LAST RACE OF THE SEASON.. Will Logan Sargeant make it into F1?

Welcome back to the Pitstop Podcast! This episode is a day late as there was special puppy delivery to Jake's mum last night! It's officially the last race of the season guys and I can't say we're happy about it, but we're already looking forward to 2023 and everything it will bring. In this episode, we give our predictions for the Abu Dhabi GP, talk about all the driver changes coming up next year, and whether we could become drivers for Alfa Romeo! Join us every Monday & Thursday for more quizzes and fun. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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**Episode Overview:**

This episode marks the final race of the 2022 Formula 1 season, taking place in Abu Dhabi. The hosts, Jake Boys and Fabio Bocca, express their excitement for the race and reflect on the incredible season that has unfolded. They discuss the record-breaking performances of Max Verstappen and Red Bull, as well as the intense competition throughout the season.

**Key Points:**

- The hosts predict the top three finishers for the Abu Dhabi race, with Jake picking Lewis Hamilton for the win, followed by Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Fabio's prediction is a surprise, with George Russell winning, Lewis Hamilton in second, and Lando Norris in third.

- They discuss the significance of the race for driver standings, particularly for George Russell and Sergio Perez, who are tied in points. If Russell wins the race and sets the fastest lap, he could secure second place in the driver's championship.

- The hosts reveal breaking news about driver changes for the upcoming season. Mick Schumacher will no longer race for Haas, and Nico Hülkenberg will take his place. Daniel Ricciardo is rumored to join Red Bull as their reserve driver, while Mick Schumacher may be picked up by Mercedes as their reserve driver.

- They speculate on the potential impact of these driver changes on the dynamics within the teams and the overall competition in the next season.

- The hosts discuss the upcoming F2 race, highlighting the importance of Logan Sargent securing enough points to obtain a super license, which would allow him to race for Williams in the 2023 season.

- They also mention that Robert Schwartzman will be participating in FP1 in Abu Dhabi, adding to the excitement of the weekend's racing.

- The hosts express their admiration for Sebastian Vettel, who is retiring from Formula 1 after the Abu Dhabi race. They reflect on his remarkable career, including his numerous records and his positive impact on the sport.

- They discuss the legacy of Sebastian Vettel and compare it to the potential legacy of Max Verstappen, highlighting the differences in their personalities and approaches to racing.

- The hosts debate the incident between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in Monaco, where Verstappen allegedly disobeyed team orders to let Perez pass. They consider the implications of this incident on the team dynamics within Red Bull and the power dynamics between the drivers.

- They acknowledge the strange feeling of being viewed as media members now that they have gained recognition and access to the paddock, but they emphasize their desire to maintain genuine friendships with the drivers and paddock members.

- The hosts conclude the episode by highlighting the upcoming FP1 sessions in Abu Dhabi, where Robert Kubica will be driving for Alfa Romeo and Gwen Ujo will be replaced by Robert Kubica in FP1.

**Overall Message:**

The episode captures the excitement and anticipation surrounding the final race of the 2022 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi. The hosts provide insightful commentary on the driver standings, potential driver changes, and the impact of key incidents on the dynamics within the teams. They also reflect on the legacy of Sebastian Vettel and discuss the evolving media landscape in Formula 1. The episode concludes with a look ahead to the upcoming F2 race and the FP1 sessions in Abu Dhabi. # Formula One Pitstop Podcast Episode Summary:

In the concluding episode of the Formula One Pitstop Podcast, hosts Jake Boys and Fabio Bocca engage in a lively discussion, reflecting on the recently concluded season and contemplating potential changes and improvements for the sport's future.

**Key Points:**

1. **Robert Kubica's Fan Interaction:**
- The hosts discuss an encounter with Robert Kubica, a Polish Formula One driver, at a race.
- Kubica's fans requested a photo with him, highlighting his popularity and the passion of Formula One enthusiasts.

2. **Age of Reserve Drivers:**
- The hosts express surprise at the age of Robert Kubica, who is 37 years old, considering him relatively old for a reserve driver.
- They speculate that teams may intentionally select older drivers for reserve roles, prioritizing experience over speed.

3. **Ruth Buscombe's Strategy Success:**
- Jake Boys acknowledges Ruth Buscombe's impressive strategy for the Brazilian Grand Prix, where she accurately predicted a successful undercut strategy for Sebastian Vettel.
- The hosts consider inviting Ruth Buscombe onto the podcast to discuss her strategic insights.

4. **Formula 5 Widget:**
- Fabio Bocca highlights the Formula 5 widget for iPhones, which provides convenient access to Formula One race schedules and timings.
- The hosts clarify that they are not sponsored by Formula 5 and genuinely appreciate the widget's functionality.

5. **Frederic Vasseur to Ferrari Rumors:**
- The hosts discuss rumors of Frederic Vasseur, the current Alfa Romeo team principal, potentially replacing Mattia Binotto at Ferrari.
- They express excitement at the prospect of Vasseur joining Ferrari and the potential for an interview with him on the podcast.

6. **Proposed Changes to Formula One:**
- Jake Boys proposes several changes to improve Formula One, including adding two more teams, assigning F2 winners to the new teams, and exploring alternative grid formats.
- He emphasizes the need to close the gap between teams and create more competitive racing.

7. **World Cup Distraction:**
- The hosts lament the upcoming Formula One off-season, expressing concern about the lack of racing content during this period.
- They anticipate that the World Cup will dominate television coverage, leaving Formula One fans with limited alternatives.

8. **Podcast Conclusion:**
- The hosts express gratitude to their listeners and encourage them to rate, like, and follow the podcast.
- They announce their plans to return after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for a season review and express hope for George Russell's success in the final race.

9. **PrizePicks Advertisement:**
- The episode concludes with an advertisement for PrizePicks, a daily fantasy sports platform, offering a chance to win up to 25 times the wagered amount.