2021 Qatar GP Race Discussion

Another Hamilton Domination at the Qatar GP! As we enter the last stage of the season, the championship has gotten a lot closer. Hamilton and Mercedes seem to have gotten a renewed enthusiasm to fight back and claw their way into the championship. The 2021 Qatar GP gave us an unexpected podium for 2-time world champion Fernando Alonso! This is the 13th driver to get on the podium in this season alone.

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In this Episode we discuss:

1. Sparky Sparky Boom Circuit ✨

2. Esteban the defensive lion 🦁

3. Alonso on the podium!

4. Gasly out of Gas ⛽

5. Mercedes yet again sacrifice Bottas

6. Perez capitalizes on Bottas’s misfortune

7. FIA brings down the hammer for flag violations 🏴

8. Horner the 💩stirrer

9. End of season predictions

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Music:

Intro: Howling (Sting) - Gunnar Olsen

Outro: Your Intro by Audionautix

**Race Highlights:**

* **Hamilton Domination Continues:** Lewis Hamilton secured another dominant victory at the Qatar Grand Prix, extending his lead in the championship standings.

* **Alonso's Podium Finish:** Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso delivered a stunning performance, securing a podium finish for Alpine. This marked the 13th different driver to achieve a podium finish in the 2021 season.

* **Bottas' Misfortune:** Valtteri Bottas faced a series of unfortunate events, including a tire puncture that forced him to pit early. This opened the door for Sergio Perez to capitalize and secure a strong finish.

* **FIA's Strict Enforcement:** The FIA cracked down on drivers violating flag regulations, issuing penalties to both Bottas and Max Verstappen for ignoring yellow flags during qualifying.

* **Horner's Controversial Comments:** Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner stirred up controversy by criticizing a marshal's decision to wave yellow flags during qualifying. He later received a summons from the stewards for his remarks.

**Key Points and Themes:**

* **Flat Track Characteristics:** The Qatar circuit was characterized as a flat track with fast straights and medium-speed corners. Drivers faced challenges with braking and tire degradation.

* **Esteban Ocon's Defensive Driving:** Esteban Ocon displayed impressive defensive driving skills, holding off Sergio Perez for several laps before eventually being overtaken.

* **Gasly's Tyre Burst:** Pierre Gasly suffered a dramatic tire burst during qualifying, causing him to crash and miss out on a chance to secure a strong grid position.

* **Mercedes' Strategy Blunder:** Mercedes' decision to keep Bottas out on old tires proved costly as he suffered a puncture, hindering his race performance.

* **Perez's Strong Recovery Drive:** Sergio Perez made a remarkable recovery from 11th position to finish in fourth place, capitalizing on Bottas' misfortune and demonstrating his growing confidence in the Red Bull car.

* **End of Season Predictions:** With only two races remaining in the season, the championship battle between Hamilton and Verstappen remains tight. Predictions vary among experts, with some favoring Hamilton's experience and others seeing Verstappen's momentum as a potential game-changer.

**Overall Message:**

The Qatar Grand Prix showcased the unpredictability and drama of Formula One racing. Fernando Alonso's podium finish served as a reminder of the sport's enduring appeal, while the ongoing championship battle between Hamilton and Verstappen promises an exciting conclusion to the season. # F1 Fan Fiction Podcast Episode Summary: Qatar Grand Prix and End of Season Predictions


## Sparky Spark Boom Circuit

- The Qatar Grand Prix circuit, known as the "Sparky Spark Boom Circuit," presented challenges for drivers due to its unique layout and lack of overtaking opportunities.

## Esteban Ocon's Defensive Driving

- Esteban Ocon displayed exceptional defensive driving skills, holding off multiple drivers behind him and earning the nickname "Esteban the Defensive Lion."

## Fernando Alonso's Podium Finish

- Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso achieved a podium finish, becoming the 13th different driver to stand on the podium this season.

## Pierre Gasly's Fuel Issues

- Pierre Gasly faced fuel-related problems during the race, causing him to retire from the competition.

## Mercedes' Sacrifice of Valtteri Bottas

- Mercedes' strategic decision to prioritize Lewis Hamilton's race over Valtteri Bottas resulted in Bottas losing positions and ultimately finishing outside the podium.

## Sergio Perez Capitalizes on Bottas's Misfortune

- Sergio Perez took advantage of Bottas's misfortune, moving up the ranks and securing a podium finish.

## FIA's Strict Enforcement of Flag Violations

- The FIA implemented stricter enforcement of flag violations, leading to several penalties for drivers who disregarded yellow and red flags.

## Christian Horner's Controversial Comments

- Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner made controversial remarks, criticizing Mercedes' dominance and questioning the legitimacy of their success.

## End of Season Predictions

- The podcast hosts discussed their predictions for the final two races of the season, including potential podium finishers and the overall championship outcome.

## Insights and Controversies

- The podcast highlighted the remarkable diversity of podium finishers this season, with 13 different drivers achieving this feat.

- The hosts debated the impact of Mercedes' strategic decisions on Bottas's performance and the fairness of sacrificing one driver for the benefit of another.

- The episode also touched upon the ongoing rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, acknowledging Hamilton's renewed dominance in recent races.

- The podcast addressed the controversy surrounding Christian Horner's comments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sportsmanship and respecting competitors.

- The hosts engaged in lively discussions and predictions for the remaining races, reflecting the excitement and anticipation among Formula One fans as the season draws to a close.

[00:00.000 -> 00:07.640] What's up with showing multiple replays right in lap 2 man? Come on, please.
[00:07.640 -> 00:13.780] It's so stupid. You know, it's... I don't get it. Why lap 2? Like things haven't
[00:13.780 -> 00:19.200] settled yet. Exactly. Just wait a little. Wait till lap 5 at least.
[00:19.200 -> 00:24.240] They'll have this one shot from the front, one shot from the rear, the
[00:24.240 -> 00:25.040] helicopter cam.
[00:25.040 -> 00:28.720] It's like they have to justify all these budget costs that they keep spending.
[00:36.480 -> 00:39.000] Hello and welcome back to F1 Fan Fiction.
[00:39.480 -> 00:46.480] For anyone new listening to us, we are a podcast about F1 brought to you by two F1 fans for the F1 community
[00:47.360 -> 00:54.240] and today's episode is about last night's Qatar Grand Prix. First time racing here, getting into
[00:54.240 -> 01:00.080] the episode. Let's start with thoughts about this circuit, Sarang. Your thoughts on the circuit here.
[01:01.760 -> 01:06.200] I think we are gonna have some disagreement today.
[01:06.200 -> 01:10.840] I at least like the track from what I heard from you so far.
[01:10.840 -> 01:13.640] I think you're not a fan.
[01:13.640 -> 01:20.240] I mean, yeah, I kind of do agree that it somewhat is, you know, I kind of shared sentiments
[01:20.240 -> 01:22.400] with you, but not really.
[01:22.400 -> 01:25.280] What I felt at least was that,
[01:29.360 -> 01:30.680] yes, it's a flat track, like any other, you know, Middle Eastern track in general,
[01:34.920 -> 01:38.240] but it had a lot of these, you know, medium speed corners and which were flowing into each other.
[01:38.840 -> 01:43.560] And I think that kind of helped out with the racing that we saw yesterday.
[01:44.080 -> 01:51.040] And I'm just happy to see, we could see some close racing. You know, that's that's my perspective about why I like this track
[01:52.520 -> 01:54.520] Well, yeah, that's a fair point
[01:55.520 -> 02:00.560] But yeah, you're right. I I yeah, I have a different opinion here
[02:01.080 -> 02:05.000] I sort of just don't seem to like these fast tracks.
[02:05.000 -> 02:09.360] At that point, if you end up seeing like throttling versus braking,
[02:09.360 -> 02:11.280] there's so much less braking happening.
[02:12.720 -> 02:15.600] Pairs keep popping, which we'll also start discussing soon.
[02:15.640 -> 02:19.400] But it's the same thing, man. It's like, first of all,
[02:19.400 -> 02:23.080] it's a weird shape track for me, like mentally registering something,
[02:23.080 -> 02:26.880] which is like a three pronged fork sitting on something sort of design.
[02:27.360 -> 02:31.360] It looks like, you know, a kid kept his hand on the paper and tried to draw it.
[02:31.520 -> 02:36.120] Exactly. Exactly. Poor kid with just three fingers there.
[02:36.120 -> 02:40.160] But, but yeah,
[02:40.160 -> 02:43.240] well there in Qatar, you know, maybe something happened.
[02:43.360 -> 02:44.360] Well, they are in Qatar, you know, maybe something happened. Oh, dude, yeah.
[02:44.360 -> 02:45.360] You got punished for it.
[02:45.360 -> 02:53.440] But yeah, I just don't seem to like these fast tracks.
[02:53.440 -> 03:00.960] And I kind of now see why Suzuka is a hot favorite amongst like unanimously amongst
[03:00.960 -> 03:01.960] everyone.
[03:01.960 -> 03:07.220] Because it's got those fast straights, curves and turns and u-turns and whatnot.
[03:07.220 -> 03:10.740] So anyways, but yeah, not a fan of Qatar.
[03:11.380 -> 03:15.900] They are saying if they come back here, it's gonna be like a street race.
[03:18.420 -> 03:20.420] Moving on.
[03:20.940 -> 03:26.000] No, man, yeah, I mean, so you raise a good question there.
[03:26.000 -> 03:34.000] There's this brilliant video of Danny vibing to their national anthem.
[03:34.000 -> 03:36.000] And I love the caption on that one because it says,
[03:36.000 -> 03:45.040] when you're racing in a country where there's no human rights, but the national anthem is a banger.
[03:47.680 -> 03:50.240] I think Danny Rick can vibe to any song.
[03:54.080 -> 03:56.720] He's kind of that guy. And in fact, I think, he's nicknamed as the Honey Badger.
[03:56.720 -> 03:59.240] And I think Kroftia,
[03:59.240 -> 04:01.560] somebody was also talking about this,
[04:01.920 -> 04:04.040] that Honey Badgers are like native to Qatar.
[04:04.520 -> 04:07.680] And I think in one of the interviews, I think it was Ziggo Sports,
[04:08.120 -> 04:12.800] who was asking Ricardo Voter, you know, are you aware that, you know,
[04:13.240 -> 04:17.680] the honey badger is native to here? And he's like, you know,
[04:17.680 -> 04:21.440] one day I definitely want to walk into the paddock with the honey badger.
[04:22.640 -> 04:24.560] I'm going to do that before I retire.
[04:24.720 -> 04:29.840] I'd love to see that. I'd love to see him walk into like with a leash maybe. I mean if it's
[04:29.840 -> 04:34.400] going to be unleashed that's going to be even crazier but maybe a leashed honey bhajan for sure.
[04:35.280 -> 04:42.640] For sure. But speaking about Qatar as a track and I mean yeah I think we've established
[04:42.640 -> 04:52.740] where we are with the track but like like speaking of the country, I want to applaud Lewis Hamilton for his choice of helmet and making a statement.
[04:52.740 -> 04:56.000] And at least, you know, this way, this may never get anywhere.
[04:56.000 -> 05:03.540] And as drivers, probably these guys have less say in how many races to have, let alone where to race.
[05:03.600 -> 05:04.200] in how many races to have, let alone where to race.
[05:09.480 -> 05:10.200] But with the amount of power he has that he has in his hand,
[05:11.760 -> 05:14.200] making a statement with that helmet.
[05:16.760 -> 05:21.520] Yeah, definitely. And I was really hoping that, you know, like likes of Vettel and Alonso would join him because they have done this in
[05:21.520 -> 05:23.680] the past and we have seen that, you know, back in Hungary.
[05:24.080 -> 05:32.000] And I was kind of hopeful that these veterans kind of use their clout to push the right causes right now.
[05:32.000 -> 05:39.000] But anyways, still we did have Hamilton representing LGBTQ plus community.
[05:39.000 -> 05:41.000] So that's awesome.
[05:41.000 -> 05:45.880] I hope that these people keep protesting wherever they can
[05:45.880 -> 05:50.400] in these countries which are pretty much sports washing right I mean that's that's
[05:50.400 -> 05:56.240] what this is all about for them they just wanna you know bury all the other
[05:56.240 -> 06:00.560] news obviously Qatar is also having the FIFA soon right I think it's next next
[06:00.560 -> 06:08.160] year or next year 2022 but that was an interesting thing what's I think there's just too much branding and marketing that's happened with this
[06:08.160 -> 06:12.620] management change right I mean let's talk about this too because they did
[06:12.620 -> 06:18.720] this NBA thing at Kota in the US and then yeah they had the special penalty
[06:18.720 -> 06:27.240] kick out session here. Oh yeah. So here in Qatar? Oh I didn't know. Yeah yeah. I think yeah it was
[06:27.240 -> 06:31.160] it was I think maybe like a Thursday or a Friday thingy that they end up doing.
[06:31.160 -> 06:37.040] But yeah I think there's there's just too much cross branding and promotions
[06:37.040 -> 06:46.480] and cashless game. Oh by the way coming back to that track right, what's up with that killer
[06:46.480 -> 06:53.960] curb out there? Yeah man, like that one curb, it was like destroying cars right?
[06:53.960 -> 07:01.400] Right and left man. I think like most of the tires were like degrading there. Every
[07:01.400 -> 07:07.160] time anybody went from there, it was just, you know, like pieces of carbon fiber flying away here and there.
[07:07.760 -> 07:10.480] Like everyone was asked to manage their front lefts.
[07:10.480 -> 07:14.480] Cause I think that's the biggest impacting tire that took that curve
[07:14.920 -> 07:19.200] coming into that right-hand turn. I think both Williams suffered.
[07:19.400 -> 07:23.360] Botaz went on to collect some gravel and spray on the track.
[07:23.400 -> 07:27.000] went on to collect some gravel and spray on the track.
[07:28.080 -> 07:33.000] Yeah, maybe, maybe more, but I think even Norris was almost gonna drive himself out and stuff.
[07:33.040 -> 07:34.200] But yeah.
[07:36.520 -> 07:37.600] And one more thing.
[07:37.640 -> 07:42.120] Did you notice how much each car was parking throughout the track?
[07:42.320 -> 07:44.240] That's one more reason I loved the track. You know,
[07:44.240 -> 07:46.800] it was looking so freaking awesome. Right.
[07:48.400 -> 07:49.480] Talking about sparking,
[07:49.680 -> 07:54.480] did you see that footage of I think both Vastapan as
[07:54.480 -> 07:58.840] well as Alonso lapping Botas
[07:59.320 -> 08:04.320] and this guy is just spitting fire from his front wing.
[08:04.360 -> 08:09.560] You know, it was insane. It felt like it's just a shard
[08:09.560 -> 08:16.200] of fire from his car. They're not even bothering. Especially right when Botas's tyre went off
[08:16.200 -> 08:22.900] and Alonzo was just going to overtake him. It felt like it was a spark mist, the same
[08:22.900 -> 08:25.520] as a rain mist. And I'm pretty sure a lot you didn't have anything to see
[08:26.240 -> 08:32.400] Yeah, but I think like almost all low-rake cars suffered at this time.
[08:32.400 -> 08:34.400] Yeah, too much sparks from all of these.
[08:35.760 -> 08:38.960] Yep, yep, it's I think it's basically
[08:40.200 -> 08:43.400] Just that that as you talked right, it's a fast track
[08:43.400 -> 08:49.800] So for majority of the track these cars are like really planted to the track with all the downforce.
[08:49.800 -> 08:52.640] So, yeah, that's bound to happen.
[08:52.640 -> 08:57.640] If you're never lifting off from your throttle, you are going to see some sparks.
[08:57.640 -> 09:00.760] True that. Some great battles too.
[09:00.760 -> 09:02.440] Some great battles too, for sure.
[09:02.440 -> 09:06.480] I for one loved,
[09:09.360 -> 09:09.680] Pocon versus Perez. That was an interesting one.
[09:12.000 -> 09:12.040] Yeah, that was super interesting. Right.
[09:15.560 -> 09:16.160] I think even Alonzo's comment was super interesting for that.
[09:18.480 -> 09:20.640] Ask Astaban to defend like a lion.
[09:24.360 -> 09:26.800] There's a few memes forming there too. Like there is Alonzo saying, ask Esteban to defend like a lion.
[09:27.040 -> 09:30.960] And then there's another photo of just a lion staring blankly at the screen.
[09:33.360 -> 09:36.680] Yeah. And at a point it felt like, you know,
[09:37.080 -> 09:42.000] like when Perez overtook him first, but it, it, it actually was,
[09:42.000 -> 09:47.280] I think that Esteban kind of gave that position so that he could take a slipstream again.
[09:47.280 -> 09:54.000] But it really felt like he said this comment and right after that Perez just like flew past him for a second.
[09:54.000 -> 10:07.680] And I'm like, okay, that's a lot of defense. But he did try and battle him and that was really nice. They got close, but still respected each other and gave some space.
[10:07.680 -> 10:09.360] So yeah, good racing.
[10:10.240 -> 10:16.880] This is an interesting quote unquote battle, which will come to later in the episode two
[10:16.880 -> 10:19.440] between Gasly and Max.
[10:22.400 -> 10:26.480] But speaking about this track again, so we keep coming back to the right.
[10:26.480 -> 10:31.840] Speaking about the track again, I mean, the high speeds, hot temperature with Qatar,
[10:31.840 -> 10:37.280] I think it was bound to happen that Pirelli is going to be in question for sure this weekend.
[10:37.280 -> 10:44.800] Right? Like, it started off with Gasly bursting it off right before end of qualifying Q3.
[10:44.800 -> 10:47.320] But yeah, Pirelli was going to be in doubts this weekend with the track conditions. bursting it off right before end of qualifying Q3 but Aparreli was gonna be
[10:47.320 -> 10:53.160] in doubts this weekend with the track conditions. Oh yeah I mean it was just like
[10:53.160 -> 11:02.720] tires go boom everywhere. All of a sudden it's like just you know tires bursting here and there and Bhutas
[11:02.720 -> 11:08.480] obviously with his amazing luck and Mercedes you know giving him a very awesome
[11:08.480 -> 11:14.560] strategy of going long on those tyres when Pirelli said that they were only for 30 laps and I think
[11:14.560 -> 11:26.000] he was on his 33rd or 34th lap and well it happened and he was limping, you know, throwing sparks, limping into the pit.
[11:28.240 -> 11:30.320] Taking gravel with him everywhere.
[11:30.960 -> 11:31.240] Yep.
[11:31.440 -> 11:34.360] Causing safety cars, or sorry, VSC at least.
[11:35.040 -> 11:35.360] Yeah.
[11:35.360 -> 11:40.760] And of course, since George was replacing Gutas, I think it decided that I should
[11:40.760 -> 11:43.200] like stand in solidarity with him.
[11:44.360 -> 11:47.120] Let me see what I need to do starting next year.
[11:49.920 -> 11:55.040] Both I think Latifi is trying to fill Russell's shoe at Williams too.
[11:56.960 -> 12:09.960] To see what he needs to do once Russell's gone. But moving on to the main guy, at least for me, it took me back to my childhood memories.
[12:09.960 -> 12:13.840] Just seeing Alonzo on the podium was...
[12:14.840 -> 12:17.080] And he's, yeah, I mean,
[12:18.680 -> 12:19.680] I'm out of words, dude.
[12:21.120 -> 12:23.920] I can see that. I was purposely leaving.
[12:23.920 -> 12:25.000] I wasn't saying anything.
[12:25.000 -> 12:28.000] Adding awkward silence for sure.
[12:28.000 -> 12:31.000] But yeah, pulling out that one stop.
[12:31.000 -> 12:33.000] Yeah, it was brilliant man.
[12:33.000 -> 12:36.000] Brilliant because yeah, it's insane.
[12:36.000 -> 12:42.000] And like given that he was in a one stop strategy and when we could see like tyres popping everywhere.
[12:42.000 -> 12:51.160] I think it's all his experience driving the GP2 engine car and then driving some, you know,
[12:51.160 -> 13:01.320] very good cars before that. I think it all paid off because he was able to hold on to that position. I mean, he started third and he came in third.
[13:01.320 -> 13:05.840] So, wow, in an Alpine, that's unexpected, isn't it?
[13:05.840 -> 13:12.480] Yeah, I think Alonzo is the guy you call to get your team lifted up.
[13:12.480 -> 13:18.080] That's what's happening with McLaren now. I think Alpine is following suit there.
[13:18.080 -> 13:24.720] I'm pretty sure Cyril Abitbol, I think, who was Renault's chief principal.
[13:24.720 -> 13:25.620] He isn't anymore. He isn principal. He isn't anymore.
[13:25.620 -> 13:29.240] He isn't. He isn't. Like after Renault becoming Alpine, he isn't.
[13:29.240 -> 13:33.080] But like if this was Renault and if this was like last year,
[13:33.380 -> 13:38.380] I'm pretty sure Cyril would have cried. He would have cried on camera.
[13:40.300 -> 13:42.180] Yeah, that's true. That's true.
[13:42.540 -> 13:46.320] And I think a lot of people were doubting Alonzo, right? Like when,
[13:46.720 -> 13:49.240] when it was announced that he's coming back from retirement,
[13:49.680 -> 13:53.280] people did a lot of people raised questions that, you know,
[13:53.280 -> 13:54.680] is this the right thing that, you know,
[13:54.680 -> 13:58.320] he's kind of washed up now because you know,
[13:58.640 -> 14:02.720] McLaren his tinted McLaren was not really good. And,
[14:03.320 -> 14:08.720] people were like, you know, there are a lot of better, newer, talented, you know,
[14:08.960 -> 14:11.280] young folks out there who deserve the chance,
[14:11.280 -> 14:13.760] but I guess nobody else could have done this. I mean,
[14:13.800 -> 14:16.560] Ocon has been here for a while in Alpine, but,
[14:17.720 -> 14:20.120] except for that win that he got,
[14:21.400 -> 14:28.640] his performance has been kind of lackluster throughout the season. But yeah, Alonso is right there, especially in the second half of the season.
[14:28.640 -> 14:30.560] I think he's become stronger.
[14:30.560 -> 14:37.840] And I think it's basically just them developing the card as per his feedback and stuff.
[14:37.840 -> 14:41.440] So probably they are like becoming a lot stronger now.
[14:41.440 -> 14:48.520] He is the only third driver over 40 to be on the podium.
[14:48.520 -> 14:55.480] Seven years later and 105 races later he's up there. It's just an
[14:55.480 -> 14:58.960] incredible feeling and an achievement. I mean for someone who's been following
[14:58.960 -> 15:08.840] the sport since I think like 2005-2004 Yeah, it's just too brilliant to see Alonso up there.
[15:10.320 -> 15:17.960] And it's like this sparking difference between experience versus these newer drivers.
[15:17.960 -> 15:22.920] And I'm not taking credit away from newer drivers because they will get to this point one day for sure.
[15:23.480 -> 15:26.840] Like seeing the seven-time world champion defend this position,
[15:26.840 -> 15:31.220] Vettel, Raikkonen and Alonso lift their teams up.
[15:31.220 -> 15:33.760] It's experience right there.
[15:33.760 -> 15:35.640] Yeah, definitely.
[15:35.640 -> 15:41.800] The good part is Alpine has gotten a good advantage in points over Alpha Tauri now.
[15:41.800 -> 15:44.960] So, they've taken that lead from them.
[15:44.960 -> 15:50.720] Yeah, I think they've taken it away now. I don't think Alpha Tauri, if at all, in fact,
[15:50.720 -> 15:56.720] I'm kind of confused because Alpha Tauri seemed very strong this weekend right up till qualification.
[15:56.720 -> 15:57.440] Gasly especially.
[15:58.160 -> 16:03.040] Yeah, especially Gasly. Exactly. And then race pace, they were nowhere. Especially the
[16:03.040 -> 16:06.880] two-stop strategy didn't work. I don't know. They pitted way too early, I think.
[16:06.880 -> 16:09.920] They could have gone a bit longer on the first ten.
[16:09.920 -> 16:13.920] But I think he was on the soft straight. So, I think that kind of makes sense.
[16:13.920 -> 16:16.760] I don't know if they had some PTSD due from that qualification.
[16:16.760 -> 16:19.280] Yeah. Maybe some of that.
[16:19.280 -> 16:22.200] Where did he end up? Where did he end up though?
[16:22.200 -> 16:25.440] I think P10. So, he still got one point out of it.
[16:25.440 -> 16:29.120] But not the best result starting as a front-throw.
[16:29.120 -> 16:31.760] Wasn't Vettel P10? I thought maybe Vettel was P10.
[16:31.760 -> 16:33.280] Oh is it? I could be wrong.
[16:33.280 -> 16:37.200] But maybe somewhere there. So maybe P10, P11 position somewhere there.
[16:37.200 -> 16:42.000] Yeah, but so I think Alpine kind of has it in the bag now.
[16:42.000 -> 16:45.200] With the two remaining races.
[16:47.440 -> 16:48.000] I don't think Alfredo can catch up.
[16:51.360 -> 16:51.440] Yeah, especially like with the mid pack, it's difficult to gain that,
[16:55.320 -> 16:55.720] that big of a point difference for sure.
[17:00.040 -> 17:00.400] And with this renewed hope that Alonso has popped up with,
[17:02.520 -> 17:05.200] I think I, and I could be wrong again here too, but I think I read somewhere that
[17:11.440 -> 17:12.080] Alpine has been or specifically Alonzo has been reserving a newer engine for Saudi. So it feels like
[17:14.520 -> 17:14.600] Probably they're gonna take like a new engine in Saudi
[17:19.480 -> 17:20.080] So they're gonna have like a new charged up Alonzo with a new charged up car
[17:25.040 -> 17:32.720] For the remainder of two races. So probably something interesting coming out of there. Yeah, that's quite interesting. Though I've heard that Alonso is in some trouble with
[17:32.720 -> 17:39.760] PSA related stuff. Yeah, there's this news coming out of the camp that he probably didn't manage his
[17:39.760 -> 17:49.280] deltas and speeds during the O2 safety car that was being flashed across the track.
[17:49.280 -> 17:56.120] So but hey see the good part is even if this goes to FIA for regulation and for deciding
[17:56.120 -> 17:58.880] it's not coming back until Alonzo retires.
[17:58.880 -> 18:01.880] So yeah that's true.
[18:01.880 -> 18:09.000] We'll talk a little more about that later. But yeah, FIA, you know, man, those guys are...
[18:09.000 -> 18:17.000] I don't know what's happening there. Let's take a moment here just for a few messages, folks, and we'll be back.
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[19:36.640 -> 19:47.000] Sarang and myself so buying us a coffee helps us with that said let's get back into the episode. Man, we got check out yesterday.
[19:47.000 -> 19:52.000] Yeah, I think this is a new meme after Strolled.
[19:52.000 -> 19:55.000] Because, what's wrong with these series directors?
[19:55.000 -> 19:58.000] Why do they keep showing fans right in between action?
[19:58.000 -> 20:01.000] I don't understand. Like, it's just so stupid.
[20:01.000 -> 20:04.000] And even the fan felt a very bit awkward.
[20:04.000 -> 20:05.040] I guess like you were just on the screen all of a fan felt a very bit awkward, I guess,
[20:05.040 -> 20:08.800] like you were just on the screen all of a sudden with a Mexican flag holding.
[20:09.200 -> 20:11.080] I think it was a bit stereotypical, right?
[20:11.080 -> 20:14.920] Like a Checo overtakes Ocon on that brilliant fight.
[20:14.920 -> 20:19.560] And then as soon as it cuts to a random fan with a Mexican flag.
[20:19.920 -> 20:23.960] Yeah. And they showed him, I think two or three times and all,
[20:23.960 -> 20:27.680] which is very weird. I mean, it felt like, you know,
[20:29.280 -> 20:32.120] like he was literally the only fan there for Chekhov.
[20:35.120 -> 20:36.960] With the hopes that, you know,
[20:37.240 -> 20:39.120] people might think that there are several fans.
[20:41.680 -> 20:43.720] Yeah. There could be multiple brown folks, but,
[20:43.960 -> 20:49.500] but I think like Sky Sports wanted to be or whoever was broadcasting wanted to not be racist.
[20:49.500 -> 20:54.180] So sure, let's just show someone with a Mexican flag at this point.
[20:54.180 -> 21:15.000] Yeah, but regardless, amazing performance by Perez. P11 to P4, amazing recovery drive. Qualification didn't go as well, but I guess he completely paid for it in the race.
[21:15.000 -> 21:25.920] Yeah, I mean, for me, he would have been the driver of the day if Alonzo was not up there on the podium because the next best thing to happen yesterday was that
[21:25.920 -> 21:33.120] climb from D11 to D4. He's gotten very comfortable with the car. If he continues this way into
[21:33.120 -> 21:39.520] the trailing two races, I see him going a bit long. I think you were saying, right,
[21:39.520 -> 21:47.360] he could be what Bottas was for for Mercedes. Yeah pretty much exactly. I think if he
[21:47.360 -> 21:51.040] it seems like he has gotten quite comfortable if he is able to maintain
[21:51.040 -> 21:56.920] this performance even in the next year's cars and there on he definitely will be
[21:56.920 -> 22:01.760] the Botas for Red Bull because I think like Max and Red Bull are gonna go hand
[22:01.760 -> 22:06.960] in hand for sure like this season proves proves it. Like the team is with
[22:06.960 -> 22:14.000] him and he is definitely with the team. So, they needed the second driver who can, you know,
[22:14.000 -> 22:20.800] really fight for those P3s and P2s. And I think they have Perez who can deliver that.
[22:25.480 -> 22:25.840] can deliver that. Totally, totally. He's, he's, I mean,
[22:30.040 -> 22:30.520] Bhotas is getting bullied quite a lot this season already.
[22:31.480 -> 22:31.640] Yeah, man. I mean,
[22:35.440 -> 22:40.120] we've been joking about this for the past few episodes that there is this Sunday bully system where their race engineers get together to see how we want to
[22:40.120 -> 22:44.040] bully. If they don't succeed, Bhotas does it to himself.
[22:44.000 -> 22:46.080] a bully. If they don't succeed, Bottas does it to himself.
[22:52.080 -> 22:53.200] But this is, I think like the nth race now, where luck's not been on his side and
[23:08.100 -> 23:15.000] Perez has totally capitalized that situation for Red Bull and bringing Red Bull yet closer to Mercedes for that. Exactly. And it's insane like zero points and then like how much do you get for P4? 12? 18? 12? Something like that. Yeah, whatever.
[23:15.000 -> 23:19.800] But still like that has really clawed into their lead. Yeah. And I think they're only
[23:19.800 -> 23:25.080] five points ahead now, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Mercedes and Red Bull. Yes. Five points.
[23:29.600 -> 23:30.840] I think Mercedes has been doing terrible strategy recently.
[23:31.680 -> 23:32.400] I agree.
[23:37.400 -> 23:37.560] Yeah. Because yesterday's decision was stupid to make him go long when they saw,
[23:39.600 -> 23:42.760] I mean, everybody knew what happened with Jassi's tyres. So it was not like people didn't know that that was a possibility.
[23:42.960 -> 23:48.160] I think, I think they are overly using Botaz as a shield to keep Hamilton.
[23:48.160 -> 23:51.840] And it's not like Hamilton was going to suffer anyways, right?
[23:51.840 -> 23:53.840] Like, he's just got a brilliant car.
[23:53.840 -> 23:56.240] So, Botaz wasn't needed.
[23:56.240 -> 23:59.920] I mean, if that is... I'm assuming that is what they were trying to do
[23:59.920 -> 24:03.440] to keep Checo not reaching up there.
[24:03.440 -> 24:04.480] Yeah, probably.
[24:04.480 -> 24:08.000] But yeah, not a smart move from their side.
[24:08.000 -> 24:09.500] Not a smart move at all, yeah.
[24:09.500 -> 24:18.000] And I think with this, they are causing more harm than what would have happened
[24:18.000 -> 24:20.000] even if like Checo reached there.
[24:20.000 -> 24:23.000] Yeah, it's stupid. It doesn't make sense.
[24:23.000 -> 24:26.480] I think strategy-wise, Red Bull has been doing great this season.
[24:27.400 -> 24:29.400] Even in today's race, we saw that.
[24:31.120 -> 24:35.000] They really forced Hamilton to do those pit stops as well.
[24:35.200 -> 24:39.920] Because they were right there and I think at one point,
[24:40.440 -> 24:46.460] it felt like that it could become something like Barcelona, the opposite of Barcelona.
[24:46.460 -> 24:55.320] Where if Hamilton hadn't pitted, when Verstappen pitted the second time, he could have clawed back for sure.
[24:55.320 -> 25:05.080] Yes. There were some doubts coming in from the Red Bull camp this side, like, and like, like, uh,
[25:05.120 -> 25:09.800] Municipality's camp where Hamilton and Botas were doubting their race strategist.
[25:10.280 -> 25:12.800] I think Perez was doubting his strategy.
[25:14.800 -> 25:17.160] Yeah. Perez as well. I think there was this, uh,
[25:17.280 -> 25:20.120] one place when I think he also pitted the second time.
[25:20.560 -> 25:24.440] He was a little unhappy and then, uh, his engineer was like, you know,
[25:24.440 -> 25:25.240] we promised that he will be on the podium and his engineer was like, you know, we promise that he will
[25:25.240 -> 25:28.000] be on the podium and he almost was there.
[25:28.000 -> 25:32.400] I mean, he could have gotten there if not for the virtual safety car, I guess, because
[25:32.400 -> 25:37.960] he could have caught up with Alonso and with fresher tires, I think he could have easily
[25:37.960 -> 25:38.960] overtaken him.
[25:38.960 -> 25:39.960] Right.
[25:39.960 -> 25:47.620] Yeah, I mean, I feel like there's just too much drama everywhere with these small small things and
[25:47.620 -> 25:56.880] FIA is not quite behind into adding more drama and putting themselves into the mix too.
[25:56.880 -> 25:57.880] Right?
[25:57.880 -> 26:05.000] Like the whole post-Quali double yellow flags in the yellow flag situation.
[26:06.640 -> 26:09.960] Yeah, I think FI is sometimes, at least these days,
[26:09.960 -> 26:14.960] feels like they drag their feet on purpose just because that creates more drama.
[26:15.400 -> 26:20.360] And with, with, you know, when you know that the result is going to come in,
[26:20.800 -> 26:22.640] you know, sometime just before the race,
[26:22.960 -> 26:25.600] obviously that kind of adds spice to the whole mixture.
[26:28.400 -> 26:35.040] It feels like, you know, created drama, I would say very honestly, because
[26:36.960 -> 26:48.860] it doesn't give the sport a professional look, I think, in a way way because if your stewards require a whole day to decide
[26:48.860 -> 26:54.340] whether to punish somebody for violating safety rules is just stupid it doesn't
[26:54.340 -> 26:58.100] make sense like it was a slam dunk according to me yeah they should have
[26:58.100 -> 27:03.340] given it right away yeah and I feel no I think it's it's the other thought that
[27:03.340 -> 27:10.560] we are having at this point I think it's the other thought that we are having at this point. I think it's the tandem working of marketing team with the stewards where I think the marketing
[27:10.560 -> 27:18.080] team is probably feeding in data that the delayed results there are the more that this
[27:18.080 -> 27:22.400] gets discussed on social media and the more traction F1 gets.
[27:22.400 -> 27:25.840] So probably that's what's happening there.
[27:32.560 -> 27:41.280] But well, oh well, I think finally, at least there's one thing we definitely, definitely agree on with respect to this track is the penalties given out to Botas and Max for violating the
[27:41.280 -> 27:47.480] flags. It was required to create that level of consistency.
[27:48.240 -> 27:49.200] But I think there were,
[27:49.200 -> 27:53.440] there were too many school boys playing mess there, except,
[27:54.240 -> 27:59.160] except Alonzo and Vettel being like the good kids who did slow down.
[27:59.160 -> 28:00.640] But there were, there were a couple of few more.
[28:00.640 -> 28:03.920] I don't know why only Max and Vogue has got penalized for this.
[28:04.160 -> 28:09.200] Yeah. I kind of know the reason why. and I, I do understand that, you know,
[28:09.280 -> 28:11.760] even I was having the same reaction as you, right.
[28:12.480 -> 28:13.960] That when I saw the data,
[28:13.960 -> 28:17.800] it was clear that only Vettel and Lonsworth wrote down and nobody else.
[28:18.240 -> 28:23.200] But what it turns out is basically the way these signaling systems
[28:23.200 -> 28:24.200] are, you know,
[28:24.680 -> 28:25.440] how the work is
[28:25.440 -> 28:30.140] that you have several Marshall posts across the track and each Marshall is
[28:30.140 -> 28:35.360] like looking at their own mini sector of the track and if they see any danger in
[28:35.360 -> 28:39.520] their mini sector they'll be waving flags. And this is gonna be like a
[28:39.520 -> 28:47.200] single yellow flag. Exactly single or, depending on what kind of, and it's their discretion to pick whatever. Exactly. Yep. Yep. Yep.
[28:47.520 -> 28:51.440] And the thing is that the boards that we see,
[28:51.440 -> 28:55.480] the digital boards that you see, I don't know exactly how they're controlled,
[28:55.480 -> 29:00.240] but basically they must be either the marshals themselves must be having some
[29:00.240 -> 29:04.520] button that they press there or somebody else like monitors those marshals and
[29:04.520 -> 29:05.600] like set the system accordingly. some button that they press there or somebody else monitors those marshals and sets the
[29:05.600 -> 29:06.980] system accordingly.
[29:06.980 -> 29:11.820] But there was a discrepancy between the digital boards and what the marshals on track were
[29:11.820 -> 29:12.820] showing.
[29:12.820 -> 29:19.020] But it's known that whatever the marshals are showing overrides everything else because
[29:19.020 -> 29:20.620] they are actually there, right?
[29:20.620 -> 29:22.280] So they actually see what's happening.
[29:22.280 -> 29:26.560] So the flags are given the most amount of importance and
[29:26.880 -> 29:31.760] Max failed to slow down after the double yellow flags
[29:31.760 -> 29:34.240] and Botas with the single yellow flag.
[29:34.260 -> 29:38.400] So that's why he got a three case grid penalty and Max got a five case grid penalty.
[29:38.880 -> 29:42.280] And everybody else didn't get the flags from the Martians and that's why they
[29:42.440 -> 29:43.760] weren't punished for it.
[29:44.000 -> 29:45.120] Okay. Okay. That's
[29:45.680 -> 29:50.880] interesting because yeah, there was news coming out of the camp that science is in the green.
[29:51.760 -> 29:58.080] He's not going to be penalized for that yellow flag discussing session. But yeah,
[29:58.080 -> 30:10.000] I don't know. Okay, so that's interesting. That's good to know. But on the more dramatized side of things, I think it just proves on what we just made a passing comment last weekend,
[30:10.000 -> 30:15.000] that Christian Nona is also not someone who's a saint.
[30:15.000 -> 30:22.000] And he's in controversy now this week with a comment of his that the marshal was a rogue marshal out there.
[30:22.000 -> 30:25.200] So, unsportsmanlike conduct there.
[30:26.960 -> 30:30.800] Yeah, that was wrong. And I think he's also gotten a summon from the stewards for that because he's
[30:30.800 -> 30:34.400] broken some violations of the sporting conduct. And I totally agree.
[30:34.400 -> 30:36.960] Like as a team principal,
[30:37.440 -> 30:41.240] it's completely out of scope for you to decide what marshals were doing is
[30:41.240 -> 30:45.120] correct or not, because that's not in your purview at all. You shouldn't be.
[30:45.160 -> 30:47.240] And it shouldn't be exactly, it shouldn't even be,
[30:47.240 -> 30:51.800] because like these guys are the people responsible for your safety.
[30:51.800 -> 30:56.400] Like you don't want an unlucky
[30:56.400 -> 30:57.960] Grosjean incident, right? I mean,
[30:57.960 -> 31:00.080] it ended up being a fortunate situation.
[31:01.160 -> 31:04.480] And there's this discussion I actually read on Reddit about this as well,
[31:04.480 -> 31:06.560] where somebody said that it's stupid that
[31:07.000 -> 31:09.000] Horner said this because
[31:09.000 -> 31:10.600] marshals by
[31:10.600 -> 31:16.440] Default are looking out for the safety of the drivers and by default they are looking out for Max's safety as well
[31:16.560 -> 31:20.780] So basically you're saying that his safety is not important to you. I mean
[31:22.080 -> 31:24.080] Yeah, that was a dick move from Christian.
[31:25.280 -> 31:34.720] Yeah, for sure. Talking about dick moves. Exactly. You got me on my nerve at this point. Man,
[31:35.920 -> 31:42.320] there's just, oh dude, there's so much arrogance coming out of that chair
[31:44.600 -> 31:48.720] coming out of that chair that Toto sits on. And I started despising him so much.
[31:48.720 -> 31:54.200] And you know, I mean, sure, I've never been sort of like an Hamilton fan, fan, fan.
[31:54.200 -> 31:59.600] But the way he's been driving recently and especially Brazil and today,
[31:59.600 -> 32:03.600] I want to give him credit. I definitely want to give him credit where it's due.
[32:03.600 -> 32:09.120] But Toto's arrogance is just sort of putting me off and giving me this much anger.
[32:09.400 -> 32:18.120] He made a new comment that you've awakened a dragon after the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
[32:18.120 -> 32:25.860] And I'm like, first of all, first of all, if faster tracks is what it takes to get you awakened
[32:25.900 -> 32:28.180] Then go drive a day to nine overs
[32:28.820 -> 32:35.460] Don't be in a hurry. But anyways, I know where his adrenaline pump is coming from
[32:36.260 -> 32:40.060] He just needs to tone it down. He just needs to tone it down a bit
[32:40.700 -> 32:48.000] More comments coming from him like yeah, we're gonna bring in new gears and new tech into Saudi.
[32:48.000 -> 32:52.000] So you'll have a reawakened Hamilton or something like that.
[32:52.000 -> 32:54.000] Sure.
[32:54.000 -> 33:00.000] Yeah, I've stopped listening to what he says.
[33:00.000 -> 33:08.560] Like the same, you know, I think last race as well, I think you were talking about his comments and I had no idea about it because
[33:08.800 -> 33:11.840] I've just stopped listening to what he sees pretty much these days.
[33:11.920 -> 33:12.760] I need to do that.
[33:14.840 -> 33:17.240] I need to get like a Toto shit filter.
[33:19.080 -> 33:23.520] Because I want to move to the positive side of things at the Mercedes
[33:23.520 -> 33:31.360] Garage, right? Like, which is Hamilton. I mean, the way he's been driving at Brazil, at Qatar.
[33:31.360 -> 33:34.720] And I'm pretty sure it's going to repeat itself again in Saudi.
[33:34.720 -> 33:35.200] For sure.
[33:35.200 -> 33:39.520] It's going to be Hamilton and then whoever's maybe, who or what, if that's what it is.
[33:39.520 -> 33:41.680] Like, it's going to be P1 Hamilton for sure.
[33:44.080 -> 33:47.280] He's renewed. He's back into that battle and I love it.
[33:47.280 -> 33:55.080] Yeah, definitely. And I think this has always been the case. Hamilton is the strongest towards
[33:55.080 -> 34:01.200] the end of the season. He always has been. And he gets stronger as the season ends. And
[34:01.200 -> 34:06.640] that's what we're seeing exactly, right? He had a slump twice in the season,
[34:07.040 -> 34:08.960] but I think he's completely gotten out of it.
[34:09.480 -> 34:14.520] And he's just flying, honestly speaking.
[34:16.480 -> 34:18.840] Max never got close to him.
[34:19.160 -> 34:21.720] He was never a danger to Hamilton throughout the race.
[34:22.200 -> 34:26.400] He led each lap of the race and yeah finished
[34:26.400 -> 34:31.240] started first finished first flawless performance. Yeah, you know we were taken
[34:31.240 -> 34:39.320] back to whatever 2019 Hamilton dominance era and sure rightfully so
[34:39.320 -> 34:43.560] because it's not like other cars are slow I mean Max has been giving that
[34:43.560 -> 34:46.480] tough fight throughout the season. So,
[34:52.160 -> 34:52.720] rightfully, it was a good weekend for Hamilton. Yeah, definitely. And I think Max was so bored
[34:58.160 -> 35:03.440] that at a point, he said on the radio that, you know, anyways, we are not, we are going to be second. Anyways, you know, let's have some fun. Let's try and close that gap. Let's try something
[35:03.440 -> 35:07.080] different. And I think that's what, that's why he did like three put stops.
[35:07.080 -> 35:10.320] Right. Yeah. Yeah. I guess. I guess.
[35:10.920 -> 35:14.800] It's a different match. Right. I mean, I said it jokingly,
[35:14.800 -> 35:16.840] but it definitely feels like
[35:18.800 -> 35:24.040] Dhenik Viyat's heartbreak has renewed Max in a positive way.
[35:30.880 -> 35:37.640] Yeah, I think like dealing with a girlfriend who has a kid has changed him. For sure.
[35:37.640 -> 35:43.080] But you know this season all in all has just been so good.
[35:43.080 -> 35:46.880] Alonzo being like the 13th different driver
[35:46.880 -> 35:52.800] to be on the podium just goes to show how dynamic, interesting and you know,
[35:53.840 -> 36:00.640] varied in terms of all constructors this season has been. Yep, yep, yep, definitely. And I think
[36:02.480 -> 36:07.000] everything right. There are fights going on throughout the leaderboard.
[36:07.000 -> 36:10.000] Obviously, we have the amazing battle between Max and Lewis.
[36:10.000 -> 36:17.000] But as we had talked about last time as well, I think the battle for P4, that's getting quite interesting as well.
[36:17.000 -> 36:26.000] The battle for P3, I'm not sure if Botas continues to have the luck that he has had, then I think Perez can overtake him.
[36:26.000 -> 36:34.000] I mean, 13 points separate and I feel like at least for when you're up there, 13 points is still doable in two races.
[36:34.000 -> 36:42.000] So there is a chance of Perez overtaking Botas in 2p3. I feel like Botas needs to find his mojo back at least for two races.
[36:46.960 -> 36:47.520] his mojo back at least for two races. Yeah and I really hope you know I mean I like Perez,
[36:53.040 -> 37:00.160] he has a lot of future but I really hope that Botta somehow maintains that P3. Being his last season at Mercedes, I really want him to get that P3. Yes, for sure, exactly.
[37:00.160 -> 37:07.520] That's why I mean I hope he finds his mojo back and stays there.
[37:12.240 -> 37:16.560] I think from last week episode, we've established Alpine's way out of Alfa Tauri's troubles for a fight in position. So that's gone.
[37:17.600 -> 37:24.320] Oh, by the way, in last time's episode, you said that Alpine is fighting with Ashton Martin.
[37:24.320 -> 37:26.100] And I just wanted to correct you.
[37:26.100 -> 37:31.500] I did because I thought like it's gonna I in my brain I was setting up a sentence
[37:31.500 -> 37:40.700] where it probably I was gonna say Alonzo fights Vettel but but Norris slipping
[37:40.700 -> 37:48.000] down the ranks especially with again this race, him having to pit, not being able to go.
[37:48.000 -> 37:55.000] I think that was still a smart move rather than just having to retire the car because he saw that visible degradation on the tyres
[37:55.000 -> 38:06.000] and he saw what happened with Botas, Latifi and Russell. good move on pitting, but that's brought in and that's brought in Norris tighter
[38:06.000 -> 38:15.160] and closer to Science and Leclerc. So that fight is getting stronger and I
[38:15.160 -> 38:19.280] know we were speaking about this before the recording started and I agree with
[38:19.280 -> 38:31.840] you where Science is starting to become a favorite for sure. He's surpassing McLaren and science is definitely getting into that mix and he's proving himself again.
[38:33.480 -> 38:35.320] Yeah, I think it's weird.
[38:35.400 -> 38:38.120] McLaren just seems to have written off the season.
[38:38.120 -> 38:39.480] It seems like suddenly, right?
[38:40.760 -> 38:44.480] I don't know whether they're not getting upgrades or something like that.
[38:44.760 -> 38:47.000] And their performance has just fallen off.
[38:47.000 -> 38:53.000] It suddenly seems like both Norris and Ricciardo as well have lost interest as well.
[38:53.000 -> 38:58.000] I don't know, it seems that way. It doesn't really seem like they're really, really fighting for it.
[38:58.000 -> 39:09.920] Seems like they're taking a step back. But yeah, Sainz is doing great,. Luckluck is doing great. Ferrari overall. Yeah. Showing a lot of potential for the next season as well. So I think they might just
[39:09.920 -> 39:13.760] be the third fastest team come next year.
[39:13.760 -> 39:27.680] True. I want to switch gears at this point. to our fortune, thank you random person who
[39:27.680 -> 39:32.720] listens to us at FIA, thank you for incorporating some of those changes.
[39:32.720 -> 39:39.440] We've got one more for you. What's up with showing multiple replays right in lap 2
[39:39.440 -> 39:46.000] man, come on, please. It's so stupid, you know, it's, I don't get it.
[39:46.360 -> 39:49.360] Why lap two? Like things haven't settled yet.
[39:49.360 -> 39:50.200] Exactly.
[39:50.320 -> 39:53.880] Just wait a little, wait till lap five at least.
[39:54.880 -> 39:58.960] They'll have this one shot from the front, one shot from the rear,
[39:58.960 -> 40:00.000] the helicopter camera.
[40:00.000 -> 40:03.600] It's like they have to justify all these budget costs that they keep spending
[40:04.560 -> 40:07.520] with these multiple angles for the race car.
[40:08.120 -> 40:11.960] And they can actually show the live race picture to picture while they're showing
[40:11.960 -> 40:14.600] these replays. So I don't really understand. Like it's,
[40:15.240 -> 40:19.080] picture in picture is not a new technology. It's like,
[40:19.120 -> 40:20.680] it's literally overlaying it.
[40:22.640 -> 40:25.680] I think they've spent all their efforts into building the car
[40:25.680 -> 40:29.920] technology and making it revolutionary there that picture in picture is foreign
[40:29.920 -> 40:36.520] to them. Who knows? Yeah. But hey random FIA person listening to us or random
[40:36.520 -> 40:39.880] sky sport person listening to us first of all thank you for listening to us
[40:39.880 -> 40:47.280] give us a shout out at the rate f1. But please either picture on picture or wait until like
[40:47.280 -> 40:52.720] lap 5 when botas has either crashed out or something settled down before showing those
[40:52.720 -> 41:01.600] multiple replay cams. Yeah, yeah, no, I totally agree. But yes, Sky, I feel in general,
[41:01.600 -> 41:05.000] Liberty Media should just end their deal with Sky because there's a lot of...
[41:05.000 -> 41:08.000] And get rid of the red button too, speaking of which.
[41:08.000 -> 41:16.000] And by the way, okay, since they have such a good red button, right, which shows replays, don't show us the replays on lap 2.
[41:16.000 -> 41:19.000] Oh yes, yes, that makes so much sense.
[41:26.400 -> 41:28.160] Oh man, coming back to a final few thoughts, right.
[41:30.920 -> 41:32.600] Let's bring some back markers into discussion. Williams and Haas.
[41:32.600 -> 41:33.200] Haas.
[41:35.920 -> 41:45.400] Sure, I mean, not a promising result from Mazepin himself, but I didn't think he was anywhere around in any controversy
[41:45.400 -> 41:50.880] good driving sure he kept his head head down I think his car wasn't even gonna
[41:50.880 -> 41:55.280] be ready because they had to do like a last-minute chassis change on his
[41:55.280 -> 42:01.040] car so grateful that at least he was able to come out but having passed him
[42:01.040 -> 42:08.600] in conversation what was Mick doing at least from this camera angle
[42:08.600 -> 42:16.760] that felt so weird. Yeah I think he went out into the outside the track I think it was
[42:16.760 -> 42:23.080] the same curb near the same curb which was just taking all the cars out and he
[42:23.080 -> 42:26.400] joined in so dangerously or at least it looked dangerous.
[42:26.400 -> 42:30.080] Nobody complained like Alonso didn't say anything.
[42:30.080 -> 42:31.440] Nobody investigated it.
[42:31.440 -> 42:32.720] So I was a little confused.
[42:32.720 -> 42:34.720] Maybe it was just some camera trickery.
[42:34.720 -> 42:36.480] And that was an interesting perspective, right?
[42:36.480 -> 42:37.840] Like Mix ahead.
[42:37.840 -> 42:40.160] Alonso is trying to just lap him around.
[42:40.160 -> 42:41.520] Mix going all the way to the right.
[42:42.080 -> 42:47.280] He's coming in to the left so strong because he's got to make a right-hand turn.
[42:47.280 -> 42:52.800] I'm like, Alonzo is probably going to run into him at this point. But yeah, you're right. No one complained about it.
[42:52.800 -> 42:55.360] So, nothing is lost at the end of the day.
[42:55.360 -> 43:01.360] Yeah. Well, I guess, let's talk about the last guy on the team.
[43:01.360 -> 43:04.160] Sure.
[43:04.160 -> 43:08.240] Latifi. I think he had some interesting conversation with
[43:08.240 -> 43:15.000] this engineer. It was, it was. And let's, let's, let's, let's draw this picture. So
[43:15.000 -> 43:25.920] I think lap 34 or 35 or something around when, when Bottas decided to check out the gravel outside the track. So he's, the boat has a spewing gravel onto
[43:25.920 -> 43:34.600] the track. Russell is in front of Latifi and surprisingly Latifi's got
[43:34.600 -> 43:40.160] slightly better pace than Russell. So they are chatting it out on the radio
[43:40.160 -> 43:45.440] and for no reason, I'm pretty sure they've got some reason, we don't know that reason,
[43:45.440 -> 43:53.640] for no reason at all he's been asked to stay silent on the radio, cut to Latifi asking if
[43:53.640 -> 43:59.840] he can overtake Russell and it just flips the engine, I mean not in an angry way but more so
[43:59.840 -> 44:05.360] defensively like no no no that that's a hard no that's that's not happening no
[44:05.360 -> 44:11.080] it was a bit weird and the intensity with which they were saying him to keep
[44:11.080 -> 44:17.560] the radio clear yeah telling him to shut up politely yes and felt a little weird
[44:17.560 -> 44:28.600] maybe there was something going on yeah I mean I guess I guess that's probably what you get when you're a paid driver.
[44:28.600 -> 44:33.080] Speaking of which, I'm sort of getting annoyed with multiple paid drivers.
[44:33.080 -> 44:35.080] And I hope this doesn't become a trend.
[44:35.080 -> 44:42.080] Otherwise, it's just going to be mediocre drivers who can pay the driver on the track.
[44:42.080 -> 44:47.520] Congrats to P Astry while I'm on that thought. Yeah, reserve driver right?
[44:50.560 -> 44:55.760] But speaking of reserve drivers, I think Gasly is the reserve driver for Red Bull.
[44:58.160 -> 45:05.300] The third driver I think. Yeah, pretty much. I think there was this video by Max where he said, I'm kind of stuck here.
[45:10.900 -> 45:11.200] And that obviously was like an open message for France Torts,
[45:16.000 -> 45:17.400] if at all anybody, because Gasly soon went wide.
[45:20.200 -> 45:23.800] And I don't know if that was on purpose, but wink wink for sure. Like he went wide. The interesting bit comes after that.
[45:23.800 -> 45:25.000] On the main main
[45:25.000 -> 45:32.000] straight Gasly doesn't open up his DRS wings he does not. Let's let's Max
[45:32.000 -> 45:37.920] get the DRS surpass him and for whatever like the 1 10th of the DRS straight
[45:37.920 -> 45:46.880] left he opens his DRS wing. There is a clear... I didn't catch that but that sounds super that was so that was a
[45:47.600 -> 45:49.160] clear
[45:49.160 -> 45:56.080] Message to Red Bull garage that if you ever wanna let Perez go and tell Sal it's not giving you enough money
[45:56.080 -> 45:58.080] I'm here
[45:59.960 -> 46:01.960] Sucking up to the big boys
[46:08.960 -> 46:13.280] Well, oh well, I think this was a fun. And we're so close man. I'm, you know, I'm,
[46:13.280 -> 46:19.120] what I love is all the interesting conversations on Twitter and Reddit that I've been reading about
[46:19.120 -> 46:27.880] all the different possibilities that can happen with what happens if they both crash out, what happens if they both, you know, all that's literally,
[46:27.880 -> 46:32.720] I saw one post which literally had a table of all possibilities that can happen
[46:33.120 -> 46:34.680] and how would it end up.
[46:36.160 -> 46:38.680] What's your most obnoxious theory you've read,
[46:38.680 -> 46:40.600] which could end up becoming a reality.
[46:41.680 -> 46:44.240] I think, okay, this one, I love this one.
[46:44.520 -> 46:46.720] So Hamilton wins the next race
[46:46.720 -> 46:52.200] with Max coming in second. Okay that ties them up.
[46:52.200 -> 46:58.000] That ties them up and they crash on lap one turn one in Bahrain. Okay and then we
[46:58.000 -> 47:08.600] wait one year to figure out who will win. I for one do like this theory where that's what's happening in some way.
[47:09.200 -> 47:11.720] And then at Abu Dhabi,
[47:13.800 -> 47:15.680] Hamilton's going to be in the lead.
[47:16.120 -> 47:18.840] He's going to try and lap Mick Schumacher.
[47:19.400 -> 47:21.880] And then Mick's going to come on the radio.
[47:22.520 -> 47:25.280] No, no, no, no. make Schumacher. I stand corrected.
[47:25.280 -> 47:29.320] And then Mix gonna come on radio and be like this one's for you father.
[47:29.320 -> 47:36.080] And then he runs into Hamilton. You don't get an eighth.
[47:38.240 -> 47:45.000] That's what I want to see. If that happens remember everybody you heard this first here.
[47:45.000 -> 47:46.000] Yes.
[47:46.000 -> 47:56.000] On that note, on that note, actually, let's do one last prediction before we close this
[47:56.000 -> 47:57.000] out.
[47:57.000 -> 48:00.000] Race win prediction for Saudi podium.
[48:00.000 -> 48:02.000] Okay, 1-2-3.
[48:02.000 -> 48:08.320] I think it's going to be Hamburg-Bbert. Oh, you think Hamwerbert? I think
[48:08.320 -> 48:17.520] it's gonna be Hamwer Perez. I see Red Bull being up there. Let's see. Let's see. Folks,
[48:17.520 -> 48:22.720] on the episode show notes and comments, let us know what you think is going to be the
[48:22.720 -> 48:25.900] podium for Saudi and let's see
[48:25.900 -> 48:30.120] which one of us gets it right. We'll give out a special shout out to whoever ends
[48:30.120 -> 48:35.060] up being right. So let's get your comments in. On that note, on that
[48:35.060 -> 48:41.780] note, two more races to go. We'll see you next after the Saudi race. We're not
[48:41.780 -> 48:49.800] gonna have an episode next week.'s let's spend the next week collecting whatever's happening throughout the season and until then
[48:49.800 -> 49:00.280] this is F1 Fan Fiction signing off. Bye!