CROFTY ON PITSTOP PODCAST! - Part 2

CROFTY ON PITSTOP, Pt 2... The F1 season may be over, but we're only just getting started! Today's episode is with Formula 1 legend David Croft, the voice of Formula 1. We met Crofty out in Vegas and knew straight away how much of a great guy he was. So glad we got this podcast done with him AND WE WENT TO HIS HOUSE!!!! Massive thank you to Sky Sports for making this happen, we really appreciate the opportunity and can't wait to see what the future holds. Sky will always be special to us after our first ever grand prix at Imola when we ended up on Teds Notebook haha... Amazing memories! Also... Alex, you're the best! David, thank you for having us at Chez Crofty... Enjoy the little time off that you get and keep smashing it. Absolute legend with a voice that will echo in history forever. Thanks mate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

# Podcast Episode Summary: A Candid Conversation with David Croft

**Introduction:**

- Hosts Jake Boys and Fabio Bocca express their excitement for the second part of the podcast, emphasizing that it promises to be the best part.


- They encourage listeners to rate the podcast five stars on Spotify, as it helps them immensely.


- David Croft, the renowned Formula One commentator, joins the podcast for an insightful and engaging conversation.


**Lights Out and Away We Go:**

- Croft shares his enthusiasm for the iconic phrase "Lights out and away we go," which he coined to add a few seconds of buffer time before analyzing the race start.


- He acknowledges that Ben Edwards also used the phrase, but they were unaware of each other's usage at the time due to broadcasting in different commentary boxes.


- Croft explains that he memorizes the grid positions before the race to ensure he can quickly identify the drivers as they start.


**Challenges of Commentary:**

- Croft discusses the challenges of commentating on Formula One races, particularly at the start when 20 cars are vying for position in the first corner.


- He highlights the difficulty in distinguishing between similar-looking cars, especially when they are close together.


- Croft mentions that he relies on the yellow or black camera above the engine airbox to differentiate between drivers.


- He admits that the recent switch by Lewis Hamilton from a black to a yellow camera has caused some confusion for him.


**Importance of Picture-in-Picture:**

- Croft expresses his appreciation for the introduction of picture-in-picture during race coverage, allowing viewers to follow multiple storylines simultaneously.


- He believes it is essential to capture the different narratives unfolding on the track, as there are often multiple incidents happening at the same time.


- Croft emphasizes the need for instant identification and recall of events to provide accurate commentary.


**Toilet Breaks and ComCam:**

- The hosts inquire about Croft's bathroom breaks during races, especially when there are delays.


- Croft confirms that he tries to use the restroom about 20 minutes before the race starts to avoid any potential issues.


- He mentions that the toilet facilities at some tracks are not ideal, leading to occasional awkward situations.


- Croft also reveals that there was an incident where a portable toilet was accidentally dropped on fiber optic cables, resulting in a brief loss of broadcast signal.


- The hosts discuss the possibility of introducing a "ComCam" to capture behind-the-scenes footage of the commentators during races.


**Friendships in Formula One:**

- Croft reflects on his relationships with drivers and teams in Formula One, acknowledging that it can be challenging to maintain friendships while also providing honest commentary.


- He emphasizes the importance of being honest and objective, even if it means saying things that may not be entirely complimentary.


- Croft shares an anecdote about a conversation he had with Max Verstappen after a controversial incident, where they discussed the situation openly and honestly.


- He believes that it is essential to have a good rapport with the drivers and teams, but also to maintain a professional distance to ensure fair and unbiased commentary.


**Mistakes and Controversies:**

- Croft addresses the controversy surrounding the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, acknowledging that mistakes were made by the FIA and race officials.


- He compares the situation to instances in football where VAR (video assistant referee) is unable to correct all errors.


- Croft emphasizes the need to accept that mistakes happen in sports and that it is important to move on rather than dwell on past controversies.


- He expresses his concern about the toxicity and negativity on social media platforms, particularly regarding the Abu Dhabi incident.


- Croft believes that it is crucial for fans to move forward and focus on the positive aspects of the sport.


**Memorabilia and Appreciation:**

- Croft shows the hosts a special piece of memorabilia he owns: a gear from Jenson Button's 2009 championship-winning Brawn car.


- He explains that Andrew Shovlin, Button's race engineer at the time, recognized the gear and confirmed its authenticity.


- Croft expresses his admiration for the craftsmanship and engineering behind Formula One cars, particularly the engines.


- The hosts thank Croft for his time and contributions to the podcast, acknowledging that he has played a significant role in their success.


**Conclusion:**

- The podcast concludes with the hosts reiterating their gratitude to Croft for sharing his insights and experiences.


- They encourage listeners to follow the podcast and rate it five stars on Spotify. **Introduction and Initial Discussion:**

- The podcast begins with a warm exchange between hosts Jake Boys and Fabio Bocca, who express their gratitude for having David Croft, the renowned Formula One commentator, join them.


- Croft shares his excitement about the upcoming Formula One season and the anticipation surrounding it, comparing it to a thrilling ride that passes by quickly.


- The conversation shifts to the relentless nature of the sport and how it keeps Croft feeling young, despite his years of experience in Formula One.


- Croft emphasizes the importance of balancing work and personal life, especially during the off-season, to recharge and prepare for the demanding schedule ahead.

**Seasonal Transitions and Personal Engagements:**

- Croft mentions that he does not entirely switch off during the off-season but remains engaged in various activities, including his upcoming address at the Oxford Union.


- He highlights the significance of taking breaks and spending time with family, as the Formula One season can be intense and demanding.

**Hair Care Routine and Stylists:**

- Croft discusses his consistent haircut routine, which has remained unchanged for over two decades, and his familiarity with his barber.


- He acknowledges that stylists are available during race weekends to cater to the grooming needs of drivers and personnel.

**Metal Music and Download Festival:**

- Croft expresses his passion for metal music, particularly Slipknot, and his enthusiasm for attending the Download Festival.


- He recalls a memorable experience at Download with Daniel Ricciardo, where they witnessed performances by Parkway Drive and Gaslight Anthem.


- Croft shares an anecdote about how he obtained an exclusive interview with Ricciardo regarding his potential move to Red Bull Racing, using the opportunity to film the driver's reaction to questions about the rumored move.


- The conversation revolves around the idea of bringing other Formula One personalities to the Download Festival and capturing their reactions to the heavy metal music scene.

**Conclusion and Farewell:**

- The podcast concludes with Croft expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to join the show and his excitement about collaborating further in the future.


- The hosts thank Croft for his time and acknowledge that the podcast was one of their favorites.


- Croft departs, leaving the hosts to discuss the latest Slipknot and Megadeth albums, highlighting their appreciation for metal music.

[00:00.000 -> 00:04.080] This episode is presented to you by NFL Sunday Ticket,
[00:04.080 -> 00:05.960] now on YouTube and YouTube TV.
[00:05.960 -> 00:08.800] With NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube and YouTube TV,
[00:08.800 -> 00:11.520] you can watch your favorite teams out of market Sunday games,
[00:11.520 -> 00:13.840] plus watch up to four games at once with multi-view.
[00:13.840 -> 00:15.680] Don't miss the race to the playoffs.
[00:15.680 -> 00:19.600] NFL Sunday Ticket is now just $39 when bundled with YouTube TV,
[00:19.600 -> 00:21.320] where you get even more football.
[00:21.320 -> 00:24.440] Visit youtube.com slash Spotify offer to sign up now.
[00:24.440 -> 00:28.840] Lowest price on YouTube TV with Base Plan. Rest of 2023 season. Terms and embargoes apply. No
[00:28.840 -> 00:29.840] cancellations.
[00:29.840 -> 00:34.940] The holidays start here at Fred Meyer with a variety of options to celebrate traditions
[00:34.940 -> 00:41.000] old and new. You could do a classic herb roasted turkey or spice it up and make turkey tacos.
[00:41.000 -> 00:45.560] Serve up a go-to shrimp cocktail or use simple truth wild-caught shrimp for your
[00:45.560 -> 00:47.520] first Cajun risotto.
[00:47.520 -> 00:52.620] Make creamy mac and cheese or a spinach artichoke fondue from our selection of Murray's cheese.
[00:52.620 -> 00:56.840] No matter how you shop, Fred Meyer has all the freshest ingredients to embrace all your
[00:56.840 -> 00:58.120] holiday traditions.
[00:58.120 -> 01:00.120] Fred Meyer, fresh for everyone.
[01:00.120 -> 01:02.760] Jay, you're talking into a Sky Sports mic right now.
[01:02.760 -> 01:07.400] I am stood in my lounge holding a Sky Sports microphone and it is probably one of the best
[01:07.400 -> 01:08.400] days of my life.
[01:08.400 -> 01:11.040] All the excitement has gone to our heads a bit too much, innit?
[01:11.040 -> 01:13.560] David Croft, we were in his house on his sofa.
[01:13.560 -> 01:14.560] Can't believe it.
[01:14.560 -> 01:17.160] And welcome to part two, the best part of the podcast.
[01:17.160 -> 01:19.040] Hope you guys enjoy it.
[01:19.040 -> 01:20.040] Follow the podcast.
[01:20.040 -> 01:21.600] Rate it five stars, really helps us out.
[01:21.600 -> 01:23.720] Crofty, thank you so much for coming on.
[01:23.720 -> 01:26.880] Without further ado, Fab, here we are.
[01:26.880 -> 01:29.120] It's lights out and away we go.
[01:29.120 -> 01:29.960] Yes!
[01:29.960 -> 01:30.800] Yes!
[01:30.800 -> 01:33.280] I think I just coined my own term there.
[01:33.280 -> 01:34.720] Let's go, what did you do?
[01:34.720 -> 01:35.560] What did you have to do?
[01:35.560 -> 01:36.380] Here we are.
[01:36.380 -> 01:37.220] Oh.
[01:37.220 -> 01:38.060] Imagine that as starlights.
[01:38.060 -> 01:38.880] Here we are.
[01:38.880 -> 01:39.880] Here we are.
[01:39.880 -> 01:43.360] It's three lights, four lights, five lights,
[01:43.360 -> 01:44.200] and here we are!
[01:44.200 -> 01:45.440] Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha!
[01:49.080 -> 01:50.760] When you're shouting that in the commentary box though,
[01:50.760 -> 01:51.920] are you thinking about the millions
[01:51.920 -> 01:53.080] sat at home on their sofa?
[01:53.080 -> 01:54.640] Yeah, do you ever get nervous?
[01:54.640 -> 01:56.000] Yeah, well, yeah, I get nervous.
[01:56.000 -> 01:56.840] Absolutely. You do?
[01:56.840 -> 01:58.120] You do get nervous before every race?
[01:58.120 -> 01:59.920] Honestly, if we had a dog in the commentary box,
[01:59.920 -> 02:01.160] I'd have patted a bald spot.
[02:01.160 -> 02:02.480] If you're listening right now.
[02:02.480 -> 02:04.240] Ha ha ha ha!
[02:04.240 -> 02:06.680] But no, I do, because you don't know what's coming up.
[02:06.680 -> 02:08.440] Is that why Martin's losing a bit of hair?
[02:08.440 -> 02:10.960] No, I haven't noticed.
[02:10.960 -> 02:14.200] One member of our team who is losing a bit of hair,
[02:14.200 -> 02:16.280] but I've spotted that out of the comment box window
[02:16.280 -> 02:17.120] the other day.
[02:17.120 -> 02:21.280] No, I do get nervous and it's right to get nervous
[02:21.280 -> 02:22.960] because I'm about to, as I say,
[02:22.960 -> 02:24.480] broadcast without a tight rope.
[02:24.480 -> 02:26.520] There's no safety net for us. So it's right to, nervous. Cause I'm about to, as I say, broadcast without a tightrope. There's no safety net for us.
[02:26.520 -> 02:28.360] So it's right to, and that just adds
[02:28.360 -> 02:30.200] to the adrenaline of the moment.
[02:30.200 -> 02:32.800] And if you didn't get nervous, you'd get complacent.
[02:32.800 -> 02:35.360] And I don't think there's any room for complacency,
[02:35.360 -> 02:37.000] not in the job that we do.
[02:37.000 -> 02:38.200] It's a good nervous, isn't it?
[02:38.200 -> 02:40.160] I think, I mean, I do music,
[02:40.160 -> 02:42.160] so I get nervous before every show that we play.
[02:42.160 -> 02:44.800] Played a million shows, but you just, it's good nervous.
[02:44.800 -> 02:46.920] And then once you start, does it just completely go away?
[02:47.560 -> 02:53.760] Yeah, you kind of forget what you're doing to a certain extent. I'm I'm then having a conversation with my mate or mates and
[02:54.720 -> 03:00.140] You're broadcasting to one person. There might be millions and there are millions watching around the world
[03:00.140 -> 03:04.800] but you're broadcasting to one person or two people, you know, you guys sat on your sofa and
[03:06.000 -> 03:06.520] But you're broadcasting to one person or two people, you know, you guys sat on your sofa and you're not
[03:12.040 -> 03:12.560] Broadcasting to millions because that's that's not the way we have a conversation with people. That's not the way we address people
[03:15.100 -> 03:19.160] To be honest and he mentioned Abu Dhabi I was talking to Ross Braun earlier this year about something completely different and
[03:19.500 -> 03:23.560] Then we got to the subject of Abu Dhabi and I said, where were you when you watched a sauce at home?
[03:24.040 -> 03:28.960] Watching on the TV. I said well, he said oh, yeah, and I was standing up shouting at the television
[03:28.960 -> 03:32.000] I would you waste I've got here you might you got me so excited
[03:32.000 -> 03:36.920] I started shouting at the television and if Ross Brawn a man who's had an awful lot of ups and
[03:37.160 -> 03:42.400] And a couple of downs but not many in Formula one over the years can start shouting it as TV
[03:42.400 -> 03:44.500] Then we've done something right on that, you know
[03:45.080 -> 03:49.800] Even the the calm mild mannered Ross Brawn was getting into it.
[03:49.800 -> 03:50.640] Ross is a legend.
[03:50.640 -> 03:51.460] Which is a nice thought.
[03:51.460 -> 03:52.840] We want to get him on the pod, like seriously.
[03:52.840 -> 03:55.000] He stepped down now, so he's got plenty of time.
[03:55.000 -> 03:56.960] Sorry, Ross, if I'm dropping you in on that one.
[03:56.960 -> 03:59.280] We'll grab his number off you after we're done.
[03:59.280 -> 04:01.800] So, I mean, you have, it's not very often,
[04:01.800 -> 04:03.600] I mean, it happens, but it's not very often
[04:03.600 -> 04:05.880] that you will have like a big ending like that. I mean, the majority of your job and what you, I mean, it happens, but it's not very often that you will have a big ending like that.
[04:05.880 -> 04:07.980] I mean, the majority of your job and what you do,
[04:07.980 -> 04:09.520] I imagine is at the start of the race.
[04:09.520 -> 04:12.300] Because you've got 20 cars all going into that first corner.
[04:12.300 -> 04:13.880] How do you tackle that?
[04:13.880 -> 04:18.240] Like, I see a red car and a silver car coming towards me.
[04:18.240 -> 04:20.640] And I'm like, is it, is it, is it?
[04:20.640 -> 04:22.200] You can't even tell who which Red Bull's which,
[04:22.200 -> 04:23.040] can you really?
[04:23.040 -> 04:24.080] Are you reading the numbers on the car?
[04:24.080 -> 04:24.900] Is that how you know?
[04:24.900 -> 04:25.500] No, I can't see the numbers.
[04:25.500 -> 04:28.500] So you just know what position they're in, who it's likely going to be?
[04:28.500 -> 04:30.500] You memorise the grid.
[04:30.500 -> 04:36.500] So the last thing I do before Martin comes up to the commentary box after the grid walk is memorise the grid.
[04:36.500 -> 04:38.000] Just so it's fresh.
[04:38.000 -> 04:38.500] Yeah, yeah.
[04:38.500 -> 04:47.160] And I'll go into a bit of a trance-like state, sort of like that, where I'll just go, right, okay, Verstappen,
[04:47.160 -> 04:52.160] Perez, Leclerc, Science, Hamilton,
[04:52.920 -> 04:54.320] oh, it's just the other way around, so I would have,
[04:54.320 -> 04:57.840] Hamilton, Russell, and I'll visualize the grid
[04:57.840 -> 05:00.140] in my mind and I'll go through it.
[05:01.080 -> 05:04.080] And then it lights out and away we go,
[05:04.080 -> 05:10.640] which I introduced because it gives you two or three seconds where you're not thinking about what you're saying clever
[05:10.920 -> 05:12.920] To analyze what has happened
[05:13.780 -> 05:15.780] So that's you coined that term
[05:16.400 -> 05:21.240] Well, I seem say the Ben Edwards did use it as well. And you know, I
[05:21.680 -> 05:26.920] Didn't know Ben was using it Ben didn't know I was using it because he was broadcasting at the same time as me
[05:26.920 -> 05:30.500] He was on the BBC and I was on sky and we're both in different commentary boxes
[05:30.500 -> 05:33.240] It was only after about three races. I don't know who Bernard
[05:33.240 -> 05:38.020] So so Ben Ben has been in commentating on f1 longer than I have
[05:38.020 -> 05:46.000] Well, I had to be honest in John Watson did the digital stuff in the year Ben Ben's done a whole host of stuff a gweithio ar y digidol yn y blynyddoedd. Ben wedi gwneud nifer o bethau dros y blynyddoedd.
[05:46.000 -> 05:51.000] Mae'n gyfranogwr ddiddorol ac yn ddiddorol iawn hefyd.
[05:51.280 -> 05:55.320] Mae wedi bod yn ddiddorol iawn i gydnabod Ben dros y blynyddoedd.
[05:56.280 -> 05:57.120] Ond yr hyn dwi ddim wedi gwybod,
[05:57.120 -> 05:57.960] ac yr hyn dwi ddim wedi gwybod,
[05:57.960 -> 06:00.480] oedd ein bod ni'n defnyddio'r peth hwn
[06:00.480 -> 06:02.560] ar fideo bach o 50th anhygoel
[06:02.560 -> 06:04.840] a dyna rhai o'r dynion wedi'i gysylltu i mi.
[06:04.840 -> 06:08.440] Dwi'n cael Ben a dweud, dyna'r ffrasau, dyna'r tŷ. on a little 50th birthday video that some of the guys put together for me. I've got Ben saying, you can have the phrase now, it's yours.
[06:08.440 -> 06:10.400] So Ben, if you're listening, it's mine.
[06:12.040 -> 06:14.760] I think I've made a bit more of it
[06:14.760 -> 06:17.560] and people associate me with that phrase.
[06:17.560 -> 06:22.560] But I say it because I just want to buy myself a bit of time
[06:24.240 -> 06:25.200] to see what's happened.
[06:25.200 -> 06:30.760] And then after that, you're just picking things out and sometimes hoping you've got it right,
[06:30.760 -> 06:33.840] because you don't always see everything you need to.
[06:33.840 -> 06:39.320] The biggest clue is that is the camera above the engine airbox,
[06:39.320 -> 06:45.280] which is yellow or black, depending on which driver- Who's the team leader.
[06:45.280 -> 06:46.680] But don't some of them swap?
[06:46.680 -> 06:48.240] Yeah, but it used to be team leader.
[06:48.240 -> 06:49.080] Now it's just-
[06:49.080 -> 06:50.120] Yeah, there's not really,
[06:50.120 -> 06:52.280] some teams, it's not really a thing anymore, is it?
[06:52.280 -> 06:55.020] So the biggest problem this season
[06:55.020 -> 06:58.840] has been that after years of having the black camera,
[06:58.840 -> 07:01.120] Lewis has switched to yellow.
[07:01.120 -> 07:03.560] And that really has taken a bit of getting used to.
[07:03.560 -> 07:08.520] And it's gone with his crash helmet and the numbering on the car but it's like Lewis please
[07:08.520 -> 07:13.080] please swap it back again because you know I don't like change I've
[07:13.080 -> 07:16.760] got used to the black camera on that one you know the yellow confused me for a
[07:16.760 -> 07:23.520] while and in Hungary it did it for a couple of corners actually and that was
[07:23.520 -> 07:26.200] once again going back to broadcast without a tight rope.
[07:26.200 -> 07:28.280] Yeah, I think I remember you saying it
[07:28.280 -> 07:29.840] and I'm sitting there thinking,
[07:29.840 -> 07:31.780] he's got that fucking wrong, that's not Lewis.
[07:31.780 -> 07:32.620] Yeah, exactly.
[07:32.620 -> 07:36.960] And it's just years of knowing Lewis
[07:36.960 -> 07:38.160] was the black tea camera.
[07:38.160 -> 07:42.380] When it cuts to something like that,
[07:42.380 -> 07:47.640] that is a bit out of sync with the rest of the lap, you kind of instantly go in,
[07:47.640 -> 07:50.880] I may, I should have taken a pause and then gone in.
[07:50.880 -> 07:52.760] I kind of kicked myself a little bit afterwards
[07:52.760 -> 07:54.320] that I didn't do that.
[07:54.320 -> 07:59.320] But I'm like, see, I'm like football or darts,
[07:59.480 -> 08:03.280] or horse racing or most other sports,
[08:03.280 -> 08:05.600] because there are so many different things happening
[08:05.600 -> 08:07.360] on the lap at the same time,
[08:09.380 -> 08:11.320] there's a lot of cuts that are out of sync
[08:11.320 -> 08:14.000] with the narrative that you might be saying at the time.
[08:14.000 -> 08:17.440] A lot of things happen that you're not expecting to happen
[08:17.440 -> 08:20.120] and you've got to have instant kind of identification
[08:20.120 -> 08:22.240] and recall as to what that is.
[08:22.240 -> 08:24.600] It's not like a football match where it's just, you know,
[08:24.600 -> 08:27.000] on a pitch back and forth.
[08:27.000 -> 08:29.440] There's things happening on the far side of the track
[08:29.440 -> 08:30.760] that you can't see necessarily
[08:30.760 -> 08:33.040] or haven't been featured for a while.
[08:33.040 -> 08:34.040] And that's where, you know,
[08:34.040 -> 08:35.880] the trying to cover everything
[08:35.880 -> 08:37.360] becomes really, really tricky.
[08:37.360 -> 08:40.480] And I do like the way that they brought picture
[08:40.480 -> 08:42.560] and picture in now to the coverage.
[08:42.560 -> 08:43.640] And I've been saying, you know,
[08:43.640 -> 08:46.640] to the guys at Formula One for years,
[08:46.640 -> 08:47.960] start doing a bit of that.
[08:47.960 -> 08:48.800] What's that?
[08:48.800 -> 08:52.400] So you'll see sometimes we'll be covering one thing
[08:52.400 -> 08:53.680] on the main screen,
[08:53.680 -> 08:55.440] and then you've got the timing tower
[08:55.440 -> 08:57.680] on the left-hand side of the screen,
[08:57.680 -> 08:59.280] and there'll be a box,
[08:59.280 -> 09:02.520] and that will have some action in that box.
[09:02.520 -> 09:04.440] Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, I like that.
[09:04.440 -> 09:07.200] And I think it's really, really important to bring that in
[09:07.200 -> 09:08.840] because sometimes there are two stories
[09:08.840 -> 09:09.840] going on at the same time.
[09:09.840 -> 09:10.660] Yeah, for sure.
[09:10.660 -> 09:12.820] We said that we wanted to see more of the commentary
[09:12.820 -> 09:15.160] where the box comes up and you can see more in the box.
[09:15.160 -> 09:17.620] So Abu Dhabi last year, we actually did put a camera
[09:17.620 -> 09:21.200] in the commentary box and for some strange reason,
[09:21.200 -> 09:22.860] and honestly, I didn't touch it,
[09:22.860 -> 09:28.940] and Martin swears he didn't touch it, the camera that was kind of facing the both of us about ten minutes
[09:28.940 -> 09:34.240] before the start did that and we've got a great bit of footage of Martin's feet
[09:34.240 -> 09:38.200] during the last lap. That would have been an amazing video as well.
[09:38.200 -> 09:43.680] Oh yeah we were pretty animated. The thing that surprised me was that you
[09:43.680 -> 09:45.320] guys stand up when you do the commentary.
[09:45.320 -> 09:47.160] I pictured you sitting down.
[09:47.160 -> 09:48.280] No, it's so much better.
[09:48.280 -> 09:51.160] So by standing up, it frees the diaphragm, doesn't it?
[09:51.160 -> 09:55.440] And it also just means we can get more excited.
[09:55.440 -> 09:56.720] We don't get lethargic.
[09:56.720 -> 09:58.960] You know, we don't fall asleep like you guys
[09:58.960 -> 10:01.200] on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon.
[10:01.200 -> 10:02.440] Go on, you've all done it.
[10:02.440 -> 10:04.640] What about straight after a race,
[10:04.640 -> 10:05.760] you like run to the toilet?
[10:05.760 -> 10:08.280] Because if it's been a delayed race, right,
[10:08.280 -> 10:09.600] you must be desperate for a piss.
[10:09.600 -> 10:13.280] There have been times, and I do make sure
[10:13.280 -> 10:16.600] that I go for a wee, about 20 minutes
[10:16.600 -> 10:18.180] before they come to us.
[10:19.200 -> 10:21.880] Sometimes a bit longer, because the toilet facilities
[10:21.880 -> 10:23.460] are not great at all tracks.
[10:23.460 -> 10:28.160] The porter cabins in Canada are particularly, well that we used to have, were
[10:28.160 -> 10:31.580] particularly awful. The Porter cabins in Imola that we still have are not
