Reluctance is the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix

Should Eau Rouge be changed? Safety will be a key discussion each time we visit the iconic Spa Francorchamps...and till such time the circuit does make changes to one of the best Formula 1 corners on the calendar. But really, does Eau Rouge need a change? 

We're hosting live race screenings for Formula 1 fans in Mumbai for the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix.

Where: Malad and Dadar SOCIAL

When: 30th July, 5.30 pm onward (IST)

Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah, Sundaram Ramaswami and Siddharth Shah will host a pre/post race interaction & F1 quiz for all attendees.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil, @f1statsguru and Kunal preview the upcoming 2023 Belgian Grand Prix. Will Max Verstappen-Red Bull Racing continue their winning ways? Will Sergio Perez 'ace' both qualifying sessions? But what about P2?

The battle for P2 has gotten ever-interesting. As Aston Martin has dropped off, Mclaren have risen through the ranks. We believe that track position is often the key deciding factor in which team-driver finishes just after the Red Bull(s). 

And of course, it's the Sprint format this weekend. This means that all three days of the Grand Prix weekend will have on-track action that matters. And of course, which team will get their setup choices wrong in the lone FP1 this weekend?

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 38)

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

Image courtesy: Mercedes

**Navigating the Challenges and Enchantments of the Belgian Grand Prix: A Comprehensive Overview**

The Belgian Grand Prix, held at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, is a spectacle of skill, intensity, and racing prowess. However, the event has been clouded by concerns regarding the safety of the track, particularly after fatal accidents in recent years.

**Safety Concerns and Circuit Modifications:**

* The high-speed nature of the circuit, coupled with elevation changes and blind corners, has raised safety concerns, leading to discussions about potential modifications.
* The visibility issue caused by water spray from the cars has prompted the FIA to consider introducing spray guards, but teams have expressed reservations about their practicality.
* The barriers and gravel traps surrounding the Eau Rouge and Raidillon sections have been identified as areas for improvement to prevent cars from bouncing back onto the track after an impact.
* Some experts suggest that reducing the speed of the cars by altering their design could address safety concerns while preserving the excitement of the race.

**The Allure of Spa-Francorchamps:**

* Despite the safety concerns, Spa-Francorchamps remains a beloved circuit among drivers, fans, and broadcasters due to its challenging layout and unique characteristics.
* The circuit offers a variety of corners, including the iconic Eau Rouge and Raidillon, the high-speed Kemmel Straight, and the technical Bus Stop chicane, testing drivers' skills and providing ample opportunities for overtaking.
* The race weekend promises three days of on-track action, including two qualifying sessions and a sprint race, adding to the overall excitement and unpredictability of the event.

**The Contenders for P2:**

* With Red Bull and Max Verstappen dominating the season, the battle for P2 has become increasingly intriguing.
* McLaren has shown promising pace in recent races and could challenge for a podium finish at Spa, especially with the circuit's long straights and high-speed corners favoring their car's strengths.
* Mercedes, Ferrari, and Aston Martin are also in contention for P2, but their recent performances have been inconsistent, leaving the outcome of the Belgian Grand Prix unpredictable.

**The Lando Norris-Max Verstappen Rivalry:**

* The emergence of Lando Norris as a front-runner has added a new dimension to the Belgian Grand Prix.
* The rivalry between Norris and Verstappen, both young and talented drivers, has created excitement among fans and could lead to thrilling battles on the track.
* Norris's fearless driving style and Verstappen's aggressive approach promise an entertaining spectacle for viewers.

**The Future of Spa-Francorchamps:**

* The Belgian Grand Prix's future on the Formula One calendar remains uncertain, with discussions ongoing about potentially dropping the race due to financial and safety concerns.
* Fans and drivers alike have expressed their desire to preserve Spa-Francorchamps, recognizing its historical significance and unique challenges.
* The outcome of the safety discussions and the willingness of Formula One to address the concerns will determine the fate of this iconic circuit.

In conclusion, the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps presents a complex interplay of safety concerns, circuit modifications, and the allure of a legendary track. The battle for P2 adds an extra layer of excitement, while the rivalry between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen promises thrilling on-track action. The future of the race remains uncertain, but its place in the hearts of fans and drivers is undeniable. **Inside Line F1 Podcast - Episode 38: Previewing the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix**

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah, and Sundaram Ramaswami delve into the upcoming 2023 Belgian Grand Prix, discussing the potential dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing, the battle for P2, and the implications of the Sprint format.

**Key Points:**

- The battle for P2 has intensified with Aston Martin's decline and McLaren's rise. Track position plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of the race behind the Red Bulls.
- The Sprint format adds excitement to the weekend, with all three days featuring on-track action that matters. Teams must make crucial setup choices in the sole FP1 session.
- Sergio Perez's performance will be under scrutiny, with the Mexican aiming to improve his qualifying results and secure P2.
- The podcasters share their predictions for P2, with Lando Norris (McLaren) and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) among the contenders.
- Ferrari's strategic blunders continue to draw attention, with reports suggesting they were formulating strategies during the race in Hungary. Carlos Sainz often takes on the role of chief strategy officer.
- The hosts express their hope that Ferrari can improve their pit stop performance, which has been plagued by errors in recent races.

**Overall Takeaway:**

The Belgian Grand Prix promises to deliver thrilling racing, with the Sprint format adding an extra layer of excitement. The battle for P2 is heating up, and Ferrari's strategic woes remain a talking point. The podcasters offer their insights and predictions for the upcoming race, setting the stage for an engaging weekend of Formula 1 action.

[00:00.000 -> 00:21.820] At last, the Belgian GP is here.
[00:21.820 -> 00:26.400] This one is a Grand Prix of skill, a Grand Prix of immense intensity,
[00:26.400 -> 00:30.560] a Grand Prix of racing where you can actually take part and go wheel to wheel on the circuit,
[00:30.560 -> 00:35.680] but also ladies and gentlemen, a Grand Prix of reluctance, because don't forget that had it not
[00:35.680 -> 00:40.560] been for some really last minute string pulling, this race would have been off the Formula One
[00:40.560 -> 00:49.600] calendar. This time next week, I'm sure we're all going to be writing in so many letters to Formula One saying Formula One, please don't drop it because this circuit
[00:49.600 -> 00:54.320] always delivers whether you're a driver, whether you're a fan, whether you're just a broadcaster
[00:54.320 -> 00:59.280] as well, because everyone loves the Belgian GP. And that's what we're going to be talking
[00:59.280 -> 01:03.600] about. But there's a cloud of uncertainty around the circuit Kunal because according
[01:03.600 -> 01:10.160] to the eyes of so many experts, drivers, media people, or even commentators, Belgium is no longer
[01:10.160 -> 01:11.160] safe.
[01:11.160 -> 01:12.160] What?
[01:12.160 -> 01:17.600] I mean, when you said the race of reluctance, I also thought you were going down that way,
[01:17.600 -> 01:24.200] that the whole Aurore-Radillon section is where, unfortunately, we lost a very young
[01:24.200 -> 01:25.880] driver a few weeks ago and
[01:25.880 -> 01:30.040] then four years ago was when we lost another driver you know Anto and Hubert
[01:30.040 -> 01:35.840] and what has happened in terms of changing or making the circuit safer
[01:35.840 -> 01:40.160] pretty much nothing which is why I think Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly two
[01:40.160 -> 01:43.680] drivers that have you know been outspoken about hey should the race
[01:43.680 -> 01:46.660] actually go ahead is it safe enough or not?
[01:46.660 -> 01:48.580] We'll talk about whether it's safe or not.
[01:48.580 -> 01:50.940] But yes, on one hand, there is Formula One.
[01:50.940 -> 01:53.140] Of all the races they can replace,
[01:53.140 -> 01:55.340] they always find Spa, which is like,
[01:55.340 -> 01:56.820] is somebody paying me more money?
[01:56.820 -> 01:58.300] Spa, you're off the calendar.
[01:58.300 -> 01:59.540] Okay, and that's what happens.
[01:59.540 -> 02:02.180] So that's, one hand is Formula One wanting to replace Spa,
[02:02.180 -> 02:05.040] and the other hand, it's all this whole safety talk.
[02:08.080 -> 02:08.320] But we're going to banter a lot through the next 20-25 minutes.
[02:17.680 -> 02:18.000] Yeah, exactly. And banter is going to be the talking point Sundaram because for some reason it seems like Formula 1 just does not want any circuit that can offer us good racing.
[02:20.640 -> 02:24.880] Who in their right minds would even think of dropping Spa? I mean, I know once the weekend is done that feeling will be aggravated a little bit.
[02:28.320 -> 02:32.080] But even heading in it just makes me wonder and scratch my head thinking, this circuit, like, what do you want to want? What do you want to drop this, this beauty,
[02:32.080 -> 02:38.320] this masterpiece? That's what surprises me as well, because Spa has always remained one of the
[02:38.320 -> 02:49.120] most iconic circuits in Formula One. It's been there since the very first championship season. So in that sense, it's a great track, a great locality and I'm sure everyone
[02:49.120 -> 02:54.080] loves the track as well. But surely for a lot of safety reasons or even financial
[02:54.080 -> 02:58.740] reasons, Spa is the number one circuit when it comes to chopping and changing.
[02:58.740 -> 03:04.280] There's also been a few ideas floated of Spa being a track that just comes and
[03:04.280 -> 03:06.320] goes every alternate year,
[03:06.320 -> 03:11.880] but I would be very disappointed if Spa goes away, but most definitely we need to get past
[03:11.880 -> 03:16.280] the whole safety concerns and ensure that it's safe for all the drivers to drive, but
[03:16.280 -> 03:19.080] I would be very gutted if Spa is dropped.
[03:19.080 -> 03:23.160] Let's get to safety in a minute, we firstly need to introduce the podcast and we also
[03:23.160 -> 03:29.960] need to talk a little bit more about who will be most disappointed if Spurs drop because Kunal, Max Verstappen last year
[03:29.960 -> 03:36.600] won from this, won at this circuit from B14. He's only getting better, the dominance is
[03:36.600 -> 03:42.520] only getting exacerbated, Ferrari are struggling even more, Mercedes are haphazard and haywire,
[03:42.520 -> 03:48.960] McLaren seemingly are scared of slow corners, that's what Landon Norris has said in the media of all the things uh what's the gap going to be like
[03:48.960 -> 03:55.760] this weekend 33 seconds was in Hungary let's just take a bet 55 57 something thereabouts i mean you
[03:55.760 -> 04:02.960] know there may be a lap i would say it could be down to whether or not we have a safety car and
[04:02.960 -> 04:08.180] when we have it and when the race is neutralized. Safety cars apparently very high in frequency
[04:08.180 -> 04:13.260] around Spa, I think since 2014, apart from two races, all the races have had a
[04:13.260 -> 04:17.180] safety car. So that's one. Second is if Max is actually being pushed because
[04:17.180 -> 04:20.580] that's what Helmut Markl said just a couple of days ago, saying he finished
[04:20.580 -> 04:23.900] 33 seconds ahead in Hungary. He could have been a lot more, he was just not
[04:23.900 -> 04:25.080] pushing at all.
[04:25.080 -> 04:28.960] But I'll tell you the gap that I am most interested in,
[04:28.960 -> 04:30.880] and I say this every episode,
[04:30.880 -> 04:32.600] it's the gap in Q1.
[04:33.760 -> 04:38.760] How far will P1, or how far ahead will P1 be from P20?
[04:39.720 -> 04:43.020] Because we've seen the gap be less than a second,
[04:43.020 -> 04:47.600] just about a second second and so on. So I am absolutely
[04:48.160 -> 04:52.160] excited about what qualifying is going to be. Remember there's two qualifying.
[04:52.160 -> 04:52.640] Yes.
[04:52.640 -> 04:59.200] There are two races. There are also guys, there are two race screenings we are hosting in Mumbai
[04:59.200 -> 05:00.240] this weekend.
[05:00.240 -> 05:05.120] Not bad. Yes, we are going to have two race screenings at one weekend at last.
[05:05.120 -> 05:08.960] Firstly, one at Dadar Social, where it'll be Kunal and myself.
[05:08.960 -> 05:13.600] And then, we finally are going to explore Malad Social as well, in the north of Mumbai.
[05:13.600 -> 05:16.160] The place is incredible. It's like an amphitheater-like setup.
[05:16.160 -> 05:17.920] A hundred people could easily come in there.
[05:17.920 -> 05:20.480] And we normally do have a crowd of that sort as well.
[05:20.480 -> 05:28.880] So, it'll be awesome to join all of you in there, watching the race together, discussing it. And the best part of it all, Sundaram, there's nothing quite like discussing
[05:28.880 -> 05:33.520] a race like the Belgian Grand Prix with the community. Because I remember we've watched
[05:33.520 -> 05:37.840] and we've been a part of so many race screenings for Belgium. The fact that we get so much good
[05:37.840 -> 05:42.240] racing in turn one, so much good racing in lap one, and then eventually, the fact that the circuit
[05:42.240 -> 05:49.600] also has four or five different opportunities where you can legitimately pass every single time you have a race screening there the crowd goes
[05:49.600 -> 05:54.640] bonkers and I think what really makes this screening more impactful is the fact that we
[05:54.640 -> 05:59.920] won't have F1 for three more weeks after that. Oh exactly, this is one of the one of my more
[05:59.920 -> 06:05.040] favorite races from the season also the fact that racing in general
[06:05.040 -> 06:08.200] looks a lot more interesting in that sense.
[06:08.200 -> 06:11.400] Whenever someone overtakes someone on the Kemmel straight,
[06:11.400 -> 06:13.800] it looks a lot more exciting
[06:13.800 -> 06:15.760] and probably that's why it erupts
[06:15.760 -> 06:18.520] and it results in a lot of people erupting
[06:18.520 -> 06:20.480] and in happiness and excitement.
[06:20.480 -> 06:22.840] But yeah, it's great to be finally back
[06:22.840 -> 06:25.140] at one of the screenings and speaking with so many people.
[06:25.140 -> 06:30.580] I'm really looking forward to that and I'm also expecting to see a very different race
[06:30.580 -> 06:36.280] I suppose because weather is also going to play some sort of part through all three days
[06:36.280 -> 06:38.740] so I don't think so it's going to be very straightforward.
[06:38.740 -> 06:47.040] You know since it's an iconic circuit I'm going to first say my favorite corner name and then I'm going to ask you both what your
[06:47.040 -> 06:51.360] favorite corner names are. Okay. So this gives you all like 10 seconds to think of it. My favorite
[06:51.360 -> 06:56.880] corner and this is after Auroz and Radilyo and we'll still have that whole thing that some
[06:56.880 -> 07:01.360] podcasts will throw up saying is it really Auroz, is it Radilyo. We've settled that debate long time
[07:01.360 -> 07:06.000] ago. Yeah but my favorite favorite corner is poha.
[07:06.000 -> 07:06.560] Yes.
[07:06.560 -> 07:09.400] And as an Indian, it reminds me of poha,
[07:09.400 -> 07:12.080] which is probably one of my favorite breakfast things.
[07:12.080 -> 07:15.960] I know, daddy joke there for all non-Indians listening.
[07:15.960 -> 07:17.360] Poha is very, very tasty.
[07:17.360 -> 07:19.920] It's more like a breakfast, like a snack made of rice flakes.
[07:19.920 -> 07:21.240] But Somal, what-
[07:21.240 -> 07:22.840] You could have described poha better.
[07:22.840 -> 07:25.800] It's like homecoming.
[07:25.800 -> 07:27.320] It's a sense of...
[07:27.320 -> 07:28.320] Especially in the monsoons.
[07:28.320 -> 07:31.880] Especially in the monsoon, you feel such a sense of warmth and familiarity when it goes
[07:31.880 -> 07:32.880] through your body.
[07:32.880 -> 07:33.880] Now, Poha side.
[07:33.880 -> 07:34.880] That's Poha.
[07:34.880 -> 07:35.880] Left-handed, flat-out.
[07:35.880 -> 07:39.800] But it is the best corner in the entire circuit because I know Onocean...
[07:39.800 -> 07:42.160] You mean not on the entire calendar?
[07:42.160 -> 07:44.920] Oh, that's a tricky one.
[07:44.920 -> 07:47.360] Because when we do 130 hour, which is pretty similar,
[07:47.360 -> 07:50.080] left handed flat out like, oh my God, that's the best corner.
[07:50.080 -> 07:53.360] But anyway, I think Degner, the first Degner is the best corner
[07:53.360 -> 07:54.240] in the entire circuit.
[07:54.240 -> 07:55.360] Oh, yeah, that takes it.
[07:55.360 -> 07:58.480] But Poohan, the point being, it goes underneath the shadows
[07:58.480 -> 08:01.120] quite a lot because there's not a corner that challenges
[08:01.120 -> 08:03.600] the driver's neck as much as that one.
[08:03.600 -> 08:08.960] I don't want to go into the technicalities because I think it's better off hearing a driver when sharing those experiences
[08:08.960 -> 08:14.240] but just the way the corner goes long, left-handed, looping in and if you have a car that's that
[08:14.240 -> 08:18.400] planted that the modern day Formula 1 cars are, you can just feel like the car is on
[08:18.400 -> 08:22.780] rails, especially when you watch one of those camera footages from one of the Marshall Posts
[08:22.780 -> 08:25.040] because if you're just standing still over there,
[08:25.040 -> 08:29.600] the way the car zips past and then the entire second sector, right Sundaram, because we have
[08:29.600 -> 08:34.400] the piff path section as well, that is a proper showcase of what a modern Formula 1 car can
[08:34.400 -> 08:40.160] actually do. And that for me is why Spa just cannot be dropped. You have Eau Rouge and Radeon,
[08:40.160 -> 08:44.240] you have Pouhon, but you have a completely different sort of corner as well when you get
[08:44.240 -> 08:48.960] to the bus stop, and then you're checking out how the drivers can brake and turn in and move around so well,
[08:48.960 -> 08:55.280] it's just a perfect challenge this circuit, I just can't understand why A, some people don't like it,
[08:55.280 -> 08:58.480] I think it's just one of those social stigma things that hey, I want to look cool, so I'll say
[08:58.480 -> 09:03.200] I don't like Spa, but B, why F1 wants to drop it in the first place. I have a question, first of all,
[09:03.920 -> 09:08.700] is there still a bus stop chicane or is it called just the chicane? Interesting
[09:08.700 -> 09:13.380] point you know because the bus stop like area was is actually gone is it not?
[09:13.380 -> 09:17.820] They replaced it in the mid 2000s. Unfortunately the one thing that I
[09:17.820 -> 09:22.340] really loved was that the name of that corner now it is just the chicane but
[09:22.340 -> 09:26.560] the good old oldies and it's hence the bus stop chicane, even in my head.
[09:26.560 -> 09:28.720] But you guys haven't answered my question.
[09:28.720 -> 09:32.880] Sundaram, your favorite corner around the Spa-Francorchamps?
[09:32.880 -> 09:34.280] It is the last corner.
[09:34.280 -> 09:36.920] That's why I mentioned chicane, because making
[09:36.920 -> 09:38.640] one mistake around that corner probably
[09:38.640 -> 09:41.640] means that you have that sort of a pace
[09:41.640 -> 09:43.680] deficit to the person you're battling up
[09:43.680 -> 09:45.000] until the end of the Kemmel straight.
[09:45.000 -> 09:47.720] So you have to be really perfect and online there.
[09:47.720 -> 09:51.600] And I think the last corner is my favorite. After obviously,
[09:51.880 -> 09:58.280] Eau Rouge, Radeon, all of these, I would probably go towards chicane. And it's incredible. You know what, they have this little
[09:58.720 -> 10:01.780] camber on the chicane as well. Yeah. So whenever you're driving on the sim,
[10:02.440 -> 10:04.840] or maybe if you're lucky enough to drive in real life,
[10:04.960 -> 10:07.760] So whenever you're driving on the sim, or maybe if you're lucky enough to drive in real life, the car can bottom out badly there.
[10:07.760 -> 10:09.820] And the Formula One drivers make it look so easy.
[10:09.820 -> 10:10.920] That's the incredible part of this.
[10:10.920 -> 10:16.600] So it's just a spectacle, quite like what we have in store as well for early in August.
[10:16.600 -> 10:17.600] We have something planned, right?
[10:17.600 -> 10:18.720] A spectacle of sorts?
[10:18.720 -> 10:19.720] We do.
[10:19.720 -> 10:21.040] We are going to tease right now.
[10:21.040 -> 10:23.100] We're not going to officially announce something.
[10:23.100 -> 10:24.100] But 9th of Mumbai.
[10:24.100 -> 10:25.200] 9th of August. Yes. something but 9th of Mumbai 9th of
[10:25.200 -> 10:35.320] August yes 9th of August in Mumbai we are going to have a driver who we will interact
[10:35.320 -> 10:40.720] with a very very popular driver it's the off season so the driver availability is fairly
[10:40.720 -> 10:45.760] high you can take your pick it's going to to be in Mumbai, it's going to be at
[10:45.760 -> 10:52.640] Dadar social. For more information check out for event information on our social media
[10:52.640 -> 10:57.720] handles but that's all that I'm going to give 9th of August in Mumbai. Is there going to
[10:57.720 -> 11:06.640] be a car? I'm trying, I'm really trying. A race car? Yeah, yeah. Yes, not an Uber car, but a race car.
[11:06.640 -> 11:07.640] I'm trying.
[11:07.640 -> 11:08.640] No, let's see.
[11:08.640 -> 11:10.680] But that is going to happen soon.
[11:10.680 -> 11:14.920] But also if you want to join in for any of our screenings this week as well at Malad
[11:14.920 -> 11:19.880] and Dadar Social, please feel free to check out the link in the description of this episode.
[11:19.880 -> 11:22.700] But let's move on to the meaty part, right?
[11:22.700 -> 11:30.400] We had to talk about safety, guys guys and this is the big issue. Now on a very serious note, it is very, very sad and very unfortunate that we've lost
[11:30.400 -> 11:35.280] two young drivers at one same corner in a very similar incident four years apart. Firstly
[11:35.280 -> 11:40.940] Antoine Huber and then Dilana Vantoff. It's sad and it's unfortunate and I hope that their
[11:40.940 -> 11:49.600] families are doing better but to the point of the circuit, and for some reason, it has been garnering a lot of attention and a lot of, I wouldn't say hatred,
[11:49.600 -> 11:54.560] but it's been going through a lot of microscopic detail. But I personally, Sundaram,
[11:54.560 -> 12:00.880] can't for the life of me understand how can you make that track safer, A, and why should you?
[12:00.880 -> 12:05.840] Because the problem in the recent event, unfortunately, seemed to be visibility.
[12:05.840 -> 12:08.280] And Formula One is now testing out those spray guards
[12:08.280 -> 12:10.560] or the spray flaps or whatever they're called.
[12:10.560 -> 12:13.920] But isn't that the challenge of motor racing?
[12:13.920 -> 12:15.680] Driving in the spray, driving in the rain.
[12:15.680 -> 12:17.640] If it's too bad, don't race.
[12:17.640 -> 12:19.760] I wouldn't say, I mean, I wouldn't put it that way.
[12:19.760 -> 12:21.640] Sure, it's a very dangerous sport.
[12:21.640 -> 12:25.360] And obviously, everyone understands the risks behind it.
[12:25.360 -> 12:27.500] But then at the end of the day, it really
[12:27.500 -> 12:30.440] is not the best sight to see when
[12:30.440 -> 12:33.160] a driver is stuck in that sort of an accident
[12:33.160 -> 12:36.200] and it can turn a little fatal or can turn fatal.
[12:36.200 -> 12:38.800] And you obviously don't want that to happen,
[12:38.800 -> 12:42.320] losing some of these talented drivers.
[12:42.320 -> 12:44.560] In terms of spa, the sort of safety,
[12:44.560 -> 12:47.000] there is, I think, multiple aspects to it.
[12:47.000 -> 12:50.240] First of all, rain being a huge concern, obviously, as well,
[12:50.240 -> 12:52.000] even in the previous instances.
[12:52.000 -> 12:54.560] And that's obviously going to be a focal point this time as
[12:54.560 -> 12:55.120] well.
[12:55.120 -> 13:00.680] But also around the safety structures around that section.
[13:00.680 -> 13:03.400] It's probably not Eau Rouge or Radeon that's the problem.
[13:03.400 -> 13:09.840] It's the barriers, the gravel and the other areas around it because drivers tend to go and
[13:09.840 -> 13:14.480] hit the barriers and come back straight onto the track and the crest of Radeon
[13:14.480 -> 13:20.560] is a blind spot so drivers don't really know what's up ahead of them. So fixing
[13:20.560 -> 13:24.160] it obviously is going to be pretty tricky but it's been four years since
[13:24.160 -> 13:26.800] the first incident, first major incident that we had.
[13:26.800 -> 13:30.400] So ideally some sort of measure should have been taken so far.
[13:30.800 -> 13:34.000] But they're all, they're both very unfortunate incidents, aren't they Kunal?
[13:34.000 -> 13:38.800] I agree that the barrier can be worked on, but changing Orush?
[13:38.800 -> 13:42.400] We've been here before. We've been here in 1994. We've added a chicane.
[13:42.900 -> 13:48.800] It's racing. It's meant to be tricky. it's meant to be challenging, is it not?
[13:48.800 -> 13:50.840] Yeah, I'm going to break it down.
[13:50.840 -> 13:54.000] There are I think three elements that we are trying to address.
[13:54.000 -> 13:57.300] The FI, by the way, I said they are studying, they are not going to make an official statement
[13:57.300 -> 14:01.900] or a change and things will go ahead as planned this weekend.
[14:01.900 -> 14:06.980] But the three things that we are specifically talking of, and I'll probably address all three the way I see it.
[14:06.980 -> 14:09.960] First is visibility, right?
[14:09.960 -> 14:13.320] These cars are throwing up more spray,
[14:13.320 -> 14:15.120] more water in the air than the previous
[14:15.120 -> 14:16.480] several generations of cars,
[14:16.480 -> 14:18.400] and hence visibility is a challenge.
[14:19.240 -> 14:22.640] I think the race that happened at the Freyka race,
[14:22.640 -> 14:24.800] where we lost the young Dutchman,
[14:24.800 -> 14:27.160] was really bad visibility, right?
[14:27.160 -> 14:29.720] And I remember Mithila and I, we saw incidents
[14:29.720 -> 14:31.720] and she was like,
[14:31.720 -> 14:34.320] Formula One wouldn't have raced in these conditions,
[14:34.320 -> 14:36.840] why did they let the young kids go race?
[14:36.840 -> 14:38.900] If the big drivers with super licenses,
[14:38.900 -> 14:41.000] and you expect Formula One drivers,
[14:41.000 -> 14:43.160] they are at the peak of anybody's driving abilities, right?
[14:43.160 -> 14:45.640] So the first question was, why did the race go ahead?
[14:45.640 -> 14:50.080] And if Formula One visibility is lower, we don't race.
[14:50.080 -> 14:51.200] So why was Freyka racing?
[14:51.200 -> 14:54.680] And sort of that's an isolated incident.
[14:54.720 -> 14:55.000] Right.
[14:55.360 -> 14:59.720] But when it comes to Formula One visibility, they're trying to spray guards.
[14:59.720 -> 15:02.520] And the FIA has done a few tests after Silverstone.
[15:03.000 -> 15:05.200] They don't believe spray guards are,
[15:05.200 -> 15:07.920] the teams don't believe the spray guards are ready
[15:07.920 -> 15:09.920] to be added to the regulation.
[15:09.920 -> 15:11.800] Several things, how will pit stops happen?
[15:11.800 -> 15:13.960] Do they go in and off the cars?
[15:13.960 -> 15:16.360] And can there be a permanent fixture and so on?
[15:16.360 -> 15:18.760] So slightly more technical.
[15:18.760 -> 15:21.360] Then comes to the speeds at Eau Rouge and Radelio.
[15:21.360 -> 15:23.000] I think there are other faster corners.
[15:23.000 -> 15:24.540] Definitely there are faster corners.
[15:24.540 -> 15:29.200] I mean, I think what makes the whole challenge is faster corner plus altitude change,
[15:29.200 -> 15:34.720] plus, you know, blind cornering, etc, that goes. And hence the barriers, you know,
[15:34.720 -> 15:39.440] cars are coming in at massive speeds, and then sort of bouncing off or recursionating off as
[15:39.440 -> 15:47.880] we call it. Should there be a challenge to the barrier solution? I think as keyboard warriors, mic warriors,
[15:47.880 -> 15:49.920] as people who are actually not doing the driving,
[15:49.920 -> 15:53.760] risking our lives, yes, we love how Auroch is taken,
[15:53.760 -> 15:56.840] especially on boards and so on.
[15:56.840 -> 15:59.840] So I would say, yes, please go fix the barrier
[15:59.840 -> 16:01.240] before we try and fix Auroch.
[16:01.240 -> 16:04.200] Yes, we've had a chicane in the early 90s at one point,
[16:04.200 -> 16:05.600] but we would love for
[16:05.600 -> 16:12.080] Orush to be the challenge that it has always been. Can we make it safer by fixing visibility
[16:12.640 -> 16:16.160] and hence also by fixing barriers? That's where I'm going to leave it.
[16:17.200 -> 16:23.040] I think racing is just getting too fast generally, isn't it Sundaram? Because in MotoGP recently,
[16:23.040 -> 16:28.320] we're also seeing the same debate. And by the way, if you guys aren't following MotoGP, there's a very grim stat that I want
[16:28.320 -> 16:33.680] to bring up. Honda has four riders, three of them currently are on their hospital beds injured,
[16:33.680 -> 16:38.000] because they're adding just too much downforce on the bikes. The bikes are too fast, the drivers,
[16:38.000 -> 16:41.360] the riders rather, are pushing in too quickly into the corners, they're making mistakes,
[16:41.360 -> 16:44.560] they're crashing, and it's obviously more physical than Formula One. So you crash and
[16:44.560 -> 16:48.240] you absorb the impact. And we've not had one MotoGP race
[16:48.240 -> 16:53.360] with the entire grid on the field at the same time. Not one. Aero. Aero makes a difference.
[16:53.360 -> 16:59.360] And again, we had, I don't remember who, but I think it was Bob Varsha who came on the Inside
[16:59.360 -> 17:03.680] Line F1 podcast talking about how Formula 1 fundamentally, before evaluating changing the
[17:03.680 -> 17:06.000] tracks, needs to evaluate changing the cars.
[17:06.000 -> 17:08.000] Because obviously we want to be the number one sport in the world,
[17:08.000 -> 17:10.000] the fastest cars in the world,
[17:10.000 -> 17:12.000] but the braking distances are too short.
[17:12.000 -> 17:14.000] We're carrying too much speed into too many corners.
[17:14.000 -> 17:16.000] And the added effect is, you just need to
[17:16.000 -> 17:18.000] change your circuits,
[17:18.000 -> 17:20.000] invest $100 million into building new tracks,
[17:20.000 -> 17:22.000] and then adding safety protections like the halo,
[17:22.000 -> 17:24.000] crash structures, making the cars heavier,
[17:24.000 -> 17:25.580] making the cars wider. Whereas, crash structures, making the cars heavier, making the cars wider.
[17:25.580 -> 17:30.240] Whereas, if we just make the cars slower, braking distances longer, that solves a lot
[17:30.240 -> 17:31.360] of the problems.
[17:31.360 -> 17:35.600] And we don't lose the love of motor racing because the cars then are generally more unstable,
[17:35.600 -> 17:39.200] more on the edge, which is what we used to love from the past, no, Sundaram?
[17:39.200 -> 17:41.000] Would they do that?
[17:41.000 -> 17:43.020] Would they kind of slow the cars down?
[17:43.020 -> 17:46.000] Because this is the pinnacle of technology as well.
[17:46.000 -> 17:47.880] So obviously, they would want teams
[17:47.880 -> 17:50.840] to go all out in terms of innovation in that sense.
[17:50.840 -> 17:54.120] But sure, there has to be an upgrade in terms of safety.
[17:54.120 -> 17:57.840] I mean, after the last incident, the Lanoz incident in specific,
[17:57.840 -> 18:00.040] there's also been a lot of questions raised on the
[18:00.040 -> 18:02.720] integrity of the whole chassis area
[18:02.720 -> 18:05.760] at all, because he was t-boned similar to
[18:05.760 -> 18:10.000] what happened in 2019. So there's also concerns in that sense but are we
[18:10.000 -> 18:13.800] really going to go down that route that cars become slower? What do you reckon Kunal?
[18:13.800 -> 18:20.520] You know I've always always been a fan of racing and I think the faster
[18:20.520 -> 18:25.560] Formula One cars have gone the worse the racing has been. Yes.
[18:25.560 -> 18:31.280] I mean, you know, we always celebrate at Artensena every Monaco Grand Prix.
[18:31.280 -> 18:37.520] We remember that lap, you know, where he was a second ahead of everybody else, blah, blah,
[18:37.520 -> 18:38.520] blah.
[18:38.520 -> 18:50.520] If you put that lap on board along with a 2023 car, I think the 23 car is 12 or 13 seconds quicker, which is almost 8 tenths
[18:50.520 -> 18:54.360] every corner. I mean, when you break it down, you know, that's how you sort of try and build
[18:54.360 -> 19:00.920] speed at a circuit, break where you lose time, where you can gain time. Imagine we celebrate
[19:00.920 -> 19:06.000] that era for, oh my goodness, what a lap, what a car, but they were so slow.
[19:06.000 -> 19:12.000] I mean, 13 seconds slower is probably what Formula 2 is doing now around Monaco compared
[19:12.000 -> 19:13.000] to Formula 1.
[19:13.000 -> 19:20.000] Anyway, so I just get this feeling, yes, if it makes racing safer, if it makes the racing
[19:20.000 -> 19:25.920] better, you can still be two, three seconds off the pace, still be the fastest series
[19:25.920 -> 19:31.880] on the planet and solve some of the other challenges, but you won't still solve the
[19:31.880 -> 19:37.560] challenge of having just one FP session on a sprint weekend. Because can you believe
[19:37.560 -> 19:42.240] it? We are 19 seconds into this episode. We've gone on a lovely tangent of safety.
[19:42.240 -> 19:45.320] 19 seconds in Martian time. Martian, 19 minutes.
[19:45.320 -> 19:46.000] My goodness.
[19:46.000 -> 19:46.520] It's okay.
[19:46.520 -> 19:48.240] My measure.
[19:48.240 -> 19:51.320] But, you know, we haven't,
[19:51.320 -> 19:52.120] like we always do,
[19:52.120 -> 19:53.280] like everybody always does,
[19:53.280 -> 19:54.640] you know, six times a year,
[19:54.640 -> 19:56.480] bring up, is the sprint format
[19:56.480 -> 19:57.800] actually working?
[19:57.800 -> 19:58.880] What is working?
[19:58.880 -> 19:59.360] What's not?
[19:59.360 -> 20:00.080] We've not done that,
[20:00.080 -> 20:01.480] which means probably it's working.
[20:01.480 -> 20:02.400] We are just looking forward
[20:02.400 -> 20:04.000] to having qualifying tomorrow,
[20:04.000 -> 20:09.520] qualifying on Saturday, a small race on Saturday, a big race on Sunday. We'll see where it goes.
[20:09.520 -> 20:16.160] The battle for P2 will play out four times this weekend, you know, two sessions each of racing
[20:16.160 -> 20:23.680] qualifying. I'm pretty excited. I mean, who do you, Samuel, think will be the team in P2 this weekend?
[20:24.560 -> 20:30.520] formal thing will be the team in Peter this week. I really, from the bottom of my heart, want Williams to be involved. Firstly,
[20:30.520 -> 20:32.120] They scored a point last year.
[20:32.120 -> 20:36.880] They did. And they're only getting better. Longer straights, faster high-speed corners.
[20:36.880 -> 20:42.000] This could well be Alex Albon's dark horse race. I'm not saying he's getting a podium.
[20:42.000 -> 20:46.080] No chance. I think he's going to be fun to watch for on Friday and Saturday, though.
[20:46.080 -> 20:50.280] Imagine yet another race with an Albon TRS train.
[20:50.280 -> 20:51.240] I would love that.
[20:51.240 -> 20:51.920] It would be fun.
[20:51.920 -> 20:56.640] I love it when midfield teams get in there or lower field teams get in there,
[20:56.640 -> 20:59.240] mess up everybody else's strategy.
[20:59.240 -> 21:03.000] Because, hey, why should everybody have a straightforward race like Max
[21:03.000 -> 21:04.200] Verstappen?
[21:04.200 -> 21:04.800] Quite simply.
[21:04.800 -> 21:07.520] And then the battles into LeCombe will be incredible.
[21:07.520 -> 21:11.120] And then maybe you could get to see some cars go side by side, heading out of La Source
[21:11.120 -> 21:12.800] and heading into Eau Rouge.
[21:12.800 -> 21:13.800] That would be fantastic.
[21:13.800 -> 21:18.840] But no, realistically, in my head, I'm confused.
[21:18.840 -> 21:22.760] And I'm confused for good reason, because as I mentioned earlier in the episode, McLaren
[21:22.760 -> 21:25.040] are scared of the first sector.
[21:27.040 -> 21:31.340] Mercedes are always a little bit volatile. Aston Martin, since the new tyre construction has come in, have been in a bit of a tricky spot.
[21:31.340 -> 21:37.840] And that long main straight, in terms of just looking at the past races and how things have gone, should not favour them.
[21:37.840 -> 21:39.140] Again, may, may not.
[21:39.140 -> 21:41.140] What happens on track is always different.
[21:41.540 -> 21:44.240] And Ferrari are just, I don't know.
[21:44.240 -> 21:46.200] Ferrari.
[21:46.200 -> 21:47.800] If anything, I think it's going to be Carlos Sainz
[21:47.800 -> 21:49.760] and Charles Leclerc being caught behind Alex
[21:49.760 -> 21:50.640] Albon in that train.
[21:50.640 -> 21:53.800] But no, Sundaram, it's so amazing
[21:53.800 -> 21:56.920] that we finally are in the golden era of Formula 1,
[21:56.920 -> 22:01.080] where we have absolutely no clue who wins Formula 1.5
[22:01.080 -> 22:02.040] every single weekend.
[22:02.040 -> 22:04.240] If anything, you and I could just put a random name out
[22:04.240 -> 22:07.560] of six to eight drivers, and it could be anyone anyone for all we know, barring Lance Stroll and
[22:07.560 -> 22:10.160] Carlos Sainz. But take care, that's understood.
[22:10.160 -> 22:14.600] Oh absolutely, we literally cannot predict who's going to be second on the grid this
[22:14.600 -> 22:19.360] time. I mean, also considering Perez has been having a poor run of qualifying, so we don't
[22:19.360 -> 22:24.360] know who's going to be P2 and it's not necessarily going to be Sergio Perez. But it's interesting
[22:24.360 -> 22:25.000] in that sense because we don't know who's going to be Sergio Perez. But it's interesting in that sense
[22:25.000 -> 22:30.100] because we don't know who's going to be right after Red Bull on the starting grid. And like
[22:30.100 -> 22:34.240] you mentioned, we don't know if Aston Martin is going to have a good weekend. But also
[22:34.240 -> 22:40.520] the fact that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have scored so few points around Spa-Francorchamps.
[22:40.520 -> 22:47.240] Alonso just has 71 points in 17 races at Spa and Lance Roll who's also half Belgian.
[22:47.240 -> 22:52.240] I mean not half Belgian, he has Belgian heritage. He scored just three points in six races.
[22:52.240 -> 23:00.920] So I don't know if Aston Martin is particularly pumped about this particular race, but it's going to be very very intriguing.
[23:00.920 -> 23:04.040] I get a feeling it's going to be McLaren.
[23:04.040 -> 23:05.920] Okay. Who will be P2.
[23:05.920 -> 23:11.040] Mercedes have said we were the second fastest car in Hungary but McLaren
[23:11.040 -> 23:18.280] had track position. I have a feeling when it comes to P2 it is not gonna be
[23:18.280 -> 23:22.880] Checo Perez it's probably gonna be Lando Norris. That's my feeling I think
[23:22.880 -> 23:27.860] McLaren's mid-season jump is something commendable.
[23:27.860 -> 23:31.340] They actually didn't bring their third upgrade at Hungary.
[23:31.340 -> 23:33.740] They're going to bring it over the next few races.
[23:33.740 -> 23:36.380] I'm assuming some things will come up in Spa as well.
[23:36.380 -> 23:38.040] And we spoke about it the last episode.
[23:38.040 -> 23:41.260] So I would say it's going to be not Checo Perez,
[23:41.260 -> 23:43.180] even though he gets two qualifying sessions,
[23:43.180 -> 23:43.820] to get it right.
[23:43.820 -> 23:45.120] Can he get two out of two right?
[23:45.120 -> 23:47.960] That's what I'm going to look out for.
[23:47.960 -> 23:51.000] But I would go for McLaren and something very interesting.
[23:51.000 -> 23:54.120] After last weekend's race, you know, with all the...
[23:54.120 -> 24:00.720] You know, hearing Lando Norris and Max Verstappen in the press conference is actually damn good fun.
[24:00.720 -> 24:04.120] Okay, definitely something you should look out for.
[24:04.120 -> 24:05.520] The two drivers were
[24:05.520 -> 24:12.480] talking of my favorite corner Poohaw, Max literally said you know Lando you're
[24:12.480 -> 24:18.480] gonna fly in Spa we are gonna go stand at Poohaw and watch you because you're
[24:18.480 -> 24:24.040] gonna be flat out and Lando's like haha yeah I'll be flat out one-handed
[24:24.040 -> 24:26.280] blindfolded as well.
[24:26.280 -> 24:31.200] And then Max goes and tells him, why don't you even take your rearing off and typical
[24:31.200 -> 24:33.760] British humor, which I love.
[24:33.760 -> 24:35.960] Lando Norris said, yeah, I don't need it anyway.
[24:35.960 -> 24:38.480] It doesn't do much for a car anyway.
[24:38.480 -> 24:42.600] But to be honest, can you imagine that how much fun it would be if we didn't have that
[24:42.600 -> 24:44.360] much downforce heading into Poohaw.
[24:44.360 -> 24:50.480] Have you seen those old onboards, the way? They are fantastic. The drivers have to lift and fight
[24:50.480 -> 24:54.960] because the car loses its rear end in the middle of the corner. But it'll be incredible,
[24:54.960 -> 25:00.000] no? Because Vastapan Norris, we're finally first time in history Sundaram, getting to see that
[25:00.000 -> 25:06.280] fight. Although faintly, just a little bit, But it's one that we've been wanting to see, I think,
[25:06.280 -> 25:09.500] I remember this from, what, 2018, 2019,
[25:09.500 -> 25:12.080] thereabouts, when they both used to race on the Sims
[25:12.080 -> 25:12.920] back in the day.
[25:12.920 -> 25:14.600] And then we've all dreamt up of those fights.
[25:14.600 -> 25:16.520] And, oh, one day, the two of you will be fighting
[25:16.520 -> 25:18.480] in a competent car against each other.
[25:18.480 -> 25:21.760] It could be coming, at least in qualifying this time out.
[25:21.760 -> 25:23.680] Are you referring to Lando Norris?
[25:23.680 -> 25:24.440] Yeah.
[25:24.440 -> 25:26.640] And then Oscar P. And the Oscar could also go to the podium this time out. Are you referring to Lando Norris? Yeah and then Oscar Piazza. And the Oscar could
[25:26.640 -> 25:31.360] also go to the podium this time finally. That failed. Absolutely. Absolutely. A little bit.
[25:32.640 -> 25:37.360] That failed. That failed. I mean I think Piazza in specific, he was a little hard done in the last
[25:37.360 -> 25:43.280] two races. He was definitely contending for that podium position and let's see if he can probably
[25:43.280 -> 25:46.600] fight for that third place or second place spot this time out
[25:46.600 -> 25:48.240] as well.
[25:48.240 -> 25:50.600] But it's nice to see two young guns, especially
[25:50.600 -> 25:52.840] Lando Norris, finally fighting at the front,
[25:52.840 -> 25:55.000] although it's just been two races.
[25:55.000 -> 25:57.440] I've always wondered, you had Lickluck at Ferrari,
[25:57.440 -> 26:00.240] you had Verstappen at Red Bull, and you have young George
[26:00.240 -> 26:01.480] Russell in Mercedes.
[26:01.480 -> 26:03.980] When are we going to see Lando Norris come at the front
[26:03.980 -> 26:09.720] and battle it out with these other rivals of his age and era and we're finally getting to see
[26:09.720 -> 26:15.480] that and I hope McLaren's pace continues till the end of the season and they don't get robbed
[26:15.480 -> 26:21.920] by how fast other cars get due to developments but I'm really happy to see Lando and Max
[26:21.920 -> 26:23.600] fighting it out in front.
[26:23.600 -> 26:28.680] And you know what, Oscar Piastri, even though he's been undone in the last two races, he's
[26:28.680 -> 26:32.380] getting smarter, he's getting the mileage, he's learning.
[26:32.380 -> 26:36.440] I think his undoing in Hungary was tyre management, which is what happened.
[26:36.440 -> 26:39.420] We saw Hamilton suddenly came out nine seconds behind.
[26:39.420 -> 26:44.800] He did well, he being Oscar did well, but the next, you know, next round of pit stops,
[26:44.800 -> 26:46.760] actually Piastri didn't do as well.
[26:46.760 -> 26:48.800] So he's getting smarter.
[26:48.800 -> 26:49.940] He's going to be incredible.
[26:49.940 -> 26:55.080] So I would love to see both the McLarens up there because that's what they are paying
[26:55.080 -> 26:58.480] Daniel Ricciardo for.
[26:58.480 -> 27:01.120] To make sure that both the McLarens are up there.
[27:01.120 -> 27:03.320] Not one in P2 and the other in P12.
[27:03.320 -> 27:07.680] Oh yeah, I totally forgot. 17 million dollars, no?
[27:07.680 -> 27:09.360] That's the compensation amount?
[27:09.360 -> 27:13.200] I think it's 20. I don't know why you've reduced 3 unless he's paying that 3 to you.
[27:13.200 -> 27:15.200] Vat, vat. It's going in vat.
[27:15.200 -> 27:19.200] No, but he earns 20 million dollars and gets to drive for Alfa Tauri once again
[27:19.200 -> 27:22.160] and gets to compete with Yuki Tsunoda and best of all,
[27:22.160 -> 27:26.400] doesn't get to be under the pressure and the shackles of McLaren, which is incredible.
[27:26.400 -> 27:30.040] And we saw last time out, I know it's not a tall order,
[27:30.040 -> 27:32.520] pun intended, but he out qualified Yuki Tsunoda,
[27:32.520 -> 27:34.080] three thousands of a second.
[27:34.080 -> 27:36.880] 13,000, 13 hundreds of a second.
[27:36.880 -> 27:37.720] Yeah, yeah.
[27:37.720 -> 27:38.540] It's good.
[27:38.540 -> 27:39.540] Yeah, I'd love for that battle.
[27:39.540 -> 27:41.720] I mean, Yuki Tsunoda has actually said,
[27:41.720 -> 27:49.520] Spa is a high speed roller coaster. I love the fact that we have two races and two qualifying sessions around Spa.
[27:49.520 -> 27:53.120] If there's one circuit I want to do it two times at, it's Spa.
[27:53.120 -> 27:56.480] One sec, are we also going to see a qualifying train then in Spa Sundaram?
[27:56.480 -> 27:57.680] We always see that, right?
[27:57.680 -> 28:01.920] People wait in just to get a good run of draft and then it's all a scuffle and it's all messy
[28:01.920 -> 28:04.080] and Ferrari end up losing out at the end of all.
[28:06.920 -> 28:07.760] That'll be horrible.
[28:08.800 -> 28:11.320] It get good. I mean, it could get a little messy also
[28:11.320 -> 28:13.600] since it's probably gonna be raining on Saturday as well,
[28:13.600 -> 28:14.840] also on Friday.
[28:14.840 -> 28:16.600] So in that sense, it's gonna get really messy.
[28:16.600 -> 28:19.000] I don't know if someone's gonna be impeding someone else,
[28:19.000 -> 28:23.120] but the fact is it's gonna be very variable in that sense.
[28:23.120 -> 28:28.420] And it's not gonna be straightforward, definitely.
[28:28.420 -> 28:34.220] So we finally have some semblance of what to look forward to this weekend.
[28:34.220 -> 28:35.940] Safety is going to be a big talking point.
[28:35.940 -> 28:38.420] It's definitely going to be Sergio Perez to watch for.
[28:38.420 -> 28:41.400] Two qualifyings are going to be fantastic.
[28:41.400 -> 28:44.760] We also have two of us Kunal giving our picks for P2.
[28:44.760 -> 28:47.200] We haven't gotten to yours yet.
[28:47.200 -> 28:51.200] I would say Landon Norris, McLaren, I'm cheering for them.
[28:51.200 -> 28:54.360] But Ferrari, very crucially, I know none of us have picked.
[28:54.360 -> 28:57.360] Carlos Sainz was on poll last year after great penalties.
[28:57.360 -> 29:00.800] Samuel is like, oh my goodness, somebody talk of Carlos Sainz.
[29:00.800 -> 29:04.000] I'm the only one blowing his trumpet or whatever.
[29:04.000 -> 29:11.120] But Ferrari, Lauro Mechiesis finally has been released by Ferrari. He will not be at the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.
[29:11.120 -> 29:18.240] There's a new sporting director at Ferrari, but I suspect it will still be the same old sporting
[29:18.240 -> 29:26.140] madness at Ferrari. Same old sporting madness. Do you know they celebrated the 1976 Formula 1 season
[29:26.140 -> 29:29.020] by giving us a 1976 pit stop last time?
[29:29.020 -> 29:32.380] And Sundaram, have you heard of those reports that
[29:32.380 -> 29:34.660] are coming out of Ferrari, that they were all making up
[29:34.660 -> 29:36.820] their strategy on the way in the race?
[29:36.820 -> 29:38.820] And Leclerc was like, yeah, I figured it out, dude.
[29:38.820 -> 29:39.900] Tell me something.
[29:39.900 -> 29:41.460] And this happened in Hungary.
[29:41.460 -> 29:44.580] And Carlos Sainz is always chief strategy officer at Ferrari
[29:44.580 -> 29:48.240] anyway. So I think that chaos is going to be fun to watch. It'll be good.
[29:48.960 -> 29:52.960] I don't know if it's going to be fun for the Ferrari fans, but it happens almost every single
[29:52.960 -> 29:57.360] time. And the last time I met Carlos Sainz was doing this once again in Hungary, defining what
[29:57.360 -> 30:01.680] his strategy has to be, if it's too early, if it's too late. And I love that side of him as well.
[30:03.040 -> 30:06.720] It's always difficult when you're driving to also have an eye on strategy and such
[30:06.720 -> 30:09.080] as these sort of things, but he seems to be doing that
[30:09.080 -> 30:10.320] extremely well.
[30:10.320 -> 30:13.200] And I hope they get their pit stops right this time,
[30:13.200 -> 30:16.360] at least, because sometimes it's really shambolic.
[30:16.360 -> 30:19.760] It's really depressing to see Ferrari making these mistakes
[30:19.760 -> 30:20.720] time and time again.
[30:20.720 -> 30:24.720] When you see Red Bull pulling out 1.9 second pit stops,
[30:24.720 -> 30:25.640] I hope they really pull things together this time.9 second pit stops. I hope they really pull
[30:25.640 -> 30:27.600] things together this time.
[30:27.600 -> 30:32.240] Makes sense. I hope so as well. I rather hope I don't because that'll add for more entertainment
[30:32.240 -> 30:36.720] and that's what we need this weekend as well. But no, it's great to know our predictions
[30:36.720 -> 30:43.240] of P2 as well. And eventually folks, if you are going to be in Mumbai this Sunday, I was
[30:43.240 -> 30:45.040] about to say Warsaw Social because we had such an
[30:45.040 -> 30:48.860] amazing turnout there last time but Malad Social and Dadar Social is the
[30:48.860 -> 30:52.960] place to be. Check out the link in the description for how you can join us.
[30:52.960 -> 30:57.280] This has been the InsideLineF1 podcast. Subscribe to us for more of the same and
[30:57.280 -> None] we'll be back on Monday with the Horse Race Review episode. Take care everyone.