Supercars, 4 x DRS!? + 5 Things To Watch For - 2022 Australian GP Preview

Supercars & Formula 1 - that's a crossover we've been waiting for since ages. It's delightful to see Formula 1 go down this road.

But four DRS zones around the Albert Park Circuit? Do we want Formula 1 to go down this road?

Last we remember, Formula 1 was trying to find way to get rid of the DRS. But of course, we want to be entertained, DRS or not. 

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In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal preview the upcoming 2022 Australian Grand Prix. Should there be more than two detection points for the four DRS zones? Will the Ferrari vs. Red Bull Racing battle continue? 

It's already the third race of the season - who needs to fire already!? The duo pick their own lists; does yours include Carlos Sainz Jr., too?

Lucien Byfieldt from South Australia is back with his 'Moments in Time' segment for this episode. So there are more than a few reasons to tune in already!

(Season 2022, Episode 19)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Formula 1

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal preview the upcoming 2022 Australian Grand Prix. Will Ferrari and Red Bull Racing's intense rivalry continue? Who will emerge victorious in the driver standings?

The hosts also discuss the significance of the race, considering it's the first time Formula One has returned to Melbourne since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They highlight the various changes made to the Albert Park circuit to enhance the racing experience, including the addition of four DRS zones.

Furthermore, they speculate on which drivers and teams need to deliver exceptional performances at this crucial stage of the season. Carlos Sainz Jr., Daniel Ricciardo, and Mercedes are among those mentioned.

The podcast also features a special segment called "Moments in Time" with Lucien Byfield, who shares his fond memories of attending the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide from 1985 to 1995. He reminisces about witnessing legendary drivers like Prost, Senna, Mansell, and Piquet, and the unique atmosphere of the event.

Overall, the podcast provides insightful analysis, predictions, and historical context for the upcoming Australian Grand Prix, captivating Formula One enthusiasts with its engaging discussions and expert perspectives.

# Inside Line F1 Podcast: Preview of the 2022 Australian Grand Prix

## Introduction:

* The upcoming 2022 Australian Grand Prix is highly anticipated, marking the third race of the season.
* Formula 1's decision to incorporate four DRS zones around the Albert Park Circuit raises questions about the sport's direction.

## DRS Zones and Entertainment:

* The hosts debate the effectiveness of DRS in enhancing entertainment and consider whether the four DRS zones may be excessive.
* While DRS can add excitement, the hosts acknowledge the need for a balance between manufactured excitement and the sport's natural flow.

## Ferrari vs. Red Bull Rivalry:

* The battle between Ferrari and Red Bull is expected to continue, with both teams showcasing significant upgrades and weight-saving measures.
* The hosts express hope that the development efforts of both teams will keep the competition close and prevent one team from dominating.

## Potential Winners:

* The hosts speculate on potential race winners, with Carlos Sainz Jr. emerging as a contender for his first Formula 1 victory.
* The significance of Albert Park as a venue for memorable moments in Formula 1 history is highlighted.

## Conclusion:

* The hosts wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to subscribe to the podcast, leave positive ratings, and anticipate the post-qualifying review.
* The episode ends with a friendly farewell to the listeners.

[00:00.000 -> 00:27.080] Finally Formula One is back in Melbourne for real this time we are actually going
[00:27.080 -> 00:31.360] to go racing instead of just being there and going all back to their hotel rooms
[00:31.360 -> 00:34.940] but yes how awesome is it to have Melbourne back on the Formula One
[00:34.940 -> 00:38.240] calendar so awesome in fact that we're gonna have a special preview episode
[00:38.240 -> 00:42.260] right here on the Inside Line F1 podcast and pitch the podium with a special
[00:42.260 -> 00:49.280] segment that's also gonna come up more out more on that later on. But folks, welcome along to the show. My name is Somal Adora. I'm the
[00:49.280 -> 00:53.760] host of the Driving Force on Disney Plus Hotstar, joined by Kunal Shah, the former marketing
[00:53.760 -> 00:58.280] head of the Force India F1 team. And for a few moments, Kunal, we almost thought that
[00:58.280 -> 01:04.440] the Australian GP won't happen again, this time not due to COVID or anything else, freight.
[01:04.440 -> 01:05.080] It just seems like
[01:05.080 -> 01:09.320] for now everything that could possibly go wrong does go wrong with the
[01:09.320 -> 01:15.480] Australian GP but this time we do have a bit of a saviour. Yes DHL was the saviour
[01:15.480 -> 01:20.280] and thanks to DHL stepping in we are gonna have a full house. The whole
[01:20.280 -> 01:25.240] circus has landed and is ready to give us a cracking race at the Albert
[01:25.240 -> 01:29.400] Park circuit in Melbourne, Australia. And you know, Samuel, it's sort of like
[01:29.400 -> 01:33.680] going around a full circle, especially with the whole embarrassment that was
[01:33.680 -> 01:38.240] faced during the 2020 Australian Grand Prix. You know, fans didn't know whether
[01:38.240 -> 01:43.240] the race was on, the promoters were wondering if they had to cancel or would
[01:43.240 -> 01:45.440] Formula One cancel or would the FIA
[01:45.440 -> 01:50.160] cancel because eventually nobody wanted to lose money, they had to just make sure everybody got
[01:50.160 -> 01:58.320] their insurances in place. So yes, but it's great DHL stepped in and isn't it strange, MotoGP had
[01:59.280 -> 02:11.200] you know freight issues a couple of races ago, was it just the last race in Argentina? And then Formula One now has had freight issues as well and I think we could have a
[02:11.200 -> 02:16.760] certain Mr. Vladimir Putin to be blamed for this, of course indirectly so, but
[02:16.760 -> 02:20.880] yeah that's probably what all the sensors are picking up. Yeah it's crazy
[02:20.880 -> 02:26.160] how there's been so many freight issues but yeah luckily we're having the cars
[02:26.160 -> 02:31.200] coming in. Gunter Steinrath said, not have said, but has said that they will be considering what
[02:31.200 -> 02:34.880] exactly goes on but that's a secondary matter right. Heading into Formula One weekend, freight
[02:34.880 -> 02:38.480] is something but we want to be focused on the activities around the track, we want to focus
[02:38.480 -> 02:44.240] on the drama, the kind of showbiz that Formula One tends to do and there was a fair bit of showbiz.
[02:44.240 -> 02:45.280] V8 supercars or I think they showbiz. V8 supercars
[02:45.280 -> 02:50.480] or I think they don't call themselves V8 supercars just supercars which is a bit of a confusing
[02:50.480 -> 02:53.920] name because when you initially hear oh well Alonso and Perez are driving supercars one
[02:53.920 -> 02:59.480] might say well which ones Huracans or maybe McLarens but it was those Australian supercars
[02:59.480 -> 03:04.640] and my word canal they they look awesome they sound awesome just another reminder to all
[03:04.640 -> 03:07.240] of us Formula 1 fans that yes, that is an amazing series
[03:07.240 -> 03:11.040] that does exist and they'll be racing again together with F1.
[03:11.040 -> 03:17.640] Yes, it's a support series and I love this whole, you know, local marketing that Formula
[03:17.640 -> 03:18.840] One is doing.
[03:18.840 -> 03:23.960] You know, back in the Bernie era, it was all about my drivers will only drive a Formula
[03:23.960 -> 03:24.960] One car.
[03:24.960 -> 03:25.520] But now Liberty
[03:25.520 -> 03:29.840] Media is saying, you know what, this sounds fantastic. Bring on some, you know, V8
[03:29.840 -> 03:33.160] supercars. Hey, that's what I grew up calling them and you know watching them
[03:33.160 -> 03:37.520] race all along. It's always going to be the V8 supercars for me, but either way,
[03:37.520 -> 03:41.600] yeah. So, you know, Liberty Media said bring along those cars, we'll put some of
[03:41.600 -> 03:46.240] our famous drivers, the locals know these cars and the teams inside
[03:46.240 -> 03:51.600] out, so why don't they just go and have a few laps around the Albert Park circuit. And
[03:51.600 -> 03:57.040] the strange thing is, all along Formula One would have thought that a supercar is what a Formula
[03:57.040 -> 04:03.600] One car is. Clearly not when you're an Australian, Samuel. So talking about supercars,
[04:03.600 -> 04:05.880] the medical car driver,
[04:05.880 -> 04:07.360] and I now forget his name,
[04:07.360 -> 04:09.000] especially the one who's gonna be driving
[04:09.000 -> 04:10.760] at the Australian Grand Prix,
[04:10.760 -> 04:15.160] is also a supercars star in his own right.
[04:15.160 -> 04:20.160] So this is another very good marketing tool
[04:20.360 -> 04:22.760] that Formula One is using to localize
[04:22.760 -> 04:25.600] as many elements of the sport as they can, Somil.
[04:25.600 -> 04:30.500] Yeah, Karl Reindler, he's the driver that we're talking about and it's great that Formula One has done that.
[04:30.500 -> 04:34.500] I remember previously, we had something interesting with Formula One.
[04:34.500 -> 04:38.200] I think we had a MotoGP car, an F1 car, I think Mark Webber driving that,
[04:38.200 -> 04:41.600] and a V8 supercar race all together at Albert Park.
[04:41.600 -> 04:45.600] And great to see those memories properly kind of reiterated in a way where
[04:45.600 -> 04:49.520] the supercars taking part at Albert Park once again. It's awesome to see what's happening here.
[04:50.560 -> 04:54.320] Yes, you know Lewis Hamilton would have been like yeah just get me the Yamaha
[04:54.880 -> 05:01.520] MotoGP bike. I drove one just a few years ago but you know the Miami Grand Prix is up next.
[05:01.520 -> 05:06.640] It's going to be the debut. I'm wondering if Alonso is going to jump into one of those Indy
[05:06.640 -> 05:09.960] cars, you know, and try one of those local racing cars that
[05:09.960 -> 05:13.080] happen that are more familiar to the Americans.
[05:13.080 -> 05:15.880] Although I bet to differ now, even though it's my own view
[05:15.880 -> 05:18.120] that I should share, which drive to survive?
[05:18.160 -> 05:22.720] Probably Formula One is more popular in America than Indy
[05:22.720 -> 05:27.680] car. Again, just making a loose assumption, but I would love to see that happen.
[05:27.680 -> 05:34.560] You know, an IndyCar being driven at the Formula One circuit in Miami. Alonso's driven one,
[05:34.560 -> 05:40.320] of course. McLaren, they've got an IndyCar and a Formula One team. You know, there's always a talk
[05:40.320 -> 05:45.900] of Colton Hurtard doing the crossover. It's just so many possibilities. I'd love
[05:45.900 -> 05:49.840] for Liberty Media to pick something like that up as well Somal.
[05:49.840 -> 05:55.740] Yeah exactly. The thing of it, a Formula 1 Indy car kind of, I wouldn't say mash up because
[05:55.740 -> 05:59.120] that's too loose a term, but say some sort of collaboration in some way possible with
[05:59.120 -> 06:04.460] McLaren being the overarching one on that, that'll be cool. But I want to talk more about
[06:04.460 -> 06:05.360] Albert Park as well,
[06:05.360 -> 06:09.280] right? Because we've kind of discussed all the buildup that's happened around, but the circuit
[06:09.280 -> 06:14.400] itself, Kunal, that's been a major attraction point for most of the fans as well. That it's
[06:14.400 -> 06:19.920] changed massively. It's almost like Jetta 2.0, not in terms of the corners, but just the speed of
[06:19.920 -> 06:25.920] them and how wide they are and how ferocious they are. This just looks like a crazy circuit,
[06:25.920 -> 06:30.160] as if the old one wasn't. I don't even know which is my favorite change because there are so many
[06:30.160 -> 06:34.080] great ones that kind of made the racing so much better, especially that one in the second sector.
[06:35.600 -> 06:39.920] You know, I'll put it this way and this is something I think Roman Grosjean said a few
[06:39.920 -> 06:46.000] years ago, so it's not my original idea. He said that Formula One is hell-bent on
[06:46.000 -> 06:50.720] changing rules to make the cars race better, changing the formula, they are
[06:50.720 -> 06:56.160] forcing the teams to rethink, reinvent and that he said was actually a very
[06:56.160 -> 07:01.240] expensive proposition when it came to you know creating entertaining races. He
[07:01.240 -> 07:05.200] said just go ahead and change the circuits, it costs
[07:05.200 -> 07:08.640] lesser, it's something that can be done several times back and forth if it
[07:08.640 -> 07:13.360] doesn't work and then see what sort of layout actually works in giving you an
[07:13.360 -> 07:17.400] entertaining race. So you know maybe Liberty Media have taken a leaf out of
[07:17.400 -> 07:22.880] the Roman Grosjean book, not the eating, the cooking book, but the cookbook right.
[07:22.880 -> 07:25.120] But yeah you know although I must say
[07:25.120 -> 07:27.240] I've driven a million miles on Albert Park
[07:27.240 -> 07:28.880] in the simulator myself, okay.
[07:28.880 -> 07:30.160] I love the circuit.
[07:30.160 -> 07:32.680] I know the old circuit back off.
[07:32.680 -> 07:35.120] Yeah, I probably drive it in my dream if I had to,
[07:35.120 -> 07:36.760] in my sleep if I had to.
[07:36.760 -> 07:39.760] That turns nine and 10,
[07:39.760 -> 07:43.720] that the one that they've changed or radically reprofiled
[07:43.720 -> 07:45.920] and all of that was my favorite corner because that was the one that they've changed or radically reprofiled and all of that was my favorite
[07:45.920 -> 07:52.480] corner because that was the one corner of the circuit that had a wall on the exit. Everything
[07:52.480 -> 07:57.600] else has a gravel trap, everything else has a bit of a distance and now of course they've just
[07:57.600 -> 08:02.560] increased that distance as well. So that's one corner I wish they wouldn't have taken off but
[08:02.560 -> 08:08.960] you know I'm again an old schooler when it comes comes to Formula One I'd love to see high-speed battles
[08:08.960 -> 08:15.640] that happen and as we know Saumil there are four DRS zones this weekend and we
[08:15.640 -> 08:24.040] did some really basic math Saumil and I and you know DRS is 46% of the overall
[08:24.040 -> 08:28.540] circuit layout. The circuit layout is 5.2 and the DRS is
[08:28.540 -> 08:33.800] closely about 2.4 kilometers and that is ridiculous. I don't know if it's you know
[08:33.800 -> 08:38.440] over reliance on DRS because I know Sundaramar F1 stats guru pulled out a
[08:38.440 -> 08:43.320] stat saying after Monaco Albert Park actually had the least number of
[08:43.320 -> 08:45.200] overtakes for a circuit sommel.
[08:45.200 -> 08:49.360] It's overkill. I mean really when you come to think about it, if you get DRS at
[08:49.360 -> 08:54.000] one section right, you eventually carry it on to the end of the second one
[08:54.000 -> 08:56.800] because there's no detection point. So there's two places where you do that.
[08:56.800 -> 09:01.600] And think of it, if you pass someone, I mean if you're behind at the detection
[09:01.600 -> 09:05.240] zone, you get the DRS, you pass someone in the forthcoming DRS zone,
[09:05.240 -> 09:07.960] you are ahead, but you are the person who still has the DRS
[09:07.960 -> 09:08.960] for the next zone.
[09:08.960 -> 09:10.920] So isn't that counterproductive in a way?
[09:10.920 -> 09:14.280] I mean, that's the idea of DRS is supposed to be
[09:14.280 -> 09:15.600] both cars can race each other,
[09:15.600 -> 09:17.240] but the car behind has a massive advantage.
[09:17.240 -> 09:18.360] And I know Formula One might be saying,
[09:18.360 -> 09:20.560] well, we know that it won't be working out.
[09:20.560 -> 09:22.800] So that's why you get a second opportunity.
[09:22.800 -> 09:24.720] But what if someone actually gets passed?
[09:24.720 -> 09:27.840] They have a more lasting advantage so it kind of feels
[09:27.840 -> 09:31.120] like overkill in a way we shouldn't be doing that but again I guess we'll only
[09:31.120 -> 09:35.920] have to watch to find out how it works out right. Yeah I guess so you know at
[09:35.920 -> 09:39.800] this moment everything in theory either will say that it'll work fantastically
[09:39.800 -> 09:45.920] well or not and at the moment everyone's built a scenario, which is what you've said,
[09:45.920 -> 09:50.800] that you will overtake in the first DRS zone
[09:50.800 -> 09:53.880] when you have the opportunity to press the DRS.
[09:54.200 -> 09:55.880] And then in the second DRS,
[09:55.900 -> 10:00.440] you will just use the DRS wing to further build on your
[10:00.480 -> 10:04.820] lead. But who knows, you know, when you put a Max and a Charles,
[10:04.820 -> 10:05.920] and maybe a Sergio and
[10:06.480 -> 10:12.880] and a Carlos there, some really intelligent, smart, witty, naughty drivers, maybe they'll find a way to
[10:12.880 -> 10:18.080] figure out how to make Ford DRSs work in their favor somehow. Yeah, exactly. And that bit about Max
[10:18.080 -> 10:22.720] and Charles, what if we have that cat and mouse game happening again? What if they kind of play it
[10:22.720 -> 10:27.540] more strategically? It's a bit silly. I think three races down the line we'll get bored of it but until it
[10:27.540 -> 10:30.720] happens I think it's gonna be fun right so let's wait and watch what exactly
[10:30.720 -> 10:35.920] happens here but crazy crazy how effective DRS is and I don't know maybe
[10:35.920 -> 10:39.600] just get rid of it right maybe once we get bored of it what do you reckon Guna?
[10:39.600 -> 10:43.400] That's actually what I was gonna say Samuel you know in fact the DRS has
[10:43.400 -> 10:46.300] turned out to be so effective this year, especially
[10:46.300 -> 10:48.700] on a car like the Red Bull, right,
[10:48.700 -> 10:52.180] that I'm reminded of what Formula One was very boldly
[10:52.180 -> 10:52.680] saying.
[10:52.680 -> 10:55.940] We hope that with the 2022 rule changes,
[10:55.940 -> 10:58.700] we have to take away the DRS and the cars
[10:58.700 -> 11:01.740] are just able to naturally race each other.
[11:01.740 -> 11:04.500] But the truth is, now it just seems like an over-reliance.
[11:04.500 -> 11:05.200] They're saying
[11:05.200 -> 11:10.800] we don't care how we get entertaining races so long as we get all the entertainment we promised
[11:10.800 -> 11:16.480] all our fans that we'll have pretty much every single racing weekend. Yeah exactly.
[11:16.480 -> 11:20.640] There's that and I really hope that at some point we can get rid of it because
[11:20.640 -> 11:26.800] again as I mentioned it's fun for now those cat and mouse games but three or four races later we'll be scratching our heads saying this is not
[11:26.800 -> 11:30.280] racing and some people already have and some really prominent people in the
[11:30.280 -> 11:35.400] world of racing have so there's that but hey actually we've got a really fun
[11:35.400 -> 11:40.540] section to kind of tell you about. Here's Lucien back on the podcast not talking
[11:40.540 -> 11:44.320] about the DRS like Kunal and I were in the last couple of moments but talking
[11:44.320 -> 11:48.000] about his favorite Australian GP memories in his traditional format.
[11:48.000 -> 12:05.200] So that's going to be awesome. Let's listen to that right here. due to COVID associated restrictions, we are finally back in the land down under to throw
[12:05.200 -> 12:11.040] another shrimp on the barbie! Something I have never known anyone to do, actually. Oh,
[12:11.040 -> 12:17.860] and crack open a tinny and watch some racing! Now, not every Aussie is a bogan, and many
[12:17.860 -> 12:22.440] truly love motorsport for what it is, but in general, I think the Aussie way is more
[12:22.440 -> 12:30.480] about having a day off, taking a sickie to attend a sporting event, or to get drinking, eating, partying, basically any excuse for
[12:30.480 -> 12:31.480] a celebration.
[12:31.480 -> 12:34.440] It could be marbles, table tennis, you name it.
[12:34.440 -> 12:40.040] If we put on a big enough event, and there is sun, beer and barbecues, Aussies will turn
[12:40.040 -> 12:41.720] out in their droves.
[12:41.720 -> 12:46.120] For we really are a sport mad nation, or should I say an any
[12:46.120 -> 12:51.920] excuse for a barbecue type of nation. I think you get the point. My own memories
[12:51.920 -> 12:56.560] of the Australian Grand Prix relate to my hometown of Adelaide and from 1985
[12:56.560 -> 13:02.360] until 1995, 11 races were held officially as the final round of the FIA Formula
[13:02.360 -> 13:07.960] One World Championship and two of those races were title deciders in 86 and 94.
[13:07.960 -> 13:10.720] As I lived nearby, I first got a taste of Formula One
[13:10.720 -> 13:13.320] in 1986 on a school excursion
[13:13.320 -> 13:15.800] to see what all the fuss was about.
[13:15.800 -> 13:17.600] I had moved away from Adelaide as a kid,
[13:17.600 -> 13:19.520] but had returned in 1986,
[13:19.520 -> 13:21.960] a year after the first official Grand Prix
[13:21.960 -> 13:23.800] won by Keki Rosberg.
[13:23.800 -> 13:29.520] That win would be his final win in Formula 1, and in 86 he had his final drive in Formula
[13:29.520 -> 13:30.520] 1 too.
[13:30.520 -> 13:36.060] I attended a couple of practice days in 86, but went to the full weekends about 7 times,
[13:36.060 -> 13:40.320] and I count myself incredibly lucky to have witnessed some of the greatest names to have
[13:40.320 -> 13:42.580] ever graced the Formula 1 tarmac.
[13:42.580 -> 13:46.300] People like Prost, Senna, Mansell, Piquet, and so many more.
[13:46.300 -> 13:48.580] Now being the final race of the year meant
[13:48.580 -> 13:51.160] we Aussies usually saw the final drives
[13:51.160 -> 13:52.940] of many great names in the sport.
[13:52.940 -> 13:54.660] Think of Nelson Piquet, Alain Prost,
[13:54.660 -> 13:56.680] Keke Rosberg, just to name three.
[13:56.680 -> 13:59.540] And we also witnessed the final wins
[13:59.540 -> 14:02.340] of Senna, Mansell, and Rosberg too.
[14:02.340 -> 14:06.920] Oh, and in a rain-soaked 89 we saw Senna spin spin
[14:06.920 -> 14:14.320] spin and Satoru Nakajima set the fastest lap of the race. Ha! Adelaide was
[14:14.320 -> 14:18.240] famously popular as the whole town embraced the event like no other city at
[14:18.240 -> 14:23.160] the time and was regularly voted as the most popular and the most well-organized
[14:23.160 -> 14:25.900] event by those on both sides of the pit lane.
[14:25.900 -> 14:30.200] I got into the pits a couple of times, seeing some big stars up close, and was so close
[14:30.200 -> 14:32.340] I almost got to touch the cars too.
[14:32.340 -> 14:34.480] It was a truly amazing atmosphere.
[14:34.480 -> 14:38.940] In all honesty, it was the smell of burgers being cooked at 8am, the sight of the beautiful
[14:38.940 -> 14:43.700] Fosters and Marlborough girls walking around, and the supporting categories, particularly
[14:43.700 -> 14:45.240] the Aussie touring cars, that
[14:45.240 -> 14:46.640] got my attention.
[14:46.640 -> 14:51.200] My love of Formula One was ignited more by the atmosphere and for having a day off from
[14:51.200 -> 14:56.320] school rather than from following those ugly open-wheeled cars, as I thought of them at
[14:56.320 -> 14:57.960] the time.
[14:57.960 -> 15:02.720] The first car to catch my eye in 86 was the Benetton of Gerhard Berger, with that dark
[15:02.720 -> 15:09.600] green and white, with splashes of coloured paint livery that was so beautiful to behold and with that insane
[15:09.600 -> 15:15.040] BMW engine revving harder than any other on the track. Little did I know Berger
[15:15.040 -> 15:19.080] had won for the first time in the previous race in Mexico. I had no Formula
[15:19.080 -> 15:24.160] One knowledge at all but then I saw Senna in the JPS Lotus and what an image
[15:24.160 -> 15:25.360] that was. But then it really happened for me once I saw the Day in the JPS Lotus, and what an image that was.
[15:25.360 -> 15:30.600] But then it really happened for me, once I saw the Dayglo Red, or Dayglo Orange as some
[15:30.600 -> 15:33.940] said, of the McLaren driven by Alain Prost.
[15:33.940 -> 15:37.320] Something clicked inside of me, and though it took a while to get fully into Formula
[15:37.320 -> 15:42.200] 1, Prost was to become my hero, especially when he crashed out in 87 right on the corner
[15:42.200 -> 15:43.600] I was seated at.
[15:43.600 -> 15:47.960] I never watched the 86 race on TV, I actually forgot about it and I kick myself to this
[15:47.960 -> 15:54.400] day, but I was lucky to see Prost win in 88, and also to see his final drive in 93.
[15:54.400 -> 15:59.560] And who would have thought that the Adelaide 93 podium was to be the last for both Senna
[15:59.560 -> 16:01.080] and Prost.
[16:01.080 -> 16:06.240] I have no affinity or affection for the Melbourne race, as I have never been to it, yet.
[16:06.240 -> 16:11.080] But I will mention just a few things that I do recall over the many years those thieves
[16:11.080 -> 16:13.640] have hosted it.
[16:13.640 -> 16:18.480] Usually the Melbourne race has been the first round of the championship, so us Aussies got
[16:18.480 -> 16:22.500] to see new drivers and driver team combinations for the first time.
[16:22.500 -> 16:25.580] Think Schumacher debuting for Ferrari alongside Eddie Irvine.
[16:25.580 -> 16:29.520] And Eddie would get his first career win there too, in 99.
[16:29.520 -> 16:32.760] What about Jacques Villeneuve putting his Williams-on-Pole on debut?
[16:32.760 -> 16:36.560] And that mighty crash that Martin Brundle had that same year?
[16:36.560 -> 16:41.000] Now McLaren won for the first time with West Livery in 97 with Coulthard, but then the
[16:41.000 -> 16:46.200] team caused controversy in 1998 as Ron Dennis called for team orders, which
[16:46.200 -> 16:49.820] actually upset the bookies more than the fans.
[16:49.820 -> 16:53.800] What about that horrific crash between Jacques and Ralf Schumacher that resulted in the death
[16:53.800 -> 16:56.320] of Marshal Graham Beveridge?
[16:56.320 -> 17:01.120] This needs to be remembered, for Marshal's volunteer and are the unsung heroes of our
[17:01.120 -> 17:03.160] favourite sport.
[17:03.160 -> 17:05.600] That corner would be the site of some horrific crashes,
[17:05.600 -> 17:10.720] including Fernando Alonso's massive mother and a father of all crashes in 2016.
[17:11.440 -> 17:16.480] Lewis Hamilton famously debuted in Melbourne, showing the world he meant business by overtaking
[17:16.480 -> 17:21.360] his double world champion teammate in the first corner. And as I think about it, champs like
[17:21.360 -> 17:25.760] Hamilton, Button, Villeneuve and Alonso, to name a few,
[17:25.760 -> 17:27.760] all made their Formula One debut in Australia.
[17:27.760 -> 17:32.240] Of course, I could go on and on about the great and not-so-great memories we have witnessed
[17:32.240 -> 17:37.160] in Formula One over the years here in the land of Oz, but we are in for a real treat
[17:37.160 -> 17:42.480] this year, with track modifications making it a much faster track, and with the introduction
[17:42.480 -> 17:45.060] of four DRS zones for the first time in
[17:45.060 -> 17:50.320] Formula One history. Now I want Carlos Sainz to get his first win. I have money
[17:50.320 -> 17:55.720] on him this year too. Come on smooth operator. Alright my friends enjoy the
[17:55.720 -> 18:01.920] race. Ciao for now from me Lucien Byfield in South Australia.
[18:01.920 -> 18:05.800] And I think he's got a point Kunal, he just spoke about having
[18:05.800 -> 18:09.840] his money on Carlos Sainz after discussing all his amazing memories
[18:09.840 -> 18:13.800] Lucien which is so great to listen to, so much fun in his traditional format but
[18:13.800 -> 18:18.720] Carlos Sainz I suppose there's a there's a bit of an expectation isn't it because
[18:18.720 -> 18:21.560] after all that's happened the first couple of races he wouldn't want to be
[18:21.560 -> 18:26.440] known as Ferrari's number two, would you back him for this weekend per se?
[18:27.040 -> 18:27.400] You know what?
[18:32.240 -> 18:32.560] We are now at the third race of a 23 race calendar, right?
[18:36.120 -> 18:41.000] And even though we are definitely not going to remember the third race by the time we reach the 23rd race, the truth is that there are certain teams and drivers
[18:41.000 -> 18:44.800] who actually need to deliver literally now.
[18:44.800 -> 18:46.400] And I stand with Lucien when I say
[18:46.400 -> 18:51.920] Carlos Science for the win and Lucien by the way also has the lovely melodious jingles that you
[18:51.920 -> 18:56.000] hear at the start and the end of the podcast as well so thanks for your music Lucien but
[18:56.560 -> 19:02.480] I'm going to actually have a pick of three things or three people or three teams that need to deliver
[19:05.840 -> 19:12.900] or three teams that need to deliver at the third race weekend of the season already Samuel. So definitely Carlos Saenz Jr. He knows he has the tools now, he
[19:12.900 -> 19:18.120] knows that he actually took the battle and won against Charles Leclerc in
[19:18.120 -> 19:23.700] 2021. He knows he's supposed to do that in 2022 as well, you know. So we've spoken
[19:23.700 -> 19:25.460] about him in the previous episodes.
[19:25.800 -> 19:29.320] He's definitely the one I would look for the second Daniel Ricardo.
[19:29.840 -> 19:33.640] He has yet to score a point this season.
[19:33.840 -> 19:34.200] Right.
[19:34.520 -> 19:38.280] And I know he's sounding extremely positive and he's not sounding like he's
[19:38.280 -> 19:39.720] panicked, et cetera, et cetera.
[19:39.720 -> 19:44.640] But who would have ever thought that Daniel Ricardo in the McLaren, the
[19:44.640 -> 19:48.160] struggles would still continue in 2022?
[19:48.160 -> 19:55.040] Yes, I know he's had a retirement, etc, etc, but he's definitely not gone and put, you know, scorched the track
[19:55.880 -> 20:03.340] against Lando Norris either in the limited two races that we've had up until now. And then the third, of course, you know,
[20:03.800 -> 20:08.840] Mercedes. Everybody's saying the magic fix to Mercedes' problems
[20:08.840 -> 20:11.400] is soon coming, and how soon is just that?
[20:11.400 -> 20:13.520] And just a quick word on Mercedes, Somal,
[20:13.520 -> 20:17.760] before I ask you who your three things to watch for
[20:17.760 -> 20:18.600] this weekend are.
[20:19.760 -> 20:22.360] We've literally, like we spoke before, had a triple header.
[20:22.360 -> 20:24.200] We had the test, we had the race in Bahrain,
[20:24.200 -> 20:28.360] we had the race in Saudi Arabia. So Mercedes couldn't really get the
[20:28.360 -> 20:31.760] upgrades onto their car, because everything just, you know, all
[20:31.760 -> 20:35.020] the sessions came to them really fast and quick, right. And there
[20:35.020 -> 20:38.820] was no gap. But between Saudi Arabia and Australia, there has
[20:38.820 -> 20:43.320] been a gap of a week. Of course, there's a larger distance for
[20:43.320 -> 20:48.160] the team to travel if they had to bring any upgrades, etc. But would
[20:48.160 -> 20:52.760] Mercedes have had enough time to get some fixes for their car
[20:52.760 -> 20:56.360] this season and you know, for their car this weekend, because
[20:56.720 -> 21:00.120] let's remember two things. First is they are closer to fourth
[21:00.120 -> 21:04.480] place than to second place, not ideal situation for them to be
[21:04.480 -> 21:05.040] but they also
[21:05.040 -> 21:09.420] have enough of a gap you know in their performance. They have a buffer in their
[21:09.420 -> 21:13.400] performance for them to experiment that bit more and that's what they actually
[21:13.400 -> 21:18.240] did with Lewis Hamilton in Saudi Arabia as well. The experimentation that cost
[21:18.240 -> 21:23.320] Lewis a place in Q1 sommel. Yeah you're right and you kind of read a point from
[21:23.320 -> 21:29.040] my mind that I was about to talk about the upgrades because Mercedes at least they, at least they claim that there's no
[21:29.040 -> 21:30.040] magic fix.
[21:30.040 -> 21:31.720] So they'll have to work all the way through.
[21:31.720 -> 21:34.360] I think they are bringing a rear wing to this particular weekend.
[21:34.360 -> 21:36.200] So let's wait and see how that plays out.
[21:36.200 -> 21:39.000] But, but you're right, they have the liberty to experiment.
[21:39.000 -> 21:42.080] And this kind of brings me on very well onto the other drivers that I'm looking forward
[21:42.080 -> 21:48.720] to because Sergio Perez is the one I've picked for Red Bull and Red Bull apparently are experimenting with upgrades as well. They seemingly
[21:48.720 -> 21:52.960] have got some sort of a package coming in that's going to dramatically shed down the weight of
[21:52.960 -> 21:57.440] their car which is seemingly overweight. Now from what I've read it's around a couple of tens but no
[21:57.440 -> 22:01.840] point speculating we'd only have to see to find out and he seems to be the one who already is poised
[22:01.840 -> 22:07.680] for that number two position although he has proven that he can't quite be the number one, right?
[22:07.680 -> 22:12.160] He out qualified Max in Saudi Arabia, kind of lost the race to no fault of his own.
[22:12.160 -> 22:15.320] So you don't want to be pushed down into that number two position, much like Carlos
[22:15.320 -> 22:18.680] Sainz at Ferrari, even though you know that you have the tools to perform.
[22:18.680 -> 22:21.240] So Sergio Perez is going to be one driver for me.
[22:21.240 -> 22:26.560] And again, it's it kind of leads into the whole Lec purpose of a stab in battle which upgrade is going to be better the
[22:26.560 -> 22:29.680] ferrari one of the red bull one again only time will tell but it's so
[22:29.680 -> 22:33.120] exciting to see this development war kind of spill out from the third race
[22:33.120 -> 22:36.320] already and then the other drivers that i have to pick out
[22:36.320 -> 22:41.200] firstly fernando alonso because last week he kind of not last week wow it's
[22:41.200 -> 22:47.000] been two weeks but hey last race he completely got beat by est Esteban Ocon in that battle that we had on track.
[22:47.000 -> 22:50.400] Then of course, there was the power unit failure that didn't kind of help out, but it seems
[22:50.400 -> 22:51.720] that the pressure is on him.
[22:51.720 -> 22:56.360] Seems like he's not like the alpha male who's the sole driver performing in that team anymore.
[22:56.360 -> 22:59.920] Ocon is providing a threat and that's amazing to watch.
[22:59.920 -> 23:05.100] So for me, him delivering this weekend is going to be fun because now finally there's
[23:05.100 -> 23:06.100] a pressure on him, right?
[23:06.100 -> 23:07.380] He's not like the only driver.
[23:07.380 -> 23:12.420] And then of course, similar thing can be said for Vic Schumacher, because suddenly he's
[23:12.420 -> 23:14.820] not the team leader, he's not the alpha.
[23:14.820 -> 23:16.580] He's had a big crash in Saudi Arabia.
[23:16.580 -> 23:17.580] He's now on the back foot.
[23:17.580 -> 23:21.580] Kevin Magnuson, yes, he's more experienced, but you can see that they have almost the
[23:21.580 -> 23:24.700] same amount of driving time in this particular car.
[23:24.700 -> 23:26.480] So for him, it's a
[23:26.480 -> 23:30.560] big moment. You don't want to be falling back into that number two territory. Also, certainly,
[23:30.560 -> 23:33.840] because the team, that's what the perception they have, right? Then, okay, if you've lost in the
[23:33.840 -> 23:38.400] first seven, eight races, you become the number two. And for Mick, this is a crucial time that
[23:38.400 -> 23:42.800] he doesn't quite become the number two. So race number three, it may seem early, but I think it
[23:42.800 -> 23:46.560] kind of matters a lot at this moment in time.
[23:53.040 -> 23:59.840] It does. Can you imagine Schumacher as a number two driver when it was his father who very famously made the whole number one thing happen. But anyway, it's Mick's first time around the Albert
[23:59.840 -> 24:10.240] Park circuit. So he's got some learning to do do much as it would be for Sunoda and for Joe Guan Yu as well. The Alpines, you spoke about Fernando Alonso, look out guys,
[24:10.240 -> 24:15.080] they're not pink this weekend, they are actually blue this weekend as well. And
[24:15.080 -> 24:21.640] as for Ferrari, they have reunited with Mission Benao, which seems a bit of an
[24:21.640 -> 24:26.280] opportunistic thing or maybe you maybe their separation and reunification
[24:26.280 -> 24:27.920] was just a part of the strategy.
[24:27.920 -> 24:30.560] You cannot separate Philip Morris from Ferrari
[24:30.560 -> 24:31.960] for too long, Samuel, can you?
[24:31.960 -> 24:35.240] Yeah, I think Mission Winnow, regardless
[24:35.240 -> 24:37.880] of how you pronounce them, kind of got the inclination
[24:37.880 -> 24:41.000] that Ferrari have taken their name into action this year.
[24:41.000 -> 24:43.080] So it probably said, well, we kind of joined in, right?
[24:43.080 -> 24:50.320] Ferrari is winning now, and that was the mission. Sorry, failed pun, there's that. But Sebastian Vettel is back.
[24:50.320 -> 24:54.720] That's not something that's bad at all. And he looks handsome this weekend, if I can dare say
[24:54.720 -> 24:58.480] that. Again, that's not traditionally what we discuss, but he looks good and so great to see
[24:58.480 -> 25:07.840] him back here. And I think it'll be so great to see him once again re-establishing the pecking order, Aston Martin, because clearly that team has a second driver problem.
[25:10.880 -> 25:14.480] You mean a first driver problem if you're Laurence Stroll. But you know,
[25:14.480 -> 25:18.960] Vettel being back, there are two things to look out for Sebastian Vettel. First,
[25:18.960 -> 25:25.600] is he's not yet revealed the name of his racing car for 2022. That's right. You know, given who pays his bills,
[25:25.600 -> 25:29.040] I'm pretty sure it's going to be the name of some Aston Martin,
[25:29.040 -> 25:33.320] James Bond character, et cetera, because the new Bond film is also
[25:33.320 -> 25:35.400] premiering this weekend somewhere.
[25:35.400 -> 25:36.640] So that's one thing to look for.
[25:36.640 -> 25:39.880] And you know, Vettel is like one of those old schoolers again,
[25:39.880 -> 25:44.560] saying the Formula 1 season always starts for me in Australia.
[25:44.560 -> 25:47.760] So hey, I'll just land up and start racing in Australia.
[25:47.760 -> 25:48.920] And that's what he's actually doing.
[25:48.920 -> 25:52.960] But jokes aside, it's great that COVID is over
[25:52.960 -> 25:54.440] and done with for him.
[25:54.440 -> 25:57.120] I will miss Nico Hulkenberg being in the car,
[25:57.120 -> 26:01.520] but Vettel is probably far more popular
[26:01.520 -> 26:04.160] and far more dependable for Astrid Martin.
[26:04.160 -> 26:06.040] I assume so. So let's
[26:06.040 -> 26:10.760] see how he gets going in his first race of the season because he also
[26:10.760 -> 26:15.240] has had a troubled time in preseason testing and you know frankly he's
[26:15.240 -> 26:20.120] actually not been in that car since almost a month. So if he gets into that
[26:20.120 -> 26:27.880] car and he actually still outperforms Lance Stroll, I wonder if R Ralph Schumacher is gonna make another comment about Lance Stroll and his hobby
[26:27.880 -> 26:33.680] of racing in Formula One. I kind of love it and if you've got a parent to fund
[26:33.680 -> 26:38.440] your hobby, why not? It kind of works out very well. But Kunal, before we wrap
[26:38.440 -> 26:45.680] off, final thoughts about this weekend, what do you reckon is going to happen, what are your predictions as well I must ask.
[26:53.840 -> 26:59.120] I would love to predict Max Verstappen win but I think it's going to be a Ferrari on the top step and I think it's going to be Carlos Sainz this weekend. I think he would have had time to figure
[26:59.120 -> 27:04.160] what's actually not 100% for him in that Ferrari and he badly needs a win like I've been saying.
[27:04.800 -> 27:09.040] But truth be told before you know predictions the one big question that I really hope
[27:09.920 -> 27:15.440] we have an answer to, when I say we, I mean Formula One, will the Ferrari versus Red Bull battle
[27:16.080 -> 27:21.360] continue this weekend as well? We've almost taken it for granted that, hey, every race weekend we
[27:21.360 -> 27:29.200] turn up, there is going to be a battle at the front, whether it's a Ferrari versus Red Bull this season or a Red Bull versus Mercedes last season.
[27:29.200 -> 27:34.080] So I really hope that that trend continues, that we have a battle, that all the upgrades,
[27:34.080 -> 27:40.320] all the weight saving, all the reliability issues are kept aside and we eventually have
[27:40.320 -> 27:45.200] these two teams going, you know, hand in glove and you know driver with
[27:45.200 -> 27:49.920] helmet and whatever it is that takes to sort of give us a battle this weekend as
[27:49.920 -> 27:54.280] well Sambal. Yeah exactly and I just hope that the development wall although
[27:54.280 -> 27:57.600] productive it kind of keeps them together because we don't quite want to
[27:57.600 -> 28:01.760] see that kind of taking Ferrari away right well I kind of assume that they'll
[28:01.760 -> 28:05.780] be the one losing out but that's what's happened in the last five odd years, right?
[28:05.780 -> 28:08.040] So let's hope that this ends out properly.
[28:08.040 -> 28:12.420] Let's hope that this weekend, my prediction, Kardos signs as well, ends up winning the
[28:12.420 -> 28:13.420] race's first one.
[28:13.420 -> 28:14.860] And what a place to do so, right?
[28:14.860 -> 28:19.120] Albert Park, it's a place where we genuinely like to see good moments happen more than
[28:19.120 -> 28:22.380] others because it's sunshine, daylight, start of the year, whatever you might like to call
[28:22.380 -> 28:23.380] it.
[28:23.380 -> 28:27.360] But folks, that's all from us right here today on this particular episode of the Inside Line F1
[28:27.360 -> 28:30.800] podcast and Pitch the Podium. Subscribe to the podcast, leave us a good like, a
[28:30.800 -> 28:34.960] good rating and we shall be back post qualifying for the review of that one.
[28:34.960 -> None] See you folks have a good time. Bye bye. you