21 Down, One To Go

On this edition of Talking Bull, we take a look back at the 2021 season so far. We catch up with Drivers’ Championship leader, Max Verstappen, who tells us about his standout moments of the campaign. Plus, Christian and Checo sit down together and discuss all the highs and lows of the year, while answering questions from our dedicated fan area, The Paddock.

## Season Assessment

* Christian Horner reflects on the 2021 season, highlighting the team's success with 10 race wins and a strong championship position.
* Sergio Perez acknowledges the challenges of adapting to the team and the car but expresses satisfaction with his progress and the team's overall performance.

## Max Verstappen Interview

* Max Verstappen discusses his 2021 season, expressing contentment with the team's competitiveness and his personal growth as a driver.
* He emphasizes the importance of the upcoming race in Abu Dhabi and his determination to finish the season strongly.
* Verstappen acknowledges the special memories created with Honda as their final race approaches.

## Team Dynamics and Camaraderie

* Sergio Perez praises Christian Horner's leadership and the team's dedication to excellence.
* He highlights the positive team culture and the collective effort behind their success.
* Christian Horner emphasizes the team's resilience and unity throughout the season.

## Development of the RB16B Car

* Sergio Perez discusses the challenges of adapting to the RB16B car, given its different driving dynamics compared to his previous experiences.
* He acknowledges the limited testing opportunities and the steep learning curve he faced.

## Team Members' Contributions

* Christian Horner acknowledges the contributions of all team members, emphasizing their collective effort and dedication.
* He praises the team's ability to optimize setups, strategies, and pit stops, highlighting the importance of executing the basics well.

## Fan Questions and Interactions

* Fan questions are addressed, covering topics such as staying calm under pressure, tire management, and favorite tracks in the rain.
* Christian Horner discusses the team's strategy for qualifying, emphasizing the importance of optimizing track conditions and minimizing laps.
* Sergio Perez and Christian Horner share their thoughts on designing a Formula One track, combining elements from various circuits they have performed well on.

## Conclusion

* The podcast concludes with a look ahead to the season finale in Abu Dhabi and the team's determination to finish the season strongly.
* Listeners are encouraged to sign up for the Red Bull Racing Paddock for exclusive experiences and rewards.

[00:00.000 -> 00:06.000] Hi there, this is Christian Horner.
[00:06.000 -> 00:08.000] You've won the Austrian Grand Prix!
[00:08.000 -> 00:10.000] This is Sergio Perez.
[00:10.000 -> 00:11.000] I am Max Tappen.
[00:11.000 -> 00:15.000] You are listening to Talking Bull, the official Red Bull Racing podcast.
[00:15.000 -> 00:17.000] Oh, this feels good!
[00:19.000 -> 00:23.000] Here we go then. There's one race left of the season and it's down to the wire.
[00:23.000 -> 00:26.600] Welcome to Talking Bull, the official Red Bull Racing podcast.
[00:26.800 -> 00:28.840] On this episode from Saudi Arabia,
[00:29.040 -> 00:32.240] we'll speak to both Sergio Perez and Christian Horner from the track
[00:32.440 -> 00:34.160] and we'll hear from Max Verstappen.
[00:34.360 -> 00:36.120] We now know he'll go into the final race
[00:36.320 -> 00:39.160] of the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship.
[00:39.160 -> 00:42.720] Level on points with title rival Lewis Hamilton after finishing second
[00:42.920 -> 00:46.760] behind the Mercedes driver in a hugely dramatic Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
[00:46.760 -> 00:52.060] The race in Jeddah featured two restarts, one safety car period, numerous virtual safety
[00:52.060 -> 00:56.940] cars and a controversial collision when Hamilton ran into the back of Max's car when the Dutch
[00:56.940 -> 01:01.940] driver tried to obey a race control ruling to hand the lead back to the Mercedes driver.
[01:01.940 -> 01:04.900] Well, it wouldn't be Formula 1 without some drama, would it?
[01:04.900 -> 01:06.800] Steve spoke to Max ahead of the race this weekend
[01:06.800 -> 01:08.680] to talk about his season so far
[01:08.680 -> 01:12.200] and how he's shaping up for the final showdown this weekend.
[01:12.200 -> 01:15.660] Max, it's been quite a year so far for you in 2021.
[01:16.520 -> 01:19.960] And not taking the last two races into account,
[01:19.960 -> 01:23.200] how would you assess your season so far?
[01:23.200 -> 01:24.840] Well, I think in general it's been a good season.
[01:24.840 -> 01:27.000] I mean, we had a lot of wins and good moments.
[01:27.000 -> 01:31.600] We've been a lot more competitive in general, of course, compared to the years before and
[01:31.600 -> 01:35.720] of course fighting for the championship.
[01:35.720 -> 01:39.000] We can, I think, in general be very pleased with our season.
[01:39.000 -> 01:43.720] Also a few unlucky moments which were a bit out of our control, but that's also racing
[01:43.720 -> 01:45.520] sometimes, you know. You've certainly had a lot of width, a lot of podiums. lucky moments which were a bit out of our control, but that's also racing sometimes.
[01:45.520 -> 01:51.640] You've certainly had a lot of wins, a lot of podiums. Do you have any moment which stands
[01:51.640 -> 01:53.120] out more than the rest?
[01:53.120 -> 01:57.800] I think the win in Monaco was nice, but also Zandvoort, the two wins in Austria, these
[01:57.800 -> 02:01.880] are especially the ones which really will be remembered from my side.
[02:01.880 -> 02:08.680] How good was it to not only have a race in your home country, Zandvoort, but also to
[02:08.680 -> 02:11.120] get that win? That must have been pretty special.
[02:11.120 -> 02:16.240] Yeah, it is of course what every Dutch fan expected, but it's not that easy. But of course
[02:16.240 -> 02:19.880] I was very happy when I crossed the line to win that race, that's for sure.
[02:19.880 -> 02:30.320] You first drove the RB16B, Silverstone, in February. From then until now, how do you feel that car has developed and I guess essentially
[02:30.320 -> 02:33.400] how much better is it than when you first very stepped in it?
[02:33.400 -> 02:35.680] I think it's a constant progression for sure.
[02:35.680 -> 02:41.480] Of course the tyres also change a bit during the season after the failure in Baku but yeah
[02:41.480 -> 02:45.440] no it's overall it's been a lot more enjoyable to drive and just
[02:45.440 -> 02:50.020] faster compared to of course our competitors last year and I think
[02:50.020 -> 02:54.300] throughout this year we've made some nice steps forward. So the team's been
[02:54.300 -> 02:59.440] working hard all year both at the track and back in the factory do you notice
[02:59.440 -> 03:03.160] that when you walk into the garage or when you go to the factory for a Sunday
[03:03.160 -> 03:08.400] can you do you get that feeling? Yeah but I mean they've been doing that every single year, but it's just that this year the
