1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,347 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 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:16,107 Speaker 2: Lawson's log two top ten finishers in practice for Formula 4 00:00:16,147 --> 00:00:18,547 Speaker 2: ones Canadian Grand Prix. The Key with Racing Balls driver 5 00:00:18,827 --> 00:00:22,387 Speaker 2: finished eighth and tenth respectively on the first day of 6 00:00:22,467 --> 00:00:23,267 Speaker 2: the race weekend. 7 00:00:23,907 --> 00:00:27,107 Speaker 3: It's positive, as close as usual at the moment. Personally, 8 00:00:27,147 --> 00:00:28,907 Speaker 3: it's been a fun day. It's a cool track. It's 9 00:00:28,947 --> 00:00:31,987 Speaker 3: been a place of once it come to you for 10 00:00:32,067 --> 00:00:34,267 Speaker 3: a long time. So just very very close. We need 11 00:00:34,307 --> 00:00:37,907 Speaker 3: to keep pushing the limits and finding everybody speed we can. 12 00:00:37,867 --> 00:00:40,627 Speaker 2: Qualifying tomorrow morning. The race itself goes at six on 13 00:00:40,787 --> 00:00:43,547 Speaker 2: Monday morning. New Zealand time. Let's bring in our Formula 14 00:00:43,547 --> 00:00:46,627 Speaker 2: one expert from the New Zealand Herald, Alex Powell. Alex, 15 00:00:46,627 --> 00:00:49,187 Speaker 2: thanks for stopping. And how happy will Liam Lawson be 16 00:00:49,387 --> 00:00:51,707 Speaker 2: with his day afternoon? 17 00:00:51,747 --> 00:00:54,267 Speaker 3: Piney hope you will. I think he will be content 18 00:00:54,347 --> 00:00:56,347 Speaker 3: with his day. But it's also you do have to 19 00:00:56,387 --> 00:00:58,227 Speaker 3: look at practice with a grain of salt. That you 20 00:00:58,307 --> 00:01:00,667 Speaker 3: don't win anything on a Friday. 21 00:01:00,947 --> 00:01:04,027 Speaker 2: Tell us about that, because I I am interested to 22 00:01:04,107 --> 00:01:08,547 Speaker 2: know how accurate and indicate practice is to the way 23 00:01:08,627 --> 00:01:10,867 Speaker 2: that a weekend might play out for somebody. 24 00:01:11,827 --> 00:01:15,027 Speaker 3: So generally, practice one you get to grips with the 25 00:01:15,067 --> 00:01:17,307 Speaker 3: track and what your strategy might be, how you set 26 00:01:17,307 --> 00:01:21,147 Speaker 3: your car up. Practice two is generally quite a good 27 00:01:21,147 --> 00:01:23,027 Speaker 3: indicator of how qualifying is going to be because it'll 28 00:01:23,027 --> 00:01:25,827 Speaker 3: be similar conditions, the time of the day it's raced, 29 00:01:25,827 --> 00:01:27,547 Speaker 3: and everything you've learned you've just come in from a 30 00:01:27,547 --> 00:01:30,307 Speaker 3: session before that. In terms of how a race relates 31 00:01:30,347 --> 00:01:32,627 Speaker 3: to practice, I mean, it's very rare that you see 32 00:01:32,627 --> 00:01:34,627 Speaker 3: anything like that because just the conditions of a race 33 00:01:34,667 --> 00:01:37,187 Speaker 3: are different to anything you get in the sport anywhere else. 34 00:01:37,427 --> 00:01:40,307 Speaker 2: So just for clarity during practice, are they all out 35 00:01:40,307 --> 00:01:42,227 Speaker 2: there together? Are there fewer cars on the track? 36 00:01:42,227 --> 00:01:42,347 Speaker 3: Out? 37 00:01:42,387 --> 00:01:42,827 Speaker 2: Does it work? 38 00:01:43,147 --> 00:01:45,267 Speaker 3: So you get an hour an hour to wherever you 39 00:01:45,307 --> 00:01:47,827 Speaker 3: can basically do whatever you want. Not all cars will 40 00:01:47,827 --> 00:01:49,107 Speaker 3: be on the track at the same time, but that 41 00:01:49,227 --> 00:01:51,987 Speaker 3: is a possibility you can do. You know, you control 42 00:01:52,067 --> 00:01:54,307 Speaker 3: something with your wing or your tires or you fuel load, 43 00:01:54,707 --> 00:01:56,827 Speaker 3: come back into the perch, make a couple of changes, 44 00:01:56,827 --> 00:01:58,427 Speaker 3: and then go back out. You've got an hour to 45 00:01:58,467 --> 00:01:59,387 Speaker 3: do whatever you. 46 00:01:59,347 --> 00:02:02,587 Speaker 2: Want and what each lap is timed. And that's what 47 00:02:02,627 --> 00:02:05,347 Speaker 2: we find with these results. Of course, They don't mean 48 00:02:05,387 --> 00:02:08,187 Speaker 2: anything to do they but that's how your track lap 49 00:02:08,267 --> 00:02:10,547 Speaker 2: times and how were Lillams today. 50 00:02:11,107 --> 00:02:12,747 Speaker 3: So generally at the end, towards the end of a 51 00:02:12,787 --> 00:02:15,067 Speaker 3: session you'll you'll have what they'll call a push lap 52 00:02:15,107 --> 00:02:19,227 Speaker 3: where you'll just try and set the fastest time. I 53 00:02:19,267 --> 00:02:21,627 Speaker 3: thought Liam Lawson was very good today. There was a 54 00:02:21,747 --> 00:02:24,947 Speaker 3: very good battle between Isaac Hadjar and Liam. They finished, 55 00:02:24,987 --> 00:02:28,227 Speaker 3: you know, a couple of tenths apart each time. Obviously, 56 00:02:28,267 --> 00:02:31,347 Speaker 3: this season has basically been the story of Liam being 57 00:02:31,387 --> 00:02:34,147 Speaker 3: out driven by Hajjar, and again this is only practice. 58 00:02:34,267 --> 00:02:36,307 Speaker 3: We might know what's gonna happen tomorrow in the race, 59 00:02:36,667 --> 00:02:38,987 Speaker 3: but for me today it felt as close as it's 60 00:02:38,987 --> 00:02:41,547 Speaker 3: been between them, and that I'm reading is a really 61 00:02:41,587 --> 00:02:43,667 Speaker 3: good sign because we know that Liam's had a bit 62 00:02:43,667 --> 00:02:45,147 Speaker 3: of a knock this year with what happened to him 63 00:02:45,147 --> 00:02:47,387 Speaker 3: at Red Bull, and it wasn't going to be enough. 64 00:02:47,387 --> 00:02:48,267 Speaker 3: It was going to be a when he got his 65 00:02:48,307 --> 00:02:50,547 Speaker 3: confidence back. But the issue is that in that time 66 00:02:50,627 --> 00:02:53,547 Speaker 3: Hajar has just really been probably the standout driver on 67 00:02:53,587 --> 00:02:55,307 Speaker 3: the whole grid, not just at racing balls. 68 00:02:55,707 --> 00:02:59,187 Speaker 2: Do you think that Liam uses that, either openly or 69 00:02:59,267 --> 00:03:01,667 Speaker 2: privately as a motivator as well. 70 00:03:02,747 --> 00:03:06,627 Speaker 3: I think he's very motivated as is. It's not I've 71 00:03:06,667 --> 00:03:08,627 Speaker 3: covered Limb since he was seventeen years old, and he's 72 00:03:08,627 --> 00:03:12,347 Speaker 3: always been very aware of the sacrifices that other people 73 00:03:12,387 --> 00:03:14,467 Speaker 3: have made to get him to areas, like his parents 74 00:03:14,547 --> 00:03:17,027 Speaker 3: sold his house when he was young to fund his 75 00:03:17,067 --> 00:03:19,947 Speaker 3: go cuting career and it only gets more expensive after that. 76 00:03:20,027 --> 00:03:23,827 Speaker 3: So he knows what's at stake, and that's not just 77 00:03:24,027 --> 00:03:25,907 Speaker 3: unique to lem Laws and that's a trait that most 78 00:03:25,987 --> 00:03:28,027 Speaker 3: drivers out of New Zealand share because we're not a 79 00:03:28,107 --> 00:03:31,107 Speaker 3: very big country. We don't have, you know, the benefactors 80 00:03:31,107 --> 00:03:32,987 Speaker 3: that are prepared to put millions of dollars into a 81 00:03:33,067 --> 00:03:36,227 Speaker 3: kid to get them to f one. So whether or 82 00:03:36,267 --> 00:03:40,187 Speaker 3: not being dropped by Red Bull is just another motivator forum. 83 00:03:40,707 --> 00:03:43,547 Speaker 3: I mean, it's probably for him to say and not us. I, 84 00:03:44,307 --> 00:03:47,267 Speaker 3: as you've said, are taking these Oh I'm taking these 85 00:03:47,387 --> 00:03:50,347 Speaker 3: results with a grain of salt because they are only practiced. 86 00:03:50,347 --> 00:03:52,787 Speaker 2: But I have to go down to nine to find 87 00:03:52,907 --> 00:03:55,027 Speaker 2: max for stapping. Is that significant or not? 88 00:03:55,667 --> 00:03:55,747 Speaker 1: So? 89 00:03:55,867 --> 00:03:58,987 Speaker 3: Red Bull have actually had a very bad run of 90 00:03:58,987 --> 00:04:03,267 Speaker 3: Friday practices all season. Yeah, so generally that car is 91 00:04:03,347 --> 00:04:06,267 Speaker 3: so temperamental the RB twenty one that only really makes 92 00:04:06,547 --> 00:04:08,867 Speaker 3: get anything out of that Friday, they'll try and try 93 00:04:08,867 --> 00:04:10,947 Speaker 3: a few things and learn what works and what doesn't work. 94 00:04:11,147 --> 00:04:13,747 Speaker 3: They'll churn it up overnight and then the Saturday, so 95 00:04:13,827 --> 00:04:16,267 Speaker 3: Sunday morning, our time will be when you really see 96 00:04:16,307 --> 00:04:18,427 Speaker 3: what it is and through practice three and into qualifying. 97 00:04:18,827 --> 00:04:20,747 Speaker 2: Just while we're on max for step and he collided 98 00:04:20,787 --> 00:04:22,667 Speaker 2: with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix couple of 99 00:04:22,707 --> 00:04:26,427 Speaker 2: weeks ago, issued with three points on his super license, 100 00:04:26,507 --> 00:04:30,267 Speaker 2: which basically means he's one more infringement away from a race. Band. 101 00:04:30,467 --> 00:04:32,547 Speaker 2: I think he's got two races to avoid that before 102 00:04:32,827 --> 00:04:35,027 Speaker 2: some of the points drop off over a twelve month period. 103 00:04:35,587 --> 00:04:38,747 Speaker 2: If he were to drop out for a race, who 104 00:04:38,827 --> 00:04:39,827 Speaker 2: would take his seat. 105 00:04:40,747 --> 00:04:43,507 Speaker 3: It's very interesting and there's a lot of chat around 106 00:04:43,587 --> 00:04:45,667 Speaker 3: who's going to do that. So from the people I've 107 00:04:45,707 --> 00:04:48,587 Speaker 3: spoken to, Red Bull don't at the moment have a 108 00:04:48,587 --> 00:04:50,587 Speaker 3: clear preference one way or the other out of Liam 109 00:04:50,627 --> 00:04:55,227 Speaker 3: Lawson or Isaac Hanjer. It's understood that Liam's experience in 110 00:04:55,267 --> 00:04:58,427 Speaker 3: the RB twenty one and combined with Hajjars and experience 111 00:04:58,467 --> 00:05:02,627 Speaker 3: in Formula one would mean Lawson is actually slightly ahead 112 00:05:02,667 --> 00:05:05,267 Speaker 3: if they did need to make that change. However, the 113 00:05:05,307 --> 00:05:08,867 Speaker 3: real mean herring and all this as in Betwel earlier 114 00:05:08,907 --> 00:05:11,507 Speaker 3: this week, Avid Limbladd, who is an F two driver 115 00:05:11,587 --> 00:05:14,067 Speaker 3: with Red Bull, was given dispensation to get his super 116 00:05:14,067 --> 00:05:16,507 Speaker 3: license early. So super license is what you need to 117 00:05:16,627 --> 00:05:18,627 Speaker 3: be qualified to get into F one. It's actually sort 118 00:05:18,627 --> 00:05:20,227 Speaker 3: of like an anti max for stap and rule that 119 00:05:20,227 --> 00:05:22,107 Speaker 3: the fire brought in because of Stappa was in that 120 00:05:22,267 --> 00:05:24,547 Speaker 3: car at sixteen, so they brought in the super license 121 00:05:24,587 --> 00:05:25,707 Speaker 3: rule that you have to be eighteen to get lim 122 00:05:25,747 --> 00:05:28,547 Speaker 3: Blad Scott has at seventeen. Red Bull won't have done 123 00:05:28,587 --> 00:05:31,147 Speaker 3: that for no reason. You know, they will very clearly 124 00:05:31,187 --> 00:05:33,907 Speaker 3: have a plan. So whether or not that's Limbladd comes 125 00:05:33,907 --> 00:05:35,667 Speaker 3: in later this year for a race or two. Here 126 00:05:35,747 --> 00:05:37,907 Speaker 3: they're like what Brendan Hartley got when he came in 127 00:05:38,347 --> 00:05:40,427 Speaker 3: and would that be at the expensively? And Mawson would 128 00:05:40,467 --> 00:05:42,667 Speaker 3: that be expensive? Yuki Sonoda, and then you see Isaac 129 00:05:42,667 --> 00:05:46,147 Speaker 3: Canjam move up. It's all a bit musical chairs. So 130 00:05:46,227 --> 00:05:49,307 Speaker 3: to answer your question in short, I think in the 131 00:05:49,707 --> 00:05:53,547 Speaker 3: unlikely event that Stappan gets banned, I would like to 132 00:05:53,547 --> 00:05:56,947 Speaker 3: think Liam Lawson would get another shot, and that seems 133 00:05:56,987 --> 00:05:58,267 Speaker 3: to be how the cards are falling at home. But 134 00:05:58,347 --> 00:06:00,147 Speaker 3: we just don't know anything could happened over these next 135 00:06:00,187 --> 00:06:00,707 Speaker 3: couple of days. 136 00:06:00,747 --> 00:06:02,427 Speaker 2: Of course, as you alluded to, and as we all know, 137 00:06:02,587 --> 00:06:05,747 Speaker 2: Liam started the season with Red Bull dropped into the 138 00:06:05,827 --> 00:06:10,067 Speaker 2: racing ball team. Yuki Sonoda took that seat. How's he going, 139 00:06:10,987 --> 00:06:11,507 Speaker 2: not flash? 140 00:06:11,547 --> 00:06:13,387 Speaker 3: And you do feel for Yuki like he is a 141 00:06:13,427 --> 00:06:15,667 Speaker 3: good driver, like all these guys, these are I mean, 142 00:06:15,667 --> 00:06:17,627 Speaker 3: in theory the twenty best drivers in the world, but 143 00:06:17,667 --> 00:06:19,747 Speaker 3: you put anyone next to Max Forstappen and they're just 144 00:06:19,827 --> 00:06:21,787 Speaker 3: going to struggle because of the way that team set up. 145 00:06:21,867 --> 00:06:23,867 Speaker 3: And like Yuki has become a bit of a figure 146 00:06:23,907 --> 00:06:26,027 Speaker 3: of fun for Kiwis, as you know, the guy that 147 00:06:26,587 --> 00:06:28,267 Speaker 3: I don't know. As a coping mechanism, we just try 148 00:06:28,307 --> 00:06:29,907 Speaker 3: and tear him down to make our guy feel a 149 00:06:29,907 --> 00:06:32,667 Speaker 3: bit better. But it's not very nice to see guys 150 00:06:32,707 --> 00:06:35,987 Speaker 3: struggle like he started last in Spain, and like we 151 00:06:36,107 --> 00:06:37,227 Speaker 3: know he's a better driver than that. 152 00:06:38,347 --> 00:06:42,467 Speaker 2: And in a wider sense. PS Three Norris, the two 153 00:06:42,507 --> 00:06:44,907 Speaker 2: McLaren drivers one and two and the driver's standings at 154 00:06:44,947 --> 00:06:48,107 Speaker 2: the moment they're they're opening up quite the gap, aren't 155 00:06:48,107 --> 00:06:51,027 Speaker 2: they back to for Stappan and then George Russell and 156 00:06:51,067 --> 00:06:53,107 Speaker 2: the Mercedes are the McLaren's just faster. 157 00:06:53,707 --> 00:06:55,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean there's nowhere around it that they just 158 00:06:55,987 --> 00:06:59,187 Speaker 3: have a very good car in combination with two very 159 00:06:59,187 --> 00:07:01,387 Speaker 3: good drivers. I then PS three everything year about him. 160 00:07:01,387 --> 00:07:03,387 Speaker 3: So pstre raced in Formula two at the same time 161 00:07:03,427 --> 00:07:06,107 Speaker 3: as Lin Lawson. The whole point of Formula two as 162 00:07:06,347 --> 00:07:08,107 Speaker 3: everything is supposed to bears even as it can be 163 00:07:08,587 --> 00:07:11,747 Speaker 3: so that you get things like reverse good races where 164 00:07:11,827 --> 00:07:14,067 Speaker 3: just to level the playing field, Oscar Pistree was so 165 00:07:14,187 --> 00:07:16,347 Speaker 3: far in front of everyone else in that championship it's 166 00:07:16,427 --> 00:07:19,107 Speaker 3: not even funny. So if he isn't the world champion 167 00:07:19,307 --> 00:07:21,147 Speaker 3: in a few months time, whilst a few months at 168 00:07:21,147 --> 00:07:23,067 Speaker 3: the end of the year, I would be very surprised. 169 00:07:23,427 --> 00:07:25,627 Speaker 2: How often has Liam raced the circuit before? 170 00:07:26,067 --> 00:07:28,787 Speaker 3: Never So Formula two and for me three don't really 171 00:07:28,787 --> 00:07:31,107 Speaker 3: go to Canada. It's quite expensive to move everything around, 172 00:07:31,147 --> 00:07:32,747 Speaker 3: so when you go to places like the Americas in 173 00:07:32,747 --> 00:07:35,787 Speaker 3: the middle least, you don't really get the same calendar 174 00:07:35,787 --> 00:07:38,107 Speaker 3: sharing that you'd get with F one. So this will 175 00:07:38,147 --> 00:07:40,027 Speaker 3: be his first proper race in a single seater at 176 00:07:40,027 --> 00:07:40,747 Speaker 3: this track. 177 00:07:40,747 --> 00:07:45,067 Speaker 2: And in terms of the race itself, how challenging is 178 00:07:45,067 --> 00:07:47,947 Speaker 2: it to pass? How challenging or not is it to 179 00:07:47,987 --> 00:07:50,907 Speaker 2: move up the field If you qualify outside the top ten, 180 00:07:51,187 --> 00:07:52,867 Speaker 2: could you be in the top ten during the race? 181 00:07:52,907 --> 00:07:55,027 Speaker 2: What's the situation with the track in that regard. 182 00:07:55,507 --> 00:07:57,707 Speaker 3: So Canada is quite it's not a I mean, the 183 00:07:57,747 --> 00:07:59,427 Speaker 3: way the cars are built now, they're so big, so 184 00:07:59,507 --> 00:08:01,827 Speaker 3: overtaking is quite difficult in general. But Canada has three 185 00:08:01,907 --> 00:08:03,707 Speaker 3: drs zones where you can open your back wing up 186 00:08:03,707 --> 00:08:05,307 Speaker 3: if you're in a one second of the car in 187 00:08:05,307 --> 00:08:06,667 Speaker 3: front of it gives you a little bit of boost 188 00:08:06,707 --> 00:08:09,027 Speaker 3: to go past them. So Canada's got three of those, 189 00:08:09,027 --> 00:08:12,707 Speaker 3: which in theory means it's good for overtaking. However, we 190 00:08:12,827 --> 00:08:14,947 Speaker 3: know that as we've seen in places like Imila, in 191 00:08:14,987 --> 00:08:17,707 Speaker 3: places like Monica, when Monica's the Lauren to itself. But 192 00:08:17,827 --> 00:08:20,387 Speaker 3: overtaking this year hasn't really been at a premium, so 193 00:08:20,507 --> 00:08:22,267 Speaker 3: we will just have to wait and see how they go. 194 00:08:22,427 --> 00:08:24,907 Speaker 2: All right, So qualifying nice and high is I mean, 195 00:08:24,987 --> 00:08:27,907 Speaker 2: it's it sounds stupid to always, but yeah, always good 196 00:08:27,907 --> 00:08:29,667 Speaker 2: to qualify as highup the grit as you can. So 197 00:08:30,027 --> 00:08:31,507 Speaker 2: are we looking at Liam in the top ten and 198 00:08:31,587 --> 00:08:32,907 Speaker 2: qualifying tomorrow fingers. 199 00:08:32,627 --> 00:08:36,587 Speaker 3: Crossed, oh, fingers cross from as always he had. That's 200 00:08:36,587 --> 00:08:38,947 Speaker 3: actually been quite a frustration from the season, I think, 201 00:08:38,987 --> 00:08:42,427 Speaker 3: because he is generally very good over one lap, but 202 00:08:42,587 --> 00:08:44,827 Speaker 3: for whatever reason, something will just go against them and 203 00:08:44,827 --> 00:08:46,827 Speaker 3: he's you hear him when he speaks afterwards, and he'll 204 00:08:46,867 --> 00:08:49,147 Speaker 3: know exactly what went wrong, and it's just when they 205 00:08:49,227 --> 00:08:50,987 Speaker 3: keep piling up like that, Like we saw Monaco when 206 00:08:50,987 --> 00:08:52,747 Speaker 3: he when he quified in the top tens, like finally 207 00:08:52,987 --> 00:08:54,307 Speaker 3: he had a week end where everything just went his 208 00:08:54,347 --> 00:08:55,827 Speaker 3: way and that's when he got his best finished. Like 209 00:08:55,827 --> 00:08:57,827 Speaker 3: that's not a coincidence. So if he can have everything 210 00:08:57,907 --> 00:09:00,427 Speaker 3: sort of go fall in his favor, then there's no 211 00:09:00,467 --> 00:09:01,827 Speaker 3: reason why he can't get a resolve like we saw 212 00:09:01,907 --> 00:09:04,467 Speaker 3: Daniel Ricardo last year in that same car qualified fist. 213 00:09:05,067 --> 00:09:06,947 Speaker 2: All right, well, let's hope for similar things for Liam 214 00:09:06,987 --> 00:09:10,307 Speaker 2: Lawson tomorrow morning. Thanks for your analysis and your expertise 215 00:09:10,347 --> 00:09:12,027 Speaker 2: this afternoon. Alex really appreciate it. 216 00:09:12,107 --> 00:09:13,267 Speaker 3: Jess Bliney, Now, thanks mate. 217 00:09:13,307 --> 00:09:15,547 Speaker 2: That is Alex Powell. Read him at ensidherold dot co 218 00:09:15,627 --> 00:09:19,787 Speaker 2: dot MZ his excellent coverage of Formula One, including Liam Lawson. 219 00:09:19,907 --> 00:09:22,147 Speaker 2: So third practice is tomorrow around four to thirty New 220 00:09:22,187 --> 00:09:25,707 Speaker 2: Zealand time, that's am, and then qualifying from eight tomorrow morning, 221 00:09:25,707 --> 00:09:27,787 Speaker 2: and then we'll find out where Liam is on the 222 00:09:27,787 --> 00:09:30,307 Speaker 2: grid for the race itself six o'clock Monday morning, New 223 00:09:30,387 --> 00:09:30,987 Speaker 2: Zealand Time. 224 00:09:31,627 --> 00:09:34,787 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 225 00:09:34,907 --> 00:09:38,187 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 226 00:09:38,227 --> 00:09:39,827 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.