2024 Mexican GP

[00:00:00] Alonzo was at his 400th race. This guy, at some point, I think he's gonna need crutches to get into and out of the car, but he's still gonna keep racing. And what's interesting is... Wheelchair accessible F1 car. Yeah. Hey, the sport's inclusive, right? That's what they keep saying. So, inclusive in all sense. What's interesting is his 200th race, his 300th race, and now his 400th race, he's DNF'd all of them.

[00:00:28] So... I think he's doing it purposely now. Now it's become a thing. His 500th race, I think he's gonna do that again.

[00:00:43] Hello, hello. Welcome back to F1 Fanfiction, a show about the race week interviews. And personally, I feel after a long, long time, the Sunday was amazing. Just amazing. Before we get into it, we are your hosts. I am Akash.

[00:01:03] And I'm Sarang. And we are at the Mexican Grand Prix. A unique race in the sense that it's the highest race ever held in terms of altitude.

[00:01:14] And you would have seen reels blasted over the social media on why it's the great and blah, blah, blah. Anyways, what we are here to discuss, first of all, is Max strikes again.

[00:01:29] So, Sarang, what do you have to say about Max striking again?

[00:01:34] Oh, man. Like, I think... You know, last time, I was kind of semi-defending him that he's exploiting rules and blah, blah, blah. It's kind of a gamer mentality.

[00:01:45] I mean, it's still just that. But, man, that second one which he did...

[00:01:50] Yeah.

[00:01:51] Wow, that was egregious, man. That was just, like, blatant attempt at, like, not letting your opponent finish the race.

[00:02:00] Not just finish the race, I mean, but, like, making them lose the opportunity of, you know, getting the lead or whatever.

[00:02:06] Yeah. For folks that are young enough and don't know what kamakaze means, that's what, basically, Max attempted to do right there.

[00:02:15] Yeah.

[00:02:15] Death by suicide or whatever, right? Like, murder by... Yeah.

[00:02:20] Anyways, so, yeah, that second attempt was blatant exploitation of rules.

[00:02:26] And for a change, I love how the whole paddock sort of, like, come together.

[00:02:33] Because last case, we did see people sort of, like, questioning on why didn't Max get the penalty?

[00:02:42] And how the... It's exactly what we spoke and, like, the whole community was speaking on what the fuck is happening.

[00:02:49] And Toto, this time around, sort of said, like, not having, in obviously some other words, but, like, not having given Max the penalty,

[00:02:58] everyone sort of, like, redefining how the racing happens on the line or on the grid.

[00:03:04] And we saw that this time, right? I think many examples of that.

[00:03:08] Exactly. So, was 20 seconds a bit harsh? Maybe yes. Maybe yes.

[00:03:13] But did he deserve the penalty? Oh, twice as much.

[00:03:17] Exactly. But that's the thing, right? Like, did you see his interview after the race? He was super calm about it.

[00:03:24] He's like, I know that's fine. Like, I still achieved what I went out for. So, you know, it doesn't... I don't care.

[00:03:30] Actually, maybe not. Because I think what he went to really achieve... And you're on point.

[00:03:35] Because I think what he really went to achieve was basically take himself and Norris out.

[00:03:39] Because if that would have happened, right? Because the delta just got a bit less with the positions that they finished on.

[00:03:50] Had he taken Max out, had he taken Norris out...

[00:03:54] Oh, yeah.

[00:03:54] Right? They would have just stayed where they are because both of them would have DNF'd.

[00:03:59] That's true. That's true.

[00:04:00] No, but I still feel that he did still gain, right? Because, say, suppose if...

[00:04:04] I mean, Lando was clearly faster than that.

[00:04:07] So, it was just, like, a matter of when he would, like, overtake him.

[00:04:11] And at that point, when...

[00:04:13] What was it? Lap 9-ish? Something like that? No.

[00:04:17] A little further ahead.

[00:04:18] Anyways.

[00:04:19] But there was still some scope for Lando, I feel, to really strike at Sainz.

[00:04:24] Which he was actually catching up towards the end.

[00:04:27] Like, he...

[00:04:27] Of course, like, Charles made a mistake and whatever.

[00:04:30] But he was, like, gaining him and he put a lot of pressure on Charles.

[00:04:33] Yeah.

[00:04:33] So, I think that he could have actually even won the race if not for, you know, being pushed around.

[00:04:39] Yeah.

[00:04:39] And being bullied.

[00:04:41] And that Delta would have come even down between Max and Lando.

[00:04:45] So, I think it was an all...

[00:04:46] And the other thing is, Max is going to have some upgrades to his engine.

[00:04:51] So, he's going to take a five-place grade penalty going into Brazil.

[00:04:55] And there's only three races.

[00:04:57] So, you never know what's going to happen in those three.

[00:05:00] So, I think you'll see four more kamakazi attempts from Max in the races.

[00:05:07] Probably.

[00:05:07] Absolutely.

[00:05:09] That's what I would do if I were him.

[00:05:11] Yeah.

[00:05:11] Yeah.

[00:05:11] Of course.

[00:05:12] I mean, I...

[00:05:12] And see, at the end of the day, like, we...

[00:05:15] People will say, oh, it's unsportsmanlike, blah, blah, blah, morals and all that.

[00:05:19] You know.

[00:05:20] But nobody's going to remember this, like, five years from now.

[00:05:23] Like, everybody's just going to say he won four championships.

[00:05:26] That's all.

[00:05:27] Exactly.

[00:05:28] Exactly.

[00:05:28] Someone said this, and I forget who, that you're not here for the most fair play awards.

[00:05:35] You're here for a World Driver Championship.

[00:05:37] So, yeah.

[00:05:38] Yeah.

[00:05:38] That's true.

[00:05:39] I mean, everyone...

[00:05:40] He doesn't care who hates him.

[00:05:43] He doesn't care.

[00:05:44] Yeah.

[00:05:44] He's going to have whatever money he wants, play with his stepdaughter and then...

[00:05:49] Yeah.

[00:05:50] Yeah.

[00:05:50] Anyways, this is a secondary career race.

[00:05:52] Exactly.

[00:05:55] But let's talk a little bit about the start of the race, man.

[00:05:59] It was pretty nice.

[00:06:00] I quite enjoyed it.

[00:06:02] I think we were gifted with two good starts, I think, last race as well.

[00:06:07] I think USGP had a pretty good start.

[00:06:08] So, did we get the same in Mexico?

[00:06:11] Especially that...

[00:06:13] Again, like, first lap.

[00:06:14] Okay, let's talk about that.

[00:06:15] First lap, pushing out signs.

[00:06:17] What do you think about that?

[00:06:19] Oh, that was, again, pure cheekiness from Max.

[00:06:22] Yeah.

[00:06:22] Because...

[00:06:23] Totally.

[00:06:24] Here's where it gets to me.

[00:06:26] I mean, blatantly doing it is where it loses me, right?

[00:06:31] Because you've got to do it.

[00:06:33] Come on.

[00:06:33] Like, you can't just...

[00:06:34] At least have some pretense of, you know...

[00:06:36] Right.

[00:06:37] Because you...

[00:06:38] That replay is a dead giveaway.

[00:06:41] Because you see that he's pushed him off.

[00:06:44] He immediately corrects his car as soon as he knows science is off.

[00:06:48] Right?

[00:06:49] And science is a gem of a guy.

[00:06:52] Who nobody's gonna remember in four races.

[00:06:55] Right.

[00:06:56] To have given the places back.

[00:07:00] And then be like, you know what?

[00:07:01] I'm gonna overtake him later on.

[00:07:03] Which he anyways did.

[00:07:04] We'll come back to that.

[00:07:06] But...

[00:07:06] Yeah.

[00:07:06] Max was cheeky again.

[00:07:08] Yeah.

[00:07:09] But that's how it is, man.

[00:07:11] Like, you either change the rules.

[00:07:12] Or, you know, like, you just deal with it.

[00:07:14] Like, it's like...

[00:07:16] Hate the game, not the player.

[00:07:18] Like, I mean...

[00:07:19] Yeah.

[00:07:19] If not him, somebody else would definitely be...

[00:07:22] Try and, like, exploit that...

[00:07:24] Those rules and those loopholes.

[00:07:26] So, yeah.

[00:07:27] What is that line from Joker?

[00:07:29] You either die a hero or live long enough...

[00:07:33] Live long enough.

[00:07:33] To become a villain or something like that.

[00:07:35] Yeah.

[00:07:36] Max is that.

[00:07:37] Oh, totally, man.

[00:07:38] I agree.

[00:07:39] Because, like...

[00:07:40] There was this time when Hamilton was, like, you know...

[00:07:42] Continuously winning.

[00:07:43] And everybody used to root for Max.

[00:07:44] Because he was, like, the only real person...

[00:07:46] Who was really bringing it to Hamilton.

[00:07:48] Yeah.

[00:07:48] And now...

[00:07:49] And now see where we are.

[00:07:50] Nobody's gonna remember the hero science here.

[00:07:52] Who cares?

[00:07:53] Yeah.

[00:07:55] But let's talk about the other...

[00:07:57] Why?

[00:07:58] The other overtake that...

[00:08:00] I said the other overtake.

[00:08:02] No, no, no.

[00:08:03] Don't worry about the other guy.

[00:08:05] Let's talk about the other overtake that science did.

[00:08:08] And which was actually a successful attempt.

[00:08:10] I loved that one.

[00:08:11] That was a pretty slick move.

[00:08:13] And, like, again...

[00:08:14] Going on that chicane as well...

[00:08:16] To try and get...

[00:08:17] Like, open up his wheel to take the next turn.

[00:08:20] Yeah.

[00:08:20] Very, very good.

[00:08:21] You know...

[00:08:22] Racecraft by...

[00:08:23] Science, I feel.

[00:08:24] Yeah, for sure.

[00:08:25] I think...

[00:08:26] Science sort of, like, alluded to this...

[00:08:29] In his post-race interview as well.

[00:08:31] Like...

[00:08:31] He had to take Max by surprise.

[00:08:35] Because otherwise, Max would have never let him go by.

[00:08:38] Right?

[00:08:39] He was...

[00:08:39] He's in Kamakaze mode.

[00:08:41] But...

[00:08:41] Yeah, exactly.

[00:08:43] And that's what he did.

[00:08:44] I think, like, that turn...

[00:08:45] I think he overtook him at turn 4.

[00:08:47] If I'm not wrong.

[00:08:48] And that turn 4...

[00:08:50] Is...

[00:08:50] Is historically not...

[00:08:52] Not a overtaking spot.

[00:08:54] This race...

[00:08:55] Precisely.

[00:08:55] Yeah.

[00:08:56] I don't know what got into everyone.

[00:08:58] Everyone was on that turn.

[00:09:00] But...

[00:09:01] Mm-hmm.

[00:09:01] And what a clean overtake.

[00:09:03] He sort of, like...

[00:09:04] Even...

[00:09:05] Was gonna go over the bollard.

[00:09:07] But sort of, like...

[00:09:08] Yeah.

[00:09:08] Got back in.

[00:09:09] And then Max was there.

[00:09:11] And then kept the position.

[00:09:13] And once he got there.

[00:09:14] He unleashed that clean air Ferrari energy and power.

[00:09:19] And was...

[00:09:19] Yeah.

[00:09:20] Yeah.

[00:09:21] Brilliant.

[00:09:21] Yeah.

[00:09:21] And also, like, he was risking it a bit as well.

[00:09:24] Because by going over that chicane...

[00:09:27] He could have easily lost balance.

[00:09:29] Yeah.

[00:09:29] Or, like, easily lost control of the car.

[00:09:31] Yeah.

[00:09:32] So, was on the edge as well.

[00:09:34] While it was clean at the same time.

[00:09:37] Yeah.

[00:09:37] Did he...

[00:09:38] Did he slap Carlos...

[00:09:40] Sorry, Norris's nuts again this time around before the race?

[00:09:43] Oh!

[00:09:44] Yes.

[00:09:45] Oh my god.

[00:09:46] That was...

[00:09:47] The people are saying that it was, like, foreshadowing for the race.

[00:09:51] Yeah.

[00:09:51] Because, like...

[00:09:52] Science's hand was Wastappen.

[00:09:54] Yeah.

[00:09:57] Like...

[00:09:58] And Science going ahead.

[00:09:59] So, you know, like, Wastappen and Lando fighting it out.

[00:10:05] Nice one.

[00:10:06] But yeah, man.

[00:10:07] Something's gotten into Ferrari.

[00:10:08] I...

[00:10:09] I guess third time's the charm, man.

[00:10:11] You change your management three times and Wasser is gonna come in and you finally have magic happening.

[00:10:17] Yeah.

[00:10:17] It sucks.

[00:10:18] And this...

[00:10:20] This weekend, for some reason, Science was on that fire and then him doing that press interview where he's saying, like...

[00:10:28] Yeah.

[00:10:28] It was pretty sad, man.

[00:10:31] Yeah.

[00:10:32] And it's gonna suck that I'm not gonna be here when the team's actually gonna be fighting.

[00:10:36] Right.

[00:10:37] It sucks more...

[00:10:38] And you can see me sort of foreshadowing something.

[00:10:41] What sucks more is I think Charles is not the person to get the job done.

[00:10:46] And I really hope, like, the team's actually there for contending for the WDC and CC.

[00:10:54] And Hamilton's the one who gets the job done.

[00:10:56] And I can't believe we're saying Lewis is gonna get the job done.

[00:11:01] But...

[00:11:01] And that too in, like, red overalls.

[00:11:04] Exactly.

[00:11:05] So, yeah.

[00:11:06] Well, again, you live long enough to see whatever, right?

[00:11:10] So...

[00:11:11] So, Hamilton went full circle, basically.

[00:11:13] Yeah.

[00:11:14] He went from hero to villain to hero again.

[00:11:16] Yeah.

[00:11:17] Yeah.

[00:11:19] Um...

[00:11:19] Here's why I say, you know, Charles is not the person to get it done.

[00:11:23] Now, benefit of doubt to him that he just got the wrong foot on.

[00:11:30] But he was the only one who got the wrong foot on.

[00:11:32] Exactly.

[00:11:33] Out of the 71 laps.

[00:11:35] Uh-huh.

[00:11:35] To sort of, like, you know, get his car not at the right place and crack under pressure and...

[00:11:43] Whatever it is, right?

[00:11:44] So, he could have easily taken himself completely out.

[00:11:48] Lucky for him, he was able to hold on to it and sort of, like, keep his car there.

[00:11:52] Oh, man.

[00:11:53] Oh, dude.

[00:11:54] I've seen this online so much.

[00:11:56] All the Charles fanboys, like, have been praising him for, like, recovering his, like, you know, stunt.

[00:12:05] But the very fact that he himself put him in that position, you know.

