0:00
/
0:00
Reaction to Las Vegas GP qualifying
Reaction to Las Vegas GP qualifying
0:00
0:00
0:00
0:00
About this episode
Matt and Tommy dive into the chaotic and wet Las Vegas GP qualifying, highlighting the surprising lack of red flags despite tricky conditions. They discuss Lewis Hamilton's struggles with Ferrari, including communication issues and a poor qualifying result, marking his worst season yet. Lando Norris shines with pole position, showcasing his wet-weather skill and championship form, while Max Verstappen and George Russell remain threats. The hosts also analyze Alex Albon's crash, Aston Martin's risky tire strategy, and Ferrari's disappointing weekend. The episode ends with race predictions and reflections on driver performances and team dynamics.
Topics:
las vegas gp qualifying
wet weather conditions
lewis hamilton struggles
lando norris pole position
max verstappen race chances
alex albon crash
aston martin tire strategy
ferrari communication issues
driver performance analysis
race predictions
Cars:
Dodge Charger
Loads of rain made for one of the most enjoyable qualifying sessions of the year - even if we somehow avoided any red flags! We saw some amazing performances near the top of the grid, mirrored by some hugely disappointing ones from drivers knocked out in Q1...
Please vote for us in the Autosport Awards 2026! https://www.autosport.com/awards-voting/
You can listen to an extended version of every Race Review episode over on our Patreon! You'll also access to every P1 episode ad-free, early access to tickets & merch, and access to our Discord server where you can chat with us and other F1 fans! Click here to sign up now: http://patreon.com/mattp1tommy
Follow us on socials! You can find us on Twitter, Instagram, Twitch, YouTube and TikTok.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Filter:
|
Technical
Too Afraid to Ask
Car
Dodge Charger
"...e story of how you found it. Like this 1973 Dodge Charger on eBay that has been tucked away in an Arizona b..."
Select text to request an explanation
Knock, knock.
Oh, who's there?
A Boost Mobile expert, here to deliver and set up your all-new iPhone 17 Pro, designed to be
the most powerful iPhone ever.
You call that a knock, knock joke?
This isn't a joke.
Boost Mobile really sends experts to deliver and set up your phone at home or work.
Okay, it's just that when people say knock, knock, there's usually a joke to go with
it.
Like I said, this isn't a joke.
So the knock, knock was just you knocking.
Yeah, that's how doors work.
Get the new iPhone 17 Pro delivered and set up by an expert wherever you are.
Definitely available for select devices purchased at boostmobile.com, terms apply.
Big news, Boost Mobile is now sending experts nationwide to deliver and set up customers'
new phones at home or work.
Wait, we're going on tour?
Not a tour.
We're delivering and setting up customers' phones, so it's easier to upgrade.
Let's get in the tour bus and hit the road.
No, not a tour bus.
It's a regular car we use to deliver and set up customers' phones at home or
work.
Are you a groupie on this tour?
We deliver and set up phones.
It's not a tour.
Oh, you're definitely a groupie.
Introducing Storedador, switch and get a new device with expert setup and
delivery wherever you're at.
Delivery available for select devices purchased at boostmobile.com.
Hello, everybody, and welcome back to the P1 Podcast with Matt and Tommy.
Let's take a deep breath for a second, shall we?
Because please, I was not ready for that, you know, waking up and seeing
that it had been raining, but to the extent that it had rained as we headed
into Qualley was just, we were not ready.
We had no idea what was going to happen.
Of course, in Free Practice 3, they had a wet to dry session, so there was a little
bit of learnings there, but the expectation was only ever really Friday to have the
rain, and then Saturday, Sunday was supposed to be dry.
That all changed, and it gave us an unbelievably chaotic qualifying session, Tom Bellingham.
It did.
It was very, very chaotic.
It was one of those classic ones where the drivers are just circulating constantly,
and it's last day of the line is getting the best laps.
We literally saw wet tyres.
What world, what simulation are we living in that we've actually seen some wet tyres
this year that tells you everything about the grip level?
An emotional moment, an emotional moment to see those blue-walled tyres out there.
So proud.
Right.
Let's get into, first and foremost, a question.
Before we get into the Qs, the Q1s, the Q2s and the Q3s, and it's from one Pablo Sf1.
How the hell did we get six red flags in Baku and none here?
Well done to all the drivers.
I am utterly stunned.
We were in the watch along, and I was predicting at least 24 red flags.
I thought we were going to have a lot of stoppages, I thought it was going to
be the longest qualifying session of all time.
Are we being Q2 still?
Yeah, I genuinely did right now, maybe midway through Q1.
It was ridiculous that the conditions out there, such low grip around a track that
we've never seen rain before until this year, and they all pretty much kept it out of the
wall.
There was a lot of mistakes out there.
Don't get me wrong, there were a lot of yellow flags, and I am very surprised that
the Albon hit did not create a red flag, but we got none.
That is what will be down on paper, no red flags, and absolutely well done to
the drivers, because I was just waiting for that red flag icon to come up.
There were so many close moments.
It was out of that tricky corner where they were just getting fully sideways, and there
were so many moments in that session where we were watching, weren't we, and going,
oh, have they backed off?
No, they're just that slow, and then they'd actually do like a purple sector or a green
sector, even though it looked like they're going at like three miles an hour, just
because the conditions were so extreme that I can't believe we didn't have a
single red flag, and it even worked out for, not for Albon obviously, but in terms of
the red flags, that Albon hit the wall where he did, that he could just roll
into the pits and they could continue, but insane, what an insane session in
crazy conditions.
It really did remind me of like Turkey back in 2020, where they're just basically
like an ice skating rink.
That's what we like to see, is the drivers fully challenged to the extents of their
skills.
We need to see the world's fastest sport really, really slow.
No, it doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter if the car's a 5-10 second slow, we've spoken about it in
terms of, you know, if they can follow an overtake, it doesn't matter.
You know, it's actually more fun to see them slower and struggling.
Before we dive into everything qualifying related, just want to say as well,
if you missed the practice video or podcast yesterday, we have been nominated
for a Autosport Award for Creator of the Year, which is utterly insane.
To even have that award exist is crazy in my head.
And we've been nominated along with a lot of other amazing creators.
So if you would like to vote, obviously, if you want to vote for us,
then there will be a link at the top of the description where, you know,
if we're able to win this in January of next year, when they have the
award show, it will be definitely one of the highlights of us doing P1,
for sure, to be recognised by such an amazing organisation.
So, yeah, if you want to, the link is at the top of the episode description,
I'm sure, or the YouTube description as well.
Right, let's get into Q1, shall we, where the bottom five was Albon,
Antonelli, Bortoletto, Sonoda and Hamilton.
Let's just go straight into a question, shall we, because there's
a couple of big scalps out in the first part of QWALI.
P1 Patriot member, Lumixion, are we really witnessing the downfall of Hamilton?
We are witnessing, yes, one of the biggest struggles,
if not the biggest struggle of his entire career.
I can't remember Hamilton going through it this bad since maybe 2011
when he kept crashing into Massa every race and it looked like
he was having a really, you know, poor moment in his career.
And, you know, the rest of his career has been, you know, so strong,
he's got the most wins of all time.
You know, we don't expect it from Hamilton because he has been so good.
But there was a midpoint in the season where there was a lot of pressure
on Hamilton and people were saying that the season wasn't that good.
And he wasn't actually, you know, like a million miles
behind Charlotte Clair and the points.
And I thought maybe it's been overplayed because Hamilton has,
and I remember saying this on the podcast,
that because you expect so much from Hamilton, it seems even worse.
I can't say that now.
He's driving so poorly, you know, there are that there is a whole problem
with Ferrari and everything and the communication between both of them.
But there's two sides to this.
Yeah, Ferrari is not working well for Hamilton.
The communication is poor.
It sounded like he didn't even know that he could continue on his lap.
But you've got to think like, surely you're you're pushing and
continuing and and then, of course, the other side is why isn't the team telling him?
But, you know, he's run over a ballard again.
He's had a messy session.
And these are these are the conditions that Lewis Hamilton so many times
has thrived in and this should be like, you know, look at Silverstone.
It was one of his best races of the year in really tricky conditions.
But he's literally last, you know, the statistical goat
and he's qualifying 20th in those conditions.
It's insane. It's a sad to watch.
It is sad to watch and it's not good enough for Lewis Hamilton.
The stand is nowhere near.
You know, just having a look at the 2011 season that you mentioned, Tommy,
just to see what his kind of results were, if we're considering that as a bad season.
And it had six podiums and three victories.
That's what is seen as a bad season for Hamilton.
Of course, he got outscored by by Jensen Button in that season.
And now we're, of course, in in 2025, where he has not had a singular podium.
We've had Holkenberg have a podium, had our signs.
And yet Lewis Hamilton has not been able to to step on to the podium.
And this quality session, I good surprised him because I genuinely believed
that Ferrari would have a strong package and Hamilton finished second here last year.
I genuinely believe that if there's a track where everything will come together,
it will be this one, especially out of the last three that we have.
Like, surely Hamilton is not going to go an entire season without a podium.
I was just no way that the universe will just, you know, come together
and and something will be will be figured out.
And, you know, that Q1 session, the Bollard thing is utterly clumsy from Hamilton.
I don't care of people.
And I know that, you know, Sky Sports, they they they like to try
and find every excuse under the sun to clear Hamilton's name.
And and fair enough, Hamilton has unbelievable records
and he's a phenomenal driver.
But that was clumsy, the way that he just drove into the Bollard.
And then it looks as if the Bollard was then stuck in his car.
And no surprise, he had no grip after that.
But that's on him.
And then, of course, on top of that, he made the line, which you mentioned,
Tommy, but I'm utterly baffled as to why he's not carried on with his lap
for then the team to tell him after turn one or whatever that the sessions over.
He, of course, saw that it was red.
I don't know if he's maybe misjudged where the start line is.
It was very close.
I think from Farah's point of view, they have an obligation
if they hadn't already to tell Hamilton, it is marginal.
Like you are going to get over the line with maybe a second to spare.
The way he's acted going over the line tells me Farah is not told him that,
which is ridiculous because this is a wet improving session.
They need to know this.
And Hamilton was in a prime position to make it out of Q1,
the last driver over the line, but he had no grip.
Maybe that was Bollard related or whatever.
But I just can't believe I'm even talking about this.
I was actively rooting for him to do well, of course, because of the good
surprise and also because of the fact you don't want to see a season
like this for for Lewis, who has proved himself time and time again.
So are we witnessing the downfall?
We're witnessing. I think downfall is harsh.
He's come into a new team in the final year of a regulation set.
We get to next year.
Maybe that's when we talk a little bit more into whether Hamilton can
can pick himself back up.
But for this year, we are witnessing the worst season of Hamilton's career
hands down. No, no debate.
Yeah, 100 percent.
We need to see what what happens next year because we've said many times
that it's not been, you know, his best by any stretch.
You know, easily, I think his worst like regulation set.
Hamilton's been a driver that has done so well, kind of era to era.
And as the regulations have changed, but he's not gone well with these
ground effect cars, even when he was at Mercedes.
And this is just, you know, as worse as it's ever got.
OK, next question.
People on page remember Squidney, could this have been Albonne's
shining moment with the Williams pace looking promising?
For sure. Carlos Sainz qualified third.
I think Sainz was on another level today, and I don't want to take anything
away from Carlos because he was quick.
The entire quality session or the three parts of the quality session.
Albonne.
I don't want to be too harsh on him because, of course,
it was very tricky conditions, but also he was the only driver
out of the entire 20 to have such a massive crash, which cost him
being able to get out of Q1 and continue on in quality.
So it is a big mistake for Albonne because the Williams package
clearly was was pretty good in these conditions.
And Albonne, I think, would have made it out of Q1.
Had he not hit the wall and but these ifs, buts and maybes,
it certainly was an opportunity for Alex.
And Carlos is now in this sort of latter part of this season
really taking the entire limelight at that team.
Yeah, he really is.
I think Williams pays looking promising.
The Williams did look good.
I do I do think a lot of that performance was just Carlos Sainz
being brilliant. I think he's over delivered in that car.
You know, I don't think Williams had a car that could that should be in P3.
That being said, it is is going to be even more gutting for Albonne
to have that mistake and then see his teammate will weigh up the order
because he knows what what might have been.
And yeah, Albonne, to say like, could this have been Albonne's
shining moment? He's had an absolutely fantastic year.
He scored so many points.
He's already had many a shining moment this season
so he can still look at it as a great season.
But I'd say definitely a missed opportunity with what we've seen
from from Carlos Sainz and it's going to it's going to hurt that one.
You know, you seem very frustrated at the team that there's too much
talking going on, but it still is on him, isn't it?
Not to not to bin it in the wall, even if you have got someone on your in
your ear telling you too much information when you're trying to drive
in very difficult conditions.
Yeah, for sure.
You know, I think recency bias will show, you know, Carlos is
and that's kind of what I meant with my with my car.
Carlos, you know, he's had that podium and also the sprint podium
in the last five races, whereas Alex has only scored in the sprint
in Austin in the last five races.
And I think, yeah, Carlos is definitely building momentum.
But yeah, not to take anything away from Alex's season because
yeah, he's been phenomenal.
He scored one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, seven
in the first eight races.
He was scoring points, had a triple retirement after that,
which we won't talk about.
But he's had a he's had a really good, good season as Alex
and just needs to pick up a little bit in the last few
just to sort of balance the dynamic and the headlines
maybe coming out of the Williams team.
Q2.
Let's head into the middle part of qualifying where the bottom
five in this session were Holkenberg, Stroll, Ocon,
Bearman and Colopinto.
Question.
And this is not something I think we've ever asked ourselves
at least not for the last however many years.
And it comes in from P1 Patriot member, Frankie.
How high could Stroll have qualified?
Well, I think he could have absolutely been in Q3
very easily.
And I think him going for Intas was an absolutely
insane risk.
Why they decided, I don't know, we've not heard yet
if it was the team call, his call, I don't believe
as of yet, but why you're doing that in a session
where I get it, I get it for a Colopinto,
maybe even the Hasses or something
that need to risk something to get through.
Aston were looking good, that's a condition
that Aston liked.
So just stick to the same tires that everyone else
has got and you have the performance.
He was matching Alonso.
At the start of the session, he was obviously looking
very strong, they were first on the wet tires.
And I don't know if it was just Lance maybe
or the team trying to do something heroic,
but it just wasn't needed.
It was far too risky to do it.
We saw of course later on,
and I think a little bit more time in that session,
maybe another lap or two.
He is probably even going straight to the top of the times,
but it doesn't matter because the whole time's a reset
going into the next thing.
All that matters is you get through
and that was just such an unnecessary risk
when the performance was looking so good anyway.
It just didn't need to do it.
I would have respected the call had it been Q3,
roll of the dice, try and get pole position or something.
But this was Q2, Aston Martin were flying.
I genuinely believe Lance could have outqualified Fernando
today and we will never know because it was,
as you said, Tommy, a risk that was not worth taking.
Alonzo made it through to Q3
and I think he would have as well.
Like I genuinely believe that Aston were one
of the quicker car packages because they're able
to generate the heat in the tires better
than other teams, but then ultimately
that makes them pretty poor in dry condition races
when their tires are overheating.
So this was perfect conditions for Aston Martin
and of course it's the benefit of hindsight,
but we also, I mean, to be fair on the watch line,
I believe Tommy, you were like,
Lance Charles is going to go fastest now, watch this.
Well, it was like we were watching
Turkey 2020 where he got his pole position.
But it was Q2.
And the thing was as well,
I believe Lance got two flying laps rather than three,
which I think he was initially promised by the team.
That's what at least the broadcast said.
So perhaps the run plan strategy was not quite on
because I saw in the end of that session,
Lance was beginning to pick up pace.
But the problem was he lost so much time
in that first sector that it was too much
to try and gain in the rest of the lap.
So had he got that final lap in,
maybe last over the line,
I think it could have paid off,
but sadly they look silly for doing it.
But even paid off, like what's the point?
Like paid off by getting through,
he was getting through anyway.
It's crazy.
Yeah, it was a misjudgment of the conditions clearly.
And they were the only team and driver to attempt it in Q2.
Not really much else,
apart from just pure sliding going on in Q2.
Colour Pinto with the most insane save of the season so far.
I can't even remember in Q1 or Q2
when Charles Leclerc literally had his car turn off
because he had the biggest save of all time,
one or the other,
but we'll cover it either or because it's very early.
But Charles Leclerc, only him,
only him could turn on the car back again
and get going after a save.
What a driver.
What a driver, P9.
What a guy.
Shut up.
Why did I even say that?
Why did I even bring him up?
I should have just not said anything.
But yeah, I also saw as well some random FIA
stewards investigations going on.
Antonelli didn't submit his setups before the race
or setup, but I don't even know what setup that is.
But he didn't submit that to the FIA
or the team didn't.
And then also Colopinto using tires from Free Practice 3
that had been electronically signed off or something.
And then he used them in qualifying.
So some very strange stewards investigations going on.
But yeah, and then yeah,
so both houses out in Q2, Hülkenberg just missing out.
I think he got pipped at the end, didn't he?
By, was it Gasly?
I think it was Gasly at the end of Q2.
So well done.
Yeah, because of course that session,
I mean, we'll talk about him later
and how maybe it doesn't matter too much
in the grand scheme of things,
but we almost had Oscar, of course, Oscar Piastri out
in that session.
It was looking very close.
He didn't improve.
And we were looking down the times
and I think a couple more people improving on their lap,
maybe not making a mistake.
And we would have seen Oscar Piastri
going out in that session.
And then championship well and truly over.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.
February can feel like a lot.
Everywhere you look, it's flowers,
chocolates, big romantic gestures
and it can start to feel like everyone else
has their love life together.
But the truth is, whether you're married, dating,
single or just focusing on yourself,
lots of us are still figuring it out.
No matter where you are in your romantic journey,
therapy can help you find your way,
helping you understand what you want,
what feels heavy and how to take some of that pressure
off yourself.
