Inside Line F1 Podcast

Lando Norris, the least likely driver to be unsportsmanlike was given a time penalty for being exactly that, unsportsmanlike. And for what? Driving slowly in the pits to hold up his rivals while Mclaren double-stacked their cars! Didn't we applaud drivers for their spatial awareness when they did this for years on end?

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah review the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen's dominant win, Fernando Alonso vs. Lewis Hamilton, Esteban Ocon's flexi-rear wing, Lance Stroll's gamer move into the pits, George Russell's wall-banging ways (spatial awareness, huh?) and more.

This episode is also packed with Oscar Piastri's Kimi Raikkonen moment, Yuki Tsunoda's attempt to 'be fast between the grass', Ferrari's great tyre strategy, of course and Alexander Albon's immaculate drive to 7th place. Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 30)

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

Image courtesy: Mclaren

Seriously, who is a fan of Lance Stroll? From the top-4 teams, he looks farthest from a podium finish despite racing a car that's scored five podiums this year. In fact, six drivers have scored their maiden Formula 1 win in Canada through history but it seems highly unlikely that Stroll Jr. will add his name to this list.

Anyway, Aston Martin are bringing upgrades to their car for the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix. Let's see if Fernando Alonso's wish to 'crush' Mercedes comes true.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah preview the upcoming race at Circuit Giles Villeneuve. Red Bull Racing's dominant run could see them match Mercedes' best race-winning streak from 2019 - 8 wins on the trot. In fact, Red Bull Racing could celebrate a century of wins - becoming only the 5th constructor in the history of sport to do so.

Mercedes will be out to prove that their double podium result in Spain wasn't track or weather dependent. The buzz around Ferrari will be around their historic win in Le Mans. And finally, will Williams repay Red Bull Racing the favour while declaring the upgrades on Alexander Albon's car?😉

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 29)

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

Image courtesy: Aston Martin Formula One Team

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Steve Slater, the Voice of F1 (ESPNStar & Fox Sports among others), joins Soumil Arora to share some of his finest memories from the Canadian Grand Prix over the years.

Did you know? There have been more Canadian Grands Prix than any other Grand Prix outside of Europe.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Steve recalls several iconic races through history - 1999, when Mika Hakkinen became the first driver to win the race under the Safety Car.

1991, when Nigel Mansell lost the race with only half a lap to go (he lost drive). 

Robert Kubica's crash in 2007 to winning his and BMW's first and only Grand Prix in Formula 1 in 2008.

This one's a must-listen! 

Steve predicts a Lewis Hamilton this Sunday! Who do you think will win in Canada? Tell us via the poll on Spotify or tag us on social media.

(Season 2023, Episode 28)

Follow our host on Twitter: Soumil Arora

Image courtesy: Mclaren

We've moved on from asking if Red Bull Racing will win all races in 2023. We're now wondering, if it will be Max Verstappen who will win all the remaining races in 2023!

The current and double World Champion cruised on his way to victory in the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen has now scored a hat-trick of wins - Miami, Monaco and Spain.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah review the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix. Is Mercedes' pace for real? Is Ferrari's tyre degradation for real? And what about Aston Martin, why did the hype around 'Mission 33' turn to dust?

The time penalty for Yuki Tsunoda, was the justified? Valtteri Bottas' struggles and Fernando Alonso telling Lance Stroll to not be worried...let's relive some of the best moments of the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix.

@f1statsguru present his stats preview segment (around 22:00 mins), tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 27)

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

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

The Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona has 14 corners. The circuit will also host it's 33rd race this weekend - the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix.

Are all the signs hinting towards a home win for the ever-popular Fernando Alonso? Btw, he did miss out on a win in Monaco last week, as the data now confirms.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru aka Sundaram and Kunal Shah preview the upcoming 2023 Spanish Grand Prix. The key buzz will be around Fernando Alonso, obviously, but has the buzz around Carlos Sainz faded a wee bit after he joined Ferrari?

Also, full focus on upgrades at a circuit that's best-suited to test them. Will the change in layout aid better racing or will it be another factor for all to blame in case the race is a snoozefest? Also, look out for tyre management - the heat and the circuit are tyre busters! It's no surprise that Pirelli has brought their hardest compounds for this race. And of course, that's another blame factor, should we need it! 😉

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 26)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Aston Martin Formula One Team

The 2023 Monaco Grand Prix made us ask 'how did THAT happen?' several times over.

Firstly, Max Verstappen's pole position lap. But before that, Esteban Ocon claiming provisional pole! Yes, how did THAT happen?

(Also, what's your best guess for who calls Esteban Ocon 'Estie Bestie'!?

Then, we had the Monaco Grand Prix itself. It was a strategic race in every way, but the rain neutered that. But how was there no Safety Car or longer race interruption?

Helmets off to the talent of the 19 drivers who didn't crash. Sorry, Lance, you ain't on the list.

Alonso's tyre gamble, Ocon's slow stop, Carlos Sainz's anger & mistake, Charles Leclerc impeding Lando Norris (we know how that happened!), George Russell blowing his podium chances, Haas' muscling their way through, Yuki Tsunoda's dry weather performance and Nyck De Vries jumping Logan Sargeant for 19th place in the Drivers' Championship. This is an action-packed episode in itself.

Tune in to know how that happened!😉

(Season 2023, Episode 25)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Aston Martin Formula One Team

Fernando Alonso will feature with Aston Martin-Honda from 2026, either as a driver or a team ambassador, we reckon.

Yes, Honda has publicly said that they don't mind Alonso driving a race car powered by their engines, but would anyone come out publicly saying otherwise?

In fact, remember Alonso's Indy 500 bid? He raced a Chevrolet-powered car. It was known, but not publicly declared, that Honda didn't want him to race their engines. 

Mercedes had a similar stance till they relaxed it so that Alonso could race a Mercedes-powered Aston Martin this season.

2026 might seem far away, but Aston Martin will already planning their driver line-up - what's next after Alonso? They will need an A-lister...and Lance Stroll isn't one.

Could this partnership interest Charles Leclerc or Lando Norris? Honda has declared that they would like to a Japanese driver at Aston Martin - could it be Yuki Tsunoda or Ayumu Iwasa? Interesting times ahead.

Here's an upload of a Twitter Spaces conversation between Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah for our avid podcast audience.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 24)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Aston Martin Formula One Team

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Could the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix be the first race of the season to see a non-Red Bull Racing driver win?

Can Charles Leclerc stick it on pole...and lead the race to win? Yes, we're aware of Leclerc's Monaco jinx!

Or could it be Fernando Alonso scoring a win after a decade-long gap? Either winner would be extremely popular, no doubt. 

If you remember from last year, the Red Bull cars need two laps to warm-up tyres; could that be the chink in their armour this year? Also, the last two Q3 sessions in Monaco (2022 and 2021), have seen a Red Flag.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah preview the upcoming 2023 Monaco Grand Prix. @f1statsguru presents his stats preview leading to the race - and in fact, will we have a race at all? Or will it be another procession around the streets of Monaco?

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 23)

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

Image courtesy: Aston Martin Formula One Team

It's time for the 'Long Name Grand Prix' this weekend. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has historically had really long names - courtesy multiple sponsors, and of course, the region/government of Emilia Romagna.

But did you grow up calling this race Imola? Or, like Kunal, did you call it San Marino?

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah preview the upcoming 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. For all the naming rights sponsors, the local promoters couldn't pay to have the Sprint + Grand Prix format this year...

There will be two key points this weekend - upgrades and rumours. All eyes on Mercedes, yes? @f1statsguru presents his stats preview segment for this weekend's race.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 22)

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

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

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The 'voice of the Miami Grand Prix' and legendary American Formula 1 commentator Bob Varsha joins Soumil Arora on this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast.

The duo talk about the recently concluded Miami Grand Prix, the first of three races in the United States of America. Bob was the 'voice of the public address' at the Miami International Autodrome.

In this episode, you will hear Bob's best stories from Miami, why American manufacturers are excited about Formula 1 (Red Bull - Ford, Andretti - Cadillac) and Logan Sargeant, of course.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 21)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, Bob Varsha

Image courtesy: Ferrari