[00:12:09] So, it's not, it's not like, yes, he has to recover from it.

[00:12:11] Yeah.

[00:12:12] Because you made a mistake.

[00:12:13] It's like the Avengers, dude.

[00:12:15] The Avengers sort of, like, get praised for saving the day.

[00:12:17] But if you remember every Avenger movie, the first half is where they fuck up.

[00:12:22] And then the second half is where they sort of play to undo the fuck up that they've done.

[00:12:28] Yeah.

[00:12:29] Yeah.

[00:12:29] Charles, I don't think he's...

[00:12:30] I agree.

[00:12:31] Yeah.

[00:12:31] And I don't know.

[00:12:33] Sorry, Jules.

[00:12:34] But, like, I don't know.

[00:12:35] Rest in peace.

[00:12:36] But, like, I don't know what magic he's done before he's left all of us.

[00:12:41] That, yeah, that secret deal that keeps Charles hanging on to Ferrari.

[00:12:46] What secret deal?

[00:12:47] I don't know.

[00:12:48] That's why it's secret.

[00:12:49] That's why it's secret.

[00:12:50] You didn't tell me.

[00:12:51] But they should have probably written science to Charles now.

[00:12:56] It is what it is.

[00:12:57] That's a hot take.

[00:12:58] Yeah.

[00:12:59] Yeah.

[00:13:00] Yeah.

[00:13:00] I definitely think science has got more fire in here.

[00:13:03] And I think, like, even from the perspective of driver number one and two, and I'm pretty

[00:13:08] sure they're going to have this issue next year.

[00:13:10] And, like, everybody's going to talk about it for sure.

[00:13:13] Charles and Hamilton are not going to fall in line.

[00:13:16] They are going to constantly, you know, lock horns on the track.

[00:13:21] And, yeah, it's going to be fun.

[00:13:23] Let's see.

[00:13:24] Yeah.

[00:13:24] Yeah.

[00:13:25] Well, now, kudos to Charles, too, because he got the job done at Monaco and Monza, right?

[00:13:32] So, yeah, sure, he's good.

[00:13:34] But I just think science is...

[00:13:36] Oh, USGP as well.

[00:13:37] That race was pretty dominant performance by Charles, I feel.

[00:13:41] I think that was his best race, according to me, this season.

[00:13:46] Anyways.

[00:13:46] Oh, by the way, Ferrari is now closing in on McLaren, right?

[00:13:50] In the championship.

[00:13:52] With this race specifically.

[00:13:54] And last as well.

[00:13:55] Like, one, two.

[00:13:57] What's the difference now?

[00:13:58] Well, they're already P1, P2, right?

[00:14:01] So, WDC1 and WCC3 has been achieved.

[00:14:07] Yes.

[00:14:07] Right.

[00:14:08] And now, who actually takes the crown jewel?

[00:14:12] Yeah, I don't know.

[00:14:13] I don't know.

[00:14:14] Let's see.

[00:14:15] So, Ferrari is 537 and McLaren is 566.

[00:14:20] So...

[00:14:20] 29 points.

[00:14:21] Wow, 29 points, not much.

[00:14:23] Yeah, four races to go, this is anybody's game.

[00:14:26] Yeah, interesting.

[00:14:27] And what's happening with PS3, man?

[00:14:30] What happened for qualification?

[00:14:32] Why did he...

[00:14:33] Yeah, I don't know.

[00:14:33] I don't know.

[00:14:34] Maybe, did he take any grid place penalty or...

[00:14:37] No, I don't think so.

[00:14:38] Just, yeah, just got knocked out in Q1.

[00:14:42] Pretty odd.

[00:14:44] He tried to fight his place up as well, but...

[00:14:48] What...

[00:14:48] Where did he end?

[00:14:50] P...

[00:14:50] No.

[00:14:52] 8.

[00:14:52] Oh, P8.

[00:14:53] Right.

[00:14:54] Okay.

[00:14:55] Sandwiched by the Haases.

[00:14:58] Oh, wow.

[00:14:58] On that note, Haas.

[00:15:00] Double points, man.

[00:15:01] What the fuck?

[00:15:01] What's going on with Haas suddenly?

[00:15:03] Yeah, speaking about that other Ferrari engine, right?

[00:15:05] Oh, yeah.

[00:15:07] Who's their new tech engineer or tech director that joined in this year, man?

[00:15:12] Yeah, yeah.

[00:15:12] Kudos to him, dude.

[00:15:14] Like, he's really turned the team around.

[00:15:16] I feel the fuck machine sitting somewhere at home sort of thinking...

[00:15:20] Yeah.

[00:15:21] Podcasting.

[00:15:21] Yeah, podcasting and thinking...

[00:15:23] Yeah, I could have done this maybe.

[00:15:25] I don't know.

[00:15:26] Is he really better when he is?

[00:15:27] I don't think he...

[00:15:28] Also, I think the interesting thing with Haas is...

[00:15:32] Toyota becoming a partner kind of with them.

[00:15:34] And I think they are going to have a long-term technological partnership as well.

[00:15:39] That's what I've heard.

[00:15:40] Basically, the Toyota Gazoo Racing team...

[00:15:44] Like, they're...

[00:15:45] Yeah.

[00:15:46] Let's see.

[00:15:46] Pretty much dominant performance in WRC.

[00:15:52] No, not WRC.

[00:15:53] WEC.

[00:15:53] My bad.

[00:15:54] But, yeah.

[00:15:55] Yeah, I mean...

[00:15:56] See, again, here's the thing, right?

[00:15:58] Like, they are P6 in CC.

[00:16:02] And 40 points behind Aston Martin.

[00:16:05] And they have, like, 300 employees, dude.

[00:16:07] That team has...

[00:16:08] They're a very, very lean team.

[00:16:11] And, like, what they're pumping out is way beyond their weight class.

[00:16:16] Exactly.

[00:16:17] So, yeah.

[00:16:19] From bottom of the table a few seasons back to, like, P6 up.

[00:16:24] Four races, 40 points.

[00:16:25] I don't think that's going to happen.

[00:16:27] Aston Martin.

[00:16:28] But, yeah.

[00:16:29] Yeah.

[00:16:30] That's good.

[00:16:31] But, speaking of underdogs and teams that have come back, like, rookies were...

[00:16:36] Rookies were trying to make a point, man, this weekend as well.

[00:16:40] Yeah.

[00:16:41] Totally, God.

[00:16:42] What was going on?

[00:16:44] Liam Lawson is just like a wild beast released into, you know, civilization or something.

[00:16:51] He's making...

[00:16:52] What...

[00:16:53] Does he have anything against Spanish drivers?

[00:16:55] Like, last race it was Alonso.

[00:16:58] This race, he was flipping off Paris.

[00:17:02] I mean, that anybody would have done.

[00:17:03] So, that's fine.

[00:17:05] But...

[00:17:07] But doing it in Mexico?

[00:17:08] Yeah.

[00:17:09] Like, that's some balls.

[00:17:10] That's some balls.

[00:17:11] Yeah.

[00:17:11] Yeah.

[00:17:13] Because, uh...

[00:17:14] Because, uh...

[00:17:14] I saw this, uh...

[00:17:15] I saw this other meme after that is that he's gonna need the entire New Zealander army to...

[00:17:22] safely get out of Mexico.

[00:17:26] Uh...

[00:17:26] Today?

[00:17:27] Seriously.

[00:17:28] I mean, hot-headed guy trying to prove a point.

[00:17:30] And if you notice, right, like, all through the race, Perez and Lawson were sort of, like, on radio trying to bitch about each other so that...

[00:17:38] They prove a point, like, they are better than the other driver so that they get that second RBR seat.

[00:17:44] Because, yeah, it can go to either one of them at this point.

[00:17:47] While Lawson is good, I think it's just that young, hot-blood energy...

[00:17:53] Yeah.

[00:17:53] Uh...

[00:17:54] That's coming out.

[00:17:55] Because, clearly, the flipping finger was the same, right?

[00:18:00] Because he says in his...

[00:18:02] He's come out with his defense.

[00:18:04] Yeah.

[00:18:04] He says he's done that because him and Perez fought for the position, uh...

[00:18:12] Before Lawson pitted.

[00:18:13] And that, unfortunately, ended for Perez having some damage on his side part.

[00:18:18] Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

[00:18:19] Yeah, right, right.

[00:18:20] Um...

[00:18:21] And then, when the second time around, Perez sort of, like, fought him for half a lap before the straight when he clearly overtook.

[00:18:30] And he says that Perez sort of, like, messed up his race for that half lap.

[00:18:37] And I'm like, dude, chill.

[00:18:39] Yeah, exactly.

[00:18:41] And I think this is exactly what...

[00:18:43] Yeah, what Perez did as well.

[00:18:45] Marco and everyone, like, behind closed doors would have told him to.

[00:18:49] I was like, dude, chill.

[00:18:53] It's okay.

[00:18:54] It's just a second race.

[00:18:55] It's fine.

[00:18:56] Cool.

[00:18:57] Yeah.

[00:18:58] And where were you gonna go and take that V car?

[00:19:02] Yeah.

[00:19:03] In those...

[00:19:04] Yeah, man.

[00:19:05] If you had, like, 20-25 laps to go and something, like, maybe I would have still sided with him.

[00:19:12] But...

[00:19:13] Yeah.

[00:19:14] This wasn't happening.

[00:19:16] Yeah, I don't know.

[00:19:17] Like, it's fine.

[00:19:18] Like, whatever.

[00:19:18] I understand his...

[00:19:20] Like, in a perspective, like, he's probably thinking he's the, you know, hot new shit kind of a thing.

[00:19:25] And he's trying to, like, prove a point or whatever.

[00:19:30] But, yeah, man.

[00:19:31] It's...

[00:19:31] He's not.

[00:19:32] Whatever.

[00:19:33] He's not.

[00:19:33] The true hidden gem and the real hot shit is Kolapinto.

[00:19:38] I need to have a seat next time.

[00:19:40] Oh, yeah.

[00:19:40] Definitely.

[00:19:41] Yeah.

[00:19:41] Yeah.

[00:19:42] Right.

[00:19:43] But imagine, man.

[00:19:45] Like, what would happen if Max and Liam become teammates?

[00:19:49] What will go down there?

[00:19:51] It'll be, like, a nuclear team, I think.

[00:19:53] Yeah.

[00:19:54] Yeah.

[00:19:54] I mean, two new rivals in geopolitical land, I guess.

[00:20:00] New Zealand and Netherlands.

[00:20:02] Both hot-headed.

[00:20:04] And, like, yeah.

[00:20:05] It would be fun to watch.

[00:20:07] Yeah.

[00:20:07] Yeah.

[00:20:08] Obviously, entertainment for us.

[00:20:09] Entertainment.

[00:20:10] Exactly.

[00:20:11] But the racing is going to go for a toss.

[00:20:15] By the way, while we were talking about people bending rules, you know, by, like, Max

[00:20:21] setting the example, basically, of how to bend rules and other people bending.

[00:20:24] I think Liam totally was kind of reading from that book.

[00:20:28] And so was Perez as well, right?

[00:20:30] Like, both when they were, like, both the overtake attempts that they tried on each other,

[00:20:34] kind of, and even on Kolapinto that, like, Liam did a little, which was kind of from that book.

[00:20:42] But, yeah.

[00:20:43] Fine, I guess.

[00:20:44] Yeah.

[00:20:44] Yeah.

[00:20:45] Not that blatant as Max.

[00:20:47] Yeah.

[00:20:47] Not that blatant.

[00:20:48] Exactly.

[00:20:49] Yeah.

[00:20:49] But somewhere.

[00:20:51] But that's the thing, right?

[00:20:52] Like, now that precedence has been set.

[00:20:55] The Pandora's box has been opened.

[00:20:57] Exactly.

[00:20:58] Exactly.

[00:20:59] No, but coming back to Kolapinto, right?

[00:21:01] Like, he drove 40 laps on those tires.

[00:21:06] Yeah.

[00:21:07] And at some point was, again, fighting someone.

[00:21:09] I think Piastri, who was only 10, like, a 30 lap tire delta is what he was fighting Piastri

[00:21:18] on and kept that position for a good few turns before Piastri overtook.

[00:21:24] So, yeah.

[00:21:26] I don't know.

[00:21:26] That fight between Kolapinto and Lawson as well was really nice.

[00:21:32] I think Kolapinto got penalty.

[00:21:37] Yeah.

[00:21:38] 10 seconds, man.

[00:21:39] I feel it's insane.

[00:21:41] Like, I mean, okay.

[00:21:42] 10 seconds is still fine.

[00:21:44] But two penalty points?

[00:21:45] Like, what?

[00:21:46] Like, really?

[00:21:47] Like, for what, dude?

[00:21:48] Like, it was not dangerous.

[00:21:50] He didn't do anything dangerous.

[00:21:51] Like, that doesn't make sense to me.

[00:21:53] Like, especially when he was, like, way too ahead between the two, right?

[00:21:58] And, yeah, that one's a bit too harsh.

[00:22:01] I think they just saw Blue, thought it was Max, and maybe...

[00:22:06] One more penalty.

[00:22:07] One more penalty.

[00:22:08] And take two penalty points.

[00:22:10] Go.

[00:22:11] Yeah.

[00:22:12] But, yeah.

[00:22:14] Otherwise, he knows he's not going to be here for at least the next year on the grid.

[00:22:19] But maybe hopes that, you know, he'll be back.

[00:22:22] But, no, I'm kind of glad at least that this season, like, two new rookies came in, you know, for whatever reason.

[00:22:29] Like, people actually did fire people who were not performing.

[00:22:34] And, like, I think for the last couple of seasons, we have been seeing, like, Stroll.

[00:22:43] And the drivers like him, you know, just taking up a seat.

[00:22:48] Oh, Perez.

[00:22:52] So, at least these guys got the chance, right?

[00:22:55] And they are, like, clearly proving themselves.

[00:22:56] So, maybe they might get some opportunity later on.

[00:23:00] Like, hopefully, Kola Pinto.

[00:23:02] Even the Red Bull seat, maybe.

[00:23:03] Who knows?

[00:23:05] Oh, on that note, by the way.

[00:23:06] Did you notice, even Sainz was pissed at Lawson a lot?

[00:23:10] Because I think he was not letting him go, like, when he was getting blue flagged, while he was lapping him.

[00:23:15] There's this video of Sainz shouting on the radio, Lawson!

[00:23:20] And that totally reminded me of Jeremy Clarkson shouting out Hammond.

[00:23:27] Some other mentions, Alonzo was at his 400th race.

[00:23:31] This guy, at some point, I think he's gonna need crutches to get into and out of the car, but he's still gonna keep racing.

[00:23:38] And what's interesting is...

[00:23:39] Wheelchair accessible F1 car.

[00:23:40] Yeah.

[00:23:42] Hey, the sport's inclusive, right?

[00:23:44] That's what they keep saying.

[00:23:45] So, inclusive in all sense.

[00:23:49] What's interesting is, his 200th race, his 300th race, and now his 400th race, he's DNF'd all of them.

[00:23:57] I think he's doing it purposely now.

[00:23:59] Now it's become a thing.

[00:24:01] His 500th race, I think he's gonna do that again.

[00:24:07] Yeah, a few other mentions.

[00:24:10] By the way, why was the wheel rolling on the track?

[00:24:13] All on its own.

[00:24:16] The crash, man.

[00:24:17] The lap one crash between Sunoda.

[00:24:21] Apparently, there's a video of someone carrying a wheel around.

[00:24:25] I don't know if that's really his wheel, but someone actually took, nicked off Sunoda's wheel and went home.

[00:24:33] Yeah.

[00:24:34] I saw that video that they were like walking in the subway station with the wheel.

[00:24:37] Yeah.

[00:24:38] Sorry, the tire, not the wheel, but yeah.

[00:24:40] The tire, yeah.

[00:24:42] Yeah, I don't know, man.

[00:24:43] I think so.

[00:24:45] What was it?

[00:24:48] Gasly, Albon and Sunoda going parallel into that turn.

[00:24:53] Oh, no.

[00:24:53] It was Okon, I think, not Gasly.

[00:24:55] Was it Okon?

[00:24:56] Yeah.

[00:24:56] For some reason.

[00:24:57] I think the commentators also initially said Gasly, but then they realized it was Okon.

[00:25:02] So, then it makes sense.

[00:25:04] And then Okon just sort of probably didn't see Sunoda out there.

[00:25:08] I don't blame him.

[00:25:09] He was probably just trying to not have Albon overtake Albon.

[00:25:14] Wrong place, wrong time.

[00:25:16] Unfortunately, yet again.

[00:25:19] Yeah, racing incident, man.

[00:25:21] I think.

[00:25:22] Racing incident.

[00:25:22] Yeah, racing incident, I think.

[00:25:24] Yeah.

[00:25:24] Clearly.

[00:25:26] But just like it was too funny to see like one tire just, you know, pre-rolling across the field.

[00:25:31] And it didn't hit anybody.

[00:25:32] That was like so perfect.

[00:25:35] Yeah.

[00:25:35] I want to mention this when we were speaking about Haas.

[00:25:38] Now, I don't know how true this is, but someone on Reddit sort of said this, that Max Verstappen was slower on the hard tire than K-Mag in a Haas.

[00:25:47] And by 0.091 seconds, but as the average speed that is for 40 odd laps.

[00:25:56] But that's interesting, man.

[00:25:58] A Haas average speed higher than a Max.

[00:26:03] I think on purpose for sure.

[00:26:06] Yeah, definitely.

[00:26:07] But more or less, I guess they must be like, you know, trying to save the engine.

[00:26:13] Why waste it if they know they can't catch up with Mercedes?

[00:26:16] Something like that.

[00:26:16] That's fair.

[00:26:17] Yeah, I think they would have tuned it down and just sort of like known that we're going to do it.

[00:26:22] I got to say this.

[00:26:23] For folks who've listened to us over the last at least few episodes, you know, we've called this the second out of the season a blue ball zone.

[00:26:33] So the blue ball zone for me for this race was the fight between the Mercedes.

[00:26:40] At least for this one, you were able to edge a few times and then have that release.

[00:26:45] But I was prepared for it never happening as well.

[00:26:51] Never happening?

[00:26:52] Yeah.

[00:26:53] Oh, man.

[00:26:54] But it was sad, man.

[00:26:55] I felt sad watching Hamilton struggle to like overtake his teammate.

[00:27:00] Like it was...

[00:27:02] I don't think I've ever seen that before.

[00:27:05] And the other thing is right, like in my head, I have sort of now placed Russell as Ricardo Part 2.

[00:27:15] Yeah.

[00:27:16] Unless like sort of I see that power in the car and Russ again come back to that old William days.

[00:27:23] Yeah.

[00:27:24] Is he...

[00:27:25] Is that Mojo lost?

[00:27:27] I don't know.

[00:27:28] I don't know.

[00:27:28] Yeah, I don't know.

[00:27:29] I agree.

[00:27:29] He never like...

[00:27:31] He was the shit, right?

[00:27:33] When he was in Williams.

[00:27:34] And then he just fizzled out, I feel like as soon as he went into Mercedes.

[00:27:39] I mean, the cars also fizzled out with him.

[00:27:42] That's true.

[00:27:43] Yeah.

[00:27:43] Wrong place at the wrong time sort of thing.

[00:27:46] Wrong place, wrong time.

[00:27:47] Yeah.

[00:27:48] Botas got the glory days of Mercedes.

[00:27:51] Like that's...

[00:27:52] He did say this weekend that he'd be glad to hear back from Mercedes if they wanted.

[00:27:59] Why wouldn't he?

[00:28:02] So just a sentence on that, right?

[00:28:04] Like both of them were able to climb up a few positions into the race.

[00:28:11] And post that, I think the green vomit is just a sitting duck anytime someone tried to overtake them.

[00:28:17] But the irony of the whole situation is the fact that their DRS wing, if you look from the back, right?

[00:28:24] If the car's going and if you see their DRS wing, it says unleashed.

[00:28:28] That's so ironic.

[00:28:30] A car that has no power and is sitting last on the green.

[00:28:34] Unleashed for what?

[00:28:38] Oh, by the way, Botas is still 23rd in a 20 try.

[00:28:43] Which I can't say.

[00:28:44] Anytime a new rookie comes in, Botas gets nicked off.

[00:28:48] Demoted.

[00:28:50] Oh, boy.

[00:28:51] Just so sad, man.

[00:28:53] Fuck.

[00:28:54] 23rd.

[00:28:55] I was...

[00:28:56] I saw that he...

[00:28:57] He came in 14th, right?

[00:29:00] I think this race, which was pretty decent for him.

[00:29:03] Like for Kick, Sauber, whatever that is.

[00:29:06] That team name.

[00:29:08] But wait.

[00:29:09] Why isn't he ahead of Logan Sargent?

[00:29:11] Did Logan Sargent come in higher than 14?

[00:29:14] That means?

[00:29:15] At some point?

[00:29:16] Has to be.

[00:29:17] Oh, yeah.

[00:29:18] That's right.

[00:29:19] He was 14th, but he was 14th first.

[00:29:21] That's why he's ahead of Botas.

[00:29:23] Oh, damn.

[00:29:24] And this was probably the only possibility for Botas to come as high as 14th.

[00:29:32] So, probably he's going to finish the season and 23rd position.

[00:29:38] I have a recommendation for FIA, which is the same way we get to vote for a driver of the day.

[00:29:50] I think there should be the vote for a worse driver of the day as well.

[00:29:54] Sucker of the day?

[00:29:55] Sucker of the day.

[00:29:56] Sword.

[00:29:57] Yeah.

[00:29:58] That would be fun.

[00:29:59] Yeah.

[00:30:01] Man, I don't want to see Botas' name published every day.

[00:30:05] So, I think just...

[00:30:07] I think let's...

[00:30:09] Nobody's going to notice him, dude.

[00:30:12] Nobody's going to be there.

[00:30:13] They'll forget he's there.

[00:30:15] How many times do you even notice the green car on the track?

[00:30:19] First of all, they get like the minimal amount of...

[00:30:22] Yeah.

[00:30:23] Even lesser than like somebody who's ahead.

[00:30:26] Right?

[00:30:27] So...

[00:30:27] You know what?

[00:30:28] There's one thing that like we have to talk about before we close out.

[00:30:33] Okay?

[00:30:33] It's the two different type of radio messages that went by for fastest lap for Leclerc and Perez.

[00:30:41] What the fuck was that?

[00:30:44] One message is like box, box for say fastest lap.

[00:30:47] You know, that's for Leclerc.

[00:30:48] And then box, box for fastest lap attempt.

[00:30:51] That's for Perez.

[00:30:53] Yeah.

[00:30:54] I mean, the team knows their drivers, right?

[00:30:56] Right.

[00:30:56] So...

[00:30:56] Right.

[00:30:57] Exactly.

[00:30:58] We'll do our thing.

[00:31:00] You see.

[00:31:04] Yeah.

[00:31:05] Box, box for fastest lap was their part and the attempt was Perez.

[00:31:10] Perez part.

[00:31:13] What's next?

[00:31:14] Brazil?

[00:31:15] Right?

[00:31:15] Yeah.

[00:31:16] It's Brazil.

[00:31:17] So, it's going to be again the nonsensical sprint weekend, I think.

[00:31:21] Ah, yeah.

[00:31:21] Yeah.

[00:31:23] Historically, it has always been a very dominant track for Hamilton.

[00:31:29] Yeah.

[00:31:29] But, considering his current form and Mercedes' current form, I don't think...

[00:31:36] He's got an honorary citizenship and like the highest civilian award or something.

[00:31:42] Oh, really?

[00:31:43] Oh, yeah.

[00:31:43] Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[00:31:43] Last year or sometime, right?

[00:31:45] Yeah.

[00:31:45] Before that.

[00:31:46] And, I don't know, has Massa dropped the civil suit against him or is that still going on?

[00:31:53] What?

[00:31:54] Yeah, Massa sued Hamilton for taking away the championship for whatever happened in Brazil.

[00:32:01] Oh, I see.

[00:32:02] It's all going on.

[00:32:05] All right, folks.

[00:32:07] If you're still here, thank you for listening to us.

[00:32:10] Race after race, you show up and that means a lot.

[00:32:14] If you like what you listen to, share this with your friends, family, whoever needs a good laugh.

[00:32:20] Rate us on the platform that you're listening to this on.

[00:32:24] And until the next race, these are your hosts, signing off.

[00:32:27] Bye-bye.