It can help you identify what's weighing your relationships down
and find new ways to brighten them up again.
BetterHelp makes therapy easy.
Their therapists are fully licensed in the US
and work according to a strict code of conduct.
They also do the matching work for you.
A short questionnaire helps identify
your needs and preferences
and with over 12 years of experience,
they typically get it right the first time.
And if it's not the right fit,
you can switch therapists at any time.
So if you're ready to take a little pressure
off yourself this February,
sign up and get 10% off at
This episode is sponsored by Factor Meals.
You want to eat better,
but you've got zero time and honestly,
zero energy. I feel you.
But with Factor, it's not down to you
to meal prep or follow recipes.
It just removes the entire problem.
Two minutes, real food, done.
How often do you stare at your fridge at 9pm?
Exhausted, knowing that healthy cooking
just isn't going to happen.
Standing there googling, is cereal a protein?
Health eating can be really difficult
if you don't want to give up three hours every night.
Factor Meals are made by chefs,
bioticians and delivered to your door.
They're full of lean proteins,
colourful veggies, healthy fats.
The stuff you'd make if you had time.
No refined sugars, no artificial sweeteners,
no refined seed oils.
They've got 100 rotating meals every week.
High protein, calorie smart,
Mediterranean, GLP1 support,
even a new muscle pro line.
So you can pick what fits your goals.
Head to FactorMeals.com
slash Matt and Tommy 50 off.
To get 50% off your first factor box
plus free breakfast for one year,
that's FactorMeals.com
slash Matt and Tommy 50 off.
Offer only valid for new factor customers
with code and qualifying
auto renewing subscription purchase.
Make healthier eating easy with Factor.
This episode is sponsored by eBay.
The cars you'll find on eBay are just different.
They come with a story that you can't wait to share.
Maybe it's the car history
or the story of how you found it.
Like this 1973 Dodge Charger on eBay
that has been tucked away in an Arizona barn
for over 40 years.
Only 55,000 miles
and somehow in great running order.
It even has a rare sunroof.
Suddenly a car that was hidden for decades
is uncovered on eBay
and ready to be delivered straight to your driveway.
Thanks to eBay's secure purchase
the new seamless and secure way
to buy your next car.
In just a few clicks
the title and DMV paperwork
is all handled for you.
There are thousands of cars like this on eBay
from rare finds like the Pontiac Grand Prix SJ
to unique builds and your next daily driver
and now a new seamless way to buy them.
eBay, things people love.
You've never been one to settle.
Stand down or stand still.
You're a lifelong learner
energized by excellence.
There's a fire inside you
you can't ignore.
You've got competition to outrun,
momentum to build on
and your own high standards to meet.
Stop now, not a chance.
At Capella University
we help you catch what you're chasing
because you've always had the drive.
You're a lifelong learner.
You can catch what you're chasing
because you've always had the drive.
Now go earn the degree.
Capella University, what can't you do?
Visit capella.edu to learn more.
Most all-in-one HR systems
are a patchwork of disconnected and manual tools.
Rippling is totally automated.
If you promote an employee
Rippling can automatically handle necessary updates
from payroll taxes and provisioning new app permissions
to assigning required manager training.
That's why Rippling is the number one
capital management suite on G2,
TrustRadius, and Gartner.
If you're ready to run the backbone of your business
on one unified platform
head to rippling.com
slash accastbiz and sign up today.
That's R-I-P-P-L-I-N-G dot com
slash accastbiz to sign up.
Tight of your car insurance rate going up
even with a clean driving record?
You're not alone.
That's why there's Jerry,
your proactive insurance assistant.
Jerry compares rates side by side
from over 50 top insurers
and helps you switch with ease.
Jerry even tracks market rates and alerts you
when it's best to shop.
No spam calls, no hidden fees.
Drivers who save with Jerry
could save over $1,300 a year.
Switch with confidence.
Download the Jerry app or visit Jerry.ai
slash accast today.
Right, let's head to Q3.
The final part of qualifying
the top 10 is as follows
Norris, Verstappen, Sines, Russell,
Piastri, Lawson, Alonso, Hager, Leclerc.
Gasly.
Question from P1P, remember Will and T.
Has Lando definitely proven
his haters wrong now?
Sadly, his haters are going to hate
no matter what.
They will always pick loopholes
in his performances.
This year, of course, there have been moments
that we spoke about with Lando
that we were questioning
whether what was going on with the car
of course he wasn't very comfortable and there were mistakes
but the last run of races
in the absolute pinnacle,
the absolute utmost pressure
you can possibly think
Lando has delivered time and time again.
This is the best he has driven in his career
by a country mile.
Mexico was brilliant
winning by 30 odd seconds.
Literally, he's won everything he needed to do
and then coming into this session
slippery conditions
they've had hardly any data
around a track that he's crashed at before
and also as well
the fact that McLaren weren't looking that strong
coming into this weekend
and he gets pole position
and would have got pole position by
a much bigger margin had it not been for that mistake
in the final couple of corners.
He has...
I mean, yeah, haters whatever
but proved himself as a champion
yes, for sure.
This is...
I am so impressed with Lando
because we knew he was a very fast driver
we knew that he was able to put together
amazing laps in the dry and in the wet
but putting it together in a championship campaign like this
is not easy.
He's put a second on Oscar, of course Oscar had
the yellow flags at the end
I don't think Oscar would have been a second back
but Oscar was not beating Lando in this quality session
and it looks like really beating him
although beating him occasionally
because of the track evolving
Lando, yeah, phenomenal work
from him once again.
Absolutely, yeah, he's definitely
you know, the last thing that Lando would have wanted
I know
and this kind of will contradict the next question
a little bit because
I think McLaren weirdly would like
perform better in these conditions
and maybe they would have been in the dry
I think it would have been trickier
in the dry session because we all know how
they have struggled in Vegas in the past
but in these sessions
this is where it can be a lottery
like we've said so many times that
Lando's on his way to the world championship
and it would take something
crazy to happen now
that could flip the championship
and a wet Vegas
where everyone's doing almost two minute lap times
is that level of crazy
that you think that we've seen in the past when
championships have
changed and flipped
where there's been crazy conditions
right near the end
and that they are the kind of sessions
that we've seen that you can
end up with like massive gaps
where like you could go out in Q1
and you're tied to rival
pole position or something and then it's completely
flipped on its head
but instead in
incredibly difficult conditions Lando's
stepped up even more
delivered another pole position
you know he's just looking unstoppable
and as you say like what a time
to just be in the absolute form of your life
yeah he's been driving phenomenal
and there'll always be haters that will
try and
you know
Verstappen got haters for winning almost
every single Grand Prix in the season
like that's just the nature
of Formula One fandom
Lando's
very deserving champion
if he wins it and is looking very, very likely
of course and
today just proved it further
it certainly
did and I think with this
these conditions
we speak about actually to be fair
let's go to the question then we'll dive into that a little bit more
P1P, do you remember Formula Thomas
how wrong was everyone about McLaren
being slow in Vegas
what a turnaround from the last two years
well I don't think they were
slow but they
struggled more
I do think we would have seen a very different session
had it been completely dry from start to finish
Mercedes were looking
very strong
Ferrari as well
they'd both been preying that it was a dry normal
session because McLaren
did look a little bit more catchable
and instead
Lando in these conditions
we'd know how strong he is in wet
conditions has delivered an absolutely brilliant lap
so
I don't actually think that
had it been a dry
session I don't think Lando is
on pole by the margin he is
might not even be on pole at all
I think they certainly
were looking a bit stronger than we'd seen them
in the past and I think Lando would have been
they're challenging for the top
two or three positions
but I don't think it would have been
as dominant
as he kind of ended up
setting three tenths on the whole field
because
I do think the likes of Mercedes
and Ferrari would have been very very strong
had it just been a dry
dry conditions
I believe so as well of course Lando did top
free practice too but that was again an
interrupted session at the end
I firmly believe that Ferrari
and Mercedes would have been close
if not ahead of the McLaren
on pure car performance
what we saw today was a session that was a
session the drivers made a difference
Lando is a great wet weather driver
and he's proved it here today I don't think you can
say that McLaren was the fastest package
in terms of
these conditions it's very hard to know
right the drivers every time
we were on board with them you could see
sliding trying to manage the traction
it was all up to
obviously there are some limitations
with the cars but it's much
closer and for Lando to have
put in that performance the head of Max Verstappen
was the best wet weather driver
in Formula 1 by quite some margin
you can't take anything away from Lando
you can't say the McLaren was the fastest
package today I really firmly don't believe
that I genuinely just think he made the difference
today and he's proving
once again he has confidence in the car
like we've seen in the last few
but yes I believe Charlotte Claude
would have been on pole had it been dry
next question Matty Ox
Verstappen P2 Norris P1
odds on neither driver making
the corner
I mean I know that's
probably a slight joke there with the question
but look with Max Verstappen
he's 49 points behind the championship
is basically done
I don't think
there's going to be much grip for Max
in the P2 slot perhaps because we've had
rainy conditions it will even
out the grip levels
between the racing line and
off the racing line because it will be
a green track as they call it but
look we've seen carnage into
Vegas turn one before with lack of grip
so
don't discount a Max Verstappen move
if he gets even halfway alongside we know
exactly what Max is going to do
but he will require a solid
start for that to happen but we know
we know Max we know what he'll do if
if he has even the slimmest
of chances yeah he's absolutely
going for it you only need to
go back two years where
you know it was him and Charlotte Claude
in front row Max in P2
on the inside and
it was even then I'd say it was
never really on but he went for it
and
that was the race wasn't it where we
kind of it was like
he almost like took the
penalty to be in the lead and based on
2025 and how
it's gone with dirty air and things
you do wonder if he might do exactly
the same thing tomorrow of
well I'd rather be in the lead you know
something he did at Saudi of course as well
that this year
and yeah Max is absolutely going to
go for it he's got nothing to lose
Lando
weirdly kind of
he doesn't doesn't have everything to lose
obviously if those two collide you know
Oscar Piatri might be his best chance to
to get back in this world championship
so I think Lando might be
a bit unless Lando gets the perfect
start he's going to be on the outside
in very tricky conditions I think
he will probably you know unless he gets
makes the perfect start
he will be thinking about Max in the last
which he has done of course
but there's so little grip
at Vegas it's going to be very
fascinating to see how it how it pans
out but Max
I don't see any situation where Max
doesn't go for it really
even if he doesn't get the best start
because he knows it's his best chance
I think we say that
but also I believe
that Norris will not have it
on lockdown at all tomorrow
if we're thinking about dry conditions
I genuinely believe that should Lando
lead out of turn one it is not
over like we've seen in the past
so for Max perhaps
there isn't that
that level of desperation that he's had
in the past
at turn one
as we say I know that there will be
an opportunity there but maybe
he'll give it a like
he has to be 10 metres closer than
or 10 metres one metre closer than
perhaps anyway
I think history tells you
that that won't be
he knows still a very good opportunity
but what I'm saying is that I don't think it's over for Max
I don't think it's over for George even
I think George is
while you mention that I think George
it's insane because George was 8 tenths
off and you think
that's a disaster for Mercedes
this is a track they can win at
a very good chance to win the race
from where he's starting
people on Patreon remember Jess
is this championship over for Oscar
it's difficult because
Oscar has not shown
anything in the last few races
that he can fight for this
championship said so many times
people get upset by that but it's true
and it's a shame
I don't want to see it
of course I don't want to see it
I think it's a massive
massive, massive shame
that you know potentially
after this amazing season that we've had
between all of them and
particularly Oscar Piastri how good he was at the start of the season
they were potentially going to get
Landau Norris winning with two races to go
and Oscar Piastri
again hasn't really shown
anything to show that he's
turned his form around
I know that the final lap didn't go
the way he wanted it to and it looked like
he got caught up with a V-Carb
and all sorts at the end there so it probably would have been a bit
higher that being said
maybe he ends up in P3 anyway
I just think Oscar's best chance
he's going to be praying
he'll never say it publicly but he's
going to be praying that the staff
plows into the side of Norris at turn one
because that's all it seems that he's got now
like he doesn't
he does not have the pace for
whatever is going on at McLaren
but you believe
whether it's on Oscar
whatever's happened there
Oscar does not
have it in him at the moment
to challenge for this world title
he just does not and it's
so sad to watch it such a shame
it is such a shame we
wanted to see a fight all the way to the end
I think Oscar deserved that from the amazing season
he'd put together up until
basically after Zandvoort
is it championship over
my head and my heart say the same thing
which is very unlikely and that's yes
I cannot see a way back
for Oscar Piastri at the moment
if Lando continues
this run of form
he'll wrap it up in Qatar
he'll wrap it up maybe even in the sprint
so
it is a shame it's a massive shame
it depends how of course tomorrow goes
but everything's against him
everything as you say Tommy
whatever the scenario is
at McLaren Oscar I believe
lost a little bit of faith in the team
by the sounds of it and
he doesn't have the pace either to match
and Lando's in the form of his life
so if you use even a few brain cells
you come to the conclusion
that Lando's winning this world championship
and
let's see because
tomorrow will be very very telling
next question people on pitch remember
Sky Sara how does it feel
the Ferrari found this weekend
between the communication issues with Hamilton
and his race engineer and Shah going
on off it seems like we can't
catch a break
so my
good surprise for the weekend was Lewis Hamilton
he starts P20
my flop was Lando Norris
who starts first
if I get either points
we've had a very chaotic
Las Vegas Grand Prix
how does it feel
it feels so bad
