Rowdy Arabia + 5 things to watch - 2023 Saudi Arabian GP Preview

Just how rowdy can it get if the Jeddah Corniche Circuit delivers a Max Verstappen vs. Charles Leclerc...with a Fernando Alonso thrown in?

And of course, let's hope that there are no missile strikes!

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil, @f1statsguru and Kunal preview the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. While Ferrari and Mercedes will be fending off rumours and other media speculation, we expect Red Bull Racing-Verstappen to run away with some heavy points.

After Bahrain, George Russell (and others) kept stressing that Bahrain was 'an outlier'. If that's the case, will Red Bull Racing be challenged whatosever? And if so, who will the challenge come from?

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 10)

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

Image courtesy: Aston Martin Formula One Team

# Inside Line F1 Podcast: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Preview

## Episode Summary:

The Inside Line F1 Podcast team of Soumil Arora, Sundaram Ramaswamy, and Kunal Shah preview the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, a race known for its speed and captivating nature.

### Key Talking Points:

- **Red Bull Racing Dominance:**
- The team's impressive performance in Bahrain has raised questions about their potential dominance in the early part of the season.
- With other teams still struggling with setups and reliability, Red Bull and Max Verstappen are expected to extend their lead.

- **Mercedes and Ferrari's Struggles:**
- Mercedes is facing criticism for its W14 concept and is under pressure to improve its performance.
- Ferrari is also dealing with issues, including a restructuring of its engineering team and Charles Leclerc's potential grid penalty.

- **Aston Martin's Chances:**
- The team has shown pace in the early races, but questions remain about their ability to challenge for podiums or wins.
- Fernando Alonso's performance will be closely watched as he aims to make an impact in the midfield battle.

- **Safety Concerns:**
- The podcast addresses the missile attack near the circuit last year and questions whether adequate safety measures have been taken.
- The possibility of drivers expressing concerns about their safety is discussed, given the political and human rights issues surrounding the race.

- **Qualifying and Race Predictions:**
- The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is known for its fast and flowing layout, making qualifying a spectacle.
- The podcast makes bold predictions, including Sergio Perez taking pole position and Logan Sargent scoring his first points.

### Notable Quotes:

- "It's going to be their [Red Bull Racing] 350th race start in Formula 1. That's how old the team is." - Sundaram Ramaswamy

- "All it took was one race for Mercedes to release a letter to the fans saying, 'Oh my god, we need you. Cheer us to the front.'" - Kunal Shah

- "Will the media, accredited media, be actually allowed to ask the drivers if they feel safe in Jeddah?" - Soumil Arora

- "It's a tough, tough circuit, this one." - Kunal Shah

- "I think, and not so much of Piastri, but McLaren, I think they will continue to struggle, right?" - Soumil Arora

### Overall Message:

The podcast provides an insightful preview of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, analyzing the key storylines, challenges, and potential outcomes. It highlights the dominance of Red Bull Racing, the struggles of Mercedes and Ferrari, and the opportunities for Aston Martin and other midfield teams. The episode also raises important questions about safety and the ethical implications of holding a race in a country with a poor human rights record.

[00:00.000 -> 00:27.400] Welcome back everyone to the InsideLineF1 podcast for the Saudi Arabian GP preview and this one is just going to be a
[00:27.920 -> 00:29.360] dramatic one because
[00:29.360 -> 00:35.040] Saudi Arabia it's this circuit is just so fast and it has this ability to captivate
[00:35.320 -> 00:40.560] Drivers and bring them very close to the barrier. That's gonna be a major talking point for this weekend
[00:40.560 -> 00:49.800] But what are the other talking points that we shall find out on this very episode. But firstly, welcome along everyone. My name is Somal Arora. I'm the host of the
[00:49.800 -> 00:55.120] Indian Racing League broadcasts on Starsports and I'm joined by Sundaram Ramaswamy, F1
[00:55.120 -> 01:00.520] stats guru, who also has been featured so many times by Krofty on Sky's F1 broadcast.
[01:00.520 -> 01:11.000] And speaking of Formula One broadcasts, we have Kunal Shah as always. He orchestrates Viaplay's Formula 1 broadcasts and happened to be the Formula 1 marketing head for the Force India F1 team,
[01:11.000 -> 01:13.000] which are now doing incredibly well.
[01:13.000 -> 01:17.000] It's Aston Martin, yes, but in sentiment, it is still Force India.
[01:17.000 -> 01:23.000] But let's get to this weekend because, folks, in this last couple of days, we had the RB7,
[01:23.000 -> 01:25.760] Kinky Kaili Sundaram, Sebastian Vettel's
[01:25.760 -> 01:29.560] world championship winning car in Mumbai and guess what?
[01:29.560 -> 01:34.680] DC was on the podcast and his insights were just mind-blowing, especially about dealing
[01:34.680 -> 01:38.400] with adversity and just how racing drivers actually think.
[01:38.400 -> 01:43.080] Oh yes, Kinky Kylie was definitely here and Speedy DC was as well.
[01:43.080 -> 01:47.500] We were treated to a wonderful Sunday and even Saturday
[01:47.500 -> 01:49.900] because we actually got to speak with DC
[01:49.900 -> 01:52.340] and hear his insights about Formula One,
[01:52.340 -> 01:55.440] about what happens in the current scenario,
[01:55.440 -> 01:58.060] I mean in the current season as well.
[01:58.060 -> 02:02.380] And some very good insights on his experiences
[02:02.380 -> 02:04.160] in Formula One and how they deal
[02:04.160 -> 02:05.600] and battle with certain situations.
[02:06.240 -> 02:10.160] There's a lot of interesting stuff as well that we have in the coming weeks but I'm still buzzing
[02:10.160 -> 02:17.040] from what we witnessed at the showrun yesterday. All those donuts that we were treated to,
[02:17.040 -> 02:21.840] it's just amazing. The feeling was, I mean you know how I was at the event, I was constantly
[02:21.840 -> 02:25.080] smiling as DC was zipping through left and right.
[02:25.080 -> 02:29.200] And yeah, it was an amazing evening for all Indian fans in attendance.
[02:29.200 -> 02:34.760] And I actually just recollected that I've actually witnessed three different generation
[02:34.760 -> 02:37.240] of cars with the V6, V8 and V10s.
[02:37.240 -> 02:41.480] And hands down, I would still choose the engine note of the V10s any day.
[02:41.480 -> 02:42.920] I don't blame you at all.
[02:42.920 -> 02:44.600] The V10s are just something else.
[02:44.600 -> 02:46.000] But let's talk about
[02:46.000 -> 02:51.120] Red Bull on this note for a second as well because they orchestrated such a great show in Mumbai
[02:51.120 -> 02:56.800] and before that the last weekend Kunal, they orchestrated the perfect symphony in Bahrain.
[02:57.520 -> 03:02.640] That was I think probably one of the most dominant performances we've seen without them even actually
[03:02.640 -> 03:08.600] going out and trying. I'm just wondering this week or rather I'm worried this weekend by how many
[03:08.600 -> 03:13.400] minutes does Red Bull Racing win in Saudi Arabia because I think they're
[03:13.400 -> 03:17.200] just going to run away with it clearly. Especially in the early part of the
[03:17.200 -> 03:23.300] season while everybody is figuring concepts and setup and what's working
[03:23.300 -> 03:25.680] not working, reliability.
[03:25.680 -> 03:32.080] Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen are bringing in, they're running away with the heavy points, right?
[03:32.080 -> 03:36.960] And I missed the Shokar run in Mumbai, right?
[03:36.960 -> 03:40.160] But I've heard that it went off extremely well.
[03:40.160 -> 03:45.000] I cannot wait to hear the David Coulthard episode.
[03:45.000 -> 03:49.000] I know it's out in April when we sort of have been forced to take a break,
[03:49.000 -> 03:53.000] thanks to the Chinese Grand Prix not happening, etc., etc.
[03:53.000 -> 03:57.000] So I'm looking forward to the April break because we've got some future content
[03:57.000 -> 04:01.000] that is in store for all of you all.
[04:01.000 -> 04:08.200] But going back to Red Bull Racing, it's going to be their 350th race start in Formula 1.
[04:08.200 -> 04:10.920] That's how old the team is.
[04:10.920 -> 04:14.360] And you asked, how many minutes or seconds
[04:14.360 -> 04:16.680] will they finish ahead of the competition?
[04:16.680 -> 04:18.920] I'm going to put the reverse question.
[04:18.920 -> 04:21.960] There was this rumor that in Bahrain, for the last 10 laps,
[04:21.960 -> 04:24.120] they were running lower engine modes.
[04:24.120 -> 04:27.840] How many laps to the end in Saudi Arabia
[04:27.840 -> 04:30.120] will they run reverse engine modes?
[04:30.120 -> 04:32.840] Will it be 10 laps out of a 50-lap race?
[04:32.840 -> 04:35.800] Will it be 20 laps, even 25 laps?
[04:35.800 -> 04:36.920] Who knows?
[04:36.920 -> 04:39.760] And at least on the Monday before the race,
[04:39.760 -> 04:41.480] when we sat to record this, there
[04:41.480 -> 04:44.680] is a lot of optimism in the air that Bahrain was an outlier.
[04:44.680 -> 04:50.000] That's something George Russell said five times every minute he spoke, right? Bahrain is an outlier,
[04:50.000 -> 04:55.280] and Bahrain is an outlier. Now, will it actually be an outlier is what we will find out this weekend,
[04:55.280 -> 05:02.000] because if it's not an outlier, especially in the Red Bull sense of things, Red Bull will run away.
[05:02.000 -> 05:06.040] Now, if it is an outlier, then the expectation
[05:06.040 -> 05:10.120] is that Ferrari, maybe even Mercedes, maybe even
[05:10.120 -> 05:14.440] Aston Martin, will be up front and closer to the Red Bull.
[05:14.440 -> 05:18.080] But at this moment, it just seems like speculation.
[05:18.080 -> 05:19.660] It just seems like this is something
[05:19.660 -> 05:20.620] we are supposed to do.
[05:20.620 -> 05:22.840] This is something we are supposed to believe.
[05:22.840 -> 05:26.160] So let's see what the weekend has in store for us.
[05:26.160 -> 05:32.000] And if I could move away from Red Bull, since we are talking of Red Bull and performance,
[05:32.640 -> 05:39.040] what will Mercedes and Ferrari keep going through this weekend? And I think a lot of Ferrari and
[05:39.040 -> 05:50.640] Mercedes talk is going to be clarification of comments, like on the Mercedes front. It only took was just one race for Toto Wolf to say, this concept is not working
[05:50.640 -> 05:54.400] for Lewis Hamilton to say, they're not listening to me when it came to, you
[05:54.400 -> 05:59.920] know, developing the W14 for, you know, for all the media to have rumors that
[05:59.960 -> 06:02.120] there is a reshuffle that's going to happen.
[06:02.120 -> 06:03.840] Mike Elliott is under pressure.
[06:03.840 -> 06:05.400] James Allison is back.
[06:05.400 -> 06:09.280] So a lot of these things will get clarified this weekend.
[06:09.280 -> 06:11.880] And all it took was one race for Mercedes
[06:11.880 -> 06:14.400] to release a letter to the fans saying, oh my god,
[06:14.400 -> 06:15.560] we need you.
[06:15.560 -> 06:16.760] Cheer us to the front.
[06:16.760 -> 06:19.600] I mean, I've been a Ferrari fan for a while.
[06:19.600 -> 06:21.720] I mean, since the Schumacher days,
[06:21.720 -> 06:24.240] they've never needed to release a letter like that.
[06:24.240 -> 06:26.880] So all in all, the Bahrain GP was a disaster.
[06:26.880 -> 06:33.000] So will the PR statements this weekend look to curb further disasters?
[06:33.000 -> 06:34.200] That's what I'm also thinking.
[06:34.240 -> 06:37.720] It's funny you mentioned that Kunal, because I think they've realized that now that
[06:37.720 -> 06:40.800] they can't win races, they've got to try and win hearts.
[06:41.200 -> 06:44.160] And so the PR department has gone into overdrive with that.
[06:44.160 -> 06:47.280] It's sad, but but fun isn't it
[06:47.280 -> 06:54.720] Sundaram that Mercedes are not around. I mean because for the last seven eight years, it's not funny,
[06:54.720 -> 06:59.920] it's not funny, it's not meant to be funny, I'm not trying to make it funny but it's like the
[06:59.920 -> 07:07.200] first hint of trouble and they've gone on to release a letter to the fans. I can't comprehend
[07:07.200 -> 07:11.120] what will happen after two or three years because it doesn't look like it's a problem that will be
[07:11.120 -> 07:16.240] solved very quickly. Because at this stage, Max Verstappen could just be like a Saudi prince.
[07:16.240 -> 07:21.840] You know those videos of Saudi sheikhs leaning out of cars where they're just putting their
[07:21.840 -> 07:25.080] cars on two wheels and they're leaning out of the windows and doing donuts here and there.
[07:28.400 -> 07:33.080] Max could do one of those and still end up winning at this stage. So I wonder what will happen when that stuff happens and then what will Mercedes do then Sundaram?
[07:33.080 -> 07:39.540] Will they send us all a personalized letter with our names or maybe send us a goodie bag saying keep the support up.
[07:39.540 -> 07:41.540] We need you. I wonder.
[07:41.720 -> 07:46.000] You know, that's the sort of situation that Mercedes currently finds itself in.
[07:46.000 -> 07:51.280] And I've always pondered this, I've always asked myself this question around Ferrari's
[07:51.280 -> 07:57.040] dominant era in the 2000s and Red Bulls later on in the 2010s and then Mercedes is, will
[07:57.040 -> 08:01.560] this team ever make a mistake or will they ever fall further behind in the pecking order?
[08:01.560 -> 08:03.560] And eventually it does.
[08:03.560 -> 08:11.400] There's always a time when these teams don't actually, I mean, I would say, they don't actually ace the technical regulations
[08:11.400 -> 08:14.580] and there's always a time when they have to find themselves in the midfield and fight
[08:14.580 -> 08:18.760] their way forward. And unfortunately, the backs are up against the wall and they need,
[08:18.760 -> 08:23.200] like you mentioned, they need their audience, their fans to support them as much as possible.
[08:23.200 -> 08:26.000] And like Kunal mentioned, it's just one race into it.
[08:26.400 -> 08:29.600] So clearly everything is or they're clearly panicking
[08:30.000 -> 08:33.200] and they really have to get their car in order.
[08:33.200 -> 08:35.200] They have to get the car's concept in order.
[08:35.600 -> 08:39.000] And like Craig mentioned during a previous podcast,
[08:39.000 -> 08:41.500] it is not all about the side pods.
[08:41.500 -> 08:43.100] It's not just the side pods.
[08:43.100 -> 08:46.440] Even if they actually go and change the side pod concept,
[08:46.440 -> 08:48.680] that still won't answer all the issues
[08:48.680 -> 08:49.840] that they currently have.
[08:49.840 -> 08:52.200] They're looking for a fan boost, aren't they Kunal?
[08:52.200 -> 08:58.240] You know, the other thing Mercedes will also
[08:58.240 -> 09:00.720] be looking out to do while there is PR
[09:00.720 -> 09:04.200] that Wolf and Hamilton and Russells of the world will do,
[09:04.200 -> 09:06.120] there's something the engineers will do, right?
[09:06.120 -> 09:07.480] Because what the engineers will do
[09:07.480 -> 09:09.060] is they don't react to PR statements.
[09:09.060 -> 09:10.940] They react to what the car actually needs,
[09:10.940 -> 09:12.760] what the simulation says.
[09:12.760 -> 09:16.440] And that's another correlation that also happens,
[09:16.440 -> 09:18.160] which we don't get to see.
[09:18.160 -> 09:19.440] But that's enough of Mercedes.
[09:19.440 -> 09:22.260] I think let's get to what are the comments that Ferrari
[09:22.260 -> 09:23.440] is going to need to clarify.
[09:23.440 -> 09:30.000] Because again, just one race into the season, and there's been this thing of Charles Leclerc has had a meeting
[09:30.000 -> 09:35.280] with John Elkin, Ferrari is going through a restructure. Lots of Ferrari engineers are
[09:35.280 -> 09:41.200] applying to rival teams for jobs because everybody's going to sort of find that, you know,
[09:41.200 -> 09:48.280] maybe they're going to make the car, not make the car. So I expect Leclerc and Vasseur to sort of need to clarify
[09:48.280 -> 09:51.480] these restructuring statements because Laurel McKees
[09:51.480 -> 09:54.840] and several other big names are doing their rounds, right?
[09:54.840 -> 09:56.400] But of course, the big question is going to be
[09:56.400 -> 09:59.760] that while you look out for what the restructure
[09:59.760 -> 10:04.000] is going to be, will Leclerc's first possible grid drop
[10:04.000 -> 10:06.800] come at the second race of the season itself?
[10:06.800 -> 10:11.240] And very funnily, when Leclerc had his retirement last race
[10:11.240 -> 10:17.200] in Bahrain, his dashboard, and I love these modern day Formula
[10:17.200 -> 10:17.720] One cars.
[10:17.720 -> 10:18.960] You can read the dashboards.
[10:18.960 -> 10:21.000] You can zoom in and read what comes up.
[10:21.000 -> 10:24.160] His dashboard said pit to refuel.
[10:24.160 -> 10:28.240] Or was it pit to refill I think right so very interesting
[10:28.240 -> 10:33.520] again a lot of comments will sort of be going towards that clarification and then Carlos signs
[10:33.520 -> 10:40.080] he said he was bouncing there so what was that that about so you know I expect these setup related
[10:40.080 -> 10:49.400] changes which is what Vasuer said that we actually lost out because of set up. I expect these changes, I expect these comments to be clarified as the weekend
[10:49.400 -> 10:54.000] progresses. About the Ferrari engineers, have they only just realized that they
[10:54.000 -> 10:58.480] should leave? I think they're a bit late, no Sundaram? Should we tell them that
[10:58.480 -> 11:02.360] maybe the ship has sailed and the time has gone past? Because after the pace on
[11:02.360 -> 11:05.680] the first race it's a little scary actually because
[11:10.320 -> 11:14.000] whatever in every Formula One circle that you have this chat with, with every fan that you speak to, with every article from every journalist who's been on the ground that you have a word with,
[11:14.000 -> 11:20.080] it's just confusing about what's missing in Ferrari's long run pace. And when you add
[11:20.080 -> 11:24.800] Charles Leclerc's problems with the penalties as well, and then that the matter has been escalated
[11:24.800 -> 11:25.800] to John Elkin.
[11:25.800 -> 11:27.600] Things are just going horribly wrong.
[11:27.600 -> 11:31.400] And now I'm wondering, there is a gap, a space that needs to be filled.
[11:31.400 -> 11:36.800] A void that can be converted from just a one-night stand into a proper championship fight.
[11:36.800 -> 11:38.200] Ask the Martiner around.
[11:38.200 -> 11:40.600] This is the first time we properly get to verify it.
[11:40.600 -> 11:42.000] And it's funny, isn't it?
[11:42.000 -> 11:45.080] Where I think we'll treat every round as a verification
[11:45.080 -> 11:47.720] round because we just can't believe that this is happening.
[11:47.720 -> 11:52.200] Yeah, so although it's the second race of the season, the questions are still valid
[11:52.200 -> 11:56.040] as if, on what the pecking order still is.
[11:56.040 -> 12:01.280] We know that Aston Martin has pace, we saw that in Bahrain, but they're still going to
[12:01.280 -> 12:11.720] ask that question in this weekend as well because we don't know what Ferrari and Mercedes are up to. I would be very disappointed if we don't see Ferrari and Mercedes actually fight fighting with Red Bull for
[12:11.960 -> 12:17.340] podiums and wins and that actually like you mentioned is it's a good void for Aston Martin to fill
[12:17.440 -> 12:23.440] but the one main question that I'm actually gonna ask for Aston Martin is will they finally score points in Saudi Arabia because
[12:22.600 -> 12:23.440] Aston Martin is, will they finally score points in Saudi Arabia?
[12:23.440 -> 12:26.160] Because they've not done that in the last two years.
[12:26.160 -> 12:29.600] In 2021 and in 2022, eight teams have scored
[12:29.600 -> 12:32.460] in Saudi Arabia, one of which is actually Williams
[12:32.460 -> 12:34.200] and the other is Aston Martin.
[12:34.200 -> 12:37.360] Also the drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Rowe
[12:37.360 -> 12:38.200] have not scored.
[12:38.200 -> 12:40.560] So it's basically, they're gonna start
[12:40.560 -> 12:41.760] from scratch in Saudi.
[12:41.760 -> 12:44.140] That is so interesting, right?
[12:44.140 -> 12:48.240] Just that stat is why we love F1 stats guru.
[12:48.240 -> 12:50.320] Coming to Aston Martin, whether or not
[12:50.320 -> 12:54.800] they sort of are in the fight or not, right?
[12:54.800 -> 12:57.880] The main question, again, another rumor
[12:57.880 -> 13:00.080] that we will see clarified is, and I
[13:00.080 -> 13:01.540] don't know who's leaked the rumor,
[13:01.540 -> 13:04.600] because it seems like the wildest of rumor, right?
[13:04.600 -> 13:07.860] But the fact is, Mercedes will be told.
[13:07.860 -> 13:09.560] Mercedes, as in the group Mercedes
[13:09.560 -> 13:13.240] that owns Mercedes-Benz and sort of is
[13:13.240 -> 13:16.280] an investor in the Mercedes-Works team,
[13:16.280 -> 13:20.120] has said that if Mercedes-Works Formula 1 team, basically
[13:20.120 -> 13:22.720] the team that Hamilton and Russell drive for,
[13:22.720 -> 13:25.360] is not able to challenge Red Bull Racing,
[13:25.360 -> 13:31.280] then they should turn their energies towards the green Red Bull, which is 20% owned by
[13:32.000 -> 13:39.360] Mercedes as well, Aston Martin, right? And I just feel it's a very weird rumor, whoever came up with
[13:39.360 -> 13:45.840] it, but there will be some clarifications towards this rumor as well that will the works Mercedes team
[13:45.840 -> 13:51.520] actually prioritize a customer team and taking the battle to a Red Bull Racing and Maxwell Stapp? And
[13:51.520 -> 13:56.640] I don't think this is you know even worth pursuing as a question. It's a silly one,
[13:56.640 -> 14:00.240] but you know media has its own way of creating stories and that's what we are.
[14:01.520 -> 14:08.560] Like I said Aston Martin, the global brand, the car brand, 20% is owned by Mercedes,
[14:08.560 -> 14:14.240] right? Although the car almost 100% looks like a Red Bull racing car, right? It is still 20%
[14:14.240 -> 14:19.920] owned by a Mercedes, right? But literally, coming into this weekend, of course, there's Max Verstappen
[14:19.920 -> 14:25.520] and everybody else, but I'm pretty sure given the performance that we've seen and the performance
[14:25.520 -> 14:32.320] upswing we've seen with Aston Martin, right, it's Fernando Alonso that we all are waiting to see
[14:32.320 -> 14:37.600] what he does. He's like that anti-hero who's now the hero. Can he take the battle? How much of the
[14:37.600 -> 14:49.000] battle can he take? What if he has a clean race? Is he the saver that Formula One needs when Red Bull is dominating? And can you imagine if we actually didn't have an Alonso in 2023,
[14:49.000 -> 14:53.000] doing what he's sort of done only in one race, right?
[14:53.000 -> 14:56.000] Because everybody's saying Vettel is probably sitting by the sidelines
[14:56.000 -> 14:59.000] wondering, oh my God, did I just give up on a car which was gold?
[14:59.000 -> 15:03.000] But the truth is you need an Alonso to literally, you know,
[15:03.000 -> 15:06.720] take the car by its neck and squeeze
[15:06.720 -> 15:12.320] every second of it or every millisecond of it as we've seen him doing. And I've got a stat,
[15:12.320 -> 15:20.240] it's it could be Fernando Alonso's 100th podium in Formula One this weekend. And the first time
[15:20.240 -> 15:28.720] since 2013 that he has back to back podiums at a Grand Prix. So lots to cheer for this weekend.
[15:28.720 -> 15:33.280] It'll be nice to see him getting his 100th podium in a night race because if I'm not wrong,
[15:33.840 -> 15:40.640] his 50th podium was also in a night race in Singapore 2008. Controversial but still
[15:41.520 -> 15:44.000] a night race, the first night race in Formula One.
[15:47.440 -> 15:50.400] but still a night race, the first night race in Formula One. But that's a very interesting point that you made Kunal and I'm actually starting to wonder
[15:50.400 -> 15:55.840] right now with Ferrari undergoing so much in terms of organization and team
[15:55.840 -> 16:00.600] structure as well, Mercedes not having a quick enough car and probably Red Bull
[16:00.600 -> 16:05.640] suffering the impacts of having lesser time in the wind tunnel, could
[16:05.640 -> 16:09.160] Aston Martin actually challenge for the title somewhere in
[16:09.160 -> 16:13.880] second half of the season? Well if you're to believe Red Bull Racing, they say no
[16:13.880 -> 16:17.720] because apparently according to them what they've lost in wind tunnel time
[16:17.720 -> 16:22.560] they've gained in momentum and motivation.
[16:32.840 -> 16:37.360] motivation. Okay, fair enough. Really Kunal, can that ever happen? To what extent does just motivation because it's the most subjective thing in the world right
[16:37.360 -> 16:40.600] motivation can change in a second. There are scientific theories that prove that
[16:40.600 -> 16:45.040] motivation can literally change with small basic things like chocolates or
[16:45.680 -> 16:51.040] like or if you're if you're Eric Boole, Eric McLaren, Freddo's as well if you remember that
[16:51.040 -> 16:56.800] old little rumor as well. So what extent does it really matter and how big of a boost will
[16:56.800 -> 17:02.080] having Lance Stroll be back for the team as well for us Martin's motivation? I mean having the
[17:02.720 -> 17:06.320] the owner's son around can always work
[17:06.320 -> 17:11.040] both ways right. You don't know what he's looking, what he's watching etc but all
[17:11.040 -> 17:14.600] in all I mean a great recovery for Stroll to have done what he's done
[17:14.600 -> 17:19.040] especially after what was revealed of his injuries and you know leading up to
[17:19.040 -> 17:22.720] leading up to the preseason test and leading up to the opening round in
[17:22.720 -> 17:25.880] Bahrain so fantastic stuff for him.
[17:25.880 -> 17:32.060] But you know, very interestingly, you both have done something that Formula One wants
[17:32.060 -> 17:39.220] us to do, which is to forget the fact that last year there was a missile attack on the
[17:39.220 -> 17:41.040] Friday, right?
[17:41.040 -> 17:47.600] Now I'm making sure that Formula One almost never forgets that there was a missile attack and we still had a race.
[17:47.600 -> 17:51.520] I'm making sure you and you guys and everybody listening
[17:51.520 -> 17:52.600] never forgets that.
[17:52.600 -> 17:54.400] So here's something.
[17:54.400 -> 17:57.240] Formula 1 made almost a half a billion dollars
[17:57.240 -> 17:59.720] worth of profit last year.
[17:59.720 -> 18:04.160] Have they bought anti-missile systems,
[18:04.160 -> 18:07.000] or will they be bringing anti-missile systems, or will they be bringing anti-missile systems
[18:07.000 -> 18:13.000] to Bahrain just to safeguard the circuit and the sport and the race while it happens?
[18:13.000 -> 18:20.720] I mean, yes, Bahrain is, sorry, Saudi Arabia is the world's fastest street circuit as they
[18:20.720 -> 18:22.080] are marketing it.
[18:22.080 -> 18:25.320] But I think we should also, as fans,
[18:25.320 -> 18:29.240] market if it's the world's most dangerous street circuit.
[18:29.240 -> 18:34.040] I mean, pun intended in every way,
[18:34.040 -> 18:37.680] there are these changes that the organizers have done
[18:37.680 -> 18:40.880] where they've moved the walls to increase visibility.
[18:40.880 -> 18:42.200] I'm going to make a joke on that.
[18:42.200 -> 18:44.640] Have they moved the walls to increase visibility
[18:44.640 -> 18:46.960] in case somebody sees that a missile is coming
[18:46.960 -> 18:48.920] towards the track or near it or something?
[18:48.920 -> 18:51.200] Of course, very, very poor joke,
[18:51.200 -> 18:52.400] depending on how you see it,
[18:52.400 -> 18:54.200] but it probably sounds funnier
[18:54.200 -> 18:55.920] when you do it with me in person.
[18:55.920 -> 18:58.600] And very interestingly, we spoke of media.
[18:58.600 -> 19:01.480] Will the media, accredited media,
[19:01.480 -> 19:04.040] be actually allowed to ask the drivers
[19:04.040 -> 19:05.880] if they feel safe in Jeddah?
[19:06.400 -> 19:11.660] Because imagine this, there was a missile attack 10 kilometers or whatever from the circuit.
[19:12.720 -> 19:14.720] Drivers were forced to race last year.
[19:15.560 -> 19:19.280] Based on contracts, they've been forced to come this year as well, right?
[19:20.440 -> 19:25.360] Political statements are banned by the FIA or at you've got to take their permission and so on.
[19:25.360 -> 19:28.560] So interesting to see how that whole dynamic
[19:28.560 -> 19:29.800] would go this weekend.
[19:29.800 -> 19:32.400] I mean, we'll still have the black W14.
[19:32.400 -> 19:35.320] We'll still have the rainbow on Lewis Hamilton's helmet.
[19:35.320 -> 19:38.360] And this is the race where I'll probably miss Sebastian Vettel
[19:38.360 -> 19:40.800] the most, given that he could come and make
[19:40.800 -> 19:44.240] so many more statements about humanity in general.
[19:44.240 -> 19:45.320] Yeah, I agree I
[19:45.320 -> 19:50.800] absolutely do but I think when you ask the question about Saudi Arabia being a
[19:50.800 -> 19:55.040] dangerous, Jeddah being a dangerous circuit about missile strikes and all
[19:55.040 -> 19:59.640] that I think the driver really found it to be very dangerous has unfortunately
[19:59.640 -> 20:04.600] been taken away so Mick Schumacher is no longer there he's I think had the
[20:04.600 -> 20:05.040] biggest bill so far from the Jeddah circuit so far it's not been the been taken away. So Mick Schumacher is no longer there. He's I think had the biggest
[20:05.040 -> 20:08.960] build so far from the Jetta circuit so far. It's not been the construction cost,
[20:08.960 -> 20:14.960] it's been its destruction cost, unfortunately. But it's the point is not Mick, the point is Sundaram
[20:14.960 -> 20:21.280] that this circuit in qualifying is brilliant, because it is fast, it is flowing. I think
[20:21.280 -> 20:30.320] I remember 2021 watching the cars at that circuit and qualifying, it was just like watching trams go on rails, but the speed was accelerated by 300 times, something quite
[20:30.320 -> 20:35.160] like that, because it's the best qualifying session of the year for that very reason.
[20:35.160 -> 20:39.400] Formula One cars at their limits, the way they dive into corners, the way they slingshot
[20:39.400 -> 20:44.360] past that finish again before we get to the long D, unintentionally, yes.
[20:44.360 -> 20:46.480] And it's just beautiful that
[20:46.480 -> 20:52.800] whole circuit and i'm just wondering who's gonna be the next to get a big royal saudi hug from the
[20:52.800 -> 20:58.080] barriers because mick schumacher's had a couple of really big ones max verstappen had a brilliant
[20:58.080 -> 21:02.640] lap that ended in just that small crash and by the way when we're at the red bull showrun in mumbai
[21:02.640 -> 21:05.520] people were still talking about it two years on.
[21:05.520 -> 21:07.120] Qualifying here is just going to be amazing.
[21:07.120 -> 21:13.880] Oh yeah, if we keep aside all the politics of the country, the track genuinely is a beautiful
[21:13.880 -> 21:14.880] one.
[21:14.880 -> 21:19.760] It's super fast, the second quickest circuit of all time, the quickest straight circuit,
[21:19.760 -> 21:22.640] and there's just so much that's happening through a lap.
[21:22.640 -> 21:28.140] Just swift direction changes, and it actually tests the driver's mental focus
[21:28.140 -> 21:29.620] and agility as well.
[21:29.620 -> 21:32.100] And I would like to actually quote Julian Palmer here,
[21:32.100 -> 21:34.700] who's come up with a great way of actually navigating
[21:34.700 -> 21:35.360] street circuits.
[21:35.360 -> 21:38.860] He says that you have to be alert on a street circuit.
[21:43.220 -> 21:44.700] Guntur, you told me.
[21:44.700 -> 21:48.560] I actually was planning not to the next time I went there. I will keep that in mind.
[21:48.560 -> 21:52.320] That's great insights for all the 20 drivers that we have this weekend.
[21:52.320 -> 21:57.440] But I am actually going to make a very bold prediction now that we don't have Nicholas Latifi and we don't have Mik Shumakar as well.
[21:57.440 -> 22:01.520] It's kind of difficult to choose who is going to be the first driver in the barriers.
[22:01.520 -> 22:07.280] I hope they don't do that. But the fact is, this track is so tricky and also dangerous.
[22:07.280 -> 22:09.400] We've actually seen a lot of retirements
[22:09.400 -> 22:10.320] in the last two races.
[22:10.320 -> 22:12.920] In 2021, I think only 14 drivers managed
[22:12.920 -> 22:14.320] to cross the finish line.
[22:14.320 -> 22:16.120] And in 2022, it was even lesser.
[22:16.120 -> 22:18.920] It was actually 13 drivers.
[22:18.920 -> 22:22.000] So it's also a race of attrition, many times
[22:22.000 -> 22:24.360] due to collisions, accidents, and a few times also
[22:24.360 -> 22:25.400] due to mechanical issues.
[22:25.400 -> 22:29.800] But I am actually going to make a bold call and say that one of the top 3 teams,
[22:29.800 -> 22:35.200] someone from the top 3 teams or top 4 teams now is actually going to smash into the barriers.
[22:35.200 -> 22:39.200] Ooh, what if it's during qualifying? That will make things even trickier.
[22:39.200 -> 22:43.600] For some strange reason, I don't know why I keep going back to Carlos Sainz for this.
[22:43.600 -> 22:44.400] I don't know why.
[22:44.400 -> 22:48.000] You had a tricky qualifying in 21 as well, I remember.
[22:48.000 -> 22:49.920] He's just not able to find the grip at all.
[22:49.920 -> 22:52.240] It's a tough, tough circuit, this one.
[22:52.240 -> 22:55.600] And that makes me worried about the rookie, Kunal, vicariously.
[22:55.600 -> 23:00.720] Because for someone, okay, not Nik De Vries, because he's done a little bit of street racing before.
[23:00.720 -> 23:02.080] But Oscar Piastri, right?
[23:02.080 -> 23:03.200] Not at this speed.
[23:03.200 -> 23:04.560] Actually, same for Nik De Vries as well.
[23:04.560 -> 23:10.400] He's not done at this speed ever. So as Mick Schumacher has proven in 2021, it is a tough
[23:10.400 -> 23:15.280] track for rookies to come to and it just helps that McLaren had a bad race in Bahrain so that
[23:15.280 -> 23:20.320] the spotlight gets taken away but the challenge will be amazing and also the psychology of the
[23:20.320 -> 23:25.720] DRS racing because remember last year Verstappen and Leclerc had to do the,
[23:25.720 -> 23:27.360] after you sir, kind of thing as well,
[23:27.360 -> 23:29.840] because you don't want to be the first person up ahead.
[23:29.840 -> 23:32.120] That just makes racing here brilliant.
[23:32.120 -> 23:33.860] Yeah, and you know, I've heard a lot of critics
[23:33.860 -> 23:36.640] about these DRS battles, but the truth is
[23:36.640 -> 23:39.080] it's a tool available for you to take to battle.
[23:39.080 -> 23:41.360] Now it depends how we want to use that tool.
[23:41.360 -> 23:44.320] So you just, you know, make sure that you use it
[23:44.320 -> 23:45.200] in a way it comes to your
[23:45.200 -> 23:52.160] advantage. Talking of the rookies, I have a feeling Logan Sargent could be on his way to scoring his
[23:52.160 -> 23:57.600] first points this weekend. First point is, of course, because, you know, it's a race of attrition.
[23:57.600 -> 24:03.200] Second is it's a low drag circuit. We've seen that Williams actually does well there. Could it be his
[24:03.200 -> 24:07.000] first points there? But talking of Piastri, talking of McLaren,
[24:07.000 -> 24:08.640] I think, and not so much of Piastri,
[24:08.640 -> 24:13.160] but McLaren, I think they will continue to struggle, right?
[24:14.320 -> 24:16.360] At the media sessions this weekend,
[24:16.360 -> 24:19.080] I'm expecting to hear more of Esteban Ocon
[24:19.080 -> 24:24.040] and the crazy race full of penalties that he had in Bahrain.
[24:24.040 -> 24:28.640] I don't expect him to have so many sort of penalties, at least this weekend as well.
[24:29.000 -> 24:33.640] But one thing that's definitely happening this weekend is that Charles Leclerc
[24:33.640 -> 24:37.400] will score his first points of the 2023 Formula One season
[24:37.920 -> 24:40.240] at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
[24:40.240 -> 24:43.080] Hey, why? Are you sure, though?
[24:44.640 -> 24:45.400] Is that a question?
[24:45.840 -> 24:46.840] Question?
[24:48.200 -> 24:52.240] And Nico Hulkenberg will be ahead of Kevin McNewson.
[24:52.640 -> 24:58.880] I think the charge that he had in the Bahrain Grand Prix in qualifying was pretty fantastic.
[24:58.880 -> 25:05.520] Can he, since momentum and motivation is what we've been talking of as in the last few minutes,
[25:05.520 -> 25:07.360] can he sort of drive that forward?
[25:07.360 -> 25:08.760] I certainly hope so.
[25:08.760 -> 25:13.440] Hearts have been just confusing in this first phase, but I'm intrigued to see all that happens.
[25:13.440 -> 25:18.440] And now that we're on that rhythm of bold predictions, I think I'll also head out and
[25:18.440 -> 25:26.880] say that I, like 2022, I just, is my hopes and expectations being conflicted with my predictions here?
[25:26.880 -> 25:27.880] I think it is.
[25:27.880 -> 25:31.920] I want to make a bold prediction that Sergio Perez will get pole position in qualifying,
[25:31.920 -> 25:37.160] but there is literally nothing that proves that it could potentially happen, at least
[25:37.160 -> 25:38.560] in terms of concrete evidence.
[25:38.560 -> 25:43.400] But let's hope so, let's absolutely hope so, because Sergio said that it was the start
[25:43.400 -> 25:45.200] that compromised him in Bahrain.
[25:47.100 -> 25:48.000] We'll find out if it's true, Sundaram.
[25:57.500 -> 25:58.700] Oh, Sergio Perez could actually put the car on pole if Max Verstappen actually keeps it straight and on the track at the very last corner during qualifying.
[26:00.900 -> 26:01.000] Oh, that's a heavy one, man.
[26:07.080 -> 26:08.000] And let's remember, Perez has pole here, but Max doesn't. So that's another thing to keep in mind. It's true.
[26:08.000 -> 26:08.520] It's true.
[26:08.520 -> 26:09.560] He doesn't.
[26:09.560 -> 26:10.200] Yeah.
[26:10.200 -> 26:14.080] But it's outrageous to see how things are playing out that way.
[26:14.080 -> 26:16.720] But again, deep down, we might all
[26:16.720 -> 26:19.360] know that it might be a Max Verstappen win at the end.
[26:19.360 -> 26:22.280] But let's just hope that Fernando Alonso comes in
[26:22.280 -> 26:23.840] and saves the show for all of us.
[26:23.840 -> 26:26.440] But what are your bold predictions, folks?
[26:26.440 -> 26:28.880] We'd love to hear from you on our social media channels.
[26:28.880 -> 26:35.200] And just reach out to us on, at the rate, InsideLineF1Pod or at F1StatsGuru or Kunal's
[26:35.200 -> 26:36.920] handles or my handles as well.
[26:36.920 -> 26:38.760] We can check out in the description.
[26:38.760 -> 26:40.880] But thank you so much for listening to us.
[26:40.880 -> 26:45.040] We'll be back with the race review on Monday and a lot of fun
[26:45.040 -> 26:49.360] episodes including the one with David Coulthard and a special one with Driven
[26:49.360 -> 26:54.000] International in April as well. So stay tuned, enjoy the weekend and we shall see you soon.
[26:54.000 -> None] Bye-bye. you