Inside Line F1 Podcast

'Max deserved winning the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship, but did Lewis deserve it a little more'? this question will be debated for the seasons to come. But of course, such was the nature of the entire 2021 Formula 1 season; a season that was about the 'fine margins' between Mercedes & Red Bull Racing cars and between the two title protagonists. 

Soumil cites stats to prove Max's case whereas Kunal pursues the emotional route to explain Lewis' - who do you think was the more deserving winner of the 2021 Formula 1 Drivers' World Championship? Write to us.

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In this Pits to Podium segment of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal take sides while steering clear of controversy to discuss Max Verstappen vs. Lewis Hamilton and who deserved to win the title in 2021. For once, Lewis was the chaser and chase well he did. Likewise for Max, 2021 was the first season when he got a car that could challenge for the championship and he overcame the Lewis Hamilton challenge to clinch his first-ever Formula 1 Drivers' World Championship. Tune in! 

(Season 2021, Episode 78)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

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It's tough to argue that Michael Masi & Race Control didn't interfere in the final outcome of the Drivers' Championship for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

In the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, why did they not red flag the race with a view to resume it later (a la 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix)? Would that have been the most-fair way to act? 

And of course, would Race Control have acted in the same way if the season finale wasn't a title deciding one?

Is the culprit the 'general agreement' that exists between the Formula 1 teams and Race Control to not end a race under the Safety Car? Yeah, this seems like the 'gentleman's agreement' that drivers selectively following during Qualifying.

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In this Pits to Podium segment of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal discuss the controversial decisions that clouded Max Verstappen's crowning moment. After the dust settles, the duo hope that Formula 1 comes out as the winner - a better sport who's sporting integrity can't be questioned. After all, the biggest car manufacturers are watching the sport with even more interest these days. Tune in!

(Season 2021, Episode 77)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes

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What will Max Verstappen do in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? For starters, he would want to beat Lewis Hamilton - it is a winner takes all contest, after all. But what if he doesn't have the car to do so? The Yas Marina Circuit has undergone major changes this year. 

Will Verstappen keep it clean? Has the fan sentiment drifted away from the young Dutchman after his iffy race in Saudi Arabia? And of course, is he now the underdog going into the season finale for 2021? 

Lewis Hamilton has won the last three races on the trot. Can he make it a fourth and title-clinching win in Abu Dhabi? Does the onus lie equally on him to keep things clean when engaged in wheel-to-wheel battle with Verstappen?

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In this Pits to Podium segment of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal preview the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. All eyes will be on the Verstappen-Hamilton battle and maybe on the FIA if they are forced to get involved? Let's hope that the title is settled on-track & not via post-race penalties and appeals. It's been a crazy season - will it get crazier this weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit? Tune in! 

(Season 2021, Episode 76)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

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OMG! It's happening! Lewis Hamilton & Max Verstappen will arrive at Abu Dhabi on equal points. It's the 'perfect' setting for Formula 1 and we have to ask - did the FIA have a role to play in this?

Whilst celebrating Max Verstappen's almost pole lap for the 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, one has to ask, did Verstappen-Red Bull Racing make it tougher for themselves in Saudi Arabia? Is this 'deal or no deal' role of the FIA a normal one? Would you rate Verstappen's driving as fair? All of this and more in this weeks' much-awaited episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast.

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Soumil and Kunal re-live the Verstappen vs. Hamilton duel - because that's what the 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix will be remembered for. And then of course, Valtteri Bottas pipping Esteban Ocon at the finish line to claim a place on the podium. Tune in!

(Season 2021, Episode 75)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes

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'Howdy Arabia?', yeah, Soumil was in a crazy mood whilst recording this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast. We hope that along with 'speed', 'human rights' is also the buzzword this weekend. 🙃

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The 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix will be held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, a circuit that was built in record time. In fact, it was only on the Thursday before the race that the FIA homologated the circuit. 

Governance aside, this high-speed & narrow racing circuit should entertain us. After all, the barriers are just where they should be for a street circuit. There are 27 corners - so you (and we) are pardoned for goofing them up. What else?

79% throttle, track position, DRS zones, high grip, Mclaren & then the banked Turn 13 - we expect these to be the key talking points through the weekend. Tune in!

(Season 2021, Episode 74)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

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The 2021 Formula 1 Season hasn't just been about Red Bull Racing vs. Mercedes or Max Verstappen vs. Lewis Hamilton. It's also been about Christian Horner vs. Toto Wolff.

We reckon that EVEN IF the Verstappen-Hamilton title battle comes to an end, the Wolff-Horner show might just continue for years to come.

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In this Pits to Podium segment of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal look back at some of the most-feisty moments between Wolff-Horner. Their pot shots have been about track limits, disqualifications, front wings, rear wings, tactical fouls & a lot of other stuff. In fact, is there any part of the other's car they've not brought up for public scrutiny? Remember the recent 'score marks' comments from Horner?

It's race week for the inaugural 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix - and we'll be back with our race preview in a few days. Till then, sit back & enjoy the 'Toto Wolff & Christian Horner' show in Formula 1 & on the Inside Line F1 Podcast. Tune in!

(Season 2021, Episode 73)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

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Did Fernando Alonso's podium finish boost the overall fan rating for the inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix in Qatar? It's been a 7 year loooooong wait for all of us! 

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In this Pits to Podium segment of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal discuss Lewis Hamilton-Mercedes' advantage over the rest of the field. Why aren't Red Bull Racing-Max Verstappen worried at their pace deficit? If they're worried, they're definitely not expressing it in public - apart from Christian Horner's crass statements every now and then, of course. 

What happened to the Mclarens? And how did the AlphaTauri drivers not score despite starting in the top-10? Alpine's fantastic strategy for Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez's charge & yes, the tyre bursts in Qatar. We discuss them all. Tune in!

(Season 2021, Episode 72)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Alpine F1 Team

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Can Mercedes sustain the monstrous pace they showed in Brazil last weekend? We think that's the more pertinent question to ask than to wonder if Red Bull Racing can strike back.

It's a new Grand Prix venue for everyone this weekend - a first for the 2021 Formula 1 season!

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In this Pits to Podium segment of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal preview the upcoming 2021 Qatar Grand Prix. The narratives are the usual ones - Verstappen vs. Hamilton, Ferrari vs. Mclaren, Gasly vs. Alpine and more. 

And of course, do Mercedes actually have the 'right to review' an incident that wasn't investigated by the FIA whatosever? Yes, we're referring to the lap 48 incident between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Tune in!

(Season 2021, Episode 71)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes

Should Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen be worried at Mercedes-Lewis Hamilton's turn of pace in the 2021 Brazil Grand Prix? In fact, should Formula 1 be worried with Mercedes looking ominously quick?

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In this Pits to Podium segment of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal hope that the Formula 1 title doesn't get decided before the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi. The irony is that after every race, the feeling has been that one team-driver would run away with the title only to see the rival team-driver strike back harder in the following race. Let's hope this trend continues till the last lap of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!

Also, has Ferrari pulled away for good from Mclaren? Just how much better are Hamilton-Perez compared to Bottas-Perez? Tune in to for our key talking points from the 2021 Brazil GP, a Lewis Hamilton overtaking fest.

(Season 2021, Episode 70)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes

Yes, it's NOT the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend. It's the 2021 Sao Paolo Grand Prix. But what's the bet that everyone (well, almost!) will still refer to the race as the 'Brazilian Grand Prix'? Eh, what's in a name!

And of course, it's also the final Sprint Race or F1 Sprint or Sprint Qualifying of the 2021 Formula 1 season. Again, what's in a name, eh!?

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in this Pits to Podium segment of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal preview the 2021 Sao Paolo Grand Prix that will be hosted at Interlagos (thankfully!). The last Sprint of the season means it's also the last time a driver can score 29 points on a weekend in 2021 - and Lewis Hamilton needs more points than anyone else at this point yet.

Will we see a single team dominate proceedings at Interlagos? Will the altitude work to Red Bull Racing's advantage yet again? Or will the close battle between Red Bull Racing and Mercedes resume from this weekend? It's been a few weekends, we can tell. 

Pierre Gasly vs. Alpine, Ferrari vs. Mclaren, freight delays, wet weather, Timo Glock and more. Tune in!

(Season 2021, Episode 69)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes