March 18, 2024 • 38 mins
If you thought '2025 Driver Lineup Predictions' couldn't get worse, look no further than the F1 Isn't Real choices. Amesh and I rustle up controversy once again with the most outlandish and bamboozling selections, defying contract agreements and sending off the likes of Bottas and Magnussen to premature retirement. We live life on the edge.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:13):
Hello, and welcome back to Fone. Isn't real? I am your
host, Ben Wevell, twenty twentyfour inductee of the Terrible Prediction All of
Fame, joined by my boy Amashakav One, and today, in the
first race week of the F oneyear, we are unpacking our picks for
(00:34):
the twenty twenty five driver lineups anddepending on how much we get done reviewing
this weekend's Australian GP. Amish,how's it going, Hi, Ben,
thank you for having me again.It's going great. I'm excited to get
the twenty twenty five predictions underway.Absolutely absolutely. Let's start with the simplest
(00:56):
one of them all to unpack CharlclairLewis Hamilton at Ferrari, Amish, what
do you think this partnership is goingto look like in twenty twenty five.
I think it's a tricky one tosay, Ben, because Charlie Clair has
been Ferri's number one driver for awhile now. Ever since twenty nineteen he
(01:21):
has been leading the team and tohave a seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton
comeing to Ferrari, there might besome changes to the dynamic of the team
and I'm interested to see which wayit will affect Ferrari. I think with
such a strong driver pair is expectedthe team to have to have some sort
(01:46):
of success. But at the sametime, these two drivers, they are
so highly ranked in F one,it could create a potential clashing and I'm
interested to see how these two willwork together next year. Yeah. I
think char Leclair has been feeling fora chance or a shot at the World
(02:09):
Championship for quite some time now,and Lewis Hamilton, in that same way,
is almost in the mindset of arookie nowadays. He's a couple of
years out from his last World Championship, and you know, you can tell
from interviews, from his frustration atthe Mercedes package, that he wants a
shot at that eighth World Championship withouta shadow of a doubt, and you
(02:34):
know, in his eyes sort ofreclaiming that twenty twenty one championship that was,
according to himself total World Mercedes unjustlytaken away from him. I think
that there will be conflict, certainlyon the racetrack, but I think that
considering the quality and the maturity ofboth of these drivers, I think it
(02:59):
likely extend too far into the media. But you know, there could be
flashpoints, there could be moments wherethe two come together, you know,
something like you know, if youlook at the example Orbviou see Rossberg and
Hamilton and Leclaire obviously has probably beensomewhat frustrated to be on par with Carlos
(03:23):
Science these last few years. Carlosof course taking the victory in Britain in
the Great British Grand Prix last year. I mean, I'm sure that's sort
of ruffle his feathers a bit.He was obviously heavily you know, put
in a corposition by the strategy choicesof Ferrari. So I can imagine that,
you know, both of these driversare looking for a real shot for
(03:46):
ultimate glory. But I don't thinkI hope it doesn't get too feisty because
I think that could really paint bothof these drivers in quite a bad light.
But now moving on to Red BullRacing, amish, what is your
choice for their twenty twenty five lineup? So it's obvious that Max Stappens locked
(04:09):
in for twenty twenty eight, andI think the partner and teammate that Red
Bull might give him will be CarlosScience. I think I agree. That's
my prediction as well. That's Ithink Carlo Science has been part of the
Red Bull family before, he's beenteammates with Maxis before. The two drivers
(04:31):
definitely get along, and I thinkthey're both both very skilled. I think
Carlos Science, if anyone, willbe him and who'll be able to keep
up with the like Maxi Stappan inthe twenty twenty five season, and I
think Red Bull will definitely be havingan eye on him one hundred percent.
We're on the same wavelength today.I promise you that we have not shared
(04:53):
our lists. These are completely independent. On another yeah, I see Carlos
having a pretty insane ye not Imean obviously not sort of fighting with the
Red Bulls on a week by weekbasis, but I see him in a
solid, you know, stead fora sort of third place. I think
he best char Leclair this year,and I think he really proves himself to
(05:17):
f one that he is a desirablecommodity rather than the spare of the duo
of colors Science and Charlock Clair.Yeah, and I think he snatches that
Red Bull drive because I think,you know, Perez, I think he's
just going to be the number twodriver this year and frankly what Red Bull
want is or I'm sure what MaxForstappen wants is a challenger, and I
(05:42):
think Carlo Science could pose that.In terms of contract length, I think
it will likely be a short termdeal. I think one to two years
maximum. I would say I wouldtend on the side of sort of a
one year prove it deal where Carlossort of to earn his stripes of rebel.
And also I think this comes witha little bit of uncertainty because of
(06:05):
course Carlos Science has been in thesystem before, he's fell somewhat foul of
it obviously had to move across toReno. But yeah, I would say
this could be a match made inheaven for Red Bull. But now onto
the team that's looking like a sortof upper midfield to mid midfield team this
(06:27):
year, Mercedes. This is asuper tricky one to gauge Russell probably locked
in. I'm sure are you goingfor that second seat? I think this
driver has shown a lot of potentialto be in when he's in a fastcar.
I think if a team like Mercedesis to produce fastcar this this driver
(06:53):
would definitely be able to perform he'sperformed in the past, and I'm going
to go with Fernando Alonso. Wow. And then there are Alonso yep.
Do you want to give some justificationthere? That is a crazy on So
I think I think Twitter Wolf hasbeen speaking to speaking to Fernando Alonso in
(07:18):
the paddock, and I think it'sabout time Alonso deserves a faster car.
And I think in the recent inthe next up and coming years, Mercedes
will be a lot more promising inthe future, and I think what better
driver to deliver and Fernando Alonso Mmhmm, it's an interesting one. I've
(07:41):
gone in a bit of a differentdirection. Well, I've gone for Alex
Albon. Wow, that's interesting.I think I would put Alex album after
Fernando Alonzo as well. I wasthinking him, but I think isn't he
locked in with his But I thinkthat the Mercedes of all teams, could
(08:03):
you know, whip up some contractchicanery and Albourne out of that deal for
a seat at Mercedes. I don'tthink Williams would hold him back at would
hold him back if if Mercedes sortof offered offer him a drive as an
Alex Albon is a driver who sortof in a similar way to George Russell
(08:26):
has thrived at a super underperforming team. I think the start of this year
has been a bit slow. It'sprobably because Williams aren't in as good of
a position as they were last year. But I think Alex Albon has really
proved his Yeah, I think he'sshown a level of maturity as a driver
that wasn't there at Red Bull inhis formative years. I think he's shown
(08:48):
that he can take the reins atteam, but I think he's also shown
that he can he doesn't do thatwith force so as George did at Williams.
It was never there was never anysite between him and Nicholas and TFI.
And in the same way, Idon't think there's any spite between Alex
Albon and Logan Sergeant. Alex Albanis of course the superior driver and I
(09:11):
just think that he would be agreat fit. George and Album of course
excellent friends. And I think thatyou know, you put him in the
Red Bull as he came, youknow, as he came into the sport.
I think that was a bad decision. He's had a couple of years
to really develop as a driver andnow I think looking to the future,
he could be an option for,you know, a contender within the next
(09:33):
five years. One hundred percent agreewith you, Ben, I think that's
a brilliant, brilliant decision, thebold decision. But I think it's also
suitable. Yeah, I mean,I would love to see Album get another
opportunity in the top team because Ithink he really deserves it. But now
(09:54):
on to McClaren. I think thisone's pretty clear cut as well. MS.
What are you thinking, Well,I think nothing's changing in the mclarantine.
I think Norris in piastree first yeartogether was last year, and I
think they proved themselves to be adynamic Joe. You know. I think
(10:15):
out of all of the drivers intwenty twenty three season, Vandon Norris and
Oscar Piastree definitely proved that they werethe strongest Joe. Even if they didn't
have the fastest car. They werealways consistently together. There wasn't that much
of a gap between them, andI think as drivers they definitely got along
well and they respected each other.You can see there was a bit of
(10:39):
pressure in London Norris when Oscar Pistrewwas performing really highly towards the end of
the season, and I think thatdoes nothing but help Lando improve as a
driver because he knows there's more tolose at this point. So I think
going into twenty twenty four season andnext season, there's a lot of hope
(11:01):
for the Mclaranteam. Yeah, Iagree with you. I definitely Piastrian Norris
is my choice as well. ButI think Norris is slowly getting frustrated by
McLaren. You know, he's beenthere for what is it entering his fifth
or is it sixth season now?I mean he's been he's been at McLaren
for for a long while, andI think he wants to challenge, like,
(11:26):
you know, in the same wayas Carlos does. I think he
wants to challenge, but I think, you know, sort of in a
different way to Carlos. He doesn'thave the same He is more I think
of an immature drather behind the wheel, and he's he can let his emotions
(11:46):
get the better of him at certainpoints, and I think that could they
could you know, he and pstricould come to blows at some point this
year, but I'm hoping that thateverything keeps clean on track. But yes,
twenty twenty five. They're both lockedin, both with big contract extensions
up until poss the end of twentytwenty seven for Lando and twenty twenty six
for Oscar, so I think they'reboth there for at least a reasonable while.
(12:07):
Now into Aston Martin, and asyou've already said that Alonso is moving
on to the Mercedes seat, whois replacing him? I'm going to be
bold again and say a driver whois not expected to go to this team,
(12:28):
But I think a driver that's heavilyunderrated. I'm not sure whether they
will fully thrive in this new environment, but I think it's more of a
silly season option for Aston Martin.So I'm going to go with Nico Helkemberg.
(12:52):
Yeah, Nico Holkemberg HM qualifying merchant. I'm not sure if you.
I think he's a bit of asnobbish chef one driver. I think he's
going to become very very quickly frustratedby having Laurence Stroll as his partner and
(13:13):
just sort of the increased pressure thatcomes with being an Aston Martin driver.
Lawrence Stroll has these expectations. NicoHolgenburgh, though, is a you know,
he's he's waning, you know,he's in the last stage of his
career, but I think he couldstill on his day make a challenge for
the podium. Definitely in that AstonMartin car. So I think it's a
(13:37):
pretty pretty great decision, to behonest with you. I could definitely see
Nico Holgenberg back in you know,back in well, back in the car
that was it where he started?He started at Force India. Did think
he started at Williams? Yeah,oh yeah, you're right, so Williams
and then he was in he wasin the Force India for Was he in
(13:58):
the Force? Yes, he wasfor a couple of seasons and but yeah,
and then off the runner. Butyeah, I could I could see
Nico Hulkenberg sort of slotting in nicely. He's you know, the infrastructure of
the relationships, so they're already.But yeah, I'm not sure how well
he's going to click with Art Stroll, but yeah, I've gone for Alonzo
(14:20):
and Stroll as well. I thinkAlonso probably is going to take you know,
one or two more seasons. Idon't know if Alonzo on his day
can do amazing things, but Idon't know if he's going to be the
choice for Mercedes who I think they'relooking for somebody. I'm not saying Alonso
doesn't have the competitive edge. I'msaying that I think they want somebody hungry,
(14:46):
you know, like deeply hungry foranother championship, for their for their
first championship. And I think,you know, Albond provides that in a
way that Alonso might not anymore.And I think that's the where the trepidation
lies my life for Mercedes. Butagain, excellent suggestion when you go Holgenberg,
excellent suggestion with Alonzo to Mercedes.Now we're going in a bit of
(15:09):
an unconventional order. How about hassWhat are you thinking on their side of
things? Has? I think I'mquite confident in this one. Actually,
I think Has will stay with KevinMaguson. I think he's shown loyalty to
the team. He's confident in thatcar. They're confident in him. You
(15:33):
know, he's been there for sincethe beginning pretty much. I think it's
there's a risk for Guanu Joe.I don't think he will make it to
the next next season. So Iam not going to say him for the
(15:54):
hast seat. Instead, I'm goingto say a driver who could definitely benefit
from being in the Hasse team andwho can go on to do great things
in the future, and as seenfrom last week, definitely has performed.
You're going to go with ye thatwould have been I think I've gone for
(16:18):
actually the same I've gone, ButI think Magnuson gets displaced. I think
it's going to be I think,you know, obviously we saw a remarkable
drive from Maguson last week in SaturdayArabia. Obviously also a remarkable drive from
Oli Beerman. But Magnuson has notprovided the results that I think were expected
(16:40):
of him at has and I thinkNico Holgenberg really has not. Obviously he's
been you know, shackled by thecar that he's been given. But from
what he's been given, I thinkhe's done a understanding job. I think
they'll want to hold onto him.I think this is his retirement home,
and I don't think that they're goingto want to you know, with this
(17:06):
management restructuring. I can see howit might be a better idea, or
it might be a more sensible ideato hold onto these two experienced individuals.
But I think they're going to takea risk at the end of the year.
They're going to have seen what they'veseen, and they're going to go
with Beerman. And I think Magisongets displaced. I don't think he retires,
but I think he gets displaced.I don't think he's going to any
other team. I think that hewill probably head onto something like, you
(17:30):
know, maybe follow his former teammateRoman gridgeon to NASCAR. Maybe wek who
knows, But yeah, I thinkMagnison is you know, this is his
last season in Formula One. Yeah, okay, that's interesting. M It's
difficult. I would like to seemagnuson another team, but I just don't
think. I don't know if hefits in. I don't know if he
(17:52):
fits any sort of puzzle pieces rightnow. But yeah, again, we'll
see at the start of the nextyear. Now onto Alpha Tari Who Amish
is filling the Alpha Tari about racingballs? Sorry speaking English? Who is
(18:14):
filling the Red Bulls second team.I haven't actually put too much thought to
this one, you know, Ithink it's there's a lot of not turmoil,
but I think there's just a lotof distractions in the team at the
moment, and it something about theirperformance recently has just shown a lack of
stability in the sport, you know, and I think changing the drivers can
(18:38):
definitely help reshift their focus, youknow. But I think I think they're
going to stick with Sonoda and Ricardobecause I think they're confident with where they
are in Sonoda getting used to thecar, trying to prove himself, and
(18:59):
I think the Racing Balls is definitelya place to keep Sonoda to develop as
a driver, and I think alow pressure environment is definitely good for him.
And as for Daniel Ricardo, I'mnot really sure who else could step
up to Racing Balls. And Ithink the Red Bull team as a whole,
(19:19):
both Red Bull and Racing Balls,I think they're quite confident in letting
Ricardo just stay at the team.See. I take a bit of an
issue with that. I agree withSonoda. I think they're going to give
him, you know, more timeto develop fully as a Racing Ball driver
(19:41):
or racing Balls, but I'm notsure. I'm not sold on Daniel Ricardo.
His career has frankly taken in thosedives since that fifth place in the
Driver's Championship in twenty twenty, andI think we're looking at somebody who for
all that this pains me to sayis on the way out. I think
(20:06):
it's going to be a you know, Daniel Carveat esque divorce. I don't
think there's gonna be any harsh words, but I think it's going to be,
you know, Daniel Ricardo moving onto other things at the end of
the year. And to answer yourquery about who might step up, I
think that the answer lies in twentytwenty three, sorry, twenty twenty four
(20:27):
Red Bull replacement driver or reserve driver, Liam Lawson. He took two points
in five races at Alpha Tari lastyear whilst in the same season as finishing
second in Super Formula and then seasonbefore that third in Formula two, and
(20:48):
this year twenty twenty four he's shiftedhis focus and become a full time reserve
driver at Red Bull, and Ithink that's a sign that he's getting used
to the car in order for amove for him that may be coming up
into the sports. I think hesets himself apart from somebody like Nick Devreese
and the fact that you know,he surrounded himself with actually quite a bitter
(21:15):
competition, so you know, obviouslyNick Devreese his campaign in Formula two is
excellent moved on to formulae, whichsome would argue is a less competitive field.
But Liam Lawson has kept up withthe young guns in the sport,
and I think, really he hasan opportunity now to take an alpha tari
(21:37):
Oh sorry Jesus, Red Bull RacingBall, Racing Bulls, RBI, Visa
cash App. I think he hasan opportunity to really take the whole take
hold of that drive and even maybesurpass Yuki Snoda in that. I think
his proved his talents over the lastfew years, and I think now is
the opportunity. What do you think, Amish, I think that's a reasonable
response. I think I'll be honest, if I could change my prediction,
(22:02):
I would go Liam Wilson. Nowthat you told me about him, I
think I completely slept on him atthe moment. You know, I completely
disregarded his talents in the twenty twentythree season. You know, he stepped
up with a lot of confidence comingfrom a different racing series, and I
think he definitely has a lot toprove. He's still quite young, and
(22:23):
I think, like you, Sonoda, racing Balls is a pretty good environment
for him to be in at themoment. Agreed, I think Liam Wilson.
Yeah, I think Nels is timeto shine. I think he's really
going to step up now. AndI think he's shifting into that position in
order to do so, giving himselfa year to really, you know,
get the reps in Williams Next Williams, Williams Williams. Now, my one
(22:47):
might be a bit controversial, andwhen I hear yours first damage, okay,
so I'm going to go well.For the twenty twenty five season,
I think Alex Alban has a contract, so I think that he's going to
be the first driver, definitely leadingWilliams as he has been. And as
for the second driver, I thinkit's a driver that it's getting talked about
(23:08):
a bit more. He's definitely ayoung driver and I think he's shown a
lot of talent in recent years,stepping up to Formula two this year actually,
and his name is Andrea Anthon ElikAnd a fun fact about this driver
is that he is I think twoweeks older than me, which is crazy.
(23:36):
That is yeah, it's crazy tothink. So for the twenty twenty
five season, Andrea Kimmi Antonelli willbe eighty and I think he would definitely
be allowed to raise in Formula onebecause I'm not sure if he knew.
But after Maxi staff and made hisdebut, the FIA made the age striction
(24:00):
for Formula one eighteen. Yeah,the other drivers, that is that is
a good question. Actually I needto check. I think he's doing a
pretty good good job eno F two, so should yeah after that? Yeah,
I think yeah, I think that'san excell decision. He's been doing
well in Formula two so far.I think, to my line is wrapped
(24:22):
up a couple of top fives inhis first few races. But I've gone
for maybe a more sensible option.I think they give Sergeant one more year,
give him a Latifi treatment, youknow, one last year. You
know, if he makes you know, a significant step forwards, maybe keep
him one. But I think oneyear is probably the max that they would
(24:45):
They would go for Sergeant kept Sergeantand second driver or probably the first driver,
Sergio Paris, Sergio Checko Periz.I think that williams Is priority right
now is having you know, sustainabilityand consistency, and I think in terms
(25:07):
of the drivers that may be leftopen to them, Sogio Pereis is probably
the best option for that I thinkthis will be a retirement home for Sergio
Perez. I don't think that he'sgoing to get another drive after this,
but I think probably disappointing season twentytwenty four for him, that's my prediction.
And then, you know, ina similar way to sort of the
(25:30):
Felipe Massa move, switches over toWilliams and you know, ends his ends
his Formula One career in reasonable comfort, no pressure, just you know,
get a couple of points now andthen, and I think Sergio Perry is
probably the best driver for that.What do you think about that, Amish.
I think it's not outrageous to say. I wasn't expecting it myself,
(25:52):
but I think after what you justsaid, I sort of agree with you
there. I think it's like howyou call it a retirement home for Sergio
PERI. I think it's a niceway to end a career, you know,
just like what Slasina Vettel did goingto Aston Martin. But I think
there needs to be some sort ofexpectation on him still, Otherwise there's no
(26:14):
point in having him in the teambecause they can have a younger talent who
is a bit more promising. Issort of like sorry, but he's expressed
his desire for Williams to be competitive, and I think as a former,
you know, as a race winner, Sojio Paris could bring that. So
were you gonna say, oh,yeah, I know. I was saying,
(26:37):
yeah, I know, it's ait's a reasonable, reasonable choice I
think with Antonelli Williams. The reasonI chose Antonelly for Williams was because he
has affiliations with Mercedes. He's inthe Premier Car Premier Power team, He's
I have a confidence he will makeit to F one very soon, and
I think Williams will basically be thenext George Russell. I think he'll go
(27:03):
to Williams learn how to be adriver and show his talents, and then
one day in the future, when, if my prediction is correct, Fernando
Alonzo retires from Formuler one leaves Mercedes, ansonally will be the one to step
up. That would be a prettyinsane choice for you know, Fernando Alonso
(27:25):
to go out really at the helmof sport. Okay Alpene time, what
are you thinking about alping both driversout of contract at the end of the
year. Any changes? Uh,this is a tricky one for me.
Actually, I think I wasn't quitesure, but I think Alpin went into
(27:48):
the twenty twenty three season thinking thatOcn and Gasly would be a brilliant team
combot and I think, I'm sorryto say, but I don't think that
workshoff worked out very well. Idon't think they were as good as a
duo as they expected it to be. But I think Alpine definitely need to
keep one of the two drivers becausethey're both experienced, and I think it's
(28:11):
essential to have at least one ofthem in the team. So the second
driver, I think Alpine are goingto go with a little bit of a
mix up here. I think they'regoing to go with Jack Doing. He
is the F two champion from lastyear. I believe, yes, last
(28:34):
year's F two champion. He's definitelyshown some talent. I think he has
done one testing in the twenty twentythree season, so I think it's time
for him to step up to Fone. M I think I think ordinarily
(28:55):
for Alpin, I would agree withyou, but they have had so much
turmoil over the past few years withall of the leadership changes which have really
just left them well, they've leftthem languishing, really you know, the
bottom tenth place. And I thinknot only that, but they've been shysted
(29:18):
on multiple occasions by drivers who aresort of to feel like they're too good
for alping, and I think they'llbe hesitant, really really hesitant to roll
the dice on somebody new, especiallyconsidering those sort of external factors. So
I think they're going to stick withGavilan knock on, OK, but I
think that they're going to be veryshort term deals indeed, and I think
(29:44):
that soon enough, the door's goingto open. I think, if not
in next in the year in twentytwenty six, definitely twenty twenty seven,
the door's going to open for Doing, the door's going to open for Martin.
And I think that is the driverpairing of the future, Jack Doing
Victor martin In in that F onecar. I think if these two can't
(30:06):
perform, they're probably going to beout of a job pretty soon. And
uh yeah, looking probably unfortunately afterdriving another series, unless they can snag
a sort of lower field lower lowerfield drive. But yeah, I think
gas are knock on for now.I think once they've got their current issues
(30:26):
flattened out, Martin and Doing forthe future in my opinion. That's good.
That's a good choice, man.I'll stick with that as well.
Yeah, okay, Well we comenow to the final prediction. Salaba Saba,
(30:48):
sabas albas albas Alba very very difficultone to decide, amsh What were
your thoughts? Well, I thinkI was gonna say. I already said
Hulpenberg for Aston Martin. But ifhe doesn't go there, I think he
will stay at Stake Saba F oneby its school, and I think no,
(31:12):
he will move to Steak. Sorry, he's at has at the moment,
isn't he. Yeah, so Ihave written down he will be moving
to either Aston Martin or Steak.Not quite sure which one, but I
think those two teams seem like reasonable, reasonable options to where Nico Holpenberg will
end up as a Saga driver.I think I think I'll stick with vout
(31:37):
your botas I think he's shown stabilityin the team, he hasn't fallen too
far behind to their expectations, andI think they definitely need someone to lead
the team for the twenty five season. Agreed, Agreed, But I think
they need someone to lead, ButI don't think they're going to get someone
(31:57):
to lead. I think Valty Buttsis retiring at the end of the season.
Really Okay, Yeah, I thinkI think I've just got this vibe
from but Us over the past fewyears that he's he's looking two different things
now a bit, a bit,you know, slightly how I felt about
(32:20):
Vettel in his in his final years. Just I feel like the lost for
the sport is really sort of notdying, but certainly slowing down. And
I think that it was it's goingto be a shock, I think for
for for Salba, and I thinkthat means that they're going to hold onto
(32:43):
Joe because he's the sort of provencommodity. Yeah, but it's retiring.
It's a difficult one to argue,but I have a I have a got
feeling about it. I've a gotfeeling that he's going to either he's definitely
going to retire in Salba at Salba, and I think it's going to be
pretty soon. He's given me KimmieReichen and like pissing about a bit vibes.
(33:07):
And I think in his stead willbe Zay Maloney, who is one
of the only Salba Academy drivers ontheir roster and he's currently leading the Formula
two World Championship, two victories alreadyin F two, both in Bahrain,
(33:28):
and also a top five to bootin the Salber Feature Race. I think,
sorry the Saudi Feature Race. Ithink he is on an absolute terror
at the minute, and I thinkthat he could, yeah, really be
the the calling for Salba's future,perhaps and perhaps or forging his way into
some of the higher places in Formulaone. He's been cutting his teeth in
(33:51):
the F two for a number ofyears now, and I think now is
probably the time, if ever fhims step up. What do you think
about What do you think about ZayMaloney? Yeah, I think it definitely
has has a shot. I mean, I don't really know much about I
haven't been following too I'll be honestthat much recently, I think I've only
been focused on the big names AlBeerman, Andrea and Aisonelli be poorche you
(34:19):
know. I think what you saidis reasonable. I think it's definitely time
for teams to be looking at youngerdrivers. I think it's more of a
generational thing, you know. Ithink it's all part of luck. What
were you? What age you liein? Really? Because if you look
(34:42):
at I think the last time somethinglike this happened was twenty nineteen where we
got three rookies, Lando Norris,Oscar George Russell and Alex alban come into
the sport and then from them nothing, nothing that big really happened. I
think Tony twenty one with all thelikes of Yuki Sonoda and then a few
rookies here and there. But Ithink now it's time. It's been a
(35:05):
it's been a good good number ofyears and I think, yeah, it's
been a while before teams have goneback to their driver development programs and I
think this in the next up andcoming years that I'll start to do that
a bit more. So. Whatyou're saying is definitely be reasonable and I
have faith in that as well.Yeah, will Tailor Push ever get a
(35:28):
drive in Formula One? Who knows? May not. Yeah, he's been
super unlucky over the years. Actuallyhe might be a he might be a
shout for one of the Alpha Sabasor the has drives in the coming seasons.
But time will tell. Right,We've going to finish up here,
(35:49):
but very quickly. Australian Grand Prixwho is taking a victory. I think
it's pretty obvious to hear Ben,I think, unfortunately it will have to
be the same answer as the lastten races in F one, as enjoyable
(36:09):
as last year's race, hopefully.What about biggest surprise? Do you think
the biggest surprise is going to bebigger surprise? I think I'm going to
go with a midfield team performing quitewell. I think I'm gonna give them
a podium in the predictions, andI'm going to say a podium for Lewis
(36:35):
Hamilton. I think it's not acomplete surprise, but I think at this
at this point where Mercedes performance lies, I think it'll be pretty nice to
see Lewis Hamilton on the podium.And I think he's been putting the hard
work in and I don't think hiscontract ending with Mercedes is going to affect
his performance for the rest of theseason. So I think he's going to
do well in Australia. So youheard it here first, Lois Hamilton for
(37:01):
a podium in Melbourne. We shallsee, and we shall see precisely next
week Monday. Thank you for listeningto everyone. Isn't real Join us next
week for a review of the twentytwenty four Australian Wrong pre amash. Thank
you as ever, Thank you verymuch, Ben
Hello, and welcome back to Fone. Isn't real? I am your
host, Ben Wevell, twenty twentyfour inductee of the Terrible Prediction All of
Fame, joined by my boy Amashakav One, and today, in the
first race week of the F oneyear, we are unpacking our picks for
(00:34):
the twenty twenty five driver lineups anddepending on how much we get done reviewing
this weekend's Australian GP. Amish,how's it going, Hi, Ben,
thank you for having me again.It's going great. I'm excited to get
the twenty twenty five predictions underway.Absolutely absolutely. Let's start with the simplest
(00:56):
one of them all to unpack CharlclairLewis Hamilton at Ferrari, Amish, what
do you think this partnership is goingto look like in twenty twenty five.
I think it's a tricky one tosay, Ben, because Charlie Clair has
been Ferri's number one driver for awhile now. Ever since twenty nineteen he
(01:21):
has been leading the team and tohave a seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton
comeing to Ferrari, there might besome changes to the dynamic of the team
and I'm interested to see which wayit will affect Ferrari. I think with
such a strong driver pair is expectedthe team to have to have some sort
(01:46):
of success. But at the sametime, these two drivers, they are
so highly ranked in F one,it could create a potential clashing and I'm
interested to see how these two willwork together next year. Yeah. I
think char Leclair has been feeling fora chance or a shot at the World
(02:09):
Championship for quite some time now,and Lewis Hamilton, in that same way,
is almost in the mindset of arookie nowadays. He's a couple of
years out from his last World Championship, and you know, you can tell
from interviews, from his frustration atthe Mercedes package, that he wants a
shot at that eighth World Championship withouta shadow of a doubt, and you
(02:34):
know, in his eyes sort ofreclaiming that twenty twenty one championship that was,
according to himself total World Mercedes unjustlytaken away from him. I think
that there will be conflict, certainlyon the racetrack, but I think that
considering the quality and the maturity ofboth of these drivers, I think it
(02:59):
likely extend too far into the media. But you know, there could be
flashpoints, there could be moments wherethe two come together, you know,
something like you know, if youlook at the example Orbviou see Rossberg and
Hamilton and Leclaire obviously has probably beensomewhat frustrated to be on par with Carlos
(03:23):
Science these last few years. Carlosof course taking the victory in Britain in
the Great British Grand Prix last year. I mean, I'm sure that's sort
of ruffle his feathers a bit.He was obviously heavily you know, put
in a corposition by the strategy choicesof Ferrari. So I can imagine that,
you know, both of these driversare looking for a real shot for
(03:46):
ultimate glory. But I don't thinkI hope it doesn't get too feisty because
I think that could really paint bothof these drivers in quite a bad light.
But now moving on to Red BullRacing, amish, what is your
choice for their twenty twenty five lineup? So it's obvious that Max Stappens locked
(04:09):
in for twenty twenty eight, andI think the partner and teammate that Red
Bull might give him will be CarlosScience. I think I agree. That's
my prediction as well. That's Ithink Carlo Science has been part of the
Red Bull family before, he's beenteammates with Maxis before. The two drivers
(04:31):
definitely get along, and I thinkthey're both both very skilled. I think
Carlos Science, if anyone, willbe him and who'll be able to keep
up with the like Maxi Stappan inthe twenty twenty five season, and I
think Red Bull will definitely be havingan eye on him one hundred percent.
We're on the same wavelength today.I promise you that we have not shared
(04:53):
our lists. These are completely independent. On another yeah, I see Carlos
having a pretty insane ye not Imean obviously not sort of fighting with the
Red Bulls on a week by weekbasis, but I see him in a
solid, you know, stead fora sort of third place. I think
he best char Leclair this year,and I think he really proves himself to
(05:17):
f one that he is a desirablecommodity rather than the spare of the duo
of colors Science and Charlock Clair.Yeah, and I think he snatches that
Red Bull drive because I think,you know, Perez, I think he's
just going to be the number twodriver this year and frankly what Red Bull
want is or I'm sure what MaxForstappen wants is a challenger, and I
(05:42):
think Carlo Science could pose that.In terms of contract length, I think
it will likely be a short termdeal. I think one to two years
maximum. I would say I wouldtend on the side of sort of a
one year prove it deal where Carlossort of to earn his stripes of rebel.
And also I think this comes witha little bit of uncertainty because of
(06:05):
course Carlos Science has been in thesystem before, he's fell somewhat foul of
it obviously had to move across toReno. But yeah, I would say
this could be a match made inheaven for Red Bull. But now onto
the team that's looking like a sortof upper midfield to mid midfield team this
(06:27):
year, Mercedes. This is asuper tricky one to gauge Russell probably locked
in. I'm sure are you goingfor that second seat? I think this
driver has shown a lot of potentialto be in when he's in a fastcar.
I think if a team like Mercedesis to produce fastcar this this driver
(06:53):
would definitely be able to perform he'sperformed in the past, and I'm going
to go with Fernando Alonso. Wow. And then there are Alonso yep.
Do you want to give some justificationthere? That is a crazy on So
I think I think Twitter Wolf hasbeen speaking to speaking to Fernando Alonso in
(07:18):
the paddock, and I think it'sabout time Alonso deserves a faster car.
And I think in the recent inthe next up and coming years, Mercedes
will be a lot more promising inthe future, and I think what better
driver to deliver and Fernando Alonso Mmhmm, it's an interesting one. I've
(07:41):
gone in a bit of a differentdirection. Well, I've gone for Alex
Albon. Wow, that's interesting.I think I would put Alex album after
Fernando Alonzo as well. I wasthinking him, but I think isn't he
locked in with his But I thinkthat the Mercedes of all teams, could
(08:03):
you know, whip up some contractchicanery and Albourne out of that deal for
a seat at Mercedes. I don'tthink Williams would hold him back at would
hold him back if if Mercedes sortof offered offer him a drive as an
Alex Albon is a driver who sortof in a similar way to George Russell
(08:26):
has thrived at a super underperforming team. I think the start of this year
has been a bit slow. It'sprobably because Williams aren't in as good of
a position as they were last year. But I think Alex Albon has really
proved his Yeah, I think he'sshown a level of maturity as a driver
that wasn't there at Red Bull inhis formative years. I think he's shown
(08:48):
that he can take the reins atteam, but I think he's also shown
that he can he doesn't do thatwith force so as George did at Williams.
It was never there was never anysite between him and Nicholas and TFI.
And in the same way, Idon't think there's any spite between Alex
Albon and Logan Sergeant. Alex Albanis of course the superior driver and I
(09:11):
just think that he would be agreat fit. George and Album of course
excellent friends. And I think thatyou know, you put him in the
Red Bull as he came, youknow, as he came into the sport.
I think that was a bad decision. He's had a couple of years
to really develop as a driver andnow I think looking to the future,
he could be an option for,you know, a contender within the next
(09:33):
five years. One hundred percent agreewith you, Ben, I think that's
a brilliant, brilliant decision, thebold decision. But I think it's also
suitable. Yeah, I mean,I would love to see Album get another
opportunity in the top team because Ithink he really deserves it. But now
(09:54):
on to McClaren. I think thisone's pretty clear cut as well. MS.
What are you thinking, Well,I think nothing's changing in the mclarantine.
I think Norris in piastree first yeartogether was last year, and I
think they proved themselves to be adynamic Joe. You know. I think
(10:15):
out of all of the drivers intwenty twenty three season, Vandon Norris and
Oscar Piastree definitely proved that they werethe strongest Joe. Even if they didn't
have the fastest car. They werealways consistently together. There wasn't that much
of a gap between them, andI think as drivers they definitely got along
well and they respected each other.You can see there was a bit of
(10:39):
pressure in London Norris when Oscar Pistrewwas performing really highly towards the end of
the season, and I think thatdoes nothing but help Lando improve as a
driver because he knows there's more tolose at this point. So I think
going into twenty twenty four season andnext season, there's a lot of hope
(11:01):
for the Mclaranteam. Yeah, Iagree with you. I definitely Piastrian Norris
is my choice as well. ButI think Norris is slowly getting frustrated by
McLaren. You know, he's beenthere for what is it entering his fifth
or is it sixth season now?I mean he's been he's been at McLaren
for for a long while, andI think he wants to challenge, like,
(11:26):
you know, in the same wayas Carlos does. I think he
wants to challenge, but I think, you know, sort of in a
different way to Carlos. He doesn'thave the same He is more I think
of an immature drather behind the wheel, and he's he can let his emotions
(11:46):
get the better of him at certainpoints, and I think that could they
could you know, he and pstricould come to blows at some point this
year, but I'm hoping that thateverything keeps clean on track. But yes,
twenty twenty five. They're both lockedin, both with big contract extensions
up until poss the end of twentytwenty seven for Lando and twenty twenty six
for Oscar, so I think they'reboth there for at least a reasonable while.
(12:07):
Now into Aston Martin, and asyou've already said that Alonso is moving
on to the Mercedes seat, whois replacing him? I'm going to be
bold again and say a driver whois not expected to go to this team,
(12:28):
But I think a driver that's heavilyunderrated. I'm not sure whether they
will fully thrive in this new environment, but I think it's more of a
silly season option for Aston Martin.So I'm going to go with Nico Helkemberg.
(12:52):
Yeah, Nico Holkemberg HM qualifying merchant. I'm not sure if you.
I think he's a bit of asnobbish chef one driver. I think he's
going to become very very quickly frustratedby having Laurence Stroll as his partner and
(13:13):
just sort of the increased pressure thatcomes with being an Aston Martin driver.
Lawrence Stroll has these expectations. NicoHolgenburgh, though, is a you know,
he's he's waning, you know,he's in the last stage of his
career, but I think he couldstill on his day make a challenge for
the podium. Definitely in that AstonMartin car. So I think it's a
(13:37):
pretty pretty great decision, to behonest with you. I could definitely see
Nico Holgenberg back in you know,back in well, back in the car
that was it where he started?He started at Force India. Did think
he started at Williams? Yeah,oh yeah, you're right, so Williams
and then he was in he wasin the Force India for Was he in
(13:58):
the Force? Yes, he wasfor a couple of seasons and but yeah,
and then off the runner. Butyeah, I could I could see
Nico Hulkenberg sort of slotting in nicely. He's you know, the infrastructure of
the relationships, so they're already.But yeah, I'm not sure how well
he's going to click with Art Stroll, but yeah, I've gone for Alonzo
(14:20):
and Stroll as well. I thinkAlonso probably is going to take you know,
one or two more seasons. Idon't know if Alonzo on his day
can do amazing things, but Idon't know if he's going to be the
choice for Mercedes who I think they'relooking for somebody. I'm not saying Alonso
doesn't have the competitive edge. I'msaying that I think they want somebody hungry,
(14:46):
you know, like deeply hungry foranother championship, for their for their
first championship. And I think,you know, Albond provides that in a
way that Alonso might not anymore.And I think that's the where the trepidation
lies my life for Mercedes. Butagain, excellent suggestion when you go Holgenberg,
excellent suggestion with Alonzo to Mercedes.Now we're going in a bit of
(15:09):
an unconventional order. How about hassWhat are you thinking on their side of
things? Has? I think I'mquite confident in this one. Actually,
I think Has will stay with KevinMaguson. I think he's shown loyalty to
the team. He's confident in thatcar. They're confident in him. You
(15:33):
know, he's been there for sincethe beginning pretty much. I think it's
there's a risk for Guanu Joe.I don't think he will make it to
the next next season. So Iam not going to say him for the
(15:54):
hast seat. Instead, I'm goingto say a driver who could definitely benefit
from being in the Hasse team andwho can go on to do great things
in the future, and as seenfrom last week, definitely has performed.
You're going to go with ye thatwould have been I think I've gone for
(16:18):
actually the same I've gone, ButI think Magnuson gets displaced. I think
it's going to be I think,you know, obviously we saw a remarkable
drive from Maguson last week in SaturdayArabia. Obviously also a remarkable drive from
Oli Beerman. But Magnuson has notprovided the results that I think were expected
(16:40):
of him at has and I thinkNico Holgenberg really has not. Obviously he's
been you know, shackled by thecar that he's been given. But from
what he's been given, I thinkhe's done a understanding job. I think
they'll want to hold onto him.I think this is his retirement home,
and I don't think that they're goingto want to you know, with this
(17:06):
management restructuring. I can see howit might be a better idea, or
it might be a more sensible ideato hold onto these two experienced individuals.
But I think they're going to takea risk at the end of the year.
They're going to have seen what they'veseen, and they're going to go
with Beerman. And I think Magisongets displaced. I don't think he retires,
but I think he gets displaced.I don't think he's going to any
other team. I think that hewill probably head onto something like, you
(17:30):
know, maybe follow his former teammateRoman gridgeon to NASCAR. Maybe wek who
knows, But yeah, I thinkMagnison is you know, this is his
last season in Formula One. Yeah, okay, that's interesting. M It's
difficult. I would like to seemagnuson another team, but I just don't
think. I don't know if hefits in. I don't know if he
(17:52):
fits any sort of puzzle pieces rightnow. But yeah, again, we'll
see at the start of the nextyear. Now onto Alpha Tari Who Amish
is filling the Alpha Tari about racingballs? Sorry speaking English? Who is
(18:14):
filling the Red Bulls second team.I haven't actually put too much thought to
this one, you know, Ithink it's there's a lot of not turmoil,
but I think there's just a lotof distractions in the team at the
moment, and it something about theirperformance recently has just shown a lack of
stability in the sport, you know, and I think changing the drivers can
(18:38):
definitely help reshift their focus, youknow. But I think I think they're
going to stick with Sonoda and Ricardobecause I think they're confident with where they
are in Sonoda getting used to thecar, trying to prove himself, and
(18:59):
I think the Racing Balls is definitelya place to keep Sonoda to develop as
a driver, and I think alow pressure environment is definitely good for him.
And as for Daniel Ricardo, I'mnot really sure who else could step
up to Racing Balls. And Ithink the Red Bull team as a whole,
(19:19):
both Red Bull and Racing Balls,I think they're quite confident in letting
Ricardo just stay at the team.See. I take a bit of an
issue with that. I agree withSonoda. I think they're going to give
him, you know, more timeto develop fully as a Racing Ball driver
(19:41):
or racing Balls, but I'm notsure. I'm not sold on Daniel Ricardo.
His career has frankly taken in thosedives since that fifth place in the
Driver's Championship in twenty twenty, andI think we're looking at somebody who for
all that this pains me to sayis on the way out. I think
(20:06):
it's going to be a you know, Daniel Carveat esque divorce. I don't
think there's gonna be any harsh words, but I think it's going to be,
you know, Daniel Ricardo moving onto other things at the end of
the year. And to answer yourquery about who might step up, I
think that the answer lies in twentytwenty three, sorry, twenty twenty four
(20:27):
Red Bull replacement driver or reserve driver, Liam Lawson. He took two points
in five races at Alpha Tari lastyear whilst in the same season as finishing
second in Super Formula and then seasonbefore that third in Formula two, and
(20:48):
this year twenty twenty four he's shiftedhis focus and become a full time reserve
driver at Red Bull, and Ithink that's a sign that he's getting used
to the car in order for amove for him that may be coming up
into the sports. I think hesets himself apart from somebody like Nick Devreese
and the fact that you know,he surrounded himself with actually quite a bitter
(21:15):
competition, so you know, obviouslyNick Devreese his campaign in Formula two is
excellent moved on to formulae, whichsome would argue is a less competitive field.
But Liam Lawson has kept up withthe young guns in the sport,
and I think, really he hasan opportunity now to take an alpha tari
(21:37):
Oh sorry Jesus, Red Bull RacingBall, Racing Bulls, RBI, Visa
cash App. I think he hasan opportunity to really take the whole take
hold of that drive and even maybesurpass Yuki Snoda in that. I think
his proved his talents over the lastfew years, and I think now is
the opportunity. What do you think, Amish, I think that's a reasonable
response. I think I'll be honest, if I could change my prediction,
(22:02):
I would go Liam Wilson. Nowthat you told me about him, I
think I completely slept on him atthe moment. You know, I completely
disregarded his talents in the twenty twentythree season. You know, he stepped
up with a lot of confidence comingfrom a different racing series, and I
think he definitely has a lot toprove. He's still quite young, and
(22:23):
I think, like you, Sonoda, racing Balls is a pretty good environment
for him to be in at themoment. Agreed, I think Liam Wilson.
Yeah, I think Nels is timeto shine. I think he's really
going to step up now. AndI think he's shifting into that position in
order to do so, giving himselfa year to really, you know,
get the reps in Williams Next Williams, Williams Williams. Now, my one
(22:47):
might be a bit controversial, andwhen I hear yours first damage, okay,
so I'm going to go well.For the twenty twenty five season,
I think Alex Alban has a contract, so I think that he's going to
be the first driver, definitely leadingWilliams as he has been. And as
for the second driver, I thinkit's a driver that it's getting talked about
(23:08):
a bit more. He's definitely ayoung driver and I think he's shown a
lot of talent in recent years,stepping up to Formula two this year actually,
and his name is Andrea Anthon ElikAnd a fun fact about this driver
is that he is I think twoweeks older than me, which is crazy.
(23:36):
That is yeah, it's crazy tothink. So for the twenty twenty
five season, Andrea Kimmi Antonelli willbe eighty and I think he would definitely
be allowed to raise in Formula onebecause I'm not sure if he knew.
But after Maxi staff and made hisdebut, the FIA made the age striction
(24:00):
for Formula one eighteen. Yeah,the other drivers, that is that is
a good question. Actually I needto check. I think he's doing a
pretty good good job eno F two, so should yeah after that? Yeah,
I think yeah, I think that'san excell decision. He's been doing
well in Formula two so far.I think, to my line is wrapped
(24:22):
up a couple of top fives inhis first few races. But I've gone
for maybe a more sensible option.I think they give Sergeant one more year,
give him a Latifi treatment, youknow, one last year. You
know, if he makes you know, a significant step forwards, maybe keep
him one. But I think oneyear is probably the max that they would
(24:45):
They would go for Sergeant kept Sergeantand second driver or probably the first driver,
Sergio Paris, Sergio Checko Periz.I think that williams Is priority right
now is having you know, sustainabilityand consistency, and I think in terms
(25:07):
of the drivers that may be leftopen to them, Sogio Pereis is probably
the best option for that I thinkthis will be a retirement home for Sergio
Perez. I don't think that he'sgoing to get another drive after this,
but I think probably disappointing season twentytwenty four for him, that's my prediction.
And then, you know, ina similar way to sort of the
(25:30):
Felipe Massa move, switches over toWilliams and you know, ends his ends
his Formula One career in reasonable comfort, no pressure, just you know,
get a couple of points now andthen, and I think Sergio Perry is
probably the best driver for that.What do you think about that, Amish.
I think it's not outrageous to say. I wasn't expecting it myself,
(25:52):
but I think after what you justsaid, I sort of agree with you
there. I think it's like howyou call it a retirement home for Sergio
PERI. I think it's a niceway to end a career, you know,
just like what Slasina Vettel did goingto Aston Martin. But I think
there needs to be some sort ofexpectation on him still, Otherwise there's no
(26:14):
point in having him in the teambecause they can have a younger talent who
is a bit more promising. Issort of like sorry, but he's expressed
his desire for Williams to be competitive, and I think as a former,
you know, as a race winner, Sojio Paris could bring that. So
were you gonna say, oh,yeah, I know. I was saying,
(26:37):
yeah, I know, it's ait's a reasonable, reasonable choice I
think with Antonelli Williams. The reasonI chose Antonelly for Williams was because he
has affiliations with Mercedes. He's inthe Premier Car Premier Power team, He's
I have a confidence he will makeit to F one very soon, and
I think Williams will basically be thenext George Russell. I think he'll go
(27:03):
to Williams learn how to be adriver and show his talents, and then
one day in the future, when, if my prediction is correct, Fernando
Alonzo retires from Formuler one leaves Mercedes, ansonally will be the one to step
up. That would be a prettyinsane choice for you know, Fernando Alonso
(27:25):
to go out really at the helmof sport. Okay Alpene time, what
are you thinking about alping both driversout of contract at the end of the
year. Any changes? Uh,this is a tricky one for me.
Actually, I think I wasn't quitesure, but I think Alpin went into
(27:48):
the twenty twenty three season thinking thatOcn and Gasly would be a brilliant team
combot and I think, I'm sorryto say, but I don't think that
workshoff worked out very well. Idon't think they were as good as a
duo as they expected it to be. But I think Alpine definitely need to
keep one of the two drivers becausethey're both experienced, and I think it's
(28:11):
essential to have at least one ofthem in the team. So the second
driver, I think Alpine are goingto go with a little bit of a
mix up here. I think they'regoing to go with Jack Doing. He
is the F two champion from lastyear. I believe, yes, last
(28:34):
year's F two champion. He's definitelyshown some talent. I think he has
done one testing in the twenty twentythree season, so I think it's time
for him to step up to Fone. M I think I think ordinarily
(28:55):
for Alpin, I would agree withyou, but they have had so much
turmoil over the past few years withall of the leadership changes which have really
just left them well, they've leftthem languishing, really you know, the
bottom tenth place. And I thinknot only that, but they've been shysted
(29:18):
on multiple occasions by drivers who aresort of to feel like they're too good
for alping, and I think they'llbe hesitant, really really hesitant to roll
the dice on somebody new, especiallyconsidering those sort of external factors. So
I think they're going to stick withGavilan knock on, OK, but I
think that they're going to be veryshort term deals indeed, and I think
(29:44):
that soon enough, the door's goingto open. I think, if not
in next in the year in twentytwenty six, definitely twenty twenty seven,
the door's going to open for Doing, the door's going to open for Martin.
And I think that is the driverpairing of the future, Jack Doing
Victor martin In in that F onecar. I think if these two can't
(30:06):
perform, they're probably going to beout of a job pretty soon. And
uh yeah, looking probably unfortunately afterdriving another series, unless they can snag
a sort of lower field lower lowerfield drive. But yeah, I think
gas are knock on for now.I think once they've got their current issues
(30:26):
flattened out, Martin and Doing forthe future in my opinion. That's good.
That's a good choice, man.I'll stick with that as well.
Yeah, okay, Well we comenow to the final prediction. Salaba Saba,
(30:48):
sabas albas albas Alba very very difficultone to decide, amsh What were
your thoughts? Well, I thinkI was gonna say. I already said
Hulpenberg for Aston Martin. But ifhe doesn't go there, I think he
will stay at Stake Saba F oneby its school, and I think no,
(31:12):
he will move to Steak. Sorry, he's at has at the moment,
isn't he. Yeah, so Ihave written down he will be moving
to either Aston Martin or Steak.Not quite sure which one, but I
think those two teams seem like reasonable, reasonable options to where Nico Holpenberg will
end up as a Saga driver.I think I think I'll stick with vout
(31:37):
your botas I think he's shown stabilityin the team, he hasn't fallen too
far behind to their expectations, andI think they definitely need someone to lead
the team for the twenty five season. Agreed, Agreed, But I think
they need someone to lead, ButI don't think they're going to get someone
(31:57):
to lead. I think Valty Buttsis retiring at the end of the season.
Really Okay, Yeah, I thinkI think I've just got this vibe
from but Us over the past fewyears that he's he's looking two different things
now a bit, a bit,you know, slightly how I felt about
(32:20):
Vettel in his in his final years. Just I feel like the lost for
the sport is really sort of notdying, but certainly slowing down. And
I think that it was it's goingto be a shock, I think for
for for Salba, and I thinkthat means that they're going to hold onto
(32:43):
Joe because he's the sort of provencommodity. Yeah, but it's retiring.
It's a difficult one to argue,but I have a I have a got
feeling about it. I've a gotfeeling that he's going to either he's definitely
going to retire in Salba at Salba, and I think it's going to be
pretty soon. He's given me KimmieReichen and like pissing about a bit vibes.
(33:07):
And I think in his stead willbe Zay Maloney, who is one
of the only Salba Academy drivers ontheir roster and he's currently leading the Formula
two World Championship, two victories alreadyin F two, both in Bahrain,
(33:28):
and also a top five to bootin the Salber Feature Race. I think,
sorry the Saudi Feature Race. Ithink he is on an absolute terror
at the minute, and I thinkthat he could, yeah, really be
the the calling for Salba's future,perhaps and perhaps or forging his way into
some of the higher places in Formulaone. He's been cutting his teeth in
(33:51):
the F two for a number ofyears now, and I think now is
probably the time, if ever fhims step up. What do you think
about What do you think about ZayMaloney? Yeah, I think it definitely
has has a shot. I mean, I don't really know much about I
haven't been following too I'll be honestthat much recently, I think I've only
been focused on the big names AlBeerman, Andrea and Aisonelli be poorche you
(34:19):
know. I think what you saidis reasonable. I think it's definitely time
for teams to be looking at youngerdrivers. I think it's more of a
generational thing, you know. Ithink it's all part of luck. What
were you? What age you liein? Really? Because if you look
(34:42):
at I think the last time somethinglike this happened was twenty nineteen where we
got three rookies, Lando Norris,Oscar George Russell and Alex alban come into
the sport and then from them nothing, nothing that big really happened. I
think Tony twenty one with all thelikes of Yuki Sonoda and then a few
rookies here and there. But Ithink now it's time. It's been a
(35:05):
it's been a good good number ofyears and I think, yeah, it's
been a while before teams have goneback to their driver development programs and I
think this in the next up andcoming years that I'll start to do that
a bit more. So. Whatyou're saying is definitely be reasonable and I
have faith in that as well.Yeah, will Tailor Push ever get a
(35:28):
drive in Formula One? Who knows? May not. Yeah, he's been
super unlucky over the years. Actuallyhe might be a he might be a
shout for one of the Alpha Sabasor the has drives in the coming seasons.
But time will tell. Right,We've going to finish up here,
(35:49):
but very quickly. Australian Grand Prixwho is taking a victory. I think
it's pretty obvious to hear Ben,I think, unfortunately it will have to
be the same answer as the lastten races in F one, as enjoyable
(36:09):
as last year's race, hopefully.What about biggest surprise? Do you think
the biggest surprise is going to bebigger surprise? I think I'm going to
go with a midfield team performing quitewell. I think I'm gonna give them
a podium in the predictions, andI'm going to say a podium for Lewis
(36:35):
Hamilton. I think it's not acomplete surprise, but I think at this
at this point where Mercedes performance lies, I think it'll be pretty nice to
see Lewis Hamilton on the podium.And I think he's been putting the hard
work in and I don't think hiscontract ending with Mercedes is going to affect
his performance for the rest of theseason. So I think he's going to
do well in Australia. So youheard it here first, Lois Hamilton for
(37:01):
a podium in Melbourne. We shallsee, and we shall see precisely next
week Monday. Thank you for listeningto everyone. Isn't real Join us next
week for a review of the twentytwenty four Australian Wrong pre amash. Thank
you as ever, Thank you verymuch, Ben
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