- 4 hours ago
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:03I wanna let my hair down
00:05While I'm staring down your face
00:07Wanna go till the lights out
00:09Take a ride back to my place
00:11You watch your mind
00:12If you don't know what this is
00:14I tell them one by one
00:16Some one by one
00:17Twist my wrist
00:19Guys like this, stop
00:20Eyes on me, watch my back
00:22Just like this, care for the night
00:25Just keep watching
00:28Just keep watching
00:32Just keep watching
00:33Just keep watching
00:37Just keep watching
00:38Just keep watching
00:41Just keep watching
00:41Just keep watching
00:46Give it to me
00:50Give it to me
00:51Give it to me
00:53Give it to me
00:54Give it to me
00:55Give it to me
00:56Boom, boom, boom, I shake off the room
00:59Yellow kicks like Uma Thurman
01:01Only drive whips if they dash the German
01:03Sex so hard, call me The Rock
01:06Blue supreme long sleeve, call me Spock
01:08Doin' that, who suckers like Michael Thumb
01:10Give it to me!
01:11Give it to me, give it to me
01:14Give it to me, give it to me
01:17Give it to me, give it to me
01:18Give it to me, give it to me
01:20Give it to me
01:21Give it to me
01:23Morning, come
01:24Yeah, baby
01:29Monaco, baby indeed
01:30We're in the Principality
01:32At one of Spock's most iconic theatres
01:35The streets playing host to the 71st championship running
01:38Of the Monaco Grand Prix
01:40And we are 30 minutes away from opening practice
01:44And there's one man taking all the headlines
01:46At present, Spock's latest superstar
01:49Kimi Antonelli
01:50Comes off the back of four consecutive wins
01:53He leads the campaign by 43 points
01:55Looking for five in a row
01:59Good afternoon all
02:01Welcome to Monaco
02:02The sun is shining and all is well
02:04With the world
02:05Martin Bundle and Jenson Button
02:07Alongside me
02:08I tell you what, I can't wait
02:09New iterations, new rules and regulations around these streets
02:12Could be quite different, couldn't it?
02:14It could
02:14They've got less downforce, less grip
02:16But they're a little bit narrower
02:17More power
02:19They're going to have a relentless amount of power
02:20No concerns whatsoever of keeping their batteries charged up around here
02:24So, and this is it
02:26And you have to really enjoy Friday and Saturday as well in Monaco
02:29Sunday, you never know what you're going to get
02:31Could be brilliant
02:32Could be a bit of a game of chess
02:34But, and it starts right now
02:36Yeah, it does
02:37But when you come back here
02:38And you just look behind us
02:39I say, that is one of Spock's iconic backdrops
02:42What's it like to be behind the wheel
02:44When you come to Monaco?
02:46It's stressful
02:47It's really stressful driving an F1 car right now
02:50I'm very happy to be stood here right now
02:51It's, yeah, as soon as you get in the car
02:54You obviously build up to it
02:55But it's every moment you feel like you're going to be in the wall around here
02:59Especially with the cars this year
03:00They've got less downforce, as you said
03:02You know, more power
03:03It's going to be down to the driver's skill of balancing that car around the corners
03:06Which is going to be epic to watch
03:08But very difficult for the drivers
03:10When you think about specific sections
03:11We were talking about this last night
03:13You're taking a casino corner at, what, 150k?
03:16You're coming down into back about 180k?
03:17And through the swimming pool at 200k?
03:19And with the, you know, with the rear potentially squirming around
03:22It's always a case of inches
03:24But it's going to be hairy, isn't it, this year?
03:26But it always has been
03:28I mean, the track, you've got cambers and bumps and manhole covers
03:32There's a pavement you take to at one point at the far end of the circuit
03:35So, but it's a moving feast
03:37Because, you know, there have been some support races
03:41And a year of grime is still coming up
03:43And then the rubber goes down into the braking areas
03:46And particularly the traction zones
03:48And you've got to stay in the game
03:49And keep you and your car changing with the racetrack
03:54And build up to a crescendo for your final run on Saturday afternoon
03:58So, you've got to go for it
03:59There's no point in messing around
04:01You're not learning anything
04:01But if you take a wheel off
04:03Or you lose half a session or all of a session
04:06It's really hard to catch up again, isn't it?
04:09Are there potentially four teams in it this weekend?
04:11Is it going to be unpredictable, do we think?
04:13Yeah, I think so
04:13And, you know, I think for someone like Max
04:16Obviously in a Red Bull that's not been so competitive
04:18He can make a small difference up here, I think
04:21But for everyone, I think everyone's saying that Ferrari are the favourites here
04:24Which is a slight surprise when you look at the start of the year
04:27But they've always been quick in Monaco
04:29Since the turbo era started
04:31They've always been very competitive here
04:33And obviously with the starts they have
04:34You know, you've got to say they're their favourites
04:36On that very subject then, Charles Leclerc, the big news
04:39As we came into the weekend
04:40He's understanding, he's signed improved terms
04:43An extended contract that's going to keep him at Ferrari
04:46Unsure of the date till when
04:49Some are saying 2029, some are saying early 2030s
04:54But they'll be very happy
04:55And this is what both of the drivers had to say
04:56Coming into the weekend
04:58I think we are in a better place
05:00I mean, if there's one track I will bet on us
05:04It's probably Monaco
05:06However, I still believe that Mercedes have had a significant advantage
05:10Since the beginning of the year
05:11So I think they will be very, very strong
05:13Do you believe the hype?
05:14Is this an excellent opportunity for you and the team?
05:18I'm not listening to any of the hype
05:20I'm just trying to...
05:21We're learning from...
05:23Take the learning from each weekend
05:25And try to move forwards
05:27I think that's really what I'm focused on this weekend
05:30It's true that on the other tracks so far
05:34We've been struggling quite a bit in the straights
05:36Which here should be less of a problem
05:38And we have a good...
05:39A strong package chassis-wise and error-wise
05:42So I think it could help us
05:46But Mercedes, I think, will still remain the team to beat
05:51A quick one on Ferrari and Charles
05:54What do you make of the decision to sign the contract?
05:56Now, obviously, you know the timing
05:58Because he's a home-time boy, a Monagasc driver
06:01But what do you think has encouraged him to think that he can win a championship with the team?
06:07Well, it's very interesting
06:08Because I've done a feature with him
06:09He goes out this weekend on Skype one as well
06:11And he keeps mentioning Fred Vasseur
06:13It's almost like it's a briefing
06:14He wants to support Fred in the team boss role
06:18And they're very close to him
06:19So is Lewis
06:20They came through junior racing with Fred Vasseur
06:22So, yeah, it's just an enduring, relentless love affair with Ferrari
06:28Except for all the other teams that they contacted before they re-signed as well
06:32Just to see what the market was like
06:33Because that's your job in this business with this front-running team
06:36So let's be absolutely clear on that
06:38But it's a great story
06:41And he's comfortable there
06:42He said he's been there eight years now
06:44So, but it's not really been that successful, has it?
06:48He hasn't won since mid-2024
06:52But he could win around here
06:53He could win this weekend
06:55And he is one of the best in the field
06:58And I think it's great for Ferrari and great for him
07:00He said he reckoned he had other options
07:02Just quickly, do you know who he was talking to?
07:04And would it have been everybody, do you think, up and down?
07:07No, it wouldn't be everybody
07:07But obviously he'd be talking to McLaren
07:10And to Mercedes, at least
07:13Okay, I mean, that's the thing with it
07:15I mean, you're looking back at the evidence
07:17And you're thinking it's almost the best part of two decades since they've won
07:21So, I mean, again, I come back to it
07:23It's like he must utterly believe in Fred and the project
07:27Otherwise, why not keep your options open
07:29When a lot of people are out of contract at 2026?
07:31Yeah, and, you know, Ferrari have had glimpses of a great car, haven't they?
07:36They've won races here and there
07:37But it's not being a championship-winning car
07:40So it is difficult for a racing driver
07:43But Charles also said, you know, he wouldn't be in F1 if it wasn't for Ferrari
07:47You know, they gave him the opportunity at an early age
07:50You know, the backing they gave him
07:51And then obviously when he stepped into F1
07:54And then when he moved with Sauber
07:56And then, well, Saufer Romeo then
07:57And then when he moved to the big team, to Ferrari
08:00So it's nice that he's on board with the team
08:03And he's part of the family
08:04But at some point, you've got to get selfish
08:06And you need to think about what's best for you
08:08Okay, quick one on Lewis
08:09Obviously, he was within three points
08:11He had his best result second in 29 race starts for Ferrari
08:14Last time out in Canada
08:15Whereas Charles was struggling
08:17He looks really in a positive frame of mind
08:21And driving, again, supremely well
08:24What can he achieve here?
08:25Bearing in mind the traits of this Ferrari
08:27Which seem like they might be best suited to Monaco
08:30Yeah, they've got smaller turbos
08:31They'll fire up better coming out of the slow corners
08:33We've seen them all year
08:34Really pulling an extra gear or two in corners
08:37Keep the turbo spinning on these latest regulations
08:41Lewis is good around here
08:43If you give him a sniff of victory, he can still take it
08:45I think he's every march is one of the favourites for the weekend
08:49Yeah, okay, well, we shall see
08:51But it'll be fun finding out, will it not?
08:53Okay, here's the state of play
08:55This is only round six
08:57A reminder because of postponements
08:59Or potential cancellations of the two races in the Middle East
09:02And so it is a large gap between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell
09:07Four in a row mean it's 43 between the pair after the DNF for George in Montreal
09:11Both of the Ferrari drivers ahead of the McLaren drivers
09:14Who are separated by ten
09:16And then Max Verstappen with a podium in Canada has made some ground on them
09:20Gasly the best to the rest outside of the top four teams
09:24The other Red Bull in the form of Isaac Hadjart to 14 points
09:28With Franco Colopinto having his two best race results consecutively
09:32Still five to get off the mark
09:34Nico Hülkenberg and both of the Cadillac and Aston Martin drivers
09:38So Mercedes lead the way 72 points the gap between themselves and Ferrari
09:44Then another 41 back to McLaren
09:46Right, let's get into the Mercedes drivers
09:48And first of all, George Russell reacting to the disappointments of a fortnight ago
09:54Yeah, I mean these things always balance themselves out at one point
09:59And as you say, I've got nothing to lose
10:01I'm just going to go out, enjoy every single race
10:03And it's still in my control
10:06You know, if you poll and win every single race
10:08From now until the end of the season, you'll win the championship
10:11So that is my goal
10:15Of course it was frustrating in Canada
10:16But as part of racing, it can't always be sunshine and glory
10:21I'm not thinking about a championship or anything like that
10:23I just think about enjoying the driving as much as I can
10:28And, you know, try to do my best
10:31Trying to improve, raise the bar
10:34And yeah, and then we'll see where we end up
10:37But yeah, definitely I really want to enjoy as much as possible every weekend
10:42And I want to leave the weekend and say I did everything I could
10:46So that's what I'm going to do
10:50I don't believe him
10:51Do you believe he's not?
10:53Of course he's thinking about a championship
10:54That's what we're here for, right?
10:56We're here for a championship
10:57But they try and push it to one side
10:59Because they don't want to get asked the question again and again and again
11:01Yeah
11:02But they still will
11:02They will
11:03But also, you've got to pay it down, don't you?
11:05You've got to take the pressure off yourself
11:07Was that a game plan for you two?
11:09You have
11:10Kimi has been amazing this year
11:11Obviously four straight victories
11:12A little bit wild in places
11:15A few trips across the grass here and there
11:17And it ain't going to happen this weekend
11:19So I think he knows that he'll just have to pull back a little bit on
11:23On the sort of flamboyance shall we call it
11:26And the brilliance that he's been showing behind the wheel
11:28Because this is a weekend to get to the end of
11:30And every session is a session to get to the end of as I explained earlier
11:34Some of that racing though between the pair in Montreal
11:36I mean again
11:37It was toe to toe
11:40If they couldn't keep it clean as Toto was saying over the radio
11:43We will intervene for you
11:45But we were denied a box office finish with that
11:48Yeah, it was a shame obviously with the failure for George
11:50But what an exciting fight
11:53It really was passing in places that I didn't think you could
11:55No amazing fight
11:57The one thing I would say is that
11:59Is it's a standout this year is George's aggression
12:03George's aggression against Kimi
12:05I've not seen that before
12:06Do you think there's an ignition point here
12:08What was this it and now are the gloves off
12:10I think we've seen it the last couple of races with George
12:12He's been very aggressive with Kimi
12:14Trying to put him in his place obviously
12:17You know 19 year old leading the world championship got 43 points on on him
12:21So yeah, he is more aggressive and it's it's nice to see
12:25And the good thing is Kimi's on the radio talking about it
12:27You know, he's very open with his emotions
12:29So for us commentating and for fans, it's it's fantastic
12:32That's the thing I kind of I think we've all noticed the difference between the pair
12:36George is trying to be as cool as a cucumber isn't he at the moment
12:40He has to be because you know his teammates stolen a march on him
12:43But he's trying not to let that show
12:46It's awful worst case scenario for George
12:48He went to Mercedes just as they stopped dominating
12:50He's done the hard yards
12:53He's been brilliant there
12:54Now they've had the fastest car in the field
12:57And this kid turns up this teenager turns up and steals all the thunder
13:01And it's it's but George is old enough and wise enough to know that what goes around comes around
13:06There's a long a long way to go
13:08But a 43 point deficit
13:10That's a first and a second that Kimi's got in his pocket over George
13:13That's quite painful
13:15It is right, okay, shall we I mean there's still other teams in that in this this weekend
13:19And actually if you look back at the last three winners crumbs of comfort for for the others is that
13:24red bull won it in
13:252023 then ferrari in 2024 and mclaren in 2025
13:29So let's hear from both of those in papaya thousand third grand prix at this weekend
13:34First here is last year's winner london orris
13:37I think our run into this weekend this time last year was probably a little bit better than we've had
13:42this year
13:42So maybe not quite to the to the level it was last season, but
13:48I think we're optimistic we still want to come in with hopes of
13:52Trying to achieve a pole and trying to achieve a win that's still still the goals we want to set
13:56ourselves, but um
13:59uh
14:01Ferrari and and mercedes have obviously been very strong mercedes even more so so
14:07Uh, we're getting ahead of ourselves. We're not kind of we don't want to be too optimistic, but at the
14:10same time
14:11Um, we want to come into our weekends at the minute. I think we've given ourselves the chance to come
14:16into weekends
14:18Um with the belief that is possible and uh, and that's the way we want to we want to stay
14:21for now
14:22We do have a bit of a shorter wheelbase
14:25compared to most others which
14:27Directionally should help around here, but um, I don't think that'll be a big difference
14:32I think ferrari will be very strong
14:33We've seen the big quick in all the corners this year basically, so
14:37um
14:38That bodes well for here when there's not many straights, so we'll see but I
14:42Expect mercedes to still be very strong and ferrari to to really be a challenge this weekend. So hopefully we
14:47can be in the mix with them
14:51Yeah, we didn't expect them to be as I mentioned this is part of the celebrations last night a who's
14:55who
14:56Of uh, ex-mcclaren drivers vika hakenen in bruce mclaren's m2b uh, which raced around here
15:03uh 60 years ago
15:05What a machine that is that must have been a bit of fun. I bet you would have enjoyed that
15:10No, I haven't driven that one
15:11I was talking to mika about it last night and he was he said there's no seatbelts in it
15:15But they weren't in that period seatbelts came in in 1968 in formula one cleared
15:20And he's like I got down to the first corner with no belts. I was scared to death
15:24I would have thought they won't they might put those in
15:28And also you don't have a roll bar so there's no point being strapped in
15:34So hairy was it back it back in those days, but yeah with regards mclaren
15:38I think outside of ferrari they've got good performance in slow corners perhaps not as andrea stella was at pains
15:45To point out in the particular type of slow corners you get here in monaco
15:49But they're very slow corners here in monaco, but there's also a lot of fast corners
15:53You know these cars are going through the swimming pool as you said at 200 miles an hour. That's a
15:56quick corner
15:57Um and to back the same so
16:00The aerodynamics of the car is still going to be important around here, but it leans more towards the mechanical
16:05grip
16:05But they know what they're doing. They won it last year. They understand what's needed around monaco
16:09So it's interesting to hear that they've gone for a slightly shorter wheelbase
16:12It'll be a small amount, but it can help everybody is talking martin about this potentially being just a mercedes
16:18season
16:19I'm, not sure we all believe that doing but they're not out of this ferrari aren't out of it
16:23Are they yet no ferrari going to get a leg up with the engine with power unit?
16:28Um, and they're what's going to do additional development and upgrade opportunities
16:32um
16:33McLaren are
16:34Very excited about
16:36How they're developing what's coming what's in the pipeline for developments they feel they've got a handle on these 2026
16:43cars now
16:43So mercedes won't stand still mclaren are confident ferrari
16:47I think probably got the best chassis out there right now
16:49Which is what the drivers are saying about this track the drivers will make the difference here as well as
16:54jensen pointed out
16:55But and and red bull are coming on strong too, so I agree with you
16:59I don't think it's going to be a silver car all the way, but my goodness they've got a pretty
17:03good head start
17:04Yeah, they've got good good head start. Okay, let's hear from some of the other drivers about the delights of
17:08monaco
17:09I guess you must be
17:12Somehow a little crazy to race around these streets at the speed we go out
17:15But I mean that's why it's my favorite track is the the thrill the adrenaline the
17:20The respect you have for the track the precision you require the intensity here is so high
17:26honestly like the
17:28concentration that you have to have
17:31Obviously it's pretty iconic, but obviously senna when he raced here and and backed off he crashed and I think
17:36that's really the
17:37The best way to describe driving here is that you just need that that ultimate concentration all the time and
17:41I think
17:43Yeah, it's it's an amazing feeling when you're on the limit and you're in that sort of zone
17:48But you can't you definitely can't leave it
17:50I'm really excited about these cars and qualifying you know
17:52They're a bit lighter a bit smaller a bit more agile and of course with a lot of power as
17:56well here
17:57We have
17:57Possibility to recharge a lot of energy which means that we should have a bit more fun driving them actually
18:02really excited to do that
18:03I think you're gonna see
18:05Like a more pure
18:08Full flat-out driving from us, which I think is gonna put a
18:12As my in our faces during the weekend
18:15And I think that's also going to generate
18:17Yeah, a bit of a bus in qualifying for us that uh, we haven't had up until now in the
18:22in the year so
18:23Looking forward to it. Are you excited to drive the 26 cars here in the principality?
18:29Do you think this is the best version we will have seen of them?
18:32Maybe
18:34I just I think
18:36You will see a little bit better now with the wheels
18:38Um, it's probably yeah a little bit more agile
18:42In the low speed but at the same time it that comes together with drivability which with these cars
18:46I feel like took a step back compared to
18:50Last year's car. Um, so we'll see
18:56There we go. Well, usually uh, you get a monaco specific upgrades here. It is a one-off
19:01Let's head up to the pit lane bernie is there to tell us more
19:05Yes, simon down in the pit lane with a very different looking mclaren special livery to celebrate their 1000th grand
19:12prix
19:13And as well as the normal monaco upgrades that we see
19:16Increased suspension clearance for the tight corners increased cooling for the street circuit
19:21We have taken away straight line mode. What does that mean? No rear wing actuator and where there's a gap
19:29The engineers have thought up all of their brightest minds
19:32What can they use to fill it and they've added these little winglets in order to bring a little bit
19:38of extra
19:39Downforce to the car so the engineers just for this one race just for one race have been trying to
19:45think
19:45How they can add downforce the car mclaren have brought one mercedes one looks even more
19:50Interesting if we can hopefully get to the back of that car lots of little winglets on there
19:56All of this downforce calm the drivers make the most of that little bit of engineering in order to get
20:03their car on pole come saturday
20:10Alien like
20:12Yeah, I mean in a way I look it's perfect
20:16It's formula one isn't it you know a little wind of opportunity. Let's take it
20:20In that old adage if it looks right it is right that doesn't look right
20:24That looks that looks a bit lego doesn't it um sort of hung on the back of it. It looks
20:29horrible should be illegal
20:31Instantly they all worked out. That's the thing most of the teams have got it. It's so strange
20:35I mean there we are great stuff. We're gonna go right there
20:37We go because we're nearly set
20:39For the opening session a few famous football faces here to
20:43Paul balken gibbs white and we will see cars roaring around the principality next
20:57Quick a whizz through of the details for this weekend here in monaco such a beautiful setting
21:08practice one now practice two from 3 30 wrapping up the day from 5 15
21:15saturday qualifying is from 2 15 and on sunday
21:19We'll be on air at 12 30 with the race getting underway at two o'clock. Let's head up to
21:25david koff in common
21:42You
22:21Welcome, everybody, to Monaco, where every corner tells a story
22:26and where every year a different chapter is written into the fabled history
22:29of this most magnificent race.
22:31It's the 72nd Formula One World Championship Monaco Grand Prix.
22:35And in 2026, it is round six.
22:38And here's the track.
22:402.7, 2.07 miles long is the shortest track on the calendar.
22:44There is elevation all the way up to the casino and all the way back down again
22:49to the harbour side.
22:50We have 78 laps to come in Sunday's race.
22:54No straight line mode for this race.
22:56But there is overtake, that extra half a megajoule of energy
22:59to try and get some overtaking done.
23:01The tyres are one step harder than they were last year,
23:04but the softest in the Pirelli range for this season.
23:07C5 is the soft seat for the medium.
23:09And C3 is the harder one-stop strategy.
23:12Has been the favourite way to go for the last few years.
23:16And this is the scene today.
23:17It could not be a more gorgeous day in the south of France.
23:21The French Riviera and Monaco looks a picture.
23:23And I tell you what, Jenson Button and Anthony Davidson alongside me
23:27for a race that every year people say,
23:28oh, it's so dull, it's so boring, there's never any overtaking.
23:32There's a hell of a lot of people here in Monaco
23:34very excited to get underway.
23:36Yeah, there are.
23:37When you look at the grandstands, obviously the boats, the balconies,
23:40yeah, there's a lot of excited people.
23:42I'm excited.
23:42Are you excited, Anthony?
23:43I'm always excited, Jenson, especially when we come here to Monaco.
23:46I mean, for the drivers stepping into these cars,
23:49driving through these narrow streets, it's like nothing else.
23:53And you're just full of adrenaline, particularly this time before FP1.
23:57It rained last night.
23:58The track's going to be green anyway.
24:01They've got all the rubbish to contend with.
24:03It collects on the track, no grip whatsoever.
24:05And the barriers are dardini-dini little bits away from them.
24:09Yeah, but this session is more of a getting to grips with the track,
24:14you know, bedding yourself in.
24:15And you're not going to go out and try and do a quality lap on lap 1,
24:17or you shouldn't be, because the track is so green.
24:20It's going to be very different come qualifying.
24:22So it's more building up to it and running through all the processes
24:25that you need to with the team and the car.
24:28There is Oscar Piastri car number 81 in a McLaren that has a tribute livery.
24:33And why not a tribute livery for this race?
24:361,000th Grand Prix event McLaren are celebrating 60 years after Bruce McLaren
24:42competed in the 1966 Monaco Grand Prix for the team that carries his name.
24:47What a place to have a tribute, eh?
24:48Past McLaren drivers enjoying the celebration.
24:51I know.
24:52It was so nice to see so many of the race winners yesterday down on the grid.
24:55Unfortunately, I wasn't here, so I couldn't join them.
24:57But I know.
24:58But what a lovely place to do it.
25:00You are right.
25:01Celebration in Monaco.
25:03Do you get a chance, now that you are here, to drive Bruce McLaren's car from 1966?
25:08I'm all right, thanks.
25:10You don't want to drive it?
25:11I'm okay, thank you.
25:12I heard there's no seatbelts, so I'm fine.
25:14I'm not as brave as he was.
25:16And?
25:17No seatbelts?
25:17Would you go for it?
25:19I'll give it a go.
25:20Very slowly, I think, I'll drive around.
25:22That's the problem.
25:22Yeah, just to get a feel for the car.
25:24But you're going to get in a race car and drive around slowly?
25:27I don't think so.
25:28That's the problem.
25:28You put a crash helmet on.
25:29Well, it's best how I heard.
25:31Right, the slow twins are here.
25:33If Zach Brown's listening, I'm up for it.
25:34I'll go flat out.
25:35I don't care.
25:36There's Lewis Hamilton, former winner here, of course, and in a Ferrari that, according
25:40to the form guide, is the one to catch this weekend.
25:43Is it?
25:44What do you think, Anthony?
25:46I'll deflect it.
25:48What do you think, Crofty?
25:49I say yes.
25:52Now, is it the form car?
25:54Yeah, it's very difficult to say.
25:56I mean, you'd say, looking at this year so far, probably not, you know, in terms of performances
26:01and race results.
26:02But the car, everyone says, is very good mechanically.
26:06And obviously, the straights are a lot shorter here.
26:09So power isn't quite as important.
26:10Still important, but not as important.
26:12But the one thing that mitigates the power is this circuit.
26:16Monica, there's no other circuit on the calendar where engine power, PU power, is less important.
26:23And so this is more about the car.
26:25But more critically, it's more about the driver.
26:27I think this year, all of the teams have done an exceptional job, particularly with the car.
26:33I think PU is maybe a different story.
26:35But the cars are so, from what I see on circuits, so evenly matched.
26:39And that means when you come here, it's more about the driver than ever before.
26:43I think with Ferrari as well, Canada, lots of slow corners there, chicanes, lots of slow corners
26:49and a chicane or two here.
26:51And that's why a lot of people are thinking, yeah, Ferrari, good Canada and could be good
26:55here because the long straights don't exist.
26:57And quite a low grip surface as well in Montreal.
27:00We heard from Martin Brundle saying how this track will rubber in and grip up the whole way
27:06through, F1, F2, F3, if it doesn't rain, of course.
27:08And that's so traditional with this track.
27:10It is a street track in its purest form.
27:13And you will naturally get humongous track evolutions throughout each session.
27:18So we've built them up, but I've got a stat.
27:20Thank you to my very good friend, F1StatsGuru, for this one.
27:24And we just saw, here we are, Charles Leclerc just signed a contract extension to stay a Ferrari
27:29driver for a few more years.
27:31Now, since Ferrari last won a driver's title in 2007, every time they've announced a driver
27:37signing for the team or extending their contract, they failed to win the next race.
27:42That is 19 announcements, 19 Grands Prix, no wins.
27:45And he's gone straight on.
27:46And there you go.
27:47Just as I read out the stats, Charles Leclerc proving to me why we have these stats.
27:51Sorry, Charles.
27:52Was that the commentator's curse?
27:54Not yet.
27:54The strangest thing was, looking him go through Casino Square, he was going so gently, as
28:00you should, on an out lap.
28:01So I'm surprised that he had an issue here, whether it was an issue or not, or he just
28:05brake too late.
28:06So heading down that escape road, which I think has been renamed Rosberg-Strasse, hasn't it,
28:10after a few years ago.
28:12If you remember that qualifying session, here's what happened.
28:15I think he had a bit of a lock-up, just a tiny lock-up before he turned in.
28:19And that is so reminiscent of these cars.
28:21And I wondered if this would be an issue for this circuit for this year in these cars.
28:26We see so many front lock-ups, don't we, time and time again.
28:31But the weird thing is that front lock-up was past the corner.
28:34It was after you would normally turn in, so I'm guessing he just didn't have the deceleration
28:39that he expected.
28:40And that's why, oh, a big snap there.
28:42It's very low grip, isn't it?
28:43Yeah, cold brakes as well, heading into that corner.
28:47But we do see it, it's just one of those kind of standout moments in these cars that
28:55keep catching out the drivers.
28:56And I wondered when we went to the Bahrain test in the winter, whether it was just unique
29:00either for that circuit, it was a windy day back then, and the drivers getting up to speed
29:05with the new cars.
29:06But it's carried through every single session, even in races.
29:11And that's one thing you don't want on this track.
29:13100% is the worst thing possible.
29:15Not having confidence in those brakes when you hit them hard.
29:18Because, you know, hitting the pedal at 100 bar, it's big.
29:22And when the brakes aren't doing what you hope them to do, it's very tricky.
29:26Just looking ahead to qualifying, because it's oh so important around here in Monaco,
29:30when you get all that traffic around Rascas and everyone backing up and everything,
29:34your brakes cool down, your tyres cool down, you're waiting for that gap,
29:37how are you going to have enough brake and tyre temperature to take Sandhoff off in the
29:42way that you want on your push lap?
29:43Oh, I did.
29:45I don't think I have enough steering for the hairpin.
29:48Copy, we're checking.
29:49Slowest, tightest corner on the calendar.
29:52Oh, he's not stopped there, though.
29:53No.
29:54So he has, he has got enough lock.
29:57Yeah, it's a good point.
29:58You know all about that, don't you?
30:02It's not your fault that Pedro de la Rosa was in the way, was it?
30:05No, I mean, I didn't have enough steering lock.
30:07That was the problem.
30:07He tried to drive around the outside of me and we blocked the track.
30:11It's an incident from 2000, which we don't want to talk about too much, but it does feature
30:14Jenson Button running from the hairpin all the way back to the pit lane.
30:18It was a long way.
30:19It was my practice for when I won the race here.
30:22That was a better run, wasn't it?
30:23It was a better run.
30:24Much better run.
30:25Yeah, cooling tyres, cooling brakes, you've got to be aware of that in qualifying.
30:29Yeah, turn one's always tricky anyway, even if you've prepared the lap perfectly, the outlap.
30:34But when you've had traffic, it's really tricky to have the confidence in the brakes when you
30:39brake for turn one.
30:40I don't think there's much confidence on brakes or tyres being up to temperature at the moment.
30:441.19.7 for Lewis Hamilton is the fastest time so far.
30:48We're around about eight seconds of the fastest time from FP1 last year, but watch how this all
30:53evolves in the course of the next 55 minutes.
30:55Yeah, I was going to say it was an 11.9 last year in FP1.
31:02So it's really, I mean, obviously, last year's cars, they were the end of their life cycle,
31:07weren't they?
31:07So naturally, they were supremely fast, had the ground effects, so that was working at
31:12slow speed as well.
31:14And very different cars, actually, to what we have here this year.
31:18I cannot say it after here, but honestly, it feels more like a steering lock.
31:24Like, I don't even have luck.
31:25Copy, Liam.
31:26Same feedback at the car.
31:27We're looking.
31:28I was going to say, it's not just Arvid Lindblad.
31:30It's Liam Lawson as well.
31:31Guys, do you want to see what happened to Arvid Lindblad around the hair thing?
31:34Here we go.
31:35Okay.
31:35We've got the power.
31:37Has he got the angle?
31:39Oh, it's on the limit, isn't it?
31:40And he took a super early line as well, because he could anticipate that happening.
31:46Here's Liam Lawson.
31:52Yeah, I can see what the drivers are talking about there.
31:56It's a nerve-wracking moment running from the middle of the corner towards the barrier,
32:00and they're an absolute full lock physically, what they can do.
32:03So the teams do usually bring different steering arms here for that very reason.
32:08It's the tightest corner on the entire F1 calendar, and usually you bring shorter steering
32:13arms to make sure you can get around that corner.
32:16Yeah.
32:16I guess the only positive they have moving forward is when the circuit grips up, you
32:20have more front grip, because he's definitely sliding the front.
32:22When they throw the lock on, they're sliding the front tire.
32:26But yeah, not great for your confidence, that one.
32:28When you see the line that the Ferrari could take, and Hamilton went in a little bit deep
32:32there as well, and still came out nowhere near the wall on the right-hand side, that's
32:37the kind of lock you, or the turning circle that you want.
32:41I spent about 10 minutes watching various supercars take that hairpin on Wednesday afternoon,
32:47waiting for a lift from Martin Brundle.
32:48And to be honest, it's hard enough just in your road car to get around there, let alone
32:53in a Formula One car, even though they're a bit smaller and narrower than they were last
32:57year.
32:58Yeah, obviously the F1 cars around here are tricky, because, oh, lovely little slide there
33:02from Lewis.
33:04Tricky for the drivers, because they're sat so low in the car, the visibility is pretty
33:06bad.
33:07As you can see with Lewis, he's higher than the car than normal.
33:10Yeah, I was just thinking that, actually.
33:12Yeah, I didn't know whether it was just the helmet-coloured design, but as he goes fastest
33:16now at a 15.8.
33:17But I did wonder if he is sitting higher in the car, and he's not alone in that.
33:23Maybe Lando's sitting a bit higher as well.
33:25You just need that extra visibility around this circuit.
33:28Interestingly, Max Verstappen, in an interview yesterday, said, yeah, it should be nicer this
33:32year without the wheel arches.
33:34So that should be a lot better experience, driving these cars compared to last year.
33:39And look, see, your only view is through the halo, through the middle of it.
33:44As you apex the corner, you look through a very narrow aperture, and those, we score them,
33:50the wheel brows, getting in the way from the kerbs.
33:53His teammate getting in the way that time, Franco Colopinto.
33:56New helmet for Pierre Gasly for this race.
33:58It's not a Charles Leclerc tribute helmet.
34:00Charles Leclerc's in white for this one.
34:02He's got the red one.
34:03It's a nought calories flavoured water brand that he has launched, and he has a tribute helmet
34:08as a result of it.
34:10A refreshing change, they say.
34:11Here's an interesting graphic.
34:13So the, ah, just taken away from it.
34:15I was just looking at the deployment versus their recharge, and obviously this circuit
34:19being so slow, you get a lot of recharge, and the battery will usually sit quite high
34:25to 90 or 100% most of the time, so apart from obviously when you're deploying.
34:30So you heard the driver interviews before saying we should be able to drive flat out,
34:35no lift and coasts here, and a lot more kind of traditional driving, and that's what
34:39they're also looking forward to.
34:41Max Verstappen finding a very nice line, and a little bit closer to the barriers than
34:46a lot of others have been so far, to go second fastest, eight hundredths off Lewis Hamilton.
34:52Remember that eight second gap between fastest this year and fastest last year?
34:55That's come down now, 1.158 for Hamilton.
34:57It was a 1.119 from Charles Leclerc last year.
35:00That shows you the evolution, even in these early stages, with every driver on the track
35:05bar.
35:05Lance Stroll, who's been out for one lap, didn't set a time.
35:08His team mate, Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso, and Oscar Piastri in the McLaren.
35:13We mentioned their tribute livery for this weekend.
35:15Aston Martin have got one as well that apparently changes colour during the course of the afternoon.
35:19There is Isaac Hajar, who has gone third fastest.
35:24Wow.
35:25Yeah, good lap from Hajar.
35:26He's really attacking from to back all the way through swimming pool section, nice, neat
35:31and tidy.
35:32But yeah, like you said, Crofty, the lap time is going to be tumbling down all the way through
35:36this session.
35:37And this is an important part, to get yourself up to speed and familiarise yourself again
35:42with the circuit, but stay away from the barriers.
35:47And you're going through that learning process at the moment to just try and drive a bit
35:52freer.
35:52Let the car move around a little bit.
35:54We saw Lewis exit in the swimming pool section, doing exactly that.
35:57The two Ferraris, very close.
36:00Yeah, bummed down the main straight.
36:02But Lewis will pick up a really good toe, won't he, if they do that in qualifying.
36:06Well, one seemed to be finishing lap, the other one just starting lap.
36:09Yeah, so they kind of tripped over each other a little bit there as LeClaire now on his
36:13way.
36:14And as he goes on his way, let's head down to the pit lane.
36:18No-tech rabbits for us this weekend, Ted.
36:20We miss you loads.
36:22Bernie Collins, we are so glad you could deputise.
36:24Well, yes, trying my very best to stand in for Ted, and hopefully he's all okay.
36:30So we just wanted to have a quick look at the Aston Martin that you mentioned there.
36:34Lance Strode has only done a single lap.
36:37Now, there's a little green screen that you can see just above the Garadur.
36:41Now, at the moment, all of the squares on that are green, but when he came in, a number
36:45of them were red.
36:46It seems like they're struggling with how the chassis, how the car is talking to the engineers.
36:53So they've been doing a lot of checks.
36:54There's been mechanics out with the rubber gloves on.
36:56I think you can still actually see the one on the rear right still has his rubber gloves
37:00on.
37:01They are not happy to release this car, although we do now have a full green screen.
37:06So hopefully Lance can get out and get some very, very important learning on this Monaco
37:11track soon.
37:12And Bernie, from your position down in the pit lane, could we go back to you and spin
37:16the camera around a bit?
37:17Because you've got a magnificent view from where you are of the swimming pool exit and
37:21the cars coming through, haven't you?
37:22Yeah, if you just look over just to behind us, where the pit walls would normally be,
37:26you can see the cars coming through this final exit, riding this yellow curve just to the
37:32right-hand side there as they go through that left-hander.
37:35And you can really tell the difference here between a car on a cool lap and a car that's
37:40pushing.
37:41Because when they come round that Arnico bar, they're like the red bull, really close to
37:45the barrier on the right-hand side.
37:46It really bounces over the yellow sausage curb on the left-hand side.
37:51And it really unsettles the car as it then tries to go to the final corners of the circuit.
37:56So a fantastic piece to watch, Crofty.
37:59But one thing for you to be mindful of is I don't actually have a screen, so I can't
38:03see what else is going on on track.
38:04But I could stand here and watch this corner all day.
38:07This is, I think, the best seat in the house.
38:09Yeah, to be fair, our seat's not bad.
38:11We're on the other side of the track from you.
38:13But, you know, you've probably got it for the sheer excitement and adrenaline that flows
38:19through you when you see the cars go through it, especially at a corner like the swimming
38:23pool exit, JB, which is the maker or the breaker of many a qualifying session.
38:28It is.
38:28Obviously, from a speed point of view, it's a lot slower than the first part of swimming
38:33pool, which is just crazy when you're watching a front car through there.
38:35But it's the more technical part.
38:37Yes, you've got to heavily brake for the right-hander and then throw it over the curb at the second
38:42apex and miss the armcode barrier on the exit as Lando's coming through there right now.
38:47There's a bit of oversteer there, which wouldn't have been nice into the left-hander, and so
38:52much traffic.
38:52This is so difficult when you have this much traffic because it does take your eye off the
38:56ball a little bit.
38:57Two more cars on track, of course, when you get to Q1 for this year than we had last
39:01year.
39:01Lando Norris to the line and goes third fastest, but eight tenths off the pace, which is still
39:06being set by Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari.
39:09The car that he was hounding in front of him, that was Kimi Antonelli, championship leader
39:13as well.
39:14So Kimi currently P5, but Lando Norris has always been a good circuit for him.
39:20And look at that, Leclerc's really finding it tough with the traffic mostly, and he hasn't
39:26really put a full lap together just yet.
39:33Yeah, he doesn't have to f*** my laps twice as well, you know, not my fast.
39:39Yeah, he's not overly happy with his, I think, potentially his teammate, Oli Behrman in front
39:44of him there, Esteban Ocon.
39:46Oh, what an idiot, man.
39:49Sorry, they're all so stupid.
39:51Who has a different perspective on the incident?
39:54Oh, wow, that was a quite aggressive response.
39:57Yeah.
39:58I don't know what exactly was going on there.
40:01We only saw, I think, the end result.
40:04But does he feel that Esteban is just a bit too close and that's then not giving him the
40:10comfort and the space he needs to get what he needs to be done?
40:13I don't know.
40:14Is that the issue?
40:15Possibly.
40:16We don't, maybe we didn't see the whole thing.
40:18Yeah.
40:20Kimi, good first sector, lost a little bit in the last, but he's a P2.
40:24It's a very, very short final sector, but if you've got a car that has tremendous grip
40:31and acceleration out of the Rascasse and the final Anson Noges corner, you can still make
40:37up two and a half, three tenths of a second, as Max Verstappen did to Danai Alonso pole
40:41a couple of years ago.
40:42It's unbelievable going up the hill.
40:45It's crazy.
40:47I won't say.
40:48Now, just to let you know, we've had a bit of track resurfacing since last year.
40:54Resurfaced from the final turn all the way to turn one and then from turn seven, which
41:00is the Lowe's hairpin down to Mirabeau 2, from turn seven all the way to the entry of
41:07the tunnel, pit entry and pit exit and the turn five runoffs.
41:11There's quite a bit of resurfacing.
41:12The rest of the track was resurfaced the year before, but it is still very, very bumpy,
41:18which you kind of should expect because it's a street track as Leclerc goes quickest by
41:21half a second.
41:22And as you, as he went quickest, you see it, the sparks flying from the car hitting the
41:26ground.
41:26I drove around this morning on the hot laps, which is obviously in a road car, but you
41:30can still feel the bumps from turn one up to, oh, that was a lot of understood, up to
41:35Casino Square.
41:36It is pretty bumpy.
41:39If you can feel it in a road car, you're definitely going to feel it in one of these.
41:42But as Lando Norris comes up to the line, oh, wow, that was even a personal best last sector.
41:46I wasn't expecting that based on the huge amount of understeer he had through Rascar.
41:51So it goes to show how rapidly this track's improving and the driver's starting to lean
41:55on their machinery that little bit more.
41:58Lance Stroll comes through to back.
42:01That is quite a different colour scheme for that Aston Martin for this weekend.
42:06It looks a little bit like the Mercedes with a very, very dark, dark green at the front.
42:11And then a bit of a bit of McLaren orange at times because it does change colour on the
42:17on the engine cover in the tail.
42:20Bronzy.
42:20Yeah, bronze.
42:21Good word.
42:23Yeah.
42:24Still slowest and playing catch up to everyone else.
42:26Lance Stroll because he's been out on the track a lot later than others.
42:30He's done five laps.
42:31Sergio Perez, six.
42:32Everyone else has done pretty much multiple laps.
42:35Bortoletto, nine.
42:36Alonso, seven.
42:37We're on with Piastri and Antonelli.
42:39Let's just talk about Kimi Antonelli.
42:41He's a championship leader, JB.
42:43How do you approach Monaco, a race where everything could go really, really wrong very quickly
42:48when you're the championship leader and the pressure's kind of on you because you want
42:52to preserve that lead?
42:54You've got to not think about it.
42:55Just go out there and drive your racing car because I've definitely fallen foul of being
43:01a little bit too worried about putting it in the wall.
43:03Really?
43:04You drive within yourself and then you don't get the result.
43:07So he's just got to do what he has done all year.
43:11Just put it on the edge and it's so early in the season.
43:13He's definitely clicked with this generation of car more than last year.
43:17I know last year was a rookie season for him and everything, but he definitely looks much
43:21more at home in these non-ground effect cars.
43:24He was narrower, shorter wheelbase, a bit lighter, and I'm really intrigued to see how he's going
43:31to get on here in Monaco particularly because it wasn't brilliant for him last year and stuck
43:36it in the wall.
43:37I think it was at least once, maybe twice, but yeah, I think he did a lot of learning
43:43here last year and I'm really intrigued to see how our championship leader can tackle this
43:48track this time around.
43:5188 different drivers have scored a podium in Monaco on that list.
43:55A lot of great drivers, Jenson Button, of course, included, but not our top two in the championship
44:00in 2026.
44:02So far, Charles Leclerc, he has got a podium and a win and a pole here in Monaco who has
44:08the fastest time from Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris
44:12completed the top five.
44:21Welcome back to Monaco where in the commentary box, Ashley Davidson, the 2009 world champion,
44:27Jenson Button, and we are joined to prove that we can get four people in the commentary box,
44:32although only three on camera, Jack Doohan of the Haas team now.
44:36Hello, Jack Doohan.
44:36Hey, how's it going?
44:37It's going really well, mate.
44:38Welcome to Monaco.
44:39Thank you very much.
44:40Nice and cozy.
44:41You live here, don't you?
44:42These are your streets.
44:43These are not my streets, but yes, I spend most of my time here.
44:47Excellent.
44:48And we've been talking about driving around Monaco.
44:51You've driven around Monaco.
44:52You've raced around here.
44:53What's it like?
44:54Yeah, the first time, I don't know what it's like for you guys, but the first time up into
44:59the casino section is just butterflies in the tummy.
45:03Every time it surprises just how steep it is.
45:05You come over the crest.
45:06It's blind into turn three, and it's just always not a scary moment, but definitely a nervous
45:12one.
45:13Watch this on the screen.
45:15Charles Leclerc was about five millimeters away from making the contact he didn't want
45:21to make with the Armco there.
45:22Yeah, that's close in FP1.
45:26Just a bit.
45:27I mean, are you aware of just how close to the barriers you are when you race around here?
45:32No, I think that last few centimeters, I don't think there's much real knowledge of whether
45:39it's half a centimeter or two centimeters, honestly.
45:42It's more of a, you know, just sort of squint the eyes and hope that you stay away from
45:47it.
45:47But especially P1, you know, you see a lot of that dust that is on the circuit usually
45:52creeps up towards these barriers.
45:53So you usually see a little bit more lenience of your track usage in FP1, especially as
45:59you gather through it.
46:00How gorgeous is that?
46:02Diamante, purple special helmet for Lewis Hamilton.
46:07Very sparkly.
46:09Very sparkly.
46:10I was more interested in his turn into the chicane after the tunnel.
46:13Fair enough.
46:14It was early.
46:15He's in overtake mode as well, Lewis Hamilton.
46:18So really, really going for it.
46:21And that overtake, that extra half a megajoule, I mean, Jack, you'll have done the prep work
46:25for this, can make a hell of a difference around here, can't it?
46:28Yeah, definitely.
46:29Especially no straight line mode.
46:30Obviously, a few fancy wings happening by a couple of cars to try to, you know, push
46:36through that.
46:37But yeah, the Ferrari, I don't know if it's on low speed.
46:39He seems to be very much on the nose on the brake release, had a bit of over rotation in
46:43the chicane.
46:44I think that's where the understeer came from in the second last corner, maybe.
46:47Just not having the confidence to turn that car in.
46:49I think if you look at the times, that's probably where all of the loss is to Charles, because
46:53he looked on fire the rest of the lap.
46:55It was really impressive.
46:56And yeah, it is almost two tenths in the last sector to Charles.
46:59When you say on the nose, for those that aren't au fait with on the nose, that's all
47:05right.
47:05On the nose, meaning the car is very lacking, let's say, rear support on the final approach
47:12into the apex.
47:13So just that point where you want to be coming off the brake pedal and putting that steering
47:17lock on to rotate the car, you don't have that rear grip and starting to get away from
47:21you.
47:21And you can see in the chicane, by the time you got to the apex, the rear was moving,
47:25sliding.
47:26And sometimes you do struggle with understeer from the car in the mid corner like we saw
47:30in turn 18.
47:32But it actually comes from not having the confidence to rotate the car initially, which
47:35is, I think, what we saw when I drove here in Formula 2.
47:40You know, you would know the same, Jensen.
47:42So much time in the middle sector and the last sector.
47:44Although the guts come sometimes in the first sector, but that instability in the rear can
47:49really hit you on the low speed.
47:50Yeah, I agree.
47:51I remember a lap from Max Verstappen here in qualifying, that last sector.
47:55When he denied Fernando Alonso pole.
48:01He's not going to do a lap like that at this moment.
48:04His tyres have gone off.
48:04He said that that was a Max Verstappen lap of all laps.
48:09Broke Fernando Alonso's horse, I think, that particular afternoon, even though he took
48:13the front row.
48:15And at Haas, what the briefing this morning, what was being said to the drivers, Jack?
48:22Don't try and chase set up too much.
48:24This track will come to you eventually, be patient or what?
48:28Yeah, you know, having a yellow flag.
48:31Lewis Hamilton going very slow just out of Sanderbot.
48:36Which, back up the speed it looks like now.
48:38Yeah, I wonder if he's gone into the runoff area at Sanderbot.
48:42The usual place to lock up and then go back on the track again.
48:45Carry on, sir.
48:46Yeah, you know, it's one of those places where you're not making these big setup adjustments.
48:50Coming into FP1, there's certain things that can actually be favourable, but you just don't
48:56risk taking while you're here in Monaco.
48:58So, set-ups, obviously, minimal adjustments to try to help with your dampness coming off
49:04kerb.
49:05So, obviously, kerb riding here is super important, as we saw in the chicane, the swimming pool
49:08chicane as well.
49:09Not only just the ride off the kerb, but how the car comes off it.
49:12That, you know, changes very much how you then get on throttle.
49:16But, no, only two runs, typically, for the boys in FP1.
49:19Just as many laps as we can.
49:20You're going to get traffic.
49:22Yeah, that was Lewis Hamilton going straight on towards the chapel and doing the spin and
49:28back onto the track again.
49:29I think straight to the pits.
49:31Because that was a very, very long.
49:33Hard front run.
49:33Hard cut, yeah.
49:34But we're also at the point of this session where the tyres are degrading very, very quickly
49:38on a dirty track, the next set of tyres will run a lot longer, and you'll also see a massive
49:44improvement in lap times when they put that second set up.
49:47So, how's life at Haas?
49:48Good?
49:49Life's good.
49:50You know, obviously, second race last week in Montreal, so it wasn't very active in the
49:54first part, especially missing the two in the Middle East.
49:56But now, as we're coming into Europe, you know, getting a lot more races under the belt,
50:00which is nice, back-to-back weekends.
50:03But then I'm off.
50:04I miss Barcelona, unfortunately, next week to head to Le Mans, which would be cool as well
50:07to do for the first time.
50:08So, shoot off on Saturday night.
50:10Miss a few other briefings, so thank you to the FIA for that.
50:13Can you do LMP2?
50:14Yep.
50:15Fantastic.
50:16Great cars.
50:16Yeah, it'll be a really, really cool race.
50:19But, yeah, great to be able to be here, and the team on both sides allow for me to be
50:23here up until that point.
50:24What are you driving in LMP2?
50:27They're all the same.
50:28They're all the same.
50:28I love it.
50:29I don't know.
50:29Yeah, no worries, bro.
50:30I have not, sadly, I have not had time to watch all that, but take us through your car,
50:35then.
50:35My car.
50:37I'm very, I'm fresh to it, Crofty.
50:39You know, I'm fresh to it.
50:40It's fair.
50:41I'm only four months in, so you know probably as much as me.
50:45How are the seat, how are the driver changes?
50:47Yeah, completely different.
50:49You know, like, especially you want those positions to be firm before you go out and
50:52hit the brake pedal for the first time.
50:54But I'm looking forward to driving in the middle of the night.
50:57I think I might have a stint up, well, the total stint up towards 12 hours over the duration.
51:02So it's going to be long, but I'm looking forward to the night driving, early morning,
51:07sort of just locking into a three-hour stint and getting after it.
51:09It's super exciting.
51:10You've got to keep yourself fresh.
51:11I mean, I don't know how much driving you're doing.
51:13Obviously, simulator work.
51:14I don't know how much real-life driving you're doing in the F1 car.
51:18No, yeah.
51:19So, you know, so far, you know, not much.
51:22Obviously, full focus has been on, you know, the main race team.
51:26And also when you join into a new program mid-February with, you know, another reserve driver,
51:32you know, by Rio already being involved in the team, things are allocated quite well in
51:37advance.
51:38So we'll be getting into the car soon, which will be very nice.
51:41But to just be able to race, actually, anything just proves the sticker to my name that I am
51:46a racing driver.
51:47Well, that's the thing.
51:49Last year was the most brilliant and then the most disappointing year, I'm sure, of your
51:55career.
51:56Definitely.
51:56But you're young enough to come back.
51:59And Liam Lawson has proved that a demotion can actually work for you and you can bounce
52:03back from it.
52:04So the objective has to be to get into one of these seats full-time again, yes?
52:08Yeah, certainly.
52:09You know, I think that's the goal for next year.
52:12I would, you know, you'd be a little bit silly to think if it doesn't happen for 2027, it's,
52:16you know, not going, you know, it's not going to happen unless some insane things happen.
52:20So, you know, the focus is to put myself in a position to get in the car for next year.
52:23And if that doesn't happen, then there'll be some great opportunities to continue having
52:28a good race career and some fun cars.
52:31Ah, virtual safety car because a double yellow has been waived.
52:35And I wonder if that's for the bit that fell off the LP.
52:39Yeah, it was.
52:40Yeah, your old team has shed parts down at Rascas.
52:46Now, the VSC is going to be ending, which means the Marshall has collected whatever he
52:51needed to collect pretty quickly.
52:53And the track is now clear and we can carry on.
52:56Oh, that is inch perfect, surely.
53:00Yeah.
53:01It's not really inch perfect, is it?
53:03Really?
53:03Well, I think it's rubbing perfect, touching perfect.
53:06But that's the best line to take.
53:08If you can just shave the barrier, that's the line you want to take.
53:12But half an inch too far, the suspension's gone.
53:15Front right corner.
53:15Yeah.
53:16And then tub when you end up in the wall.
53:18That was awesome.
53:20Awesome to see.
53:20But have they changed that arm code, that barrier?
53:23Has it got like a bit of give in it?
53:25Because it looks like it's moving, right?
53:26It does seem to give that half a centimetre.
53:29Yeah.
53:30I don't know how calculated that sort of touching moment is.
53:33Yeah.
53:33As much as it looks great, I don't know how calculated that is.
53:37Well, they'd do it every lap if you could.
53:38I think that arm code has had a bit of give for a few years now, to be honest.
53:43But sometimes you can ask it to give a little bit too much.
53:46Talking of giving, Bernie's going to give us some news from the pit lane.
53:50Hopefully, Crofty.
53:51I guess one thing I want to point out, Crofty, is that for this pit lane, I'm behind this barrier.
53:55So the other side of the pit lane to where I normally am.
53:58So in case people are wondering at home, and it allows me to walk up and down quite freely,
54:01but we're much further away from the cars, and Lee, our cameraman, can't just, you know,
54:05slightly move someone to the side when we want to get our nose in.
54:08But we're going to try our best.
54:10So we're looking at Lewis Hamilton's car, as you say, had that excursion into the runoff.
54:15They've got both sides of the engine cover off, and the front little bonnet hatch in making
54:21a suspension change to the front pushrod on that car, I believe, and some changes helping
54:26around the rear behind the TV screen.
54:29Lewis hasn't got out of the car, but that is the car that I see the biggest changes happening
54:33on up and down the pit lane in this very small break, where teams are trying to maximise
54:38the time they have on track.
54:40They don't look concerned, but there is a lot of work going on.
54:43So hopefully, all the cars can do their turnaround, slight tweak to the set-up, and out for the
54:48second half of this P1 session.
54:50Now, Kimi Antonelli, thanks, Bernie, on medium tyres, as is Lando Norris and Oscar Piastro
54:55and George Russell, Sergio Perez and Arvid Lindblad currently on track, so swapping over tyres.
55:01No point running the softs in this session?
55:04I think it'll be a hard medium, and then two softs in FP2.
55:08I think that's going to be the strategy in an FP1.
55:11They're not looking to extract so much lap time.
55:13It's laps, laps, laps.
55:14Even when you get traffic, you continue pushing on, yeah, quite some time.
55:19On that new set of medium tyres, Kimi Antonelli, a 1.14.5, so four tenths clear of Charles Leclerc,
55:27who set his time on the hard compound tyre.
55:31Lando Norris next across the line, but still on a different set, well, different run program.
Comments