1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zed B. 3 00:00:12,627 --> 00:00:15,467 Speaker 2: The Japanese Formula one Grand Prix Tonight from six Liam 4 00:00:15,547 --> 00:00:19,267 Speaker 2: Lawson will start fourteenth on the Grid, New Zealand Herald 5 00:00:19,307 --> 00:00:22,907 Speaker 2: Motorsport expert Alex Powells and Studio with Us. Alex, thanks 6 00:00:22,907 --> 00:00:26,827 Speaker 2: for taking the time, Liam Lawson. Suffering front wing damage 7 00:00:27,027 --> 00:00:28,987 Speaker 2: in qualifying. Can you tell us about that and how 8 00:00:29,067 --> 00:00:31,827 Speaker 2: much it hurt his chances in qualifying. 9 00:00:31,427 --> 00:00:33,467 Speaker 3: Afternoon Pinty, Well, I mean that's kind of a thing, 10 00:00:33,507 --> 00:00:35,467 Speaker 3: is that we can't really tell you what happened. There 11 00:00:35,467 --> 00:00:38,227 Speaker 3: was an unexplained incident that's happened in the second stage 12 00:00:38,267 --> 00:00:40,067 Speaker 3: of qualifying last night. So he got through the first 13 00:00:40,067 --> 00:00:42,987 Speaker 3: stage just fine, think it was what eleventh, and then 14 00:00:43,027 --> 00:00:44,627 Speaker 3: they got to Q two and there was there was 15 00:00:44,667 --> 00:00:47,187 Speaker 3: somehow he's picked up damage on his front wing, which 16 00:00:47,187 --> 00:00:49,107 Speaker 3: meant they had to quickly change it out to a 17 00:00:49,147 --> 00:00:51,227 Speaker 3: new one. But that from the second front wing was 18 00:00:51,267 --> 00:00:53,907 Speaker 3: not calibrated at all, so that really did slim down. 19 00:00:53,947 --> 00:00:55,507 Speaker 3: He missed out by I think four tenth of the 20 00:00:55,547 --> 00:00:57,307 Speaker 3: second from getting into the top ten. 21 00:00:57,667 --> 00:01:01,627 Speaker 2: So fourteenth on the grid. Suzuka, how easy or not 22 00:01:02,027 --> 00:01:04,707 Speaker 2: is it to overtake on and what will that mean 23 00:01:05,227 --> 00:01:06,507 Speaker 2: for his race strategy. 24 00:01:06,787 --> 00:01:08,627 Speaker 3: It's a really funny one this year we're saying this 25 00:01:08,667 --> 00:01:11,467 Speaker 3: with all the tracks with the new regulations, Like last year, 26 00:01:11,747 --> 00:01:14,667 Speaker 3: Suzuka was not an easy track to overtake on. So 27 00:01:14,667 --> 00:01:16,267 Speaker 3: I think I went back and counted it and there 28 00:01:16,307 --> 00:01:19,307 Speaker 3: was fifteen overtakes throughout the whole race after the first lap, 29 00:01:19,507 --> 00:01:21,347 Speaker 3: which is next to nothing. So that's part of why 30 00:01:21,387 --> 00:01:23,507 Speaker 3: they've bought these new regulations and to try and make 31 00:01:23,547 --> 00:01:26,307 Speaker 3: it a bit more competitive. I don't know what's going 32 00:01:26,347 --> 00:01:28,147 Speaker 3: to happen. I don't know how much the new battery 33 00:01:28,227 --> 00:01:30,907 Speaker 3: is going to come into effect. Fourteenth is not a 34 00:01:30,907 --> 00:01:33,507 Speaker 3: good place to start at. Liam Lawson does have a 35 00:01:33,507 --> 00:01:36,027 Speaker 3: pretty tough day on his hands here if he can't 36 00:01:36,107 --> 00:01:37,987 Speaker 3: make his way up the field on that first lap. 37 00:01:38,267 --> 00:01:41,267 Speaker 2: You mentioned the regulation changes and I'm quite keen to 38 00:01:41,347 --> 00:01:44,867 Speaker 2: chat to you about those. The intent of them was 39 00:01:45,427 --> 00:01:48,027 Speaker 2: it to bring the field back together? Was that the intent? 