Are McLaren the FASTEST F1 team in 2024? 🏎⚡ | Sky Sports F1 Podcast

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Natalie Pinkham and Harry Benjamin join Matt Baker for this week’s Sky Sports F1 podcast, to recap the Spanish Grand Prix and look ahead to a Sprint weekend in Austria.

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hello everyone a very warm welcome to this week’s episode of The Skys Sports F1 podcast I hope you’re doing very well uh joining me for this one we’ve got our very own Natalie Pinkham alongside taking the mic once again this week uh Harry Benjamin he does a little exhale uh but all good Harry you’re looking forward to it yeah no I am I’ve been invited back so uh so that’s that’s exciting yeah they’ve let me come back for another go at it um yeah no I’m really looking forward to it I’ll be uh I’ve never been to Austria I have to confess never been to the Red Bull Ring so I’m really excited everyone says that the facilities and the track is just amazing so uh I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and it’s a Sprint weekend as well so it’s going to be absolute Carnage from day one yeah you get two opportunities to commentate on a race which must be quite fun yeah uh Natt how are you I I I asked you before if you were doing uh ostria because normally you might be found at worthy farm at glastenbury which is this week it’s a good point it’s a good point I’m missing glastenbury um but I got to see Taylor Swift so you can’t have it all oh that’s a pretty good repl I I’m don’t think I’m going to get a chance to see it was it good oh it was phenomenal it was another level it was just astonishing quite emotional I mean I went in with not low expectations but I didn’t I didn’t expect to be as blown away as I was I think just just seeing the pure joy the universal love in that stadium was just oh and actually most of it coming from my daughter yeah very did she sing Love Story that’s the question does she still do that one she still does that yeah oh she hasn’t forgotten forgotten the country routes good good oh absolutely yeah I’ve watched one on Disney plus uh which is very good I I’ve watched the whole two hours whatever have you actually two hours you don’t even have an eight-year-old to blame it on you just do it for the pure love of Tay Tay uh yes and also bit of a staging geek like the the visuals and the audio and the lighting very cool yeah yeah so anyways all right uh enough of Taylor Swift uh she seems Never Enough of Taylor Swift dominating all the news agendas at the moment um let’s talk about Formula 1 um let’s kick off with what I’ve learned before we get into the meat of the podcast what have you learned Harry in the last week in in Formula 1 oh what have I learned always a lot in Formula 1 I think I think probably what I’ve learned is sort of you know put put formula one down at your peril I think I was the start of this year I was probably on I was probably a bit on the Doom and Gloom side thinking it was going to be a Red Bull Max for STA and walkover and while I’m always take your hat off what they do is incredible you want a fight don’t you you want to see the battles throughout the field and I just thought a we we’re going to be in for a long season the longest ever that’s going to be made even longer but actually I think while the stappen May well probably still go on to win the driver’s title I think the constructors is up for grabs I think think we’re going to see Lando Norris get a couple more race wins this season I think we got a battle on our hands and I and I’m so excited yeah what a way to tea up uh the rest of the podcast and indeed the rest of the season Natt what about you what have you learned I learned a couple of key things uh one that I feel like the this new generation of driver is taking more ownership and responsibility for their actions which you know can’t be said of all young people quite frankly it feels different it feels as if there the moment I’m thinking Lando with his start uh and I’m you know going back to to George Russell even leis Hamilton you know saying actually it’s on me I’m not sure I totally agree with it it’s endearing and um I I think it’s very respectful but sometimes you need to carve your own narrative as well and and Define uh the way that people perceive you and if you’re going and saying I had a terrible start then even if you didn’t watch the race you might go oh well Lando had a terrible start cuz he told us so but anyway that’s a a sort of a Part B to the part A and the second thing I learned which I don’t think is anything new is that it isn’t all about the car because Lando did in fact have the fastest car and yet Max for stappen for me was the driver of the day so if you were looking at the results and saying oh there you go again fastest car how boring boring boring boring Max won it again no it was more than than that and I think we are seeing the very best of Max for stappen in 2024 yeah that tees up our our next conversation brilliantly actually because I want to get into a few of those those points that you’ve made about yeah certainly with regards to the the influence of the driver now because because the the field is so tight and and that battle between Norris and vapen is so close so yeah it’s now coming down to the Fine margins isn’t it between the drivers and just quickly what I learned is that Lewis Hamilton is uh obviously we know the greatest of all time in Formula 1 he’s now got 18 consecutive Seasons with a Podium finish in Formula 1 and that is just about an olle bman oh yeah just just just about it’s it’s a bit it’s a bit under an olle bman but but in terms of the age of olle and the and yeah just goes to show how long Lewis has been dominating and doing brilliant and amazing things in our Sports so yeah I thought that was a great startat right here we go so this this what’s gonna uh we’re gonna get into we’re gonna talk about that vapen and Norris battle we’re also going to look at what’s going on at Ferrari and perhaps those slightly Punchy words uh between between the two after the race uh look at what’s been going on at Mercedes because they’ve vastly improved over the last few races and also have a look ahead to Austria this weekend um but yeah I think the place to start is with Lando and and and with vapen and and just basically trying to answer the question which is kind of what I’ve put as the title of the podcast is who is quickest who is the quick car in 2024 uh Nat I’ll I’ll kick off with you if you were a young driver you let let’s say you’ve just entered Formula 1 right you’ve got the world at your feet okay and you know you’ve skipped Formula 3 you’ve gone straight into Formula 2 you’ve won the Formula 2 Championship you have got Andrea stellar and Christian Herer knocking at your door saying we have got a car for you next year even this year in the current status who would you pick which card do you think is quickest right now and will continue to be for the rest of the season well I think one thing that’s been great about 2024 is that that hasn’t been an easy question to answer from race weekend to race weekend and that’s what’s kept us on the edge of our seat the fact that we’ve had these four different poll Sitters of late and that’s thrilling and that’s brilliant for the sport and that’s brilliant um for the neutral in our sport in terms of the car I’m so encouraged by McLaren’s trajectory I mean it’s a last year where we saw everything changed it’s just been a year I mean that that kind of blows me away so if they can continue on that trajectory then you know where’s the limit I think I’d be very excited by that they’ve definitely got the buzz and the energy about them at the moment uh I suppose though with Red Bull they still won the race and I think it’s the complete package that you’re looking for isn’t it not just the fastest car you’re looking for great decisions under pressure you know I’m thinking about Lando’s Pit Stop last time out when he just didn’t come in in time um and and it’s about the experience of being at the sharp end and making those decisions Under Pressure that I think Red Bull does does so well so am I gonna give you an answer well look actually Natalie funny funny you say that because Harry is also looking for a seat in Formula 1 next year and and he’s got also both team principles knocking at his door but I didn’t win the championship that unfortunately he didn’t win the F Championship sorry about that but you ruthless racer that I am SC I mean yeah if if who would you pick Harry I think I would I would go for McLaren purely because I think Andreas Stella is team principal of the Year already I think he was team principal of the year last year I just think that man when you when you sit and talk to him he just has way with words he’s so technical but yet he makes you feel like he you you understand what he’s telling you he says it in a way that is so understandable and I think he gets the best out of Lando Norris and he’s also you know each year they’ve started I think behind where they’ve wanted to be in terms of performance and they’ve been open and honest about that nothing but transparent and yet the the rate at which the upgrades have transformed their performance this year and last year has been phenomenal it’s probably one of the best sort of advances that I’ve seen o with a team over the last few years so I I would pick McLaren I think I do agree with that I think McLaren did have the fastest car in in Spain particularly in the hands of Lando Norris I think if you average it out though I think Red Bull are still that car is still a little bit faster but compared to the first five races of the season to the last five races the margins are so tight I think at the start over one lap Pace the gap between Red Bull and McLaren was around about four and a half T of a second now it’s about half a tenth of a second and that’s why every single team uh decision makes such a difference as well as the driver Max V stappen makes the difference time and time again he has a couple of extra tents within himself that no matter what the car does he will go a couple of tents quicker but let’s not rule out the importance of the Red Bull play either a 1.9 second Pit Stop absolutely phenomenal to do that in the heat of a race when when you are being hunted down by Lando Norris and a quick McLaren but I would still go for McLaren I think personally from my driving perspective I would perform better there closer a home as well I mean Matt you’re assuming that this man can even fit in a Formula 1 car well yes that is the other that 6’5 what’s that 196 cmet or something it’s not happening I’m not very aerodynamically efficient yeah hopefully Harry at one point in in in your long career in Formula 1 you’re going to get the chance to go into a Formula 1 car someone’s going to have to make it happen I hope so I know Alpine do how they do that that 2012 car don’t they they they you’re allowed to have a few runarounds in that I’ve got my eye on that some stage didy see I’ve got the feet though as well that’s the issue I’ve got I’ve got I’ve got I wasn’t going to bring that up on the podcast again but uh but that mean you know the pedals that’s another nightmare for me I just want to pick up a one point that Harry made there about the upgrades with McLaren it’s not a given that upgrades work and it’s very interesting because you you only have to take VC carb into account this weekend they bring this whole raft of upgrades in and actually they seem to backwards so actually it’s not just about bringing upgrades it’s about bringing the right upgrades and knowing the car and knowing the direction that you need to go in and then having the confidence to plow ahead yeah and I mean there’s yeah countless examples of that just this season isn’t there but I’m I’m sure I mean we call them upgrades but you know it’s something of a missoma I suppose they just could be called changes yeah because they’re not necessarily upgrades are they sometimes they’re downgrades yeah modifications yeah so it’s got less of a ring to it hasn’t it but yes no you’re right absolutely very good point um I wonder uh as we get and you mentioned this actually now at the beginning with regards to um the sort of the fine margins now that we’re getting into these cars are so close together and and Lando made made this point he said one or two meters makes the difference between winning a race and not winning and that’s that’s in in relation to to the start that he made at the beginning of the Grand Prix overtaken by by by Max and also George Russell me he had a much tougher fight on his hands and obviously if he’d stayed in the lead so so now I just at this point it’s quite exciting isn’t it because it is it is feels like it’s just on the drivers it’s it’s yes it’s on the team and the and and the pit stops but but the drivers have got so much control and it is just that Split Second that’s that’s sort of Elite Sport isn’t it at its very best yeah I mean it’s what we want isn’t it I suppose you could just call them variables there are many variables and there are at least well look we know that the 20 guys up there are are the best in the world at what they do they’re exceptional talent and you know anyone who says otherwise is being very unfair they’ve had to work hard to get there you know nobody is there um through luck or chance you know I know easy accusations to be thrown around but ultimately you have to earn super license points and you have to um really cut the mustard to be in Formula 1 I honestly so compelling obviously we’ve had championships where there have been two drivers but right now I feel like one of eight could put it on poll and therefore potentially convert it into a race win I I don’t remember that in my sort of 12 13 year career in for Formula 1 being that open going into a race weekend I think it’s so it’s so easy isn’t it to to find problems with with Formula 1 these days and and to be a bit you know Doom and Gloom but actually you’re completely right the margins are so tight yeah you to take the two McLaren driers that P JK wasn’t quite as comfortable all weekend compared to his teammate Lando Norris but he still wasn’t far off in terms of actual tth of a second between you know the top 10 on the grid this is the closest form one has probably ever been in terms of the disparity and performance between the top team and the slowest team and so we are nitpicking but that is what formul 1 is all about isn’t it it is the it is the you know wanting Perfection every time but I think it’s great that we can even be in that position right now to nit mic to go next time out this weekend I I could not say confidently well okay for staing on pole for the win because actually while okay that might happen I still we still don’t really know things could change and that’s and that’s a brilliant position to be in it’s changed quickly as well we should point out hasn’t it from the start of 2022 yes where it was where you know even the start of this season was was as you said Harry at the beginning sort of bit of Doom and Gloom and and people worrying it was going to be a very one-sided fight it’s definitely not turned out that way um Nat what about Max fappen if if there’s any doubt that people have of of his ability not of his ability but if there’s a doubt that people have of well he’s just in the best car he’s just doing it week after week it’s it’s all very boring I think now that he’s being challenged and arguably he’s being challenged for the first time in a couple of years since 2021 week in week out being challenged and he’s able to get the most out of that car plus some more it’s really impressive isn’t it you can be under no doubt he’s he’s at the very very top of his game I mean what I actually find boring is the criticism of Max ven we are witnessing one of the greatest ever drivers in our Sport and that is an honor in itself and he is able to take the car into a race weekend and and deliver weekend week weekend in weekend out okay not necessarily putting it on poll but also a level of maturity to his driving that we didn’t necessarily see at the start of his career so looking at Monaco for example able to come away from that race weekend with a decent Hall of points and and really we’ said it so many times before you only have to look at the difference between him and his teammate as you do with every driver up and down the grid that is your direct comparison and yet again this weekend we have seen why Max Sten is genuinely one of the best of a generation let’s do the Lando side and I don’t know if you you’ve noticed a change in Lando’s sort of demeanor over the last few races I think I have and I think he’s he seems to have kind of gone into like Championship mode the the way he was after getting poll on on Saturday it wasn’t it was you know he was happy I think but it it wasn’t like you know let’s let’s have a big party it was a lot more like no let’s do this in the race tomorrow because it’s all about the race now he seems to have changed right a little bit I think he’s always had that kind of well all drivers have to have that inner Confidence from somewhere don’t they but you’re right I think he’s now realized the team he has around him the car he has for the first time in a long time he is able and capable to to take the challenge and to win arguably he could have won Spain arguably he could have won add in Canada I know Formula One is f full of would have should have Coulda and It ultimately didn’t happen but the fact is it could have happened and that is the first time regularly consistently could have happened for Lando Norris and mlar I think he knows that I think he’s actually being increasingly self-critical of himself over the last few races as well because he knows he can feel it is within a touching distance he’s had offers to go off to other teams within the last couple years he’s had the offer from Red Bull he he he didn’t take it he’s he’s made his bed and and he’s stuck with it and I think that’s given him power and confidence that he has right now and I think the next couple of races that we go to Austria this weekend he’s got pretty good form around there Silverstone leading the race last year he is on he’s on a a CR of a wave I think right now Lando Norr I think the summer is going to be very very good for him yeah and I I couldn’t agree with that more I think more than could he should and that’s the difference for Lando is he believes he should have won that’s why he’s kicking himself that’s why he is beating himself up about that start because he he should have notched up a couple more wins and they’ll come of of of that you know I think we’re all in agreement aren’t we um but that’s a marked shift in his attitude and that of the team is that they’re now coming into weekends where second isn’t good enough yeah we need to we need to go back to some interviews don’t we from last year and look at the change in Dem but the other thing you need to remember Matt is that all of these drivers have won a lot before they got into Formula 1 they’re used to winning they used to being a big fish in a in a small pond and ultimately they then come into F1 and only one can win and once you get a taste of that you want more and you realize there is no going backwards because that is ultimately the end of your career if you do so he he’s he’s tasted victory in Miami it’s a sweet a sweet taste that he wants to savor and let’s dish up some more of that please do we think and and we’ll come on to Mercedes a bit later but it seems a good time to ask this question could we get an all British Podium at silverston it’s happened before in the past but look we’ve got L Norris we’ve got George Russell we’ve got Lewis Hamilton who who have obviously had vast improvements recently there is a strong possibility admittedly without Max fappen playing a part in this but there is a strong possibility it could happen I I mean when you’ve got three British drivers in in the top four teams in Formula 1 at the moment there’s got to be a decent chance that all three could end up on the podium together at some stage I mean if it happens at the British Grand Prix then I think every one of us we got absolutely wild but it all depends on to a large degree Max was happen doesn’t it he at the moment as we’ve said he is Formula 1’s Benchmark he is the man that everybody has to get up to and match first of all and then overcome and beat he is operating such an incredibly high level that you know he is tough to beat and in formul one you need everything to work for you a driver can only do so much I think it’s brilliant that Mercedes have finally found a way forward it seems after so many false starts the the search for this North Star has been ongoing for quite a couple of years now and it does feel like they have finally found the way forward and I think that’s given confidence not only to George Russell but Lewis Hamilton again you can already see in Hamilton’s demeanor that he’s he’s you know he’s enjoying life again it seems he’s he’s looking forward to getting back in that car already so it’s not impossible I don’t you know ABS let’s all right let’s say yes it’s going to happen British Grand Prix top three top three or British drivers’s let’s it Harry that’s a perfect segue into talking about Mercedes form at the moment because yeah it’s it’s been it has changed and and it it’s definitely changed for the positive and and Natt you you must have done over the last couple of years a fair few interviews with Lewis and the pen where it is Doom and Gloom and it’s and and he he’s he’s downbeat and disheartened by by what’s going on not not where he is used to fighting but you look at him this weekend he’s got he’s got it seems reinvigorated he was smiling it was it was really good to see wasn’t it yeah it was great to see now I quite appreciate his honesty because there is no sugar coating it with Lewis in the pen if he’s in a bad mood that is it you can tell straight away when he comes in his shoulders are slumped he’s sort of slightly detached and and you can tell he’s in a bad mood and you could pretty much ask anything and he’s not going to give you Insight that you might want because he wants to tell you what he wants to say and that may be very limited now you can see a spring back in a step but again I really appreciated his honesty in owning it that he is not there anywhere near where he wants to be when it comes to qualifying and he knew that this weekend was crucial that he qualified well and that in turn translated to a much stronger race he’s still 82 to George Russell he wants to do something about that and look I’m not a racer neither of you are but uh I guarantee every single racer I’ve ever spoken to they think about quy the most because it’s just you versus them over a single lap you know that is out and out speed pure pace so if you can get that sorted out I’m sure more podiums will follow I mean it’s it’s kind of ironic because they’ll be part of him looking over at at the red garage and wondering if they’re going to get their issues sorted out by the time he joins them next year I mean that was so different to the start of the year we were saying go but just can’t wait to hang up his Mercedes RAC suit and get across to the scooteria but look that’s what the season’s doing and that’s why it’s so fascinating because it’s ebbing and flowing and we just can’t necessarily predict who will be strong at which track there must be a little part of him that goes oh this is interesting slight change in form um what did you make uh Harry of his a couple of overtakes that one on science and also the one on his teammate George Russell it was it was good to see Lewis on you know out andout Pace just overtaking other drivers it was good to see I thought it was you know actually one of the better Spanish Grand Prix over the last you know few years that we’ve had in terms of uh you know so it’s not a track known for Mega overtaking but we saw some some good moves and I think that just highlights those those overtakes how he’s got a little bit of that Mo Mojo bag he’s confident he’s happy to to put the car in a position where you know pre previously he might not have been so comfortable in doing so because the car was maybe feeling a bit Anonymous not sure where which way it was going to go so look when it comes to the qualifying Pace as well especially I think there was what 2 th000 of a second between George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix they’ve got one of the the the smallest uh margins between them as teammates when it comes to qualifying that will come for Lewis but Lewis that is I mean he an out out race I mean what Morris say to say he he when he’s got the car he can do magic things and I think they’re not yet they’re not there yet but they are going in the right direction I don’t think they’ve suddenly flicked a switch and they’re going to be up challenging Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton but I don’t think and maxen I don’t think it’s too far away let’s talk about the what’s going on at Ferrari because because that is interesting and and I I think what what happened this weekend in terms of between Carla science and charir so not not wanting to blow out proportion but but science passed lir on the fourth lap they brush Wheels lir said that the contact caused damage to his car science said lir complains too many times that was sort of the big headline that that was shared around uh Nat I mean what was your view on the actual instant itself said it was hard racing did you did you agree and and and and where do you see this kind of going herea I mean look I wholeheartedly agree with karon and that’s what we all want to see isn’t it hard racing I’m not surprised that this has happened I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner actually I think Carlos is incredibly good at keeping things under wraps and and not going public with criticism of his teammate you know you consider they’ve been together for Four Seasons now and actually they have moved along very smoothly together all things considered he’s probably got to a point now where he’s feeling a bit of pressure about where he goes next he’s he needs to sort of make a decision about his future um he’s he’s also driving incredibly well so he’s having to put himself in the shop window week in week out and he’s probably thinking well does it matter now if I criticize publicly I’m leaving anyway he’s looking out for number one is well he has to and that that’s perfectly reasonable he has to look after his own career the team has said he is Surplus to their requirements therefore he has to focus on what happens next for Carlos signs and I think they’re both great drivers they’re both great guys but it’s no great surprise to me um that this has happened as I say I’m only surprised that it didn’t happen sooner and actually I really respect for respect them for holding it back as long as they have yeah I agree I mean they’ve had a couple of close scrapes uh previously haven’t they where there’s been a little bit of just take it easy boys come on you’re both Ferrari drivers both teammates I was genuinely I was genuinely impressed with the way that Carlos signs seem to want charl to win Monaco didn’t he that’s the thing I think they they’re I think they’re one of the the best two to have as teammates because they they give each other everything they’ve got but they also know that they both drive for Ferrari and they’re willing to play the team game and they have been which is why I think this kind of marks I agree with you I think this marks a bit of a shift for Carlos SS I think if I was sign I’d be I’d be pretty grieved at my situation at the moment I’ve got to leave Ferrari and I’ve got the choice between two of the slowest teams on the grid last time out or maybe a left field approach recently from from Alpine but you know they’re hit and miss left right and Center so you’re you’re stepping away from a Ferrari and regular podiums the chances for win so I think that that is starting to build but Carlos signs is you know he’s such a his mindset is that of an engineer isn’t it he that’s why I think Engineers love having the car because he just stinks so clean and clinically and even during the Spanish Grand Prix there was a moment they split the strategies in the end and signs got almost drove off the road at one point coming down to turn one to let charl Clair through didn’t want to get in the way of his race but I think when the race is on signs wants to well the race win wasn’t on but I think when the position is there to have they’re going to race it out but they have this sort of Jackal and hide where they will also will each other on and I I that that’s why I think they’ve been quite good teammates that’s why I don’t think this is going to upset the apple cart too much going forward I just think SS is also feeling that that pressure suddenly in the back of his mind that you know the talk every weekend from us lot is going to be well where’s science going to go this week what’s latest and until he makes that decision um that’s going to keep building and building and Harry you said three key words there Spanish Grand Prix it’s his home race of course emotions are going to be running High adrenaline is going to be searing through his veins and he’s going to want to put on an exceptional performance in front of his home fans that could have been his last chance of getting a Podium at his home Grand Prix uh for you know the first time in what might be a long time as well so all of that factors in yeah I think that’s a really good point about it being his home race and I’m sure once we get to Austria as well it’s going to it will all be put under the carpet and it will you know be answering our questions in in in uh in the Thursday in the Thursday pen interviews and it will all be fine so uh yes let’s not stir the pot too much uh right just time I think to have a quick look ahead to Austria and Harry you mentioned it at the top it’s a Sprint weekend so I’m quite intrigued to get your thoughts on the Sprint format so far and how you’ve how you found it and OB just just remind people that it’s obviously a a Sprint shootout on the Friday afternoon before then we get the Sprint race on a Saturday morning before then qualifying as normal Saturday afternoon and then Sunday is the race as normal we’ve got two well this is the third of six we’ve got three more to come in Austin Brazil and katar so yeah what what have you made of it so far yeah we’re going to have a bit of a break after this one aren’t we from Sprints but um I tell you what I love the Sprints I was skeptical when we first started them but I I actually I quite like them I love the fact that we can get straight into the action it puts everybody on the back foot one practice session is not enough time for these drivers and teams to dial in properly and then immediately you’re asking them to go okay quick as you can uh qualify please for for the the Sprint race next day thank you very much I I love it I’m all for it I think it I think it’s um there’s more action it’s fast-paced and it leaves us asking more questions and wondering where is everybody at so I I I’m a big fan of them and I’ve enjoyed them so far I still think I think Martin says this a lot I I still think the the worst Sprint race is going to be better than free practice three so that I think that just sums it up perfectly really so I’m all for it and particularly around this track in Austria we’ve seen some good races there quite a short track as well one of the shortest on the calendar big elevation changes couple of high curbs as well that can uh not treat a car very well so I wonder how that might affect Red Bull particularly you know with their curb riding it’s not particularly uh solved as yet and then you have this middle section which is I always describe it as like a bob slle kind of part of the track you’re going downhill undulating it’s fast as well and before you know it you’re back round again so qualifying is actually going to be I think Carnage as usual because trying to find yourself space on track for a clean lap is going to be so hard we’re going to hear a lot of drivers on the radio complaining about where they are on track and equally for race day and qualifying as well track limits can’t wait to have that discussion again that’s going to be fun I think how there were a ridiculous amount of penalties last year for that so that’s going to be a fun one to keep a track of on the race control screen yes the shortest track in terms of time just 64 seconds to get around it and the fifth shortest in terms of length and you’re right Harry it’s so tight and Technical and track position is everything and I can’t imagine imag the stress on the pit wall about when you put your car out there uh for the optimum time to get that all important quality lap in um and yeah cut and paste everything you’ve just said in terms of the Sprint weekend it they do make them crazy busy for the drivers for the teams for us it is it is constant go which you know in itself is great because the adrenaline starts pumping early doors and doesn’t stop until you leave The Paddock on a Sunday night but it’s great and I I think secretly the drivers quite like it they quite like I remember being at a race where we only had one practice session was it was it Germany nurburg ring during Co and oh because of the rain or was it was it bad was that when hulkenberg came in last minute yeah and and B basically they all said well you know we all went into it in the unknown and actually that made for really exciting racing because it leveled the playing field somewhat because you went into it without you know a couple of hours of practice and that made all the difference I think there’s there is still a little bit of fine-tuning to be done in terms of the timings of things I think there’s there’s a little bit particularly for the track action I think there’s a bit of waiting around for for the fans and for those watching on the Telly in between sessions but I think there might be a little bit of fine tuning still to be done there but aside from that I’m I’m all for it so predictions if if we can uh after all that we’ve said in this podcast about it being so tight and so hard to say Max will win we’re all going to say well you in front in front of the orange the orange Army uh you know is going to be flares left right and center it’s going to you know G to give the home fans something to cheer about would you say Max’s favorite Maybe not maybe not predict the winner but Max’s favorite is that is that a fair he’s got an unbelievable record there but as Harry pointed out earlier in the Pod so Lando’s got a decent record there and I and I always think with these things you know when you return to a track that you’ve done well at something else kicks in and you eny enjy it you buzz off it it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy you go yeah I can do well here and then you do yeah I I think one of my uh best memories of Laris at this track was it a 2020 and uh during covid Lewis Hamilton was on for third had a 5-sec Time penalty though and you could just hear Lando almost being coached through the final few laps of where he needed to to give himself a bit more battery power where he needed to to hit the Apex cleaner to try and get within that 5 seconds and he did got on the podium so I think that that just highlights that Lando’s got a good record around here but Sten is the favorite I think you have to say that but I I think Norris has got a good shout of of being in the hunt for a race winner again but Matt what we have to point out is the weather because nestled in the strian Hills anything can happen and normally does so I’ve had a look at the forast and it’s predicting weird thunderstorms all weekend it’s glorious in the UK but not necessarily so in Austria the Red Bull Ring so anything could happen I mean we might suddenly get a downpour and then it dries out very quickly so that is really going to throw the cat among monst the pigeons really fun to broadcast in those conditions bring your R jacket look it’s yeah it’s going to be I I’m personally very excited for this weekend I think with the Sprint as well it’s going to it’s going to be very very interesting um and yes potentially another Lando and V or maybe someone is going to come you know maybe the Mercedes are also going to going to improve as well um so yes here are your timings for this weekend uh we’ve got F2 and death reaction as well uh so on Friday join us from 11:00 a.m. for practice one then we’re spr straight into Sprint qualifying from 3 pm. for a session start of 3:30 Saturday on air at 10:00 ahead of the Sprint race at 11: then building up to the main qualifying session from 2:00 Sunday catch all the buildup uh from 12:30 before a lights out at 2:00 so yes can’t remember any of that Matt can you run that by me again well yeah one more time you’ll be there now you’ll be fine you’ll know what’s happening when uh when when are you both are you both going tomorrow yeah I see yeah tomorrow cool pack everything raincoat shorts flip flops you name it um but yes lovely race very P very Scenic very picturesque is is Austria so yeah enjoy go Harry should I bring my hiking boots definitely it’s a lovely little hike up the hill okay no well I’ve heard it’s beautiful the place so I can’t wait to check it all out yeah and if you like EDM then you’ll hear a lot I’ve known for my being a fan of EDM so the campsites are very loud from yeah from first thing in the morning uh with with EDM uh such are the Dutch fans who who obviously love Max right thank you Harry thank you Nat have a great weekend out in Austria we’re going to be back next Tuesday to look back at the Austrian Grand Prix and to look ahead uh to the British Grand Prix as well with Jack Doan uh which is very exciting so hope you can join us for that we’ll see you then bye-bye