April 16, 2024 • 38 mins
The Chinese Grand Prix returns after a half-decade-COVID-induced hiatus! On this opinionated episode of F1 Isn't Real, Amesh and I discuss the economic consequences of China's return to the calendar - not to mention the stuff that really matters, the quality of the racing itself. Have Alpine sold their souls, is Aston Martin on the rise, and which F1 podcast is the best? At F1 Isn't Real, we answer all of your burning queries.
In addition to a rundown of all (MOST) things China, we spend the last 10 minutes of the ep pondering some of the most outrageous head-to-head concepts that F1 has to offer, including the mysifying question of a Hamilton retirement against a Sainz World Championship win.
In addition to a rundown of all (MOST) things China, we spend the last 10 minutes of the ep pondering some of the most outrageous head-to-head concepts that F1 has to offer, including the mysifying question of a Hamilton retirement against a Sainz World Championship win.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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(00:13):
Hello, and welcome back to Fone Isn't Real? I am your host,
Ben Wevell, part time rickshaw driver, joined as ever by my right
hand man Amish aka v one andtoday we are going to preview this weekend
it's upcoming Chinese GP, as wellas asking some of the boldest F one
(00:39):
what's more likely questions that have everbeen proposed? Later in the episode,
Amish, how's it going? Goodweekend? Yeah? Thank you, Ben.
It's always a pleasure to be backon the show. I'm very excited
for the first Chinese film three infive years. Yeah, it's been a
while, hasn't it. Hell Vividof course quite get in the way of
(01:04):
proceedings that the Chinese grown pri forquite some time. How significant is I
think that we're returning to China witha Chinese driver on the grid. You
Yeah, I think it's really importantto have races everywhere in the world.
I think having a second, secondrace in East Asia is definitely beneficial,
(01:30):
especially considering it's a world championship.I think with going ahead, having this
race in China might promote F oneto extend the horizons to other countries other
than America and Europe, which isalways great to see and I'm very looking
forward to see what this weekend holdsbefore us. So picking up on your
(01:55):
point there, of course we're goingto be speaking about the Chinese Grown Prix
today, but we're returning to acountry that was really the sort of gateway
for of course apart from Japan,but it was the gateway for modern Formula
one into the Middle Eastern and theAsian markets. Of course, after that
(02:19):
we saw after China's addition, wesaw Bahrain, we saw Singapore, We
saw obviously South Korea and Malaysia,which didn't last so long, but China
sort of opened the floodgates here ifand of course even for example countries like
Vietnam, they were going to havea Formula one Grand Prix on the calendar
in twenty twenty. Of course thatwas canceled due to COVID and it's never
(02:42):
returned. But if you would predictany new country that would be added to
the list of countries that Formula oneis trying to expand to, where do
you think Formula one is going tobe shifting their interest to in the coming
year. Is I think if Formulaone does some listening to its fans I
(03:07):
would like to see South Africa andKayle Lami back on the calendar. We
haven't raced there in what forty years, so I think it'd be great to
have South Africa back in the calendar. But as to the country which would
be most likely to make her return, I would say I would say Germany
(03:30):
with either the Nurburgring or the PockenheimRing, because we have been there in
the past, and I think nowit's it's time, it's time to make
a comeback. Yeah, I think, I think I agree with you.
I think Europe is and Europe andSouth Africa and these older racetracks are certainly
(03:53):
sort of areas that Formula one wantsto dive back into. But I think
in terms of sort of international marketsthat there's no bigger international market at the
moment, obviously than the US.But I think possibly somewhere where F one
could really make a statement in thecoming years could be in China. I
(04:14):
think you know, there are whispersof them sort of planning to add sort
of three ish sort of paralleling ina parallel to the American expansion. That
level of presence in China, andthat in itself could create a market for
(04:35):
Formula one in more East Asian countriesthan before and possibly bring back countries such
as India, countries such as Malaysia, country such as Vietnam back into the
Formula one zeitgeist. But of coursethat remains to be seen. And this
is the first Chinese Grand Prix infive years, so nothing is proven yet.
(04:57):
And so that's why I think thisChinese Grand Prix, just in in
terms of a political perspective from theFIA, is going to be integral because
if you have a huge crowd,if you have a super exciting race,
then that means that government officials aremore likely to give planning permission to new
race tracks that maybe built. Youwill have tourist sort of boards who are
(05:21):
going to put Formula one at thetop of their priority is sort of you
know, come to Shanghai and watchthe F one. And so I think
it could be a really important GrandPrix, not just for obviously the twenty
twenty four Formula one World Championship,for the future of the sport, but
that sort of hinges on the qualityof the race circuit in my opinion,
(05:46):
I mean the Shanghai International circuit.It's been a bit of a ghost town
these last few years, of course, with no Formula one races, the
only major sporting events multi sporting eventssince the pandemic being Thershcare, a Cup
GT World Challenge and a Formula erace. Do you think that the track will
need to be sort of broken inor will it feel ready to race straight
(06:11):
away? I think it's a difficultquestion. We don't know what's going to
happen then. I mean, Ithink it would definitely be beneficial to have
other series racing on the track priorto the Chinese Run three, but I
think it would be better to leaveit as it is now than to newly
(06:32):
resurface. Self is the track ifwe look in the past, I think
it was the Portuguese run Pree oftwenty twenty. Cars were slipping and sliding
everywhere, and I think it wasTurkey. It was Turkey, Sorry,
not Portuguese Turkey, My bad.And I think that definitely makes racing more
(06:55):
interesting. But at the same timedriver's safety is a lot more important.
I think it will. I thinkit will be a rather neutral race.
I think because with new regulations aswell, we don't really know what's going
to happen. Going ahead, intothis Chinese grand pert, speaking of the
sort of the new aspects that needto be brought into China, what modifications
(07:18):
or upgrades do you think that theteams may need to bring to this circuit
in order to, you know,have some kind of competitive advantage. Is
there anything in particular that you wouldthat you would say is important for teams?
Well, I mean, starting fromthe back of the grid, has
have brought in some new upgrades.I'm not quite sure what it is.
I think it's I think it's ageneral technical upgrade. I think they have
(07:43):
been sort of lacking in recent racingraces. I think with Nico Holkbug nearly
scoring points last weekend, and Ithink they definitely need these sorts of upgrades
to give them a competitive edge goinginto this weekend. Also, unfortunately to
say that this is a back marketteam. Now Alpine have brought in some
(08:05):
upgrades I think with their floor andI think that will I'm not sure whether
that will give them much benefit.I think unless it's an integral part of
the car which is lacking. Wedon't really know yet, I think don't.
I don't even think the team knowwhere they're going wrong, So it's
too early to say, but Ithink hopefully these upgrades will give the lower
(08:30):
ends of the grid upper hand goinginto this race. Do you think that
Alpine will be able to you know, speaking of Alpine, do you think
that Alpine will be able to utilizethese sort of two week breaks and maybe
the summer break eventually? Do youthink they'll be able to crack their way
back into the midfield or are theyfirmly in the back marker position for now?
(08:54):
I think another thing is too earlyto say, but you can't close
off the opportunit unity or the possibilityof Alpine making a comeback. We saw
the same thing with McLaren last yearand maybe even the year before. They
had a really poor start to theseason, and then by the time the
summer break came, they sorry,they were scoring podiums and high points,
(09:20):
and we're taking home a lot ofpoints every weekend in and weekend out.
So I think it's not easy tosay whether it's guaranteed to happen, but
you can't close off the opportunity orthe possibility of it happening for our peen.
I think if anything, it putsmore pressure, more emphasis on how
(09:43):
well they can work as a team. We were expecting such a great driver
lineup with Ocon and Ghastly being twoFrenchmen in a French team. But I
think this position that Alpine has beenput in definitely highlights or puts a lot
of pressure on their ability to workas a outside of driving. I think
you've touched on a really important pointthere. I think going into this partnership
(10:07):
that of Pierre Gasni and estebanoc On, the assumption was that these were two
high class drivers nearing their years ofpeaking, I guess, and I think
even though the animosity between the twobetween Pierre and Esteban has subsided over the
(10:31):
years, probably from the fact thatthey're not children anymore. Of course there's
a rivalry in terms of just racecraft, but I think the boyhood rivalry may
have slightly subsided as the two drivershave got more mature. But the point
you make is about teamwork, andthat's been a real struggle of Alpine over
the years. We've mentioned on previousparts, they've been through so many team
(10:54):
principles, so many heads of theestablishment and advisors, even someone like Alan
Pross walking out of when they wereback as Reno the year before they changed
in change the Alpine I think thereal issue with Alpine maybe of course on
the track they're not bringing things together, but just they are so the lack
(11:18):
of cohesion between the integral parts ofthe Alpine team has been really start these
last few years. What do youthink Alpine need to implement in order to
perhaps turn their fortunes around and bringthe team closer together. I think it's
(11:41):
it would be easy to say bringin new management, but as as you
just said, Alpine have been goingthrough a rough streak with the number of
heads that they had come in andjust walk out straight away or in quick
succession. I think as to whatthey can do from now to improve improve
(12:05):
the team and resurrect their chances ofsuccess this season, I would say there
has to be more change internally withinthe team, within within how the chemistry
of the team. I'm not surewhat department particularly, I doubt I'm not
(12:28):
going to say it's to do withthe drivers. I think the driver pairing
is fine. I think the problemalpeen and facing at this current moment is
definitely the situation with their car.The car is definitely not in the right
place where it should be, andthe sooner. The sooner Alpine are able
(12:50):
to recognize a technical problem or amechanical issue that they have, they can
they can see some improvement. Butas to how they can do that,
I think it's got to be withintheir research and development team, working with
their current engineering team who are developingthe car parts. I think I agree
(13:13):
with you in part. I agreewith the fact that the R and D
team needs to step up and givethe drivers that are in the Alpine Car
has something to work with. Butthe fact is that although the performance of
the Alpine Car has certainly fallen offsince the twenty twenty season, I think
(13:37):
that all things considered, for theI would probably use the word hype in
this case that the partnership of andPa Gasli brought they've disappointed compared to that.
I mean, we've had an Estebannockon victory. We've had a I
believe in estman On podium in Monaco, and then we had a Pierre Gasly.
(13:58):
We had an s manoc on podiumin Katar. We had a Pierre
Gasly podium. Oh God, Ican't remember exactly. I think it might
have been Netherlands. Same Netherlands,thank you. Yeah, we've had you
know, we've had three podiums.We have we've had a win. But
as Marson Bobkowski was saying a fewyears ago, they expected to be fighting
(14:18):
at the front in sort of thenext two years, in the next two
seasons, and at the moment thatis really not coming to fruition whatsoever.
And of course that's due down tothe R and D team, but also
I think the driver pairing, forall of their the praise that they garnered
in the years prior, have notquite lived up to their expectations as a
(14:45):
quality partnership. Even when Alpine wasprominently within that midfield. They just they
were, I believe, tenth andeleventh back to back years. And that's
consistency for sure. But it's enoughthings special and I think what Olpe need
right now is a little boost ofsomething special and what I would suggest,
(15:07):
of course it might be slightly radical, but I think you give them one
more year, You give them thisyear and perhaps next year in this partnership,
and if it's still not cohesive,if it's still not and you know
you've seen them, you've seen them, you know, brush brush hairs a
multiple points in the last few lastfew seasons. Last year Australia they crashed
(15:30):
into each other. Obviously that wasall a bit of a you know,
there was all a bit of hubbubon the on the start line after the
red flag anyway, But even soat a moment and so I think you
give it a year and a halfand if they don't perform, I think
you start from scratch again. Somethingthat has to to pretty good effect in
(15:50):
the past, in the last yearor so. And for all that they're
extremely experienced drivers, I think theystill might have some sort of for ego
lingering And I just don't get agood I don't I get I feel a
lot of tension from helping and Ithink maybe the driver pairing and maybe the
(16:11):
pressure that they've been put under fromfrom management to perform to this standard in
such a short period of time hasnot helped with that. Yeah, but
a much what do you think doyou think that do you think that it
would be too much of a sortof shift left in order to completely start
from scratch within the next two yearsin terms of a driver partnership. I
(16:38):
think in general starting over again isa big jump. But at the same
time, a team has to beprepared to do it. I'm not quite
sure as to how much preparation goesinto doing a whole reset, but in
terms of where we are now intwenty twenty four, in two years time,
(17:00):
when we see new engine regulations,that might be an opportunity or a
window as such, for not justout being but for other teams who will
be struggling in the next two yearsto do that reset and to make their
mark and claim a new a newsort of team. I think we've seen
(17:22):
it work the most most in twentyforty with Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton and Nico
Rosberg. I mean, Lewis Hamiltonhad been there the year prior, but
I think they've really made their markin the start of the turbo hybid era.
And I think who's to say thatany other team from the midfield can
(17:44):
can do that? Can't do that? But yeah, I think a prime
a prime time would be to dothis, like you said, would be
at the start of a new era, that one which is not long away.
In twenty twenty six you got tworace winners, two Frenchmen. But
this is a question that's sort ofbeen lingering on my mind for a while,
(18:07):
which of these two drivers is betterEsbano or Pahastly just in purely in
terms of racing skill. In termsof racing skill, I like to say,
yeah, Ghassli. I think hehas had his fair share of moments
(18:33):
with Red Bull where he wasn't completelycomfortable in the car and it things aren't
going so well for him, andI think you you need to consider all
of his other achievements in order toblock that out, or you have to
ignore that and consider that as anoutlier to his achievements. If you look
(18:56):
at his career, I think theI like to like the most would be
twenty twenty twenty twenty one. Sorry, even though twenty twenty he got his
win, twenty twenty one, Ifeel the car was probably worse and Pegasi
managed to do a very good jobof almost exactly of Yeah, he was
there, he was outperforming the carand leading the team very well, and
(19:21):
I think that was a prominent markin his career as as I don't think
he's had a streak like that,and I think he's had problems, but
not to do with the car,but to do with his driving as such.
You've seen his relationship with Checke Perezback at Forth India, and you've
(19:42):
seen his some mistakes which which adriver related. But yeah, I think
I'm gonna go okay Ghastly. Ithink Gaslie's had probably lower lows and probably
much higher heights. Do you thinkPierre Ghastly has passed his peak? I
(20:07):
mean, I think it's dependent onwhere he will go If this season doesn't
turn out very well for LPN andPia Ghastly, I'm going to go with
yes, But I think there's stillan opportunity for him to improve and find
his prime. But I think ithas to be in a team where he
(20:30):
is really comfortable in the car andit's suited around him. So, like
what I said twenty one, thecar, even though it wasn't as great
as expected, he was able tomake it work, which means it had
something to it, and that wasthe closest you'd get to a prime for
(20:51):
Pierre Ghastly. Yeah, I thinkthat Alphad Tarry at the time was obviously
not as bad as it was now, but it was certainly a sort of
seventh sixth, maybe six, butprobably seventh place car, and he was
consistently scoring top fours. And yeah, Gasly's twenty to twenty one season was
(21:15):
really impressive for me. I don'tthink he's going to hit that again,
at least not in Formula one.I think he's past his prime. I
think that he's not going to geta better race seat than Alpine in the
remainder of his Formula one career.I think Ocon is not going to get
another seat in Formula one. Ithink that this when when Alpine decided that
(21:40):
they no longer want Ocon, that'sokon done. I think that's same,
We're done with the sport. Perhapsa shift to somewhere like Hass when k
Magen, Niger Holkenberg eventually sort ofretire or are forced out. But I
think, yeah, Ocon is obviouslyhe has his flashes are brilliant, But
(22:03):
I think Gazoly's ability to manipulate hiscar to his will is more impressive than
Ocon's, even though of course they'reboth Statistically, in terms of race of
victories, they are on the samelevel, and I think they probably have
a similar number of podiums. Ican think of Secure twenty twenty two more
(22:29):
in this Alping stint, so Ithink they're probably on a similar number of
podiums Statistically, they're quite similar,but I think in terms of pure skill
or pure wrist craft, I thinkGasly is probably superior. That may be
slightly tainted by the fact that Oconwas forced to sit out twenty nineteen,
but yeah, and I think bothhave the capacity at the same time to
(22:52):
be despite their sort of experience andage, extremely immature and you know,
flustered and hot headed drivers, andso I think both have their certainly their
downsides, but I think Gaslys wouldbe the safer option. So I think
that if they were going to takeanybody either of those two, if they
had to choose one to take throughto the to the next era of Formula
(23:17):
One, then they will probably chooseGasling in my opinion. But shifting on
or shifting back to the Chinese GrandPrix, what teams do you envisions of
taking a bit of a step upthis weekend, perhaps from from from some
some lacklusterish form so far this year. I think I'm going to go with
(23:41):
Aston Martin. I think last weekendit was definitely opening to what they might
be able to achieve this year.I think they just didn't play their cards
right with strategy and they needed theirupgrade to really kick in. I think
(24:02):
it was later rather than the sooner, but and I don't think it was
managed very well across the whole weekend. So I think if they'd learned from
their mistakes in the Japanese run freecoming over to China, I definitely think
they have something to prove, Ithink, which would also mean there's a
(24:22):
lot of pressure on McLaren. Ithink more McLaren than Ferrari, because fri
just seems naturally stronger than McLaren atthis point. But I think the two
midfield teams will definitely be battling itout in China. I think as to
the top, I think Red Bullobviously they're going to keep in their place
(24:45):
as usual. I don't suspect anyany downfalls. We never know because we
didn't expect Australia. But yeah,I think Ferrari they's doing a good job
this season. Persistant. It's betterthan twenty two where they were winning races
but very consistently. I'm glad tosee this, this sort of new streak
(25:08):
going on with Ferrari. So you'rethinking perhaps Max Sergio Leclair for the podium,
perhaps so, but I think CarlosScience has definitely stepped up this season
without an appendix. He is doneincredibly well and I think he's definitely in
(25:33):
formed now more than ever. Ithink this is most likely to be prime
with Carloff signs. He's behind Charlaclairein the standings, yet only by a
few points. I think it mightbe it's less than ten points and he's
missed the race, which just goesto show his consistency, and I think
that's really important. But I thinkif I had to give a prediction for
(25:55):
next weekend, oh, this weekend, I would say a red Bull one
two with Science P three. Okay, my prediction for this weekend is Max
win Science P two, pers dNF. At the first tapping, I
think I'm going to go Norris,Norris third, and LaClaire gets fucked on
(26:26):
strategy. That's my predictions for thisweekend. So Sogo DNF, Leclaire strategy
failure, Norris podium. Looking that'smy predictions. Okay, pretty bold?
What do you think confirm? Yeah, that is it's bold. I mean
obviously not with the staff in P. One, but I think as much
(26:48):
as I uh, as much asthat of Noruris is my favorite driver.
I can't have too much faith inhim getting another podium at this stage.
I think they are on a roll. But I think with a track like
with a track like China, Ithink power is definitely more important, with
the backstraight being a key he overtakeovertaking positions and the final heaving, and
(27:15):
I think car or teams such asRed Ball, Mercedes and Ferrari will definitely
be up there. I think we'resort of sleeping on Mercedes here, even
though I'm not not the hugest fan, I think after they're sort of four
weekends, the last couple of weekends, I Sayes would definitely want to be
(27:37):
stepping it up in China, especiallygiven that they were the last last team
to be winning at the Chinese GoringPrix. Yeah, for sure, I
think Mercedes could step it up,but I think that at the moment their
car is just just just letting themdown with these sort of failures and these
(28:00):
sort of performance struggles. So Iwould agree usually, but I think Norris,
I think McLaren. I think McLaren. I think if I was going
to predict if right now, hesat me down and told me to predict
the World Championship standings and the constructorsat the end of the year, I
would say Red Bull, Ferrari,McLaren, Mercedes, because I think McLaren,
you know, their gremlins are justthat, you know, if they
(28:23):
have them, are pretty obsolete atthe moment. So yeah, I can
say I think I could see Norriswalking away with the podium. But speaking
of Norris and podiums, it's timefor a segment that I have been that
I've been not putting off, butI've been saying that would come true for
(28:45):
a long time, but unfortunately hasnot until this moment. We're going to
do a little bit of formula onewhat is more likely? So a mesh.
You don't know any of these statementsthat I'm about to REGI, and
I'm going to read you these statements, and I'm going to give you two
(29:07):
options, and you're going to tellme which one of these two options is
more likely to happen. Are youready? Yes? Okay, Norris on
the podium in six of the remainingtwenty rounds from now until the end of
the season, or Alex album toMercedes for twenty twenty five. Norris on
(29:38):
the podium in then in six races, Claris the season. Why do you
why do you not trust album?Well? I mean if you look at
can I be six or more?Sure? Six on more? Yeah?
Okay not six? More like sixon more yeah, yeah, at least
six, at least six. Ithink, Well, Danan Norris last season,
(30:07):
how did he do? He Hedid very well. I'm gonna I'm
gonna tell you that Ben with agood number of good number of podiums I
think seven, I think, yeah, But as you said, it's a
yeah Ferra dominated field. Eight eightyeah, eight podiums. Yeah. So
(30:33):
I think that's very important to consider. And as much as I'm an alex
Awen fan as well, I thinkthat his talents just aren't getting recognized in
Formula One at the moment. Ithink his his time at Red Bull has
sort of scarred and damaged his image, and his career at Williams is definitely
(30:59):
allowing him to shine uh and sortof here goes Scars. At the same
time, the teams aren't. I'mnot saying that it affects his situation now,
but I feel that the teams justaren't considering him, which is sad
because I think he deserves to go. But I think Mercedes are just too
(31:19):
fixed on what they're doing now tomanage losing Lewis Hamilton. I don't think
that. You don't think that Alexis going to be able to prove himself
by the end of the season orlike as someone who could be in front.
It's difficult to say, because Ithink with the current state of Williams,
(31:40):
I don't think I will be doingas great as he did in previous
years. I think his best hisbest year so far has probably been last
year, with then a number ofpoints he holding, and I think unless
Williams could do something to help AlexAlbon, his chances of making it bold
himself bowled for a candidate for Mercedesisn't very high. Okay, fair enough,
(32:05):
fair enough, I take. Itake the point I would probably have
said, I think just six podiumsfrom Norris seems a bit much in this
dominant in this field of Formula Onecards at the moment, but I think
both of valid right next one,putting the two Australian drivers head to head,
Oscar Piastre gets no podiums this yearzero or Daniel Ricardo gets no points
(32:32):
this year, which is more likely. I think it's more likely that Daniel
Ricardo will have the zero points theseason, Okay, I think, I
(32:54):
mean, I'm not sure, butI think Oscar pis Street is definitely a
major talent in F one and Ithink if McLaren treated him equally to Landon
Norris as they I think, asthey have been, and think if they
continue to do it for the restof the year, along with their upgrades
(33:15):
and along with Oscar improving as adriver, a podium will definitely come.
A podium will definitely come to toOscar. And I think we did speak
about this in the last episode,and with Daniel Ricardo, I think his
time has come, and unfortunately it'sit's not looking it's not looking strong for
(33:37):
him at the moment, you know, with with a point Yukisinoda is definitely
carrying the racing balls team constructor.Yeah, And I think it's it's just
something that you've got to say thatit doesn't really need that much explanation.
I think you can just sense youcan just sense it. What do you
(33:58):
think, ben zero points is zeropoints is a small number, certainly,
Ah, But listen, it's it'sa hotly contested field and podiums are not
something that are just gonna it's justgoing to fall into your lap this year.
You've got to I think you're gonnahave to really work for one.
(34:23):
But at the end of the day, I mean, I feel like it's
more likely for a lucky circumstance tomean that Daniel Ricardo ends up in the
points than the lucky circumstance means Oscarends up in the podium. So I
think I'm going to say it's morelikely that Oscar will have uh no podiums
this year. But at the sametime, I recognize the fact that Daniel
(34:44):
Ricardo has certainly passed his prime andthat points will be hard to come by
for him. But I think itwill snag at least one. So I
would be shocked if he doesn't snagat least one. Okay, final one,
final one for this episode. Okay, are you ready? Yes?
Goodyear? Cool. Lewis Hamilton retiresat the end of the twenty twenty five
(35:08):
Formula One season or Carlos Science winsthe Formula One World Championship in twenty twenty
five with Red Bull. Wow,Okay, I think, oh, that's
(35:30):
a hard one. I think,oh, I think Carlo Science will win
the championship with Red Bull because Ithink I think Lewis Hamilton will never give
(35:52):
up until he gets his eight.I think, okay, well, okay,
fine, different question then if heif he wins the championship next year,
will he retire Lewis Hamilton. Yeah, Nico ROSBERTSTA, That's that's a
difficult question. That makes it evenmore interesting. I think I'm gonna go
(36:15):
with yes. I think he willbe more likely to retire if he if
he wins the championship. It's notlike the situation where if you win,
you're hungry for more. We've seenit with Maxis Stafford winning his first championship.
You'd think he'd be hungry for more, which he was at first,
but he said in a statement thathe would be ready to retire in recent
(36:38):
years, in soon to come years, which is unexpected from any drama.
Yes, it's unexpected from ay drama, especially with the likes of Lewis Hamilton,
who is who is like built towin, who is a natural,
naturally born champion. But I thinkeveryone has a time to come and I
think after winning his eight, LewisHamilton will retire, whether it's with Ferrari
(37:01):
or whether it's with another team.Well you heard it here first, Lewis
Hamilton retires next season after winning.We wat chelting you. Who knows what's
going to happen next year, Butwhat we do know is that the Chinese
Grand Prix is happening next weekend orthis weekend in fact, and we will
(37:22):
be watching it, and we willbe bringing you the Chinese Grand Prix review
episode on Monday next week. There'sa bit of a delayed one, unfortunately,
but we are here providing you withthe goodness of the F one Isn't
Real Podcast. Thank you very muchfor listening. It's been a pleasure to
(37:44):
broadcast our opinions to you once again, and have a lovely rest of your
day. Thank you very much,a much thank you.
Hello, and welcome back to Fone Isn't Real? I am your host,
Ben Wevell, part time rickshaw driver, joined as ever by my right
hand man Amish aka v one andtoday we are going to preview this weekend
it's upcoming Chinese GP, as wellas asking some of the boldest F one
(00:39):
what's more likely questions that have everbeen proposed? Later in the episode,
Amish, how's it going? Goodweekend? Yeah? Thank you, Ben.
It's always a pleasure to be backon the show. I'm very excited
for the first Chinese film three infive years. Yeah, it's been a
while, hasn't it. Hell Vividof course quite get in the way of
(01:04):
proceedings that the Chinese grown pri forquite some time. How significant is I
think that we're returning to China witha Chinese driver on the grid. You
Yeah, I think it's really importantto have races everywhere in the world.
I think having a second, secondrace in East Asia is definitely beneficial,
(01:30):
especially considering it's a world championship.I think with going ahead, having this
race in China might promote F oneto extend the horizons to other countries other
than America and Europe, which isalways great to see and I'm very looking
forward to see what this weekend holdsbefore us. So picking up on your
(01:55):
point there, of course we're goingto be speaking about the Chinese Grown Prix
today, but we're returning to acountry that was really the sort of gateway
for of course apart from Japan,but it was the gateway for modern Formula
one into the Middle Eastern and theAsian markets. Of course, after that
(02:19):
we saw after China's addition, wesaw Bahrain, we saw Singapore, We
saw obviously South Korea and Malaysia,which didn't last so long, but China
sort of opened the floodgates here ifand of course even for example countries like
Vietnam, they were going to havea Formula one Grand Prix on the calendar
in twenty twenty. Of course thatwas canceled due to COVID and it's never
(02:42):
returned. But if you would predictany new country that would be added to
the list of countries that Formula oneis trying to expand to, where do
you think Formula one is going tobe shifting their interest to in the coming
year. Is I think if Formulaone does some listening to its fans I
(03:07):
would like to see South Africa andKayle Lami back on the calendar. We
haven't raced there in what forty years, so I think it'd be great to
have South Africa back in the calendar. But as to the country which would
be most likely to make her return, I would say I would say Germany
(03:30):
with either the Nurburgring or the PockenheimRing, because we have been there in
the past, and I think nowit's it's time, it's time to make
a comeback. Yeah, I think, I think I agree with you.
I think Europe is and Europe andSouth Africa and these older racetracks are certainly
(03:53):
sort of areas that Formula one wantsto dive back into. But I think
in terms of sort of international marketsthat there's no bigger international market at the
moment, obviously than the US.But I think possibly somewhere where F one
could really make a statement in thecoming years could be in China. I
(04:14):
think you know, there are whispersof them sort of planning to add sort
of three ish sort of paralleling ina parallel to the American expansion. That
level of presence in China, andthat in itself could create a market for
(04:35):
Formula one in more East Asian countriesthan before and possibly bring back countries such
as India, countries such as Malaysia, country such as Vietnam back into the
Formula one zeitgeist. But of coursethat remains to be seen. And this
is the first Chinese Grand Prix infive years, so nothing is proven yet.
(04:57):
And so that's why I think thisChinese Grand Prix, just in in
terms of a political perspective from theFIA, is going to be integral because
if you have a huge crowd,if you have a super exciting race,
then that means that government officials aremore likely to give planning permission to new
race tracks that maybe built. Youwill have tourist sort of boards who are
(05:21):
going to put Formula one at thetop of their priority is sort of you
know, come to Shanghai and watchthe F one. And so I think
it could be a really important GrandPrix, not just for obviously the twenty
twenty four Formula one World Championship,for the future of the sport, but
that sort of hinges on the qualityof the race circuit in my opinion,
(05:46):
I mean the Shanghai International circuit.It's been a bit of a ghost town
these last few years, of course, with no Formula one races, the
only major sporting events multi sporting eventssince the pandemic being Thershcare, a Cup
GT World Challenge and a Formula erace. Do you think that the track will
need to be sort of broken inor will it feel ready to race straight
(06:11):
away? I think it's a difficultquestion. We don't know what's going to
happen then. I mean, Ithink it would definitely be beneficial to have
other series racing on the track priorto the Chinese Run three, but I
think it would be better to leaveit as it is now than to newly
(06:32):
resurface. Self is the track ifwe look in the past, I think
it was the Portuguese run Pree oftwenty twenty. Cars were slipping and sliding
everywhere, and I think it wasTurkey. It was Turkey, Sorry,
not Portuguese Turkey, My bad.And I think that definitely makes racing more
(06:55):
interesting. But at the same timedriver's safety is a lot more important.
I think it will. I thinkit will be a rather neutral race.
I think because with new regulations aswell, we don't really know what's going
to happen. Going ahead, intothis Chinese grand pert, speaking of the
sort of the new aspects that needto be brought into China, what modifications
(07:18):
or upgrades do you think that theteams may need to bring to this circuit
in order to, you know,have some kind of competitive advantage. Is
there anything in particular that you wouldthat you would say is important for teams?
Well, I mean, starting fromthe back of the grid, has
have brought in some new upgrades.I'm not quite sure what it is.
I think it's I think it's ageneral technical upgrade. I think they have
(07:43):
been sort of lacking in recent racingraces. I think with Nico Holkbug nearly
scoring points last weekend, and Ithink they definitely need these sorts of upgrades
to give them a competitive edge goinginto this weekend. Also, unfortunately to
say that this is a back marketteam. Now Alpine have brought in some
(08:05):
upgrades I think with their floor andI think that will I'm not sure whether
that will give them much benefit.I think unless it's an integral part of
the car which is lacking. Wedon't really know yet, I think don't.
I don't even think the team knowwhere they're going wrong, So it's
too early to say, but Ithink hopefully these upgrades will give the lower
(08:30):
ends of the grid upper hand goinginto this race. Do you think that
Alpine will be able to you know, speaking of Alpine, do you think
that Alpine will be able to utilizethese sort of two week breaks and maybe
the summer break eventually? Do youthink they'll be able to crack their way
back into the midfield or are theyfirmly in the back marker position for now?
(08:54):
I think another thing is too earlyto say, but you can't close
off the opportunit unity or the possibilityof Alpine making a comeback. We saw
the same thing with McLaren last yearand maybe even the year before. They
had a really poor start to theseason, and then by the time the
summer break came, they sorry,they were scoring podiums and high points,
(09:20):
and we're taking home a lot ofpoints every weekend in and weekend out.
So I think it's not easy tosay whether it's guaranteed to happen, but
you can't close off the opportunity orthe possibility of it happening for our peen.
I think if anything, it putsmore pressure, more emphasis on how
(09:43):
well they can work as a team. We were expecting such a great driver
lineup with Ocon and Ghastly being twoFrenchmen in a French team. But I
think this position that Alpine has beenput in definitely highlights or puts a lot
of pressure on their ability to workas a outside of driving. I think
you've touched on a really important pointthere. I think going into this partnership
(10:07):
that of Pierre Gasni and estebanoc On, the assumption was that these were two
high class drivers nearing their years ofpeaking, I guess, and I think
even though the animosity between the twobetween Pierre and Esteban has subsided over the
(10:31):
years, probably from the fact thatthey're not children anymore. Of course there's
a rivalry in terms of just racecraft, but I think the boyhood rivalry may
have slightly subsided as the two drivershave got more mature. But the point
you make is about teamwork, andthat's been a real struggle of Alpine over
the years. We've mentioned on previousparts, they've been through so many team
(10:54):
principles, so many heads of theestablishment and advisors, even someone like Alan
Pross walking out of when they wereback as Reno the year before they changed
in change the Alpine I think thereal issue with Alpine maybe of course on
the track they're not bringing things together, but just they are so the lack
(11:18):
of cohesion between the integral parts ofthe Alpine team has been really start these
last few years. What do youthink Alpine need to implement in order to
perhaps turn their fortunes around and bringthe team closer together. I think it's
(11:41):
it would be easy to say bringin new management, but as as you
just said, Alpine have been goingthrough a rough streak with the number of
heads that they had come in andjust walk out straight away or in quick
succession. I think as to whatthey can do from now to improve improve
(12:05):
the team and resurrect their chances ofsuccess this season, I would say there
has to be more change internally withinthe team, within within how the chemistry
of the team. I'm not surewhat department particularly, I doubt I'm not
(12:28):
going to say it's to do withthe drivers. I think the driver pairing
is fine. I think the problemalpeen and facing at this current moment is
definitely the situation with their car.The car is definitely not in the right
place where it should be, andthe sooner. The sooner Alpine are able
(12:50):
to recognize a technical problem or amechanical issue that they have, they can
they can see some improvement. Butas to how they can do that,
I think it's got to be withintheir research and development team, working with
their current engineering team who are developingthe car parts. I think I agree
(13:13):
with you in part. I agreewith the fact that the R and D
team needs to step up and givethe drivers that are in the Alpine Car
has something to work with. Butthe fact is that although the performance of
the Alpine Car has certainly fallen offsince the twenty twenty season, I think
(13:37):
that all things considered, for theI would probably use the word hype in
this case that the partnership of andPa Gasli brought they've disappointed compared to that.
I mean, we've had an Estebannockon victory. We've had a I
believe in estman On podium in Monaco, and then we had a Pierre Gasly.
(13:58):
We had an s manoc on podiumin Katar. We had a Pierre
Gasly podium. Oh God, Ican't remember exactly. I think it might
have been Netherlands. Same Netherlands,thank you. Yeah, we've had you
know, we've had three podiums.We have we've had a win. But
as Marson Bobkowski was saying a fewyears ago, they expected to be fighting
(14:18):
at the front in sort of thenext two years, in the next two
seasons, and at the moment thatis really not coming to fruition whatsoever.
And of course that's due down tothe R and D team, but also
I think the driver pairing, forall of their the praise that they garnered
in the years prior, have notquite lived up to their expectations as a
(14:45):
quality partnership. Even when Alpine wasprominently within that midfield. They just they
were, I believe, tenth andeleventh back to back years. And that's
consistency for sure. But it's enoughthings special and I think what Olpe need
right now is a little boost ofsomething special and what I would suggest,
(15:07):
of course it might be slightly radical, but I think you give them one
more year, You give them thisyear and perhaps next year in this partnership,
and if it's still not cohesive,if it's still not and you know
you've seen them, you've seen them, you know, brush brush hairs a
multiple points in the last few lastfew seasons. Last year Australia they crashed
(15:30):
into each other. Obviously that wasall a bit of a you know,
there was all a bit of hubbubon the on the start line after the
red flag anyway, But even soat a moment and so I think you
give it a year and a halfand if they don't perform, I think
you start from scratch again. Somethingthat has to to pretty good effect in
(15:50):
the past, in the last yearor so. And for all that they're
extremely experienced drivers, I think theystill might have some sort of for ego
lingering And I just don't get agood I don't I get I feel a
lot of tension from helping and Ithink maybe the driver pairing and maybe the
(16:11):
pressure that they've been put under fromfrom management to perform to this standard in
such a short period of time hasnot helped with that. Yeah, but
a much what do you think doyou think that do you think that it
would be too much of a sortof shift left in order to completely start
from scratch within the next two yearsin terms of a driver partnership. I
(16:38):
think in general starting over again isa big jump. But at the same
time, a team has to beprepared to do it. I'm not quite
sure as to how much preparation goesinto doing a whole reset, but in
terms of where we are now intwenty twenty four, in two years time,
(17:00):
when we see new engine regulations,that might be an opportunity or a
window as such, for not justout being but for other teams who will
be struggling in the next two yearsto do that reset and to make their
mark and claim a new a newsort of team. I think we've seen
(17:22):
it work the most most in twentyforty with Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton and Nico
Rosberg. I mean, Lewis Hamiltonhad been there the year prior, but
I think they've really made their markin the start of the turbo hybid era.
And I think who's to say thatany other team from the midfield can
(17:44):
can do that? Can't do that? But yeah, I think a prime
a prime time would be to dothis, like you said, would be
at the start of a new era, that one which is not long away.
In twenty twenty six you got tworace winners, two Frenchmen. But
this is a question that's sort ofbeen lingering on my mind for a while,
(18:07):
which of these two drivers is betterEsbano or Pahastly just in purely in
terms of racing skill. In termsof racing skill, I like to say,
yeah, Ghassli. I think hehas had his fair share of moments
(18:33):
with Red Bull where he wasn't completelycomfortable in the car and it things aren't
going so well for him, andI think you you need to consider all
of his other achievements in order toblock that out, or you have to
ignore that and consider that as anoutlier to his achievements. If you look
(18:56):
at his career, I think theI like to like the most would be
twenty twenty twenty twenty one. Sorry, even though twenty twenty he got his
win, twenty twenty one, Ifeel the car was probably worse and Pegasi
managed to do a very good jobof almost exactly of Yeah, he was
there, he was outperforming the carand leading the team very well, and
(19:21):
I think that was a prominent markin his career as as I don't think
he's had a streak like that,and I think he's had problems, but
not to do with the car,but to do with his driving as such.
You've seen his relationship with Checke Perezback at Forth India, and you've
(19:42):
seen his some mistakes which which adriver related. But yeah, I think
I'm gonna go okay Ghastly. Ithink Gaslie's had probably lower lows and probably
much higher heights. Do you thinkPierre Ghastly has passed his peak? I
(20:07):
mean, I think it's dependent onwhere he will go If this season doesn't
turn out very well for LPN andPia Ghastly, I'm going to go with
yes, But I think there's stillan opportunity for him to improve and find
his prime. But I think ithas to be in a team where he
(20:30):
is really comfortable in the car andit's suited around him. So, like
what I said twenty one, thecar, even though it wasn't as great
as expected, he was able tomake it work, which means it had
something to it, and that wasthe closest you'd get to a prime for
(20:51):
Pierre Ghastly. Yeah, I thinkthat Alphad Tarry at the time was obviously
not as bad as it was now, but it was certainly a sort of
seventh sixth, maybe six, butprobably seventh place car, and he was
consistently scoring top fours. And yeah, Gasly's twenty to twenty one season was
(21:15):
really impressive for me. I don'tthink he's going to hit that again,
at least not in Formula one.I think he's past his prime. I
think that he's not going to geta better race seat than Alpine in the
remainder of his Formula one career.I think Ocon is not going to get
another seat in Formula one. Ithink that this when when Alpine decided that
(21:40):
they no longer want Ocon, that'sokon done. I think that's same,
We're done with the sport. Perhapsa shift to somewhere like Hass when k
Magen, Niger Holkenberg eventually sort ofretire or are forced out. But I
think, yeah, Ocon is obviouslyhe has his flashes are brilliant, But
(22:03):
I think Gazoly's ability to manipulate hiscar to his will is more impressive than
Ocon's, even though of course they'reboth Statistically, in terms of race of
victories, they are on the samelevel, and I think they probably have
a similar number of podiums. Ican think of Secure twenty twenty two more
(22:29):
in this Alping stint, so Ithink they're probably on a similar number of
podiums Statistically, they're quite similar,but I think in terms of pure skill
or pure wrist craft, I thinkGasly is probably superior. That may be
slightly tainted by the fact that Oconwas forced to sit out twenty nineteen,
but yeah, and I think bothhave the capacity at the same time to
(22:52):
be despite their sort of experience andage, extremely immature and you know,
flustered and hot headed drivers, andso I think both have their certainly their
downsides, but I think Gaslys wouldbe the safer option. So I think
that if they were going to takeanybody either of those two, if they
had to choose one to take throughto the to the next era of Formula
(23:17):
One, then they will probably chooseGasling in my opinion. But shifting on
or shifting back to the Chinese GrandPrix, what teams do you envisions of
taking a bit of a step upthis weekend, perhaps from from from some
some lacklusterish form so far this year. I think I'm going to go with
(23:41):
Aston Martin. I think last weekendit was definitely opening to what they might
be able to achieve this year.I think they just didn't play their cards
right with strategy and they needed theirupgrade to really kick in. I think
(24:02):
it was later rather than the sooner, but and I don't think it was
managed very well across the whole weekend. So I think if they'd learned from
their mistakes in the Japanese run freecoming over to China, I definitely think
they have something to prove, Ithink, which would also mean there's a
(24:22):
lot of pressure on McLaren. Ithink more McLaren than Ferrari, because fri
just seems naturally stronger than McLaren atthis point. But I think the two
midfield teams will definitely be battling itout in China. I think as to
the top, I think Red Bullobviously they're going to keep in their place
(24:45):
as usual. I don't suspect anyany downfalls. We never know because we
didn't expect Australia. But yeah,I think Ferrari they's doing a good job
this season. Persistant. It's betterthan twenty two where they were winning races
but very consistently. I'm glad tosee this, this sort of new streak
(25:08):
going on with Ferrari. So you'rethinking perhaps Max Sergio Leclair for the podium,
perhaps so, but I think CarlosScience has definitely stepped up this season
without an appendix. He is doneincredibly well and I think he's definitely in
(25:33):
formed now more than ever. Ithink this is most likely to be prime
with Carloff signs. He's behind Charlaclairein the standings, yet only by a
few points. I think it mightbe it's less than ten points and he's
missed the race, which just goesto show his consistency, and I think
that's really important. But I thinkif I had to give a prediction for
(25:55):
next weekend, oh, this weekend, I would say a red Bull one
two with Science P three. Okay, my prediction for this weekend is Max
win Science P two, pers dNF. At the first tapping, I
think I'm going to go Norris,Norris third, and LaClaire gets fucked on
(26:26):
strategy. That's my predictions for thisweekend. So Sogo DNF, Leclaire strategy
failure, Norris podium. Looking that'smy predictions. Okay, pretty bold?
What do you think confirm? Yeah, that is it's bold. I mean
obviously not with the staff in P. One, but I think as much
(26:48):
as I uh, as much asthat of Noruris is my favorite driver.
I can't have too much faith inhim getting another podium at this stage.
I think they are on a roll. But I think with a track like
with a track like China, Ithink power is definitely more important, with
the backstraight being a key he overtakeovertaking positions and the final heaving, and
(27:15):
I think car or teams such asRed Ball, Mercedes and Ferrari will definitely
be up there. I think we'resort of sleeping on Mercedes here, even
though I'm not not the hugest fan, I think after they're sort of four
weekends, the last couple of weekends, I Sayes would definitely want to be
(27:37):
stepping it up in China, especiallygiven that they were the last last team
to be winning at the Chinese GoringPrix. Yeah, for sure, I
think Mercedes could step it up,but I think that at the moment their
car is just just just letting themdown with these sort of failures and these
(28:00):
sort of performance struggles. So Iwould agree usually, but I think Norris,
I think McLaren. I think McLaren. I think if I was going
to predict if right now, hesat me down and told me to predict
the World Championship standings and the constructorsat the end of the year, I
would say Red Bull, Ferrari,McLaren, Mercedes, because I think McLaren,
you know, their gremlins are justthat, you know, if they
(28:23):
have them, are pretty obsolete atthe moment. So yeah, I can
say I think I could see Norriswalking away with the podium. But speaking
of Norris and podiums, it's timefor a segment that I have been that
I've been not putting off, butI've been saying that would come true for
(28:45):
a long time, but unfortunately hasnot until this moment. We're going to
do a little bit of formula onewhat is more likely? So a mesh.
You don't know any of these statementsthat I'm about to REGI, and
I'm going to read you these statements, and I'm going to give you two
(29:07):
options, and you're going to tellme which one of these two options is
more likely to happen. Are youready? Yes? Okay, Norris on
the podium in six of the remainingtwenty rounds from now until the end of
the season, or Alex album toMercedes for twenty twenty five. Norris on
(29:38):
the podium in then in six races, Claris the season. Why do you
why do you not trust album?Well? I mean if you look at
can I be six or more?Sure? Six on more? Yeah?
Okay not six? More like sixon more yeah, yeah, at least
six, at least six. Ithink, Well, Danan Norris last season,
(30:07):
how did he do? He Hedid very well. I'm gonna I'm
gonna tell you that Ben with agood number of good number of podiums I
think seven, I think, yeah, But as you said, it's a
yeah Ferra dominated field. Eight eightyeah, eight podiums. Yeah. So
(30:33):
I think that's very important to consider. And as much as I'm an alex
Awen fan as well, I thinkthat his talents just aren't getting recognized in
Formula One at the moment. Ithink his his time at Red Bull has
sort of scarred and damaged his image, and his career at Williams is definitely
(30:59):
allowing him to shine uh and sortof here goes Scars. At the same
time, the teams aren't. I'mnot saying that it affects his situation now,
but I feel that the teams justaren't considering him, which is sad
because I think he deserves to go. But I think Mercedes are just too
(31:19):
fixed on what they're doing now tomanage losing Lewis Hamilton. I don't think
that. You don't think that Alexis going to be able to prove himself
by the end of the season orlike as someone who could be in front.
It's difficult to say, because Ithink with the current state of Williams,
(31:40):
I don't think I will be doingas great as he did in previous
years. I think his best hisbest year so far has probably been last
year, with then a number ofpoints he holding, and I think unless
Williams could do something to help AlexAlbon, his chances of making it bold
himself bowled for a candidate for Mercedesisn't very high. Okay, fair enough,
(32:05):
fair enough, I take. Itake the point I would probably have
said, I think just six podiumsfrom Norris seems a bit much in this
dominant in this field of Formula Onecards at the moment, but I think
both of valid right next one,putting the two Australian drivers head to head,
Oscar Piastre gets no podiums this yearzero or Daniel Ricardo gets no points
(32:32):
this year, which is more likely. I think it's more likely that Daniel
Ricardo will have the zero points theseason, Okay, I think, I
(32:54):
mean, I'm not sure, butI think Oscar pis Street is definitely a
major talent in F one and Ithink if McLaren treated him equally to Landon
Norris as they I think, asthey have been, and think if they
continue to do it for the restof the year, along with their upgrades
(33:15):
and along with Oscar improving as adriver, a podium will definitely come.
A podium will definitely come to toOscar. And I think we did speak
about this in the last episode,and with Daniel Ricardo, I think his
time has come, and unfortunately it'sit's not looking it's not looking strong for
(33:37):
him at the moment, you know, with with a point Yukisinoda is definitely
carrying the racing balls team constructor.Yeah, And I think it's it's just
something that you've got to say thatit doesn't really need that much explanation.
I think you can just sense youcan just sense it. What do you
(33:58):
think, ben zero points is zeropoints is a small number, certainly,
Ah, But listen, it's it'sa hotly contested field and podiums are not
something that are just gonna it's justgoing to fall into your lap this year.
You've got to I think you're gonnahave to really work for one.
(34:23):
But at the end of the day, I mean, I feel like it's
more likely for a lucky circumstance tomean that Daniel Ricardo ends up in the
points than the lucky circumstance means Oscarends up in the podium. So I
think I'm going to say it's morelikely that Oscar will have uh no podiums
this year. But at the sametime, I recognize the fact that Daniel
(34:44):
Ricardo has certainly passed his prime andthat points will be hard to come by
for him. But I think itwill snag at least one. So I
would be shocked if he doesn't snagat least one. Okay, final one,
final one for this episode. Okay, are you ready? Yes?
Goodyear? Cool. Lewis Hamilton retiresat the end of the twenty twenty five
(35:08):
Formula One season or Carlos Science winsthe Formula One World Championship in twenty twenty
five with Red Bull. Wow,Okay, I think, oh, that's
(35:30):
a hard one. I think,oh, I think Carlo Science will win
the championship with Red Bull because Ithink I think Lewis Hamilton will never give
(35:52):
up until he gets his eight.I think, okay, well, okay,
fine, different question then if heif he wins the championship next year,
will he retire Lewis Hamilton. Yeah, Nico ROSBERTSTA, That's that's a
difficult question. That makes it evenmore interesting. I think I'm gonna go
(36:15):
with yes. I think he willbe more likely to retire if he if
he wins the championship. It's notlike the situation where if you win,
you're hungry for more. We've seenit with Maxis Stafford winning his first championship.
You'd think he'd be hungry for more, which he was at first,
but he said in a statement thathe would be ready to retire in recent
(36:38):
years, in soon to come years, which is unexpected from any drama.
Yes, it's unexpected from ay drama, especially with the likes of Lewis Hamilton,
who is who is like built towin, who is a natural,
naturally born champion. But I thinkeveryone has a time to come and I
think after winning his eight, LewisHamilton will retire, whether it's with Ferrari
(37:01):
or whether it's with another team.Well you heard it here first, Lewis
Hamilton retires next season after winning.We wat chelting you. Who knows what's
going to happen next year, Butwhat we do know is that the Chinese
Grand Prix is happening next weekend orthis weekend in fact, and we will
(37:22):
be watching it, and we willbe bringing you the Chinese Grand Prix review
episode on Monday next week. There'sa bit of a delayed one, unfortunately,
but we are here providing you withthe goodness of the F one Isn't
Real Podcast. Thank you very muchfor listening. It's been a pleasure to
(37:44):
broadcast our opinions to you once again, and have a lovely rest of your
day. Thank you very much,a much thank you.
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