What next for Ocon + Alpine? Bumps for Red Bull in Canada? Piastri's turn to win? – 2024 Canadian GP Preview
2Digest
The podcast begins with news of Esteban Ocon's departure from Alpine at the end of the season. F1 reporter Fred Ferre discusses the reasons behind the split, suggesting that Ocon's future was already being secured elsewhere and that the French driver pairing had not been successful. The conversation then shifts to the Canadian Grand Prix, with 1996 World Champion Damon Hill and Williams chief engineer Dave Robson providing insights. Hill highlights the track's unique characteristics, including its combination of slow corners and long straights, and the importance of curb riding. Robson emphasizes the challenges of the resurfaced track and the need for careful tyre management. The discussion also touches on the performance of Aston Martin and their potential struggles due to their new factory and wind tunnel. The podcast concludes with podium predictions, with Hill favoring Oscar Piastri for his first Grand Prix win, while Clarkson predicts a Max Verstappen victory with the two McLarens behind him. The podcast then transitions to F1 Nation's fantasy team lineup for the Canadian Grand Prix, with Damon Hill's confidence in McLaren leading to the inclusion of Oscar Piastri and McLaren in the team. The podcast also discusses the upcoming announcement of the 2026 regulations and speculates on Adrian Newey's potential future plans, given his recent announcement of leaving Red Bull.
Outlines
Ocon's Alpine Exit
This Chapter discusses the news of Esteban Ocon's departure from Alpine at the end of the season. F1 reporter Fred Ferre provides insights into the reasons behind the split, suggesting that Ocon's future was already being secured elsewhere and that the French driver pairing had not been successful. The conversation explores the potential consequences of this decision for both Ocon and Alpine, as well as the broader driver market.
Canadian Grand Prix Preview
This Chapter delves into the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, featuring insights from 1996 World Champion Damon Hill and Williams chief engineer Dave Robson. Hill highlights the track's unique characteristics, including its combination of slow corners and long straights, and the importance of curb riding. Robson emphasizes the challenges of the resurfaced track and the need for careful tyre management. The discussion also touches on the performance of Aston Martin and their potential struggles due to their new factory and wind tunnel.
Aston Martin's Struggles
This Chapter focuses on Aston Martin's recent struggles, with neither car scoring points in Monaco. Damon Hill and Tom Clarkson discuss potential reasons for the team's decline, including the impact of their new factory and wind tunnel. They also analyze the performance of Fernando Alonso and his recent outqualifying by Lance Stroll.
F1 Nation Fantasy Team
This Chapter focuses on the F1 Nation fantasy team lineup for the Canadian Grand Prix. Damon Hill's confidence in McLaren leads to the inclusion of Oscar Piastri and McLaren in the team. The podcast also discusses the upcoming announcement of the 2026 regulations and speculates on Adrian Newey's potential future plans, given his recent announcement of leaving Red Bull.
Keywords
Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon is a French racing driver currently competing in Formula One for the Alpine team. He made his Formula One debut in 2016 with Manor Racing and has since driven for Force India, Racing Point, and Alpine. He is known for his aggressive driving style and has achieved one Formula One victory in the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Alpine
Alpine is a French Formula One team that is part of the Renault Group. The team was originally known as Renault F1 Team and was rebranded as Alpine in 2021. Alpine is known for its strong heritage in motorsport and has achieved several Formula One victories, including the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon.
Canadian Grand Prix
The Canadian Grand Prix is an annual Formula One race held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. The race is named after the legendary Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve, who tragically died in 1982. The Canadian Grand Prix is known for its challenging track layout, which features a combination of slow corners and long straights, and its passionate fans.
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a Formula One race track located in Montreal, Canada. It is named after the legendary Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve, who tragically died in 1982. The track is known for its challenging layout, which features a combination of slow corners and long straights, and its passionate fans. The track is also known for its unique features, such as the Wall of Champions, a barrier at the final corner that has claimed many drivers over the years.
Damon Hill
Damon Hill is a British former Formula One driver who won the 1996 World Championship. He is the son of two-time Formula One World Champion Graham Hill. Hill is known for his smooth driving style and his ability to manage races effectively. He is also a respected commentator and analyst in the motorsport world.
Dave Robson
Dave Robson is a British engineer who is currently the chief engineer of the Williams Formula One team. He has worked in Formula One for over 20 years and has held various engineering roles at teams such as McLaren and Williams. Robson is known for his technical expertise and his ability to lead engineering teams.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin is a British luxury car manufacturer that is also involved in Formula One. The team was originally known as Racing Point and was rebranded as Aston Martin in 2021. Aston Martin is known for its stylish cars and its rich history in motorsport. The team has achieved several Formula One victories, including the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix with Fernando Alonso.
Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri is an Australian racing driver who is currently competing in Formula One for the McLaren team. He is a former Formula 2 champion and is considered one of the most promising young drivers in the world. Piastri made his Formula One debut in 2023 and has already achieved a podium finish in the 2023 Australian Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen is a Dutch racing driver who is currently competing in Formula One for the Red Bull Racing team. He is the reigning Formula One World Champion and is considered one of the best drivers in the world. Verstappen is known for his aggressive driving style and his ability to win races from any position on the grid.
McLaren
McLaren is a British Formula One team that is known for its innovative cars and its successful history in motorsport. The team has achieved numerous Formula One victories, including the 1988 World Championship with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. McLaren is also known for its involvement in other motorsport categories, such as IndyCar and Formula E.
Q&A
Why have Alpine and Ocon decided to go their separate ways?
Fred Ferre suggests that Ocon may have already secured another seat elsewhere and that the French driver pairing had not been successful, leading to the decision to part ways.
What are the main challenges of the Canadian Grand Prix?
Damon Hill highlights the track's unique characteristics, including its combination of slow corners and long straights, and the importance of curb riding. Dave Robson emphasizes the challenges of the resurfaced track and the need for careful tyre management.
What are the potential issues facing Aston Martin?
Damon Hill and Tom Clarkson discuss potential reasons for the team's decline, including the impact of their new factory and wind tunnel. They also analyze the performance of Fernando Alonso and his recent outqualifying by Lance Stroll.
Who are the favorites for the podium in the Canadian Grand Prix?
Damon Hill favors Oscar Piastri for his first Grand Prix win, while Clarkson predicts a Max Verstappen victory with the two McLarens behind him.
What is the F1 Nation fantasy team lineup for the Canadian Grand Prix?
The team consists of Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, Yuki Sonoda, Alex Albon, and Daniel Ricciardo, with McLaren and Williams as the constructors.
What is the significance of the upcoming announcement of the 2026 regulations?
The announcement of the 2026 regulations is significant as it will shape the future of Formula One and could influence the decisions of key personnel, such as Adrian Newey, who has recently announced his departure from Red Bull.
Show Notes
But before talking all things Canada, Tom gets the inside story on the news that Esteban Ocon and Alpine will part ways at the end of this season. Fred Ferret, F1 reporter at French newspaper L’Equipe, tells us why they’ve made this decision, what’s next for both parties, and how this could impact the wider driver market.
On the agenda ahead of Montreal: with three different winners in the last three races, do we have a title fight on our hands between Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren this year? Will the Bull’s Monaco weaknesses be exposed again in Montreal? Is Oscar Piastri primed for his first Grand Prix victory?
Also, after Alex Albon secured Williams’ first points of the season in Monte Carlo, their Head of Vehicle Performance Dave Robson joins the pod to chat about the team’s progress, what challenges the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve provides, and how they’re trying to develop Logan Sargeant.
You can be at a Formula 1 race this season. Just go to tickets.formula1.com to book your place at a Grand Prix now.
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