40 00:01:48,307 --> 00:01:50,427 Speaker 3: There's part of that. They also they're a bit more 41 00:01:50,507 --> 00:01:53,947 Speaker 3: environmentally conscious now Formula one, so they're moving away from 42 00:01:54,147 --> 00:01:56,467 Speaker 3: the sort of the combustion engine towards more of a 43 00:01:56,547 --> 00:01:59,907 Speaker 3: hybrid they're wanting sustainable fuels. I think you know, I mean, 44 00:01:59,987 --> 00:02:02,107 Speaker 3: you living and willing to would know this. But younger 45 00:02:02,107 --> 00:02:04,547 Speaker 3: people do tend to be quite interested in climate change, 46 00:02:04,747 --> 00:02:07,307 Speaker 3: so I think Formula one are look it being more 47 00:02:07,347 --> 00:02:10,907 Speaker 3: sustainable in that regard. But you're right, it sort of 48 00:02:10,947 --> 00:02:13,267 Speaker 3: has thrown a whole spanner in the works. I know 49 00:02:13,347 --> 00:02:16,627 Speaker 3: Max with Stappins furious because the car that they've built 50 00:02:16,747 --> 00:02:20,067 Speaker 3: just hasn't adapted to these new regulations. We're seeing drivers 51 00:02:20,147 --> 00:02:22,707 Speaker 3: lose power on straights and that's not what you want. 52 00:02:22,707 --> 00:02:24,107 Speaker 3: You want to be going as fast as you can. 53 00:02:24,147 --> 00:02:26,587 Speaker 3: You want to be pushing the limit. And we're really 54 00:02:26,627 --> 00:02:30,307 Speaker 3: seeing teams struggle, you know, not not being able to 55 00:02:30,307 --> 00:02:32,307 Speaker 3: give their drivers cars that they're used to like. It 56 00:02:32,347 --> 00:02:34,787 Speaker 3: will even out eventually, like the Mercedes aren't complaining because 57 00:02:34,787 --> 00:02:37,187 Speaker 3: they're so far out in front. But it does just 58 00:02:37,187 --> 00:02:38,707 Speaker 3: take getting used to it always does. 59 00:02:39,067 --> 00:02:41,947 Speaker 2: And yeah, just on that then, so I haven't heard, 60 00:02:41,947 --> 00:02:43,627 Speaker 2: and I think Max for Stapin, has even set himself, 61 00:02:43,627 --> 00:02:46,147 Speaker 2: lookive me a shopping trolley, I'll drive that well. His 62 00:02:47,227 --> 00:02:52,227 Speaker 2: superb driving ability, his genius as a driver eventually allow 63 00:02:52,387 --> 00:02:54,387 Speaker 2: him to drive this car better. 64 00:02:55,347 --> 00:02:57,347 Speaker 3: I honestly don't know. I think this is a real 65 00:02:57,467 --> 00:03:00,267 Speaker 3: question doing its way through the sport. Now, will Max 66 00:03:00,307 --> 00:03:02,907 Speaker 3: Verstappin just throw in the towel. He's not the kind 67 00:03:02,947 --> 00:03:04,867 Speaker 3: of guy that's going to be like a Lewis Hamilton 68 00:03:04,947 --> 00:03:07,267 Speaker 3: or a Fernando Alance so where you driving into your forties. 69 00:03:07,307 --> 00:03:09,787 Speaker 3: If he feels like he's had enough, he might just 70 00:03:09,787 --> 00:03:11,747 Speaker 3: walk away, Like he brought up his two hundred thrace 71 00:03:11,787 --> 00:03:14,107 Speaker 3: a couple of years ago and got asked, are you 72 00:03:14,147 --> 00:03:16,147 Speaker 3: going to do two hundred more? And he said definitely not. 73 00:03:16,587 --> 00:03:19,187 Speaker 3: So does he want to still be doing this? We 74 00:03:19,267 --> 00:03:21,827 Speaker 3: know he does like endurance racing, he does do other 75 00:03:21,907 --> 00:03:24,147 Speaker 3: forms of motorsport that he's very passionate about. So I 76 00:03:24,187 --> 00:03:25,707 Speaker 3: mean if he throws in the towel at the end 77 00:03:25,747 --> 00:03:27,667 Speaker 3: of the year, I would not be surprised. 