Torquing Point

In the latest episode of Torquing Point, the team discuss all of the best bits from the British Grand Prix. So basically, the last few laps...It wasn't the most interesting race for the most part, but it came to life with the death of Pirelli's tyres. Finley and Michelle get started by reliving the late carnage, applauding Lewis Hamilton for surviving the final lap with three wheels and wondering if Max Verstappen should have stayed out. Next up is a look at the title "fight. Hamilton's win put him 30 points clear in the Driver's Championship after just four races. Can Valtteri Bottas still catch him, or should the Finn now be looking over his shoulder with Verstappen just a few points behind?Charles Leclerc completed the podium with an impressive drive, while Sebastian Vettel only just scraped into the top 10. Is the Monegasque really that much better than the German at the moment? Or are they other factors at play? Both possibilities are considered...The pair then turn their attention to the stand-out performers outside the top three and discuss whether Alex Albon was one of them. Sure, he made a great recovery, but having to recover in the first place isn't ideal... Things are then wrapped up with a look ahead to next week. With warmer conditions and softer compounds, it should be a more interesting race in terms of strategy, while watching Nico Hulkenberg finally take his maiden podium will be great viewing. We can dream...Follow Planet F1:Twitter: @Planet_F1Facebook: Planet F1

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Mercedes look more dominant than ever. How? Why? And do they already have both titles in the bag? The Torquing Point team discuss it all...The car was particularly impressive in the hands of Lewis Hamilton, who was flawless all weekend. His win was one of the sport's best drives in recent times and moved him to the top of the Driver's Championship for the first time this year.When he's driving that well, it's hard to see him losing it before the end of the season. Are we on the verge of seeing him become, on paper at least, the best ever?It was a more eventful race for Valtteri Bottas, and not in a good way. His chances of victory effectively ended with his jump-start, but why wasn't he penalised for it? His recovery drive meanwhile was solid, but nothing special. Mercedes seem to have chosen him over George Russell for 2021 at the least, but is it just to be a number two?Finley and Michelle then take a look at the rest of the field. How have Ferrari and Red Bull fallen so far behind Mercedes? And are Racing Point now the German team's closest challenger?The pink panthers are to become Aston Martin next year, and Lance Stroll staked his claim for a seat there with a much needed excellent weekend. The pair pay tribute to his efforts before wrapping things up with a look ahead to the doubleheader at Silverstone.

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The second race of the 2020 season may not have been spectacular as the first, but there's still plenty to discuss.Before getting into the specific talking points from the Grand Prix, Finley and Michelle take a moment to admire the dominance and brilliance of Lewis Hamilton. He may not have been at his best last week, but when he is, it's hard to imagine Valtteri Bottas being able to beat him.The Finn is the only man in a car capable of challenging the Brit, and that's largely due to the complete mess at Ferrari. Things went from bad to worse one corner into the second race as Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel collided and both retired. The pair take a look at the incident, decide who was at fault and discuss how Ferrari handled the situation. They undoubtedly favour Leclerc, but at this point, does Vettel even care? The fight at the front may not have great, but the midfield battle more than made up for it. Tribute is paid to the stand-out drivers of the race, Lando Norris and Sergio Perez, before the question arises - can Ferrari even fight this lot? There's yet another race next weekend in Hungary, and the episode is wrapped up with a look ahead to it, as well as look back at the season so far. With this new look structure, featuring back to back races at the same track and social distancing aplenty, has it been a successful return for the sport?Follow Planet F1:Twitter: @Planet_F1Facebook: Planet F1

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After many months of waiting and many episodes of build-up, F1 is finally back on track, and it returned in style.The Austrian Grand Prix was the best season opener in quite some time, and Finley and Michelle begin their analysis of it at the front. Is Bottas 3.0 the version to finally challenge Hamilton? And was the Brit unfairly penalised for his collision with Albon? One thing's certain, Mercedes is, quite emphatically, the team to beat.Things behind them are far less clear. To say Ferrari is in crisis is an understatement and, sadly, Sebastian Vettel, back to his old ways, isn't helping their cause. On a brighter note, their loss is McLaren's gain, and the pair can't hide their delight at Lando Norris's stunning drive and subsequent podium. Things are wrapped up with a look at what conclusions can be drawn from the opening race and what can be expected going forward. What's the pecking order? Are the monumental reliability issues here to stay? Will things be different come next weekend? After Sunday's glorious chaos, more of the same sounds good.Follow Planet F1:Twitter: @Planet_F1Facebook: Planet F1

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With the first race just over a week away, the latest episode of Torquing Point is a second, and hopefully final, 2020 season preview.Finley and Michelle kick things off by taking a final look at how the teams have been preparing for the season opener. Some have done unlimited testing in their 2018 cars, while others have embarked on far more restrictive filming days with their 2020 challengers. Which approach is better, and will either help the teams and drivers much? They then discuss what has and hasn't changed since the season's original start date in March. While nothing has happened on track, the calendar is now looking wildly different and various drivers know their days are numbered at their current teams.The pair made predictions in the original season preview episode, but given all of this, are they changing their minds? They decide whether they still believe Sebastian Vettel will get the better of Charles Leclerc, whether Williams can challenge the midfield and also state what they think the podium will look like at the end of the first race at the Red Bull Ring.At the start of the year, it looked like various records would be broken in 2020. However, with a smaller calendar, this is now far less certain. Episode 13 wraps up with a discussion on how many of Schumacher's Lewis Hamilton can break, whether the sport could get a new youngest ever world champion in Abu Dhabi and important the record books really are.Follow Planet F1:Twitter: @Planet_F1Facebook: Planet F1

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With less than a month to go until Formula 1 finally returns, Torquing Point takes a look at how the teams and drivers are preparing.As always, Mercedes are leading the way. They treated us to our first sight of an F1 car on track since February, and there was social distancing aplenty. Finley and Michelle kick episode 12 off by discussing how those measures may affect the sport and how important these tests are. They then take a look at the situation at McLaren. While Mercedes are up and running and Ferrari are set to follow, the British team will have to wait until Austria thanks to Renault. So, why are the French manufactures being so difficult, and how much will it hurt McLaren? Finally, will they be the only team unable to get some time on track? We doubt it...Teams being prepared won't do much good if their drivers aren't. Many feel that they'll be rusty, while Nico Rosberg claims those that have been racing virtually will have an advantage. Finley and Michelle wrap up the episode by giving their own thoughts, pondering how such a large hiatus and a potentially shorter calendar could affect the racing.Follow Planet F1:Twitter: @Planet_F1Facebook: Planet F1

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Formula 1 is coming back! The latest episode of Torquing Point looks at the opening eight races and discusses the prospect of reverse grids.With the wait finally over, Finley and Michelle rejoice in the much needed good news. They then go through the schedule, discuss the doubleheaders and ponder how the revised structure may affect the title fight. The pair then consider what may follow the eight confirmed races, if anything. Is the season destined to stay within Europe? Even worse, will it only consist of what's currently on the calendar? Don't worry, things stay optimistic... Reverse grids have been a huge talking point in the sport in recent weeks, and Finley reads out some thoughts from the listeners on whether they should be included or not. He and Michelle also give their own opinions on the idea and explain why Mercedes are so opposed to it.Episode 11 of the podcast is then wrapped up with some predictions regarding whether we'll actually see the idea introduced or whether it'll be business as usual in terms of race weekend structure.

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The podcast has covered silly season matters at Ferrari and Renault; next up, a look at where things stand at the team to beat, Mercedes.The tenth episode of Torquing Point gets underway with a brief look at why Lewis Hamilton isn't going anywhere, before moving onto the more questionable matter of who will partner him.  With Valtteri Bottas out of contract at the end of this season, rumours of him leaving are beginning to pile up once again. Finley and Michelle discuss whether he's done enough to extend his stay with the Silver Arrows and consider what his other options may be if not. The pair then take a look at who could replace the Finn. Sebastian Vettel and George Russell are the two most popular options amongst the listeners, but which is more likely to happen? Would a Vettel-Hamilton partnership cause issues, and is it too soon for Russell to make the step-up?Once this is discussed, some listener comments are read out before Finley and Michelle make their own predictions on whom they think will be driving alongside Hamilton in 2021 and beyond. Follow Planet F1:Twitter: @Planet_F1Facebook: Planet F1

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Silly season is well underway. It's Sainz in, Vettel Out at Ferrari, opening the door for Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren. Why has he moved, and who will replace him?The Aussie endured a disappointing first season at Renault. Judging by last season alone, McLaren is a step up. Prior to that, however, the French team had the upper hand, which begs the question, is it more of a sideways step? Finley and Michelle then turn their attention to who could take the seat he leaves behind, with Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Nico Hulkenberg all being mentioned. They reveal the most popular choice amongst the listeners before saying who they believe would be the team's best option, and ultimately what they think will happen.With driver transfers hogging all the headlines at the moment, the pair then end the episode by taking a brief look at what will most likely be the next big talking point in that area, Valterri Bottas' Mercedes seat...Follow Planet F1:Twitter: @Planet_F1Facebook: Planet F1

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In a few months, Sebastian Vettel will be a Ferrari driver no more. The latest episode of Torquing Point looks at why things didn't work out for the German, what he may do next and who could replace him.When he joined in 2015, his aim was to bring titles back to Ferrari. It now looks as if he won't do so. So, what went wrong and how much is he to blame for the failure?After discussing this, Finley and Michelle then ponder what his next move could be. Securing a top seat seems unlikely, making McLaren and Renault his best bets. However, if joining the midfield is his only option, many argue that he should just retire. The pair give their own thoughts on the matter and read out some of yours.How about the seat he's leaving behind? Carlos Sainz looks set to take it, but is he the best option, will he just be a number two driver or is it the right move on his part?Follow Planet F1:Twitter: @Planet_F1Facebook: Planet F1

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