The Late Braking F1 Podcast - Who needs to impress before the F1 summer break?

Episode Date: June 22, 2025

With just three races to go before the summer break, pressure is mounting for some F1 drivers. The LB trio reunite to discuss who's under the most heat to step up. They also cover James Vowles’ commitment to Williams, the Canadian GP extension, and wrap up with a round of Back and Forth... 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! TIDE: Save more, earn more—up to 4.22% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tide.co/savings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 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. On this non-race weekend Sunday, Sam, but it's a good day because the LB trio is back together. You're not hungover. Sun is shining. Everything's great.

find the lie in that sentence yeah like I know Harry's not here that's the lie because he is it looking gorgeous

handsome man yeah we're all back finally as a trio talking F1 which is the best thing ever to talk about a lovely sunny Sunday I've got a cup of tea of course Harry's got a beer

Ben are you hydrating us all on this hot day I will join you in tea club ah tea club the best club too hot. I've seen a lot of chatter on Twitter or X, if you want to call it that, about Brits being annoyed about the heat wave, mainly by Americans.

But it's been so hot, okay? We don't have air conditioning anywhere. It's too hot. I need to live in Asda, because that's the only place that's got air conk in the frozen aisle. For our audience, this is an awful thing to say. Shut up, America.

We really love you. Please don't go anywhere. way. It's a great start. It is a great start, but we've got plenty to talk about. We've got contracts galore. We've got the Canadian GP extending its contract until 2035. James Vowles extending his contract at Williams. He's not a circuit. He's a team boss. But it's a contract nonetheless. If anyone could be a circuit, it would be James Vowls. But we're going to start with a top three list. We are 10 races into the 2025 season, 14 still to go, but we only have four left until

we hit the summer break. So we've got Austria this time next week, Silverstone the week after, and then Belgium on the 27th before Hungary on the 3rd of August. So four races to go, summer break tends to be a good time for drivers to reset, teams to sometimes make changes. So Sam, with that in mind, we're going to go with the top three drivers that need a good run before we get to that summer break. Who's number three on your list? I'm going Franco Colopinto, see yourself.

The poor chap's coming, and we have heaps of praise upon him when he was at Williams. He was the definition of fast and silly, chaotic, crashing into lots of walls, but it was aggressive. It was fast. It was spicy to watch. And he brought a lot of fun, and then he comes into Alpine. and it's been very transparent, no existence, quiet, which is not what you want from a Formula One driver. And I do think that whilst Canada was an improvement for him

and pretty his best race that he's had since he's come back into the sport, it still wasn't anything really to write home about. He wasn't really blowing out the water with that, that famous expression that I now use. It's not you being blown out of the water, it's Connoffinty. Oh, he's blowing me out the water. You know, he had a good race, but it certainly wasn't anything spectacular. And he needs to continue to build on that momentum that when we get into the summer break,

the likes of Flavio and he have a falling apart Alpine team currently, look at their driver line up and go, you know what, out of all the things that we should be changing, that's fine. We can deal with that. And he needs to be on that secure side of thing. So for me, it's Colopinto as number three. Variety is the spice of life. Francoe Colopinto is number three for me.

No spice here. No spice whatsoever. Absolutely as mild as can possibly be on the Nando scale. I don't even know. You're so living in her, Ben. I actually am as well. And I don't, I am no shame whatsoever. Own it.

Embrace it. First note, I've got Franco Colopinto. Does he even get four races? We'll see. I don't know. I think based on how he performed in Canada, it's more than likely he will at least get the next four races because that was far better than anything we saw from him

in the triple header that he got before that. But Alpine is just so chaotic to the point where I feel like Colopinto just needs to set himself these mini checkpoints. It's not even a good four races will get him a contract until the end of the year. I think it's a good four races will get you until Singapore, probably. And that's the next point that they might consider making a change. we'll see how it goes.

I honestly think this is more about from Briatore's side, can he see him in his 2026 lineup? It's not even too much about how he's performing this year. It's more about the potential of what he could be next year. I still think we're like Jack doing, for example. I know he wasn't performing as he needed to. But I don't think it was a case of his performances aren't up to scratch. We're not sure he'll score enough points this year.

I think it was more of a, I can't see that guy in our team in 2026. when in theory we could be stronger. Biritori, again, has set Alpine some lofty targets about winning races. He'll need the line up to do that and a lot of other things that are not currently in place. So Colopinto is very much in need of a strong few races. Harry, I'm hoping the next two words out of your mouth are not Franco Colopinto. You're right, they're not. They are Yuki Sonoda.

he could do with a good solid run of races going towards the summer break and yeah we've spoken at length about the second Red Bulls seat and the problems there and that it's not all down to the driver but he just needs it doesn't have to set the world alight I just think he needs a very solid consistent run

where there's not engine penalties involved or whatever but where he is delivering consistent points he doesn't have to be right next to this happen quite frankly at this point I think just delivering consistent points just to show that he's the right person for that seat because we've seen how Ruthless Red Bull have been in the past

and he used to say they wouldn't look at change it I mean I don't know who they change him for but they'll find someone I'll find someone to Frank had got a Pinto probably but yeah he used to say that they won't make another change before the end of the year if it carries on or gets worse for Sonoda.

He just needs a solid run just to take him into that summer break so he can build that sort of momentum into the second half of the season. So I'm going to go for you here for Yuki first. Sorry, third. I mean, who knows what order these are in, right? Are we talking like fifth, sixth place finishes is like, would that be, do you think enough for now?

I think so. And I will say this. I think it will depend where Vestappen is in that race. So if Vastappen is up in first or second or fighting for that win, then yeah, I think fifth, sixth, seventh, maybe at maximum. If the red ball's clearly slower and Vastappen isn't that high up, then I think Sonoda has the right to be slightly further down that top 10. But I think as long as he is still scoring good points,

I think that'll be enough. He just needs to show that he can be a bit closer to Vestappen, but also he could just consistently consistently there. Sam, after Colopinto is third, who is second on your list? Lano Norris, second on my list. And this isn't, from a negative point of view, this isn't, you know, like with Colopinto or maybe Sondola, where a drive might be at stake.

We want this championship to stay alive. We want to have a great season. We'll go through the season to the end of it. We want to have every race with there's something to fight for. And after Canada, there's every chance that that sets him back, both in a mental capacity where he ends up feeling anxious or he ends up overthinking what's going on in terms of that car and the team dynamic.

And that could affect his form. We've seen it affect his form before. We don't want that to happen again. So I think Landon Norris is to do what he does brilliantly. He needs to turn up, nail qualifying, he needs to get into that top two, top three. And then he needs to show some of that raw pace that he's delivered. Because his raw pace of Canada before the instant,

arguably the fastest on the racetrack. But he used to do that from the front too and then get into the race wing. And I think if he can wing two of the X3 and fight right up there at the front with Piastri in terms of the championship, we're going to have a great time as viewers. And secondly, he would be much better because when his form is on top, he's a fantastic race driver and we can see a real talent there. He just needs to get a bit of that form going his way. Harry, who's number two on your list?

He's already been mentioned, so I won't go into it too much. But Franco Colopinto, it's number two on my list. Sorry, Franco. Yeah, it's not been. It's been almost the opposite of what he did when he joined that Williams car last year. And you're right, Canada was definitely better for him, but he needs some better results fast because who knows what amount of races he's actually been given slash what they said that he's going to have. They don't know. They don't know.

It could be race by race this contract he's got. Who knows? and I wouldn't put it past Slavia to do that. So, yeah, he needs some stronger form very soon because there's a reason they got rid of Jack doing. And they can't keep, they can't justify this for much longer if Colopinta carries on the same way. And then where do they go?

Because that's even, I'd say Rebel have maybe a couple of options. They're not great. Alpine, don't know. Maybe Jack doing again. I'd bring him back. Sergio Paris My Shafgauer Any of your kids want to get in

or you busy? Yeah This is part of the hundred race flying, Otma? You're getting in the car? Yeah, Colin Peter desperately needs desperately needs some good results

very, very soon. Number two on my list. I haven't had the opportunity to do this in a little while. This is a YouTube exclusive and I know you hate it, but,

oh, oh, the 2 L have come out. It's Liam Lawson. That's not, that's excellent. It's been a while. Is it? The problem is you've said is excellent now, so just going to keep doing it. This is a results-orientated business, and those results don't look great.

There can be, I think, where you're not performing on the level of your teammates, some mitigating circumstances. It's difficult to find where they are for Lawson. So if you look at, say, Carlos Sines this year, who's underperforming a little bit versus Alex Alburn, it's his first year at the team compared to Albin who's been there for quite a while. Antonelli, he's a long way behind George Russell. He's a rookie, and George Russell is a pretty great driver. Lewis Hamilton, he's a bit of a way behind Charles Aclare. He's the most successful driver in the sport.

He gets something of a pass. And then Fernando Alonzo, who has had, despite what some people will tell you, pretty bad luck so far this year. with Liam Lawson, what's the mitigating circumstance outside of the fact that he didn't start at that team at the beginning of the year? I feel like that switch that happened after China, you give him a few races grace period, but not up to race 10. And so far, Hajar is 214 clear in terms of points. And I don't think Hadjar has been outqualified by Lawson at this point either. And of course, Hajar, again, is a rookie and quite a bit.

younger than Lawson. So, yeah, he could do with a few solid races. Wouldn't shock me if that's not the only time we hear Liam Lawson's name. We'll see. Sam, number one. Prepare to be shocked because it's the double LLs of Liam Larson. I must be a trinch. I wouldn't do that.

Oh, yeah, it's horrible, actually, that. I feel quite sick. Yeah, so everything you said, Bear Bang, I won't drag it out too long. but I think Liam's biggest concern should be, of course, the early application for a license from Arvin Niblad as part of the Red Bull family. He is clearly doing a good job in Formula 2. He's right up there in the standings. I think third currently as we record this, the youngest in the category.

And he is delivering really consistent results. And if Lawson is going to continue to not deliver results against the likes of Hajar, who is a rookie, of course, could get anything done in the Red Bull second seat against Max Stapham. And not only that, he treats a Formula One race like absolute wreckfest. That man just drives around taking parts of his and other people's cars for fun. Every race, it's like, oh, I got the crash. I'm just going to hit someone, just because I can.

I think that they will start to look elsewhere, because I think that Arvin Nimbled will deliver at least the same amount of speed. Yes, that's disappointing, but what are they losing by stopping out this driver at this point? So I think that Liam Lawson probably needs of maybe a points finish. It needs to out qualify Hajar at least once. It needs to show that he's able to get through a grown, without causing absolute chaos for his side of the garage, for any chance for him to be kept in that seat coming in the end of the season

because whilst I don't know if they'll make an immediate swap in the summer break, I do think that they might have already reserved judgment on Limbla had to go we're happy with where we are, but with Liam Lorson, it might be, if you go deliver now, come Christmas, we'll see you later. I think we're almost there. I almost feel for Liam Lawson because obviously he struggled, I know for only two races against Vestappen, who, you know, one of, if not one of the greatest in the sport at the moment.

And they dumped him. But at least he must have been thinking, well, I've got a rookie to go against now. So at least that'll be better. And then that rookie turns out to be maybe rookie of the season. So it's been a tough, tough way. I mean, it's not a good year at all. And I'm not trying to excuse him. But he must have at least thought things would get better at racing boards and they haven't.

I'm obviously not hoping for this. but there's a chance that within the space of like a year, it's going to go from Lawson not having a seat to having a midfield seat, to having a seat that was good enough to win someone a driver's championship, to a midfield seat to nothing. Like that would be a weird like career curve

within the space of maybe 12 months. We'll see how it plays out, of course. Harry, who's number one on your list? All the British bias incoming. Lander Norris. is number one on my list. Look, that's obviously different to the other ones

as you said, Sam, this isn't a fighting for your seat, etc. But I think a driver that needs a really strong run of races. And it's something we've spoken about in the past that Norris hasn't necessarily delivered a consistent run

where his teammate has. But yes, a driver the needs a consistent, good run of races going into the summer. Right is Landon Norris, especially off the back of Canada. I think it's otherwise, given that it wasn't a great race for McLaren, but he also still lost 12 points to his teammate who didn't even finish on the podium.

He needs to have, even if they're not winning, and you'd suspect they will still be competitive out at the front, but even if they're not winning, he still needs to be finishing in front of Piastri at all of these remaining three races before the summer break. Just for obviously taking points. away. But just just the mentally and psychologically to have that over, over piastri going into the break, I think is going to be super important for Norris. So yeah, he's my number one. I know it will

seem harsh, but I think in terms of the championship, as he said, Sam, this is going to be super important now these next few. And one of them is his own home race as well. So just add a bit more pressure to the situation there. Same sort of angle for me, but a different drive. again, thinking of the championship or the potential lack of one, my number one is Max Verstappen. Again, I've selected Colopinto and Lawson as the first two of my list. They're very much about keeping their seats. I think Verstappen's going to keep his seat.

I do think that will happen, even if he is an absolute hairpin merchant. That's discussed on the last episode. I would like to see from a pure, like, neutral perspective, a championship fight. There is a question mark about whether Lando Norris will be in that fight. There's also a question about whether Vestappa can stay in that fight as well. So he's 43 behind Piastri at the moment. He's 21 behind Lando Norris.

I think he needs to, at a minimum, make sure that gap doesn't increase over the next four races and ideally reduce that gap a little bit to both McLarence. and being a factor is important in that driver's championship because it impacts the way McLaren can race. We've already somewhat seen it with the last race in Canada, the way in which Piastri and Norris fought each other on track. The only reason I think they fought on track the way that they did is because of how comfortable they are right now,

particularly in the Constructors Championship, but also to an extent in the Drivers' Championship. I think that situation is way different if the staff, is closer in the driver's championship, particularly if they get to a point of having to maybe prioritize one driver over the other. For example, let's imagine Vestappen can find a way to get ahead of Norris in the driver's championship, but not Piastri. If Norris is leading a race and Piastri second and Vastappan is third, but closing in

on them, do they make the switch? I think Vestappen just needs to be in a spot where McLaren are having to ask those questions of themselves because if history tells us anything over the last year, they're not great at answering those questions. That's where we get Papa rules from. So we'll see. But I'd like to at least, you know, just on the fringe of a fight, that's potentially quite exciting. That's our top three. Let us know if we've got the order right and wrong. Let's know if we've got the drivers right and wrong. I'm sure there'll be plenty of others that we haven't mentioned that you think should be a part of this list and vice versa. So do let us know, Discord in the comments, in a review,

wherever you can find us, basically. Let's take our first break on this episode. On the other side, we're talking James Vowles. Welcome back, everyone. Honestly, it's been a great break, but we are back from it. Microsoft Word is open, and it was definitely open before we went to break as well. Other products are available? Are they, though? Google pages pretty good. Wow, all right. James Vals has signed a new long-term contract with Williams, having led a major restructure since joining from Mercedes in 2023. The team currently sits fifth in the standings, more than the last three seasons combined in terms of points.

And he was instrumental in securing Carlos signs to partner Alex Albin. James Vowse said, I am delighted to sign a new contract with Atlassian Williams Racing, which has felt like home from the moment I walked through the door. We are all united in our ambition to build on our legacy, and win world championships again. Matthew Savage, chairman of Williams, added, you can sense the momentum we are building at Grove

and are excited about what lies ahead. Harry, how much of a boost is this for the team? It's huge and something they've not had for quite some time. So, yeah, it's the right move. It's the sensible move. And I'm glad that, by the way, Matthew Savage, great name. Really like that as a name.

Jealous, yeah. Yeah. Really funny if he wasn't. He was just really kind and gentle. I bet he is. Calm. Yeah. But I'm really happy to see the people, you know,

Dorotin and the investors are backing James Vowler. And because it would have been super easy for them to expect results immediately, etc. as a lot of, you know, investors in teams sometimes do. And get rid of them because it's clearly there's been a turnaround of Williams, but they're not where they want to be. We know that that is for 2026 and beyond. This is a long-term project.

And I'm glad that they see that. On the other hand, James Vals is also selling dreams again because that's all he does. And he sold them another fresh batch of dreams. to get that extension. Straight out the oven. Yeah. Piping hot.

But he, yeah, he's clearly brought them into the vision, though, of what he's trying to do. And I think, you know, obviously the signing of Carlos Sines, that must have helped. But this is a long-term project. And it would be wrong for them to get rid of the person who's behind that being James Fowles. So this is a big big. for the team, the consistency is correct. Is exactly what they need

because he's doing a lot of work behind the scenes. This is a person that came from Mercedes and I think was almost slightly shocked when he got to Williams at how out of date a lot of their equipment was, the infrastructure. So getting rid of him would have been completely ridiculous. I think that he's the right person for the job

for William. So it's like, it's almost the obvious moves, but sometimes the obvious move doesn't happen in F1 so I'm just glad the sensible decision has been made and they, you know,

this was one part they can relax about James Fathers is here to stay let's get on with the job. Good news for the team, Sam. Sings social news for the team. The only thing I can attribute this to is as you mentioned,

Harry, he turned up to Williams who was like, why are you guys working in the Stone Age? Why are you making the car out of marble rocks with hand tools and not using what every other Formula One team uses?

It's very similar, sorry, football and allergy incoming, soccer Americans. It's almost like the school of Pepcadiole, where he came from like Toto Wolf's school. You have Shabby Alonzo, Alta, Moresco, all these fantastic managers that came from Pep Guardiola and learn this incredible way to manage and build a unit. And James Vowel's left to the school of Toto Wolf. And if you knew to Formula One, that man with big hands is quite successful. And now he's gone to Williams and he's been given some proper tools and he's been given some resources and he's actually started to turn Williams around.

We're seeing proper progression there. You kind of have to ask yourself as Williams, why wouldn't you keep on James Vowell's? Realistically, what is he doing wrong? What has gone badly? You're not the slowest team. Your driver line up is now one of the best on the grid. Your relationship is obviously going to be very strong

because you've got that connection from Jones Vowell's to Toto and Wolf anyway, and that's your engine supplier, which is fantastic. You've got the investors, which are really, really well. You've got people brought you from the team to a real talent, like Pat Fry, you know, that seems really starting to become a real, fully rounded, excellent team with James Vals at the helm. And I think he inspires those around him, the way he speaks publicly, the way you see him talk so candidly and openly, in interviews, it inspires confidence, it inspires trust.

And I think you need culture to be successful. And a positive culture is one where, no blame, you were together, you understand the situation. He is instigating such a strong culture that it will be silly now right before a whole new set of regulations coming, which he is obviously now being incredibly important to building. To change that leadership model so close to the start of this new regulation period, he's being a real role model for them. I'm really glad they've decided to keep them on in James Vals with Trust.

And if there's any artists out there, I'd love a little James Vowls working in the dream oven, little oven mittsong, you know, just a little puff of steam coming out dreams on cake. because I think it would be great. So get painting out there, you budding painters. Painting? An actual painting.

Wow. Like a painting, please. An oil painting, please. Hey, I think it's specified the mode. Mode, is that what you say? You could say that. Sure. You know what, James Vowles?

I bet he cooks up an excellent batch of brownies. The funny thing is he doesn't. He just tells everyone he does and they go. They're actually awful. Yeah, I'm buying that. Yeah, this is obviously, as you both said, a massive boost for the team. I figured he was going to be at Williams for the long haul, but also an exit wouldn't have been completely unimaginable.

And not like from the board and from Williams, but more from James Vow's side, because we are in a situation where depending on what rumors you listen to and not listen to, there are a couple of high-profile team bosses that are maybe not 100% secure in their spots. Obviously, that Mercedes link hasn't gone away. Many people thought when he went to Williams that it was a bit of a training school

for him to eventually come back and take Toto Wolf's job. I would imagine it's still Toto Wolf's ambition to move away from sort of the full-time at the track element of his job. So it wouldn't have surprised me for him to at least keep his options open and not sign a long-term deal with Williams, but he has. And it is great news for the team. Obviously, he's been instrumental in making all of these changes, like bringing in all of the new personnel,

like beginning of 2024 was quite big in that regard, also changing all of their systems, bringing in their new title sponsor, bringing in Carlos Sines. A lot has happened with him at the helm. And sorry, Alpine, to use you as a comparison here, because we're going to be discussing Alpine a bit more on an upcoming Patreon episode.

where the head of Renault has just left. He's made some quite interesting changes at the team, and he's going before any of them actually come in. James Vowles, this is the opposite. He's made all of these changes, but he's going to be there to be the one to implement them as well in this new era of F1. No one will know more than James Vowles

what he wants each role and each department to do. So the fact that he's still there, massive boost for the team. Harry, it's a difficult question, but in terms of the turnaround that has happened so far, they do have to emphasise so far, it's not the end of where they want to get to, how much credit does James Vowell's deserve versus other parties? I mean, tough to say. I think it's clear there are, like, performance of the car aside,

and clearly the car's got better, but there'll be people who've been working that in that team for years before James Vals and working towards developing the cars and stuff that he can't claim credit for. I think where James Vals is probably where he needs to be credited and I think we'll continue to be working on as already mentioned are things like the infrastructure

of Williams, the team, the equipment, etc. because I think there will be and stuff we will never see or probably never know about but things like that where I think he will deserve a lot of credit it. The other big bit of credit he needs to be given is Carlos Sines because who'd have seen that

coming, quite frankly, out of all the options science had and James Vals was the one that managed to bag him. So that in itself is a huge amount of credit that should fall at James Vals's feet. But yeah, like I said, I think there'll be a lot behind the scenes of just restructuring the team, etc, the processes that He'll have brought from Mercedes. He did a lot of winning there and they, you know, Mercedes, look, nowadays not quite so much, but they did things very well, certainly back on the day. So Hiller brought a lot of that experience along to reshape and restructure Williams.

So I think that's where that's where most of the credit will lie. Yeah, I certainly give him a large chunk of the credit for where they are now versus where they where a couple of years ago. I think, and I've probably made this point before, but they have, I think, their best line-up since 2016, and I think they have their best car since 2016 as well. And even if you compare Williams to say the early hybrid-era cars that were regularly scoring good points,

sometimes some podiums as well, a lot of that was down to the Mercedes power unit, which they still have, obviously, but it doesn't have the advantage that it had nearly 10 years ago. So you could argue, like the foundation of the cover, that they have under them right now is something really useful to build on. The record speaks for themselves. I mean, James Vow has joined the team at the beginning of 2023.

Williams had scored 39 points in the five seasons prior to James Vow's joining. So in two and a half years since he's joined, they've scored 100. Pretty good. Half the time and well over double the points. But as he says in his quote, this isn't the end goal. Like he still wants to get this team back to winning championships. And it will be interesting to see. Because I think other teams have been in a similar spot where it's almost maybe slightly simplistic.

But step one is almost getting yourself in the position to make a jump. And then step two is can you make that leap to be one of the front runners? So McLaren, for example, kind of did stage one of getting everything organization-wise, structure-wise set. And then step two was could they make the job? jump to join the front runners and fight for wins. And they did. Sorry, Alpine.

Second burn in one segment. Alpine, I think we're in a similar spot. Like, they got themselves in a position maybe 2018, 2019 to maybe make that jump. And they couldn't. So it would be really interesting to see now which way Williams and James Vowels go. Sam, if you had to, what do you think has been his best move or his biggest strength to this point? Well, you've already made sure Carla signs. I do think that's a very, you know, the allure of the most talented in the sport, I think, is essential for building a strong Formula One team.

But I do think that it's going to be, as I only mentioned, that instigation of culture. When you look at McLaren, and we use McLaren, because it's almost a direct comparison to what Williams was able to do. So power engine, they're a customer team. They started, you know, you'll remember that 17th thing, a DNF famously in Bahrain a few years ago. It's good to get that in there. I forgot about that completely. That's reminding me. It's so good to get that back in there.

You know, it was tough, tough times for McLaren for a long time. They also went through the same pain that Williams went through when they were regularly not scoring any points in races. You know, when we had jinks and butto and Fanda Aronso in that team together, they were both dragging around in the back of the grid and they were struggling. And over time, they built in this hierarchy of leadership. They brought experts.

They got the team into a place, as you mentioned, when they were ready to take that leap and they made it successfully. And when you think about the teams that have won, the constructors title of the last few years, all of them, in effect, are customer teams. You know, Red Bull is technically a customer team, despite calling it Red Bull Power Train, and McLaren are a customer team with Mercedes Engines. And so that means that Williams can achieve it. It's not an unachievable goal for them.

And I do think that James Vow has got the know-how to implement a structure. And I think he's also got the contact, but to bring people in, as we've seen, with the dreams being sold to actually make those dreams a genuine reality. Now, whether they go on to win championships, I don't know, but I do think there is a more than likely chance that they go on to secure good podiums. They're there regularly in the points. I do think they're probably the favourites if you had to pick out of all the teams

to join that front three or four teams in the next few years. That's what the Williams employers will be looking for because that produces longevity. It produces loyalty. It means people will stick around and go to Williams as a team. It becomes a very attractive option for many. And James Vowles is essentially the key point of doing that. I think that's the strength he's brought to Williams. Because we saw for years, it was a place that people went to to get in and

get out. They went there because it was Formula One. They got into Formula One. And they're like, yes, I've made it. Or I'm a driver here. I get a quick drive at the back of the grid. Now, do I go to Mercedes or do I go somewhere else? I get a good drive elsewhere.

Or as a staff member, you get a bit of experience at Williams at the back of the grid. and then you go off to, you know, a Mercedes or McLaren or a Ferrari, whatever it might be. And they don't do that anymore. You don't see people leaving in their groves from Williams to go elsewhere. So I think that's what James Vowell is making such a success out of for Williams. Harry, what does he need to either improve on or tackle next? What, something? GCSE test.

Yeah, gosh, goodness me. Explain your workings out, three marks. only three marks that's pathetic yeah there'll be like eight lives on the page I must spend it any time on that

three marks um it's not worth the look the car the car has been much better and you're right Ben I think this is the best

guy I've had since that 2016 2015 era um there are still there are still improvements we saw in was it Spain it was terrible

yes um so there are some tracks where it doesn't want to work and look there's a a smaller amount of tracks than it used to be. But that, yeah, that consistency of car performance, having a car that is good everywhere is because they've got two drivers

that if they've got a good car underneath them that will deliver. I think we've already seen that. So that's definitely one of them. It might be, I think things like strategy. I think they're relatively good. I mean, James Val's, that used to be his job. So I think that on that front, they are pretty good. there's maybe some

questionable decisions, but I don't think we can criticize them too much. So yeah, it's a really obvious one to say, but it is that car performance now that I think they're getting all this structure in place.

They just need a better car underneath them and things all starts to fall into place for them. The only other thing I could pick up on was pit stops because they were a few years ago, one of the absolute best teams at this.

And I know it does fluctuate a little bit on who's good and not good. And I imagine it's a bit of a process of a team is really good. And they are all then poached by another team. And then they're poached back. And that's why this leaderboard kind of changes so frequently. But in 2020, 2021, they were like the second or third best team on pit stops.

It was only really Red Bull that were better than them. But over the last few years, 2023, they were eighth best. Last year, they were the worst team. and this year they are currently second worst in ninth. So there's a lot of improvement that could happen on those pit stops. And a team that has proven it can happen is Salba. Salba's pit stops a year ago, if you remember back, were woeful. And I don't remember which race it was, whether it was even Monaco or Spain.

But Bortoletto and Salber had the absolute fastest pit stop on the day. So a recovery can happen. But as of yet, it hasn't for Williams. Okay, let's take our second break on this episode. On the other side, the Canadian GP. Again? Yeah, we're reviewing the whole thing. You and your crew do the big shows with Go Transit.

Go connects to all the main concert venues like TD Coliseum in Hamilton and Scotia Bank Arena in Toronto. And Go makes it affordable with special e-ticket fairs. A one-day weekend pass offers unlimited travel across the network on any weekend day or holiday for just $10. and a weekday group pass offers the same weekday travel flexibility from $30 for two people and up to $60 for five. Buy yours at go transit.com slash tickets. Welcome back, everyone. Before we head into our next topic, a quick reminder if you aren't sick of us talking about it already, we are going back to Austin in October later this year for the United States Grand Prix.

And we're putting on our third consecutive live show. Tickets are already on sale for those of you on the. middle or upper tier of Patreon and so many of you have already decided you'd like to see our three beautiful faces. So thank you very much indeed. For those of you on Patreon who want to join Patreon potentially, you have just over a week before those tickets go on general sales. So make sure you take advantage. See all three of us. It will be, what will it be, Harry? Best night of your life, guaranteed. Brackets, so far. So far. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, you might have better days in the future. But at least to this point in your lives, it will be the best night, no doubt about it. So yeah, make sure you come and join us. Let's move on to the Canadian GP. And we're actually going to do a full review again. So it's just going to be exciting.

No, there's other news about the Canadian GP, which is that it has renewed its contract until 2035. So the previous extension guaranteed. that they were going to be there until at least 2029. But this one adds on another six years. Of course, it did miss a couple of years as well due to COVID. From next year, something that we've already discussed as well, the event will be held at a slightly earlier point in the season in May rather than early June. So whereas this year it was round 10 of this year's championship. Next year it'll be round seven.

But in terms of the move, Sam, are you happy or unhappy about this one? I am ecstatic about this. Everyone knows I love the Canada GP. I even got a T-shirt and I was in Texas about it. So, you know, hang on, you should tell it. What, tell us that story. No. It's not a story.

He bought a T-shirt. I bought a T-shirt and it was great. Almost as good as a Canadian GP. Yeah, I love that racetrack. And it's one of the racetracks. am so excited to see with the new regulation of cars. I think it could benefit from it. The last couple of Grand Prix Canada,

kind of good ones where I got the mediocre ones. I do think that the way the cars sit at the moment don't work up too on that racetrack. So very exciting to see in 2026 how these cars go and perform around there. I think this also shows Liberty's commitment to the North American market. You've seen what's going on with the likes of Miami.

We've seen what's happened with Las Vegas. You've got what's going on in South America. of course, South Palaz and Africa is Mexico's having extension. I think this shows that they are very, very keen on having lots of different racetracks across the North American continent. It's a key market for them in terms of growing that audience. It sticks with that Netflix generation of growing things further. Makes a lot of sense. I'm glad I am a little surprised. They're taking a big old 10 year, because it is starting to keep very much you're training now with a lot of what other racetracks are doing. So I'm glad we've got it. I'm glad it's still here. And again, hopefully, it ends up being banger after banger for the years to come. Harry, you happy with this one? Very happy with this one.

This is a 10-year contract attention that I am happy about, unlike Miami. I can be faulty when that gets renewed again. When Miami gets renewed or when... No, Canada. Canada gets renewed. That's... Have you changed your mind on the news, Sam, do you still like it? I just hate all news, Gail.

The worst. Goodness me. The news that we're going about to Texas, that's good news. Yeah, I am very happy about it. I'm not surprised, given, I think, the expansion of F1 in North America. I think this is not an unsurprising one. But it's good to see that this is a classic track, isn't it? It doesn't feel like it is, but it has been there since the 70.

So it's a long time. Yeah, it's 50 years old. So, yeah, I'm going to add the classic track. this is getting a proper proper contract extension, not a sparse scenario, for example. And yeah,

hopefully that, I mean, yeah, last year was pretty good, but it was mixed conditions. This year's race wasn't, wasn't brilliant. But I like kind of to just,

you know, we said this before. It's like a street circuit. Somewhat is a street circuit. It rewards bravery. And it's always, it's always good to see an F1 race there. So,

yeah, I'm pleased this one, this one's staying. I'm pleased that it's not. you know they're not trying to make a muddering or something like that a new circuit but in the same country um so that i'm pleased i'm glad they're just staying with the one that's good and not trying to go elsewhere so that is that is a good bit of news um just do that with all the other ones now please that we like f1 we like specifically us right yes they are big listeners of the show

the FIA and F1. So yeah, I'm sure they'll be right on that. I'm happy about this as well. It's, it is at a time, and I would call it an historic circuit. It is at a time when some historic circuits

are seemingly on the chopping block. Obviously, Emil has already gone. Spar has gone to a once every two years or so kind of deal. So it's good to see a racetrack that we went to first in 1978. The fact that we'll still be going there into the mid-20, 30s. I don't know what I'm saying it. It is good news.

Canada, I think, deserves a race. And honestly, I'm not sure where else they would go other than create their own version of Madring. So I'm glad that's not happening. The track itself has made a few improvements over the last couple of years, which is good, sort of just keeping on top of what it takes to be a grade one circuit. And the fact that it's earlier on in the calendar could mean that there's sometimes mixed conditions of Canada are probably just going to get more likely.

So even though some dry races struggle a little bit, more mixed conditions might well be in the future. Also, when it comes to dry races, it wasn't a great one, 2025. I am intrigued to see how the new cars go around here, because I'm not saying it's great as it is at the moment, but also the fact that the Norris and Piastri incident, that only happens because it's a difficulty to get overtakes done. if overtakes were far easier than that,

it's kind of a slam dunkin. You should have to work for these overtakes, and you did have to work for them than this year's Canadian GP. So it's not perfect, but equally, the challenge of Canada should remain. I mean, we talk about whether it's good or not, Sam.

How much of a surprise is it, based on all of the competition that we have for calendar spots right now? I am surprised that it's got such a big extension. Of course, when it comes to Canadian, driving drivers, we've always been quite still on the ground. It's got like they've massively populated. It's not like we've hanged English,

can you drivers, and it's not like we've hanged really more than one, really at a time. So I am a little bit shocked, but the audience there, I think, is very committing. I think they're very passionate about Formula One. We've always had a good turnout to these Grand Prix throughout all the years that it's being here. But when it's such popularity and there's on longings,

that were to throw a lot of cash at Liberty and how the Formula One team work. This was one of the ones that in the back of my mind. I was a little bit concerned that they may not see it as a key priority to them. But I'm really glad it's come through. We do need to keep these classic tracks. We need to make sure we have a good balance of street circuits, new circuits, because there might be something brilliant around the corner, you ever know, and these absolute classics, your Silverstone, your monses.

And now your circuit is your villeneuve. So, yeah, super pleasing it's still here. don't always throw away any time soon. I think it won't be, which is great. Was there any surprise from your side, Harry, given, again, the competition that we have for these calendar spots. And it's not like recently the Canadian GP has been called into question about whether it would stay on the calendar.

But in not that too distant times, there was a few questions. Yeah, and we did lose the Canadian GP. I know there was COVID, but we lost it in 2009. It wasn't on that calendar. Yes. So it's happened before. I think this speaks to, and as already mentioned, it just speaks to where F1's priorities lie in terms of the markets at the moment.

I think if this was, if the Montreal track was in somewhere in Europe, I think it would be a different story. But the fact that it is in North America and, and as you point out, Ben, not a great deal of other tracks they could go to in Canada, to be honest. we're so going to have people from Canada writing in now like oh you forgot the I don't know the whatever there's um most sport but I don't think that held races once but it's not the otto wing like Ottawa yeah yeah unfortunately yeah cool um okay um so yeah I think that does work in their favour that the fact there aren't really

any main other tracks that could compete for that position on the calendar. So yeah, I'm not stuck. I'm not too surprised it's been locked down for this long. I think it's just where it is. I think that's really helped it. And like you said, Ben, as well, they made a lot of infrastructure changes to this track, new pit buildings, etc. very recently.

So it's gone up in its standard versus where it used to be when it was first a first the race. So I'm not too surprised that it's been locked in for this long. And like I say, it's quite a nice, nice surprise that it has. Yeah, I'm a touch surprised by it. Again, you just think of Thailand that seems more inevitable by the day that that's going to happen. And I'm not sure whether Thailand was ever competing with Canada for like where in the year it was going to be, it's going to be on the calendar, but you'd imagine if that's going to enter the calendar, something else will either have to drop off or go to once every two years. And obviously, this means that Canada, it won't be this track.

We've also got like the interest from Rwanda. That's kind of quietened down, I think, a little bit over the last few months. But I expect that we'll pick up pace again in the not too distant future. And also Kailami. I believe Kyle Army very recently announced that they're going to make some changes to the track in order to bump its grade up to a grade one, which is what you need in order to be a Formula One circuit. So they seem to be on board with making the changes they need to be in consideration. For all of these tracks to make an appearance on the calendar, something's going to have to give.

So for Canada to almost take itself out of that conversation is great news for them. Let's take our final break. On this episode, on the other side, F1 back and forth. Welcome back, everyone. It's time for F1 back and forth. Bating switch. Sorry. F1.

Back and forth, it's F1. Back and forth, it goes backwards. Then goes forth, it's F1. Back and forth, F1. A seamless and perfect. entry to the game to go. Beautiful transition to a game we've only played about a thousand times. It's F1 back and forth.

Harry and Sam will go back and forth on correct answers to this given question until one of them can't think of an answer or gives an incorrect answer. I will give you one strike each on this one. That's like me in bowling that is. That's what I get out in the whole game. I'm going to attest to that in December, yes. I am so bad at bowl. Okay, today's category,

15 correct answers in this one. I want you to name the 15 circuits that George Russell has got a podium at. And to be clear, this is including the 2025 season. So if he's done it in any races in 2025, that counts. But this does not include any sprint races. So if he's got a podium at a sprint race but hasn't done it in a main race at a particular circuit,

that answer doesn't count. That's lucky. because me and Harry don't think his sprint races. I couldn't tell you who's won every sprint race in F1, quite frankly. Who won the last one? Lewis Hamilton won Shiner. Is that been the only one we've had? Yes.

Sure. He's showing yes. Miami, yeah. When Norris won the classic Miami one. Ah, yes. That's a classic Miami one. Now having a conversation about not the game. Yes.

So all of those races, not going to help you. 15 circuits where George Russell has got a podium. Sam starts off. Canada. You know what? That's a great shout. Come on. Ironically, I can't actually sit on my list.

Well, he has, mate. I know. I can confirm. You haven't watched it. You can be quiet. I know. One. Piaastri, right?

Yeah, exactly. It gets a 10 from me. I just haven't written this down. Oh, Ben. Well, it's correct, Denny. I just think I've accidentally. forgotten to write it down because it's just happened. Six minutes of this show.

Not our fight us. I'm really hot. I actually have forgotten to write it out, but it's... I'm really warm. Harry. Very tired. Just three men moaning. I'll go for the Spanish GP.

You know what? I actually have written that one down. Well, unbelievably. Third in 2022 and 2020. and he's been fourth there the last two years but yeah, had two podiums before that. Sam?

Belgium. Spar is a correct answer. The site of his first podium when he got second in 2021 in his Williams because he had a good qualifying lap. Good. He's underselling it. Well, yeah, true.

The Brazilian GP. Yes, he won that race in 2022. His first race win. Sam. Silverstone? Silverstone is an incorrect answer. Why is he so crap at being a Brit? Should have got one last year, to be fair.

Can we flip Joe Guang you up? I didn't mean that race, but yes, he did that as well. Yeah, like a pancake. Well, sure. Yeah, he's best finish is P5 at Silverstone. So that's your one strike. Harry, back to you. Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is a correct answer. He won that race last year. Sam. Mmm. Tasty. Mmm. You me a yop. My mom.

Why is that in my head? The yop advert from the mid-2000s. The things I'll do is still. for a answer. Baku? Baku? Until the morning come. Yes.

3 in 2022 and 2024. Oh my lord. What yacht references. Right, Harris. Yes. The Saudi Arabian G.

No. Best of fourth in 23. So one strike each. Sam, back to you. Changa. A correct answer as of this year was third back in the early parts of this season.

Harry. Bahrain? Bahrain is a correct answer. Again, wasn't true until we got to 2025, but was second here holding off Lando Norris, if you remember, on the last lap. Sam, back to you. I reckon I'm going home earlier.

If this was a seizing of Master Chef, I'm out by week three. Hungary? Hungary is a correct answer. He was third there back in 2022, which was also when he got his first poll position. Oh, yeah. Harry. Abou-Dabby?

Abu Dhabi is a correct answer. He was third there back in 2023. Sam Qatar Incorrect Oh thank God I could stop thinking Qatar is the It's the one race

where he has had a sprint podium but he's not had a main podium He's only finished fourth there Right there's six answers left If you want to throw anything out Zan thought Yep second in 2022

Singapore No he should have done But then you remember he crashed Oh yeah Oh yeah Not George No not Singapore Monza

Oh yeah Not Russia Not Russia Monzer is correct So good at this game How many left Four Four left

Early Early mid or End of the season Races Ben one of them happened this year Miami Miami

one of them is happening very very soon Austria oh yeah he won it last year yeah proper burgle of a win

but he did win yeah another one happened this year but also happened in 2022 very early in the season um Good, aye. Yeah, can't go much earlier than Melbourne, yes.

The other one is not on the calendar anymore. You got a podium here in 2022. Imola? Nope. Not on the calendar, but it was in 2022. Port-em-out? Nope. This is good, this isn't it?

Give us a constant. You're in the right continent already. Oh, that's good. You even had the right first letter. Oh, but per. I really want to say the answer, but I also really don't. Hang on. The racetrack begins with P or the country.

The racetrack. I'm going to say, what other, the Portugal, what other countries that? Promania. Pain. Prakashavakia. Named after a famous Sean. Peng? No.

The sheep. I don't know. No. Sean Paul, Paul Rickard. Oh. Can I give it? You're actually named after Sean Paul. It should be.

Should clarify. Should be. I completely forgot that it was even on the calendar in 22, but yes, correct. It was. I forgot it. It existed. I wouldn't silly stripes. Bring back Magna Cure.

Bonus Fund. fact that I'm willing to be corrected on. I think every single... What a fact thing, is it? Well, I think it's a fact, all right? If it ends up... It's not a fact, I apologise. I think every single circuit

that's on the calendar George Russell has had at least fifth place at. Guy, it's just a baller, isn't he? Wow. That is a good fact, if it's right. Yeah, someone's going to tell me it's wrong, because I forgot what... Because facts are completely subjective now. Yeah, well, in the world we live in.

Yeah, it's true. Yeah. And before we... land ourselves in any more trouble. That's going to do it for this episode. Sam, if you wouldn't mind getting us out of here. Exactly. Thanks for listening to folks. We will be back midweek for the preview of the Austrian Grand Prix. If you want to hear some more content, check out Patreon or if you'll get your hands on some live tickets for the Austrian Live Show. Austrian. We're going to Austria, boys.

Ah, excellent. Make your bags for the other week. The Austin Live Show, there we go. That's the right part of the world. Check it out. We'd love to see your gorgeous faces watching us as we make prats of ourselves on the stage. It's always good fun. Discourse is available as well and we'll see you next week in the meantime. I've been Samuel Sage. I've been Ben Hocking

and I've been Harry Ead. And remember, keep breaking late. Breaker, but brachia. This podcast is part of the Sports Social Podcast Network.