Inside Line F1 Podcast

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

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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

Max Verstappen is yet to win in Singapore. Will we repeat this stat after the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix though? Heck, VER is yet to take pole position at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. In fact, Red Bull Racing's last pole was in 2013 (Sebastian Vettel).

However, there's more belief that VER will extend his record-breaking race winning streak to 11 wins this Sunday. But also, Singapore might be his toughest race to win...yet.

Firstly, VER's five race winning streak of 2022 ended at Singapore. Could it be a repeat this year? Of course, this could be for no fault of his own, as we saw in 2022.

Secondly, will the driver breaking VER's ongoing race winning streak become popular or unpopular for breaking the streak? Yes, it is about who breaks the streak. If it's Sergio Perez, he will be unpopular, however, if it's any other driver, he'll be a popular one! The perils of racing along side Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, we guess.

The Marina Bay Street Circuit features a new layout this weekend. Williams believe that the new layout will be more suitable to the FW45 than the old one. The organisers have replaced four 90 degree slow corners with a 400 metre long straight. They say that the layout change is to accommodate ongoing developments on the streets of Singapore, or is it really? They do anything these days to boost 'overtaking' in Formula 1.

A high downforce circuit that's tough on it's tyres. Add to it the physical challenge for the drivers - the heat and humidity. Throw in the usual narratives, but also, the nearest home race for Zhou Guanyu and Alexander Albon. C'mon, Alfa Romeo Racing, if there's a race to announce Zhou's extension, it's this!

This weekend's going to be another epic Formula 1 race, and our race preview, will bring you closer to the upcoming race...and the sport.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 48)

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

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

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Have you ever wondered, what IF the lights go off mid-race at the Marina Bay Circuit? How does a driver reorient himself with the direction of the race after a spin? 

Well, it's race week for the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix. We've got some of the best Singapore Grand Prix stories with Steve Slater, the 'voice of F1' for Star Sports, Fox Sports and many more.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah are in conversation with Steve Slater, who was a consultant with the Singapore Grand Prix organisers for several years.

Why are so many corners 90-degrees? Why is the Singapore Grand Prix a 'night race'?

Yes, lots of fun questions and insights from Steve himself.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 47)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Steve Slater, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

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The 2023 Italian Grand Prix was just how Formula 1 races should be. No, seriously! There were no overtakes, but there were edge-of-seat on-track battles. And yes, that's how Formula 1 should be. The focus should be on the battles, whether or not they result in an overtake.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah discuss the 2023 Italian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen's awesome 10 race wins in a row record, Carlos Sainz's entertaining driving, Sergio Perez's recovery and Alexander Albon's DRS train.

This race was also the second of the 'ATA' or Alternate Tyre Allocation races, basically, teams had fewer sets of tyres to use. How did the ATA work? Did it spice up the action OR was it status quo for Formula 1?

Alpine's double no-score, Lewis Hamilton's recovery drive with Mercedes and more. Lots to tune in to.

(Season 2023, Episode 46)

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

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

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The 'Temple of Speed' and the 'Tifosi' - will this unique love affair and emotion be rewarded with success this weekend at the 2023 Italian Grand Prix?

That's what the tifosi and their beloved Scuderia Ferrari would be hoping for. But given Ferrari's form, the tifosi might be better off staying at home!

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah preview the 2023 Italian Grand Prix. Will Max Verstappen claim the record for 10 successive wins in Formula 1? Or can someone actually halt his race-winning streak? Of course, the 'curse of Monza' is yet to be broken. But VER losing due to the Monza curse would be pure cruel!

But which team will be second-fastest at Monza? McLaren and Aston Martin have had a straightline speed deficit. Will their upgrades bring them into play? If Ferrari keep fumbling, is Mercedes the default team to claim P2? Could Williams have an outside chance given their recent recovery?

Lots of narratives and emotions will be at play this weekend in Monza, and maybe some rain, too?

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 45)

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

Image courtesy: Ferrari

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The 2023 Dutch Grand Prix was the best race of the season, wasn't it?

We had a mad crowd show up for Max Verstappen's annual fan meet at Circuit Zandvoort. We had mixed weather conditions. As always, different drivers challenged Max Verstappen throughout the weekend - but, as always, just one driver triumphed!

Btw, we have a short byte (a replay) from Dr. Helmut Marko - on the comparison between two of his star drivers, Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel. 

Max Verstappen is now on a 9 race winning streak - a record that he's equalled with Sebastian Vettel and Alberto Ascari. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso finished in second - after missing out on the podium in the last 4 races. Btw, did you notice ALO's moves into Turn 3 all through the race?

Mclaren and Mercedes' challenge fumbled after a wrong/late tyre call in the opening laps of the race. Alpine's Pierre Gasly was one of the few to make the correct call and he was rewarded with a rare podium finish! And of course, Ferrari fumbled with Charles Leclerc (yet again!), in the pits, while the Monegasque fumbled on track, not before being furious on the radio.

Lots of action throughout the field. Liam Lawson's debut was baptism by water. For more such jokes, tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 44)

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

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

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It can't get bigger than this! The annual Max Verstappen fan meet, also known as the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, will be the biggest Max Verstappen celebration at a race venue till date.

Will Max Verstappen continue his dominant run (duh!) or can someone challenge him this weekend? Zandvoort comes closest to downforce sensitivity after Budapest and Monaco. If those races are anything to go by, the Dutch Grand Prix should be a closely fought battle, at least on Saturday.

How close will the drivers be in Q1? Zandvoort is also the second-shortest circuit after Monaco. And it's got a short-tight pit lane (13 second time loss); the pit lane speed limit is lowered to 60 kmph.

'Momentum' will be the key talk this weekend, after a three weekend long summer break. Who will hit peak momentum again and who might take time? Let's see how they roll in Zandvoort; 10 races in 13 weeks is a busy time, so early momentum picking would be key.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 43)

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

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

The summer break is over! It finally is RACE WEEK!

From now till the end of the 2023 Formula 1 season, there are more 'race weeks' than non-race weeks. Yes, you can do the math.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah tell you the key stories to watch F1 for after the summer break. Yes, Max Verstappen-Red Bull Racing's dominance might be boring for a few fans, but there's so much more of the season that will unravel over the next half of the season.

If the sporting side of Formula 1 interests you, here are a few stories to pick from. What race will Max Verstappen not win? Will Aston Martin get back on the podium & where will Mclaren's recovery eventually lead them to? Finally, will Ferrari go 2 tenths quicker as promised/predicted by Frederic Vasseur?

If the political side interests you, here are some stories to pick from. The results of the 2022 budget cap and related breaches will be announced soon enough. As will the fate of the 11th and 12th teams in Formula 1, if so. 

If you like rookie drivers, which rookie will get a chance in FP1 and in which race? Could a rookie usurp one of the many race seats that are yet to be extended for 2024? In fact, driver contract extensions will be a story - the most-interesting one of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, of course. 

Basically, there are tons of narratives and stories that will headline in the second-half of the season. If you wish to add to our list, tag us on social media (@insidelinef1pod) and let's know. Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 42)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mclaren

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We are only half way through the 2023 Formula 1 season - and just so many stories, narratives and off-track incidents have shared the limelight. 

In this summer break, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah got together in a studio in Mumbai to record the mid-season review episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast.

Do you remember the multiple time penalties that Esteban Ocon received in the first race of the season? What about the time when Formula 1 cars were too wide for the grid boxes? And of course, the track limits penalties in Austria.

Apart from Max Verstappen-Red Bull Racing's dominant show, a lot has happened in the 2023 Formula 1 season and some of the funniest-whackiest bits have made it to this mid-season review episode. 

Also in the summer break, we celebrated Jehan Daruvala's illustrious Motorsport career @ Khar SOCIAL. Along with the podcast, the Inside Line Club's Pitstop events have seen tremendous growth this year.

Thank you for your continued patronage - online and offline!

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 41)

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

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool