Inside Line F1 Podcast

The irony of it...! Daniel Ricciardo's perfect audition for Sergio Perez's seat at Red Bull Racing came at Perez's home race! A race in which Perez made an audaciously overambitious move at Turn 1 of the opening lap; a move that he thought would make him win the race. Instead, he found himself launched mid-air after colliding with Charles Leclerc's Ferrari. 

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah review the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix. Max Verstappen won both the races in Mexico - with rocket-like starts, to start with. Lewis Hamilton finished second to Verstappen again, only that this time around, his Mercedes W14 was legal. Yes, it passed all post-race scrutineering.

After clinching yet another pole position, Charles Leclerc finished 3rd for Ferrari. From 1-2 at the start, Ferrari settled for 3-4 at the chequered flag. Did Ferrari's strategy for Carlos Sainz make sense to you? They let Lewis Hamilton undercut him in the pit stops. And of course, Ferrari's mis-reading of the crossover between the  medium & hard tyre - a crucial choice they made the restart.

Did we witness 'Hammer Time' by Hamilton in Mexico? He drove a solid race on the medium tyre while his team-mate George Russell had yet another lacklustre outing. Russell only just fended off a resurgent Daniel Ricciardo in the AlphaTauri.

Ricciardo's six points helped AlphaTauri jump two places in the Constructors' Championship. But did it also propel Ricciardo's chances at Red Bull Racing? Poor races from Perez only make the case to replace him stronger.

Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg's tussle for 10th, Yuki Tsunoda's missed opportunity and of course, Lando Norris' recovery from a Q1 exit to 5th place at the chequered flag. Yes, Norris finished 12 places higher than his start position but he ended his 4-race podium finishing streak thanks to his errors in qualifying.

A lot happened in the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix, including a fan brawl in the stands. Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 58)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

Will 'plank gate' continue to be a thing as Formula 1 reaches Mexico City for this weekend's 2023 Mexico Grand Prix? Yes, we think so - and it should be so.

Is Formula 1 too complex for FIA to police it fairly? And 'fairly' is the word, especially with 50% of the cars scrutineered post-race in Austin failed the test. Does this system need to evolve, and if so, what's the most fair way to do so given Formula 1's logistical schedules?

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah discuss what sets the Circuit Hermanos Rodriguez apart - and why 'altitude' will be the buzzword this weekend. 

The race to finish in P2 behind Max Verstappen is heating up. In the last 6 races, 4 different drivers have finished in P2. If Lewis Hamilton hadn't been disqualified in the 2023 United States Grand Prix, the number would've been 5.

Also, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the 2023 Mexico Grand Prix weekend are landmark days in Formula 1 history. Btw, this will be the 1099th Grand Prix in the history of the sport. 

Will Ferrari's struggles in Mexico continue? Will Red Bull-Max Verstappen's dominance continue? They've won four out of the last five races. Will we see a new pole sitter for the eight year in succession? And of course, will Logan Sargeant celebrate his first Formula 1 point in Mexico? Lots to look forward to this weekend and in our 2023 Mexico Grand Prix preview podcast. 

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 57)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

Lewis Hamilton drove a mega race at the Circuit of the Americas. Yes, the 2023 United States Grand Prix certainly gave fans a lot of hope - that Max Verstappen's Red Bull might well be challenged in the near future.

However, several hours post-race (when most fans were asleep!) the FIA deemed that Hamilton's Mercedes was illegal - as it had excessive plank wear than permitted in the regulations. As a result, Hamilton was disqualified and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc joined him on this list.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah discuss the 2023 United States GP. The Sprint weekend did make it tough for the teams to fine tune their setup - in fact, four out of ten teams had setup issues.

Haas & Aston Martin chose to start from the pit lane while Mercedes and Ferrari were too low and faced disqualification.

But why does the FIA conduct post-race checks? How do they choose what cars to check and what do they eventually check? This topic is fairly technical but Soumil-@f1statsguru do well to explain the situation.

Finally, the disqualifications saw a significant change in the final race result and the drivers who ended up scoring points. After 18 races in his debut season, Logan Sargeant finally scored his first race point!

We are probably Lance Stroll's biggest critics, but credit where it's due - from the pit lane to the points is always a super result, especially when there are no mid-race interruptions. 

There's a lot packed into this show, enjoy it! 

(Season 2023, Episode 56)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes

It's been 200 races since the start of the hybrid-turbo era of Formula 1.

Yes, believe it or not, about a fifth of all races in Formula 1 history have been powered by power units...and not engines. How was the hybrid-turbo era fared for Formula 1 and some of its most-important stakeholders?

Whilst discussing this milestone, @f1statsguru also hosts a mini-quiz on this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast. The quiz actually highlights how lacking Formula 1 has been in the hybrid-turbo era.

Beg to differ with our views? Let's know via our Instagram page.

And of course, this long episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast also sees Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah preview the upcoming 2023 United States Grand Prix.

COTA marks the start of a triple header and will host a Sprint format weekend for the first time. Will Max Verstappen win his first race as a three times World Champion? OR will McLaren's surge at the front continue and will they finally conquer the Verstappen-Red Bull Racing barrier?

All eyes on Logan Sargeant and Haas F1 Team - the second of their three home Grands Prix this season. And of course, for Liberty Media, too. 

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 55)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

Seriously, how entertained were you by the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix? For starters, it delivered a great F1 Sprint. Then for the Grand Prix, FIA and Pirelli mandated stint lengths to avoid tyre failures. But even with so many stops, was the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix entertaining...at all?

Max Verstappen won, the McLarens finished second and then the rest of the grid featured. The Mercedes' tangled on the opening lap with Lewis Hamilton accepting full blame for the incident, but did George Russell-Hamilton have a pre-race agreement for the soft-starting Hamilton?

Lance Stroll's physio-pushing ways, Williams' score in the F1 Sprint vs. Alfa Romeo's double scoring in the Grand Prix, McLaren's 1.8 second fast World Record F1 pit stop, the humidity knocking out the fittest athletes on the planet, literally speak and more.

The 2023 Qatar Grand Prix had a lot of narratives but litle on-track entertainment that we will remember the race for. Irrespective of whether you agree with Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah in this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, this episode is a must-hear for their banter, insights and Soumil's 'daddy jokes'.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 54)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: McLaren

We expect discussions and dissonance around Andretti's entry in Formula 1 to hijack all stories from the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, including Max Verstappen's impending 3rd Formula 1 World Championship.

But does Formula 1 need an 11th team? We're split in our judgment and opinion. On sporting grounds, we agree that an 11th team will do wonders for Formula 1 and upcoming young talent. But from a business perspective, it's tricky - that's where we had peak disagreement despite having no vested interests in Andretti's entry. 

Why should the existing 10 teams agree to devalue their business? Why is Andretti interested in Formula 1 only now? Is the FIA pressurising Liberty Media to enter into an agreement with Andretti by making their (acceptance) stance public? Lots of interesting discussions that will hopefully give you a better understanding of the messy situation that Formula 1 faces with Andretti.

And of course, this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast is also the official preview episode for the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. A sprint race weekend, a fast-flowy circuit, and is resurfaced, re-kerbed and will offer a challenge via different track temperatures and of course, the first time running of the ground-effect cars.

Will Ferrari's better tyre degradation prevail? Is Mercedes' claim that Ferrari have better tyre degradation since the summer break true? Will McLaren continue to eat into Aston Martin's points gap to 4th place? We reckon McLaren will continue to be the team closest to Red Bull Racing this weekend, too. 

A new circuit, different challenges...and lots of sports washing.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 53)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Andretti Global Cadillac

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 'driver silly season' for the 2023 Formula 1 season was barely a season at all, let alone be silly. But you can't call us silly for calling out Logan Sargeant's lack of performances this season. 

Are we sharing an opinion on Sargeant's season, yes? Are we backing it up with data, absolutely, yes. But why would Williams be backing their driver who isn't performing? Their car is progressing up to the midfield and so should both their drivers, isn't it? 

How has Logan Sargeant performed against George Russell in his first year at Williams? And what about Nicholas Latifi? We all know his stats aren't impressive against the mighty Alexander Albon. 

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah discuss Logan Sargeant's performances in 2023 or lack thereof, what Williams' future should be in 2024 and more.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 52)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Williams Racing

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sergio Perez's driving went from bad in Singapore to worse...in Suzuka.

Red Bull Racing were cheeky with Perez's double retirement and time penalty...in Suzuka.

McLaren scored their best result of the season, a double podium,...in Suzuka.

Fernando Alonso finally lost his cool with Aston Martin on the radio...in Suzuka.

The tension brewed over between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell...in Suzuka.

Max Verstappen resumed to his dominant winning ways...in Suzuka.

Alpine had a team-mate fall-out on the last lap of the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix...in Suzuka.

And of course, Sebastian Vettel started a 'bee hotel'...in Suzuka.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah review the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix. Yes, we're a day late than usual but Soumil was busy with MotoGP's Grand Prix of India. Psst! He was the 'voice of MotoGP' in India.

Lots of fun stories from the paddock, championship narratives and facts-stats packed into this episode of our podcast.

If you missed our race screenings for the last couple of races, we'll be back our events in Mumbai from the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 51)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Aston Martin Formula One Team

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Formula 1 circus travels Far East to race in Suzuka, one of the most-legendary circuits on the calendar. The Japanese Formula 1 fans are special for their love for the sport transcends team-driver boundaries. 

But of course, they've got Yuki Tsunoda to cheer for, for yet another race. But will he be there in 2024? Should an extension announcement come this weekend?

The key question, though, is - will Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen resume their dominant ways? OR has the 'flexi' technical directive literally slowed them down this much? 

Will Charles Leclerc bounce back at Ferrari? We can't recollect when last was he out-qualified and out-scored by a team-mate for three races in row. Yes, Carlos Sainz has been in splendid form post-summer break.

What about Aston Martin? Will McLaren catch them by the end of the season in the Constructors' Championship? And of course, Alpine needs to resurrect form and luck as well, not necessarily in that order though.

Suzuka is a gorgeous circuit, the corners are iconic, technical and fast-flowy. There's every reason that the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix will be a belter!

Tune in.

(Season 2023, Episode 50)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OMG! It actually happened, Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen's record-breaking race-winning streak ended in Singapore. Singapore remains Verstappen and Red Bull Racing's unconquered frontier for yet another year.

Remember 1988 and McLaren's race-winning streak then? Ferrari broke the streak back then. In 2023, it's Ferrari that broke Red Bull-Verstappen's race winning streak. Above all else, the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix was an absolute thriller.

Four cars were battling for the race win in the last 4 laps of the race. When last did we see that in recent times? 

In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah dissect the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix. How did Carlos Sainz win this race for Ferrari? We explain his 'smooth operation'. Just why was Carlos Sainz driving so slow in the first half of the race? 

Why did Red Bull Racing have a sub-standard car in Singapore. How did McLaren score yet another podium with Lando Norris? Why did Mercedes pit George Russell and Lewis Hamilton under the VSC (courtesy: Esteban Ocon)?

Helmets off to Liam Lawson and Oscar Piastri for scoring points on their Singapore debut. And of course, an ode to the fantastic qualifying session from Saturday, we discuss that, too. We love Singapore, don't you, too?

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 49)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Ferrari