it's the hope that kills you
and that really has
pinned me off P9 and P20
and
Charles as well like
he's not had the best quality session
he made a lot of mistakes in qualifying which is
that was the one
the Saturdays was something I enjoyed
it was the Sundays I used to hate
but Ferrari and wet conditions
just clearly I don't
when they build a car
they just go dry and dry only
and even then the dry has not been great this year
because in the wet I can't remember
the last time they were ever quick
like the fastest team in wet conditions
it's just never happens
since Michael Schumacher think you said Tommy and the watch along
no Alonso
sorry Alonso he drags a car
he drags a car to the great results
but it's
it's such a disaster
of a weekend because Ferrari
did look good in practice
which is something I've said a few times
and got my hopes up
with Ferrari I think they've got good dry pace
so I do believe that
Charles could finish in the top five tomorrow
as for Lewis
we've obviously spoken about him in detail in Q1
he's going to have to do
an insanely different strategy
hope that there is some innate
pace in that Ferrari
go either long or
pretty early who knows hope for a well
time safety car but it's just
it's just horrendous
I don't see Ferrari anywhere near
the pace in Qatar and Abu Dhabi
and the one weekend
where I've got my hopes up
P9 and P20 cool
I think
now the session's over
and after the hype of the rain
and it being this amazing session
I think you've probably come down
to earth and been like
I wish it was dry because
I do think
that would have been
competitive definitely
Charles would have been challenging for pole position
had it been a completely dry session
even in the wet that first sector was purple
every single time and I was like
here we go and then just loses like a million seconds
in the next two sectors it's really great
but yeah this was their big opportunity
wasn't it going into
into the weekend you mentioned
your
how bad your predictions are
same for me I've got
the driver I predicted to win
out in Q1 as well in Antonelli
and yeah I think
I think Mercedes and Ferrari
would both be like
why now like why did it rain
because this was our big
opportunity to get a race win
it was and
it's not happening so that's fun
at least I can process that before
tomorrow's Grand Prix and the 5 red lights going out
you touched upon Lawson
I mean what a turnaround from
just into Red Bolt to now he is
and I think as well sort of
steadied the ship against Hajar
Hajar was getting all of the
headlines of course having that podium
but Lawson is just very quietly
going about his way and delivering
some great performances
Lawson deserves a huge amount of credit
for the end of the season that he's had
we said didn't we when he
got demoted
in inverted commas demoted
back to VCarb we thought he'd hit the ground running
took a little while for that
to happen but now
you know on his day Lawson
you know is quicker than Hajar
and proving that
I think he'll stay at VCarb
and be that benchmark for
Limblad if they do sign him and that's looking very likely
you know because we'll see
it in that situation but yeah
Lawson again had
a great end to the season
and put in some really really good results
I think Lawson is fully
deserving of a seat for next year
and beyond after the performances
he's put down and then you have Yuki
Snowder down in 19th and I think his
his fate is is fully
was sealed
7 races ago but sadly
yes not a demotion but yeah
not being on the grid
for next year so finally
on a more positive note who is
winning tomorrow that is the big question
I believe
that the winner
of the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be
Max Verstappen
Max is going to win it I think
well
I will say
George Russell
Max goes to the dive bomb
they both run wide George goes up the inside
like cuts the inside both
takes the lead and then he's like
see you later guys and then dry conditions
he'll be like see ya
let's see oh right very
exciting looking forward to watching along
with you guys tomorrow live on
twitch and youtube as always
Tommy final thoughts
final thoughts I can't
wait for this one I know we've been a bit like
the championships over and all this kind of stuff
but my god what like what a race
on paper that that you've got as
we said there that you know
Norris can't afford to do anything too risky
because of piastry and Verstappen
is going to go for it and George Russell wants to win
it's going to be great
can't can't wait for it
even with the early start here in the UK
it's going to be good
hell yeah looking forward to it
and that is it we'll see you very soon
lots of love take care adios
God that was a beefy podcast
bye
bye
did you know
you can save up to 70%
on your favorite brands every single day
from rebel.com
sells strollers car seats
espresso machines skincare
cookware everything you need
for your home your family
and your life all for way less
here's how it works every day
rebel drops thousands of new products
for up to 70% off it's a
nonstop feat of deals from brands like
up a baby Nuna baby
Jordan Nespresso
Rebel Wilson Dyson
Careway and more but every
listing is one of a kind so if you see
something you love you have to move fast
why pay full price when you don't have to
from baby gear to tech
to self care staples rebel
helps you save big on brands you know
and love shop now at
from rebel.com
Request an explanation for:
1 cars
1 cars featured
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.
Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars