Suzuka, you are special! 2023 Japanese GP Preview

The Formula 1 circus travels Far East to race in Suzuka, one of the most-legendary circuits on the calendar. The Japanese Formula 1 fans are special for their love for the sport transcends team-driver boundaries. 

But of course, they've got Yuki Tsunoda to cheer for, for yet another race. But will he be there in 2024? Should an extension announcement come this weekend?

The key question, though, is - will Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen resume their dominant ways? OR has the 'flexi' technical directive literally slowed them down this much? 

Will Charles Leclerc bounce back at Ferrari? We can't recollect when last was he out-qualified and out-scored by a team-mate for three races in row. Yes, Carlos Sainz has been in splendid form post-summer break.

What about Aston Martin? Will McLaren catch them by the end of the season in the Constructors' Championship? And of course, Alpine needs to resurrect form and luck as well, not necessarily in that order though.

Suzuka is a gorgeous circuit, the corners are iconic, technical and fast-flowy. There's every reason that the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix will be a belter!

Tune in.

(Season 2023, Episode 50)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

**Japanese Grand Prix Preview:**

- The Formula 1 circus heads to Suzuka, Japan, for one of the most iconic races on the calendar.
- Japanese fans are passionate about Formula 1 and will be eager to see their driver, Yuki Tsunoda, perform well.
- The big question is whether Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen can continue their dominance or if the new technical directive has slowed them down.
- Charles Leclerc needs to bounce back after being out-qualified and outscored by Carlos Sainz in the last three races.
- Aston Martin and McLaren are battling for fifth place in the Constructors' Championship.
- Alpine needs to improve its form and luck.
- Suzuka is a gorgeous circuit with challenging corners and fast-flowing sections.

**Key Points:**

- Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen have been dominant this season, but the new technical directive may have slowed them down.
- Charles Leclerc has been outperformed by Carlos Sainz in recent races and needs to bounce back.
- Aston Martin and McLaren are fighting for fifth place in the Constructors' Championship.
- Alpine needs to improve its form and luck.
- Suzuka is a challenging and exciting circuit that is a favorite among drivers and fans.

**Predictions:**

- Sergio Perez could have a good weekend at Suzuka, given his past success at the circuit.
- Lando Norris could also be a contender for a strong result.

**Overall Message:**

The Japanese Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling race with several storylines to follow. Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen will be looking to continue their dominance, while Ferrari and Charles Leclerc will be hoping to bounce back. Aston Martin and McLaren will be battling for fifth place in the Constructors' Championship, and Alpine will be looking to improve its form and luck. Suzuka is a challenging and exciting circuit that is sure to produce a memorable race. # Inside Line F1 Podcast: Japanese Grand Prix Preview

## Introduction:

* The Formula 1 circus heads to Suzuka, Japan, for the iconic Japanese Grand Prix.
* Japanese fans are known for their fervent support for the sport, transcending team and driver boundaries.
* Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver, will be a焦点of attention, with speculation about his future beyond 2023.

## Key Questions:

* Can Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen regain their dominance, or has the 'flexi' technical directive hindered their performance?
* Will Charles Leclerc bounce back from a string of poor results and outshine his teammate, Carlos Sainz, who has been in excellent form?
* Can Aston Martin fend off McLaren in the Constructors' Championship, and will Alpine rediscover their form and luck?

## Suzuka Circuit:

* The Suzuka circuit is renowned for its iconic, technical, and fast-flowing corners, promising an exciting race.

## Predictions and Insights:

* McLaren has shown improved performance since the Austrian Grand Prix upgrade, matching Ferrari and Red Bull Racing in terms of points.
* Lando Norris has been the standout driver for McLaren, while Oscar Piastri's performance in Singapore may be affected by not receiving the latest updates.
* The qualifying gap between Norris and Piastri in Singapore could be even closer in Suzuka, making for an intriguing battle.

## Conclusion:

* The Japanese Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling race, with unpredictable outcomes and intense competition.
* Fans can expect a captivating spectacle at Suzuka, one of the most beloved circuits on the Formula 1 calendar.

[00:00.000 -> 00:24.400] Finally, for the first time heading into a race weekend in 2023, we can genuinely ask
[00:24.400 -> 00:25.440] the question,
[00:25.440 -> 00:30.560] is anyone else actually going to be involved in this one as well? Because we finally are heading
[00:30.560 -> 00:36.560] into a race weekend where Red Bull are not the last race winners and I know this is meant to be
[00:36.560 -> 00:41.440] a Japanese GP preview and the talk is about to be about the Japanese GP, about the fans, about the
[00:41.440 -> 00:45.840] driver market, about Honda, about Sonata, Lawson, Ferrari, Sainz
[00:45.840 -> 00:51.840] but hold on your horses for all of that because the big question here is, are we going to see a repeat?
[00:51.840 -> 00:56.000] Could we genuinely see Red Bull not winning a race for two races in a row?
[00:56.000 -> 00:58.000] That's going to be a streak in itself.
[00:58.000 -> 01:02.000] In fact, that's going to be more impressive than the 11 race win streak that Max Verstappen accumulated.
[01:02.000 -> 01:05.080] But let's hope we get something similar that weekend.
[01:05.080 -> 01:06.880] But let's also talk about all the other things.
[01:06.880 -> 01:11.560] But Kunal, what I really want to know from you this time out is, do you think it's the
[01:11.560 -> 01:12.560] FlexiWings?
[01:12.560 -> 01:13.760] Do you think it's the technical directive?
[01:13.760 -> 01:15.000] Do you think it's just Singapore?
[01:15.000 -> 01:18.320] Do you think it's just maybe the Red Bull mechanics having an off day?
[01:18.320 -> 01:23.120] But just what just happened in Singapore and what really excites you the most for Japan?
[01:23.120 -> 01:27.200] Because this question, honestly, last four days, it's the only thing on my mind so far.
[01:27.200 -> 01:34.480] I definitely think it was Singapore and I'll put it this way. There are two things,
[01:34.480 -> 01:40.240] two architects of the Red Bull dominance, two of the many architects. Max Verstappen, when he was
[01:40.240 -> 01:44.240] in the simulator and he's put on the Singapore setup, he said, this car is not drivable.
[01:41.080 -> 01:42.800] when he was in the simulator and he's put on the Singapore setup,
[01:42.800 -> 01:45.020] he said, this car is not drivable.
[01:45.020 -> 01:48.200] They swapped to the Japanese Grand Prix setup
[01:48.200 -> 01:51.000] and he said, that's more like my car, right?
[01:51.000 -> 01:53.360] So that's one data point.
[01:53.360 -> 01:57.880] The second, which is even more important is Christian Horner.
[01:57.880 -> 02:00.280] He turned around after Singapore
[02:00.280 -> 02:03.320] and he said, we changed nothing on the car.
[02:03.320 -> 02:08.760] We do not believe it's the new technical directive that has slowed us down.
[02:08.920 -> 02:24.520] Now let's put one thing in perspective you know when FIA makes rule changes in the middle of the season it is usually to slow a team down slow a dominant really fast team down we've seen that in history right Samuel.
[02:24.600 -> 02:25.100] really fast team down. We've seen that in history, right Samuel? Yeah.
[02:25.100 -> 02:30.260] In this case, let's go down this route. Let's assume Lewis Hamilton,
[02:30.260 -> 02:35.100] Toto Wolf, in the build-up to this TD being released, actually made a lot of noise about,
[02:35.100 -> 02:37.800] you know, we were slowed down and we were quick and the FIA did something,
[02:37.800 -> 02:40.460] but we don't want them to do anything this time. We want it to happen naturally.
[02:40.460 -> 02:42.300] You know, they were making those gestures.
[02:42.300 -> 02:42.800] Good guess.
[02:42.800 -> 02:48.360] So let's assume, yeah, good guess. Let's assume Toto Wolf and the gang actually lobbied the
[02:48.360 -> 02:50.920] FIA to come up with the TD, right?
[02:50.920 -> 02:53.240] And let's assume that actually happened.
[02:53.240 -> 02:59.280] Then Christian Horner would have, after losing on Singapore Sunday, said, you know what,
[02:59.280 -> 03:01.340] we've been slowed down on purpose.
[03:01.340 -> 03:03.080] This is the politics at play.
[03:03.080 -> 03:05.760] We have a quick car, but now somebody's gone and lobbied
[03:05.760 -> 03:12.400] in these rules and got them to change etc etc. So Horner not towing this line just gives me more
[03:12.400 -> 03:19.200] reason to believe it's a very small blip in what's going to be a Red Bull Formula One season.
[03:19.200 -> 03:25.520] I'm not hearing that. No, I don't buy it. No chance. No chance. It is going to be a bad day for it. But
[03:25.520 -> 03:30.400] I am marking my money. Not because I don't like the team. I do. It's a very well-drawn outfit.
[03:30.400 -> 03:36.160] And that's really commendable. But just because what we all saw last weekend, honestly, I'm just
[03:36.160 -> 03:41.840] dying to see more of that this time around. And I know the simulator point that honestly, that's a
[03:41.840 -> 03:44.880] game changer, right? Because the moment Max Verstappen comes back out and says that my car
[03:44.880 -> 03:48.080] feels the same in the simulator setup that's honestly
[03:48.080 -> 03:52.320] the scariest part but there is going to be more to it because at the Japanese GP even
[03:52.320 -> 03:56.840] though it might just turn out to be a Max Verstappen dominance there is more room for
[03:56.840 -> 04:02.440] some more fighting because this circuit is absolutely one where tyre wear is critical
[04:02.440 -> 04:05.520] and I know Sergio Perez hasn't been Sergio Perez this year and if
[04:05.520 -> 04:10.400] you all know your Snickers he's probably not himself because he's hungry. That joke failed
[04:10.400 -> 04:16.800] my god miserably but the point being it's a high... sometimes stuff happens right. I was talking about
[04:16.800 -> 04:22.880] Sergio Perez I did an uncharacteristic mistake it's just the way things are but uh for Sergio
[04:22.880 -> 04:26.000] this time out this could be one place where historically,
[04:26.000 -> 04:32.000] things favor his driving style because high downforce, hardest tyre compounds of the entire year,
[04:32.000 -> 04:35.000] drivers will be complaining about grip and tyre wear all the way through.
[04:35.000 -> 04:40.000] I'm just hoping Kunal that we can get to see the real Sergio Perez because he's been missing forever.
[04:40.000 -> 04:48.440] Like if there's a chance in time to show up, this is the place, honestly. Yeah, I don't think we've seen him since 2021.
[04:48.440 -> 04:48.940] Abu Dhabi.
[04:48.940 -> 04:49.760] Abu Dhabi country.
[04:49.760 -> 04:53.120] And then maybe the first five, six races of last year
[04:53.120 -> 04:55.160] as well, right?
[04:55.160 -> 04:58.440] But anyway, yeah, Checo Perez is somebody
[04:58.440 -> 05:01.200] that we would love to see come to the fore
[05:01.200 -> 05:04.600] and sort of pull more might in the Red Bull car.
[05:04.600 -> 05:12.200] But I think he knows his season is almost over he's just gonna bank in P2 but wait a minute that's,
[05:12.540 -> 05:24.420] that's not the key point the most important thing that I'm looking forward to for Japan apart from the really early morning start which is what's gonna happen to all of us in Europe here right is,
