Are You Not Entertained? 2023 Australian GP Review

3 x Red Flags, 1 x Safety Car & 1 x Virtual Safety Car - the FIA literally threw everything they could to make the 2023 Australian Grand Prix interesting. Truth be told, we were entertained - after all, we had 3 x starts + 3 x opening laps; that's 3x the normal Grand Prix weekend. If you weren't entertained, tell us. Leave a response in the poll (Spotify specific).

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal discuss the FIA - and the various ways they were challenged Down Under. Apart from Carlos Sainz's penalty, the FIA did what was expected of them - not end a race under the Safety Car! But fate had other plans - including ensuring Fernando Alonso finished in P3, not higher or lower.

The 'civil war' at Alpine, Mclaren's double points, Ferrari's race, Nico Hulkenberg's almost podium (incl. Haas' protest and why), Mercedes' strong page + brewing rivalry between George Russell-Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez's recovery drive to 5th + the best radio message of the race. And finally, @f1statsguru's stats review segment.

We discuss it all...from an entertaining 2023 Australian Grand Prix.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 13)

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

Image courtesy: Aston Martin Formula One Team

**Summary of the InsideLine F1 Podcast Episode on the 2023 Australian Grand Prix**

* The episode begins with a discussion of the chaotic nature of the race, with multiple red flags, safety cars, and standing starts. The hosts, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah, express their amusement at the situation and note that the fans got their money's worth with the extra racing action.


* The hosts then discuss the FIA's handling of the race, particularly the decision to end the race under a safety car. They acknowledge that the FIA was trying to avoid ending the race under a safety car, but fate intervened, and Fernando Alonso ended up finishing in P3 despite being involved in a collision.


* The episode also covers other topics related to the race, including:
* Carlos Sainz's penalty for causing a collision with Alonso.
* The strong performance of McLaren, with both drivers scoring points.
* Ferrari's race, with Charles Leclerc finishing second and Carlos Sainz finishing fourth.
* Nico Hülkenberg's near-podium finish and the Haas team's protest against it.
* The brewing rivalry between George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
* Sergio Perez's recovery drive to fifth place and his memorable radio message.


* The episode concludes with a review of the race statistics by F1 Stats Guru, who highlights various interesting facts and figures from the race.


**Overall, the episode provides an informative and entertaining discussion of the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, covering various aspects of the race and offering insights from the hosts and F1 Stats Guru.** # Inside Line F1 Podcast: Unraveling the Excitement of the 2023 Australian Grand Prix

The Inside Line F1 Podcast delves into the captivating events of the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, a race marked by numerous interruptions and unexpected twists. Hosts Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah engage in an insightful discussion, analyzing the race's key moments and controversies.

## FIA's Handling of Race Stoppages

The podcast begins by examining the FIA's handling of the race, which featured three red flags, a safety car, and a virtual safety car. Despite the challenges, the FIA managed to avoid ending the race under the safety car, a decision that kept the excitement alive. However, fate intervened, preventing Fernando Alonso from achieving a higher or lower finishing position than third place.

## Controversies and Surprises

The episode delves into several controversies and surprises that unfolded during the race. The "civil war" within the Alpine team, involving Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly colliding, is a major talking point. The podcast also highlights McLaren's double points finish, Ferrari's race strategy, and Nico Hulkenberg's near-podium result.

## Mercedes' Strong Performance and Rivalry

Mercedes' resurgence is a significant storyline discussed in the podcast. After a challenging start to the season, the team showcased strong pace in Australia, with Lewis Hamilton finishing on the podium. The podcast explores the brewing rivalry between Hamilton and George Russell, analyzing their performances and the potential impact on the team's dynamics.

## Sergio Perez's Recovery Drive and Memorable Radio Message

Sergio Perez's impressive recovery drive from last place to fifth position is another highlight of the episode. The podcast plays the best radio message of the race, capturing Perez's determination and fighting spirit.

## F1 Stats Guru's Review

The podcast concludes with F1 Stats Guru, Sundaram, presenting a comprehensive statistical analysis of the race. He highlights the significance of the podium finishers, with Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso combining for a record number of podiums and titles. Sundaram also delves into Nico Hulkenberg's impressive streak and Fernando Alonso's unique achievement of securing three consecutive podiums at the age of 41.

Overall, the Inside Line F1 Podcast provides an engaging and informative discussion of the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, offering insights into the race's key moments, controversies, and surprises. The podcast's knowledgeable hosts and expert analysis make it a must-listen for Formula One enthusiasts.

[00:00.000 -> 00:27.000] Are you too absolutely confused and bewildered about the 2023 Australian GP. Are you in a state of total shock?
[00:27.000 -> 00:30.000] And I have no idea about what's just gone on here.
[00:30.000 -> 00:33.000] Red flag, Samuel. Red flag is out.
[00:33.000 -> 00:35.000] Okay, here we go again.
[00:35.000 -> 00:39.000] Have you got down to the bottom of what exactly happened in this race?
[00:39.000 -> 00:45.760] It seems like Formula One has gone down under and all sense of stability and semblance has just gone for a
[00:45.760 -> 00:51.920] total toss. It's gone upside. Red flag. Sorry, we got to do this again because I don't think it's
[00:51.920 -> 01:01.200] working out. Red flag. Okay. Carlos Sainz is confused. He is in a state of shock. Red flag.
[01:01.200 -> 01:17.920] Red flag. Oh, come on. What the heck? I don't know where we start because i'm sort of lost count house is gonna appeal this and if i doesn't know whether to take the start grade from one of the red flags or the safety car line one.
[01:26.240 -> 01:30.980] flags were given out to everybody. You know that meme? I remember that meme right now. You get a red flag, he gets a red flag, she gets a red flag, we get a red flag, everybody
[01:30.980 -> 01:38.200] gets a red flag. I mean, the red cars were not performing in Australia. Hence, maybe
[01:38.200 -> 01:47.560] the FIA wanted to use the red flags. Haha, bad joke, but it's a dad joke. Quite literally now and I know
[01:47.560 -> 01:50.960] you can't see it not a lot of you but I've literally got a red Michael
[01:50.960 -> 01:56.080] Schumacher flag in the bag as well so I do have red flag we we actually had more
[01:56.080 -> 02:00.120] red flags in this race they're in a Communist Party rally outside the venue
[02:00.120 -> 02:04.000] where we screened the Australian GP in Mumbai and by the way if any of you from
[02:04.000 -> 02:06.760] there are watching or listening to this episode,
[02:06.760 -> 02:08.760] thank you for turning up in such amazing numbers
[02:08.760 -> 02:10.000] and interacting with us over there,
[02:10.000 -> 02:12.240] because we had such an amazing quiz
[02:12.240 -> 02:14.320] and amazing interaction after the race.
[02:14.320 -> 02:15.880] And now at this stage, you might be wondering,
[02:15.880 -> 02:18.080] well, who are these guys blabbering about
[02:18.080 -> 02:19.000] a meetup in Mumbai?
[02:19.000 -> 02:21.120] Well, let's just give you a context,
[02:21.120 -> 02:23.760] some context about who we are and what we do.
[02:23.760 -> 02:25.200] My name is Somal Arora. I'm the
[02:25.200 -> 02:30.240] host of the Indian Racing League broadcasts on Star Sports. I'm joined by Kunal Shah, the former
[02:30.240 -> 02:36.400] marketing head of the Sahara Force India Formula One team, who's also an FIA accredited Formula One
[02:36.400 -> 02:40.480] journalist. There's no confusion in the accreditation process. Touch wood, that was good.
[02:40.480 -> 02:45.520] Your accreditation was very much legal and not disputed at all. But he also works for Kred.
[02:45.520 -> 02:48.960] You mean the Kred Kunal Shah? Kred being a very,
[02:49.560 -> 02:51.920] I don't know if you call it a unicorn startup or not,
[02:51.920 -> 02:54.760] but the unicorn startup in Asia,
[02:55.120 -> 02:57.040] the founder of that is also Kunal Shah.
[02:57.040 -> 03:02.000] And the joke that I normally have is I get a lot of calls that are meant for him
[03:02.440 -> 03:05.600] with budding investor, budding startup founders saying
[03:05.600 -> 03:09.640] hey so would you like to invest and I'm like dude I'm the F1 guy and I'm pretty
[03:09.640 -> 03:14.360] sure he gets a call saying what happened to the FIA in Australia and he's like
[03:14.360 -> 03:18.840] dude I'm the cred guy. Hey no really you know what has have any startups
[03:18.840 -> 03:22.920] approach to regarding creating a proper race administration system because that
[03:22.920 -> 03:25.120] seems like the need of the hour.
[03:25.120 -> 03:30.800] And that is exactly what we're going to discuss on this episode of the InsideLineF1 podcast.
[03:30.800 -> 03:36.800] Just what went down, what we think of it, and also we get to know your takes as well by of course
[03:36.800 -> 03:42.400] firstly you reaching out to us on social media and also through a poll feature that some platforms
[03:42.400 -> 03:48.040] have offered us down in the description below. So let's just get right down to the bottom of it, Kunal,
[03:48.040 -> 03:52.000] because I am intrigued about this.
[03:52.000 -> 03:54.520] I know once again, we have to start out with the FIA.
[03:54.520 -> 03:57.240] It's just a tradition by this stage right now.
[03:57.240 -> 04:00.440] But seriously, what do you think of the entire affair?
[04:00.440 -> 04:02.360] Because I have an opinion,
[04:02.360 -> 04:04.600] and I think it's going to be a very unpopular one.
[04:04.600 -> 04:08.320] So firstly, could you make sense of all the chaos with all the red flags at the
[04:08.320 -> 04:12.920] end and genuinely as a viewer, did you enjoy all the standing starts? I mean
[04:12.920 -> 04:19.280] let's be honest. Okay, so as a viewer I absolutely loved the standing
[04:19.280 -> 04:24.400] starts. Why? Because normally when you pay for a race ticket and I've almost
[04:24.400 -> 04:27.000] never actually I have never paid for a race ticket.
[04:27.000 -> 04:33.000] I hope never to do that. Okay. You see the smile on my face. You hear the smile in my voice.
[04:33.000 -> 04:43.000] But if you pay if you go to a race you are normally guaranteed a qualifying hour on a Saturday and one start and one opening lap on a Sunday.
[04:43.000 -> 04:46.240] Right. That's what we do with the sprint format. You are guaranteed two starts and one opening lap on a Sunday, right? That's what we do. With the sprint format,
[04:46.240 -> 04:49.620] you are guaranteed two starts and two opening laps, right?
[04:49.620 -> 04:54.080] But hey, the Australian fans that were there in Melbourne
[04:54.080 -> 04:55.600] at the Albert Park Circuit
[04:55.600 -> 04:58.160] for the 2023 Australian Grand Prix
[04:58.160 -> 05:01.880] got three standing starts,
[05:01.880 -> 05:05.000] three opening laps, right?
[05:07.300 -> 05:09.340] I mean, bumper for the money.
[05:09.340 -> 05:11.940] I mean, the biggest bang or biggest most starts
[05:11.940 -> 05:13.940] for the money that Formula One could offer.
[05:13.940 -> 05:17.500] So as a viewer, I'm definitely not complaining.
[05:17.500 -> 05:19.380] As somebody who believes I can,
[05:19.380 -> 05:21.700] I understand the sport a little bit better
[05:21.700 -> 05:24.340] than an average fan, that's why I'm able to comment on it
[05:24.340 -> 05:25.220] and write about it and write about it
[05:25.220 -> 05:27.560] and talk about it with you, Samuel.
[05:27.560 -> 05:30.160] Yeah, maybe somewhere,
[05:30.160 -> 05:33.320] the FI didn't always have to use the red flags
[05:33.320 -> 05:35.260] and is this the new way forward
[05:35.260 -> 05:38.120] or is this one of those inconsistencies again?
[05:38.120 -> 05:40.400] And one question,
[05:40.400 -> 05:45.000] I love how circuits are able to operate in quick times,
[05:46.640 -> 05:49.000] you know, quick speed, clearing up barriers
[05:49.000 -> 05:50.920] and gravel and so on.
[05:50.920 -> 05:52.520] What happened to those sweepers?
[05:52.520 -> 05:54.200] You know, those massive sweepers
[05:54.200 -> 05:56.240] that would go all around the circuit,
[05:56.240 -> 05:57.520] picking up the gravel.
[05:57.520 -> 06:00.680] Did Formula One not find a sponsor willing to pay
[06:00.680 -> 06:02.660] to have their sweepers there or whatever
[06:02.660 -> 06:09.080] that they couldn't just use a sweeper, Samil? Oh no, the IPL is on in India and the sweeper is a very important cricketing position as
[06:09.080 -> 06:10.080] well.
[06:10.080 -> 06:11.940] So I think all of them went over there to earn their bucks.
[06:11.940 -> 06:17.120] But in all seriousness about this whole thing, I genuinely think that for once, the police
[06:17.120 -> 06:18.400] did a good job.
[06:18.400 -> 06:21.560] Now I'm not talking about Carlos Sainz's penalty.
[06:21.560 -> 06:22.840] I'm still just about as confused.
[06:22.840 -> 06:24.520] We'll get to it in a second.
[06:24.520 -> 06:26.680] But with all the red flags, Kunal,
[06:26.680 -> 06:28.120] we know that Formula One is meant
[06:28.120 -> 06:29.440] to be an entertainment sport.
[06:29.440 -> 06:31.960] We know that after Abu Dhabi, the teams and the sport
[06:31.960 -> 06:34.560] literally signed an agreement saying that, yes, we
[06:34.560 -> 06:37.960] want races to end under the green flag whenever possible.
[06:37.960 -> 06:39.280] We want more standing starts.
[06:39.280 -> 06:40.640] We want more drama.
[06:40.640 -> 06:44.280] And if I'm being very honest, I don't see the problem with it
[06:44.280 -> 06:45.760] at all, to be very honest,
[06:45.760 -> 06:48.040] because again, we want racing, we want action.
[06:48.040 -> 06:52.600] And by the way, folks, if you really enjoyed the standing starts and all the red flags,
[06:52.600 -> 06:56.080] just let us know down in the comments what you think about it, because we're running
[06:56.080 -> 06:59.600] a poll to find out if you actually enjoyed the multiple starts or not.
[06:59.600 -> 07:02.680] That will give us a better idea of what everyone thinks about it.
[07:02.680 -> 07:09.480] But I really think it was fine and I'm actually a little bit amused that the driver is complaining
[07:09.480 -> 07:13.020] about it because it's kind of similar to ministers complaining that elections
[07:13.020 -> 07:16.240] come about and distract us from doing our work. Well it's part of the job you
[07:16.240 -> 07:21.540] do a better job. You don't crash there. Again it's just like I'm thinking of
[07:21.540 -> 07:25.840] Logan Sargent right here right because he's a budding Formula One driver, very observant.
[07:25.840 -> 07:28.680] He wants to look around and absorb everything that he can.
[07:28.680 -> 07:29.960] And all that he sees is chaos.
[07:29.960 -> 07:34.360] So the poor man thinks, you know what, opening laps in chaos, I need to do that as well to
[07:34.360 -> 07:35.720] be a good Formula One driver.
[07:35.720 -> 07:39.480] So just for the heck of it, he goes ahead and punts Nick DeFries, because why not?
[07:39.480 -> 07:41.440] I think it was fun.
[07:41.440 -> 07:42.880] That's a great example, Somwil.
[07:42.880 -> 07:46.200] And you know, you very rightly pointed out
[07:46.200 -> 07:50.200] that we don't want races to end under a safety car.
[07:50.200 -> 07:51.240] We saw that in Abu Dhabi.
[07:51.240 -> 07:53.480] We saw that in Monza last year.
[07:53.480 -> 07:55.080] But you know what?
[07:55.080 -> 07:57.600] Beyond the point, there's something called as fate.
[07:57.600 -> 08:00.480] Fate still wanted the Australian Grand Prix
[08:00.480 -> 08:02.800] to end behind the safety car.
[08:02.800 -> 08:05.560] So we had a rolling start where the safety car pulled in
[08:05.560 -> 08:08.720] just to say that the race ended in racing conditions.
[08:08.720 -> 08:12.920] But literally, that's the limit to what the FIA
[08:12.920 -> 08:16.760] can also control racing, if I may put that in inverted commas.
[08:16.760 -> 08:19.440] There's another thing that the FIA or the world
[08:19.440 -> 08:22.280] or the universe is actually manifesting and controlling,
[08:22.280 -> 08:24.800] which I hope it doesn't, which is come what may,
[08:24.800 -> 08:28.720] whatever the result, come disqualifications, penalties, spin-offs,
[08:28.720 -> 08:32.560] t-boning, whatever you call it, Fernando Alonso will finish P3.
[08:32.560 -> 08:33.840] Point blank.
[08:33.840 -> 08:34.880] You're right.
[08:34.880 -> 08:36.000] You're right.
[08:36.000 -> 08:39.840] You know what, we know that he's sort of a cat, a big cat.
[08:39.840 -> 08:41.360] He likes to call himself a lion.
[08:41.360 -> 08:42.800] Cats have nine lives.
[08:42.800 -> 08:46.240] He's exhausted two of his lives in terms of getting a podium.
[08:46.240 -> 08:50.880] Because in one race at Bahrain, he almost got hit by a steemit in the first lap.
[08:51.200 -> 08:55.440] In this one, he literally got hit and then eventually still managed to get back P3.
[08:55.440 -> 09:01.400] But on that note Kunal, on this whole kerfuffle, I really think that the FIA handled it quite well.
[09:01.720 -> 09:02.240] Don't you think so?
[09:02.440 -> 09:05.680] I know I have a reason why but I'll explain after
[09:05.680 -> 09:09.840] I get to know your take. I mean okay so what are we complaining about? I don't understand. Are we
[09:09.840 -> 09:14.160] complaining and when I say we I don't mean you and I. I think we're in general asking you know the
[09:14.160 -> 09:18.720] sentiment, the chatter on social media. What is the complaint about? Is it about the red flags? Hey
[09:18.720 -> 09:24.800] we all as fans want racing to happen. We don't want a race result to be decided under
[09:25.000 -> 09:29.000] want racing to happen. We don't want a race result to be decided under neutralized or whatever control conditions. So that's what the FIA tried
[09:29.000 -> 09:33.000] to do. So let's keep that aside. The FIA have literally just executed
[09:33.000 -> 09:37.000] what the fans have said they wanted and hence the teams and Formula
[09:37.000 -> 09:41.000] One and the World Motorsport Council. They made all these rules up.
[09:41.000 -> 09:49.000] The FIA is just executing these rules. So I personally think the FIA have done a fantastic job in
[09:49.560 -> 09:52.080] sticking to the rules, trying to give us entertainment. Right.
[09:52.520 -> 09:57.000] And I mean, there was there was one more thing that the FIA got involved
[09:57.000 -> 10:00.840] in since we are still nine, 10 minutes in, still on the FIA, because,
[10:01.080 -> 10:04.360] hey, that's how they've been. You know, they've they've been claiming the
[10:04.360 -> 10:07.760] headline. So we're giving them the airtime as well, primetime and whatever,
[10:07.760 -> 10:13.760] and we can send Mohammed bin Salaam an invoice, you know, for all the exposure and the positive one for once.
[10:13.760 -> 10:18.000] You know, this whole thing of banning team celebrations on the pitfall, right?
[10:18.000 -> 10:23.760] The wording of the regulations or the messaging was actually something that they could have just redone.
[10:23.760 -> 10:25.640] They haven't banned celebrations.
[10:25.640 -> 10:28.920] They've said, you are by all means welcome to the pitfall.
[10:28.920 -> 10:33.480] You just cannot climb up onto the fences from a safety point of view
[10:33.480 -> 10:38.000] because you have 10, 12, 20, you know, fully sized adults climbing up.
[10:38.000 -> 10:43.840] They don't test the barriers for that kind of weight and energy that goes through those barriers.
[10:43.840 -> 10:45.680] So I think net-net,
[10:46.480 -> 10:50.400] no complaints from the FIA at the moment, I would say, especially with what's happened
[10:50.400 -> 10:55.760] this morning in Australia. Yeah, and a word about the lap that never was, I think they've
[10:55.760 -> 10:59.280] done a really fair job with that. Now, I know at this stage, you might be thinking, okay,
[10:59.280 -> 11:03.440] I'm tuning out. I don't like the FIA. I don't want to listen more. But hear me out for a second.
[11:01.000 -> 11:02.160] I don't like the FIA. I don't want to listen more.
[11:02.160 -> 11:04.240] But hear me out for a second.
[11:04.240 -> 11:06.880] At Silverstone in 2022, the reason
[11:06.880 -> 11:09.880] why we use the order of the start
[11:09.880 -> 11:12.280] is because they didn't quite cross the safety car line.
[11:12.280 -> 11:16.160] They literally lasted two corners before the red flag.
[11:16.160 -> 11:21.160] Over here, that's why, by the way, that's why, again,
[11:21.160 -> 11:23.040] over here at this particular race,
[11:23.040 -> 11:24.840] they crossed sector two, which meant
[11:24.840 -> 11:25.960] that the lap was registered.
[11:25.960 -> 11:29.240] They had gone past the thing, turn four, turn five, thereabouts.
[11:29.240 -> 11:32.360] And so on the way in, that was counted as an official race lap.
[11:32.360 -> 11:36.480] So that was lap 57, if I'm not mistaken.
[11:36.480 -> 11:37.480] Correct.
[11:37.480 -> 11:41.760] You are meant to do one lap when you come out to the grid for a standing start.
[11:41.760 -> 11:43.960] And that one lap was lap 58.
[11:43.960 -> 11:45.600] And lap 58 ended under racing
[11:45.600 -> 11:50.800] conditions, as it was meant to be, because had we had a lap 59, that would have been the standing
[11:50.800 -> 11:55.680] start, but we didn't. So lap 58 was the one where they came out and game set match came up. It's not
[11:56.480 -> 12:01.440] really that hard to decipher, really. I think the only confusing part for most people,
[12:01.440 -> 12:08.600] including us, was what order to use. But when we've got so much chaos, Kunal, I think the FIS set a fair precedent by
[12:08.600 -> 12:12.080] saying that, boss, we'll use the starting order because there's so much chaos that
[12:12.080 -> 12:14.120] we can't quite physically put any good conditions.
[12:14.120 -> 12:15.640] So I don't see the harm in that.
[12:16.360 -> 12:19.480] Yeah. And you know, what's the alternative?
[12:19.480 -> 12:20.560] Let's discuss that as well.
[12:20.560 -> 12:29.120] The alternative would have meant that they end the race under the safety car,
[12:29.120 -> 12:33.200] which would have also created a lot of backlash. And we would have spent 12 minutes talking of,
[12:33.200 -> 12:37.600] oh my goodness, can't they just change the rules to give us a proper racing lap?
[12:37.600 -> 12:42.800] So it's a no-win situation for the FIA. And I think there will always be somebody who has a
[12:42.800 -> 12:49.720] different view. But I think what we saw there was fine. On the Haas penalty, I'm very glad that the team
[12:49.720 -> 12:53.760] pulled it out because it could have meant Nico Halkenberg would have been one position
[12:53.760 -> 12:58.920] higher. Everybody's dreaming, including me, was dreaming that it was the position before
[12:58.920 -> 13:03.960] we actually got into the podium spot. And is this the way Nico will finally get a podium
[13:03.960 -> 13:05.120] spot, right?
[13:05.120 -> 13:10.240] So the FIA actually said that, hey, that's great because there are two ways for us to determine
[13:10.240 -> 13:15.600] the order. First was the start itself, like you pointed out, and the second one was a safety car
[13:15.600 -> 13:20.720] line one. And they said the safety car line one was actually in the braking zone. So if somebody
[13:20.720 -> 13:31.640] just went completely bonkers in the braking zone, you know, example Carlos Sainz, then they would just unfairly gain a position for the neutralized, revised start
[13:31.640 -> 13:32.640] order that they gave.
[13:32.640 -> 13:38.660] So they said, hence, it was fair to just use the safety, sorry, the original start grid
[13:38.660 -> 13:40.700] that was there after the third red flag.
[13:40.700 -> 13:46.500] So net-net, it was all very good it was all procedural and it was all
[13:46.500 -> 13:53.020] logical apart from say the Carlos Sainz penalty. Oh yes oh yes by the way folks
[13:53.020 -> 13:57.620] if you haven't heard what Carlos Sainz has had to say on the radio after this
[13:57.620 -> 14:01.980] episode is done you have to do that because that is a must listen
[14:01.980 -> 14:05.200] He Kunal has been literally crying on the radio.
[14:05.200 -> 14:08.200] Saying no, no, no, no, you can't do this.
[14:08.200 -> 14:09.600] You need to consult it with me.
[14:09.600 -> 14:11.000] Talk to the driver.
[14:11.000 -> 14:12.600] Understand my perspective.
[14:12.600 -> 14:16.200] And what's your opinion on this?
[14:16.200 -> 14:18.000] Because from watching the onboards
[14:18.000 -> 14:20.200] and from watching the clips of the replays,
[14:20.200 -> 14:21.800] it really looks like
[14:21.800 -> 14:27.260] Karlotts Science has taken the exact same line on the last lap to hit
[14:27.260 -> 14:31.040] Fernando Alonso eventually, unfortunately, that Fernando Alonso took on the very first
[14:31.040 -> 14:33.720] lap to briefly pass Lewis Hamilton.
[14:33.720 -> 14:35.840] So again, it's not the line that's the problem.
[14:35.840 -> 14:37.080] It's just that he ended up hitting him.
[14:37.080 -> 14:41.360] And by the regulations, I agree, Carlos Sainz is at fault because you're meant to be the
[14:41.360 -> 14:43.240] driver up ahead is meant to have the advantage.
[14:43.240 -> 14:49.200] And so Carlos Sainz is, according to the law at least, incomplete fault over here. But I think it's
[14:49.200 -> 14:52.960] a racing incident. I think it's something very similar to what we saw in lap one except
[14:52.960 -> 14:59.760] for an under avoided contact. So I am really confused about what the penalty should be.
[14:59.760 -> 15:07.200] What do you think? To be honest, you know, to me, it seems like a fair, fairer penalty could have been
[15:07.200 -> 15:11.280] applied. But hey, what could have that penalty been? There was so much chaos anyway happening
[15:11.280 -> 15:17.600] at that, because what Carlos eventually did is he of course, took Fernando Alonso out,
[15:17.600 -> 15:22.160] which then had a ripple effect on the two Alpines and everybody else that sort of went off.
[15:22.720 -> 15:28.040] And then that just caused a red flag. So it was a very rookie amateur driver move,
[15:28.040 -> 15:29.960] something you wouldn't expect from a Carlos Sainz.
[15:29.960 -> 15:32.680] So, okay, let's identify, he was at fault.
[15:32.680 -> 15:36.080] Could the penalty have been a little more fair?
[15:36.080 -> 15:39.080] Should the FIA have actually spoken to the driver, et cetera?
[15:39.960 -> 15:43.200] There is no correct way to deduct this, right?
[15:43.200 -> 15:46.520] Apart from the fact that maybe the FIA could have waited
[15:46.520 -> 15:49.680] a little bit before just declaring that he was at fault.
[15:49.680 -> 15:52.080] Because like Friedrich Vossuer pointed out,
[15:52.080 -> 15:53.720] saying, yes, it was one thing that the penalty
[15:53.720 -> 15:56.160] was very harsh, given that opening lap incidents
[15:56.160 -> 15:59.040] are taken with a little more leniency
[15:59.040 -> 16:02.040] because all the cars, drivers are ambitious,
[16:02.040 -> 16:04.580] cars are fighting for the same piece of tarmac.
[16:04.580 -> 16:06.180] The truth is there were three opening laps,
[16:06.180 -> 16:09.040] so maybe the FIA sort of ran out of patience after a point,
[16:09.040 -> 16:10.680] right, in the Australian Grand Prix.
[16:10.680 -> 16:13.380] But what Frederic Vossoe pointed out was,
[16:13.380 -> 16:15.680] what was the hurry that the FIA was in
[16:15.680 -> 16:17.840] to just dish out the penalty?
[16:17.840 -> 16:20.600] Because in the past, we have seen that,
[16:20.600 -> 16:24.000] to identify drivers even being out of a grid slot
[16:24.000 -> 16:26.480] has taken the FIA like 30 laps,
[16:26.480 -> 16:33.920] if you may call it that. So what was the need to call this penalty, especially when the podium,
[16:33.920 -> 16:40.400] which is the holy grail of the result, because you project the podium to the audience, sponsors,
[16:40.400 -> 16:45.000] fans, et cetera, you don't want of change the podium unless you need to, especially
[16:45.000 -> 16:49.160] since the podium was not affected. What was the need to just be in so much haste?
[16:49.160 -> 16:56.720] Yeah, I agree. I agree. But according to the regulation, at least it kind of makes sense.
[16:56.720 -> 17:01.880] But in the spirit of it, it's just a racing incident. But on that subject as well, 15
[17:01.880 -> 17:05.360] minutes into the episode, congratulations Max for stepping. Good job,
[17:05.360 -> 17:10.720] good job, nicely done. First time you've mentioned the race winner over here. But we have to talk
[17:10.720 -> 17:14.800] about Max, not for the drive. I think that's a given by this stage. We really should. No,
[17:14.800 -> 17:21.680] no, no. We have to talk about Max for the start that he couldn't do. Oh yes. He just couldn't get
[17:21.680 -> 17:25.960] a start right. A standing start was his Achilles heel this weekend.
[17:25.960 -> 17:27.400] I mean, George Russell got him,
[17:27.400 -> 17:29.980] and then my memory fades out as we go.
[17:29.980 -> 17:31.600] I don't know, Fernando Alonso remembers
[17:31.600 -> 17:33.960] what happened 20 years ago in a Formula One car,
[17:33.960 -> 17:37.000] but the truth is the Red Bulls
[17:37.000 -> 17:39.020] just couldn't get their starts going.
[17:39.020 -> 17:40.900] I mean, it was almost obvious
[17:40.900 -> 17:42.240] that if they had a standing start,
[17:42.240 -> 17:45.200] you could just jump Max Verstappen, right?
[17:45.200 -> 17:51.200] But yeah, we should congratulations to Max, first win down under for him, you know,
[17:51.200 -> 17:55.840] larger lead in the Drivers' Championship than he's ever had all season, blah, blah, blah, etc.
[17:55.840 -> 18:01.520] All of that. And someone's bored of us. Someone's bored of the Red Bull domination already.
[18:01.520 -> 18:07.080] No, no, I don't get me wrong. I love it. I think it's fantastic that Red Bull are dominating
[18:07.080 -> 18:07.800] the way they are.
[18:07.800 -> 18:10.400] And I say this specifically because they are just
[18:10.400 -> 18:12.560] showing the world that, hey, these regulations are
[18:12.560 -> 18:15.280] great if you are able to build a car as great as we can.
[18:15.280 -> 18:17.960] And at the start of the hybrid era,
[18:17.960 -> 18:20.680] Mithila and I, when we used to do the podcast at that time
[18:20.680 -> 18:24.520] together, said, just give everybody Mercedes engines.
[18:24.520 -> 18:25.600] Since everybody's engines were failing and Mercedes's weren't, just give everybody Mercedes engines. Since everybody's engines
[18:25.600 -> 18:29.600] were failing and Mercedes's weren't, just give everybody Mercedes's engines, let them just go
[18:29.600 -> 18:35.440] racing, right. I would now say just give everybody a Red Bull, let everybody go racing, give everybody
[18:35.440 -> 18:40.880] as quick a car that they have, right. So anyway, these are all just those, yes.
[18:40.880 -> 18:49.600] Whenever we have the Red Bull girls at the Formula One races or local racetracks or whatever event or even college events or some that they just give Red Bull to everyone anyway.
[18:49.600 -> 18:51.400] So, exactly.
[18:51.400 -> 18:55.200] If you're giving a drink, might as well just give the car to everybody.
[18:55.200 -> 19:00.000] I think those promoters are called Red Bull wings.
[19:00.000 -> 19:01.600] I can't remember what the term is called.
[19:01.600 -> 19:04.600] Anyway, the wings come walking.
[19:04.600 -> 19:06.000] Something. Anyway, that's a good point. I can't remember what the term is called anyway. The wings come walking.
[19:06.480 -> 19:06.560] Something.
[19:07.200 -> 19:08.080] Anyway, yeah. But that's a good point.
[19:08.400 -> 19:08.640] Yeah.
[19:08.640 -> 19:10.320] You're giving cans, just give the car.
[19:10.960 -> 19:12.720] It's just the last word that's different.
[19:12.720 -> 19:15.520] C-A-N-C-A-R, if anybody needed me to spell it.
[19:16.720 -> 19:20.400] Fernando Alonso from 2017 would really agree when he said equal engines for everyone.
[19:20.720 -> 19:26.720] But on this very subject of Max Verstappen, it's like whatever you threw at Max
[19:26.720 -> 19:32.160] Verstappen, right, whatever position that he put him in, whether you ask him to, let's say, do a
[19:32.160 -> 19:36.640] spin in the middle of a race or try out a WRC car in the grass or whatever it might be, he'll just
[19:36.640 -> 19:41.600] win. Nothing matters. Everything is auto-critical. Including having this whole social media
[19:41.600 -> 19:51.360] chatter, you know, in the gap between now and Baku, was he outside of the grid box? And was he though? Yeah, I mean, no, the censors said he wasn't,
[19:51.360 -> 19:57.360] you know, it's like, you can either be behind the white line or on it. And he was on the white line,
[19:57.360 -> 20:04.320] otherwise, the censors would have, you know, sort of pointed that out. And one may argue that there
[20:04.320 -> 20:05.000] are stewards
[20:05.220 -> 20:07.100] and there is, you know, depending on which side
[20:07.100 -> 20:09.900] of the fence you sit in terms of which driver you like,
[20:09.900 -> 20:12.380] either your favorite driver is biased towards
[20:12.380 -> 20:14.020] or against by the stewards, right?
[20:14.020 -> 20:16.840] That's the philosophy we normally carry.
[20:16.840 -> 20:21.180] I can tell you that the sensors work on a one or zero input.
[20:21.180 -> 20:24.180] They don't have any biases that are programmed in them,
[20:24.180 -> 20:30.000] I would say so. Yeah, and that's, I don't think the grid widening rule affects it at all because it's a length kind
[20:30.000 -> 20:34.880] of thing. But yeah, I think had it been that case, he would have been pulled up and implicated for
[20:34.880 -> 20:41.040] that. But now, I really want to talk about Mercedes Kunal, because one thing that we can say
[20:41.040 -> 20:45.840] for sure after this weekend, is that the boys and girls at the factory did an amazing job.
[20:46.400 -> 20:49.040] I'm tired of hearing this phrase. Really.
[20:49.360 -> 20:56.160] But for real though, I just pity their PR department this time because for once, they've gotten a good result
[20:56.560 -> 21:03.200] and all their effort into putting in some sort of sorrow campaign and sort of petitioning to the fans to stay with them
[21:03.520 -> 21:06.000] has gone for a toss. What do they do with all that effort now?
[21:06.000 -> 21:08.000] Yeah, and what do you do with the W14?
[21:08.000 -> 21:11.000] I mean, one race into the season, they were like, let's scrap it.
[21:11.000 -> 21:13.000] This concept has to go.
[21:13.000 -> 21:16.000] Two races in it was confirmed, we need to scrap.
[21:16.000 -> 21:19.000] And, you know, all of the Mercedes fans were like, oh my God,
[21:19.000 -> 21:20.000] we can't wait for Imola.
[21:20.000 -> 21:21.000] Or is it Baku?
[21:21.000 -> 21:22.000] Or is it Silverstone?
[21:22.000 -> 21:23.000] A new concept.
[21:23.000 -> 21:25.000] It's going to look like a Red Bull, all of that.
[21:25.000 -> 21:34.000] Now, they were like two tenths away from pole. They were challenging. I mean, George Russell still believes he could have won the race had things been fine.
[21:34.000 -> 21:45.520] You know, had his race gone out to plan and hadn't had a retirement. Suddenly, after Australia, I was like, Oh my God, can you imagine if they're so competitive with the W14? Do you really need to change the concept?
[21:45.520 -> 21:46.480] Why don't you keep it?
[21:46.480 -> 21:49.240] Why don't you wait for a few more races?
[21:49.240 -> 21:50.440] Why don't you be more patient?
[21:50.440 -> 21:54.000] So, you know, again, it's like a no-win situation.
[21:54.000 -> 21:56.520] You know, you suddenly go to Baku and everything neutralizes.
[21:56.520 -> 21:58.640] You're like, dude, why haven't you scrapped the car yet?
[21:58.640 -> 22:00.520] You know, so it's just where it is.
[22:00.520 -> 22:05.000] And I think you mentioned something about PR and I have picked on
[22:05.000 -> 22:08.920] something that you probably won't... you'll read it on my Twitter maybe
[22:08.920 -> 22:13.600] tomorrow. I've scheduled a tweet but you'll hear it here first on the podcast.
[22:13.600 -> 22:18.380] You know there's this whole thing of Lewis Hamilton said after Saudi Arabia
[22:18.380 -> 22:22.560] George Russell got lucky with the setup something and George says no it was
[22:22.560 -> 22:25.600] preparation. I did not get lucky so that was like that
[22:25.600 -> 22:30.280] you know sort of banter or rivalry whatever you want to play it up as
[22:30.280 -> 22:33.080] same thing happened post qualifying
[22:33.080 -> 22:39.200] Lewis Hamilton said we were closer to Red Bull and it's track specific and George Russell turned around and said no
[22:39.200 -> 22:43.280] I was actually close to them in Jeddah as well when I had the perfect lap
[22:43.280 -> 22:46.320] I don't think it is track specific, right?
[22:46.320 -> 22:49.920] So there is this whole banter going on
[22:49.920 -> 22:51.400] between the Mercedes drivers.
[22:51.400 -> 22:53.640] And for once, the first time, of course,
[22:53.640 -> 22:57.520] Lewis Hamilton on the podium, first podium for Mercedes.
[22:57.520 -> 23:00.840] So, you know, only the third team to score a podium
[23:00.840 -> 23:04.060] in 2023, all those stats and stuff that you will anyway,
[23:04.060 -> 23:06.400] you know, hear F1 stats guru
[23:06.400 -> 23:10.800] read out later on in the show. But net-net, Mercedes were closer. I think it was track
[23:10.800 -> 23:16.800] specific. I think it was just the ability to, you know, the warm-up of the tires, as we saw,
[23:17.360 -> 23:22.880] that just sort of aided them a little better. I don't think they're necessarily closer,
[23:22.880 -> 23:25.760] even though Andrew Shovlin said we've tried some setup things
[23:25.760 -> 23:28.800] and I think those setup things of course are also track specific.
[23:29.080 -> 23:34.600] But do you know what this banter between Russell and Hamilton that you referred into earlier on reminds me of?
[23:34.840 -> 23:39.520] Do you know that ad between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso from 2007?
[23:39.960 -> 23:48.560] Anything you can do, I can do better. It's kind of like they're having this internal rivalry where anything that you say, I just counter it just
[23:48.560 -> 23:49.960] for the sake of countering it.
[23:49.960 -> 23:52.320] And if you haven't seen that ad, and if you're
[23:52.320 -> 23:56.480] new to Formula One, that is one of the greatest Formula One
[23:56.480 -> 23:56.960] ads.
[23:56.960 -> 24:01.240] And it's part of your journey to becoming an even deeper Formula
[24:01.240 -> 24:03.320] One fan, because once you watch it,
[24:03.320 -> 24:08.240] it kind of gives you really fun memories. And we nearly got to see an Alonso versus Hamilton battle.
[24:08.560 -> 24:10.320] It was a battle that never was, Kunal.
[24:10.640 -> 24:13.520] Because both of them were passive-aggressive in the fight,
[24:13.600 -> 24:14.400] too far off.
[24:14.720 -> 24:16.640] We were seeing the gaps in the pace and everything.
[24:16.720 -> 24:17.920] Very similar in nature.
[24:18.000 -> 24:21.840] So, hard to really draw any conclusions of the pace from this weekend.
[24:21.920 -> 24:24.720] But again, we'd all get to see a little bit more in Baku.
[24:24.800 -> 24:25.720] But it was an interesting thing pointed out by F1 Stats Guru in our live meetup in Mumbai. of the pace from this weekend. But again, we'd all get to see a little bit more in Baku.
[24:25.720 -> 24:27.280] And it was an interesting thing pointed out
[24:27.280 -> 24:30.040] by F1 stats guru in a live meetup in Mumbai,
[24:30.040 -> 24:32.280] that all four circuits that we're getting to see
[24:32.280 -> 24:34.200] at the start of the Formula One season
[24:34.200 -> 24:36.080] are very different to each other.
[24:36.080 -> 24:39.200] So we can't really draw any general assumptions as well.
[24:39.200 -> 24:41.800] But I can draw one general assumption, Samuel,
[24:41.800 -> 24:45.840] and that is about track position, right? And I'm going to leave
[24:45.840 -> 24:53.600] Red Bull Racing out of this. In Saudi Arabia, we saw that if either between the Aston Martin,
[24:53.600 -> 24:59.520] Ferrari, and Mercedes, whoever had track position actually could keep track position, right? We saw
[24:59.520 -> 25:03.840] that here, Mercedes is qualified higher up and then they just finished higher up ahead of the
[25:03.840 -> 25:09.040] rest. Okay. It's the same with even the midfield, I would say, if you just have track position,
[25:09.040 -> 25:13.680] like the McLarens, who had a fantastic race, they opened up with points, double points,
[25:13.680 -> 25:19.520] Oscar Piazza, three points at home, all of that. They started higher up, so they finished higher
[25:19.520 -> 25:29.360] up. So I get this feeling track position is even more critical in 2023, given just how closely knit the entire field is, except for Red Bull Racing.
[25:29.920 -> 25:36.400] Unless you're someone like PA Ghazali, who's worked super hard to break the grid with an incredible strategy and then...
[25:37.800 -> 25:40.440] Things just go down the roof completely for him.
[25:40.440 -> 25:45.120] It was absurd what happened, but I get the idea because passing has become even harder
[25:45.120 -> 25:49.760] and it's constantly making you wonder, okay Formula 1 cars can follow each other but can
[25:49.760 -> 25:55.440] they really pass? Are they way too long? And I hate to bring Formula E into this discussion. I think
[25:56.000 -> 25:59.840] it's never ideal to compare Formula 1 with Formula E but in this one instance I think
[25:59.840 -> 26:10.300] we will have to make an exception. You know how we always cry about Monaco being a terrible track. We always talk about it being too narrow and too nasty and having no space to overtake.
[26:10.300 -> 26:14.300] Just for reference, watch the last three Monaco E-Prix in Formula E.
[26:14.300 -> 26:17.400] They are light cars, they are smaller cars, they are nimble cars.
[26:17.400 -> 26:20.500] And you tell me if Monaco doesn't have space to pass.
[26:20.500 -> 26:23.300] Just saying, let's just check that out later on.
[26:23.300 -> 26:25.400] But now it's time for something fun.
[26:25.400 -> 26:29.120] Now it's time for something that people will enjoy a little bit more.
[26:29.120 -> 26:33.480] Here's F1 Stats Guru back with the stats review of the Australian GP.
[26:33.480 -> 26:37.160] Hey folks, it's time to do the stats review of the Australian Grand Prix.
[26:37.160 -> 26:39.840] Now it was a very chaotic race, wasn't it?
[26:39.840 -> 26:43.220] But it was still very interesting on so many different levels.
[26:43.220 -> 26:46.220] And that makes the stats also very, very interesting.
[26:46.220 -> 26:48.960] My name is Sundaram, also known as the F1 Stats Guru.
[26:48.960 -> 26:51.060] Let's get straight into the numbers.
[26:51.060 -> 26:52.760] Let's take a look at the podium first of all.
[26:52.760 -> 26:56.160] Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
[26:56.160 -> 27:00.120] Multiple time world champions, the best in the business, all together on top.
[27:00.120 -> 27:02.120] And you don't get to see this very often.
[27:02.120 -> 27:09.600] The last time you had three champions on the podium together was at the 2018 Hungarian Grand Prix. You had Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and
[27:09.600 -> 27:11.060] Kimi Räikkönen that day.
[27:11.060 -> 27:15.440] But this time's podium is the most decorated podium in all of Formula 1. Add up all the
[27:15.440 -> 27:21.360] podium finishes. 84 for Verstappen, 192 for Hamilton and 101 for Alonso. That adds up
[27:21.360 -> 27:25.800] to 373 podiums, the highest tally you've ever seen on a Formula
[27:25.800 -> 27:29.760] 1 rostrum. They also have 11 titles between them. We've seen that once before though,
[27:29.760 -> 27:34.680] at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix where Lewis Hamilton took his 7th and last world title
[27:34.680 -> 27:38.200] up until now. He was joined alongside by Sebastian Vettel that day.
[27:38.200 -> 27:43.280] Max Verstappen won his 37th Formula 1 race and scored points for the 22nd consecutive
[27:43.280 -> 27:45.600] time. That's his longest point scoring streak in
[27:45.600 -> 27:50.000] Formula 1. But we have to talk about Mercedes. This is a team that did not have the best of
[27:50.000 -> 27:54.480] starts to the season and you really wouldn't have imagined them to be on the front row or
[27:54.480 -> 27:58.960] even on the podium this early. But something really happens in Australia, something happens
[27:58.960 -> 28:03.680] in the Southern Hemisphere because they have been on the podium in every single Australian
[28:03.680 -> 28:05.120] Grand Prix in the hybrid era.
[28:05.120 -> 28:09.080] And if you take a look at the last 16 races in the Southern Hemisphere, which includes
[28:09.080 -> 28:14.440] Brazil and Australia, they have been on the podium 15 times. Now, I just hope that their
[28:14.440 -> 28:18.440] next podium doesn't come only in Brazil. I really hope they can figure out all their
[28:18.440 -> 28:22.080] issues and give us a few more podiums and challenge Red Bull and Aston Martin at the
[28:22.080 -> 28:27.200] very front. But talking about Aston Martin, we have to talk about Fernando Alonso. Yes, I am dejected that
[28:27.200 -> 28:32.480] my stat that every driver to have taken their 101st podium have done so with a win, it did not
[28:32.480 -> 28:36.960] continue. But Fernando managed to put his car on the podium once again. He's taken three consecutive
[28:36.960 -> 28:42.800] podium finishes for the very first time since 2013. But at the age of 41, he's now the oldest driver
[28:42.800 -> 28:45.680] in over six decades to take three back to back podiums. Juan Manuel Fangio at the age of 41, he is now the oldest driver in over 6 decades to take 3 back-to-back
[28:45.680 -> 28:46.680] podiums.
[28:46.680 -> 28:51.720] Juan Manuel Fangio, at the age of 46, slightly older than Fernando, took 3 podiums in the
[28:51.720 -> 28:54.280] 1957 F1 season.
[28:54.280 -> 28:56.840] But that was the stats review of the Australian Grand Prix.
[28:56.840 -> 29:00.560] We have a little bit of a break right now before we go to Azerbaijan.
[29:00.560 -> 29:04.160] So to keep yourself engaged with more such interesting stats and facts, do follow me
[29:04.160 -> 29:07.000] on Twitter and Instagram under the name F1StatsGuru.
[29:07.000 -> 29:10.000] I'll see you guys in a while.
[29:10.000 -> 29:12.760] Welcome back folks to the InsideLine F1 Podcast.
[29:12.760 -> 29:17.120] And it's always amazing to hear more about the numbers from F1StatsGuru.
[29:17.120 -> 29:22.080] Especially his stat this time Kunal about the 101st podium for Fernando Alonso.
[29:22.080 -> 29:25.520] He was the first person to bring it out globally. All the global
[29:25.520 -> 29:29.840] broadcasts mentioned him, all the global websites mentioned him. Unfortunately, his favorite driver
[29:29.840 -> 29:35.120] Fernando Alonso couldn't quite finish up on that promise but I think that's like a career-long
[29:35.120 -> 29:40.480] thing. He's never quite done that. But we need to talk a little bit more about this race and I'm
[29:40.480 -> 29:49.280] very curious about one question that I really want to know your opinion on. Who made you go, how did they get here, more intensely?
[29:49.280 -> 29:50.800] I've got three options.
[29:50.800 -> 29:53.600] Firstly, Nico Halkenberg briefly in P4.
[29:54.480 -> 29:56.880] Secondly, McClaren's at the finish line.
[29:57.680 -> 30:01.200] Or third, Ocon and Gasly colliding.
[30:02.000 -> 30:03.040] How on earth?
[30:03.040 -> 30:06.480] Which one of these was more surprising for you?
[30:07.120 -> 30:14.960] I would say Nico Hulkenberg in P3, P4. I think it was P3 briefly for a part of the
[30:14.960 -> 30:20.960] season, a part of the race as well. I think definitely that the Haas is the Haas, you know,
[30:20.960 -> 30:25.600] and Nico Hulkenberg is on a comeback. Is he, you know, has he settled in?
[30:25.600 -> 30:26.600] Is he still settling?
[30:26.600 -> 30:32.960] And I think he's had the measure of Kevin Magnussen by a bit of a distance,
[30:32.960 -> 30:34.640] by a bit of a comfort yet.
[30:34.640 -> 30:41.160] You know, anyone questioning why Haas should have kept on with Schumacher
[30:41.160 -> 30:45.040] and not taken Hulkenberg, you know that whole youth versus experiencing.
[30:45.040 -> 30:49.040] For me it was definitely Nico Hulkenberg. What about you Samal?
[30:49.840 -> 30:54.640] I agree. Even though he sort of got outclassed by Landon Norris in the racing side earlier on,
[30:54.640 -> 30:58.560] his performance was quite good and he was at the right place at the right time.
[30:58.560 -> 31:04.240] But this reminds me a lot about that Undertaker streak that we had in WWE back in the day.
[31:04.240 -> 31:08.100] Remember 21 WrestleManias and he didn't lose one match.
[31:08.100 -> 31:10.600] It's like some things just aren't meant to happen,
[31:10.600 -> 31:13.460] like a rational tweet from Donald Trump on Twitter.
[31:13.460 -> 31:17.740] And again, there are big streaks like Lewis Hamilton winning in every single
[31:17.740 -> 31:20.460] Formula One season, that got broken.
[31:20.460 -> 31:24.140] Undertaker winning at every single WrestleMania, that got broken.
[31:24.140 -> 31:30.080] This Kunal, it just doesn't seem to be breaking at all at any given time whatsoever.
[31:30.080 -> 31:33.200] And look at the number of races that we've got on that list.
[31:33.200 -> 31:38.360] Brazil 2010 when he took pole position, Brazil 2012 when he was fighting with Lewis Hamilton.
[31:38.360 -> 31:43.740] We have Germany 2019 where he is in a good position to get a podium as well.
[31:43.740 -> 31:45.320] We had Sylvester in 2020 as well.
[31:45.560 -> 31:48.120] So his streak is just absolutely intact.
[31:48.120 -> 31:50.960] And it's like fate doesn't want him to get there.
[31:51.440 -> 31:52.760] It's just absurd.
[31:52.960 -> 31:53.560] What does he do?
[31:53.560 -> 31:55.160] What does he need to do at this stage?
[31:55.200 -> 31:55.560] Really?
[31:56.240 -> 31:59.960] I mean, he just needs to keep driving and hopefully Haas is, you know, going to
[31:59.960 -> 32:00.480] improve.
[32:00.480 -> 32:03.720] Everybody's hoping, you know, Haas has got the new sponsor.
[32:03.720 -> 32:06.920] I'm not just going to give them free air time on our show.
[32:07.280 -> 32:10.480] And there is more money. They're going to operate closer to the budget.
[32:10.600 -> 32:14.320] You know, more moneygram for them.
[32:15.440 -> 32:18.720] Exactly. Money kilogram is what we should charge them in return.
[32:18.720 -> 32:21.880] But there's one more, you know, how the heck did that happen thing?
[32:22.200 -> 32:24.880] Checo Perez had that qualifying issue.
[32:24.880 -> 32:26.420] Everybody was like, he should have known.
[32:26.420 -> 32:31.920] He went out on qualifying, started dead last, started from the pits, came up to fifth.
[32:31.920 -> 32:36.600] I think he drove fairly well despite all the stoppages and so on.
[32:36.820 -> 32:42.280] But the most, like the, how did that happen moment for me and Checo Perez was, you know,
[32:42.280 -> 32:46.820] after the race, he was declared driver of the race or driver of the day, whatever that thing is.
[32:47.220 -> 32:50.440] And the first thing that Checo asks is, okay, thanks, but do you
[32:50.440 -> 32:51.820] get an extra point for that?
[32:51.820 -> 32:52.120] Right.
[32:52.120 -> 32:56.740] And it just shows how competitive he's like, I've lost points to Max.
[32:56.740 -> 33:01.080] Can I get this like one extra point by winning the driver of the day?
[33:01.480 -> 33:06.560] Uh, thing, but all in all, we've got to talk of the Alpines colliding.
[33:06.560 -> 33:10.480] I mean, by what race would they have collided
[33:10.480 -> 33:12.760] is what you and I have spoken about before.
[33:12.760 -> 33:15.260] I didn't think it would be this early into the season, which
[33:15.260 -> 33:16.360] was race three.
[33:16.360 -> 33:17.520] Of course, you can.
[33:17.520 -> 33:19.920] We must call it a racing incident as well,
[33:19.920 -> 33:23.000] even though it's fun to pitch Gasly versus Ocon,
[33:23.000 -> 33:25.720] given their childhood rivalry anyway.
[33:25.720 -> 33:28.760] Yeah, but there's something very familiar
[33:28.760 -> 33:31.360] about Esteban Ocon colliding with his teammate
[33:31.360 -> 33:32.760] in a pink car.
[33:32.760 -> 33:34.280] We've seen that before, haven't we Kunal?
[33:34.280 -> 33:35.120] Somewhere, no?
[33:36.400 -> 33:40.840] We have, I mean, collisions, teammate incidents
[33:40.840 -> 33:46.620] are always a thing, but I would I would say net net it was an
[33:46.620 -> 33:51.480] entertaining race we liked what we had we had a fantastic screening in Mumbai
[33:51.480 -> 33:57.360] and in Delhi as well we have lots more planned for the inside line club even
[33:57.360 -> 34:01.720] though there is a forced break that we are you know sort of being put through
[34:01.720 -> 34:05.760] Samu. Oh yeah we are having a force break but not a force break
[34:05.760 -> 34:12.880] on the podcast because coming up next are so many fun episodes. We firstly are going to have David
[34:12.880 -> 34:18.720] Kulthar on the Inside Line F1 podcast. We got exclusive access to him thanks to Red Bull India
[34:18.720 -> 34:24.240] when he was here for the Red Bull Racing showrun. That absolutely blew all of our minds and we get
[34:24.240 -> 34:25.360] to talk to David Kulthar
[34:25.360 -> 34:30.240] about Christian Horner and what it was like to actually be hired by someone who was younger
[34:30.240 -> 34:34.800] than you but still leading a team and also more about his racing driver psychology and
[34:34.800 -> 34:39.680] what he says to himself after moments of tragedy like his plane crash and also stepping up
[34:39.680 -> 34:42.320] to Williams after Ayrton Senna unfortunately passed away.
[34:42.320 -> 34:43.640] Just how does he think?
[34:43.640 -> 34:46.800] Do doubts come in or does he just squash them completely?
[34:46.800 -> 34:48.360] That is gonna be coming up next.
[34:48.360 -> 34:51.200] We then have Blake,
[34:51.200 -> 34:54.560] who's known on the social media world as Brick.
[34:54.560 -> 34:56.400] You might've come across his stuff on Twitter,
[34:56.400 -> 34:58.440] on YouTube, on Instagram, everywhere.
[34:58.440 -> 35:01.040] He's a former Red Bull Racing and Force India engineer
[35:01.040 -> 35:03.160] who's worked with both these teams inside out.
[35:03.160 -> 35:08.360] And we had him on the podcast for I think one of our best episodes of the last year where
[35:08.360 -> 35:13.160] we got to talk so much about how a Formula One team operates, how can you
[35:13.160 -> 35:17.120] become a Formula One engineer and on a daily basis just what do those
[35:17.120 -> 35:21.280] challenges look like and how much coordination and feedback goes on
[35:21.280 -> 35:24.880] between a racing driver and their performance engineer and which one of
[35:24.880 -> 35:26.320] these drivers takes more feedback
[35:26.320 -> 35:28.480] than the other ones and just how do they deal with that?
[35:28.480 -> 35:30.640] So that episode is also gonna come up.
[35:30.640 -> 35:34.080] And finally Kunal, one of my favorite ones as well.
[35:34.080 -> 35:36.400] We've got the folks from Driven International
[35:36.400 -> 35:38.160] coming on the podcast as well.
[35:38.160 -> 35:39.560] And they are gonna be talking about
[35:39.560 -> 35:42.600] just how do you make a street circuit?
[35:42.600 -> 35:44.440] Because they were the people responsible
[35:44.440 -> 35:46.720] for the amazing Hyderabad-Eprie street circuit
[35:46.720 -> 35:47.720] in India.
[35:47.720 -> 35:51.600] And I was there for the Indian Racing League and Formula E.
[35:51.600 -> 35:57.040] The operational challenges were humongous, but still, they came up with such an amazing
[35:57.040 -> 35:58.040] circuit.
[35:58.040 -> 35:59.040] So how do you do that?
[35:59.040 -> 36:01.800] How do you make changes like the ones that they made to Yas Marina as well?
[36:01.800 -> 36:04.960] And also to circuits like Mandelika in Indonesia as well.
[36:04.960 -> 36:05.600] So they're going
[36:05.600 -> 36:11.520] to be on the podcast to talk a lot more about that. So April Kunal is going to be a bumper month
[36:11.520 -> 36:18.000] with a lot of fun stuff happening. It is and you know before you know it our show will entertain
[36:18.000 -> 36:29.840] you including stuff that we're going to do with the Lollipop Man, with F1 Stats Guru and like I said really excited to see what more and how many more cities we can reach for
[36:29.840 -> 36:36.440] community engagement with the Inside Line Club. Absolutely and folks I just
[36:36.440 -> 36:40.520] want to end this episode on one note. It's gonna be a note of laughter for
[36:40.520 -> 36:45.320] some, a note of disappointment for the others, and just a general one that
[36:45.320 -> 36:51.100] will really intrigue everyone. At the end of this race, Kunal, Alpine are four points
[36:51.100 -> 37:00.180] behind McLaren. I'm going to put one more to this, you know, Lance Stroll, he was in
[37:00.180 -> 37:05.440] a podium position in an Aston Martin ahead of whoever he was ahead of at that time, right?
[37:05.440 -> 37:11.600] And what did he do? He went and outbraked himself on cold tires at turn three. And then he says,
[37:11.600 -> 37:15.280] yeah, the tires were cold. But dude, you know, if Fernando, you know, has spun,
[37:16.080 -> 37:22.080] you are in a podium spot. All you got to do is cover your tires or whatever. Everybody knows
[37:22.080 -> 37:27.320] that there's cold tires. I mean, it's not Logan Sargent for you know, I'm just giving example as a rookie, right?
[37:27.320 -> 37:33.460] It's Lance troll. He's paid millions to do 50 60 whatever number of races he's done
[37:33.480 -> 37:40.800] There's no excuse for him to have you know blown that up and then of course he regained that
[37:41.400 -> 37:46.960] Position back because of the whole red flag fiasco and the new restart order and so on.
[37:46.960 -> 37:50.400] I don't know why we didn't pick on him earlier, but yeah, shouldn't have done that.
[37:51.040 -> 37:54.800] One second, who is he making an excuse to Kunal for real?
[37:54.800 -> 38:00.960] Everybody who he thinks he needs to make the excuse to including maybe himself.
[38:02.000 -> 38:05.240] That's a heavy note to end on but on a serious note hopefully he's
[38:05.240 -> 38:08.800] doing better hopefully his arm is actually feeling a lot better so
[38:08.800 -> 38:13.040] considering all that his performances have been good but yeah it wasn't ideal
[38:13.040 -> 38:17.080] though was it but again so many things at the Australian GP weren't ideal but I
[38:17.080 -> 38:21.320] hope this episode certainly was and if you enjoyed listening to it leave us a
[38:21.320 -> 38:27.320] good rating subscribe to the inside line f1 podcast and also share this podcast with all your other friends and family members
[38:27.320 -> 38:32.200] who you think are going to enjoy this as well thank you for listening folks and
[38:32.200 -> None] we will be back with oh so much more once again you