78 00:03:27,707 --> 00:03:32,267 Speaker 2: Wow. Interesting Kemmi Antonelli on pole another impressive qualifying for him. 79 00:03:32,907 --> 00:03:34,947 Speaker 2: Is he a genuine title contender? 80 00:03:35,147 --> 00:03:35,427 Speaker 1: Yep? 81 00:03:35,667 --> 00:03:37,827 Speaker 3: One hundred percent both of those Mercedes cars. Are you 82 00:03:37,867 --> 00:03:40,187 Speaker 3: feel for George Russell? He's been patient for years. He's 83 00:03:40,227 --> 00:03:42,867 Speaker 3: been stuck by Lewis Hamilton, he's been up against Max 84 00:03:42,907 --> 00:03:44,787 Speaker 3: for stapp and he's had to watch the McLaren's did 85 00:03:44,827 --> 00:03:47,907 Speaker 3: he raced with Orlando Norris right through his junior career 86 00:03:48,267 --> 00:03:51,147 Speaker 3: and now, like his name was underline, the share of 87 00:03:51,227 --> 00:03:52,907 Speaker 3: this is the guy to beat because there are some 88 00:03:53,027 --> 00:03:55,067 Speaker 3: very clever people at Mercedes. Every time there is a 89 00:03:55,107 --> 00:03:57,547 Speaker 3: regulations changed today, normally are the ones out in front 90 00:03:57,587 --> 00:04:00,307 Speaker 3: of it. But now he's being surpassed by a nineteen 91 00:04:00,387 --> 00:04:03,747 Speaker 3: year old. You know, I say surpassed. He's finished first 92 00:04:03,747 --> 00:04:07,467 Speaker 3: in one race. But keimy Antonelli looks the real deal. 93 00:04:07,587 --> 00:04:09,627 Speaker 3: Like he did have a tough year last year, which 94 00:04:10,067 --> 00:04:12,227 Speaker 3: happens when you throw an eighteen year old into Formula One, 95 00:04:12,267 --> 00:04:14,867 Speaker 3: but Mercedes faith in him does seem to actually be 96 00:04:14,947 --> 00:04:16,027 Speaker 3: completely justified. 97 00:04:16,547 --> 00:04:19,747 Speaker 2: McLaren. I see there are their third and fifth on 98 00:04:19,787 --> 00:04:23,227 Speaker 2: the grid Pstree, Third, Lando Norris defending champion. Of course, 99 00:04:23,267 --> 00:04:24,027 Speaker 2: fifth on the grid? 100 00:04:24,427 --> 00:04:24,587 Speaker 3: Is it? 101 00:04:24,587 --> 00:04:26,747 Speaker 2: Pstre He hasn't even completed a lap this year, has 102 00:04:26,827 --> 00:04:28,107 Speaker 2: He's had all sorts of troubles. 103 00:04:28,187 --> 00:04:32,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was sort of when would McLaren actually catch up. 104 00:04:32,187 --> 00:04:34,867 Speaker 3: So they've got a Mercedes engine which we know is 105 00:04:34,907 --> 00:04:38,627 Speaker 3: probably the dominant POWE unit at the moment. It's been 106 00:04:38,667 --> 00:04:40,947 Speaker 3: surprising to see the struggles that McLaren have had did 107 00:04:40,987 --> 00:04:42,667 Speaker 3: you sort of have to ask yourself, did they just 108 00:04:42,707 --> 00:04:45,267 Speaker 3: put everything into last year they knew that was their 109 00:04:45,347 --> 00:04:47,747 Speaker 3: chance to finish in the top of the constructors and 110 00:04:47,787 --> 00:04:50,187 Speaker 3: top of the drivers, which they did. But good to 111 00:04:50,227 --> 00:04:52,387 Speaker 3: see them actually now towards the front of the field. 112 00:04:52,387 --> 00:04:55,587 Speaker 3: Like I don't think anyone's near Mercedes over a race distance, 113 00:04:55,747 --> 00:04:58,387 Speaker 3: but I think today is going to be. If Oscar 114 00:04:58,387 --> 00:05:00,147 Speaker 3: Piastro can get out in front of one of those 115 00:05:00,187 --> 00:05:02,747 Speaker 3: two Mercedes cars on the first lap, I think he 116 00:05:02,787 --> 00:05:03,747 Speaker 3: will just hold on. 117 00:05:04,227 --> 00:05:06,147 Speaker 2: But if he doesn't, is are we looking at Mercedes 118 00:05:06,227 --> 00:05:06,627 Speaker 2: one too? 119 00:05:07,707 --> 00:05:11,387 Speaker 3: I'd say that's probably the likeliest outcome, depending on, you know, 120 00:05:11,467 --> 00:05:13,387 Speaker 3: if there's rain or if there's you know, some sort 121 00:05:13,427 --> 00:05:16,427 Speaker 3: of crazy red flag. But Mercedes won two from here 122 00:05:16,547 --> 00:05:19,067 Speaker 3: until you know, and I mean, we've got four or 123 00:05:19,067 --> 00:05:21,227 Speaker 3: five weeks off after this race because there's nothing in 124 00:05:21,987 --> 00:05:23,827 Speaker 3: the Middle East due to the conflict going on there, 125 00:05:24,147 --> 00:05:26,027 Speaker 3: so teams just do have the green light to do 126 00:05:26,187 --> 00:05:28,547 Speaker 3: whatever they want to try and get some sort of 127 00:05:28,587 --> 00:05:30,907 Speaker 3: advantage in their cars and catch Mercedes. But we really 128 00:05:30,987 --> 00:05:31,587 Speaker 3: just don't. 129 00:05:31,387 --> 00:05:33,547 Speaker 2: Know, okay, And so for Liam Lawson then a lot 130 00:05:33,587 --> 00:05:35,907 Speaker 2: has to go his way. For him to get into 131 00:05:35,947 --> 00:05:38,387 Speaker 2: the points. What sort of things do need to go 132 00:05:38,467 --> 00:05:40,427 Speaker 2: his way for him to get into the points? 133 00:05:40,787 --> 00:05:42,227 Speaker 3: Well, I think if you asked him, he'd say, it'll 134 00:05:42,267 --> 00:05:45,427 Speaker 3: be amazing if it could rain. He's brilliant in the 135 00:05:45,427 --> 00:05:49,707 Speaker 3: wet yea. But yeah, yea. So two weeks ago in China, 136 00:05:49,747 --> 00:05:51,947 Speaker 3: now he was in a similar position in both the 137 00:05:51,947 --> 00:05:54,067 Speaker 3: Sprint and the Grand Prix and just had teams and 138 00:05:54,147 --> 00:05:56,147 Speaker 3: other drivers struggle off the start line like he did 139 00:05:56,187 --> 00:05:58,067 Speaker 3: in Melbourne, and he was able to actually get into 140 00:05:58,107 --> 00:06:00,387 Speaker 3: the top ten and finish seventh in both races. So 141 00:06:00,467 --> 00:06:02,667 Speaker 3: something like that, and that it's not guaranteed that will happen. 142 00:06:02,667 --> 00:06:04,787 Speaker 3: But it's also not one hundred percent that all teams 143 00:06:04,787 --> 00:06:06,787 Speaker 3: have fixed whatever issues are on the STARF. I'm with 144 00:06:06,827 --> 00:06:11,667 Speaker 3: the new batteries. So basically it's Suzuka. It's so narrow 145 00:06:11,707 --> 00:06:13,547 Speaker 3: you can't really have to take It's probably second to 146 00:06:13,587 --> 00:06:16,907 Speaker 3: Monaco now and being difficult to overtake on. But it's 147 00:06:16,947 --> 00:06:19,307 Speaker 3: basically basically going to come from drivers in front of 148 00:06:19,427 --> 00:06:20,307 Speaker 3: him just having a shaker. 149 00:06:20,507 --> 00:06:23,347 Speaker 2: Okay, okay, in general terms, not just on this track, 150 00:06:23,387 --> 00:06:26,187 Speaker 2: but in general terms, is he a good overtaker? 151 00:06:27,107 --> 00:06:31,307 Speaker 3: Well, So Liam's junior career was very much built on aggression, 152 00:06:31,347 --> 00:06:34,467 Speaker 3: on being late, breaking into corners and just attacking other drivers. 153 00:06:34,467 --> 00:06:36,787 Speaker 3: But in since he's been an F one, his defensive 154 00:06:36,787 --> 00:06:38,907 Speaker 3: side of it has really been what's impressed me. You 155 00:06:38,987 --> 00:06:41,387 Speaker 3: remember last year in Austria, you know, he had that 156 00:06:41,427 --> 00:06:43,787 Speaker 3: first lap accident, and then he had Fernando also behind 157 00:06:43,827 --> 00:06:46,267 Speaker 3: him for sixty six out of seventy two last right, 158 00:06:46,307 --> 00:06:48,747 Speaker 3: and he couldn't get near him, you know, So to 159 00:06:48,787 --> 00:06:51,467 Speaker 3: hold off a guy who's won two World championships, that's brilliant. 160 00:06:51,827 --> 00:06:54,507 Speaker 3: Last last race in China, he had his Hagar behind 161 00:06:54,547 --> 00:06:57,227 Speaker 3: him for the last part on with a tire advantage. 162 00:06:57,747 --> 00:07:01,627 Speaker 3: So that's that's the part. Like he It's really difficult 163 00:07:01,667 --> 00:07:03,187 Speaker 3: for me to not be too biased here because I've 164 00:07:03,187 --> 00:07:05,307 Speaker 3: covered Limbs and he was seventeen years old and seen 165 00:07:05,347 --> 00:07:09,307 Speaker 3: you know, his whole career at this level. But you 166 00:07:09,347 --> 00:07:11,187 Speaker 3: do get the film he is starting to become the 167 00:07:11,267 --> 00:07:13,667 Speaker 3: complete driver, and we saw that in China. 168 00:07:14,787 --> 00:07:18,387 Speaker 2: Just finally, just on Limblood. His new teammate Aarvid Lindblad, 169 00:07:18,467 --> 00:07:21,787 Speaker 2: the only rookie on the grid this year. Right, he's 170 00:07:21,827 --> 00:07:24,067 Speaker 2: out qualified Liam and this one will start tenth on 171 00:07:24,067 --> 00:07:27,267 Speaker 2: the grid to Liam's fourteenth. How crucial is it that 172 00:07:27,307 --> 00:07:30,427 Speaker 2: Liam outqualifies limb blood more often than the other way around. 173 00:07:30,707 --> 00:07:32,947 Speaker 3: I mean, that's that's the first thing of motorsport is 174 00:07:33,067 --> 00:07:35,147 Speaker 3: do you beat your teammate? You know, it's the closest 175 00:07:35,147 --> 00:07:38,187 Speaker 3: comparison point. You're in the same machinery. Limb Blad's a 176 00:07:38,187 --> 00:07:40,627 Speaker 3: funny one because we thought, you know, being a rookie, 177 00:07:40,667 --> 00:07:42,267 Speaker 3: he will be all right if he struggles, but then 178 00:07:42,307 --> 00:07:44,707 Speaker 3: we got to Melbourne and it actually turns out he does. 179 00:07:44,747 --> 00:07:46,947 Speaker 3: He actually have an advantage because all the other cars 180 00:07:47,027 --> 00:07:48,747 Speaker 3: and all the other drivers, sorry, he've had to unlearn 181 00:07:48,787 --> 00:07:51,387 Speaker 3: everything they know to take into these new cars, whereas 182 00:07:51,387 --> 00:07:53,507 Speaker 3: this is the only reality that limb Blad's ever had, 183 00:07:53,667 --> 00:07:56,107 Speaker 3: so he does just have a blank page to go from. 184 00:07:56,467 --> 00:07:58,867 Speaker 2: Lights out at six over the court, lights out. That's 185 00:07:58,867 --> 00:08:00,187 Speaker 2: how they start these races, isn't it? 186 00:08:00,227 --> 00:08:00,907 Speaker 3: Mate? You want a job? 187 00:08:01,507 --> 00:08:03,707 Speaker 2: Lights out of where we go six o'clock, six o'clock. 188 00:08:03,747 --> 00:08:05,747 Speaker 2: Good on your mate. Things Indeed, Alex Powell read him 189 00:08:05,747 --> 00:08:08,187 Speaker 2: at n' z here co dot nz. All of his 190 00:08:08,307 --> 00:08:11,307 Speaker 2: race analysis and the lead up and his review afterwards 191 00:08:11,347 --> 00:08:12,187 Speaker 2: available for you. 192 00:08:12,507 --> 00:08:16,107 Speaker 1: To check out for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. 193 00:08:16,267 --> 00:08:19,507 Speaker 1: Listen live to News Talk set B weekends from midday, 194 00:08:19,787 --> 00:08:21,907 Speaker 1: or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio