Farewell: GOAT, Seb, Mick, Daniel - 2022 Abu Dhabi GP Preview

Four Formula 1 drivers will have a farewell race this weekend at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - but we hope that at least three of them have a chance to return to Formula 1 in the near future.

Sorry, Nicholas Latifi, but it's tough to add you to that list (unless you send a few million $$$ to our account!).

Soumil, @f1statsguru aka Sundaram and Kunal bring to you the 2022 Abu Dhabi GP preview episode on the Inside Line F1 Podcast. 

Yes, battle for P2 - between Ferrari and Mercedes & between Charles Leclerc & Sergio Perez will be the talking point. As will be the battle between Aston Martin-Alfa Romeo, Haas-AlphaTauri and of course, Alpine-Mclaren.

Irrespective of who you are cheering for, enjoy the last race of the 2022 Formula 1 season. You will miss the sport in the off-season, take our word for it.

Tune in!

(Season 2022, Episode 70)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, Sundaram Ramaswami and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Williams

# 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview: Saying Goodbye to F1 Legends

## Farewell Race for Four Drivers

* The 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the final Formula 1 race for four drivers: Nicholas Latifi, Daniel Ricciardo, Mick Schumacher, and Sebastian Vettel.
* While Latifi's departure is not met with much fanfare, the other three drivers have made significant impacts on the sport and will be missed by fans.

## Battle for P2

* The main talking point of the race will be the battle for P2 in the championship between Ferrari and Mercedes, and between Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez.
* Both teams and drivers are eager to secure the runner-up position, making for an exciting and competitive race.

## Other Contests to Watch

* Other battles to keep an eye on include the fight between Aston Martin and Alfa Romeo, Haas and AlphaTauri, and Alpine and McLaren.
* The midfield is incredibly tight, with several teams and drivers in contention for points and higher positions.

## Farewell Tributes

* Sebastian Vettel's retirement has been met with an outpouring of tributes from fellow drivers, teams, and fans.
* Vettel is a four-time world champion and one of the most respected and admired drivers in Formula 1 history.
* His final race will be a poignant moment for the sport.

## Driver of the Day

* The hosts discuss who they will vote for as Driver of the Day, with Nicholas Latifi being a sentimental favorite for his final race.

## Mercedes' Dominance and Toto Wolff's Statement

* Mercedes secured their first one-two finish of the season in Brazil, leading to Toto Wolff downplaying their competitiveness for the Abu Dhabi race.
* The hosts speculate on Mercedes' true pace and whether they can challenge Ferrari for P2.

## Red Bull's Team Orders Controversy

* The hosts discuss the recent controversy surrounding Red Bull's team orders in Brazil, where Max Verstappen was asked to give up his position to Sergio Perez.
* They question whether Verstappen will be willing to help Perez again in Abu Dhabi, especially if he is in a position to challenge for the win.

## Young Drivers in FP1

* Several young drivers will participate in FP1 sessions this weekend, including Liam Lawson, Logan Sargent, Pat O'Ward, Pietro Fittipaldi, Robert Schwartzman, Felipe Drugovic, Robert Kubica, and Jack Doohan.
* The hosts discuss the significance of these FP1 sessions for the young drivers and their aspirations to reach Formula 1.

## Lewis Hamilton's Win Streak

* Lewis Hamilton's record of winning at least one race in every season he has competed in is in jeopardy.
* The hosts debate whether Hamilton can secure a victory in Abu Dhabi and extend his streak.

## Formula 2 and Logan Sargent's Title Fight

* The hosts preview the Formula 2 championship finale, where Logan Sargent is in contention for the title and a Formula 1 seat with Williams next year.
* They discuss the pressure on Sargent to perform and the potential consequences if he fails to secure enough points.

## Farewell to Sebastian Vettel

* The hosts conclude the episode by reflecting on Sebastian Vettel's illustrious career and his impact on Formula 1.
* They express their admiration for Vettel and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

[00:00.000 -> 00:21.440] That dreaded time of the year is finally here guys.
[00:21.440 -> 00:25.040] Our beloved Formula 1 legend who we have loved for so many years is
[00:25.040 -> 00:29.600] finally going to compete in his final Formula One race. We've seen him arrive in the sport as a
[00:29.600 -> 00:34.720] rookie, we've seen him change his shades, we've seen him become a better character, we've seen him
[00:34.720 -> 00:40.480] just be loved by the entire globe and it's that time when we finally see him go away and leave
[00:40.480 -> 00:44.720] the sport for all of us fans to wonder well what could have been if that person wasn't here.
[00:49.440 -> 00:54.640] Wow, it's going to be a hard one to digest. Over the years, I've fallen in love with him about what he can do on the track and also what he can do off the track. I'm going to miss him.
[00:54.640 -> 01:00.480] This one is the last race of Nicholas Latifi. I'm going to miss you. Well, folks, welcome to
[01:00.480 -> 01:07.760] the Latifi. Sorry, I just had to. Welcome to the Inside Line F1 Podcast. It's the final
[01:07.760 -> 01:12.840] race of Nicholas Latifi's Formula 1 career. We're not meant to be celebrating this but
[01:12.840 -> 01:16.840] I can't help but crack a smile. There's also a couple of other drivers who are celebrating
[01:16.840 -> 01:23.200] their final race, notably Daniel Ricciardo, potentially Mick Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel
[01:23.200 -> 01:28.480] as well who we should talk about and I'm joking when I mention him in such an insignificant matter, but I think he's going
[01:28.480 -> 01:33.280] to be our major focus on this episode. Before all of that, though, let me introduce myself.
[01:33.280 -> 01:37.520] My name is Somal Arora. I'm the host of The Driving Force on Disney Plus Hotstar.
[01:37.520 -> 01:42.080] Joining me for the last time this year for a preview episode is F1 stats guru Sundaram
[01:42.080 -> 01:50.080] and the former marketing head of the Forst India F1 team Kunal Shah who is now working as an FIA accredited journalist for the Viaplay network.
[01:50.080 -> 01:51.200] I'm going to miss him Kunal.
[01:51.200 -> 01:52.800] I really am going to miss him.
[01:52.800 -> 01:54.600] We saw him come as a rookie.
[01:54.600 -> 01:56.000] We've loved him so much.
[01:56.000 -> 02:00.520] He's made such an impact on the sport and also on the carbon fiber and the barriers.
[02:00.520 -> 02:04.480] Man, how can we live with Latifi leaving?
[02:04.480 -> 02:09.000] Well, Latifi has been very reflective in his goodbyes.
[02:09.000 -> 02:12.000] He actually said in the press conference today when he was seated
[02:12.000 -> 02:17.000] and he said that this was actually my third season with Williams,
[02:17.000 -> 02:20.000] which we know, but it was also his worst performing season.
[02:20.000 -> 02:24.000] So he's been honest, reflective, etc.
[02:24.000 -> 02:28.100] So, you know, I'm actually gonna question
[02:28.100 -> 02:29.220] or put the question back again.
[02:29.220 -> 02:31.920] We have Ricardo, we have Sebastian Vettel,
[02:31.920 -> 02:35.380] we have Daniel, sorry, and Mick Schumacher going, right?
[02:35.380 -> 02:39.460] What are the bets that at least three out of these three
[02:39.460 -> 02:43.860] are gonna come back in Formula One in the near future
[02:43.860 -> 02:45.000] and with which team? Of course, we near future and with which team?
[02:45.620 -> 02:47.800] Of course, we don't know with which team yet,
[02:47.800 -> 02:50.180] but all three of them actually
[02:50.180 -> 02:51.820] are seemingly looking to come back.
[02:51.820 -> 02:52.740] You know, Mick Schumacher said,
[02:52.740 -> 02:56.640] I'm disappointed we did not renew, but I want to come back.
[02:56.640 -> 03:00.440] Daniel Ricciardo said, I want to refresh 23, come back in 24.
[03:00.440 -> 03:02.380] And, you know, we all know Vettel left
[03:02.380 -> 03:04.380] because he wasn't competitive enough.
[03:04.380 -> 03:09.040] So, hey, if suddenly there's a competitive seat that comes up, could he also come back?
[03:09.040 -> 03:13.440] So, sorry, Mr. Gotifi, I'm not taking your name in this context, but I get a feeling
[03:13.440 -> 03:15.600] that, well, okay, I'll be realistic.
[03:15.600 -> 03:21.200] At least two out of these three drivers will make a comeback in the next two or three seasons.
[03:21.200 -> 03:23.080] I mean, if, hey, I'll put it this way.
[03:23.080 -> 03:25.220] If Nico Hulkenberg could make a
[03:25.220 -> 03:32.160] comeback to Formula One after having the most Hulkenberg type seasons in Formula One, it's
[03:32.160 -> 03:36.960] Mik Schubacher, it's Daniel Ricciardo and it's Sebastian Vettel that we are talking
[03:36.960 -> 03:37.960] about.
[03:37.960 -> 03:45.300] Seriously, Sundaram, how many times has Hulkenberg come back now? I remember in 2012, I remember it happening what in the middle
[03:45.300 -> 03:51.440] of last, I think 2020 as well. Now he's back again in 2022 as well. So that's I think four
[03:51.440 -> 03:55.080] times that I can remember on the top of my head. What should we name it? Should we name
[03:55.080 -> 03:56.720] Hulken back permanently or something?
[03:56.720 -> 04:03.800] I like that name Hulken back. And every time he comes back onto the grid or for a race,
[04:03.800 -> 04:05.680] everyone loves, you everyone loves putting out their
[04:05.680 -> 04:07.080] Hulken back.
[04:07.080 -> 04:11.320] But it's a very interesting choice, in my opinion, because they're getting rid of a
[04:11.320 -> 04:15.000] young Mick Schumacher, and they're going for experience.
[04:15.000 -> 04:17.320] And I think Hulkenberg is 35 years old.
[04:17.320 -> 04:23.240] And I think a lot of people are very divided with this choice of going with Hulkenberg.
[04:23.240 -> 04:25.880] But I think what I mentioned the last time out as well,
[04:25.880 -> 04:27.120] I think they're going for stability
[04:27.120 -> 04:31.340] because Mick has probably not been the cleanest of drivers
[04:31.340 -> 04:34.160] and there's been a lot of expenses
[04:34.160 -> 04:37.240] when it comes to the accidents or the crashes that he's had.
[04:37.240 -> 04:39.640] So they have someone with a long-term contract
[04:39.640 -> 04:40.720] and then Kevin Magnussen,
[04:40.720 -> 04:43.280] and probably this is trying to minimize
[04:44.280 -> 04:46.480] how much they spend with the other
[04:46.480 -> 04:47.480] seats.
[04:47.480 -> 04:52.040] So they're going for experience and hoping that they have a stable and pretty, pretty,
[04:52.040 -> 04:55.560] I mean, not very, what do you say, eventful 2023.
[04:55.560 -> 05:01.160] Well, it could be eventful if you have Magnuson partnering Hulkenberg, at least in terms of
[05:01.160 -> 05:02.640] media and radio comments.
[05:02.640 -> 05:05.360] So but no, seriously, Mick Schumacher,
[05:05.360 -> 05:09.040] actually, it's a little unfair to have him off Formula 1
[05:09.040 -> 05:11.320] because last year was literally no year for him.
[05:11.320 -> 05:13.280] He was with Mazepin, you know,
[05:13.280 -> 05:15.800] and I think Ferrari sort of put him under the bus here
[05:15.800 -> 05:18.720] by placing him at Haas in the first place, right?
[05:18.720 -> 05:20.400] Because we know it was not,
[05:20.400 -> 05:22.920] his first season was literally this year, right?
[05:23.800 -> 05:26.120] Now, again, when he started this season,
[05:26.120 -> 05:29.280] McNeuson actually came back, had a very strong comeback.
[05:29.280 -> 05:31.560] Haas had a very strong car at that time
[05:31.560 -> 05:33.400] before the others outdeveloped them.
[05:33.400 -> 05:35.580] So McNeuson could suddenly get these string of results,
[05:35.580 -> 05:37.200] put some points on the board,
[05:37.200 -> 05:39.160] and then suddenly Haas sort of has been
[05:39.160 -> 05:41.000] through a dip since then.
[05:41.000 -> 05:42.080] In the process of this,
[05:42.080 -> 05:43.680] Mick of course has had his crashes,
[05:43.680 -> 05:48.320] but he's had some battles with Rich Tappen and Hamilton, which, you know, Formula One has been playing up
[05:48.320 -> 05:55.840] on social media. He's also scored a few points, but unfortunately, you know, the dip in form that
[05:55.840 -> 06:02.320] Haas has sort of taken has masked some of the, you know, improvements that Mick has made through
[06:02.320 -> 06:05.400] the course of the season. He has been closer to Mark Newson.
[06:05.400 -> 06:09.400] But you know, Haas at the end of the day feels that, hey, we need somebody to force Mark
[06:09.400 -> 06:11.900] Newson even more to elevate his game.
[06:11.900 -> 06:15.160] And that's where they've gone and sort of got a Nico Hulkenberg.
[06:15.160 -> 06:20.640] Yeah, I'm so curious to see how he gets back again, especially when he's back with his
[06:20.640 -> 06:23.760] teammate or not teammate, but best friend, Kevin Magnussen.
[06:23.760 -> 06:27.400] I should just name the team Moneygrams Up My Balls Racing Team for next year.
[06:27.400 -> 06:29.040] Which will be fun, I suppose.
[06:29.040 -> 06:33.080] But let's not get away from the biggest point of the entire weekend, guys.
[06:33.080 -> 06:37.320] Which is, ok, not Latifi leaving, I was joking at the start.
[06:37.320 -> 06:38.880] It's Sebastian Vettel leaving.
[06:38.880 -> 06:44.200] And over the last week he's posted some really emotional messages on social media.
[06:44.200 -> 06:45.520] Pictures of his childhood karting
[06:45.520 -> 06:51.280] days, him getting a trophy from Michael Schumacher, him racing as a five-year-old. It's just making
[06:51.280 -> 06:56.640] you tear up, seriously. I don't know, I've been watching it from my very childhood. My first
[06:56.640 -> 07:02.000] memory of Formula One was Sebastian Vettel winning at 2008 Monza Grand Prix, Italian Grand Prix as
[07:02.000 -> 07:08.640] it was back in the day. It just feels absurd that the person you follow all along in your entire childhood is going
[07:08.640 -> 07:12.300] to be leaving the sport suddenly and very very quietly. How do we even digest
[07:12.300 -> 07:15.720] this Sundaram because it's like one of the pillars of Formula One who's been
[07:15.720 -> 07:20.900] here since 2007. I mean just all of a sudden vanishing. I think it's
[07:20.900 -> 07:31.240] dawning upon us right now if anything., and I've actually given this a long enough thought, this very question on why will we
[07:31.240 -> 07:33.080] miss Sebastian.
[07:33.080 -> 07:37.960] And I've realized this over the years that he's probably one of those drivers who I didn't,
[07:37.960 -> 07:41.720] I did not appreciate as much as I should have probably.
[07:41.720 -> 07:47.120] You know, he came on on the scene as a talented hot-headed kid early on,
[07:47.120 -> 07:51.600] but with a lot of talent and skill and at a time when you probably didn't know who was going to be
[07:51.600 -> 07:56.400] winning the championship. Was it going to be Massa, Hamilton, Button and then you have this young guy
[07:56.400 -> 08:03.360] winning four championships on the trot and with him wagging that finger. You would, you would,
[08:03.360 -> 08:06.120] it probably, a lot of people really did not like him
[08:06.120 -> 08:10.040] back then and I can admit that I was probably one of those people but the way
[08:10.040 -> 08:14.640] he's actually transformed when he went to Ferrari and then Aston Martin, he's
[08:14.640 -> 08:18.920] become such a lovable, lovable character and the way he's actually professed
[08:18.920 -> 08:27.480] his love for Ferrari, the brand and, and, and I mean the team as well it's so nice to see and I'm gonna
[08:27.480 -> 08:32.000] miss his mind more than anything else that sharp smart mind that he has the
[08:32.000 -> 08:37.240] way he's able to sometimes tell Ferrari what the strategy should be and his
[08:37.240 -> 08:41.400] passionate radio messages I really can't remember someone you know celebrating so
[08:41.400 -> 08:45.840] passionately after a Ferrari race win or even on the podium and
[08:45.840 -> 08:49.480] I'm going to miss all of that especially his character and his mind more than anything
[08:49.480 -> 08:50.480] else.
[08:50.480 -> 08:53.960] Did he used to sing as much in the Paracas Velcanal when you were there back in the day
[08:53.960 -> 08:58.000] and because when he was with Ferrari all those radio messages when he was singing and dancing
[08:58.000 -> 09:02.760] and speaking in Italian they seem just so out of character when you compare the old
[09:02.760 -> 09:08.640] Sebastian Vettel where I mean even I can confess I hated him back in the day but what was it like for you when you were working at Force
[09:08.640 -> 09:12.480] India? Was there also a feeling of hate that this guy is just running away with everything,
[09:12.480 -> 09:17.920] he doesn't give or doesn't leave anything on the plate for any of us? Well I actually had some very
[09:17.920 -> 09:22.480] humble moments with him at Singapore which I've sort of stated in the you know several of our
[09:22.480 -> 09:27.020] episodes before, very unchampioned, like, no air about himself,
[09:27.020 -> 09:30.060] just walking around like a boy, saying, I'm here to race cars.
[09:30.060 -> 09:33.420] Everything else is I don't really care about.
[09:33.420 -> 09:36.380] Very interesting point that F1 stats guru made, Sundaram,
[09:36.380 -> 09:38.460] that you'll miss his mind.
[09:38.460 -> 09:42.300] I'll miss his mind, his humor, his love and passion
[09:42.300 -> 09:43.100] for the sport.
[09:43.100 -> 09:47.840] Very, very old school, very raw, if that's the word
[09:47.840 -> 09:53.880] I may put it as that. And just to see where it sort of goes from here, I just wish that
[09:53.880 -> 09:59.240] it was probably something better for him to do than to fight a Lance Stroll in an Aston
[09:59.240 -> 10:07.120] Martin. And the last few races of his have been fairly interesting. We've seen him sort of go up a notch and so on.
[10:07.120 -> 10:09.600] But, you know, above all else,
[10:09.600 -> 10:13.680] I'm eager to see how we sort of end up
[10:13.680 -> 10:15.840] embracing the new blood
[10:15.840 -> 10:18.460] that's gonna enter Aston Martin as well,
[10:18.460 -> 10:19.840] which in this case, of course,
[10:19.840 -> 10:22.100] is going to be Fernando Alonso.
[10:22.100 -> 10:23.480] You know, on the topic of
[10:23.480 -> 10:30.960] if you're gonna see these drivers coming back, I think Sebastian Vettel would come back at some point of time maybe even if it's a one-off
[10:30.960 -> 10:36.400] race but Sebastian Vettel is one of those people who has the potential to actually go on to become
[10:36.400 -> 10:43.840] a race director or someone at a high managerial position perhaps at Ferrari. He has the potential
[10:43.840 -> 10:45.280] to do that but I don't think so he would really
[10:45.280 -> 10:50.240] want to be in that environment considering the politics and how sometimes certain things go.
[10:50.800 -> 10:54.800] Maybe he won't really enjoy that as much. Yeah let's actually wait and see. I think if there's
[10:54.800 -> 10:59.360] anything he can do virtually by home, I mean at home, he wouldn't really mind that. But let's
[10:59.360 -> 11:03.840] not speculate on Vettel what he's going to do. I'm really just hoping that they allow him to do
[11:03.840 -> 11:10.000] donuts because that'll be amazing right. The way to bow down or call a curtain to a Formula One career, the best
[11:10.000 -> 11:14.720] ways to do donuts and he did it back in India 2013, he's going to do it over here hopefully.
[11:14.720 -> 11:18.960] That'll be quite a memory canal at the end of the day, no? Yeah, I mean the serious stuff aside,
[11:18.960 -> 11:23.680] I'm excited to see all the tributes that have already started to pour in for Vettel. You know,
[11:23.680 -> 11:26.440] Fernando Alonso's got a Vettel tribute helmet.
[11:26.440 -> 11:28.440] George Russell did a helmet swap.
[11:29.200 -> 11:36.240] You know, Will Hamilton, Will Leclerc, Will Toro Rosso's of the likes, all of them join in a postseason
[11:36.240 -> 11:38.600] donut ceremony for Vettel.
[11:39.360 -> 11:44.600] I don't know. I'm just trying to assume that they will work on giving him the best send off.
[11:44.600 -> 11:45.040] Right. So I'm excited to see assume that they will work on giving him the best send-off, right?
[11:45.040 -> 11:47.960] So I'm excited to see sort of where that goes.
[11:47.960 -> 11:50.320] And given Alpine's record, let's hope
[11:50.320 -> 11:52.280] that Fernando Alonso doesn't have a DNF
[11:52.280 -> 11:56.800] before he ends up participating in that donut ceremony.
[11:56.800 -> 11:58.960] Or, Soma, like you put it on the group chat,
[11:58.960 -> 12:02.960] maybe everybody does a tribute spin for Sebastian Vettel.
[12:02.960 -> 12:04.360] But no, in all seriousness, there
[12:04.360 -> 12:06.120] is something we all can control.
[12:06.480 -> 12:09.240] Who will we actually vote for as the driver of the day?
[12:09.240 -> 12:13.560] Is it going to be Vettel, Ricardo, Schumacher or Latifi?
[12:13.560 -> 12:18.120] And I don't think Latifi has ever won a driver of the day award.
[12:18.120 -> 12:22.240] So maybe just for his sake, I will vote for him this time.
[12:22.240 -> 12:27.280] I never vote for the driver of the day, mind you guys, but I'll do it just for Nicholas Latifi.
[12:27.280 -> 12:28.880] Do you think you have a choice Kunal?
[12:28.880 -> 12:32.880] Do you think I'm going to let you leave without voting for Nicholas Latifi?
[12:32.880 -> 12:33.920] This is not going to happen.
[12:33.920 -> 12:35.840] We are voting for him.
[12:35.840 -> 12:39.520] We need him to do something special to celebrate his one year anniversary
[12:39.520 -> 12:40.720] of last year, right?
[12:40.720 -> 12:45.520] I mean, he had such a monumental crash that cemented his impact on Formula One.
[12:45.520 -> 12:50.080] But hey, Latifi aside, we will talk about him in a second. But how ironic is it that both the
[12:50.080 -> 12:55.840] Red Bull drivers from 2014 could well be facing their last race of their career, right here,
[12:55.840 -> 12:59.280] together. I mean, we all thought that the trajectory would be completely different.
[12:59.280 -> 13:03.040] We thought that, oh, Sebastian Vettel might be the one who goes to a downslide, and he might be
[13:03.040 -> 13:10.200] the one who suffers and faces a mid-career decline. It's also happened to Daniel Ricciardo and arguably faster. Sundaram,
[13:10.200 -> 13:15.600] I can't digest the fact because if I was told in 2014 that yes, this very Daniel Ricciardo would
[13:15.600 -> 13:20.720] bow out of Formula One potentially again with the same race as Sebastian Vettel, I wouldn't agree.
[13:20.720 -> 13:26.040] I mean, I would be saying, are you out of your mind? Just it feels absurd to think about it.
[13:26.280 -> 13:29.080] Yeah. And we must remember, you know, the likes of Riccardo,
[13:29.120 -> 13:31.760] Schumacher and Latifi are not retiring from Formula One,
[13:31.760 -> 13:34.880] but we are probably making it look like that they won't come back.
[13:34.880 -> 13:36.120] And probably that is the case.
[13:36.280 -> 13:38.000] Even probably the case of Daniel Riccardo,
[13:38.000 -> 13:41.840] because he's looking for a reserve role. He doesn't have a seat for next year.
[13:42.680 -> 13:44.080] But the interesting thing is, you know,
[13:44.080 -> 13:49.200] in a paddock filled with so many rivals, you know, when they have these sort of battles, like how we saw last
[13:49.200 -> 13:55.920] time, and the sort of radio messages that come out in the heat of the moment, here's a guy who
[13:55.920 -> 14:01.920] is literally jovial, a fun-loving personality in the whole paddock. And he's that way with the
[14:01.920 -> 14:05.180] youngest on the grid with Yuki Tsunoda and also with
[14:05.180 -> 14:06.180] Fernando Alonso.
[14:06.180 -> 14:10.200] And I mean, probably I would like to hear your inputs on this.
[14:10.200 -> 14:15.600] Have we had such a character in the paddock before or will we have such a character in
[14:15.600 -> 14:17.200] the future once he's gone?
[14:17.200 -> 14:19.760] And I really don't know.
[14:19.760 -> 14:26.160] And one thing I really want to point out is, you know, on Ricardo's day, when the car is in tune with him, when
[14:26.160 -> 14:32.080] it does have that pace, I feel he has that ability to make any race exciting, even if
[14:32.080 -> 14:37.240] he's not fighting for the win, be it for any other podium spot, with his overtakes, or
[14:37.240 -> 14:41.960] just with his racing. He can really make a race very, very exciting, and I'm going to
[14:41.960 -> 14:42.960] miss all of that.
[14:42.960 -> 14:47.040] Kunal, are you going to miss the cowboy accent?
[14:47.040 -> 14:49.160] I think that's the best part.
[14:49.160 -> 14:53.280] No, I'll definitely miss all those late breaking bombs
[14:53.280 -> 14:55.600] that he used to deliver on people.
[14:55.600 -> 14:58.320] The energy that Daniel Ricciardo definitely
[14:58.320 -> 15:00.160] brings to Formula One as well.
[15:00.160 -> 15:02.280] I don't think it's done at all.
[15:02.280 -> 15:05.520] But moving on, moving on from all the tributes
[15:05.520 -> 15:08.520] that we've been throwing at drivers as well.
[15:08.520 -> 15:11.640] Mercedes had their first one-two of the season in Brazil,
[15:11.640 -> 15:14.480] as we all know, which was their most dominant show.
[15:14.480 -> 15:18.280] All it took was one dominant show for Toto Wolf
[15:18.280 -> 15:21.080] to make a typical Toto Wolf-ish statement.
[15:21.080 -> 15:23.280] He said, we had a one-two in Brazil,
[15:23.280 -> 15:25.840] but we do not expect to be competitive
[15:25.840 -> 15:33.360] this weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit. So that's just the typical thing. You show dominance,
[15:33.360 -> 15:38.160] but you play it down just pre-race. So that's what they have done. But yes, the battle for P2,
[15:38.160 -> 15:47.120] it's been the smallest gap ever than it's been between Ferrari and Mercedes, and Carlos Sainz has said Ferrari is, of course,
[15:47.120 -> 15:48.820] defending.
[15:48.820 -> 15:50.660] And of course, Ferrari is now attacking
[15:50.660 -> 15:53.980] all the Mattia Binotto rumors that are out in the paddock.
[15:53.980 -> 15:56.500] So Mercedes is going to focus on P2,
[15:56.500 -> 15:59.020] whereas Ferrari is going to focus on defending P2,
[15:59.020 -> 16:02.320] but also defending Mattia Binotto, given all the rumors.
[16:02.320 -> 16:05.680] And the fact that they released an official statement
[16:05.680 -> 16:06.960] made me ask the question,
[16:06.960 -> 16:09.840] who does the Ferrari admin report to?
[16:09.840 -> 16:13.160] Because if the Ferrari admin reports to Mattia Binotto,
[16:13.160 -> 16:15.360] it's not the official statement,
[16:15.360 -> 16:18.840] but Binotto's statement just released officially, right?
[16:18.840 -> 16:21.640] But if the Ferrari admin actually reports to John Elkin
[16:21.640 -> 16:22.960] and whoever else at Ferrari,
[16:22.960 -> 16:25.800] then it's an official statement that's come.
[16:25.800 -> 16:30.760] So that's the main question to ask who does the admin report to.
[16:30.760 -> 16:35.720] Similarly, for the Red Bull clarification that came out a few hours ago today, it seems
[16:35.720 -> 16:39.880] like it was Max Wischtappen's statement just released officially from the Red Bull handle
[16:39.880 -> 16:47.120] because it is so easy to call Red Bull's bluff out here, saying Max was told last lap, last corner, whatever.
[16:47.120 -> 16:49.800] Brazil, last lap, last corner, usually very popular,
[16:49.800 -> 16:51.760] but this was the unpopular thing
[16:51.760 -> 16:54.220] because when they actually swapped their drivers,
[16:54.220 -> 16:58.320] they did tell that Max, go get Alonso and Charles,
[16:58.320 -> 17:00.120] and if you don't, then you can give the place back.
[17:00.120 -> 17:03.300] So Max already knew when Checo was doing him the favor
[17:03.300 -> 17:12.440] that he was supposed to give it back, right. So whether or not the radio message was late or not delivered or did not reach or whatever the packets fell off somewhere while
[17:12.640 -> 17:13.560] reaching
[17:13.560 -> 17:20.000] Max it should have been you know, Max could have just waited and sort of let Checo go but just just my point
[17:20.000 -> 17:27.440] So lots of interesting things right off track to look forward to Ferrari's rumors and this whole Red Bull thing. I'm sure it's still going to brew. We are going to brew it further in the
[17:27.440 -> 17:33.120] studio on Sunday for Wired play in Norway as well. And Brazil last lap last corner. Well,
[17:33.120 -> 17:37.920] it's the longest last corner in the history of the world. If really that was the case,
[17:37.920 -> 17:42.160] you could have ample of time to do so. If it was Austria last corner or Monaco last corner,
[17:42.160 -> 17:46.680] well, maybe I would have understood. But this one has left me slightly scratching my head.
[17:46.680 -> 17:50.080] And this time I'm actually scratching my head, not my beard, but it's ridiculous what's going
[17:50.080 -> 17:51.080] to happen now.
[17:51.080 -> 17:54.400] Verstappen is not going to be there in FP1 because Liam Lawson's coming up.
[17:54.400 -> 17:58.640] And I shall talk about that in a second because that's literally become a glorified young
[17:58.640 -> 18:02.560] driver test, FP1, because now we've got, who have we got?
[18:02.560 -> 18:06.420] We've got Williams having Logan Sargent taking part in the FP1 session,
[18:06.420 -> 18:08.040] Red Bull with Liam Lawson,
[18:08.040 -> 18:09.640] McLaren with Pat O'Ward,
[18:09.640 -> 18:11.740] Haas with Pietro Filippolli,
[18:11.740 -> 18:13.680] Ferrari with Robert Schwartzman,
[18:13.680 -> 18:15.840] Aston Martin with Filipe Drogovic,
[18:15.840 -> 18:17.640] Alfa Romeo with the youngest driver of them all,
[18:17.640 -> 18:18.460] Robert Kubica,
[18:18.460 -> 18:20.800] and Alpine with Jack Doohan.
[18:20.800 -> 18:22.120] So it's absurd.
[18:22.120 -> 18:24.240] I mean, it's like a glorified FP1 session,
[18:24.240 -> 18:25.360] but we're going to see
[18:25.360 -> 18:28.960] so many major changes over there. And that's going to be fun to talk about. But in the bigger picture,
[18:28.960 -> 18:34.080] what I was really talking about is can Verstappen help or rather will Verstappen help or how will
[18:34.080 -> 18:38.880] Verstappen help? Because the bar for helping out a teammate, a Red Bull Racing teammate in Abu Dhabi
[18:38.880 -> 18:44.480] in the final race of the year, has been set very high. And Max is quite the best team player in
[18:44.480 -> 18:50.480] the world, is he? You know, it'll be interesting if Verstappen ends up is being requested to do what Sergio
[18:50.480 -> 18:55.120] Perez did last year. You know, Perez was ahead of Hamilton after the pit stops and Verstappen
[18:55.120 -> 18:59.200] was really not able to keep up with Hamilton and they requested Perez to slow down. What if
[18:59.200 -> 19:04.120] Verstappen finds himself in this situation ahead of Leclerc and Perez asks, can he slow him down
[19:04.120 -> 19:08.560] so that I can battle with Leclerc? I think it's going to be a very interesting thing. I don't know
[19:08.560 -> 19:14.040] if that's really going to happen. He says he's going to do it, but we really have to
[19:14.040 -> 19:17.800] see if he in the heat of the moment or in that situation, is he going to do it? I don't
[19:17.800 -> 19:18.800] know.
[19:18.800 -> 19:22.440] Yep, got to wait and watch. But Kunal, I want to know your take on one thing. Hamilton has
[19:22.440 -> 19:25.680] had an undertaker like streak ever since his
[19:25.680 -> 19:30.200] first season he's won a race in every single season that he's taken part in.
[19:30.200 -> 19:34.660] The undertaker streak ended by the way I mean it was what 21 and 1 if I'm not
[19:34.660 -> 19:40.200] mistaken what is it for Lewis? Let me let me count it again 20 no 15 right is it
[19:40.200 -> 19:45.600] is it not okay my math is not very quick but 15 and 15 and no Kunal. Does it end now?
[19:45.600 -> 19:47.200] Finally, does he not get that win?
[19:48.000 -> 19:51.100] I really think it's unlikely, but Toto Wolf clearly has a say.
[19:51.900 -> 19:54.600] But I'll put another psychological twist on this.
[19:54.600 -> 19:59.100] Imagine Lewis Hamilton, all of Mercedes, Ferrari, not Ferrari.
[19:59.100 -> 20:05.000] Sorry, Toto Wolf, even the FIA coming to the scene of Abu Dhabi last year,
[20:05.420 -> 20:07.220] given what happened with Michael Massey,
[20:07.220 -> 20:11.100] how the title was taken away from Lewis in his words,
[20:11.100 -> 20:14.180] and the human error that the FIA admitted
[20:14.180 -> 20:15.840] actually happened, right?
[20:15.840 -> 20:18.500] And we've just come out from Brazil,
[20:18.500 -> 20:21.780] and this is where I see a lot of Hamilton supporters
[20:21.780 -> 20:24.660] probably agreeing with me,
[20:24.660 -> 20:26.480] but a lot of our Dutch listeners saying,
[20:26.480 -> 20:28.760] oh my God, why do we even listen to this podcast?
[20:28.760 -> 20:33.760] But in 2003, when Kimi Raikkonen was erroneously given
[20:35.200 -> 20:38.960] the race win at Brazil, the next race,
[20:38.960 -> 20:42.140] the FIA reversed the result and gave the win
[20:42.140 -> 20:43.880] to Giancarlo Fisichella at Jordan.
[20:43.880 -> 20:49.000] So it has happened where they've changed the race winner and hence the results to have followed later on.
[20:49.000 -> 20:55.000] But my point is, I can't just imagine what Hamilton sort of feels or would have felt going into Abu Dhabi.
[20:55.000 -> 21:03.000] For him, it would be absolutely perfect to claim his win at the last available opportunity for himself in Abu Dhabi
[21:03.000 -> 21:06.400] given all the emotions that he's gone through in the last 12 months after in Abu Dhabi, given all the emotions that he's gone
[21:06.400 -> 21:10.240] through in the last 12 months after leaving Abu Dhabi last year. But hey, that said,
[21:12.160 -> 21:18.240] the key question is, will Red Bull find form and pace again? And in Brazil, it seems like they just
[21:18.240 -> 21:23.120] had a very narrow time to find a setup and they didn't find a setup that worked. But could they
[21:23.120 -> 21:25.440] be back to their pouncing best?
[21:25.440 -> 21:27.840] Will Max score yet another win?
[21:27.840 -> 21:29.780] Will Red Bull add another win to their tally?
[21:29.780 -> 21:31.560] Those typical things I would say.
[21:31.560 -> 21:39.040] So I think Lewis' streak of scoring a win at least every season he's competed in is
[21:39.040 -> 21:43.900] going to go away, including the stat that only two of his teammates have beaten him
[21:43.900 -> 21:45.120] before and never in a debut season together. including the stat that only two of his teammates have beaten him before,
[21:48.680 -> 21:52.840] and never in a debut season together, right? So the first time George Russell has joined Lewis as a teammate and has beaten
[21:52.840 -> 21:56.120] him comes with a lot of caveats, a long season, et cetera, et cetera,
[21:56.120 -> 21:58.680] but the stats will read what the stats will read.
[21:59.040 -> 22:02.360] That'll be a nice, I mean, nice way to end the season also for Hamilton,
[22:02.360 -> 22:06.160] but also as a fact that it's his 200th race with Mercedes and
[22:06.720 -> 22:08.840] Yeah, he would really like to win this
[22:09.360 -> 22:12.920] It's it's such a special occasion, you know 200 races with one team
[22:12.920 -> 22:17.440] You know, the driver has ever done that and probably what will be Mercedes is focus is
[22:18.180 -> 22:19.480] qualifying
[22:19.480 -> 22:21.480] because in Abu Dhabi the last
[22:21.600 -> 22:29.740] Two I mean 12 of the last 13 races have been won from the front row and the pole sitter has won the last seven races so focus would be
[22:29.740 -> 22:33.260] probably putting the car on the front row or even on pole and then taking it
[22:33.260 -> 22:36.260] on from there because they could definitely have the advantage that way
[22:36.260 -> 22:41.460] yeah and maybe finally we get that one win where Lewis avenges last year in a
[22:41.460 -> 22:47.560] gentle minor way but whatever it is but one more thing to look forward to this weekend I think that's going to be one of the more
[22:47.560 -> 22:51.280] exciting things to watch is going to be Formula 2 for two reasons. Firstly,
[22:51.280 -> 22:54.880] Juan Manuel Correa returns to Formula 2 after that horrific accident that he had
[22:54.880 -> 22:59.860] with unfortunately with Antoine Aubet in 2019 and he's back racing after all his
[22:59.860 -> 23:03.220] injuries and that's a wonderful thing to see but another thing to watch in
[23:03.220 -> 23:06.640] Formula 1 in Formula 2 I sorry, is Logan Sargent literally
[23:06.640 -> 23:09.040] racing for his Formula 1 seat next year.
[23:09.040 -> 23:11.760] Because at this moment, he's P3 in the championship.
[23:11.760 -> 23:15.880] If he stays where he is, he ends up winning a seat to Formula 1 with Williams next year,
[23:15.880 -> 23:17.800] which has already been confirmed, by the way.
[23:17.800 -> 23:22.520] But if he does not, and the driver in P6 is only, I think, some 14 points behind him,
[23:22.520 -> 23:25.680] if he slips up in those couple of races, Kunal, that's it.
[23:25.680 -> 23:26.400] It's game over.
[23:26.400 -> 23:29.360] He has lost his Formula 1 seat in front of his very eyes.
[23:29.360 -> 23:32.040] He is in FP1 tomorrow, on Friday.
[23:32.040 -> 23:35.640] So if he does 100 kilometers, he'll score another point,
[23:35.640 -> 23:38.440] provided he doesn't get a penalty and the like.
[23:38.440 -> 23:41.920] So then he needs to finish just P8
[23:41.920 -> 23:44.520] to get his super license points.
[23:44.520 -> 23:49.080] So imagine a scenario where the other drivers who were also in fight for the seat just decide,
[23:49.080 -> 23:52.680] hey, I'm going to take Sir Logan Sargent out, let him also not make it to Formula One.
[23:53.080 -> 23:55.440] I don't know what Williams' backup is going to be.
[23:55.440 -> 23:57.400] Could it be Mick Schumacher for all we know?
[23:57.440 -> 24:01.480] No, but in all seriousness, I'm just thinking up a scenario such as this.
[24:01.480 -> 24:05.280] But I have a feeling come Sunday, he is definitely going to be
[24:05.280 -> 24:06.280] in Formula One.
[24:06.280 -> 24:11.920] You know, just wondering if that happens, if for some reason, if he doesn't end up getting
[24:11.920 -> 24:16.520] the super license, who are Williams going to get in the car next year?
[24:16.520 -> 24:17.800] Is it going to be Mick Schumacher?
[24:17.800 -> 24:22.360] Because if he becomes a Mercedes Reserve, then probably will he drive in Williams next
[24:22.360 -> 24:23.360] year?
[24:23.360 -> 24:24.360] What do you think?
[24:24.360 -> 24:26.600] Maybe they could have two Nico Hulenbergs. Maybe that would help
[24:28.240 -> 24:34.080] No, but honestly Mik Schumacher would be... Stoffel Van Doorn. That's the guy they will get. I have a feeling.
[24:34.400 -> 24:36.040] What a comeback, huh?
[24:36.040 -> 24:41.300] What a comeback that'll be if of course Logan Sargent can't get there. It'll be good for Formula One if he does come in though
[24:41.440 -> 24:42.800] So what's going to be good for us?
[24:42.800 -> 24:45.480] Both the Formula E champions come back to Formula One.
[24:45.480 -> 24:46.920] Is that the case?
[24:46.920 -> 24:47.720] Negativity is at risk.
[24:47.720 -> 24:51.080] Formula E will say we are the most official feeder series
[24:51.080 -> 24:53.640] because there are more Formula E champions in Formula One
[24:53.640 -> 24:55.520] than Formula Two champions.
[24:55.520 -> 24:59.680] But anyways, you can debate that stat as well.
[24:59.680 -> 25:01.040] Holy wow, you're actually right in a way
[25:01.040 -> 25:02.280] in the last couple of years.
[25:02.280 -> 25:04.360] And yeah, I mean, it's just crazy
[25:04.360 -> 25:07.860] how it's planning out right now. But let's wait and watch what happens this weekend
[25:08.000 -> 25:12.840] Sure, I mean, it'll be important to see what happens between Perez and Leclerc for P2 in the championship
[25:12.840 -> 25:18.440] That's essential but more importantly the last race of Sebastian Vettel on a serious note. Yeah, it'll be quite something to digest
[25:18.440 -> 25:22.720] I hope you have a good weekend folks. I hope you enjoy and I hope we enjoy it again Sundaram
[25:22.720 -> 25:26.080] Now you mentioned about Leclerc and Perez and I think you've totally forgotten that
[25:26.080 -> 25:29.520] I think George Russell is also in the running for P2 in the championship.
[25:29.520 -> 25:30.520] Is he?
[25:30.520 -> 25:35.160] Yeah, he's 25 points away from matching Perez and Leclerc.
[25:35.160 -> 25:38.600] Am I right? Now, you've caught me in a little bit of doubt, right?
[25:38.600 -> 25:40.000] No, I think he is. He is.
[25:40.000 -> 25:46.360] He's at 265 points and one race win and a fastest lap with Leclerc and Perez retiring
[25:46.360 -> 25:47.600] could see him finish P2.
[25:47.600 -> 25:49.560] We have seen stranger things happen.
[25:49.560 -> 25:50.560] Stranger things happen.
[25:50.560 -> 25:51.560] You get the point.
[25:51.560 -> 25:58.080] So many stories to look forward to this weekend and let's just hope that they play out really
[25:58.080 -> 25:59.080] well.
[25:59.080 -> 26:00.080] Enjoy the weekend folks.
[26:00.080 -> 26:02.400] Try not to cry.
[26:02.400 -> 26:03.400] What can I say?
[26:03.400 -> 26:07.360] We will miss Formula 1 but we will be back on Monday with a race review episode, so check
[26:07.360 -> 26:08.360] that out as well.
[26:08.360 -> 26:09.360] Bye folks, have a good night.
[26:09.360 -> None] Cheers. you