[03:08.400 -> 03:12.640] car just came together more. We understood the weaknesses and we tried to address it and
[03:13.280 -> 03:18.320] then of course with increased power from Honda, all that together just makes it a better car.
[03:19.200 -> 03:23.680] But I think the work ethic and everyone in terms of motivation has been the same.
[03:23.680 -> 03:25.080] Or of course when you start
[03:25.080 -> 03:29.860] winning maybe it's a bit higher but overall I think the commitment shown has been the
[03:29.860 -> 03:31.360] same every single year.
[03:31.360 -> 03:37.160] Going into Abu Dhabi it will be Honda's last race for the team. Have you enjoyed that journey
[03:37.160 -> 03:38.160] with them?
[03:38.160 -> 03:42.720] Yeah, it's been really good. We had a really good relationship and it was just very enjoyable
[03:42.720 -> 03:45.080] to work with them.
[03:45.080 -> 03:50.800] Even though people of course were questioning the communication between the two cultures,
[03:50.800 -> 03:58.800] but I think it worked really well and a lot of really good and special memories with them for sure.
[03:58.800 -> 04:05.440] And you said you had some special memories this year with Chaco, who's's your new team mate for the first year. Have
[04:05.440 -> 04:11.200] you enjoyed that? I was saying to Tchako that I think on the off-track stuff we've seen,
[04:11.200 -> 04:14.560] you and him clicked straight away, you have a really good laugh.
[04:14.560 -> 04:19.960] It's been really good. I really enjoy being around with Tchako and he's a good team mate
[04:19.960 -> 04:25.680] and we work well together so I think It's been good and fun.
[04:25.680 -> 04:31.440] Does that make a difference if you have fun with your team-mates?
[04:31.440 -> 04:35.840] It's nicer. It's always good to have a nice relationship with your team-mates, for sure.
[04:35.840 -> 04:38.800] And for everyone in the team.
[04:38.800 -> 04:45.720] In Mexico you both shared the podium and I think you've probably become an honorary Mexican. Was
[04:45.720 -> 04:50.400] that nice to see? Yeah exactly it was great to see but also for himself you
[04:50.400 -> 04:54.100] know to be on the podium there with all the Mexican fans was I think something
[04:54.100 -> 04:59.400] truly special for him. Our fans I think Rebel Racing fans are some of the best
[04:59.400 -> 05:03.640] out there, so most passionate. Do you get that sense across the season and that
[05:03.640 -> 05:09.240] support? Yeah I mean the support you support has been great all over the place in terms of Red Bull fans.
[05:09.240 -> 05:14.720] So yeah, it's always nice to have that support in the background and them cheering you on.
[05:14.720 -> 05:18.240] You always try to do the best you can, of course, on track, but knowing that there are
[05:18.240 -> 05:21.760] people behind supporting you as well as the team, it's great.
[05:21.760 -> 05:25.000] We go to Abu Dhabi with a bit of a difference,
[05:25.000 -> 05:26.680] we change with a new layout.
[05:26.680 -> 05:28.920] Have you driven that at all on the sim?
[05:28.920 -> 05:30.360] Yeah, I've driven it, yeah.
[05:30.360 -> 05:33.040] I mean, time will tell if it's good or not.
[05:33.040 -> 05:35.080] It didn't really feel completely different, you know,
[05:35.080 -> 05:36.960] but we'll see.
[05:36.960 -> 05:38.800] Come that last race of the season,
[05:38.800 -> 05:42.520] obviously, the aim for the team is for both championships.
[05:42.520 -> 05:44.480] Are you excited for that chequered flag
[05:44.480 -> 05:50.480] and to see what's to come and find some time to rest and recover? Yeah, no, of course, you know, it's been a long
[05:50.480 -> 05:54.960] season and we try to finish it off in the best way possible. Good luck, Max. We're all behind
[05:54.960 -> 06:00.160] you this weekend. We're now joined by Sergio Perez and Christian Horner. How are you chaps?
[06:00.160 -> 06:05.000] Very good. Good to be here. Whereabouts are you right now? You're at the racetrack, right?
[06:05.000 -> 06:12.000] We're in Sergio's room. He's got his bed where he sleeps behind.
[06:12.000 -> 06:16.000] It looks plush. It does look really plush. They're looking after you there, Checo.
[06:16.000 -> 06:18.000] Oh, yeah. They do very well around here.
[06:18.000 -> 06:24.000] Let's talk about the season so far. When this episode goes out, there'll only be one race remaining.
[06:24.000 -> 06:26.680] How would you assess the 2021 season so far?
[06:26.680 -> 06:27.680] It's been tight, right?
[06:27.680 -> 06:28.680] It's been an amazing year.
[06:28.680 -> 06:31.680] I mean, look, we're sitting here, we've won, what, ten races so far.
[06:31.680 -> 06:35.680] We're five points off in the constructors,
[06:35.680 -> 06:37.680] we're eight points ahead in the drivers
[06:37.680 -> 06:39.680] with everything to play for in these last two races.
[06:39.680 -> 06:43.680] And I think, you know, Cecho's first year with the team has been a great year.
[06:43.680 -> 06:47.920] Difficult circumstances with all the Covid and Corona, but you know, the way he's
[06:48.560 -> 06:52.480] made such great progress during the year, particularly since the summer break,
[06:52.480 -> 06:58.800] you're getting that victory in Azerbaijan earlier in the year and it's crucial that we finish the
[06:58.800 -> 07:03.520] year, you know, as strong as possible at these last two races. I saw you likening the next two
[07:03.520 -> 07:07.080] races as two cup finals and this is the battle you've been
[07:07.080 -> 07:09.080] wanting with Mercedes for a while now.
[07:09.080 -> 07:10.560] I guess that's the way to view it, right?
[07:10.560 -> 07:11.560] Absolutely.
[07:11.560 -> 07:12.560] They're two big ones.
[07:12.560 -> 07:14.200] Anything can happen at a street track.
[07:14.200 -> 07:18.880] But it's vital for both championships.
[07:18.880 -> 07:23.520] We have a strong weekend here to set up whatever is going to happen in Abu Dhabi.
[07:23.520 -> 07:27.800] Checo, thanks for joining us. Obviously there's a big battle going on between Max and Luis.
[07:27.800 -> 07:31.840] You of course could also have a crucial role to play over the next couple of races. I'm
[07:31.840 -> 07:36.920] sure a lot of work has been done on team strategies. How exciting is it for you to be part of such
[07:36.920 -> 07:38.200] a thrilling end to the season?
[07:38.200 -> 07:47.920] Yes, it's really exciting, coming into the final two races with so much to play for. We are winners and we really
[07:47.920 -> 07:54.160] want to define our year as a successful one. That will depend on whether we are able to
[07:54.160 -> 08:00.520] get our targets or not. We're pushing really hard, the whole team is, and it's really exciting
[08:00.520 -> 08:03.760] to be part of that fight.
[08:03.760 -> 08:07.080] What have some of the standout moments of the season been for you, Checo?
[08:07.080 -> 08:13.640] I think as Christian mentioned, the adaptation to the team has been critical, has been an
[08:13.640 -> 08:20.800] important role. I think for me, definitely my first victory with the team in Baku was
[08:20.800 -> 08:30.240] one to remember. Getting into the podium in Mexico was nice as well. Hopefully bringing
[08:30.240 -> 08:37.160] both titles at the end of the year, they will be the ones to remember. In general, I'll
[08:37.160 -> 08:44.760] say that it's been a positive year and I think we still have a lot to give.
[08:44.760 -> 08:47.840] Let's touch on the development of the RV16B car this year.
[08:47.840 -> 08:50.080] How good a car has that been to drive?
[08:50.080 -> 08:51.520] It's obviously been very different
[08:51.520 -> 08:52.720] to what I've been used to.
[08:52.720 -> 08:57.720] I came to a car and a team that it's been very different
[08:58.640 -> 09:02.680] just by concept itself with a high rake
[09:02.680 -> 09:06.780] and the way you have to drive it is very different. It took me
[09:06.780 -> 09:13.100] longer than expected to get on top of the car, of the setups, the way I have to drive
[09:13.100 -> 09:17.820] it, the way I have to set it up. With the limited amount of testing that we had this
[09:17.820 -> 09:26.560] season it just made things even harder. You come into the Fridays and there's not a lot of time to test.
[09:27.120 -> 09:34.160] But I think that has been the most challenging part of my career, adapting to such a different
[09:34.160 -> 09:35.040] philosophy of car.
[09:35.040 -> 09:38.800] Christian, there'll be team members with you there and also back in the UK who perhaps don't
[09:38.800 -> 09:43.120] get much of the spotlight, who do incredibly important work. If I asked you to shout out
[09:43.120 -> 09:46.040] some of the heroes of the 2021 season,
[09:46.040 -> 09:47.520] who would get a gold star?
[09:47.520 -> 09:49.120] Well, to be honest, they're all heroes.
[09:49.120 -> 09:51.600] I mean, as a team, the way the team has worked,
[09:52.040 -> 09:55.320] particularly through the pandemic, you know, when through the lockdown periods
[09:55.320 -> 09:58.680] and so on, to to have developed and created a car
[09:58.680 -> 10:01.320] that's enabled us to fight for these world championships together
[10:01.320 -> 10:03.360] with Honda powering us.
[10:03.360 -> 10:05.080] It's been a phenomenal effort.
[10:05.080 -> 10:08.440] And I think it's that collective spirit.
[10:08.440 -> 10:12.360] It's the way that this team has worked as one this year.
[10:12.360 -> 10:15.240] It really has been absolutely outstanding.
[10:15.240 -> 10:17.560] And I think we've got two races to go.
[10:17.560 -> 10:19.480] We're going to give it everything
[10:19.480 -> 10:20.520] and see where we end up.
[10:20.520 -> 10:22.560] Checo, this, as we've said, is your first season
[10:22.560 -> 10:23.840] with the team.
[10:23.840 -> 10:24.640] How have they been?
[10:24.640 -> 10:34.000] Has Christian been a tough boss? How would you rate your teammates? Oh, yeah. How have the team been?
[10:34.000 -> 10:45.000] I have to say he's a great team leader. How intense he gets involved, you can see that it's his life, this team.
[10:45.000 -> 10:47.400] And it goes the same for everyone who works here.
[10:47.400 -> 10:51.040] It's really a big passion for what we do.
[10:51.040 -> 10:55.080] A second place can be so depressed in this team.
[10:56.960 -> 10:59.600] We are here to win, we are here to be the best,
[10:59.600 -> 11:01.280] and this is how we work.
[11:01.280 -> 11:07.200] And the engineers, the mechanics, the marketing group, everything is done to
[11:07.200 -> 11:14.040] its maximum. It's been really enjoyable and has taught me a lot being part of the Red
[11:14.040 -> 11:20.920] Bull family in general, of how great a culture and you can see very early on why they've
[11:20.920 -> 11:26.040] been so successful. Cristian, I know when we've spoken over the last couple of years how much you've wanted
[11:26.040 -> 11:32.040] to be back there where we are right now, fighting for a title. You must be really enjoying this
[11:32.040 -> 11:33.320] moment and savouring it.
[11:33.320 -> 11:37.600] Well, I think it's been a tough year but it's been an enjoyable year and I think the whole
[11:37.600 -> 11:43.720] team's just absolutely revelling in being in this championship fight. It's been intense,
[11:43.720 -> 11:46.840] it's been tough on track, off track, but that's
[11:46.840 -> 11:51.920] what it's all about, that's what Formula One is. It's a tough competition. It's been great
[11:51.920 -> 11:56.560] to see what the team's been capable of this year, what the drivers, the way they've performed
[11:56.560 -> 11:57.840] has been amazing.
[11:57.840 -> 12:02.520] As the manager of a team right now, is it a case of just letting everyone crack on?
[12:02.520 -> 12:06.040] They know exactly what their roles are, I guess, enjoy it as much as possible.
[12:06.040 -> 12:08.880] I think it's just focusing on everybody's role
[12:08.880 -> 12:11.040] and just to keep doing what we've been doing
[12:11.040 -> 12:14.200] at all the other 20 races so far this year,
[12:14.200 -> 12:15.920] you've got to do all the basics well.
[12:15.920 -> 12:20.000] And all the races, they have the same format
[12:20.000 -> 12:21.920] bar the sprints, and I think that we've just got
[12:21.920 -> 12:25.680] to make sure set up, strategy, optimisation,
[12:25.680 -> 12:30.160] reliability, pit stops, all of the basics. You've got to tick all the boxes.
[12:30.160 -> 12:34.240] We have some really loyal fans as you will know, we have some questions from them coming up in a
[12:34.240 -> 12:38.800] second on the podcast. How good are they and how much does their support mean to you?
[12:38.800 -> 12:43.360] Our fans are amazing and to see how many new fans we've welcomed to the team,
[12:43.360 -> 12:51.320] to see the fans back at the track. Mexico was insane, I mean with this guy here, I mean I've never seen anything
[12:51.360 -> 12:56.600] like it, I mean they were, he's more popular than us, Spice Girls, back in Mexico. You
[12:56.600 -> 13:03.600] are more popular. But no, it was an amazing experience to see the fans back in the sport
[13:06.240 -> 13:13.600] an amazing experience to see the fans back in the sport and the new fans that are joining the team and to see the audiences coming back to the sport. I think it's been a great season.
[13:13.600 -> 13:18.160] Has this season been, away from the racing side of things and the success on the track,
[13:18.160 -> 13:21.760] has this season been slightly more enjoyable because of the Covid restrictions being
[13:21.760 -> 13:24.160] slightly less or has it been pretty similar to last year?
[13:24.160 -> 13:27.360] I don't know, I think we're sort of in and out of them. I don't know how your nose is doing, but I've
[13:27.360 -> 13:32.960] had so many things shoved up my nose this year. It's tough. It's tough for the guys,
[13:32.960 -> 13:34.960] it's tough for the travelling staff because we're still in a bubble.
[13:35.600 -> 13:36.880] We're in the Czechoslovakian bubble at the moment.
[13:37.760 -> 13:39.440] You're missing the karaoke nights then?
[13:39.440 -> 13:42.560] I haven't heard him sing yet. He's got to be able to sing something.
[13:43.600 -> 13:44.960] We haven't had a good party.
[13:44.960 -> 13:45.200] No, we haven't had a good party. No,
[13:45.200 -> 13:48.960] no, we haven't had a party. We haven't had a single party as a team. They just keep getting cancelled.
[13:48.960 -> 13:53.760] What would be your karaoke tune checker? Well, I was all prepared, you know, for the Christmas
[13:53.760 -> 13:59.200] party. Yeah. I got all my outfit, everything on the back. Yeah. And now I'm going back to Mexico.
[14:00.160 -> 14:05.080] Oh man, that is sad. But I guess you have had some downtime between races.
[14:05.080 -> 14:06.080] What does that look like for you?
[14:06.080 -> 14:08.640] I saw you on your Xbox on Instagram this week.
[14:08.640 -> 14:11.440] Are your family able to be with you over the next couple of weeks,
[14:11.440 -> 14:13.600] or do you have to stay apart from them?
[14:13.600 -> 14:19.000] No, right now, I mean, I'm on my own for this final part of the season.
[14:19.360 -> 14:24.080] You know, it's a long way from Mexico, so I'm with my team
[14:24.080 -> 14:31.320] and I'm looking forward to finishing the season on a high.
[14:31.320 -> 14:35.640] Get some rest. It's been a very intense year since I've signed for Red Bull, which was
[14:35.640 -> 14:42.960] pretty late last year. I haven't stopped. It's been all about getting into the team
[14:42.960 -> 14:46.680] and so on. So looking forward to finish it and get some rest.
[14:46.680 -> 14:49.560] Christian, we heard from Max on the podcast earlier.
[14:49.560 -> 14:51.760] What would your advice be for him right now?
[14:51.760 -> 14:52.920] I'm sure you've given him plenty.
[14:52.920 -> 14:55.360] I guess it's a case of just going for it now, is it?
[14:55.360 -> 14:56.280] Absolutely.
[14:56.280 -> 14:59.880] And he's just got to do what he's done
[14:59.880 -> 15:01.160] so many of the races this year.
[15:01.160 -> 15:03.680] And he's doing brilliantly well this year.
[15:03.680 -> 15:09.600] And we just need to make sure we give him a car that's capable of challenging Lewis and Mercedes over the
[15:09.600 -> 15:10.840] next couple of races.
[15:10.840 -> 15:14.840] OK, before we let you get on with the important business of qualifying, let's get some fan
[15:14.840 -> 15:15.840] questions in.
[15:15.840 -> 15:19.560] We asked listeners of Talking Bull to send in some questions for you.
[15:19.560 -> 15:20.840] Let's see what we have here.
[15:20.840 -> 15:25.160] Lucas has asked, Checo, what techniques do you always use to
[15:25.160 -> 15:29.480] stay calm and focused despite all the media pressure? I think it comes natural
[15:29.480 -> 15:35.720] with experience and with the way we're working I mean just when I go
[15:35.720 -> 15:39.600] into the garage or whenever I'm with the engineers you just try to to make sure
[15:39.600 -> 15:44.200] you are focused on on the single person you're talking to you know and let all
[15:44.200 -> 15:45.920] all that noise stay
[15:45.920 -> 15:50.920] behind you. And once you put the mirror down, make sure that you know where the throttle
[15:50.920 -> 15:54.240] and the brake is, and that's it.
[15:54.240 -> 15:58.640] This one's quite fitting considering all of the talk about tyres at Saudi Arabia, but
[15:58.640 -> 16:02.160] how do you manage your tyres so well? That's from Reva.
[16:02.160 -> 16:05.800] I think the tyres is always a good challenge, you know, that we're facing in Formula 1,
[16:05.800 -> 16:09.960] because it's not always the same. Sometimes you have front degradation, sometimes you
[16:09.960 -> 16:14.160] have rear degradation, and the way you set up the car, the way you drive, the way you
[16:14.160 -> 16:21.900] approach the first laps during a race, it's all to do with the tyres these days, you know,
[16:21.900 -> 16:26.400] so we're constantly working on that, sometimes it works, sometimes
[16:26.400 -> 16:31.640] other people do better than me, so it's something that I'm definitely pushing on.
[16:31.640 -> 16:36.000] Christian, here's one I've actually wondered myself a few times. This comes from Pedro.
[16:36.000 -> 16:40.520] How often during a race does a team listen to the other team's comms to understand the
[16:40.520 -> 16:42.440] position and circumstances of other drivers?
[16:42.440 -> 16:47.280] I think all the top teams, they've got people back in their factories listening to what's
[16:47.280 -> 16:52.320] going on in the other garages or with the other cars, so you know as soon as you open
[16:52.320 -> 16:59.600] the radio that it's an open transmission, that your opponents are going to hear that.
[16:59.600 -> 17:07.700] So we've started to think about speaking in Mexican for the last few races, on the basis there can't be that many other Mexicans in the other in the other team
[17:07.700 -> 17:12.860] so I've been practicing you know quite a lot the last few weeks so if we if we
[17:12.860 -> 17:17.940] break out in Mexican you know here and Abu Dhabi don't be surprised just to
[17:17.940 -> 17:21.660] slow things down a little bit this was quite pertinent considering what day it
[17:21.660 -> 17:26.320] is this comes from Albert he wants to know what do you do the night before a race?
[17:26.320 -> 17:27.160] Checo.
[17:28.280 -> 17:29.980] What do you do the night before?
[17:29.980 -> 17:33.760] Let's put him on the spot.
[17:34.840 -> 17:38.200] Sometimes, I mean, every race is different.
[17:38.200 -> 17:40.080] I don't always have the same night.
[17:40.080 -> 17:42.440] Sometimes more interesting than others,
[17:42.440 -> 17:48.960] but most of the time I'm just having dinner and going to bed watching some series
[17:50.000 -> 17:56.480] and just relaxing and I have to say that most of the time I forget when I wake up I'm like
[17:56.480 -> 18:04.320] ah I have a race you know I'm so easy to sleep you know so I get relaxed very quickly
[18:04.320 -> 18:05.880] and I guess one five-star hotel
[18:05.880 -> 18:08.400] room must look very similar to the next and so it must be a little bit
[18:08.400 -> 18:12.320] disorientating to figure out where you are. Well, it's not always the case.
[18:12.320 -> 18:15.320] What I've learned with him, what he usually does is he takes his
[18:15.320 -> 18:21.240] trainer and his assistant to go and play a round of golf and they
[18:21.240 -> 18:27.000] can't play and then he makes them them have a bet. And basically I think they've worked the whole year for free for him.
[18:27.000 -> 18:28.000] They're still paying out.
[18:28.000 -> 18:29.000] They're still paying out.
[18:29.000 -> 18:31.000] I'm trying him to get into one but...
[18:31.000 -> 18:32.000] I'm not going to play with him. No chance.
[18:32.000 -> 18:34.000] I'm too young.
[18:34.000 -> 18:35.000] You're not going to get involved, Christian.
[18:35.000 -> 18:36.000] You've seen through the plan.
[18:36.000 -> 18:37.000] I've seen through the plan, yeah.
[18:37.000 -> 18:41.000] Andrea would like to know, what's the thing you most look forward to on race day, both of you?
[18:41.000 -> 18:43.000] Definitely, I think, the start, no?
[18:43.000 -> 18:46.440] Once all the work, you know, we put so much work
[18:46.440 -> 18:50.840] into the weekend that once you're finally into the grid,
[18:50.840 -> 18:54.120] into the final moments, you know, that is what matters.
[18:54.120 -> 18:58.240] And yeah, what you've done, it's all about the start,
[18:58.240 -> 19:00.440] all about having the good race.
[19:00.440 -> 19:01.280] Yeah, exactly.
[19:01.280 -> 19:03.400] You know, the start is the most intense part.
[19:03.400 -> 19:04.960] Checo, this question comes from Yuvrav.
[19:04.960 -> 19:07.920] He says, what's your favourite track to drive in the rain?
[19:07.920 -> 19:17.600] In the rain? I'll say Spa, but I don't have good memories from Spa this year.
[19:17.600 -> 19:19.600] He's not going to say Abu Dhabi.
[19:19.600 -> 19:24.400] Bahrain, it rained in Bahrain.
[19:24.400 -> 19:28.000] We had a thing on Thursday where it rained for a couple of hours.
[19:28.000 -> 19:34.000] Christian, this question is probably a little bit premature and probably one you'll be thinking about in a couple of weeks' time,
[19:34.000 -> 19:39.000] but T-May would like to know what's the goal for Rebel Racing in the next couple of years?
[19:39.000 -> 19:42.000] To build on this year. We got ourselves into a winning position this year.
[19:42.000 -> 19:46.000] We've got to keep that momentum going. There's a big regulation change next year.
[19:46.000 -> 19:47.400] Stability is always important.
[19:47.400 -> 19:51.000] It's great to have the same drivers going into next year as well.
[19:51.000 -> 19:54.400] I think the team is in great shape.
[19:54.400 -> 20:00.000] We've just got to keep this momentum rolling into the 2022 season.
[20:00.000 -> 20:01.800] Speaking about some of those changes,
[20:01.800 -> 20:04.400] Callum would like to know, when designing a new car,
[20:04.400 -> 20:06.480] who's in the very first meeting to discuss
[20:06.480 -> 20:08.520] what direction you want to head in with that car?
[20:08.520 -> 20:10.000] Well, obviously Adrian and his team,
[20:10.000 -> 20:13.280] with Pierre Vaché and Rob Marshall and all the key players.
[20:13.280 -> 20:16.600] They'll sit down and start a scope out
[20:16.600 -> 20:19.120] what the key targets for that car is,
[20:19.120 -> 20:23.000] and then it'll change about 4,000 times.
[20:23.000 -> 20:23.940] I mean, that's the interesting thing
[20:23.940 -> 20:25.380] about the situation right now, isn't it?
[20:25.380 -> 20:27.500] I mean, this has been a long time coming
[20:27.500 -> 20:29.580] and a long time in preparation as well.
[20:29.580 -> 20:30.940] This hasn't happened overnight.
[20:30.940 -> 20:32.700] No, no, no, this car is, well, you have to remember,
[20:32.700 -> 20:34.900] 60% of it is last year's car.
[20:34.900 -> 20:37.980] So it's been developed, obviously, in areas
[20:37.980 -> 20:40.060] and of course, they've been having to spin two plates
[20:40.060 -> 20:42.560] whilst working on this car, working on next year's car.
[20:42.560 -> 20:45.360] So it's been a tough year for everybody involved
[20:45.360 -> 20:49.480] back at the factory, but they've done an outstanding job.
[20:49.480 -> 20:50.980] Okay, final couple quickly,
[20:50.980 -> 20:52.360] just before we let you go off to qualify,
[20:52.360 -> 20:53.600] and this one comes from Mikkel,
[20:53.600 -> 20:55.640] who has a question about qualifying.
[20:55.640 -> 20:57.760] What is the strategy behind qualifying?
[20:57.760 -> 21:00.680] Why is it that sometimes you wait until the last minute
[21:00.680 -> 21:01.960] to send the cars out,
[21:01.960 -> 21:04.360] and they only have time to do one qualifying lap?
[21:04.360 -> 21:08.400] Well, the strategy is go as fast as you can with as few laps as possible and the reason
[21:08.400 -> 21:12.440] we go late is because sometimes the track's cooling or the wind's dropping and you're
[21:12.440 -> 21:15.800] trying to get the optimum time on the circuit.
[21:15.800 -> 21:22.680] So yeah, it's about trying to optimise that moment in time in each of the sessions.
[21:22.680 -> 21:28.120] You're at a new track right now so this question this final question works quite nicely if you could design a Formula One
[21:28.120 -> 21:33.060] track what key aspects from other tracks would you make sure to include? Well
[21:33.060 -> 21:35.960] basically I make it a combination of wherever we've gone well at this year.
[21:35.960 -> 21:46.880] Austria, Austria, Mexico, Austria Mexico Mexico together. Yeah, basically very high,
[21:50.240 -> 21:53.240] maybe the top of an Austria mountain with a Mexican layout. How have they done with the design of the track there?
[21:53.240 -> 21:54.760] I think it's pretty good.
[21:55.800 -> 21:57.160] I think it's a great track.
[21:58.600 -> 22:00.440] It's very risky, you know, this place,
[22:00.440 -> 22:02.480] because you have a lot of straights
[22:02.480 -> 22:03.840] which are blind corners,
[22:03.840 -> 22:06.040] so it can get very
[22:06.040 -> 22:10.960] messy out there but in all in all general it's a pretty good one.
[22:10.960 -> 22:12.600] Thanks for finding some time for us guys, good luck.
[22:12.600 -> 22:18.680] It's been great talking to you and yeah hopefully bring back a good result.
[22:18.680 -> 22:19.680] Cheers guys.
[22:19.680 -> 22:20.680] Thanks a lot.
[22:20.680 -> 22:23.960] Well that's it for this edition of Talking Ball, remember if you want to ask a burning
[22:23.960 -> 22:26.960] question plus unlock some unique experiences
[22:26.960 -> 22:29.640] and incredible rewards that will bring you closer to the team
[22:29.640 -> 22:33.160] than ever before, make sure you sign up to the Red Bull Racing
[22:33.160 -> 22:35.720] Paddock at redbullracing.com.
[22:35.720 -> 22:39.120] It's down to the wire for the last race in Abu Dhabi
[22:39.120 -> 22:40.120] this weekend.
[22:40.120 -> 22:42.560] We'll be back with a season finale of Talking
[22:42.560 -> 22:43.880] Ball in the coming weeks.
[22:43.880 -> 22:45.440] Until then, take care.