It's just Imola - 2023 Emilia Romagna GP Preview

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

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

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

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

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 22)

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

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

**Overview of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix:**

* The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, often referred to as Imola, has a lengthy name due to multiple sponsors and the involvement of the Emilia Romagna region and government.

* The race weekend will focus on upgrades and rumors, with all eyes on Mercedes' claimed mechanical traction and drive quality improvements.

**Key Points:**

* The long name of the race has sparked a discussion about the significance of sponsorships and the potential diminishing value of having multiple brands.

* The circuit's official name, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, does not include the word "Imola," which has been the popular name for the race.

* Rumors surrounding driver and team principal changes have emerged, fueled by the media's desire to generate clicks and maintain engagement.

* Formula One's tight race schedule is seen as a contributing factor to the abundance of rumors, as the media seeks to fill the gaps between races with stories.

* Upgrades are a major talking point, with teams bringing improvements to their cars in an attempt to gain an edge.

* Mercedes' upgrade claims have garnered attention, but skepticism remains due to past instances where upgrades failed to deliver the expected results.

* Rumors of driver changes, including the potential replacement of Daniel Ricciardo by Nick de Vries, and Logan Sargent replacing Mick Schumacher, have surfaced.

* The possibility of Sebastian Vettel joining Formula E or taking on a management role at Red Bull has also been discussed.

* The tight nature of the Imola circuit makes overtaking challenging, leading to concerns about a potential lack of excitement in the race.

* The absence of a sprint format this year, unlike last year, has raised questions about the value of the sponsorship money paid by various brands.

**Sergio Perez's Title Challenge:**

* Sergio Perez's title challenge is a topic of discussion, with speculation about whether he can consistently challenge Max Verstappen for the championship.

* Perez's performance in Miami, where he finished 16 seconds behind Verstappen, has raised questions about his ability to mount a sustained title challenge.

* The possibility of a mixed-up grid order due to qualifying interruptions is seen as a potential equalizer, offering Perez a chance to challenge Verstappen.

* The midfield battle is expected to be close, with McLaren hoping to improve their performance after a disappointing start to the season.

**McLaren's Struggles and Midfield Contenders:**

* McLaren's optimism has been dented by their poor performance in Miami, but they believe they can be more competitive at Imola due to the track-specific nature of their issues.

* The midfield battle is expected to be intense, with Lando Norris leading the charge for McLaren despite the team's struggles.

* Alpine's struggles and Otmar Szafnauer's position as team principal are under scrutiny, with rumors of a potential buyout by an American owner.

* The possibility of high-profile figures like Mattia Binotto, Jost Capito, or Cyril Abiteboul taking over at Alpine is discussed.

**F1 Stats Guru's Stats Preview:**

* Italy has hosted over 100 Grand Prix races, with Imola being one of the prominent venues.

* Ayrton Senna holds the record for most consecutive pole positions at Imola, with seven poles between 1985 and 1994.

* Michael Schumacher is the last Ferrari driver to win or take pole at Imola, with seven wins and five poles to his name.

* Max Verstappen is on the verge of several milestones, including becoming the most successful Red Bull driver and achieving 2000 laps led in Formula One.

* The narrow track at Imola makes overtaking difficult, with most wins coming from the front two rows of the grid.

* Nelson Piquet was the last driver to win outside the front two rows, achieving victory in 1981. **Inside Line F1 Podcast: Previewing the 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix**

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah provide an in-depth preview of the upcoming 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. They discuss the historical significance of the race's long name, the absence of the Sprint + Grand Prix format due to financial limitations, and the key aspects to watch out for during the weekend, including upgrades, rumors, and driver performances.

**Key Points and Arguments:**

* The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has a history of lengthy names due to multiple sponsors and the involvement of the local government.

* The race weekend will focus on upgrades and rumors, with all eyes on Mercedes' potential improvements.

* F1statsguru presents statistical insights and predictions for the race.

* Williams' decision to sign Logan Sargent as a driver is analyzed, considering the financial benefits and his performance in Formula 2.

* Predictions for the race are discussed, with Carlos Sainz being a potential podium contender and Alexander Albin being mentioned as a possible subject of transfer rumors.

* Trends in fastest pit stop awards and race winners are highlighted, leading to humorous speculation about starting positions and technicalities.

**Insights, Perspectives, and Controversies:**

* The podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, covering various aspects such as historical context, financial considerations, driver performances, and statistical trends.

* The hosts engage in light-hearted banter and humorous discussions, adding a touch of entertainment to the informative content.

* The episode also touches upon the ongoing silly season rumors and the potential transfer of drivers, adding an element of intrigue and speculation for Formula 1 fans.

**Overall Message and Takeaway:**

The Inside Line F1 Podcast provides an engaging and informative preview of the 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, offering insights into the race's history, key storylines, and potential outcomes. The podcast also highlights the excitement and anticipation surrounding the upcoming race weekend, capturing the essence of Formula 1's competitive spirit and the passion of its fans.

[00:18.560 -> 00:21.200] This is the EmulaGP preview, right Kunal?
[00:21.200 -> 00:22.640] Depends who you ask.
[00:22.640 -> 00:25.280] Okay, wait, no what what is this then because
[00:25.280 -> 00:31.720] Formula One would like us to believe that this is the F1 Qatar Airways
[00:31.720 -> 00:37.520] Grand Premier Del Made in Italy Del Emilia Romagna 2020 something it's
[00:37.520 -> 00:42.320] something it's big it's huge why what's the point? Sponsors somebody's paying the
[00:42.320 -> 00:48.320] money and three people are extracting value I think that you just read out three brand names and I'm not going to name them and give them free publicity
[00:48.320 -> 00:55.600] but everybody listening in go and listen to the full name because it seems this is the long name
[00:55.600 -> 01:00.800] grand prix preview. Let's just put it as that. Maybe that's also the title of the episode. I
[01:00.800 -> 01:16.080] don't know. We normally discuss the title after we've recorded and we see what we pulled out. But Samuel, it was a long name last year as well. And it's a I think even the
[01:16.080 -> 01:20.960] circuit is a really long name in itself. I mean, we know the name is but there you go. Everything
[01:20.960 -> 01:25.160] is a long name in Imola, which is a short name in itself.
[01:25.160 -> 01:30.160] No, yeah, it's actually the Autodromo Enzo Adeno Ferrari,
[01:30.800 -> 01:32.800] which does not have the name Imola in it.
[01:32.800 -> 01:33.920] Neither does the Grand Prix,
[01:33.920 -> 01:35.160] but we'll still call it Imola anyway.
[01:35.160 -> 01:37.600] So welcome to the Imola GP preview
[01:37.600 -> 01:39.640] on the Inside Line F1 Podcast.
[01:39.640 -> 01:41.880] All this sponsorship money paid for nothing
[01:41.880 -> 01:42.960] because you've got three brands
[01:42.960 -> 01:44.400] and which one should we call out anyway?
[01:44.400 -> 01:50.000] So at this point, I'm wondering why even be a sponsor but this is the Emula GP preview.
[01:50.000 -> 01:55.360] My name is Somal Arora. I'm the host of the Indian Racing League on Star Sports and joining
[01:55.360 -> 02:01.360] me as always is Kunal Shah, the former marketing head of the Force India F1 team and an FIA accredited
[02:01.360 -> 02:06.240] F1 journalist for the Viaplay network. is Imola Kunal, and this is the place
[02:06.240 -> 02:08.680] where there are rumors swirling around.
[02:08.680 -> 02:11.240] I mean, normally it's Spain that gets the rumors
[02:11.240 -> 02:13.860] and the upgrades, but this time Kunal, it's Imola.
[02:13.860 -> 02:16.760] It's Imola, but I have to differ with you.
[02:16.760 -> 02:18.520] And this is probably where we are coming
[02:18.520 -> 02:21.960] from different generations of fans, right?
[02:21.960 -> 02:23.040] What is the difference?
[02:23.040 -> 02:24.320] You say we call it Imola.
[02:24.320 -> 02:26.800] I grew up all along calling it San Marino,
[02:26.800 -> 02:30.840] because through the history of the sport and growing up,
[02:30.840 -> 02:33.880] it was always known as the San Marino Grand Prix.
[02:33.880 -> 02:36.360] And in history, just to point out what you said,
[02:36.360 -> 02:40.320] Spain was always the first race of the European season,
[02:40.320 -> 02:42.680] where everybody was bringing an upgrade.
[02:42.680 -> 02:46.840] And it was like flyaway races, then suddenly Spain and then Monaco and
[02:47.160 -> 02:54.520] Liberty Media is changing everything around they can. Now Imola is the first race of the season and then comes Monaco and
[02:54.840 -> 03:00.760] then comes Spain, which I can't remember the last time this happened. I mean, I'm not complaining just because I am I'm just
[03:01.440 -> 03:09.160] bantering with you because we always do. Yeah, it's funny. It's actually crazy how it works because last year we had Imola,
[03:09.240 -> 03:13.000] then Miami, then Spain, then Monaco, then Baku,
[03:13.320 -> 03:16.360] and then Canada randomly after that. It was just a hodgepodge,
[03:16.400 -> 03:20.560] but touch wood this is still better and better for the teams as well Kunal,
[03:20.560 -> 03:24.800] because apart from the rumors of drivers getting the axe and even team
[03:24.820 -> 03:25.280] principals getting the axe and even team principals
[03:25.280 -> 03:29.520] getting the axe, there's also rumors about upgrades because often when we have the first
[03:29.520 -> 03:34.240] European race of the season we have teams coming up with big upgrades. Mercedes claiming that they
[03:34.240 -> 03:40.080] have a big one but I am just genuinely intrigued are they really upgrades because they're meant to
[03:40.080 -> 03:44.080] be that but again you never know how they work out because sometimes they just don't really work
[03:44.080 -> 03:48.320] well like Mercedes's upgrade early in the mid-season. I think they brought something and it
[03:48.320 -> 03:52.560] didn't work out and then they brought another one and that worked in. So I'm very intrigued to see
[03:52.560 -> 03:57.760] what happens with that this weekend as well. Whose upgrades finally work? You know we're going to
[03:57.760 -> 04:06.800] let's talk of rumors right. To me upgrades are also rumors. Till such time, they actually prove to be downgrades.
[04:06.800 -> 04:11.300] We've seen a lot of times teams bring upgrades, they don't work, performance goes away, etc.
[04:11.300 -> 04:12.800] They got to revert back to an old spec.
[04:12.800 -> 04:24.000] But upgrades is going to be the big talk of the paddock, everybody, and their motorhomes and catering and basically everything that Formula 1 teams can bring upgrades to.
[04:24.000 -> 04:26.080] They will bring upgrades to, they will bring upgrades to
[04:26.080 -> 04:32.320] Sommel. The biggest noise that's been made for upgrades is of course Mercedes. We know they're
[04:32.320 -> 04:36.560] going to bring something which will improve mechanical traction and mechanical drive
[04:36.560 -> 04:41.120] quality of their car etc which will allow the drivers to take the car closer to the limits
[04:41.760 -> 04:47.360] etc etc. But let's see, it's all down to upgrades. But yes, there is also,
[04:49.040 -> 04:54.560] coming into this weekend, there was basically Nick DeVries, will Daniel Ricardo take his
[04:54.560 -> 04:59.440] position? And then Logan Sargent and will Mick Schumacher take his position? And then Lauro
[04:59.440 -> 05:07.120] Rossi saying how Alpine is acting like amateurs and Otmar needs to deliver. It was a very, very direct attack
[05:07.120 -> 05:09.440] from a man who just maybe six weeks ago said,
[05:09.440 -> 05:11.920] oh my God, Otmar is God sent for Alpine
[05:11.920 -> 05:14.680] because of the magic he did at Force India.
[05:14.680 -> 05:18.760] But all these rumors actually just prove one thing to me,
[05:18.760 -> 05:23.060] Samuel, that Formula One is not ready
[05:23.060 -> 05:25.000] for a weekend gap between races.
[05:25.640 -> 05:30.560] We need races every week for the media
[05:30.560 -> 05:32.240] to actually keep writing articles,
[05:32.240 -> 05:34.040] keep generating clicks and so on,
[05:34.040 -> 05:36.440] because ultimately all these rumors
[05:36.440 -> 05:40.800] come from click-baity media, if I may put it as that.
[05:40.800 -> 05:43.960] And what's the one thing we hate the most in life, Kunal?
[05:43.960 -> 05:48.440] I know we both don't hate a lot of things we're generally optimistic people but what's the one
[05:48.440 -> 05:52.120] thing we hate the most? It would be rumors I guess or I don't know click
[05:52.120 -> 05:55.840] baits yeah that's more like it God they're annoying God they're annoying
[05:55.840 -> 06:01.560] they're terrible but yes it it's it's true I mean is random no that I mean
[06:01.560 -> 06:05.840] honestly Bob Varsha came on the show last week and again he's the voice of F1
[06:05.840 -> 06:11.280] in the US. He's seen so many great drivers over the past and so many young drivers evolve into
[06:11.280 -> 06:15.840] legends as well and if he can come on the show and genuinely say that I'm impressed with Logan
[06:15.840 -> 06:21.600] Sargent, why would Williams want to kick him out? Like what on earth? Like think before writing us.
[06:21.600 -> 06:25.360] I mean I'd get it it's a tough job to be in but it's a little
[06:25.360 -> 06:29.680] baseless and I think the source of the rumors sometimes quite often is trust me bro I know
[06:29.680 -> 06:35.200] trust me bro I know that's what's exactly happening it's crazy. And there's actually one more person
[06:35.200 -> 06:42.320] in the rumor mills right now Sebastian Vettel is either coming back he's got a job apparently yeah
[06:42.960 -> 06:46.000] because formula e now I know a lot of people zone out
[06:46.000 -> 06:50.200] when I say Formula E, but Formula E's owner
[06:50.200 -> 06:53.120] or the part owner or the chairman, Alejandro Agag,
[06:53.120 -> 06:53.960] turned around and said,
[06:53.960 -> 06:56.040] Formula E approached Vettel for something, something,
[06:56.040 -> 06:58.440] probably for a drive, hopefully for a drive.
[06:58.440 -> 07:01.600] And he turned us down and he basically speculated
[07:01.600 -> 07:03.780] that seemed like Vettel has a job somewhere.
[07:03.780 -> 07:06.880] So it's time sooner or later for people to turn around
[07:06.880 -> 07:09.680] and say, is he joining Audi in Formula One in 2026,
[07:09.680 -> 07:11.640] which is three years away?
[07:11.640 -> 07:14.520] Or is he taking Helmut Marko's job
[07:14.520 -> 07:16.920] because Red Bull management or the new management
[07:16.920 -> 07:19.800] after Dietrich Mateschitz is sort of doing a cleanup
[07:19.800 -> 07:21.120] and getting younger people,
[07:21.120 -> 07:23.340] Franz Stoss being the first of them,
[07:23.340 -> 07:25.200] with Helmut Marko be the second of them. I
[07:25.200 -> 07:31.600] think he just finished 70 years was it or 80 years last weekend. One of the two. He's basically
[07:32.160 -> 07:34.880] 70 years as Red Bull airhead or something.
[07:37.520 -> 07:41.600] No, I don't mean to like sort of taunt his age or something but I wouldn't
[07:41.600 -> 07:49.280] be surprised if that is the case as well. No? Let's see, let's see. I mean, Helmut Mark was of course been in the news for saying Liam Lawson,
[07:49.280 -> 07:55.840] Ayumu Iwasa, Ricardo Wontek, De Fries' pace. I assume a lot of these drivers will be asked
[07:55.840 -> 07:59.840] about their futures, but you know what, the driver should be asked one second, just thought of it.
[07:59.840 -> 08:04.400] The driver should be asked what's the name of the Grand Prix. And I promise you, it's going to be
[08:04.400 -> 08:05.440] like one of those Twitter
[08:05.440 -> 08:08.680] polls, but in real time, where you don't get to see the options
[08:08.680 -> 08:13.600] and just stick the mic to, say, a Lewis or a Charles or Max
[08:13.600 -> 08:15.440] and say, what's the name of this Grand Prix?
[08:15.440 -> 08:19.040] Maybe Charles needs to know it because it's the home track
[08:19.040 -> 08:22.840] or the track is named after the Ferrari family, Enzo
[08:22.840 -> 08:25.000] and Dino, his son. Son, wasn't it Dino, his son, right?
[08:25.000 -> 08:25.840] Son, wasn't it?
[08:25.840 -> 08:27.120] Yeah, his son, yeah.
[08:27.120 -> 08:30.280] But imagine they asked the drivers this,
[08:30.280 -> 08:32.440] and the drivers would be like, yeah, we're in Imola.
[08:32.440 -> 08:33.320] It's Imola Grand Prix.
[08:33.320 -> 08:36.200] Or the older ones, like Fernando, maybe Sebastian,
[08:36.200 -> 08:38.520] would say, yeah, this is San Marino, because San Marino,
[08:38.520 -> 08:39.880] back in the days, wasn't it?
[08:39.880 -> 08:43.640] This is 2005, 2006, Alonso versus Schumacher,
[08:43.640 -> 08:45.960] some of the greatest battles that we've seen.
[08:45.960 -> 08:49.520] Oh yes, it was beautiful.
[08:49.520 -> 08:53.120] And that's the kind of racing we all want where you're close, but you just don't have
[08:53.120 -> 08:58.520] to always pass, which I feel is also going to happen this weekend, Kunal, because we
[08:58.520 -> 09:00.420] saw this last year as well in Imola.
[09:00.420 -> 09:03.600] It was not just Lewis Hamilton who was struggling with passing.
[09:03.600 -> 09:07.280] Generally everyone was, and yes, they were able to follow closer, thanks to the new cars.
[09:07.280 -> 09:12.760] But the fact of the matter is, we just don't have that degree of competitive advantage
[09:12.760 -> 09:14.000] from one team to the other.
[09:14.000 -> 09:16.320] So the delta you need to pass is not there.
[09:16.320 -> 09:19.680] And because the DRS straight is actually smaller here, and it's also curved,
[09:19.680 -> 09:24.000] and the entry to turn number one is very tight, making moves here is tricky.
[09:24.000 -> 09:25.720] Just ask George Russell about it.
[09:25.720 -> 09:28.920] I mean, he hit Valtteri Bottas terribly in 2021
[09:28.920 -> 09:29.760] when that happened.
[09:29.760 -> 09:32.160] So I feel, unfortunately,
[09:32.160 -> 09:34.000] if we don't have the grid order mixed up
[09:34.000 -> 09:38.120] like we had in Miami, this could be a bore fest.
[09:38.120 -> 09:40.200] And it's not a sprint as well like last year, Kunal.
[09:40.200 -> 09:41.760] I'll tell you what we could expect.
[09:41.760 -> 09:42.600] It's crazy.
[09:43.640 -> 09:44.600] Yeah.
[09:44.600 -> 09:46.960] I'll tell you what I think BFI might do to... Yeah. I'll tell you what I think the FI might do this weekend.
[09:47.600 -> 09:50.800] After shortening the DRS in Azerbaijan and then in Miami,
[09:51.120 -> 09:53.040] they'll just say, let's extend the DRS.
[09:53.040 -> 09:58.880] Let the whole circuit be a DRS zone because we need overtakes really badly.
[09:59.440 -> 10:01.760] So assuming that'll happen and then suddenly teams will realize,
[10:01.760 -> 10:04.960] oh my goodness, we just don't need a rear wing and let's just drop all the drag.
[10:04.960 -> 10:26.240] And hopefully that'll lead us down the path where F1 cars are without a rear wing. I'm being silly when I say that. But yeah, so I'm excited to see how the racing goes on track, especially opening lap, opening few laps. You know, the first corner is pretty tight. It's a left right chicane. I think we've seen Max Verstappen make a mistake
[10:26.240 -> 10:31.600] a couple of years ago. We've seen Carlos Sainz make a mistake. Or he got punted out actually.
[10:31.600 -> 10:37.200] So either you're a current or a former Red Bull driver and you would have probably made a mistake
[10:37.200 -> 10:42.640] here in the first turn opening lap, I think. The irony Kunal, not the irony, but the kind of
[10:42.640 -> 10:49.760] correlation it is that Carlos Sainz got punted up by Daniel Ricciardo here at turn one and a year later, another…
[10:50.160 -> 10:57.640] Well, I mean, Sainz is not a Red Bull Junior at that time. But still, another Red Bull Junior is now being potentially punted by Daniel Ricciardo heading into Ambula.
[10:57.840 -> 11:03.840] So, things are coming back, I guess. It's odd. But that's just a rumor mill for you.
[11:06.560 -> 11:11.600] I guess. It's odd. But that's just a rumor mill for you. What I want to talk about is actually qualifying Kunal. Because here, I mentioned initially passing is going to be tricky.
[11:11.600 -> 11:16.320] We've seen drivers make mistakes. And I fear that's going to be a problem in qualifying.
[11:16.320 -> 11:21.200] Because this is a tight circuit. We've seen drivers here before struggle really to
[11:22.080 -> 11:25.120] be the first person out properly. Because that's always like a debate. Do you want to be the first person out properly because that's always like a debate.
[11:25.120 -> 11:28.880] Do you want to be the first person out? And then it's such a tight ride. The traffic also
[11:28.880 -> 11:34.000] tends to gather at one spot as well, which means that in case of any crash, which by the way,
[11:34.000 -> 11:38.160] does happen quite often here, qualifying could be like a mixed grid order once again.
[11:38.160 -> 11:41.840] And once that has normally happened, we've seen that Checku Pérez tends to benefit,
[11:41.840 -> 11:50.800] not Max Verstappen. I mean, think about it, Miami this time, I think in Baku as well, Saudi was one instance when we also had Max Verstappen
[11:50.800 -> 11:55.520] lose out from an interrupted qualifying, Monaco in 22 and Monaco in 21 as well. It's like every
[11:55.520 -> 12:01.920] time we have an interrupted qualifying, Max just loses. That's strange, right? So for Formula 1's
[12:01.920 -> 12:05.000] sake and for the fact that we get a drivers championship battle,
[12:05.000 -> 12:10.000] we can always keep hoping for a messed up qualifying, a messed up grid order,
[12:10.000 -> 12:13.000] so that there are things that spice up.
[12:13.000 -> 12:16.000] But, you know, we started with stockings, there are so many sponsors,
[12:16.000 -> 12:21.000] you know, around the Emilia, Romagna, Grand Prix, and why is it San Marino, Imola, etc.
[12:21.000 -> 12:23.000] But let's stick to there are so many sponsors.
[12:23.000 -> 12:26.680] And one big change is last year there was a sprint
[12:27.340 -> 12:33.020] weekend format out here, right? But this week, this year, there isn't a sprint weekend. So
[12:33.700 -> 12:40.040] somebody's pocketing all the sponsorship money, but not paying it to Formula One to have a sprint weekend going this weekend.
[12:41.700 -> 12:44.840] I wonder how much you actually have to pay for it realistically though.
[12:44.840 -> 12:45.000] Would that be part of the contract as well? Like, hey, we're bringing you a sprint. I wonder how much you actually have to pay for it, realistically though.
[12:45.000 -> 12:47.200] Would that be part of the contract as well?
[12:47.200 -> 12:49.040] Like, hey, we're bringing you a sprint.
[12:49.040 -> 12:50.880] How much more do you want to shell out?
[12:50.880 -> 12:53.840] But realistically as well, tickets would also be priced higher, right?
[12:53.840 -> 12:54.840] For sprints?
[12:54.840 -> 12:56.200] Is that the case?
[12:56.200 -> 12:57.240] That's the fan.
[12:57.240 -> 12:58.240] That's the model.
[12:58.240 -> 13:02.240] Those are the fans that Liberty Media wants to keep talking to.
[13:02.240 -> 13:06.560] Fans being the circuit owners, because suddenly you're able to price a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Friday,
[13:06.560 -> 13:10.080] and Saturday, and Sunday only tickets a little more higher.
[13:10.080 -> 13:12.120] Broadcasters love it, because suddenly you
[13:12.120 -> 13:14.400] have more people tuning in on a Friday
[13:14.400 -> 13:16.760] as well, rather than just a regular Saturday, Sunday.
[13:16.760 -> 13:18.920] So the fans said that they are talking
[13:18.920 -> 13:21.520] to is clearly the circuit owners and the broadcast rights
[13:21.520 -> 13:22.120] owners, right?
[13:22.120 -> 13:26.800] But what we should get to some,
[13:26.800 -> 13:30.080] by what race this season will we say,
[13:30.080 -> 13:33.440] can we say, or maybe never say,
[13:33.440 -> 13:36.320] that Checo Perez's title challenge is over?
[13:36.320 -> 13:39.720] It's like we're almost always waiting for that one race
[13:39.720 -> 13:40.800] where something's gonna happen
[13:40.800 -> 13:42.760] and change the course of the season.
[13:42.760 -> 13:44.960] In Miami, though, I must say that it was,
[13:44.960 -> 13:48.400] Max was, of course, in a league of his own, but he was also on the more preferred tyre strategy.
[13:48.960 -> 13:52.720] So will Checo bounce back or will this be that race where we're like, oh my God,
[13:52.720 -> 13:58.160] Max just ran away because he did run away last year. He did actually. Well, I think the gap was
[13:58.160 -> 14:07.320] 16 seconds and he also led every lap and Ferrari came came into the weekend as favorites, but they absolutely crumbled.
[14:07.320 -> 14:11.120] Charles Leclerc made an error here under pressure when he was being chased by Sergio Perez.
[14:11.120 -> 14:13.280] And he eventually dropped back to P3.
[14:13.280 -> 14:15.000] Oh, wow, you're so right.
[14:15.000 -> 14:18.560] And on that front as well, Kunal, how far will Sergio be?
[14:18.560 -> 14:23.240] Because like 16 seconds, I know that car wasn't really best fit to Checo and he hadn't had
[14:23.240 -> 14:26.000] the best start of the year and whatever all that might be.
[14:26.000 -> 14:28.000] Of course, he improved after Imola.
[14:28.000 -> 14:29.000] Yeah, he improved after Imola.
[14:29.000 -> 14:34.000] But regardless, this is fun because Sergio is also coming after a really tricky race in Miami.
[14:34.000 -> 14:35.000] Just where is that delta?
[14:35.000 -> 14:40.000] And are we really just reliant on Max having a bad qualifying for Sergio to win?
[14:40.000 -> 14:45.920] Realistically, because so far, all those wins have come from there. You know this is where we
[14:45.920 -> 14:50.160] don't mind taking doing a bit of Checo bashing because the Mexican listeners don't listen in
[14:50.160 -> 14:56.080] because we don't speak Spanish but the Dutch listeners do listen in even though we don't
[14:56.080 -> 15:03.520] speak Dutch so clearly we should be cheering Max Verstappen endlessly and keep bashing Checo Perez
[15:03.520 -> 15:08.720] but yeah you know you have a point it's always's always been whether Checo has been able to be there or be there or not.
[15:08.720 -> 15:11.320] And I think Jeddah was the strongest show, as we know,
[15:11.320 -> 15:13.440] and we'd love to see a repeat of those performances.
[15:13.440 -> 15:16.480] I personally love Checo for doing what he's doing
[15:16.480 -> 15:20.440] and what he's able to do being in Red Bull, so to say.
[15:20.440 -> 15:24.240] And he's our only hope this year for having a championship challenge that
[15:24.240 -> 15:25.500] sort of goes on later.
[15:25.500 -> 15:30.100] But I would love to see, you know, Red Bulls winning streak going.
[15:30.100 -> 15:35.600] There's a part in me where I'm like, oh my God, I'm witnessing history as it sort of is happening.
[15:35.600 -> 15:38.300] And will that happen this year as well?
[15:38.300 -> 15:42.800] And how many races can they keep winning, keep finishing one, two?
[15:42.800 -> 15:50.400] But we mentioned Checo Perez, or you mentioned Checo Perez finished 16 seconds behind Max. And this is after, I think,
[15:51.080 -> 16:05.120] Charles Leclerc spun while he was being chased by Checo, right? So out of respect for Checo, out of respect for Charles, Checo said, let me finish 16 seconds behind just because 16 is, you know, that's daddy joke out there.
[16:05.120 -> 16:05.320] Yeah.
[16:05.320 -> 16:09.920] But McLaren had their last podium of the career in Imola last year.
[16:09.920 -> 16:10.860] Can they do something?
[16:10.860 -> 16:11.880] Will they do something?
[16:12.600 -> 16:16.760] I don't know, but qualifying definitely in Miami, we had the field
[16:16.760 -> 16:18.720] spread by just 1.2 seconds.
[16:18.720 -> 16:20.280] It was really, really close.
[16:21.080 -> 16:23.440] I would love to see at least qualifying entertain us.
[16:23.480 -> 16:25.520] I'm sure it's going to entertain us this weekend.
[16:25.520 -> 16:26.360] Qualifying for sure.
[16:26.360 -> 16:30.080] I'm not sure of the race much as pretty much anybody else.
[16:30.080 -> 16:32.520] One second, you just very casually put out
[16:32.520 -> 16:34.000] a proper bomb over there.
[16:34.000 -> 16:36.360] Like, yeah, McLaren had their last podium
[16:36.360 -> 16:39.620] of their career over here and moved on to qualifying.
[16:39.620 -> 16:40.460] How could you do that?
[16:40.460 -> 16:43.200] We need to touch upon McLaren for a second here, Kunal,
[16:43.200 -> 16:46.640] because the optimism is running into
[16:46.640 -> 16:50.720] the sea. I think they lost it in Miami somewhere. I mean, they came with it and eventually when they
[16:50.720 -> 16:54.480] went surfing, it got lost in the Miami Sea and it's somewhere probably in the Pacific. But
[16:55.520 -> 17:00.240] it's crazy how in the race, all that pace sort of came back a little bit. I mean,
[17:00.240 -> 17:03.920] they were absolutely horrible in qualifying, but that's what just the numbers say. Realistically,
[17:03.920 -> 17:08.560] if we look at it Kunal, you mentioned the 1.2 second gap, McLaren genuinely
[17:08.560 -> 17:13.920] are not that far off. And if they are to believe, which they, I mean, they normally tend to,
[17:13.920 -> 17:17.840] are the people to believe, they just say that it's track specific, that's why we're that far behind.
[17:17.840 -> 17:23.840] In Imola, we might be closer. That's what McLaren say. So, I mean, finally, we might have a proper
[17:23.840 -> 17:29.840] midfield fight. And this sort of juggling of contenders around the midfield really excites me because we now finally might
[17:29.840 -> 17:34.480] see exciting battles like Joe Guagnino versus Oscar Piastri. I mean, nobody would have imagined
[17:34.480 -> 17:38.320] that, but it would be so fun to see both these Formula One newcomers. And to put it that way,
[17:38.320 -> 17:46.640] the highest placed driver outside of the top four teams, which is Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull and Aston
[17:46.640 -> 17:51.680] Martin, the highest place driver continues to be Lando Norris even
[17:51.680 -> 17:56.120] though he scored just 10 points. So that's how close the midfield battle
[17:56.120 -> 18:02.560] is I would say. And that's why Lauro Rossi is absolutely fuming
[18:02.560 -> 18:06.880] without Marsafnar because after all the drama they showcased in Drive
[18:06.880 -> 18:11.200] to Survive Kunal, but they were like, oh, we'll get McLaren, we'll get McLaren. They took Oscar,
[18:11.200 -> 18:16.880] but we won the war. We have a better driver lineup. All of this, and Lando Norris and
[18:16.880 -> 18:23.200] McLaren are still ahead of Alpine. I love it. It is beautiful. It's, they anyway have what,
[18:23.200 -> 18:26.080] 15 heads in that team? There's Rossi, there's Otmar,
[18:26.080 -> 18:30.720] there's a couple of other CEOs as well, a couple of other team principals and racing strategy heads.
[18:32.400 -> 18:37.920] It's who runs the team, who makes the calls there roughly. Maybe this is why Fernando didn't want
[18:37.920 -> 18:42.400] to be there because he realized there are too many heads he needs to keep talking to and he's like,
[18:42.400 -> 18:45.020] I'm the head wherever I go, stay away.
[18:45.020 -> 18:47.860] But clearly Alpine wasn't really ready for that.
[18:47.860 -> 18:50.800] But let's actually put a spin here.
[18:50.800 -> 18:53.220] So we are saying Otmar is under pressure,
[18:53.220 -> 18:55.100] which we all know and Otmar himself has said,
[18:55.100 -> 18:57.800] yes, I am under pressure or the team is under pressure,
[18:57.800 -> 18:59.620] but the pressure is no more or no less
[18:59.620 -> 19:02.920] than before Laurent Rossier said what he did, right?
[19:03.860 -> 19:05.760] There is an interesting angle to that,
[19:05.760 -> 19:08.920] which Mark Hughes actually said that Alpine is hoping
[19:08.920 -> 19:12.040] or preparing for a buyout to an American owner.
[19:12.040 -> 19:13.480] And they were hoping that Miami
[19:13.480 -> 19:14.980] would be one of those conversations,
[19:14.980 -> 19:17.880] which is why Laura Rossi and Luca Di Meo,
[19:17.880 -> 19:21.000] basically Alpine's big boys,
[19:21.000 -> 19:23.440] and Otmar's boss and super boss were in Miami.
[19:23.440 -> 19:24.260] But then of course,
[19:24.260 -> 19:29.440] they've been having these symbolic weekends. So clearly if there is a buyer who's coming and you're not sort of
[19:29.440 -> 19:35.840] performing, that's probably where the outburst came from, especially on the Canal Plus French TV
[19:35.840 -> 19:42.320] network. But yeah, just putting that perspective aside, let's understand who could be calling up
[19:42.320 -> 19:46.240] Laura Rossi asking for that job? Because we do know that Matteo
[19:46.240 -> 19:52.000] Benotto is up and available, assuming he's not going to Audi. We know that Jos Capito
[19:52.000 -> 19:57.520] has left Williams just a few months ago. Cyril Labetebol, could he be coming back saying,
[19:57.520 -> 20:02.480] ha ha ha, told you, maybe you guys need me. I already have a tattoo on my back or my leg.
[20:03.680 -> 20:05.840] I don't know. Who else do you think is in talks?
[20:05.840 -> 20:11.520] It'll be so funny that we'll create a list full of 15 beautiful candidates who've had
[20:11.520 -> 20:16.880] amazing history in Formula One, only for them to randomly promote some internal technical
[20:16.880 -> 20:17.880] head who we've never heard of.
[20:17.880 -> 20:20.360] And then be like, hey, this is our signing.
[20:20.360 -> 20:21.360] Like Sauber did.
[20:21.360 -> 20:23.600] Do you remember Sauber's team principal, Kunal?
[20:23.600 -> 20:27.280] Honestly, like at this very moment in time, who is their team principal? Do you know his name?
[20:27.280 -> 20:34.240] Mr. Bruni. Alejandro, Alexander Bruni. Yeah, I do because that's just the geek in me.
[20:34.240 -> 20:37.600] And the press officer at Sauber is a very dear friend.
[20:37.600 -> 20:43.040] So I just know the people at Sauber a little better because it's easier to access them, I would say.
[20:43.040 -> 20:49.200] No, one sec. That's the diplomatic answer answer it's actually not Mr. Bruni it is. No Bruni is
[20:49.200 -> 20:55.240] the team principal and and Andrea Seidel is the CEO. No no is it? No is Aluni
[20:55.240 -> 21:00.360] Bravi wasn't his name or something? Yeah yeah Bravi Bruni something yeah there you go.
[21:00.360 -> 21:06.000] So it's just. This basically proves the point. When we had our first meetup in Mumbai,
[21:06.000 -> 21:09.000] we asked this very critical existential question
[21:09.000 -> 21:10.980] to all of our listeners over there as well.
[21:10.980 -> 21:13.420] And if you were one of the hundred people that showed up,
[21:13.420 -> 21:15.360] you have all my heart, sir or ma'am.
[21:15.360 -> 21:17.600] That really was so important for us.
[21:17.600 -> 21:18.720] So thank you, thank you.
[21:18.720 -> 21:21.480] But we asked the question over there to everyone, Kunal,
[21:21.480 -> 21:23.760] and they just had one answer to say.
[21:23.760 -> 21:29.680] We asked them, do you really love Saber or are you just waiting for Audi? And all of them just said that,
[21:29.680 -> 21:33.360] yes, we're waiting for Audi. Quite like Sebastian Vettel as well, maybe it seems.
[21:33.360 -> 21:40.120] Oh, I like the way you slammed in Sebastian Vettel there. Maybe even Mick Schumacher,
[21:40.120 -> 21:46.240] you know, sort of waiting for Audi given how German car, German lineup, double German lineup,
[21:46.240 -> 21:53.280] etc. is what everybody's been talking everywhere. Yeah, it's just, we're hoping of a 2010 reunion
[21:53.280 -> 22:02.320] of Scala... Oh, wait, wait a minute, that sounds... Wow, that sounds awfully creepy.
[22:02.320 -> 22:05.520] I don't know if that's the right word, but isn't it interesting Kunal, where
[22:10.560 -> 22:14.240] that's exactly the same story as Mercedes in 2010. Big mark entering Formula 1 again, they need a legend who's coming back from retirement, they need a young up-and-coming
[22:14.240 -> 22:18.880] driver so they get, I don't know, it's too good to be true. Whatever, I'll tell you what's also
[22:18.880 -> 22:24.960] too good to be true, but it really is true. It is F1 Stats Guru's stats preview. No, really,
[22:24.960 -> 22:25.800] it's not just a cheesy line, because if you've heard F1 Stats Guru's stats preview. No, really, it's not just a cheesy
[22:25.800 -> 22:30.040] line because if you've heard F1 Stats Guru before, you know how much storytelling he
[22:30.040 -> 22:35.240] can do around the numbers of the sport. So let's listen to F1 Stats Guru and here's his
[22:35.240 -> 22:36.800] Emilia Romagna GP preview.
[22:36.800 -> 22:41.760] Hey folks, it's time to do the stats preview of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. No, I'm
[22:41.760 -> 22:48.600] not going to take the effort of reading out the full race title, but yes, it's the first triple header of the 2023 F1 season.
[22:48.600 -> 22:51.480] My name is Sundaram, also known as the F1 stats guru on the internet.
[22:51.480 -> 22:53.640] Let's get straight into the numbers.
[22:53.640 -> 22:59.280] Italy is the only country to have hosted in excess of 100 Grand Prix in Formula 1 history.
[22:59.280 -> 23:06.880] It's hosted 104 races so far across 4 venues, the most prominent ones being Monza and Imola.
[23:06.880 -> 23:12.800] We all remember Imola tragically for Ayrton Senna's fatal crash in 1994, but interestingly,
[23:12.800 -> 23:19.520] the record for most consecutive pole positions at one track was achieved by Senna at this track.
[23:19.520 -> 23:30.480] He took 7 consecutive poles here and it's a record that stood strong for over 3 decades. Imola hasn't been on the calendar for a while and hence that's why Michael Schumacher
[23:30.480 -> 23:34.880] is the last Ferrari driver to win or even take pole at this track.
[23:34.880 -> 23:38.720] In fact he's taken 7 wins and 5 poles here.
[23:38.720 -> 23:46.080] Now it's time for a few Max Verstappen milestones because of course it is the Verstappen milestones, because of course, it is the Verstappen era. If he wins, it'll
[23:46.080 -> 23:51.120] make him the most successful Red Bull driver going past Sebastian Vettel. If he scores,
[23:51.120 -> 23:55.520] it'll put him third on the all-time list of longest point scoring streaks in Formula
[23:55.520 -> 24:00.840] 1. And if he leads another lap, he'll become the seventh driver to have led 2000 laps in
[24:00.840 -> 24:04.560] the sport. And lastly, in the 30 races held at Emula,
[24:04.560 -> 24:06.560] 19 have been won from the front row, 19 have been won from the front row,
[24:06.560 -> 24:11.920] 28 have been won from the front two rows. So it's a narrow track and overtaking does get a little
[24:11.920 -> 24:18.240] tricky. So qualifying higher up is going to be very crucial, even for someone like Max Verstappen.
[24:18.240 -> 24:22.720] You won't always see him winning from the midfield and the last driver to actually win
[24:22.720 -> 24:25.600] outside the front two rows was Nelson Pique
[24:25.600 -> 24:30.240] in 1981. I don't know what's his relationship with Max Verstappen but perhaps winning from
[24:30.240 -> 24:35.760] the midfield runs in the family. That was the stats preview of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
[24:35.760 -> 24:39.520] For more such interesting facts do follow me on my twitter and instagram under the name
[24:39.520 -> 25:05.520] F1StatsGuru. I'll see you folks very soon. And by the way, folks, nowadays on Spotify, you can also leave your comments down below the episode
[25:05.520 -> 25:07.160] so that we can interact with you
[25:07.160 -> 25:09.520] essentially almost at the same platform.
[25:09.520 -> 25:10.760] You don't have to go to the effort
[25:10.760 -> 25:12.820] of reaching out to a Twitter or Instagram.
[25:12.820 -> 25:15.120] So if in case you like that option,
[25:15.120 -> 25:17.800] we'd be very, very happy to listen to your questions,
[25:17.800 -> 25:19.340] just your opinions as well.
[25:19.340 -> 25:21.160] And also what you had for breakfast,
[25:21.160 -> 25:22.960] because again, we have a user base
[25:22.960 -> 25:23.880] that's from around the world.
[25:23.880 -> 25:28.480] So it'd be fun to know what our listeners actually have for breakfast. I had a paratha and a smoothie
[25:28.480 -> 25:33.600] which is not bad. I'll tell you more about that later but the question from Anushka is the FIA
[25:33.600 -> 25:40.160] obviously supports F1 in America so what if FIA made Williams give a contract to Sargent rather
[25:40.160 -> 25:46.180] than Mick? Why else would they give a contract to a driver who didn't even have his super license?
[25:47.240 -> 25:48.760] What do you reckon, Kunal?
[25:48.760 -> 25:52.820] First things first, the FIA being the governing body
[25:52.820 -> 25:57.480] doesn't really get involved with driver contracts and so on.
[25:57.480 -> 25:59.200] They, of course, are just the governing body
[25:59.200 -> 26:01.360] and have super licenses and so on.
[26:01.360 -> 26:04.360] But if I understand Anushka's question correctly,
[26:04.360 -> 26:05.800] they are trying to say Formula One,
[26:05.800 -> 26:08.080] or she's trying to ask Formula One, why did Formula One do
[26:08.080 -> 26:08.580] this?
[26:08.580 -> 26:10.000] And it's nothing new.
[26:10.000 -> 26:12.920] We've seen Bernie Eccleston do this before as well,
[26:12.920 -> 26:15.600] during his era, where he would basically
[26:15.600 -> 26:18.280] be able to control what drivers he wants in Formula One
[26:18.280 -> 26:20.200] and not, and who he would choose and prefer.
[26:20.200 -> 26:23.280] And that's sort of the route maybe Liberty Media is also
[26:23.280 -> 26:26.000] going through for all the financial and whatever
[26:26.000 -> 26:28.240] American reasons as we know.
[26:28.240 -> 26:30.320] So giving a driver without a super license.
[26:30.320 -> 26:31.520] I'm sorry.
[26:31.520 -> 26:32.120] I'm sorry.
[26:32.120 -> 26:32.840] One second, Kunal.
[26:32.840 -> 26:34.240] Did you just say American reasons?
[26:37.240 -> 26:37.920] It's too good.
[26:37.920 -> 26:38.480] It's too good.
[26:38.480 -> 26:39.360] Yeah, I mean.
[26:42.240 -> 26:44.480] And there was another point there.
[26:44.480 -> 26:48.520] Why give a driver a contract, a driver without a super license,
[26:48.520 -> 26:50.920] a contract, when you have a driver like Mikhail Shumakov
[26:50.920 -> 26:53.000] waiting for a contract with a super license?
[26:53.000 -> 26:55.240] But that, again, is not unprecedented.
[26:55.240 -> 26:59.480] We've seen teams offer contracts to up-and-coming drivers
[26:59.480 -> 27:01.320] and make it conditional to the fact that, hey,
[27:01.320 -> 27:02.400] we'd love to have you in the car,
[27:02.400 -> 27:03.960] but it's for you to go and learn,
[27:03.960 -> 27:09.520] earn the super license that allows you to drive a Formula 1 car. Yeah, and I think Logan did
[27:09.520 -> 27:15.440] that by finishing where he did in Formula 2. So even though he wasn't the best, he was P4 in the
[27:15.440 -> 27:20.000] championship that year, but again, I don't blame Williams for that because in the financial
[27:20.000 -> 27:25.440] condition that they are currently in, even though they have new investors, it still is a good
[27:25.440 -> 27:29.040] revenue source, especially in like the budget cap area as well, when you need to sort of,
[27:29.600 -> 27:33.680] especially make ends meet and you're increasing your investment, which by the way, Williams are,
[27:33.680 -> 27:37.840] it may seem odd that all the other teams are actually saying, hey, we have to cut down on
[27:37.840 -> 27:42.800] our costs. But all these years, Williams were operating under the budget cap. So this is the
[27:42.800 -> 27:49.040] first time that Williams are actually getting to that level of spending. So they need a little bit more money here and there. And so
[27:49.040 -> 27:54.800] Logan Sargent brings that and he hasn't been too bad. Bob Varsha liked him. We are indifferent to
[27:54.800 -> 27:58.880] him. Let's put it that way. But that actually brings me on to talking about all the other
[27:58.880 -> 28:03.040] drivers as well, Kunal, because we're at that stage where we need to talk about the predictions.
[28:03.600 -> 28:05.760] And this one is going to be wild. Now that we're talking about rumors, now that we're at that stage where we need to talk about the predictions. And this one is going to be wild.
[28:06.120 -> 28:09.080] Now that we're talking about rumors, now that we're talking about silly things
[28:09.080 -> 28:11.480] happening in the paddock, let's also go for something silly.
[28:12.040 -> 28:16.480] I feel that Carlos Sainz, I'm not saying win yet.
[28:16.560 -> 28:17.720] That pause was intentional.
[28:18.120 -> 28:21.280] I think Carlos Sainz gets a podium, which in itself would be a big deal in my head.
[28:21.640 -> 28:25.760] I would say that you are definitely
[28:25.760 -> 28:28.280] going for Carlos Sainz for the win, like you always do.
[28:28.280 -> 28:34.640] But I'll tell you where the next rumor is going to come from.
[28:34.640 -> 28:38.440] Very interestingly, the first rumor that came out
[28:38.440 -> 28:41.000] was for Nick DeVries, who we just spoke of,
[28:41.000 -> 28:45.280] who's 20th and last in the Drivers' Championship.
[28:45.280 -> 28:49.280] Then the rumor following Nick's was for Logan Sargent,
[28:49.280 -> 28:53.440] who is basically 19th in the Drivers' Championship.
[28:53.440 -> 28:55.640] Now I wonder, and this is not me saying this,
[28:55.640 -> 28:58.440] but Nityanand, who's basically our data guru
[28:58.440 -> 29:00.080] and makes all those cool graphs
[29:00.080 -> 29:02.280] that you see on our social media,
[29:02.280 -> 29:03.160] he saw a trend.
[29:03.160 -> 29:05.400] He's like, maybe the rumor writers
[29:05.400 -> 29:08.200] are picking drivers from the bottom of the driver's
[29:08.200 -> 29:09.640] championship table.
[29:09.640 -> 29:12.560] So the next one could actually be Alexander Albin.
[29:12.560 -> 29:14.720] That's my prediction for whichever race.
[29:14.720 -> 29:18.200] By which race will there be a rumor for Alexander Albin?
[29:18.200 -> 29:19.240] I mean, you never know.
[29:19.240 -> 29:22.600] Albin is overdriving the car, and he's getting results,
[29:22.600 -> 29:24.800] of course, sometimes crashing.
[29:24.800 -> 29:27.280] Could he be going somewhere else like an Audi
[29:27.280 -> 29:29.460] or, you know, Alfa Romeo?
[29:29.460 -> 29:30.920] Because Valtteri Bottas has, of course,
[29:30.920 -> 29:33.280] not been driving as well since he's had the mullet
[29:33.280 -> 29:34.600] or whatever that's called.
[29:34.600 -> 29:38.080] But another prediction that I'm gonna make, Sommel,
[29:38.080 -> 29:40.200] is fastest pit stop award.
[29:40.200 -> 29:43.440] You know, strangely, in the first five races of the season,
[29:43.440 -> 29:49.600] we've had Ferrari, Ferrari, Red Bull, Red Bull, and Ferrari. So which technically means that if we were to continue down the trend,
[29:49.600 -> 29:54.080] Ferrari is going to score the fastest pit stop this weekend. Of course, I'm being completely
[29:54.080 -> 29:59.600] foolish, but that's what I love about the trends. I'll go one step higher with the trend when it
[29:59.600 -> 30:07.400] comes to who can actually win the race this weekend. In 2020, Lewis Hamilton won starting second.
[30:07.400 -> 30:10.860] In 2021, Max Verstappen won starting third.
[30:10.860 -> 30:13.440] In 2022, Max Verstappen won starting first.
[30:13.440 -> 30:14.600] So in the last three years,
[30:14.600 -> 30:18.120] the first three starters have won the race.
[30:18.120 -> 30:19.880] Could it be somebody starting from the pit lane
[30:19.880 -> 30:20.880] who'll win this weekend?
[30:20.880 -> 30:24.400] Because that's sort of counted as starting from P0.
[30:24.400 -> 30:26.800] Oh, God, god no but wait technically
[30:26.800 -> 30:32.480] okay here's a corny joke alert don't leave thus please don't switch off at this point but
[30:33.360 -> 30:39.680] aren't technically every isn't technically every competitor starting on P0 Kunal unless it's the
[30:39.680 -> 30:47.020] rains because it's the Pirelli P0. Oh my goodness that was the most incredible
[30:47.020 -> 30:53.700] joke I've ever heard. Oh God. No, no, no, no, sorry guys, sorry. I'm gonna add this to my
[30:53.700 -> 30:58.940] daddy jokes list. No, sorry we tend to go off track sometime. But what's your
[30:58.940 -> 31:03.660] prediction and for the first time you can actually let us know by the comment
[31:03.660 -> 31:06.560] section on Spotify as well and we'd love to hear them, genuinely,
[31:06.560 -> 31:08.240] because when we're releasing this episode,
[31:08.240 -> 31:10.860] there's a decent amount of time until the race comes in as well.
[31:10.860 -> 31:13.360] So even if you're listening to this on a Friday evening,
[31:13.360 -> 31:14.120] we'd love to know.
[31:14.120 -> 31:16.920] And we're definitely keeping an eye on everything as well.
[31:16.920 -> 31:19.760] So thank you, everyone, for listening to this episode.
[31:19.760 -> 31:21.800] And if you're in Mumbai this weekend,
[31:21.800 -> 31:23.800] join us at the other social.
[31:23.800 -> 31:27.160] We're going to have a mega screening of the Emula GP as well.
[31:27.160 -> 31:29.240] And it's going to be a fun party, essentially.
[31:29.240 -> 31:32.880] We're going to have a pre-race interaction, a post-race one as well.
[31:32.880 -> 31:34.920] Lots of fun guests will be a part of the evening as well.
[31:34.920 -> 31:37.520] And there's a special quiz over there too.
[31:37.520 -> 31:39.160] So thank you, everyone.
[31:39.160 -> 31:41.400] Thank you so much for listening to this point.
[31:41.400 -> 31:44.920] If you're interested for that episode, or for that event rather, I'd say, check out
[31:44.920 -> 31:46.520] the link in the description below and we'd
[31:46.520 -> 31:50.920] absolutely love to have you there. See you until then folks, see you for the
[31:50.920 -> 31:54.920] Emilie Romagna GP review. Bye bye.