? The LB boys give their opinions, and discuss the new points system for Sprint Races, before finishing up with a game of F1: Order Please. 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 Lake Breaking F1 podcast. Make sure to tune in for new episodes every Wednesday and Grand Prix Sunday. Hello and a very warm welcome to the Lake Breaking F1 podcast presented by Harry Ead, Sam Sage and me, Ben Hocking. We've got a ragey episode. We've got some topics listed down. And I've noticed that basically half the show is going to be about the things that the FIA have done recently. So, Sam, are you ready for Rage Fest, is what I'm going to call it?

Rage Fest, 2022. I think we should actually call it Sage Fest, because I am in a proper, giggly, silly mood this evening. From folks that don't listen to this, we have to do some stuff off air, and we've had a proper silly giggle. And I must admit, I'm on the brink of laughing too much now, and I'm having to hold it back in. So it's going to be a good fun time, as always. So kick back, relax, and get ragey. Sage Fest sounds like the worst festival in the world. Why?

Just people with lots of herbs. And I don't mean they don't feel of herbs. Cooking's great. Does everyone cooking, seasoning their cooking everywhere? It's just a field of people and pots and patterns. I would say that sage fest is the worst festival time, but unfortunately, Fyter existed or didn't exist, so it doesn't quite take that crown.

But you'd get him a good run for his money, I'm sure. Thanks, guys. No worries. We're going to move on from Fyterfus, unbelievably. Firefest, sorry, yes. We're so cool. Hey, we're down with the kids, all right? Literally, hang on mid to early 20s.

Yes. Order, please. F1, Order Please, is making its second ever appearance. on the podcast, which is very exciting. So if you haven't listened to us play that game before, that will be coming up at the end of today's show. And as referenced in the intro, we've got some FIA talking points.

So Frederick Ian Anderson is back at it again. We're going to be discussing the new protocol for shortened races in terms of the points distribution. And we're also going to be discussing the news that sprint races will come with eight points for the winner this year rather than three, and also where they're taking place as well. But we're going to kick off tonight's show with the top three drivers who are under the most pressure to perform in 2022.

So we'll each give our top three. And we'll start with you, Sam, on this one. So if you could take us through third down to first and why you've put them there. So very similar if you listened to our last episode we talked about with the teams. We are obviously going to do with drivers now. So under pressure, not to quote their famous rock band. in third place I've got Sebastian Vettel

as Crofty likes to use to call him and the reason for Vettel being on this list is actually I think more pressure from himself rather than the Formula One media sphere or the team I think the team have faith in Vettel I think he's an asset to Aston Martin as well The thing we've almost told them Aston Fartin

Honestly I am on the limit This evening I need you to not take the Mickey or I'm going to go. You cannot call... Oh dear! Oh, Jesus, loud. Sorry headphone users. You cannot call...

That wasn't even me. You cannot call a team Aston Fartin that has a guy called Mike Crack working for them. That's not going to work. Stop, please. Oh, serious face. People are just not can I listen to us anymore. Right, Askin Martin,

ang to Vasen Vettel. Semivet is under more pressure from himself over because of the success he found early on his career. We've heard him say that he doesn't just want to be a midfield runger. He wants to fight at the front. He doesn't see the point in racing unless he's at the front. And I feel like if Austin Martin do deliver a car that is capable of regular podiums or, you know, front five runging,

which is highly possible with this new era, of course. Then if he isn't leading that team, if he's got running at the front of that team, if he's got getting everything out of that car and gets halfway through the year and maybe Lank Strolly is comfortable in front. I feel like he could almost force himself out of the sport if it's not delivering what he expects at that point. So that's why he's third.

Second place is Mr. Alexander Albon. Back with Williams, of course. He is a separate entity in a way to Red Bull. No more crash testing and simulation for him this season. He's actually going to be doing it on the track. And I feel like this is the year that Alex Album gets to prove himself one more time. You know, it's Ghazly got the chance back at Alpha Tauri and has delivered. I think a lot of the Formula One world have a lot of faith in Gasly now and see him actually as one of the more prominent drivers on the grid. So it's worked out brilliantly for him in terms of his turnaround because us three included, the Formula One world was harsh to Gasly

and equally harsh to Alba when it didn't work out. Gassley managed to turn that around. And Almond hasn't really had the same chance. So this season, I feel like it's the one season he's got to really prove that he can still be a very relevant up-and-coming Formula One driver that in the years to come can make a move to a bigger team or could help Williams grow into the team they once were and deliver race wings and championships.

You know, it would be a really strong part of the line-up on the grid for years to come. And at the very top, number one on the list is late-breaking resident hall of famer, Yuki-Sungoda. Again, part of that Red Bull family. Again, almost treated with the same stick that we've seen from Pierre Gazley, Alex Albaugh. Of course, Yuki-Signola has not driven in that top flight

in the Red Bull seat yet, and I think it's sensible that he hasn't. Well, done Red Bull. but I do feel like he also got a lot of stick for a log of the season last time around where he just wasn't ready and it's okay he got elevated early they had to move someone into that seat they chose a youngster and I just hope they're generous with their time but there's every chance that this could fall apart for him and if he has another full season of breaking too late which you know we are advocates for here in the podcast we're not so much that you don't actually make the corner or you know crashing into walls and shaking that car's booty around France every practice

session, not ideal. You know, finishing on the track, finishing a place behind Gassley, maybe beating Gisley, getting your qualifying up to scratch and making sure you're in the same session as he is. These are all positive things, and I think Yuki needs to start delivering that. Otherwise, I feel like Yuki's F1 career, as saying as it would be, could be over well before it properly gets underway. So those are my top three, Vettling third, Albon second, and Yuki Sonda is first. Sunoda's called in.

He says he doesn't want to be a part of the Hall of Fame. more these two insulted. Sorry, you've lost the Hall of Fame. No, get back in, UK. We don't get a saying. We locked it. We locked in through with the key. Shacks in front of the door.

Can't take it back. Can't take it back. So, Sebastian Vessel, third, Alex Almond, second, and Yuki Sonona first. That's Sam's list of the three most drivers under the most pressure this year. Harry, what does your list look like? Kind of similar to Sam's, to be honest. But in third, I'm going to give it to Alex Albon. I already mentioned the sound list.

Yeah, it's a big year in that he needs to come back and, you know, bounce back A, from a year off of simulating battles on track, but also B, coming back off the back of the 2020 season, which wasn't great for him, a Red Bull, and I think he needs to prove to people that he used that driver that everyone knew he was in the lower formulas. So, yeah, I think it's a big year for him. You know, it's going to be difficult potentially to see what he can do,

and it might be all relative against older Nicky Lateef. But still, I think he's under a lot of pressure this year to show people what he can do. Number two, again, throw away the keys to the Hall of Fame here, so he doesn't get out, but it's Yuki Sonoda. Yeah, it's a big year. It's a big year for Little bit Yuki. We know how ruthless the Red Bull program can be, and as Sam already mentioned, yes, he was brought up too early,

but he's now had that year, and he now needs to start putting him in those performances that, you know, means he warrants a place in that Red Bull program because another year, like last year, where he only performs well at the first and last race probably isn't going to cut it. You can dive on Doughtry Bottas as much as you like. Sorry, Bottas and Alonzo as much he like,

but you've got to do it more than, like, twice a year, to be honest. So, yeah, he needs, to be honest, just a more consistent year. His problem was not lack of speed. It was, as I mentioned, not breaking the corners and then consequently putting it in the barrier. I think just to iron out some of those tricky points in his racecraft, and I think it'll be fine.

And then number one for me is another resident, late breaker, I guess, but it's Danny Ricardo. Not a great year for him last year, despite winning a race, but, you know, on the whole, outperformed by his younger teammate, and you might have put a bet on at the start of the year that he would outperform Lando.

I think if he had another up and down year, like he did last year, I think McLaren are going to seriously start evaluating their options on that second seat, because Lando is, as we mentioned last week, is completely tied in for at least another three years. And if McLaren is serious about winning, they don't want to drive

whose performance is wavering I personally think I think you'll have a better year we saw it with Renault but he's definitely under pressure to deliver the goods deliver the Danny Ricardo goods that we know he's capable

of delivering got some bad news I'm afraid Oh no is he agreed My list is completely wrong How do I know my list is wrong? Oh he agrees with us exactly the same as Harry's. Oh, no.

Oh, dear. It is literally, I'll give you the reasoning for it, but essentially, yes, it is exactly the same as Harry. So from Alex Albin's perspective, and this is obviously a driver that we've all put somewhere on the list, Sam's going to be slightly higher at second, but for me, Alex Albin is

going to be suffering somewhat from two pretty difficult reference points. What we expect of Alex Albin this year, and they do somewhat intertwine, we're expecting him to beat Nicholas Latifi, and we are expecting him to revive his career. That will be his expectations of what he needs to do.

The problem is he's got two very difficult reference points on both fronts in the beating Nicholas Latifi side of things. His reference point is George Russell, who did a pretty good job of it, particularly in qualifying. George Russell did a very sound job of being that lead Williams driver, and if Alex Albin falls short of that, which is entirely possible, and I would say, probable, he looks worse than Russell in that respect and it doesn't look great for him.

The other reference point, which is the revival side of things, his reference point is Pierre Gasly, who again has done a pretty good job of that. So if that's his reference point, he might not look good in comparison. Even if he does an okay job, it might not be as good a job as what Gasly's been able to do. So, you know, Gazley is the last person who was booted from the Red Bull program. their situations are different. It's important to note that. They're different in that Gazley got an opportunity straight away to prove himself with a new team. He was dropped for Red Bull and was picked up immediately again by Toro Rosso as it was back then. Albin hasn't had the same thing. Albin has had to go through that year out. And of course their situation is

not the same in that Albin isn't doing it in the junior team for Red Bull. He's having to go somewhere completely elsewhere. So it makes it more difficult on Albin and what his challenge is versus what Gazley's challenge was. But I don't know how much of a factor that's going to be for people considering his talent by the year's end. So those two reference points are going to make it difficult for Almond to have a good year. And just to actually add as well, obviously we're midway through livery season at the moment.

So we've seen about half or so. And I won't give away my thoughts on the Williams livery because that would spoil Pimp my F1 coming up in a few weeks time. But what I can say about the Williams livery, is there ain't a lot of sponsors on it. It looks pretty barren. So I said at the beginning of this year that even if Albin delivers an okay performance

where Red Bull don't want to pick him back up, he might just stay at Williams long term if that's good enough for them. The problem is I expected a few more sponsors on that car. So if they are struggling in that department, that helps Latifie out a great deal. Doesn't help out Albin quite as much. So he needs to perform this year.

number two on my list is yuki sonoda same reasons that you've given he's part of the red bull program that in itself brings enough pressure but there is going to be pressure from the junior drivers you know uri vips they might want to bring up they've got other challenges as well in f2 this year so we know we've experienced what red bull have done they might well get rid of him at some point if you had to put money on who might of all the drivers lose their seat at so some point during the season rather than at the end of the year, you'd probably look at Yuki Sonoda as the number one contender for that if he doesn't improve on where he was last year. And my number one is also Daniel Ricardo.

And for me, of the 20 drivers on the grid, his is the only one, he's the only guy who is having a career defining season this year. I really think 2022 matters a huge amount for him. Let's say it goes well for him. If it goes well for him and he's able to beat Lando Norris or he's very competitive, takes home race wins, whatever it might be, then suddenly people start to look at him in the same vein as he was back when he beat Vettel and he did such a good job at Renno and he was a match for Max Verstappen.

There was barely anything between the two of them. Suddenly people look at him in that way again if he has a good year this year. If he doesn't have a good year this year, I seriously worry for his future. Not necessarily in terms of having a seat, but in terms of having a seat. a good seat because I think if he loses to Lando Norris comfortably in the same way, he almost gives way to that new generation, the generation that includes Norris, but also Russell and Leclair and Verstappen. I don't think he will be seen in the same vein ever again if he loses to Lando Norris. I think he will be looked on, not as a has-been, that might be

too much, but just as a less, an option that is not quite as good as these young guys coming through. So I think this is really career defining for Ricardo. A not ideal option. Not ideal is how I would describe it. Hey, that's my line. Copyright. This is not ideal.

Sorry about that, Sam. Okay. Interestingly, so obviously you had Sebastian Vettel on your list Sam versus me and Harry not having him there. So I'm interested whether he was close to being on your

Harry. Yeah, I'd probably put him fourth, to be honest. Yeah, yeah, he's pretty interesting about that quickly then, but yeah, I think he's probably fourth just outside that top three because, again, I don't know if there's pressure from an outside, you know, I don't know whether the team would get rid of them, but I think, as Sam said from a personal perspective, it's, for Sebastian himself,

he'll want to, if the car's decent, he'll want to be fighting, well, I don't, you know, it's hard to say what that car will be, but if it's decent, he'll want to be fighting, you know, for podiums, whatever it may be, race wins, I think are unlikely, but, yeah, from personal points of view, I think he'll want to prove to himself that he can still consistently fight with the big guys, with the big gardens, because I think we saw glimpses of old semi-vet last year, but then there was, there was some slay. slip-ups as well. So I think for him, he'll want to iron out those slip-ups and be the consistent. I'm not saying he's going to be 2011 goat Sebastian Vessel, but somewhere closer to that,

I think he'll want to be. Yeah, he certainly factored into the consideration for me. Yeah, the reason I didn't put him on is if I'm looking at the three that I did put on, Alex Alburn, you know, he still has objectives that he hasn't hit, Yuki-Sanoda the same, Daniel Rekar as far as I'm aware, would like to be a world champion. I'd be a bit surprised if he didn't want to be a world champion. Nah. So for me, all of the guys that I put on the list have got aspirations that they are yet to hit, whereas Vettel is looking to re-hit, I guess you would say, aspiration,

which is why I didn't have him on the list. But again, I agree with you, Harry, and that he was close. Were there any other drivers that we haven't mentioned so far, Sam, that were sort of in your discussion? So, funny enough, I had Ricardo fourth for pretty much the reasons you said. But fifth, I think, and this is, I think we've dropped off a little bit now, but for fifth, for me, is actually Moses LeCler. I feel like if he has a season that, yes, Moses LeCler. Just to clarify for new listeners who might need a reference point there.

Previously God LeClair didn't have a great end of the season, so he's, at least for the moment, Moses LeCleur. bit of a demotion. Yeah, and I mean, if he hasn't got up or half the year, he could go to Noah, LeClair, we don't know. But regardless, you know, LeClaire did lose to Science last season, and I think those who immediately jumped on the bangwagon of LeCleur is washed out, he hasn't got the ability that everyone thought he did, and science is, you know, the best driver of all time. Science is bloody brilliant, there's no denying that, and LeClair is also incredibly good. And you need to look at some of the mitigating factors such as D&F's failures.

some of the issues that came a crop of the season. But if it happens again, if we have a second season in a row where Sykes beats out Lecler in his first two seasons at Ferrari, arguably the hardest team to assimilate into, then I think LeCler will have... I think Ferrari will have some questions for LeCleur rather than LeCleur just for himself. And I think that, you know, it won't be career over for LeCler.

He is more than good enough to be in Formula One for another decade at least. But I do think that that... number one future world multiple time world champion question becomes a bigger question than I don't think anyone's got any doubt in their minds at the moment that the colour is capable of doing it should science beat him twice in a row maybe it becomes slightly more doubtful so questions will come about but he wouldn't quite get the Nico Rosberg meme treatment is what you're saying I don't think so not quite yet no uh no career over from Nico Rosberg then good stuff He's not Britney Spears yet.

What a way to close off that statement. I can't think of a better way to do it. So we get into the Frederick Ian Anderson part of the podcast. Now the FIA, they have been meeting since we last spoke. And they've come up with a few solutions that we're going to discuss. And it's all going to be really positive. Maybe. Hold on to your hats, folks.

Hold on to your hats, indeed. So we'll start with sprint races. And I know we discussed sprint races last week and we're discussing it again this week because the point system has come out. So, spoiler, I'm not going to be here next week because this will probably kill me off. But it's been announced that eight points

will go to the winner of each of the three sprint races that are happening this year. So the point system last year was three for first, two for second, one for third. This year it's eight for first all the way down to 8th getting a solitary point. And they've been announced in terms of Brazil, so that was one last year as well,

but two new sprint races this year, Imola and Austria. Sam, we'll start with the points system, and then we'll go on to the actual circuits afterwards. But what's your thoughts on them awarding more points this year? So it's an interesting change, and one that I don't think a lot of people saw coming. I know the three of us have never discussed

the rumours around this. I don't think it was very well known that they were debating changing the way of the points being dished out. I mean, they've only had it for one year, but it wasn't exactly public knowledge that this was on the car and it was getting changed.

Eight points for first, one point for eight, and of course, filling the gaps in between. Initially, you look at that and you think eight points for first, seven points for second, six points for third. That's the same gap, right?

If we're going to have a, the Staff and Hamilton and one other driver top three every single time, you're not gaining anything extra. There's no gain, over first to third. It's not like 25 points for first, 18 points for second to see in the fall races. So in that sense, it doesn't make any difference. There is actually, I can't

believe I'm saying this, there is actually something I like about the fact that the lower down drivers are now incentivised to push for maybe some championship points. Should something happen where a driver who hasn't scored too many points suddenly finds themselves avoiding an incident and they're in eighth place, it's not just for qualifying where they're going to get overtaking in the race the next time. No, they could pick up a championship point. And I do think it means that they are stoking the fire of entertainment. They want to see people making last gas for tents for moves. They want to see people going for a dive to get eighth place because it could make the difference between you finishing in one place or another in the championship. So I think in that respect,

it's not a terrible idea because it doesn't change the top three. They're picking up the same difference in points. Yes, there's more points available, but it's the same difference in points. you've got more to lose if you were to crash or spin. That is the only difference there. So I actually like it for the midfield teams. I think it's more incentive to actually push yourself, have a bit of a risk, have a bit of fun. And as a viewer, I think we will see more attentive passes and more risks in trying to get up the field from drivers because they've got more to gain. So from that sense, I actually don't mind the points changes. I know I may be the only person with that viewpoint on this podcast, and we are still open to

hearing other points of view, which I'm curious to hear about. Just a limber up, folks. Just go out a power bar just to get himself ready. Here we go. So a lot of people in the Discord actually and on Twitter, we've seen a lot over the last couple of days basically asking for our views on this. So here we go. Just your views, Ben. They didn't care my name, Sam. We're not bothered. You're not bothered. I do have a bit of a notorious, angry show.

streak when it comes to sprint races and my blood pressure is already through the roof. But a lot of people seem to think that this will be an improvement because there is more at stake. So obviously there's more points available versus the actual races themselves on Sundays. So there's more at stake. And that increased stake will equal better racing. I understand the viewpoint. I don't think it's going to happen that way. And here's why.

The actual points difference doesn't really change. And I get what you're saying in terms of like eighth and seventh. And obviously they're fighting for points that they weren't previously fighting for. But the actual points between each position is still saying the same. It's still one point gained regardless of whether, you know, last year it was if you're in second, you're getting two points. If you go for the lead, what do you stand to gain? You stand to gain one point. That's still the same.

It's just seven to eight now. So there is that element of it. And what I would say is that if you think it's a good idea, and this actually applies to all points in sprint races, not just the lower points, but if you think it's a good idea to give out a point for eighth place in this form of qualifying, why would you also not think the same thing for traditional qualifying?

Because it should be a replacement. That's what it's there for. It's there to set the grid. So if you think the eighth place should get a point or any points should be distributed in a sprint qualifying session, they should also be applied in a traditional qualifying session, which I can't get behind on either front. And the reward is grid position.

I know there's more points available here, but ultimately it's still an extension of what the race is on Sunday. It's just an additional standing start. That's what it is. So the reward is still the grid position. and it seems to me that what they're trying to do is incentivise more overtaking and they don't want to get in a position where drivers are like, I don't want to go for this move because I don't want to surrender the grid position.

They would still have to do so. It's about whether the points are enough to convince them to do that. Here's the problem because it might well work for the eighth, seventh place positions, but I think it's going to backfire for the ones that are further up. So actually, let's go back to last year in a sprint race, and you're in second place, and you want to make a move on the leader. What do you stand to gain pole position for the Grand Prix, and you stand to gain one point? Obviously, it would be three points total, but you're only gaining one point on what you've already got.

So that's what you've got to gain. What have you got to lose? You could potentially be spun around and you have to start at the back. Let's translate it to this year. Again, what you're going to lose is exactly the same. you're still going to fret and go into the back of the grid because you're spearing or crash out or whatever. But what are you gaining?

Again, you're still gaining pole position if you're trying to make that move for first place and you are again still only gaining one point based on what you're already getting. But you're actually standing to lose way more rather than less because you've already got seven points in the bag if you just stay where you are.

Last year it was only two for the same position. So actually, I think you might find a position where you're in second place. I don't think they're going to be more incentivised to go for the lead. I think they're going to be less incentivised because they're going to say, I've got seven points in the bags if I just stay here right now. That's the equivalent of, well, it isn't equivalent of anything. It's the equivalent of a seventh place plus a faster slap point.

Pretty valuable points. I'm not going to go for the move. I'll stay where I am. I think it will backfire for the higher positions in the overall amount. And obviously, in terms of just Grand Prix meaning more than others, you could get 34 points from the Amilla Grand Prix or the Brazil Grand Prix this year and you can only get 26 from Silverstone and Monza.

I just, I don't like that concept at all. Harry, what's your thoughts on the whole point distribution? Come on, Haz! Yeah, I mean, does anyone care? Folks, do you care about that after Ben's run? Yeah, I'm with you. It absolutely reeks of Abu Dhabi 2014 and folks, that was, if you weren't working F1 then,

you got 50 points you got double points 50 points for a win there that is ridiculous terrible idea because I mean A Abby Dhabi's garbage why should it be worth more than any other race but yeah that's what it reeks of it

because like you say why why does a race weekend at Imola or Austria was it worth more than a race weekend at Monaco or Silverston or wherever else I hate that I get the point and I know what Sam's saying there

and I get the point. I know why they've done it and it's too incestified. And Ben, I hadn't actually thought about the other way around of them not going from me to the front. It might incentivise the ones at the 7th, 8th, 9th, but actually it might have the adverse effect in first, second, third. So I do understand what they're trying to do there.

But I think my overall feeling is just don't do it, lads. Just really don't do just just not trying to. polished this this this big steaming pile of poo because it is a big steaming pile of poo and no matter how much glitter you put on it it's not going to look any better so please stop uh it's just like yeah what why why can we not just have qualifying because it works and i think it's quite good in it quite good and i think we'll yeah it's regularly the best fit of the weekend yeah and and it and it

neatly decides the grid order. It happens on a Saturday and not on a Friday evening. I know that's a bit rich from three Brits, mowinging about the timings of stuff, but inconvenient 6 o'clock in the evening. People are still working in Europe. But it's just an odd time to have what is qualifying. And also, you get pole position.

You get awarded poll now. I didn't even want to touch it. I can't deal with it. Oh, here we go. have the sprint range which decides where you want to point yeah but just have this is my point stop stop bothering with it it's so stupid just have qualifying people like it stop trying to polish the parloropoo yeah there's a reason i avoided the definition because good lord i can't i can't in good faith.

Yeah, exactly. I didn't mention it for your sake, Harry, you know, actually editing it. Move on to the circuits that have been chosen and this this isn't going to be a massive surprise but I don't think I'd be in favour as sprint races regardless of what circuits they picked

shockingly enough. But even on this front, I think they've managed to outdo themselves in the ones that they've picked. So we know Brazil was one last year, so I'll avoid that, but they've picked up Imola and Austria this year. Now, we know that Imala, if you remember back to 2021 qualifying at Imola, that was very good. Lando Norris very nearly got P2. He did actually get P2 and then had the lap invalidated due to going wide at one of the corners. That was thrilling in itself. And the top three, the two

Red Bulls and Hamilton, there was less than a tenth between them. So it was really close. Great session. Qualifying around Imola. It's brilliant, isn't it? And now we're getting the sprint race there. And there's a very serious chance. I know we're hoping overtaking is going to be better this year versus last year.

You're going around a circuit where it's difficult to overtake. Everyone's going to be having the same tire for that sprint race. It screams procession. We'll see. But there's a big concern that that will be the case there. And the other one, Austria. Austria qualifyings are always great. Because it's only a one minute lap,

you get more laps there than anywhere else. And again, if you remember back to last year, what happened? We had a belter of a qualifying session where Lando Norris again features here because he did actually get P2 this time, but he almost got pole position. It was one corner that separated him from that.

Again, utterly thrilling, being stripped away. So not a massive fan of the circuits they've picked. Again, I will preface it and say, I don't think I'd be singing their praises regardless of which ones they've picked. Sam, your thoughts on the circuits? Oh, this is where glass half full, Sam, chucks all the water on the floor

and smashes the glass repeatedly under his own foot. Honestly, I can't believe. What are you doing? What are you doing in my swamp? FIA, Frederick Ian and Anderson. I can't believe it. The cheek to choose some of the best qualifying tracks

we ever get to see, firstly, you spit on the idea of qualifying, right? One of the best things about Formula One. It's so enjoyable. I sometimes get more exciting for Saturday than I do for Sunday. I'm sad like that. I like seeing cars go quickly round one lap. It's nice to have it be important. But the fact that you've decided to do it, at Imola, which, you know, Ben rightly said,

was incredibly thrilling to go back there and see them do qualifying. It was a brilliant session. And then Brazil, which, okay, I know it delivered a good race, but there was a lot of variables that made it a good sprint race. We had the Hamilton Vastap and Drama, Hamilton with a fresh power cutting through the field. That will not happen every single season. The chances are it will be a standard grid this time around. They're qualifying of Brazil normally, spectacular, especially with the weather that goes on.

And Austria, I don't need to bring it up, things already ticked every box with what happens in Austria. It's fantastic. You've got so many tracks we're qualifying is an average cadal affair. And also, we've got new tracks coming on. Give it to Miami to make it a spectacle. Put it in Cota, there's loads of places to overtake. Give it to bloody France,

where we all sit there and go, oh, it's France. Sorry to the French nation, love you dearly. The racetrack on the other hand, it's not Magnicor. Bring back Magnicor! Anyway, I'm fuming.

I'm fuming. Spell F-E-W, M-I-N-G. I am fuming at this choice. Why? Why have you chosen these three tracks? Why, I mean, as Harry, you've perfectly well referenced, you're really spit-shining

in this giant ball of turd to make it something appealing for the viewer. But honestly, honestly, just get rid of it. Either give it to every single track and make it the format we see week in week out

or just get rid of it. I am sick to death of it. There you go. That's my views. I mean, I personally can't wait until we get to Brazil and they have to disqualify Lewis Hamilton from pre-qualifying because I see any way.

It's exciting. So it's like, they look, they were like, well, we've only got three. Unfortunately, like guys, F-1, F-1, F-A guys, gathering. Frederick. Frederick, your mates, asking you to gather in. We've only got three. We wanted more than that this year, but bloody F-1

teams and all their power. We've only got three. Which ones should we do? And they all looked at each other, went, well, Brazil was exciting, and they were like, brilliant. We'd just have Brazil, and then we'll get two new ones. But you haven't looked at it because Brazil was only exciting because Lewis Hamilton was

making moves throughout the whole thing. Without that, what have you got? Nothing. So we've essentially reached a point here where one of two things has to be true. Either one, Brazil, Silverstone and Monza

are not very good circuits or sprint races are an awful idea. I don't know which one. We know what the answer is. Come on. Sorry, circuit designers. You're terrible at your gubs. I tell you what, I am more and more glad by the moment that I put a disclaimer at the top of the episode to say that this might be a bit of a rage fest.

Because it's ended out that way. Have you got any further thoughts on the circuit, Harry? No, I get on. Whatever. Yeah, get the bit. Stop it. Spots a bubble. Yeah. Good news is we're moving from something the FIA decided in the last week to something the FIA decided

in the last week. At the same meeting, at the same meeting, no less. So if you watch the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, hard luck. It existed, though, I'm afraid. And it lasted only a couple of laps where we think this is basically why this has come about. So they've now declared the FIA that if a race is two laps or fewer, it will be null and void and no points will be awarded whatsoever. but they've also given new points distributions for races that aren't complete.

So anything up to 25% of the overall race, points will be awarded to the top five drivers with the winner getting six points. Anything up to 50%. The winner will get 13 points and the top 9 will get points. And then anything up to... Yeah. And then anything up to 75%. That's where the top 10 will all get points and the winner will get 19 rather than the

usual 25 is given out for the main winner of a normal Grand Prix. So a lot of numbers there, Sam. Any initial thoughts? I mean, I'm not good at numbers on the best of days, but oh boy, hold on, let me just take off the sprint race poo cap and put on the, I hate the FIA poo cap, because this is another big bag of poo, isn't it? I mean, look at any other sport across the world. where do you have a breakdown like this?

I mean, we have our Discord, and again, if you want to get involved in more up on chat, join the Discord, the link to the description. If for some reason it's not working, contact us in one of our many social media accounts. But we talk about it there, and we brought this up. Me and Ben had a chat about this quite openly,

when we said, football, right? And the UK version of football, sorry, America. The one where you kick the ball with your feet. You know, you have to get, I think, it's 75 minutes into a match with severe weather difficulties. to even be considered as a winger or loser without it just being either rescheduled, post-voned or completely writting off.

Let's take the Olympics, right? 100 metre spring, Usain Bolt. Oh, the weather's come down, 20 metres into the race. Let's give him a quarter of the gold medal, and actually only the first two get counted. No, sorry, doesn't happen. Doesn't happen. This is a farcical joke.

It is ridiculous that someone can walk away with six points after two laps of running. I mean, we all know that the Belgian Grand Prix last year was a joke as it was. That was hilarious, and that even got counting as points, and they picked up half points. I'd argue that six is better than half, because of what they had to do. But nonetheless, this is just ridiculous. It should be 50% or more as a very big of,

and I would argue it should be 75% or more to pick up even the most basic amount of points. I'm sorry that you might turn up to a Grand Prix, and you want to see a race, and they only get to do, I don't know, 20 laps and nothing happens. That sucks, and F1, as a company should refund you properly and give the opportunity to see some racing, which by the way, they didn't do to the people that went to the source bar, so that's great. But this is just pure entertainment value, pure we want to build a championship, and it really diminishes the achievements of certain drivers,

the fact that the top five only scored points in certain occasions. Why does ninth get a point, but not tenths, get a point when usually they would, and yet they've all run the same distance, and they're all being competitive, it doesn't make any sense you can pick holding it for days and for your poor ear drums I'm not going to berate you any further but I think you get the gist

that I think this is an absolutely farcical ridiculous, hilarious giant poo-poo decision that Frederick Ian and Mr Anderson have made together and I dislike them very much for it so with Sam sitting on the fence on this one Harry are you also on that fence?

Sure Yeah It's the same Theory It reeks of I would not Not quite as much But it reeks of

I would Davy 2014 again Well why Why? First of all Why is it Only a certain point in the race That the Like 10th place

Becomes worthy of points Why But that makes no sense whatsoever And say This might be unlike your situation Say you get to a point where You started P11

and your whole strategy is based around going long, you're just, you're biding your time, you're going for the long strategy, you start on the hard tire, you're waiting from everyone else in the top 10 to stop. Say you're doing that and you've made a way up to 10th, but then the race gets cut short for whatever reason. How's that fair?

Anyway, that's stupid, but also, is it that two laps or less, null and void, three laps or more, void. No, sorry. Acceptable. So what's to stop just doing three laps behind the safety car again

and then you got sparred 2021? Like, come on. You've got to do 25% at least none of void. That's just asking for and it's highly unlikely we'll get another repeat. Probably going to happen now because I said that. But hardly unlikely

we'll get a repeat of Belgium 2021. Pause down in Bahrain. best ever downpour in the desert incoming thanks harry yeah you're just you're just you're just gonna end up with the same situation they've not all they've done is made it more complicated than it already was

all they had to do was just say look if it doesn't do you don't do 25% of the race in racing conditions this is not 25% behind the safety car then you're not get any points not two laps or less because that's just asking for, that's just a get-out,

as for people who are stupid, and we're not that stupid, even though we sound it. Arguable. I've said people or not. Yeah, it's true. I'm going to start with the positives here. There are positives.

Good, let's move on. No, there is a positive in this. I have found one. I had to look very hard, but I found one. We don't have to deal with any half-positive. anymore. Oh, that's, yeah, that's a positive half point there, sir. Unfortunately, Frederick, that's the only one.

The rest doesn't look so good. So yeah, I'm with you in terms of if it's fewer, if it's less than 50%, it should be null and void. And Sam sort of made the point that, you know, if a race lasts 20 laps or so, you know, it sucks for the person watching. but the thing is whether that's called a result or not called a result does it matter for the person watching they're going to feel let not let down because you know conditions are what they are and sometimes it's unavoidable but if you're

watching that and you aren't going to care if a result is given or not you've seen 20 laps of racing 20 laps of racing is the same regardless of whether the result is given or not so I don't think yeah it's all a bit of a mess I don't think you should get any points if the race is less than 50%. I wouldn't be against the 75% what you said, Sam, but at least 50%. At which point, award half points all the way up until the point where

you've done a full race. It's really simple. You don't need to do anything more complex. They've tried to work out here based on 25 and 50 and 75%. Why? They've overcomplicated a situation that just doesn't need it. And you are right, Harry, and that

you know, Belgium 21 was the first time. we needed reduced points in 12 years so there is a chance we don't we don't we get to 233 and this is the next time we're discussing it but which is kind of to the point of yeah why be this complicated about it um and just go back to you know the belgian Grand Prix specifically and I agree what you said Sam it's been treated awfully um you know this this almost gives them an out to say that they got a race like if you you know if you have having race say this season that lasts seven laps and then it's cooled off at that point and they go to that six points for the winner, you know that F1 are going to turn around and say,

yeah, you've got a race. Yeah, it was slightly shortened, but you've got a race by all official classification. We're not going to give you any refunds. And that's disappointing. It's absolutely fine that weather conditions will, there's nothing you can do about it. Sometimes they will override the competition and races will have to be cool. That is okay. and fans are going to be, even if the fans there are going to be disappointed, they will be accepting of it in the name of safety. So I'm very disappointed by all of this. And just to say, Sam, you use the football analogy here just for reference.

The analogy I was going to go for was a cooking competition where the judge goes and tells you to make a seven-course meal. He eats the starter and says, yeah, you won. Nice job. Good one. Like that. Don't want to taste the other six meals. meals but fine.

But yes, you're very valid with the football comparison. And I'm sure there's plenty more out there too. Can we do something fun now? Yeah, blind me. Sorry, sorry listeners. Yeah, that was a double whammy there for you. But good news is we've got F1 order please. This is the second time we've ever played this game. Let you know what it's all about in just a moment.

But of course, we first need to hear the dulcet tones of Samuel Sage singing us in. Whether it's a can of Coca-Cola or a lump of cheese, or we're ordering drivers by the size of their knees. This game is full of facts, just you wait and see. This is Formula One. Order, order, please. The wait and see is very aggressive in that. I like it.

You will wait and see. I guarantee it. You will wait and see. There will be good stuff. So to explain this game, Sam and Harry will take it in turns. I will give them a list of four items. They can be circuits, they can be drivers, they can be anything.

And I will tell them to list it in a certain order, so it could be from oldest to youngest, for example. They will give it a go. And then if they are right, they will win a point. But not only will they win a point, they will hear the noise of former House of Common Speaker John Burko saying the word order. I mean, I'm not sure what's the greater reward.

However, if they get it wrong, it gives the other person the opportunity to steal a point. But there is a caveat to that in that if the person tries to steal but also gets it wrong, they will lose a point. As Sam found out when he got negative points the first time we played this. Of course I did. Of course I think. There are six. Go on. Eagerlead listeners would know that when I remember, my previous incorrect answer for a quiz that we did last week,

it came from the first order, order, please. It was the Zolder conversation. But anyway, carry on. Indeed. So there are six overall tonight, so you'll take it in turns. So a number between one and six, I'll let you start this week, Sam. Just to annoy, Harry, I will go with two. Oh, he loves being annoying.

So the category for this, the category for this one is most races for Ferrari. So I'm going to give you four drivers. You need to list them in order of the races they've done for Ferrari. Kimmy Reikinen, Jeuner Lazy, your favourite, Jackie Ix, and Rubens Barakello. Oh, that's spicy. Okay. That's really spicy. Okay, I'm going to go from most to least, just for reference.

I think Rubens and Kimmy are going to be surprisingly close, but I'm going to say Kimmy most, Ruben's second, a lazy third, it's fourth. So you're going, okay, you're going Kimmy first, Rubens second, Jean-A-Lazy third and Jackie Ix fourth Yeah

He's actually doing a lap of His room right now What a start Sam is on the board With a point Kimmy Reichenen 151 Rubens Barakello 102

A lazy 79 And Ix 55 Not as close as I thought That's how wrong I am yeah to be honest I'm with you on that when I was researching this I thought Rubens and Kimmy

were going to be closer than that but yes you were correct I mean Kimmy was around for ages it's true it's very true but so was Rubens yeah but I think

because Kim Kimmy had 7 8 9 and then he went 14 15 16 17 17 18 God he was around for a while would he? He was a lot longer than I realise now I think about it go away Kimmy

come on all right So that's that one done. Harry, what number would you like? Over four, please. Number four. This is oldest to youngest, please. Okay.

And it's a list of Brits, just to bring out our Brit bias. So... Oh, I feel bends out. There he is. Yep. Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert,

Martin Brundle, and Nigel Mansell. As in how old they are they are now? How old they were 10 years ago, yeah, sure. I realized when I started saying that, that was a dumb question. So hang on, Dil, Herbert, Brundle, Dr. Nigel. Yes. Okay.

I am going to go with, I mean, that's hard, because Nigel Mansell walked around like an 83-year-old for his entire career. He did though, bless him. Okay, I'm going to go. Oldest is Nigel, Dr. Nigel. Then I'm going to go for Brundle. Yeah.

Then Herbert, then Hill. So you're going to go with Nigel Mansell first, Martin Brundle second, Johnny Herbert third, and then Damon Hill is the youngest of the four. Yes. Okay. It's not correct. So Sam, you can either stick with your one point. You're going to leave it alone. You're going to leave it alone. That's fine. So you don't lose any points. Out of interest, if you were to change anything that Harry put there, how would you have done it? I think I would have kept Dr. Geyge as the oldest. I think I would have then said,

that Herbert and Brundle will have swapped round. So Herbert next, then Brundle, then Hill. You did need to swap around Herbert, but not the right way. You actually got the last two the wrong way around, Harry. It was Nigel Mansell 68, Martin Brundle 62, Damon Hill 61, and Herbert 57. Oh, he's such a spring chicken. I think...

Johnny Herbert... It's because David Hill came into F1 when he was already like 30 something, wouldn't it? So that kind of, yeah, is a bit misleading. Johnny Herbert leads. Am I on minus 1 now, then? No, because you only lose a point when you try to steal and you are unsuccessful. So it's 1-0 to Sam after 2. Punished for thievery only.

1-3, 5 or 6, Sam. I'll keep the trend going. Six. All right, we're going with the even numbers to start. I'm interested here in who's had the most retirements down to the least. Michael Schumacher, Emerson Fittipaldi, Andrea de Chesaris and Lewis Hamilton. Oh, crumbs.

This is going to be straight out of a cap, folks, because I have got no clue. I'm going to say Fittipaldi the most De Cheserous Thurg most After that Then Schumacher You know what I'm saying

Then Hamilton You're just going to avoid which order you went in there Like what was Fitapowdy with the most Hamilton with the least Sorry my poor English has got mixed up Got it It's a simple concept

But I feel like we both struggle with order As names of English speakers It's amazing how badly we do it Sam your winning streak is over I'm afraid that one's not right Yeah well that's fine Expected Harry would you like to attempt to steal here or not

Yeah go on go on it He's going for it What was Sam's order again Sam's order was Fitapaldi De Chesaris Schumacher Hamilton I'll swap the top two

I'll go for DeCesaris then I can't say his name properly. You'll keep Schumacher and Hamilton in place in third and then fourth respectively. Harry is in the minuses. Oh no. It's one minus one. So what age?

So Fitzapalini needed to move down even further than that, I'm afraid. So de Chesaris was first and by a long way. He's had 147 retirements, which is tied most of all time. What? Then it's Michael Schumacher. with 68, and then it's Fitipaldi with 50, and then it's Lewis Hamilton

with just 27 retirements. I thought this was a trick question, that's why. I thought one of them was going to sit very high at the top, but it was going to be one of the world chance. The Chesaris was called DeCrasheris. Yeah, for good reasons. I didn't even know that.

You should have said that. I mean, you did say that, actually, to be fair. I did, I just didn't realize Emma was a bloody God. All right. Harry, here's your objective, Harry. Get back to zero points. You could do it.

Which odd number would you like? Let's go for three, please. Okay. How many Grand Prix? So I've got four drivers here who have not won a Grand Prix. I want you to list them in terms of number of Grand Prix from most to least. So Jean-Tons is going to be very happy about the first one, but Pedro Dines

is on this one Pedro Denez Carlos Sines Man who sits on under a tree Nick Heidefeld and Camui Kobayashi Oh that's difficult

I'll go for Nick Heidfeld As the most number of races Without a win Yeah I mean Pedro Denez I don't remember

When he was driving How many races Is he done anyway I'll get yeah Heidfeld Carlos Seins

Kermayashi Dinitz It's not correct I'm afraid Sam would you like an attempt at a steal Can I have the games again please

I'm finding very difficult to remember them Deniz Signs Heidfeld Kabayashi I'm not getting involved I've got a two point lead

I've got I'm not going to I'm not gambling I thought you had this one Harry It's just the last two with the other way around. Damn it. Hydefeld 183, signs 140. Denise with 98 and Kobayashi with 75.

So very close, but not quite. So Sam, if you get this right... I won't. Well, if you get this right, you've won. You can even get this wrong and win as long as Harry doesn't also get it right by stealing. Do you want number one or number five? I'll have number one.

Need you to think back not to last season but the season before. So I want you to list them in terms of most points in 2020, from most to least. So we've got Sergio Perez, Alex Albin, Lance Stroll and Lando Norris, points from 2020. And that was the shorting season. Okay, so most points to least, right? Most points to least points. I'm not telling you how many they've scored, there's no charts. I'll be wrong instantly.

Okay, so hold on, I'm going to write the games down, I'm taking this very seriously. So Perez, Albon, scroll, and science. Norris was the last one. Norris, thank you. Okay. Oh, crumbs. I'm going to go with Perez the most, then going to. Norris, then Album,

then Stroll. That is incorrect, I'm afraid. Harry, get it wrong! Harry, you can... It's your choice whether you want to steal or not, but you can't win if you don't, so I'd probably go for it. Yeah, go on.

How would you like to change the order? Who would the drivers again? Oh, for Christ's sake. So Sam's order was Perez, Norris, Albon, and then Lanchdrol. I'm going to have to write it down as well. Two tics. No, sorry.

There's a lot of stake here. It's forward. Yeah, yeah. Perez, Norris, Albon. Harry, please. Harry, please get it. Please go get wrong. I don't, to be honest,

I don't have any clue as to whether, which order of these are going to go in. You'll get it right. Accidentally, so I don't repeat that. Perez, Norris, Albon, Stroll is the order he went for. I'll go for. Oh god, the pressure.

I'll go for... I don't know. Can you tie him out, please? Perez, Norris, Alonstrel. I'll go for... I'll keep Perez first. I'll put... Albon second, Norris, then, stroll.

Perez, Albon, Norris, Stroll. Godda! God damn it! Harry, this seems to be a weekly theme of these quizzes because Harry has yet again got a chance to scrape a drawer out of this. It's one nil to Sam. On the last one, you've got number five, Harry. So if you get this right, it's all tied up.

All I need to do on this one is pole positions from most to least. Oh, Christ's sake. Lewis Hamilton. The drivers are. Pedro thing is Nico Rosberg Ra I'm gone

In case I get to steal Valtry Bottas Felipe Massa And your favourite Jack Vildov Crikey I'll go for I will go for

Bottas first Then I'll go for Nico Rosberg then I'll go for Massa then Villeneuve If he's got this right Sam He's stolen another win from you It definitely has as well

Because that's the other I've put And I actually think I know this one Which I'm really annoyed about Harry has gone for Bottas Rosberg Massa And then Vilnav Which ladies and gentlemen Is not correct

Oh Sam win Sam Oh, hang on a minute, no. This isn't done yet. Sam, do you want to try and steal this? If you say yes and get it wrong, I think you've made a good call there.

Oh, no chance. Pretty close, actually, on this. It's just boss ass and Rosberg for the wrong way around, Harry. That was the one not. Robesburg. I'm so happy because. I can put your order. Rosberg 30, Bottas

20, Massa 16, Villeneuve, 13. So, a bit cruel, I actually gave it to you, the answers to you with the right order on that one. You didn't have to do anything to it.

Oh, crafting. Yeah. You're in a utter... I was mad to say, you're only creating it work for yourself by what you call me there, so... Good bit of self-editing there. High-five.

Harry listening, high-five yourself. Sorry. to all headphone users if that was loud. It's a very big moment for me. Yeah, I can have to edit that one. Sorry. Put your levels down right down. But it won't need to edit the sound of Sam singing his own victory.

Whether it's a can of Coca-Cola or a lump of cheese, or we're ordering drivers by the size of their knees. This game is full of facts, just you wait and see. This is Formula One. Order, order, please. I hope Big John ever hears my impression. you know. Yeah, I really hope it does hear that.

This has been a chaotic one, isn't it? Proper chaotic. And before I... You'll get a one-star review for this. Yeah, no doubt. Before I hand it over to Sam to close out this episode, I do have one more thing to say.

Next week. Teammate wars! Woo! Teammate wars coming up next week but Sam until then get us out of here Folks if you don't what teammate wars is

that is where we decide who is going to win in each team and then we place essentially a season long betting game on beating each other so it's a fun one to take part

and make your own list as well see if you beat us come back for that because that is big if you've enjoyed the strangely raging episode with lots of volume again apologies

then you know think about subscribing head to the Discord if you've listened for a long time, you think, oh, I really like these guys. Firstly, you're a strange person. Secondly, Patreon. Think about it.

Why not? We appreciate all the love and support that you do show us, regardless of what you're doing. Thank you for sticking around. Join the Discord. Pour us on our socials if you'd like to. And we will be back next week and many more weeks. And, of course, every race Sunday when the season starts. Just remember that, folks.

The season's coming soon. In the meantime, I've been Samuel Sage. I've been Ben Hocking. And I've been John Burko. And remember, keep breaking late. So many creepings. Past is part of the Sports Social Podcast Network.