Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019–…): Season 4, Episode 1 - Clash of the Titans - full transcript
How would you
sum up your season?
Um...
It's one short word.
Shit!
What a mess.
It's been a year like... like no other.
Aah...
The stakes have never been higher.
- We are worse off than we were last year.
- We're gonna score some fucking points.
Hamilton has more wins
than any other driver in history.
No risk, no fun.
Albon lost out once more.
Fuck.
- What the...
- Red flag.
- A very nasty crash.
- Oh fuck.
This... this was a big one.
I'm the man that walked out of fire.
What happens from here?
- We're ready to take it on.
- We've got to push.
I don't think we're done yet.
There's more to come.
- This is a huge year.
- New teams.
- Young and upcoming drivers.
- Dream come true.
The margins are so close.
Oh, they touched!
Nobody wants to finish second.
Every weekend you're fighting
for your seat.
The rivalry is big.
- You smiling, Max?
- I always smile.
Now this fight for the title...
- Max Verstappen wins!
- No!
Get in there, Lewis.
Stay calm.
We will get the fuckers.
...has become all-out war.
Fuck!
♪ I'm ready for the fight
I'm ready for the war... ♪
What the fuck was he doing?
I'm happy
because I beat my teammate.
Pick up the pace.
- ♪ I'm ready for the fight... ♪
- Pressure is immense.
No secrets, huh?
You are the sponsor.
Leading driver...
Fucking shit.
If you want something bad enough...
...you'll do whatever it takes.
- No, no, that was so not right!
- ♪ I'm ready for the fight... ♪
This is a season like no other.
- Get in there!
- Bring it on.
Lewis Hamilton is
a seven-time champion of the world!
Get in there, Lewis.
What a way to win
your seventh world title.
Over the last seven years,
Mercedes have obliterated the opposition.
Nobody's come close.
Where is the limit
on Lewis Hamilton in his sport?
Well, I mean,
I feel like I'm only just getting started.
I wish he'd shut the fuck up.
How many times
do we have to sit and watch this shit?
If we don't win, it hurts
and if it doesn't hurt,
then you're in the wrong business.
Let's make no bones about it.
We've gotta win.
Ooh!
It's a bit toasty today.
I'm roasting.
It's so hot.
I've got a sweat on already.
Welcome, everybody,
as Formula 1 returns in 2021.
We're under the scorching desert sun
and it's time to get serious.
It's hot.
It's 100 degrees.
Season four.
Yeah.
Can you believe it? I mean, wow.
- Look pretty now. No chatting.
- I've got to look pretty?
De-fluff.
De-fluff?!
Is there fluff?
So I can't speak
about my dirty story anymore?
- No.
- Don't want that on camera.
Welcome back.
What are we gonna talk about this year?
The feeling, coming into 2021,
is one of a lot of excitement.
New teams in the form of Aston Martin
and Alpine.
Three rookies
entering Formula 1 this year.
My name is Yuki Tsunoda.
Mick Schumacher.
Nikita Mazepin, Haas F1 team.
- Can you do Russian as well?
- Yeah.
Nikita Mazepin, Haas F1 team.
- How are you?
- Very good, thank you. Yourself?
There is so much that's changed
up and down the pit lane.
Daniel Ricciardo is at McLaren.
Sebastian Vettel,
he's now at Aston Martin.
Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.
Fernando Alonso is back.
I haven't even mentioned Sergio Pérez.
No more pink.
If you can imagine,
I've been in this sport for ten years
and I've never had an opportunity
with a top team.
- Hey.
- I'm happy for you.
Thank you.
- You've got a good opportunity.
- It's a great opportunity.
You have to take it.
And you will, I know you.
What is that for an outfit?
It looks good.
To be in new colors, it feels great.
I've been on the move, obviously,
the last couple of years,
so this one,
I certainly feel like it's gonna stick
and, um, we'll see this one through
with flying colors.
First car is arriving, Ferrari.
So let's just show 'em where that is.
The energy's a little bit different
this year.
Obviously I have
a new teammate, Carlos Sainz.
We are getting on
very, very well together.
What do you think?
Our car changed quite a bit, huh?
Red is not a color
that suits many people, you know? It's a...
It's a tricky color to... to wear.
But at the same time,
it's a dream come true.
Ay-ah!
My feet!
Sorry.
- Did I kill you?
- Yeah.
But it's the break, so it's fine.
We got Mercedes coming.
Watch your backs, guys.
Mercedes will always
go into a season as the favorite,
but having won the title
for seven years in a row,
there has to come a point
at which that ends.
Hey, what's up, Max?
How are you?
I c... I shouldn't say that
with a smile on my face.
All right, everybody go stand
in the front of your wing, please.
Every season's different.
Do I still have it?
Am I still fit enough? Am I still driven?
Can I still keep up
with all the new kids that are coming?
Eye contact with the cameras.
George Russell is dicking around.
All right, guys.
In three, two, one, action. Action!
There's a lot of male pride
and ego flying around...
Look directly in the camera.
...because there's so much at stake.
Everybody keep looking
at camera, please.
You have warring teams racing,
not just for glory on the track,
but for hundreds of millions of dollars.
George Russell!
George Russell, focus on the camera.
Thank you.
You guys are good. Everyone's all good.
But it's not just
about what's going on on the track.
It's everything that happens
off the track.
Yes, Toto!
Yes!
Formula 1's always
been described as the piranha club.
Yes, here we go! Boom!
Come on!
Team principals
are a fascinating breed.
The smiling face,
but the cloak and dagger.
Yeah, being able to play the politics
is about as important
as it is building a decent car.
Okay, so roll camera.
Action.
That's super. Don't mess with Guenther!
Last year was difficult.
Now we have got two new rookie drivers.
For us, it was better to invest
in young talent and bring them up,
so when we are ready, they are.
Got some great drivers,
car's working, got a super team.
- It's too good! Don't make it too good!
- This is great.
- Otmar.
- Yes.
So new team!
Aston Martin back on the grid
is a big story.
Could I get you to do,
like, a 007 thing?
No, not your thing?
I'm too fat for that.
You're doing great, Mattia.
Big smile for us.
And maybe a "Yes!"
With a fist?
He's not that guy.
I believe Ferrari
is the heart and soul of this sport.
We have to surpass ourselves
from a year ago.
Reminds me of the last time
I was convicted!
This year I'm expecting Ferrari
is gonna be very strong.
Uh... So our... out goal, of course,
needs to be to retain third.
Action. Big boss.
'Cause you've got to assume
it's Mercedes at the front of the field.
I think it's gonna be tough
to beat 'em this year.
Nice and relaxed.
You seeing all these creases in the shirt?
No,
it's not the creases. It's just...
Dandruff?
Okay, we're gonna try
some sitting, I think.
Think that's gonna be better?
It has been a tremendous run
the last seven seasons
with double World Championship titles.
Doing movement in there.
Like it.
Fresh!
We've pushed the needle so far
that in a way, you're running around
with a target on your back.
Think there's a lot you need to photoshop.
Ten years of Formula 1
have shown the toll.
- Okay, thank you very much.
- Thank you.
- Bye.
- Have a good evening.
Thank you, Adrian. See you.
Let's face it, Mercedes have
ruthlessly dominated Formula 1 for years.
We want a real battle
for this championship.
It's not just the fans,
but also the management of Formula 1.
- Good?
- Yes. All good?
Stefano Domenicali,
former head of Ferrari.
is coming in to run Formula 1.
I have the duty
to maximize the value of Formula 1,
and on that, there's no discussion.
The title fight is...
it's very important
for the credibility of Formula 1.
That is the center of our sport.
How quickly you can go
from the stars to the gutters,
that's part of the game.
If you ask what
this season's title fight might look like,
I think most people would reluctantly say
business as usual.
Mercedes, seven World Championships
in a row.
No conceivable way anyone can beat them.
But at pre-season testing,
we saw something
that we've not seen in a very long time
and it could upset the competition
at the very top of the sport.
Show us
what you've got then, Mercedes.
Something strange is happening.
When I go to fifth gear,
the revs are doing something funny.
It's undriveable.
Yeah.
There's still a lot of understeer.
- I'm stuck in the gravel here.
- Switch it off. We'll come get you.
It's too early to tell
whether Mercedes
truly have dropped the ball,
but the drivers don't look confident.
The car doesn't look
like a championship-winning car.
If you look at Bottas,
he said, "I can't drive this car."
Yeah.
He was moaning and bitching
like you wouldn't believe.
They're just all over the place.
Mercedes has been dominating F1 for years,
but they've been on top for so long.
I think it's time for us,
or perhaps someone else,
to put them in their place.
It's about time
Toto gets a bit nervous,
that he's not sleeping at night, you know?
He had seven years of fantastic sleep,
you know, by dominating the championship.
I wouldn't mind
if he gets a bit under pressure.
In that moment we knew
there's so much work that we have to do.
Figure out how we can win this year.
The team are working harder now
than any other year.
There have been many tough battles
in the eight years
since I joined the team,
but this year
feels a little bit different.
If we're being frank
with ourselves,
maybe we're not matching the standards
that we used to set,
but there's also no doubt
that the other teams
are tired of being beaten
and that they've started to raise the bar.
What I would like to say
is we mustn't feel the pressure
because we've done it
seven years in a row.
Each of us must get on top of the issues
in its own area of competence.
Let's just... Let's rock and roll.
Some of the directions we have taken
in terms of developing the car were wrong,
but we can't turn the time back.
What you have to remember
about Toto
is that he inherited something
that was already well oiled.
He's not really had to build anything.
I'm already on the plane
and I'm on the way.
He operates the team
in a very different way to me.
You know, he's much more motivated
by the financials of Formula 1
than perhaps the competition.
Christian likes to say
you're just kind of like a finance guy.
What d'you say to that?
I don't care what others are doing.
It's about optimizing
my contribution in the team
without looking elsewhere.
No more mistakes.
Horses do wanna be told what to do.
They want you to be in charge.
- They can feel it. If they're...
- They can feel it.
A bit like racing drivers.
- If you're nervous, they're nervous.
- Yeah.
If you're in control, they're in control.
I think Archie
is kind of a Bottas character,
if I would say.
Darling, I'm not riding Bottas!
Being a team principal
of a Formula 1 team,
it's a constant pressure,
but I'm very fortunate.
You know, my wife, she's been
in a competitive environment herself.
She understands the stresses
of having to deliver, having to perform,
and so she's been incredibly supportive.
So I was thinking about this
the other day, okay?
- Brand-new season.
- Mm-hmm.
Think this is gonna be the one?
I dunno.
The Mercedes juggernaut
has been misfiring a bit.
I think there's a lot
of buzz around Red Bull.
I mean,
hopefully we can hit the ground running
in Bahrain at the first race
and build some momentum.
We've done a lot of winning,
we've done a lot of losing.
A lot of losing.
- It's time to get winning again.
- Yeah.
Saturday afternoon,
you're gonna see exactly where you are.
The first qualifying of 2021!
Formula 1 is back.
The sun might well
be setting here in Bahrain.
It's time
for the serious business.
It's every man for themselves
to set the fastest lap time
you possibly can.
Qualifying is everything
in Formula 1
because it determines your starting
position on the grid on Sunday.
You wanna start from the front
because it means you've got
the other 19 drivers starting behind you.
It's a speed test
that really is psychological
as well as material.
Not just in trying
to help you win the race,
but proving you are the best driver
in the best car this season.
- Let's get stuck in.
- Yep. No worries.
Qualifying is so important.
It's like the bullshit stops.
The focus shifts.
Now it's go time.
Ricciardo round
the final corner now
to set the time they all need to chase.
By the end of this season,
I wanna look back
and say, "All right.
I made a difference to this team."
And it is a time of 1:31:03.
Okay, buddy, good start.
And now it's all eyes
on this man, Carlos Sainz.
Ferrari is not in Formula 1
to finish third in the championship.
It's here to win.
Mode push.
The target is
to hit the ground running
and try and adapt as quickly as I can
to this new team, to the car.
Carlos Sainz goes
into fourth place in the Ferrari.
Well done, mate.
Go faster, Pierre.
With Yuki coming
as, uh, the rookie,
I'm the most experienced driver
in... in the team.
- You need to push more, Pierre.
- Yeah.
We all have our good days,
we all have our bad days.
We all struggle sometimes.
But I'm not worried.
P5.
P5, man.
That was phenomenal
from Pierre Gasly.
We knew it would come down to this.
There are two teams who could take pole.
Red Bull or Mercedes.
It's game on for pole position.
I don't know what's going on
in the other teams.
We are just sticking to the plan.
We need to push ourselves again.
Okay, Lewis. Good to go.
Understood.
Hamilton's two tenths up
on Pierre Gasly through the first sector.
Hamilton now crosses the line.
He's got pole
with Verstappen trying to stop him.
Okay, Max,
do what you need to do.
Verstappen
matches Hamilton through the first sector.
Max has got
this sort of youthful confidence,
an inner belief.
Verstappen's gone
quickest overall in the middle sector.
He's a fierce, fierce competitor
and he's got nothing to lose.
And Verstappen sets
the fastest time.
He has sent
the Red Bull garage into raptures!
Pole position, mate.
Fantastic work.
That lap was good.
Well done, Max.
That's the perfect start.
Well done. Great, great job.
Yeah, great job, guys.
You all deserve it.
The whole team,
but also back at the factory. Great job.
Verstappen P1.
Just over three and a half tenths ahead.
Sorry, guys. I gave it everything.
How long
do you think this'll be?
Just two questions to Toto
then we will come to you here, okay?
Thanks, great.
Fuck it. We... We've just got
to keep the smile off his face, huh?
- I mean, that team's never had pressure.
- No, that's the thing.
You know, they've never really
had a sustained challenge, like...
- Just gotta keep the pressure on.
- Yeah.
We are ruthless
in the analysis of our own performances
and that's why I'm upset,
but the rational me, uh,
is able to channelize that
and take over from the emotional me.
On paper, we are a little bit behind,
but how this is gonna end is not clear.
It's just about tomorrow.
Ham and eggs.
With a little bacon
and two pumpernickels,
really toasted so that they break.
Yesterday it was not enough.
It has to be like a cookie.
Butter, tomato, salt.
Espresso with lactose-free milk.
And I would just like eggs
and a coffee with cold milk, thank you.
It's finally here, a brand-new season
and what a year in prospect.
Let's go racing.
Three new drivers,
four former champions,
ten Grand Prix winners on the grid.
- All right, man? Good? Sleep well?
- Good enough.
Good enough to win.
Have Ferrari found
the pace in their driver pairing
to get them out of the midfield?
- Nice shoes, boy!
- Yeah.
Beautiful.
The three rookies,
Nikita Mazepin,
Mick Schumacher and Yuki Tsunoda,
all vying to score points
in their first race.
- Yuki's... he's the man.
- Oh my gosh!
- I love that guy.
- He's so small.
Like every year,
the first race is the most exciting one.
First of all, guys,
don't run into each other.
Don't do anything stupid at the start,
and things like this.
Nobody learns anything.
We just try to put a good race together
and... and finish it.
Why are you looking at me?
- Behave. See you, Susie.
- See you later.
What an exciting day this is.
It's Red Bull on pole.
Mercedes have got a fight on their hands.
- Hey. How are you, man?
- Good luck today.
- All good?
- Yeah. Come on, kick their ass.
You've wintered well
by the looks of things.
Kick their ass today, please.
There's a lot of excitement
in the paddock
that Red Bull have got it right.
Got all
your preseason predictions.
Have you hedged your bets
with another team or not?
- No, I'm all in on Red Bull.
- Uh-huh.
- Don't fuck it up.
- Uh-huh.
It's a huge moment for the sport
because Red Bull look incredible.
All of the preseason expectations,
all of the preseason hope and hype,
it looks like it might come true.
Finally it is time.
Finally we can
get the season off and running.
In Formula 1,
there are no miracles.
Nothing can prepare you.
Like, nothing can prepare you.
You know
that tiny mistake can cost a lot.
Who's gonna handle the pressure
and who's not?
This sport is cutthroat.
Obviously we're all here to win.
You do doubt yourself,
but I just need to put the helmet on
and get into the zone.
I'm like a tiger,
silently preparing.
I don't have any fear.
Emotional.
That's good.
Five lights on.
And it's lights out and away we go.
It's Max Verstappen
against Lewis Hamilton.
They both got away quite evenly.
Hamilton goes into turn one
behind Max Verstappen.
That's off! That looks
like Nikita Mazepin in the Haas.
Oh, fucking hell.
His first Grand Prix
lasting precisely three corners.
I'm so sorry, guys.
This is fucking madness.
Formula 1
is a war on a racetrack.
That's Vettel ahead.
We're closing on him.
And every single car
plays its part.
Race or defend?
You have to be prepared
to take risks.
Go race.
Carlos,
you are doing well with tires.
You're not just reacting
to what's happening with your car.
Yeah, I've got more pace
than these guys. Gonna start pushing.
Okay, understood.
You have to be reacting
to what your rivals are doing as well.
For fuck's sake.
I touched the front wing.
The front wing's gone
on that AlphaTauri.
Gasly is tumbling down the order.
Race strategy
can be incredibly complex,
but really it's quite simple.
How do you get
from lights out to checkered flag
in the shortest amount of time possible?
Box and pit confirm, Max.
Box and pit confirm.
Every driver has to change
tires at least once during the race.
Newer tires will give you more speed,
but obviously it takes time
to come in and change them.
So these strategy decisions
are absolutely vital
in winning a Grand Prix.
Verstappen's got fresh tires.
Hamilton takes the lead of the Grand Prix.
- Verstappen seven seconds behind.
- Yep.
Onboard now with Carlos Sainz.
Time to go hunting.
I'll leave it to you.
Carlos has always
made a show about how fast he is.
I guess we'll see.
Vettel and Alonso are in Sainz's sights.
And he goes past both of them!
Well done, Carlos. Nice job.
Lap 29.
Lewis Hamilton leads the Grand Prix
but Max Verstappen
is breathing down his neck.
Box, box. Box, box.
Tires are okay.
Box, box.
Into the pits, Hamilton.
That's a really interesting strategy call.
Stopped way too early, man.
Not gonna make it to the end.
It's bullshit.
The driver will always have
quite a narrow perspective out of the car.
We haven't got a crystal ball,
but we need to plan the moves ahead
and you need to think
what to expect from your enemy.
This is gonna be a long stint,
Lewis, 28 laps remaining.
What will Red Bull do here,
change tires now
or stay out and extend their lead?
There's still
28 laps remaining.
That would be an almighty stint for Lewis
at this stage.
Formula 1 is like
a game of chess.
There are constant dilemmas.
Whoever gets it right
is gonna come out on top.
We are staying out.
Staying out.
Yeah, okay.
Daniel Ricciardo
is currently in seventh place.
Can't get
that much more out of it.
Okay, mate. No panic.
He's struggling.
It is only
his first outing in a McLaren,
but he would have wanted to be higher.
Push flat out, Yuki, flat out.
- Get Räikkönen now. One in front.
- Copy.
Impressive race from Tsunoda.
If he can get ahead of Räikkönen,
he'll be scoring points
in his debut Grand Prix.
Whoo!
You're doing well, Yuki.
We are losing the rear now a bit.
Okay, copy.
Box and pit confirm, Max.
Verstappen's tires are wearing.
Red Bull now make a move to change.
So Hamilton is back
in the lead of the race,
but Verstappen has
fresher, faster tires now.
The chase is on.
Strategy's important,
but at some point
it comes down to the two drivers
racing for the finishing line.
And Verstappen 3.1 behind.
Bono, I know.
Leave me to it.
And he's locked up
into ten. He's gone wide.
That is exactly
what Red Bull would want to see.
Hamilton is starting
to really struggle out there.
I've got no rear.
Those tires are
a lot older than Max Verstappen's.
Come on. Come on!
Hamilton moves
to the middle, forces Verstappen wider
and positions that Mercedes beautifully.
Hamilton's gonna force Verstappen
the long way round.
By the time they get to the corner,
he's about a third of a car in front.
He's a whole car in front!
Come on!
He went all the way
around the outside of Hamilton
and now leads the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Hamilton down to second.
Get in there, Max.
He's overtaken
on the outside of the track.
Copy, Lewis. We'll look into that.
The rules are really clear.
Everybody knows
you cannot overtake off track.
Look, he took the position
off the track there, Verstappen.
If you do that,
you have to give the position back.
Max, for the moment,
let Lewis through. Let Lewis through.
Just let me go, man.
We've had the instruction
from Race Control, unfortunately, Max.
Let him through.
We'll get it back.
It's one inch
too deep into a corner,
but it's the fine margins
that win or lose races
and World Championships.
Three laps remaining.
Three more laps.
Max Verstappen running out
of time to get into the lead of this race.
Come on, Max. Get it done.
Hamilton is weaving around,
doing everything possible
to keep Max Verstappen behind.
When you have
Lewis Hamilton in the car,
we know that he has
the skill and the determination
to overcome whatever strategy
they've thrown at us.
Hamilton holds on!
Lewis Hamilton
wins the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull
take second place.
They were the prerace favorites,
but they've been beaten
by Mercedes tonight.
Get in there, Lewis!
What a job, mate. What a race!
Amazing.
Whoo!
Amazing job.
We're not quick enough,
but we managed to do it.
That's teamwork.
I've been racing a long time
and I've faced a lot of different drivers.
It's constant warfare.
Still got it, Bono.
Yeah, not bad for an old man.
This year I still have that hunger.
If anything, I feel
I'm more driven than I ever have before
and it's quite overwhelming.
- That feels good, doesn't it?
- Oh, I love it. I love it.
The ones that you fight hard for,
where you come from a position
where you don't expect to win,
these victories are... are very satisfying.
Fireworks in the sky.
Fireworks on the racetrack.
What a brilliant start
to this season's racing.
We were the best group of people,
with the right strategy,
the best driver in the car,
and against all odds, won the race.
This battle
is going to last the whole season long.
Fuck.
I don't know what else
we could've done. I mean...
Argh!
Tell me
what it's like to come second.
We fucking hate it.
Um... You know...
Um...
Uh, nobody wants to finish second.
Of course I'm...
I'm disappointed about today.
But we're not gonna back down
from this fight.
We will respond in the best way
that we can, which is on track.
We'll go quicker.
Let's go on the other side
rather than waiting by Mercedes.
We're in this sport to win
and nobody's giving up.
Everybody is fighting.
Round the other side.
Everybody believes this could
really start to come alive for us.
Don't be too grumpy.
He will be less grumpy
the next time when he wins it.
If we pull this one off,
it will be the biggest thing
that we have done in Formula 1.
Second's not part of the plan.
Fucking Mercedes.
- Right.
- Testing three, four, nutsack, five, six.
Today is the start
of our next chapter.
I predict an array of podiums.
How do you see
the dynamic working?
Lando Norris,
another podium.
I need to hit something.
Holding onto third's
gonna be very tough.
Nikita's struggling a little.
Mazepin off already.
He thinks
there's a difference in the cars.
Fucking unbelievable.
Verstappen is into the lead!
That nearly killed our driver.
He pushes it to the limit and beyond.
It's reached a level
no one expected.
- I could have him in a fight.
- No!
This guy's fucking crazy.
I'm not sure
we can make this to the end.
The fight is very much on.
sum up your season?
Um...
It's one short word.
Shit!
What a mess.
It's been a year like... like no other.
Aah...
The stakes have never been higher.
- We are worse off than we were last year.
- We're gonna score some fucking points.
Hamilton has more wins
than any other driver in history.
No risk, no fun.
Albon lost out once more.
Fuck.
- What the...
- Red flag.
- A very nasty crash.
- Oh fuck.
This... this was a big one.
I'm the man that walked out of fire.
What happens from here?
- We're ready to take it on.
- We've got to push.
I don't think we're done yet.
There's more to come.
- This is a huge year.
- New teams.
- Young and upcoming drivers.
- Dream come true.
The margins are so close.
Oh, they touched!
Nobody wants to finish second.
Every weekend you're fighting
for your seat.
The rivalry is big.
- You smiling, Max?
- I always smile.
Now this fight for the title...
- Max Verstappen wins!
- No!
Get in there, Lewis.
Stay calm.
We will get the fuckers.
...has become all-out war.
Fuck!
♪ I'm ready for the fight
I'm ready for the war... ♪
What the fuck was he doing?
I'm happy
because I beat my teammate.
Pick up the pace.
- ♪ I'm ready for the fight... ♪
- Pressure is immense.
No secrets, huh?
You are the sponsor.
Leading driver...
Fucking shit.
If you want something bad enough...
...you'll do whatever it takes.
- No, no, that was so not right!
- ♪ I'm ready for the fight... ♪
This is a season like no other.
- Get in there!
- Bring it on.
Lewis Hamilton is
a seven-time champion of the world!
Get in there, Lewis.
What a way to win
your seventh world title.
Over the last seven years,
Mercedes have obliterated the opposition.
Nobody's come close.
Where is the limit
on Lewis Hamilton in his sport?
Well, I mean,
I feel like I'm only just getting started.
I wish he'd shut the fuck up.
How many times
do we have to sit and watch this shit?
If we don't win, it hurts
and if it doesn't hurt,
then you're in the wrong business.
Let's make no bones about it.
We've gotta win.
Ooh!
It's a bit toasty today.
I'm roasting.
It's so hot.
I've got a sweat on already.
Welcome, everybody,
as Formula 1 returns in 2021.
We're under the scorching desert sun
and it's time to get serious.
It's hot.
It's 100 degrees.
Season four.
Yeah.
Can you believe it? I mean, wow.
- Look pretty now. No chatting.
- I've got to look pretty?
De-fluff.
De-fluff?!
Is there fluff?
So I can't speak
about my dirty story anymore?
- No.
- Don't want that on camera.
Welcome back.
What are we gonna talk about this year?
The feeling, coming into 2021,
is one of a lot of excitement.
New teams in the form of Aston Martin
and Alpine.
Three rookies
entering Formula 1 this year.
My name is Yuki Tsunoda.
Mick Schumacher.
Nikita Mazepin, Haas F1 team.
- Can you do Russian as well?
- Yeah.
Nikita Mazepin, Haas F1 team.
- How are you?
- Very good, thank you. Yourself?
There is so much that's changed
up and down the pit lane.
Daniel Ricciardo is at McLaren.
Sebastian Vettel,
he's now at Aston Martin.
Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.
Fernando Alonso is back.
I haven't even mentioned Sergio Pérez.
No more pink.
If you can imagine,
I've been in this sport for ten years
and I've never had an opportunity
with a top team.
- Hey.
- I'm happy for you.
Thank you.
- You've got a good opportunity.
- It's a great opportunity.
You have to take it.
And you will, I know you.
What is that for an outfit?
It looks good.
To be in new colors, it feels great.
I've been on the move, obviously,
the last couple of years,
so this one,
I certainly feel like it's gonna stick
and, um, we'll see this one through
with flying colors.
First car is arriving, Ferrari.
So let's just show 'em where that is.
The energy's a little bit different
this year.
Obviously I have
a new teammate, Carlos Sainz.
We are getting on
very, very well together.
What do you think?
Our car changed quite a bit, huh?
Red is not a color
that suits many people, you know? It's a...
It's a tricky color to... to wear.
But at the same time,
it's a dream come true.
Ay-ah!
My feet!
Sorry.
- Did I kill you?
- Yeah.
But it's the break, so it's fine.
We got Mercedes coming.
Watch your backs, guys.
Mercedes will always
go into a season as the favorite,
but having won the title
for seven years in a row,
there has to come a point
at which that ends.
Hey, what's up, Max?
How are you?
I c... I shouldn't say that
with a smile on my face.
All right, everybody go stand
in the front of your wing, please.
Every season's different.
Do I still have it?
Am I still fit enough? Am I still driven?
Can I still keep up
with all the new kids that are coming?
Eye contact with the cameras.
George Russell is dicking around.
All right, guys.
In three, two, one, action. Action!
There's a lot of male pride
and ego flying around...
Look directly in the camera.
...because there's so much at stake.
Everybody keep looking
at camera, please.
You have warring teams racing,
not just for glory on the track,
but for hundreds of millions of dollars.
George Russell!
George Russell, focus on the camera.
Thank you.
You guys are good. Everyone's all good.
But it's not just
about what's going on on the track.
It's everything that happens
off the track.
Yes, Toto!
Yes!
Formula 1's always
been described as the piranha club.
Yes, here we go! Boom!
Come on!
Team principals
are a fascinating breed.
The smiling face,
but the cloak and dagger.
Yeah, being able to play the politics
is about as important
as it is building a decent car.
Okay, so roll camera.
Action.
That's super. Don't mess with Guenther!
Last year was difficult.
Now we have got two new rookie drivers.
For us, it was better to invest
in young talent and bring them up,
so when we are ready, they are.
Got some great drivers,
car's working, got a super team.
- It's too good! Don't make it too good!
- This is great.
- Otmar.
- Yes.
So new team!
Aston Martin back on the grid
is a big story.
Could I get you to do,
like, a 007 thing?
No, not your thing?
I'm too fat for that.
You're doing great, Mattia.
Big smile for us.
And maybe a "Yes!"
With a fist?
He's not that guy.
I believe Ferrari
is the heart and soul of this sport.
We have to surpass ourselves
from a year ago.
Reminds me of the last time
I was convicted!
This year I'm expecting Ferrari
is gonna be very strong.
Uh... So our... out goal, of course,
needs to be to retain third.
Action. Big boss.
'Cause you've got to assume
it's Mercedes at the front of the field.
I think it's gonna be tough
to beat 'em this year.
Nice and relaxed.
You seeing all these creases in the shirt?
No,
it's not the creases. It's just...
Dandruff?
Okay, we're gonna try
some sitting, I think.
Think that's gonna be better?
It has been a tremendous run
the last seven seasons
with double World Championship titles.
Doing movement in there.
Like it.
Fresh!
We've pushed the needle so far
that in a way, you're running around
with a target on your back.
Think there's a lot you need to photoshop.
Ten years of Formula 1
have shown the toll.
- Okay, thank you very much.
- Thank you.
- Bye.
- Have a good evening.
Thank you, Adrian. See you.
Let's face it, Mercedes have
ruthlessly dominated Formula 1 for years.
We want a real battle
for this championship.
It's not just the fans,
but also the management of Formula 1.
- Good?
- Yes. All good?
Stefano Domenicali,
former head of Ferrari.
is coming in to run Formula 1.
I have the duty
to maximize the value of Formula 1,
and on that, there's no discussion.
The title fight is...
it's very important
for the credibility of Formula 1.
That is the center of our sport.
How quickly you can go
from the stars to the gutters,
that's part of the game.
If you ask what
this season's title fight might look like,
I think most people would reluctantly say
business as usual.
Mercedes, seven World Championships
in a row.
No conceivable way anyone can beat them.
But at pre-season testing,
we saw something
that we've not seen in a very long time
and it could upset the competition
at the very top of the sport.
Show us
what you've got then, Mercedes.
Something strange is happening.
When I go to fifth gear,
the revs are doing something funny.
It's undriveable.
Yeah.
There's still a lot of understeer.
- I'm stuck in the gravel here.
- Switch it off. We'll come get you.
It's too early to tell
whether Mercedes
truly have dropped the ball,
but the drivers don't look confident.
The car doesn't look
like a championship-winning car.
If you look at Bottas,
he said, "I can't drive this car."
Yeah.
He was moaning and bitching
like you wouldn't believe.
They're just all over the place.
Mercedes has been dominating F1 for years,
but they've been on top for so long.
I think it's time for us,
or perhaps someone else,
to put them in their place.
It's about time
Toto gets a bit nervous,
that he's not sleeping at night, you know?
He had seven years of fantastic sleep,
you know, by dominating the championship.
I wouldn't mind
if he gets a bit under pressure.
In that moment we knew
there's so much work that we have to do.
Figure out how we can win this year.
The team are working harder now
than any other year.
There have been many tough battles
in the eight years
since I joined the team,
but this year
feels a little bit different.
If we're being frank
with ourselves,
maybe we're not matching the standards
that we used to set,
but there's also no doubt
that the other teams
are tired of being beaten
and that they've started to raise the bar.
What I would like to say
is we mustn't feel the pressure
because we've done it
seven years in a row.
Each of us must get on top of the issues
in its own area of competence.
Let's just... Let's rock and roll.
Some of the directions we have taken
in terms of developing the car were wrong,
but we can't turn the time back.
What you have to remember
about Toto
is that he inherited something
that was already well oiled.
He's not really had to build anything.
I'm already on the plane
and I'm on the way.
He operates the team
in a very different way to me.
You know, he's much more motivated
by the financials of Formula 1
than perhaps the competition.
Christian likes to say
you're just kind of like a finance guy.
What d'you say to that?
I don't care what others are doing.
It's about optimizing
my contribution in the team
without looking elsewhere.
No more mistakes.
Horses do wanna be told what to do.
They want you to be in charge.
- They can feel it. If they're...
- They can feel it.
A bit like racing drivers.
- If you're nervous, they're nervous.
- Yeah.
If you're in control, they're in control.
I think Archie
is kind of a Bottas character,
if I would say.
Darling, I'm not riding Bottas!
Being a team principal
of a Formula 1 team,
it's a constant pressure,
but I'm very fortunate.
You know, my wife, she's been
in a competitive environment herself.
She understands the stresses
of having to deliver, having to perform,
and so she's been incredibly supportive.
So I was thinking about this
the other day, okay?
- Brand-new season.
- Mm-hmm.
Think this is gonna be the one?
I dunno.
The Mercedes juggernaut
has been misfiring a bit.
I think there's a lot
of buzz around Red Bull.
I mean,
hopefully we can hit the ground running
in Bahrain at the first race
and build some momentum.
We've done a lot of winning,
we've done a lot of losing.
A lot of losing.
- It's time to get winning again.
- Yeah.
Saturday afternoon,
you're gonna see exactly where you are.
The first qualifying of 2021!
Formula 1 is back.
The sun might well
be setting here in Bahrain.
It's time
for the serious business.
It's every man for themselves
to set the fastest lap time
you possibly can.
Qualifying is everything
in Formula 1
because it determines your starting
position on the grid on Sunday.
You wanna start from the front
because it means you've got
the other 19 drivers starting behind you.
It's a speed test
that really is psychological
as well as material.
Not just in trying
to help you win the race,
but proving you are the best driver
in the best car this season.
- Let's get stuck in.
- Yep. No worries.
Qualifying is so important.
It's like the bullshit stops.
The focus shifts.
Now it's go time.
Ricciardo round
the final corner now
to set the time they all need to chase.
By the end of this season,
I wanna look back
and say, "All right.
I made a difference to this team."
And it is a time of 1:31:03.
Okay, buddy, good start.
And now it's all eyes
on this man, Carlos Sainz.
Ferrari is not in Formula 1
to finish third in the championship.
It's here to win.
Mode push.
The target is
to hit the ground running
and try and adapt as quickly as I can
to this new team, to the car.
Carlos Sainz goes
into fourth place in the Ferrari.
Well done, mate.
Go faster, Pierre.
With Yuki coming
as, uh, the rookie,
I'm the most experienced driver
in... in the team.
- You need to push more, Pierre.
- Yeah.
We all have our good days,
we all have our bad days.
We all struggle sometimes.
But I'm not worried.
P5.
P5, man.
That was phenomenal
from Pierre Gasly.
We knew it would come down to this.
There are two teams who could take pole.
Red Bull or Mercedes.
It's game on for pole position.
I don't know what's going on
in the other teams.
We are just sticking to the plan.
We need to push ourselves again.
Okay, Lewis. Good to go.
Understood.
Hamilton's two tenths up
on Pierre Gasly through the first sector.
Hamilton now crosses the line.
He's got pole
with Verstappen trying to stop him.
Okay, Max,
do what you need to do.
Verstappen
matches Hamilton through the first sector.
Max has got
this sort of youthful confidence,
an inner belief.
Verstappen's gone
quickest overall in the middle sector.
He's a fierce, fierce competitor
and he's got nothing to lose.
And Verstappen sets
the fastest time.
He has sent
the Red Bull garage into raptures!
Pole position, mate.
Fantastic work.
That lap was good.
Well done, Max.
That's the perfect start.
Well done. Great, great job.
Yeah, great job, guys.
You all deserve it.
The whole team,
but also back at the factory. Great job.
Verstappen P1.
Just over three and a half tenths ahead.
Sorry, guys. I gave it everything.
How long
do you think this'll be?
Just two questions to Toto
then we will come to you here, okay?
Thanks, great.
Fuck it. We... We've just got
to keep the smile off his face, huh?
- I mean, that team's never had pressure.
- No, that's the thing.
You know, they've never really
had a sustained challenge, like...
- Just gotta keep the pressure on.
- Yeah.
We are ruthless
in the analysis of our own performances
and that's why I'm upset,
but the rational me, uh,
is able to channelize that
and take over from the emotional me.
On paper, we are a little bit behind,
but how this is gonna end is not clear.
It's just about tomorrow.
Ham and eggs.
With a little bacon
and two pumpernickels,
really toasted so that they break.
Yesterday it was not enough.
It has to be like a cookie.
Butter, tomato, salt.
Espresso with lactose-free milk.
And I would just like eggs
and a coffee with cold milk, thank you.
It's finally here, a brand-new season
and what a year in prospect.
Let's go racing.
Three new drivers,
four former champions,
ten Grand Prix winners on the grid.
- All right, man? Good? Sleep well?
- Good enough.
Good enough to win.
Have Ferrari found
the pace in their driver pairing
to get them out of the midfield?
- Nice shoes, boy!
- Yeah.
Beautiful.
The three rookies,
Nikita Mazepin,
Mick Schumacher and Yuki Tsunoda,
all vying to score points
in their first race.
- Yuki's... he's the man.
- Oh my gosh!
- I love that guy.
- He's so small.
Like every year,
the first race is the most exciting one.
First of all, guys,
don't run into each other.
Don't do anything stupid at the start,
and things like this.
Nobody learns anything.
We just try to put a good race together
and... and finish it.
Why are you looking at me?
- Behave. See you, Susie.
- See you later.
What an exciting day this is.
It's Red Bull on pole.
Mercedes have got a fight on their hands.
- Hey. How are you, man?
- Good luck today.
- All good?
- Yeah. Come on, kick their ass.
You've wintered well
by the looks of things.
Kick their ass today, please.
There's a lot of excitement
in the paddock
that Red Bull have got it right.
Got all
your preseason predictions.
Have you hedged your bets
with another team or not?
- No, I'm all in on Red Bull.
- Uh-huh.
- Don't fuck it up.
- Uh-huh.
It's a huge moment for the sport
because Red Bull look incredible.
All of the preseason expectations,
all of the preseason hope and hype,
it looks like it might come true.
Finally it is time.
Finally we can
get the season off and running.
In Formula 1,
there are no miracles.
Nothing can prepare you.
Like, nothing can prepare you.
You know
that tiny mistake can cost a lot.
Who's gonna handle the pressure
and who's not?
This sport is cutthroat.
Obviously we're all here to win.
You do doubt yourself,
but I just need to put the helmet on
and get into the zone.
I'm like a tiger,
silently preparing.
I don't have any fear.
Emotional.
That's good.
Five lights on.
And it's lights out and away we go.
It's Max Verstappen
against Lewis Hamilton.
They both got away quite evenly.
Hamilton goes into turn one
behind Max Verstappen.
That's off! That looks
like Nikita Mazepin in the Haas.
Oh, fucking hell.
His first Grand Prix
lasting precisely three corners.
I'm so sorry, guys.
This is fucking madness.
Formula 1
is a war on a racetrack.
That's Vettel ahead.
We're closing on him.
And every single car
plays its part.
Race or defend?
You have to be prepared
to take risks.
Go race.
Carlos,
you are doing well with tires.
You're not just reacting
to what's happening with your car.
Yeah, I've got more pace
than these guys. Gonna start pushing.
Okay, understood.
You have to be reacting
to what your rivals are doing as well.
For fuck's sake.
I touched the front wing.
The front wing's gone
on that AlphaTauri.
Gasly is tumbling down the order.
Race strategy
can be incredibly complex,
but really it's quite simple.
How do you get
from lights out to checkered flag
in the shortest amount of time possible?
Box and pit confirm, Max.
Box and pit confirm.
Every driver has to change
tires at least once during the race.
Newer tires will give you more speed,
but obviously it takes time
to come in and change them.
So these strategy decisions
are absolutely vital
in winning a Grand Prix.
Verstappen's got fresh tires.
Hamilton takes the lead of the Grand Prix.
- Verstappen seven seconds behind.
- Yep.
Onboard now with Carlos Sainz.
Time to go hunting.
I'll leave it to you.
Carlos has always
made a show about how fast he is.
I guess we'll see.
Vettel and Alonso are in Sainz's sights.
And he goes past both of them!
Well done, Carlos. Nice job.
Lap 29.
Lewis Hamilton leads the Grand Prix
but Max Verstappen
is breathing down his neck.
Box, box. Box, box.
Tires are okay.
Box, box.
Into the pits, Hamilton.
That's a really interesting strategy call.
Stopped way too early, man.
Not gonna make it to the end.
It's bullshit.
The driver will always have
quite a narrow perspective out of the car.
We haven't got a crystal ball,
but we need to plan the moves ahead
and you need to think
what to expect from your enemy.
This is gonna be a long stint,
Lewis, 28 laps remaining.
What will Red Bull do here,
change tires now
or stay out and extend their lead?
There's still
28 laps remaining.
That would be an almighty stint for Lewis
at this stage.
Formula 1 is like
a game of chess.
There are constant dilemmas.
Whoever gets it right
is gonna come out on top.
We are staying out.
Staying out.
Yeah, okay.
Daniel Ricciardo
is currently in seventh place.
Can't get
that much more out of it.
Okay, mate. No panic.
He's struggling.
It is only
his first outing in a McLaren,
but he would have wanted to be higher.
Push flat out, Yuki, flat out.
- Get Räikkönen now. One in front.
- Copy.
Impressive race from Tsunoda.
If he can get ahead of Räikkönen,
he'll be scoring points
in his debut Grand Prix.
Whoo!
You're doing well, Yuki.
We are losing the rear now a bit.
Okay, copy.
Box and pit confirm, Max.
Verstappen's tires are wearing.
Red Bull now make a move to change.
So Hamilton is back
in the lead of the race,
but Verstappen has
fresher, faster tires now.
The chase is on.
Strategy's important,
but at some point
it comes down to the two drivers
racing for the finishing line.
And Verstappen 3.1 behind.
Bono, I know.
Leave me to it.
And he's locked up
into ten. He's gone wide.
That is exactly
what Red Bull would want to see.
Hamilton is starting
to really struggle out there.
I've got no rear.
Those tires are
a lot older than Max Verstappen's.
Come on. Come on!
Hamilton moves
to the middle, forces Verstappen wider
and positions that Mercedes beautifully.
Hamilton's gonna force Verstappen
the long way round.
By the time they get to the corner,
he's about a third of a car in front.
He's a whole car in front!
Come on!
He went all the way
around the outside of Hamilton
and now leads the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Hamilton down to second.
Get in there, Max.
He's overtaken
on the outside of the track.
Copy, Lewis. We'll look into that.
The rules are really clear.
Everybody knows
you cannot overtake off track.
Look, he took the position
off the track there, Verstappen.
If you do that,
you have to give the position back.
Max, for the moment,
let Lewis through. Let Lewis through.
Just let me go, man.
We've had the instruction
from Race Control, unfortunately, Max.
Let him through.
We'll get it back.
It's one inch
too deep into a corner,
but it's the fine margins
that win or lose races
and World Championships.
Three laps remaining.
Three more laps.
Max Verstappen running out
of time to get into the lead of this race.
Come on, Max. Get it done.
Hamilton is weaving around,
doing everything possible
to keep Max Verstappen behind.
When you have
Lewis Hamilton in the car,
we know that he has
the skill and the determination
to overcome whatever strategy
they've thrown at us.
Hamilton holds on!
Lewis Hamilton
wins the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull
take second place.
They were the prerace favorites,
but they've been beaten
by Mercedes tonight.
Get in there, Lewis!
What a job, mate. What a race!
Amazing.
Whoo!
Amazing job.
We're not quick enough,
but we managed to do it.
That's teamwork.
I've been racing a long time
and I've faced a lot of different drivers.
It's constant warfare.
Still got it, Bono.
Yeah, not bad for an old man.
This year I still have that hunger.
If anything, I feel
I'm more driven than I ever have before
and it's quite overwhelming.
- That feels good, doesn't it?
- Oh, I love it. I love it.
The ones that you fight hard for,
where you come from a position
where you don't expect to win,
these victories are... are very satisfying.
Fireworks in the sky.
Fireworks on the racetrack.
What a brilliant start
to this season's racing.
We were the best group of people,
with the right strategy,
the best driver in the car,
and against all odds, won the race.
This battle
is going to last the whole season long.
Fuck.
I don't know what else
we could've done. I mean...
Argh!
Tell me
what it's like to come second.
We fucking hate it.
Um... You know...
Um...
Uh, nobody wants to finish second.
Of course I'm...
I'm disappointed about today.
But we're not gonna back down
from this fight.
We will respond in the best way
that we can, which is on track.
We'll go quicker.
Let's go on the other side
rather than waiting by Mercedes.
We're in this sport to win
and nobody's giving up.
Everybody is fighting.
Round the other side.
Everybody believes this could
really start to come alive for us.
Don't be too grumpy.
He will be less grumpy
the next time when he wins it.
If we pull this one off,
it will be the biggest thing
that we have done in Formula 1.
Second's not part of the plan.
Fucking Mercedes.
- Right.
- Testing three, four, nutsack, five, six.
Today is the start
of our next chapter.
I predict an array of podiums.
How do you see
the dynamic working?
Lando Norris,
another podium.
I need to hit something.
Holding onto third's
gonna be very tough.
Nikita's struggling a little.
Mazepin off already.
He thinks
there's a difference in the cars.
Fucking unbelievable.
Verstappen is into the lead!
That nearly killed our driver.
He pushes it to the limit and beyond.
It's reached a level
no one expected.
- I could have him in a fight.
- No!
This guy's fucking crazy.
I'm not sure
we can make this to the end.
The fight is very much on.