[10:31.580 -> 10:35.040] particularly awful. We had holes in the floor in Imola, we did. We were in Imola.
[10:35.040 -> 10:39.200] Yeah, well we had Porter loos that had been there all weekend. That wasn't
[10:39.200 -> 10:43.040] that wasn't very nice to be fair. The Canadian ones used to be worse because
[10:43.040 -> 10:46.240] it used to be hotter and the sun used to bake down.
[10:46.240 -> 10:47.720] Five star glory in Formula One.
[10:47.720 -> 10:49.720] In fact, we got taken off air once
[10:49.720 -> 10:52.620] because of the portaloos in Canada.
[10:53.480 -> 10:55.280] Just as Martin and I were talking,
[10:55.280 -> 10:57.040] about to talk in commentary,
[10:57.040 -> 10:59.480] someone dropped off a portaloo,
[10:59.480 -> 11:02.360] but they dropped it right on top of the fiber optic cables
[11:02.360 -> 11:04.040] going back to the TV compound
[11:04.040 -> 11:09.360] and managed to cut, we have like an A and a B twice as a backup but managed to cut one A and one
[11:09.360 -> 11:13.040] B from different lines and so we went completely off air.
[11:13.040 -> 11:14.040] Oh shit.
[11:14.040 -> 11:15.560] We were so crap we got taken off air.
[11:15.560 -> 11:19.080] Funny how those little mistakes happen no one at home would even know that it was because
[11:19.080 -> 11:22.080] of a fucking portaloop.
[11:22.080 -> 11:28.300] Yeah but these things do happen you know we've done enough races now to have pretty seen pretty much everything.
[11:28.300 -> 11:31.420] But yeah, we might bring ComCam in for a bit.
[11:31.640 -> 11:34.720] There are times that I do race off to the loo, not often.
[11:35.160 -> 11:39.520] Bladder control, very important for a commentator. I've left once
[11:41.640 -> 11:43.600] at Silverstone when we had an hour's
[11:43.600 -> 11:46.220] red flag.
[11:48.760 -> 11:51.320] I did go off to the loo there and left Martin talking, but the loo's were next door, so that was okay.
[11:51.320 -> 11:56.320] Belgium last year, we were talking for a long time,
[11:56.540 -> 11:58.000] obviously, because nothing was happening.
[11:58.000 -> 12:01.400] Martin went to get a cup of tea and some biscuits
[12:01.400 -> 12:02.600] and went to get the cup of tea.
[12:02.600 -> 12:03.940] Imagine you guys, commentary box,
[12:03.940 -> 12:07.240] mute in the mic, quick fucking cookie, whack a hot chocolate,
[12:07.240 -> 12:09.000] mic comes back on.
[12:09.000 -> 12:12.800] And then he realized this was gonna take a while
[12:12.800 -> 12:14.000] and we were gonna be around for a while
[12:14.000 -> 12:15.700] and Martin was riding his bike back home.
[12:15.700 -> 12:18.640] So he actually got changed whilst commentating
[12:18.640 -> 12:19.520] because nothing was happening.
[12:19.520 -> 12:21.960] So we were just talking away and he got changed
[12:21.960 -> 12:24.360] from his shirt and trousers to his full
[12:24.360 -> 12:25.580] wet weather motorcycle gear
[12:27.680 -> 12:32.540] And at one stage at one stage he was stood there in his boxer shorts, I'm not what's he's going on here
[12:32.540 -> 12:36.420] Yeah, if you had a comm cam there, yeah, that would have been bad. You wouldn't have wanted that
[12:37.100 -> 12:42.340] Talking about Martin and so and you're talking about Jensen and other people. You've been in sport 17 years now
[12:43.360 -> 12:46.280] Are you friends like you must be so tight
[12:46.280 -> 12:47.420] with certain people in the paddock.
[12:47.420 -> 12:49.260] Like, are you actually, would you consider yourself friends
[12:49.260 -> 12:51.160] with the drivers or like the teams or?
[12:51.160 -> 12:56.160] Yeah, look, I have a relationship with all the drivers
[12:56.360 -> 13:01.360] and the teams and I know a lot of people within the teams.
[13:02.140 -> 13:06.240] I think it's very, if you're gonna have a friendship with a driver,
[13:06.240 -> 13:07.760] it's gotta be a really good friendship
[13:07.760 -> 13:09.840] because there are times you're gonna say things
[13:09.840 -> 13:14.840] that aren't full praiseworthy of their efforts.
[13:15.440 -> 13:16.800] And you have to be honest.
[13:18.480 -> 13:22.760] So I wouldn't, I would say yes,
[13:22.760 -> 13:24.440] I'm friends with the drivers
[13:24.440 -> 13:26.480] and certainly have been out, you know,
[13:26.480 -> 13:31.480] for social time as it were, but you do,
[13:31.700 -> 13:36.700] my first responsibility is to the viewers of Sky Sports
[13:38.460 -> 13:41.420] and those that take our commentary around the world
[13:41.420 -> 13:43.760] and to the sport itself.
[13:43.760 -> 13:47.160] And I try and be as honest as I possibly can.
[13:47.160 -> 13:49.540] Sometimes you can't break a confidence,
[13:49.540 -> 13:51.140] you'll know something, but you just can't,
[13:51.140 -> 13:54.360] you can't break a confidence in that respect.
[13:54.360 -> 13:59.060] So friendships are really difficult to have in that manner,
[13:59.060 -> 14:02.700] but I have a lot of friends within Formula One
[14:02.700 -> 14:09.140] and within the teams, and I've never had a driver who has been upset
[14:09.300 -> 14:10.800] or annoyed with me,
[14:10.800 -> 14:12.680] or was not prepared to stand
[14:12.680 -> 14:14.280] and have a conversation with us.
[14:14.280 -> 14:19.280] So I try and see the positives
[14:19.480 -> 14:22.020] and the pluses in all situations.
[14:23.240 -> 14:25.520] I remember, I remember first,
[14:25.520 -> 14:28.860] cause it was the first time I'd ever been on a private jet.
[14:28.860 -> 14:29.700] I've never done a private jet.
[14:29.700 -> 14:31.380] Yeah, we're still waiting for that.
[14:31.380 -> 14:32.280] What's it like?
[14:32.280 -> 14:33.120] It was lovely.
[14:33.120 -> 14:35.180] It was a small private jet,
[14:35.180 -> 14:36.600] but we were in Austin
[14:36.600 -> 14:41.600] and I was going off to do something with Max
[14:42.280 -> 14:45.000] and for one of the Red Bull partners, sponsors.
[14:48.960 -> 14:50.660] And we were sat on the plane.
[14:50.660 -> 14:54.260] And so as we're sat now, but a lot closer to each other
[14:54.260 -> 14:56.780] and there was Max and there was his manager, Raymond
[14:56.780 -> 14:59.420] and there's myself and a couple of guys from the sponsors.
[14:59.420 -> 15:01.580] There was only about six seats on the plane.
[15:02.460 -> 15:06.880] And it was the day after the US race.
[15:06.880 -> 15:11.240] And Max, you remember the one where Max had overtaken Kimi,
[15:11.240 -> 15:13.880] but on the inside and he got kicked off the podium
[15:13.880 -> 15:15.680] just before he went onto the podium.
[15:15.680 -> 15:16.760] So it was a few years ago.
[15:16.760 -> 15:17.600] Right, okay, you don't remember.
[15:17.600 -> 15:19.520] Yeah, I don't remember that one particular.
[15:19.520 -> 15:21.000] It was a bit controversial.
[15:21.000 -> 15:22.160] We kind of sat there and, you know,
[15:22.160 -> 15:23.480] making polite conversation.
[15:23.480 -> 15:25.160] I just, Max, should we get the elephant
[15:25.160 -> 15:26.560] out of the room right now?
[15:26.560 -> 15:27.400] He went, yeah, what's that?
[15:27.400 -> 15:29.820] I went, they did the right thing, mate.
[15:29.820 -> 15:30.980] He went, no, they didn't.
[15:30.980 -> 15:31.820] I went, yes, they did.
[15:31.820 -> 15:34.140] I said, you were so far off the track.
[15:34.140 -> 15:36.660] They couldn't have left you on there.
[15:36.660 -> 15:38.940] Well, I did, I said, Max, honestly, mate,
[15:38.940 -> 15:40.580] they really had to do that.
[15:40.580 -> 15:41.940] They should have done it a bit earlier.
[15:41.940 -> 15:43.980] You shouldn't have gone up to the cool down room,
[15:43.980 -> 15:45.440] but I think the stewards were right.
[15:45.440 -> 15:46.520] They really were.
[15:46.520 -> 15:49.840] And after a couple of minutes, it was like, oh yeah, yeah.
[15:49.840 -> 15:50.660] No, I do.
[15:50.660 -> 15:51.600] I'm just a bit sore about it.
[15:51.600 -> 15:54.200] I didn't, you know, I really wanted that podium.
[15:54.200 -> 15:57.040] And he's gone back in his one races there, so that's fine.
[15:57.040 -> 15:58.520] But we had a really good chat about it.
[15:58.520 -> 16:00.680] And, you know, my relationship with Max since,
[16:00.680 -> 16:02.560] that was the first time I really kind of sat down
[16:02.560 -> 16:04.840] in a social environment with him,
[16:04.840 -> 16:07.960] seen him, talked to him him many a press conference,
[16:07.960 -> 16:09.640] but our relationship since has been, you know,
[16:09.640 -> 16:10.480] has been very good.
[16:10.480 -> 16:11.360] Same with Lewis.
[16:11.360 -> 16:14.200] I've known Lewis now for, you know, a long, long time.
[16:14.200 -> 16:17.400] And I hope both of them will always feel that I'll be
[16:17.400 -> 16:20.160] as honest as I can about a situation.
[16:20.160 -> 16:22.760] So let's go back to Abu Dhabi again,
[16:22.760 -> 16:25.280] because I don't tweet about this because
[16:25.880 -> 16:28.200] 140 characters just doesn't cover it
[16:28.720 -> 16:34.120] But I get accused by max fans of favoring Lewis and I get accused by Lewis fans of favoring max
[16:34.120 -> 16:38.600] And what I would say about Abu Dhabi is that it wasn't right
[16:39.520 -> 16:42.640] Mistakes happened as were pointed out in the FIA
[16:43.360 -> 16:46.480] In the FIA report into it, but the referee
[16:46.480 -> 16:51.520] does make mistakes. You know, I've been to many a West Ham match and I've left feeling a
[16:51.520 -> 16:52.440] little bit robbed by...
[16:52.440 -> 16:54.960] You see in football all the time, they've got VAR and they still can't get it right.
[16:54.960 -> 17:01.960] Correct. You've been to West Ham too. You know, you're an Arsenal fan, I still, I still don't
[17:01.960 -> 17:06.440] think our guy should have been sent off at your place last year, Soufalle,
[17:06.440 -> 17:07.280] should have been sent off
[17:07.280 -> 17:09.040] because that was a perfectly well-timed tackle.
[17:09.040 -> 17:10.020] Shouldn't have been a penalty.
[17:10.020 -> 17:11.480] Fabianski saved it really well,
[17:11.480 -> 17:12.920] but he shouldn't have been sent off.
[17:12.920 -> 17:13.760] Got what I mean?
[17:13.760 -> 17:14.580] I completely disagree.
[17:14.580 -> 17:15.420] Of course you do.
[17:15.420 -> 17:18.480] But that's sport and that's how it should be.
[17:18.480 -> 17:19.320] Yeah, exactly.
[17:19.320 -> 17:20.600] But what's going to change the result?
[17:20.600 -> 17:21.440] Nothing.
[17:21.440 -> 17:22.260] Yeah.
[17:22.260 -> 17:24.000] The result's not going to change.
[17:24.000 -> 17:25.880] And the referee is
[17:25.880 -> 17:29.400] entitled to make a mistake because they're human we don't like it as
[17:29.400 -> 17:34.560] sporting fans but I don't think it was manipulated in the way that the FIA I
[17:34.560 -> 17:39.600] certainly don't think this decided max had to win the championship you know
[17:39.600 -> 17:43.000] John Todd wasn't on the phone to Michael Massey going right you must give this to
[17:43.000 -> 17:48.520] max I don't think Red Bull pressured Michael Massey into a situation. The team
[17:48.520 -> 17:53.120] radio might make it sound that way but Michael Massey isn't sat there you know
[17:53.120 -> 17:56.320] thinking oh I must do what Red Bull say. But wasn't last year the first year
[17:56.320 -> 17:59.880] they actually allowed the teams to talk to it? Yeah and they've now stopped
[17:59.880 -> 18:04.000] that which they should. Yeah but you can't blame Red Bull for trying to
[18:04.000 -> 18:05.800] take advantage of it if you're allowed to do it.. But you can't, you can't blame Red Bull for trying to take advantage of it. If you're allowed to do it, then you're...
[18:05.800 -> 18:06.700] Of course you can't.
[18:06.800 -> 18:08.700] But they shouldn't be able to do that.
[18:09.100 -> 18:11.300] It's, it's, I don't think it's right that, you know,
[18:11.600 -> 18:14.900] a football manager is allowed to shout at a referee from the touchlines,
[18:14.900 -> 18:18.300] you know, even though sometimes David Moyes has to do it because we have been
[18:18.300 -> 18:18.800] robbed again.
[18:19.100 -> 18:23.500] But my theory is always mistakes happen.
[18:23.600 -> 18:26.120] We don't like it, but we have to accept it.
[18:26.120 -> 18:28.560] And what I find really difficult
[18:28.560 -> 18:31.860] with Abi Dhabi at the moment is a reluctance
[18:31.860 -> 18:35.640] from people to accept that what's happened has happened
[18:35.640 -> 18:37.540] and now it's time to move on.
[18:37.540 -> 18:40.880] You know, and there's a lot of toxicity out there
[18:40.880 -> 18:42.200] on social media.
[18:42.200 -> 18:43.280] It's just got to stop.
[18:43.280 -> 18:46.840] It doesn't do anybody any good because what's gonna change nothing
[18:47.220 -> 18:54.380] You know and and I get accused of while you haven't said anything on Twitter about it. Why yeah, you know
[18:54.380 -> 18:59.420] I'll make a point and I'll make a point on air as I as I have done
[18:59.920 -> 19:09.400] Martin will do the same Ted will do the same, you know, we're all entitled to our opinions and our opinions are such that, yes, it was a mistake.
[19:09.400 -> 19:11.760] It was a horrible mistake.
[19:11.760 -> 19:14.600] And one of the things I wanted to talk to Max about
[19:14.600 -> 19:17.600] in the interview I did in Abu Dhabi with him
[19:17.600 -> 19:20.400] is did you feel for Lewis at the time?
[19:20.400 -> 19:21.680] Because that was a hard one to take.
[19:21.680 -> 19:23.640] And I thought Max was very generous
[19:23.640 -> 19:25.900] in what he said about Lewis that night.
[19:25.900 -> 19:28.060] But it's for the sake of us all,
[19:28.060 -> 19:30.000] we've got to move on a little bit now.
[19:30.000 -> 19:33.200] And, you know, I'll show you my Twitter feed,
[19:33.200 -> 19:36.200] the tweets I've had in the last 48 hours about it,
[19:36.200 -> 19:37.680] you know, it's just not right.
[19:37.680 -> 19:38.920] It's something we're still learning as well,
[19:38.920 -> 19:40.280] because we've had like drivers on
[19:40.280 -> 19:42.360] and we've been given these amazing opportunities,
[19:42.360 -> 19:44.000] but same as you, like we commentate
[19:44.000 -> 19:45.540] and have our own show, we speak about it. They come on our show, they talk about it, we learn about them and we've been given these amazing opportunities. But same as you, like we commentate and have our own show, we speak about it.
[19:45.540 -> 19:47.040] They come on our show, they talk about it,
[19:47.040 -> 19:50.000] we learn about them and we then, we love these guys.
[19:50.000 -> 19:51.160] Like they're part of the family then.
[19:51.160 -> 19:52.740] We become friends with them.
[19:52.740 -> 19:54.680] But then if they go and have a shit race or something
[19:54.680 -> 19:56.560] happens, we have to talk about it on the pod.
[19:56.560 -> 19:58.720] So it's really difficult divide of like,
[19:58.720 -> 20:00.120] holding a friendship, like you say,
[20:00.120 -> 20:02.080] it has to be so tight that they can laugh
[20:02.080 -> 20:02.920] at the fact you said that.
[20:02.920 -> 20:04.080] You've got to be respectful.
[20:04.080 -> 20:10.480] And the one thing I would say about every single driver that has graced the sport
[20:11.040 -> 20:14.080] is that they have an ability that we don't have.
[20:14.640 -> 20:20.960] You know, Formula One drivers just have this amazing ability to process a huge amount of information
[20:22.160 -> 20:29.320] and to be, have an awareness that a normal driver just doesn't have and
[20:29.320 -> 20:34.080] compute all this at 200 miles an hour and race wheel to wheel and pull off some of the
[20:34.080 -> 20:38.800] most incredible overtakes and give us some of the most incredible excitement week after
[20:38.800 -> 20:39.800] week after week.
[20:39.800 -> 20:42.880] I couldn't do what these guys do.
[20:42.880 -> 20:46.520] So having had three laps in an F1 car, you know,
[20:46.520 -> 20:47.360] I now realize-
[20:47.360 -> 20:49.040] Is that how many times you've been out in a car?
[20:49.040 -> 20:50.520] Three laps in an F1 car.
[20:50.520 -> 20:51.360] You drove it.
[20:51.360 -> 20:52.180] I drove it.
[20:52.180 -> 20:53.020] How was it?
[20:53.020 -> 20:53.860] It was amazing.
[20:53.860 -> 20:54.680] What was it?
[20:54.680 -> 20:57.520] It was the Lotus that Kimi Raikkonen won in Australia
[20:57.520 -> 20:58.360] at that time.
[20:58.360 -> 21:00.280] It was the most amazing five minutes of my life,
[21:00.280 -> 21:01.360] quite frankly,
[21:01.360 -> 21:05.080] but a newfound respect was, was delivered right there.
[21:05.080 -> 21:07.660] And then everyone who gets in there and races,
[21:07.660 -> 21:09.440] I was just struggling to keep the thing on the track.
[21:09.440 -> 21:10.400] And I was the only one on it.
[21:10.400 -> 21:11.840] How was your neck after that?
[21:11.840 -> 21:14.640] My neck was okay, which I was then told it was
[21:14.640 -> 21:15.880] because I wasn't going fast enough,
[21:15.880 -> 21:18.560] but I did 175 miles an hour.
[21:18.560 -> 21:20.080] That was okay.
[21:21.800 -> 21:24.880] I then thought, this is why I should never be an F1 driver.
[21:24.880 -> 21:26.880] If I turned right down the straight,
[21:26.880 -> 21:29.200] that would cause a right old mess.
[21:29.200 -> 21:30.040] You know how, you know,
[21:30.040 -> 21:32.160] you know when you're a kid and you see that,
[21:32.160 -> 21:33.240] don't press that red button.
[21:33.240 -> 21:34.080] Yeah, yeah.
[21:34.080 -> 21:34.920] I could just end it all right now.
[21:34.920 -> 21:36.280] What if I press that red button?
[21:36.280 -> 21:38.200] No, wouldn't have worked.
[21:38.200 -> 21:42.480] I like, I like to go on Twitter because sometimes,
[21:42.480 -> 21:44.920] sometimes I'll get a stat idea from Twitter.
[21:44.920 -> 21:46.480] I'll have some great interaction with people.
[21:46.480 -> 21:52.560] I had the best bit of feedback ever to any of my commentaries that I got off Twitter.
[21:52.560 -> 21:56.800] Second race that I'd done for Sky when someone tweeted me,
[21:56.800 -> 22:02.240] Crofty, why don't you use the practice sessions to practice being a little less shit?
[22:02.240 -> 22:04.560] Oh dear.
[22:04.560 -> 22:06.240] No, I thought that was great feedback.
[22:06.240 -> 22:08.280] It was a brilliantly constructed sentence.
[22:08.280 -> 22:09.100] What did you say?
[22:09.100 -> 22:10.640] It was a heartfelt point.
[22:10.640 -> 22:12.760] You know, he put, he put across his point ever so well.
[22:12.760 -> 22:13.600] I just liked it.
[22:13.600 -> 22:14.420] I thought that's brilliant.
[22:14.420 -> 22:15.280] I'll use that.
[22:15.280 -> 22:16.240] I'll take that on board.
[22:16.240 -> 22:17.240] I'll use it forever.
[22:17.240 -> 22:19.600] I think what I'm trying, what I'm trying to say is,
[22:19.600 -> 22:21.880] you know, I've got a very thick skin and,
[22:21.880 -> 22:26.900] and you can say that, but I'd rather you rather people didn't although in this instance
[22:26.900 -> 22:28.900] I thought it was quite funny. Yeah
[22:29.080 -> 22:32.620] better than some of the comments I've had over the years and but just
[22:33.480 -> 22:35.920] there's a toxicity and and it's I
[22:37.760 -> 22:40.740] Think if people are having a bad time in their own life
[22:41.200 -> 22:46.400] They'll lash out to others. Hmm. So I often think it's not me they're trying to lash out at,
[22:46.400 -> 22:47.760] it's just life in general.
[22:47.760 -> 22:50.040] And I just happen to be the person
[22:50.040 -> 22:51.560] that they want to shout at.
[22:51.560 -> 22:52.840] It's definitely not you,
[22:52.840 -> 22:54.480] because if they removed you from the sport,
[22:54.480 -> 22:55.300] then it wouldn't be the same,
[22:55.300 -> 22:56.140] and then they'd want you back.
[22:56.140 -> 22:58.920] So, it's a hundred percent true.
[22:58.920 -> 23:00.060] We spoke about it a little bit earlier,
[23:00.060 -> 23:02.080] but like I said, that moment of you last year,
[23:02.080 -> 23:03.400] this is why we've started the pod.
[23:03.400 -> 23:04.800] I mean, our whole show,
[23:04.800 -> 23:06.920] everything we've achieved this year has been,
[23:06.920 -> 23:08.040] it's been the best year of my life.
[23:08.040 -> 23:08.880] It's gone perfectly well.
[23:08.880 -> 23:09.720] So I need to cut then.
[23:09.720 -> 23:10.540] Crofty, we owe you everything.
[23:10.540 -> 23:11.380] We want to, we owe you everything.
[23:11.380 -> 23:14.280] Take it, take the laptop, take my phone.
[23:16.000 -> 23:18.120] You said earlier, there's a bit of memorabilia in here,
[23:18.120 -> 23:19.480] but I'm looking around and I still can't see.
[23:19.480 -> 23:21.600] Yeah, because you asked me for some memorabilia, right?
[23:21.600 -> 23:24.280] And I'm not a collector of memorabilia at all.
[23:24.280 -> 23:28.360] I collect memories, but there is a bit of memorabilia in here yeah I'm
[23:28.360 -> 23:31.360] trying to figure out looking around did the candle stick hang on that there's a
[23:31.360 -> 23:34.480] center book there is well that's not memorabilia that's just that's just a
[23:34.480 -> 23:37.400] book but he's getting up again last time he's come back the notes we're gonna be
[23:37.400 -> 23:45.000] now to where's he off to having a little look now around the lounge. Oh, I've spotted it. Oh, what are they? What is that?
[23:45.000 -> 23:46.000] Wow.
[23:46.000 -> 23:47.000] What are they?
[23:47.000 -> 23:48.000] That's a gear.
[23:48.000 -> 23:51.000] I thought it was a thing for a coffee room.
[23:51.000 -> 23:52.000] It is.
[23:52.000 -> 23:55.000] So that, it looks really nice on the shelf.
[23:55.000 -> 24:01.000] That is from the 2009 Braun Championship winning car.
[24:01.000 -> 24:03.000] That's the second and third gear.
[24:03.000 -> 24:04.000] So, Jenson Battles car.
[24:04.000 -> 24:07.280] Yeah. Let's go. That's special.
[24:07.280 -> 24:10.160] Wow. So these actually won a championship. They did.
[24:10.160 -> 24:12.640] Wow. And brought on only around for one year, right? So this is like,
[24:13.680 -> 24:16.000] these are the only two gears in existence. And what was wonderful,
[24:17.040 -> 24:22.080] so Andrew Shovlin and his family came round to the house.
[24:29.840 -> 24:34.320] round to the house and Andrew was Jensen's race engineer that year and so he saw these and he went, is that what I think it is? I said I don't know mate, what do you think it is?
[24:34.320 -> 24:40.000] He went, that's second and third gear off the brawn isn't it? I went how the hell do you know that?
[24:40.000 -> 24:42.000] Yeah, I don't know, how would you know that?
[24:42.000 -> 24:49.200] I said I am, you know, I am as impressed as I as I am absolutely disgusted at your complete anorak nature
[24:49.200 -> 24:52.060] It's ridiculous. How do you know it's first or second or fat car?
[24:52.060 -> 24:58.000] It's only we did something a bit different that year with them. I went really yeah. Yeah, they they stand out a mile
[24:58.000 -> 25:01.140] I said we didn't stand out a mile to me. I just thought they look like a really good ornament
[25:01.140 -> 25:04.960] So that is from that's from the brawl. That's my I'm gonna hand these back
[25:01.440 -> 25:03.040] they look like a really good ornament. So that is from, that's from the brawl.
[25:03.040 -> 25:04.160] That's my, uh.
[25:04.160 -> 25:05.080] I'm going to hand these back.
[25:05.080 -> 25:07.680] I don't feel comfortable holding this kind of thing.
[25:07.680 -> 25:09.080] Brilliantly machined as well.
[25:09.080 -> 25:10.440] They are absolutely superb.
[25:10.440 -> 25:12.360] We were, they just look really good on the shelf.
[25:12.360 -> 25:13.680] They do look, they fit in with everything else
[25:13.680 -> 25:15.360] that you've got chrome sort of going on.
[25:15.360 -> 25:17.640] But we were lucky enough to like get a little tour
[25:17.640 -> 25:20.200] around Red Bull's garage in Zandvoort.
[25:20.200 -> 25:22.600] And we actually got to see like the engines and stuff.
[25:22.600 -> 25:25.400] And wow, like what a piece of craftsmanship
[25:25.400 -> 25:27.400] Like how do these guys know what the fuck they're doing?
[25:28.280 -> 25:35.120] It's mental because there are they are very very clever people. Yeah, you got they have studied long and hard and yeah
[25:35.120 -> 25:38.280] see Formula One attracts the best of the best and
[25:38.960 -> 25:41.480] as long as you are good enough and
[25:42.680 -> 25:46.580] prepared to, prepared to put the effort in
[25:46.580 -> 25:49.660] so that you continue being the best of the best
[25:49.660 -> 25:51.740] and you inspire other people to be best of the best,
[25:51.740 -> 25:54.820] you will always find a natural home in Formula One.
[25:54.820 -> 25:57.400] And I like that about the sport.
[25:57.400 -> 26:00.780] The relentless nature of it keeps you young as well,
[26:00.780 -> 26:02.780] because I still think that I've been in the sport
[26:02.780 -> 26:04.120] for about three years,
[26:04.120 -> 26:06.320] because everything's just gone by in a blur.
[26:06.320 -> 26:08.520] It's the first thing I said to Simon Lazenby
[26:08.520 -> 26:10.640] when Sky got the rights, I said, mate,
[26:10.640 -> 26:12.160] I'll strap yourself in and hold on
[26:12.160 -> 26:13.640] because this is quite a ride
[26:13.640 -> 26:15.880] and things will just go by in a blur.
[26:15.880 -> 26:17.760] This last year, mate,
[26:17.760 -> 26:19.560] we can't believe how quickly this year has gone.
[26:19.560 -> 26:20.680] Like it's end of season already
[26:20.680 -> 26:22.640] and we felt like it started yesterday.
[26:22.640 -> 26:25.480] Oh, I'm still back in Bahrain at winter testing. Yeah.
[26:25.480 -> 26:28.040] So when does your kind of year start kicking off again?
[26:28.040 -> 26:30.600] When do you start getting back into the Christmas,
[26:30.600 -> 26:32.840] new year, like when are you back in F1 mode?
[26:32.840 -> 26:34.040] Or do you never really switch off?
[26:34.040 -> 26:34.960] I don't really switch off.
[26:34.960 -> 26:35.800] Never.
[26:35.800 -> 26:36.640] To be fair.
[26:36.640 -> 26:37.480] Enjoy the World Cup for a bit though.
[26:37.480 -> 26:38.720] I would enjoy the World Cup.
[26:39.600 -> 26:42.800] I'm addressing the Oxford Union on Tuesday,
[26:42.800 -> 26:46.280] which is quite an honour, I must admit. So
[26:46.280 -> 26:50.560] I've got to sit and write a speech, which is a bit weird because I don't write speeches.
[26:50.560 -> 26:53.440] I was gonna say how comfortable you doing anything away from commentary?
[26:53.440 -> 26:58.240] Well I'm comfortable doing the speech, it's just the writing part, you know.
[26:58.240 -> 27:03.680] Everything I do is like improvisation off the top of my head. So now I've got to write out
[27:03.680 -> 27:06.400] something for 15 minutes and go and do that.
[27:06.400 -> 27:09.920] So what have Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama and me got in common?
[27:10.240 -> 27:11.760] We've all addressed the Oxford Union.
[27:11.760 -> 27:12.760] It's a bit of a weird one.
[27:12.760 -> 27:16.800] I might dine out on that one for a few years.
[27:18.040 -> 27:25.600] And yeah, so it tails off a bit, obviously, in December, but you're straight back on it again in January,
[27:25.600 -> 27:28.560] launch season at the start of February,
[27:28.560 -> 27:32.120] testing the week before the season starts.
[27:32.120 -> 27:34.520] There'll be lots of preparation,
[27:34.520 -> 27:36.120] but it's important to rest as well.
[27:36.120 -> 27:38.400] You know, you need to try and rest up a bit
[27:38.400 -> 27:40.960] because of the relentless nature.
[27:40.960 -> 27:43.320] This is the first time I've spent
[27:43.320 -> 27:45.000] more than three days at home
[27:45.000 -> 27:51.880] since, trying to think, since before I went to Austin. To be honest because
[27:51.880 -> 27:56.000] obviously we were in Vegas together on the week off in between Mexico and
[27:56.000 -> 27:59.240] Brazil. It was a great weekend by the way. It wasn't bad was it? You think it's gonna
[27:59.240 -> 28:04.200] be a good race next year? Sorry, excuse me, I hope it's gonna be a good race. I think
[28:04.200 -> 28:05.500] it's gonna be an amazing experience. It's gonna look sensational. I hope it's going to be a good race. I think it's going to be an amazing experience.
[28:05.500 -> 28:07.200] It's going to look sensational.
[28:07.200 -> 28:09.700] I hope the track gives us a lot of overtaking opportunities.
[28:09.700 -> 28:11.700] A few crashes going on actually, weren't they?
[28:11.700 -> 28:13.200] A couple of them went into the wall.
[28:13.200 -> 28:16.700] Lewis said that he stopped when he was doing the donuts
[28:16.700 -> 28:19.500] because he actually put so much smoke up in the air
[28:19.500 -> 28:21.000] he couldn't see where he was going.
[28:21.000 -> 28:26.460] So you know, remember in Brazil when George went off in qualifying
[28:26.460 -> 28:28.240] and then he spun the car around
[28:28.240 -> 28:30.000] to try and get back out on the track again.
[28:30.000 -> 28:32.400] He actually admitted that because he'd been to Vegas
[28:32.400 -> 28:33.960] and he was doing donuts the week before.
[28:33.960 -> 28:37.240] That gave him the idea to try and spin it around
[28:37.240 -> 28:38.120] and do a donut.
[28:38.120 -> 28:40.160] Sadly, he ended up in a gravel
[28:40.160 -> 28:42.880] and it didn't quite work out as well.
[28:42.880 -> 28:44.880] But Vegas kind of helped him out a little bit
[28:44.880 -> 28:46.000] on that
[28:46.000 -> 28:49.000] inspiration to be fair, but yeah.
[28:49.000 -> 28:51.280] We'll try and have a nice family time of it now.
[28:51.280 -> 28:53.400] Cause it's important to spend a bit of time with the family
[28:53.400 -> 28:56.000] cause they don't see a huge amount of me
[28:56.000 -> 28:57.200] during the course of the year.
[28:57.200 -> 28:58.800] Well, I appreciate you taking the time.
[28:58.800 -> 29:00.680] You literally got back from Abu Dhabi yesterday
[29:00.680 -> 29:01.520] and we're already.
[29:01.520 -> 29:02.360] Absolute pleasure.
[29:02.360 -> 29:04.280] Yeah. You got about another five minutes.
[29:04.280 -> 29:05.460] I got to go get my haircut.
[29:05.460 -> 29:07.740] I go to the same,
[29:07.740 -> 29:10.060] I go to the same hair,
[29:10.060 -> 29:13.860] hairstylist, barbers that I've been going to now for God,
[29:13.860 -> 29:15.420] 22 years.
[29:15.420 -> 29:16.260] And they know who you are,
[29:16.260 -> 29:17.100] what you do.
[29:17.100 -> 29:17.940] Yeah.
[29:17.940 -> 29:18.760] But they,
[29:18.760 -> 29:19.600] they,
[29:19.600 -> 29:20.580] they know me as the bloke who comes in to get his hair cut.
[29:20.580 -> 29:22.860] I hasn't changed it in the last 22 years.
[29:22.860 -> 29:23.700] Well,
[29:23.700 -> 29:24.780] two and a half on the side to be fair,
[29:24.780 -> 29:26.760] but messy on top, give it a trim.
[29:26.760 -> 29:29.000] Honestly, the reason I go back there
[29:29.000 -> 29:32.400] is because I don't have to say what I want done.
[29:32.400 -> 29:33.840] Susie knows what I want done.
[29:33.840 -> 29:35.160] Just sit down and start gossiping.
[29:35.160 -> 29:36.640] You must have stylists on the road though.
[29:36.640 -> 29:37.800] If you're doing like a triple head.
[29:37.800 -> 29:38.720] Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.
[29:38.720 -> 29:40.360] Makeup, everything.
[29:40.360 -> 29:41.760] Vocation, not vacation.
[29:43.880 -> 29:46.320] Mate, it's been an honor to sit down with you.
[29:46.320 -> 29:50.640] Like we said before, big inspiration with what we do so it's nice to be in
[29:50.640 -> 29:54.200] your home chatting. I think we're gonna spend probably a lot of time
[29:54.200 -> 29:57.360] together next year if you don't mind. I don't mind at all. Can we talk metal next
[29:57.360 -> 30:00.240] year because we haven't talked metal at all. We haven't talked metal. You're a
[30:00.240 -> 30:04.800] massive metal head. Yeah. So am I. Who are you into? I like Slipknot. Do you like Slipknot?
[30:04.800 -> 30:05.000] New album's amazing. It is yeah. He are you into? I like Slipknot.
[30:05.000 -> 30:06.000] Do you like Slipknot?
[30:06.000 -> 30:07.000] New album is amazing.
[30:07.000 -> 30:08.000] It is, yeah.
[30:08.000 -> 30:10.960] He on YouTube all the time, all he's doing is searching for videos of Slipknot, new ones,
[30:10.960 -> 30:11.960] because you can't see.
[30:11.960 -> 30:12.960] I love it.
[30:12.960 -> 30:13.960] You don't know much about them.
[30:13.960 -> 30:14.960] Is that right?
[30:14.960 -> 30:15.960] I'm just always trying to find new information.
[30:15.960 -> 30:18.600] Like as a kid, I just loved Googling my favorite bands.
[30:18.600 -> 30:20.840] I like Deftones, like Foo Fighters, like anyone.
[30:20.840 -> 30:21.840] Who doesn't?
[30:21.840 -> 30:22.840] Have you seen Slipknot live?
[30:22.840 -> 30:23.840] Yeah, I have like four times.
[30:23.840 -> 30:24.840] Yeah, man.
[30:24.840 -> 30:32.360] Have you? Yeah. They're touring next year. Let's fucking go. Yeah, yeah. like who doesn't anyone you see slip-knock life yeah I have like four times yeah well they do actually they're doing download on me have you been to
[30:32.360 -> 30:35.720] download haha have I been to download really okay without trying to sound
[30:35.720 -> 30:41.200] like an old man here I was at down every year before they started calling it
[30:41.200 -> 30:49.040] download yeah I was at monsters of rock But we took that we took Danny Rick to download. Oh, no way. This is one of my favorite features we ever did at sky
[30:50.720 -> 30:56.700] Said to Danny I said them parkway driver playing download this year. Yeah, man. I know I said
[30:57.200 -> 31:01.060] It's a weekend off. He went. Yeah, I said if I can get the passes
[31:01.680 -> 31:05.000] Should we do some filming? I'll go and see Parkway Drive together.
[31:05.000 -> 31:05.840] They're Australian band.
[31:05.840 -> 31:07.680] Yeah, but he's a big fan of theirs.
[31:07.680 -> 31:10.240] I said Gaslight Anthem are playing the same day as well.
[31:10.240 -> 31:12.920] He went, oh, if you could do it.
[31:12.920 -> 31:13.800] Gaslight Anthem?
[31:13.800 -> 31:14.640] Yeah, yeah.
[31:14.640 -> 31:16.120] Love them.
[31:16.120 -> 31:17.600] Yeah, you've never even heard of them.
[31:17.600 -> 31:19.600] I'm not gonna do that.
[31:19.600 -> 31:21.880] 59 sound, handwritten, two classic tracks.
[31:21.880 -> 31:26.120] Anyway, so I phoned up the press people
[31:26.120 -> 31:31.480] down I went can I have nine passes please to do some filming why is that
[31:31.480 -> 31:34.800] so I explained the idea yeah yeah yeah we can sort that out no problem so we
[31:34.800 -> 31:42.240] all we all went up to Donington and on the way up I said to Daniel and said
[31:42.240 -> 31:45.000] you like living in Woburn Sands anyway? It's all right.
[31:45.000 -> 31:49.000] I said, it's not exactly, you know, driver territory, but I can understand it.
[31:49.000 -> 31:52.000] Cause obviously, you know, you're in the Red Bull Sim quite a bit.
[31:52.000 -> 31:54.000] He said, yeah, but I'm moving to Monaco soon.
[31:54.000 -> 31:56.000] So I'm not going to be there for long.
[31:56.000 -> 31:57.000] I went, moving to Monaco?
[31:57.000 -> 31:58.000] Yeah.
[31:58.000 -> 32:01.000] I said, there's only two reasons people move to Monaco, Daniel.
[32:01.000 -> 32:05.160] I said, they like the sunshine and they're about to get a massive pay rise
[32:08.840 -> 32:14.400] He went well, it might be the latter. I went you go. Are you moving to ripple? You know, I can't say I said, well, I think Mark Webber's retiring. He said why is that?
[32:14.400 -> 32:19.800] I said cuz he took us all out for for dinner in Australia. He's never taken the media out for dinner before so it's obviously
[32:20.800 -> 32:23.680] And I said so you'll be the next in line
[32:24.200 -> 32:26.320] He went. Oh, yeah, I could, I could,
[32:26.320 -> 32:28.920] I said, right, okay, do you trust me?
[32:28.920 -> 32:29.760] He went, yes.
[32:29.760 -> 32:33.200] I said, if I ask you a couple of questions on film about it
[32:33.200 -> 32:35.720] and promise not to show this
[32:35.720 -> 32:39.840] until you get the job announced properly,
[32:39.840 -> 32:41.000] can I ask you a couple of questions?
[32:41.000 -> 32:42.280] Yeah, yeah, no worries.
[32:42.280 -> 32:44.400] So I asked him a couple of questions along the lines of,
[32:44.400 -> 32:46.520] if Mark retires, are you ready for it? And he's like, yeah, no worries. So I asked him a couple of questions along the lines of if Mark retires, you know, are you ready for it?
[32:46.520 -> 32:52.040] And he's like, yeah, yeah, I'm ready. I forget what his answers were. And lo and
[32:52.040 -> 32:55.720] behold, he gets the Red Bull seat and we had this big feature with Daniel
[32:55.720 -> 32:59.880] Ricardo at Download. Oh, it was that Download you do Arthur Grossman? Yeah, that we could,
[32:59.880 -> 33:03.320] that we could put out. So, you know, Daniel, thank you, did us a really good favour on
[33:03.320 -> 33:05.640] that one and, you know, we kind of had the exclusive
[33:06.480 -> 33:14.180] So either way we walked around download all day. So he was a Tora Rosso driver then we got recognized by two people
[33:14.700 -> 33:16.700] Which I think would change a bit now
[33:16.700 -> 33:21.800] I think you get recognized by you wearing funny houses and then we're partway drive came on
[33:21.800 -> 33:24.720] We did a brilliant bit with partway drive. In fact, we got
[33:30.800 -> 33:34.000] We got the band to give us a lights out and away we go. Like a proper metalcore version.
[33:34.000 -> 33:34.500] Yeah.
[33:34.500 -> 33:38.480] So Winston did us a lights out, and away we go.
[33:38.480 -> 33:40.480] And it was mega.
[33:40.480 -> 33:43.480] Someone lost the footage. I've no idea where that went.
[33:43.480 -> 33:44.480] So we lost that.
[33:44.480 -> 33:46.480] Do you want to do one at your show. Yeah I'm playing
[33:46.480 -> 33:48.520] Silverstone next year. Are you? Well I'm
[33:48.520 -> 33:49.720] putting it out into the ether we're
[33:49.720 -> 33:50.920] trying we're gonna make it happen. I'll have a
[33:50.920 -> 33:53.440] chat with him. What do you play? Drums. I knew he was a drummer.
[33:53.440 -> 33:55.240] Yeah if we hit it from all angles
[33:55.240 -> 33:57.520] we're just manifesting. We could do that.
[33:57.520 -> 34:00.480] I feel like if Crofty asks someone something they're probably going to say yes.
[34:00.480 -> 34:01.800] I'll have a word with the powers that be.
[34:01.800 -> 34:03.960] So we lost that footage and we also
[34:03.960 -> 34:09.000] lost the bit where Parkway Drive came on and Daniel said I want to go into Mosh Pit. I
[34:09.000 -> 34:14.240] went well come on then, here's a GoPro, let's do it. So we had GoPro footage of a Formula
[34:14.240 -> 34:19.080] One driver in the middle of the season, in the middle of a Mosh Pit. I bet his team was
[34:19.080 -> 34:22.960] down like losing their mind. No one even realised it was him. Well the team never knew. The
[34:22.960 -> 34:26.600] team never knew he did it. We never told him, we've now lost the footage,
[34:26.600 -> 34:28.160] which is absolutely appalling.
[34:28.160 -> 34:30.800] But we looked after him, we made sure he was okay.
[34:30.800 -> 34:32.160] But it was a mega feature.
[34:32.160 -> 34:33.960] So yeah, we did download,
[34:33.960 -> 34:36.120] but let's go back and do a Slipknot download.
[34:36.120 -> 34:36.960] Yeah, I'd love to.
[34:36.960 -> 34:40.040] And two nights of Metallica, a Thursday and a Saturday.
[34:40.040 -> 34:40.880] All right.
[34:40.880 -> 34:41.720] With completely different set lists.
[34:41.720 -> 34:43.760] But the deal is we have to bring someone else from F1
[34:43.760 -> 34:44.920] like Martin Brundle.
[34:45.920 -> 34:46.760] Okay.
[34:46.760 -> 34:48.360] Or Ted or someone who shouldn't be there.
[34:48.360 -> 34:49.880] I've taken Martin to West Ham.
[34:49.880 -> 34:51.080] I've taken him to the darts.
[34:51.080 -> 34:53.480] I have a picture of Martin with a foam finger.
[34:53.480 -> 34:55.920] You know, those giant foam hands.
[34:55.920 -> 34:59.360] I'd love to see Martin Brandl with a foam finger.
[34:59.360 -> 35:01.720] Buy a scrapbook, the photos in the scrapbook.
[35:02.600 -> 35:03.760] Who could I bring?
[35:03.760 -> 35:05.160] Paul di Resta would never do it
[35:05.160 -> 35:06.720] because he hates heavy metal.
[35:06.720 -> 35:08.200] Took Johnny and Ant to Sierra.
[35:08.200 -> 35:10.080] It's gotta be someone who would fucking hate it.
[35:10.080 -> 35:13.720] So I took Johnny and Ant to Sierra Smith in Austin once
[35:13.720 -> 35:15.360] under protest with them both going,
[35:15.360 -> 35:17.560] I have no idea what they sing.
[35:17.560 -> 35:19.240] And after two songs, Johnny's like,
[35:19.240 -> 35:20.400] oh, these guys are great.
[35:20.400 -> 35:21.240] I know what they do.
[35:21.240 -> 35:23.960] And yes, Johnny, I did say, to be fair.
[35:26.580 -> 35:30.500] But yeah, let's see what we can do all right was there are some great bands yeah download is
[35:30.500 -> 35:35.020] fucking awesome as long as it doesn't rain I went in 2009 rains that makes it
[35:35.020 -> 35:38.780] no mate I went in 2009 and they called it drown load because there was literally
[35:38.780 -> 35:43.100] about this much water my whole tent was soaked like it was brutal yeah don't do
[35:43.100 -> 35:48.360] that we'll do some clamping all right, we'll get a caravan. From the beautiful like F1 Paddock Pass
[35:48.360 -> 35:53.480] like club, beautiful food, to some fucking shit, field, in the middle of nowhere, pissing
[35:53.480 -> 35:57.920] the rain, music blasting in your ears. Damn right, that's the perfect way to spend a weekend off.
[35:57.920 -> 36:03.320] Perfect. Cheers. Unreal. Crofty, thank you very much for joining us. Pleasure. This has been one of my
[36:03.320 -> 36:05.600] favourite podcasts we've ever done. Yeah, it's been unreal.
[36:05.600 -> 36:07.000] Yeah, we're now gonna go and put the latest
[36:07.000 -> 36:08.720] Slipknot album on, you better go.
[36:08.720 -> 36:10.240] Yeah, I'll go wait outside of the car.
[36:10.240 -> 36:11.080] Cheers for having me, guys.
[36:11.080 -> 36:13.400] And the new Megadeth album is even better.
[36:13.400 -> 36:14.520] Joel, I haven't actually really listened
[36:14.520 -> 36:15.360] to Megadeth that much.
[36:15.360 -> 36:16.200] What?
[36:16.200 -> 36:19.240] But I will, I know a few songs, but all right.
[36:19.240 -> 36:20.280] Peace sells, but who's buying?
[36:20.280 -> 36:21.120] It's a classic.
[36:21.120 -> 36:21.940] When did it come out?
[36:21.940 -> 36:22.780] When did the album come out?
[36:22.780 -> 36:23.720] Oh, I got it about four weeks ago.
[36:23.720 -> 36:24.560] See ya.
[36:24.560 -> 36:25.420] Jesus Christ. See ya. Mate, thanks for coming Oh, God, about four weeks ago. See ya. Jesus Christ.
[36:25.420 -> 36:26.260] See ya.
[36:26.260 -> 36:28.080] Mate, thanks for coming on, Crofty.
[36:28.080 -> 36:28.920] Pleasure.
[36:28.920 -> 36:29.760] Take care.
[36:29.760 -> 36:53.120] And you. Powered by Spirit Studios.