[05:23.000 -> 05:29.000] which is what's going to happen to all of us in Europe here, right? Is the Japanese circuit itself, the, you know, Suzuka circuit in itself.
[05:29.000 -> 05:33.000] It's, trust me, every driver who gets out of the car,
[05:33.000 -> 05:38.000] irrespective of the series or the class or the car or how many wheels they're on,
[05:38.000 -> 05:43.000] they are always like, oh my goodness, what a goddamn gorgeous circuit.
[05:43.000 -> 05:46.460] They love the flow. They love the circuit for what it is.
[05:46.460 -> 05:48.600] And before we get to also the circuit,
[05:48.600 -> 05:51.120] the other thing I'm really looking forward to, Somil,
[05:51.120 -> 05:53.320] are the Japanese Formula One fans.
[05:53.320 -> 05:54.160] You know?
[05:54.160 -> 05:54.980] Yes.
[05:54.980 -> 05:58.520] It's outside of the traditional Formula One fan base,
[05:58.520 -> 06:01.060] which is, you know, predominantly Europe
[06:01.060 -> 06:02.600] and now America and the likes,
[06:02.600 -> 06:05.760] and that's Japan, far East, right?
[06:05.760 -> 06:09.440] Their love for Formula One has been through the years.
[06:09.440 -> 06:13.280] I think it's been 48 years since we're gonna race in Japan.
[06:13.280 -> 06:16.520] So it's been a long history, long tradition, right?
[06:16.520 -> 06:19.000] Their love transcends drivers.
[06:19.000 -> 06:21.780] Their love transcends teams.
[06:21.780 -> 06:25.200] Their love transcends any Japanese connection to the sport. I mean,
[06:25.200 -> 06:30.520] Ayrton Senna for once was one of their most loved drivers, right, just because they loved
[06:30.520 -> 06:35.080] him for what it is. And I'm looking forward to all those super cool caps and the hats
[06:35.080 -> 06:40.240] and the other gear that they all sort of come up with. I wonder if there is an innovation
[06:40.240 -> 06:44.580] prize for the fans that what's the funkiest merchandise you can come up with. And then
[06:44.580 -> 06:47.740] people come up with those DRS wings and and the likes I don't know if
[06:47.740 -> 06:51.760] somebody's come up with a CURS battery or an MG UK or something that's running
[06:51.760 -> 06:57.240] which pretty much ends up failing all the time. And they also have those wiper
[06:57.240 -> 07:01.080] like sunglasses as well where they have windscreen wipers over there it's
[07:01.080 -> 07:09.000] unbelievable how they're determined and by by the way, if any Indian fans are listening in Indian GPS weekend, the bar is set very high.
[07:09.000 -> 07:14.000] You need to be at least 10% of the level of Japanese fans with whatever stuff you're allowed to bring in.
[07:14.000 -> 07:20.000] That's a different challenge altogether. But no, I love it because these are thoughtful Formula 1 fans, Kunal.
[07:20.000 -> 07:27.400] And just because we don't speak the same language or the same family of languages, we never quite get to understand really where the passion properly
[07:27.400 -> 07:27.900] comes from.
[07:27.900 -> 07:30.160] But just to see the visual display, my god,
[07:30.160 -> 07:31.040] it's quite something.
[07:31.040 -> 07:35.800] And I genuinely love how disciplined they are as well.
[07:35.800 -> 07:39.040] Whenever you watch a race over there, it's not flares.
[07:39.040 -> 07:40.360] It's not hooliganism.
[07:40.360 -> 07:42.560] You never hear a case of any bad behavior or anything
[07:42.560 -> 07:43.240] of that sort.
[07:43.240 -> 07:43.800] They'll come.
[07:43.800 -> 07:46.600] They'll sign some autographs. They'll be happy, they'll be smiling, they'll
[07:46.600 -> 07:49.000] cheer, they'll support, they wave the Honda flags and they'll go back home.
[07:49.000 -> 07:50.000] And it's beautiful.
[07:50.000 -> 07:54.560] It's the perfect fan and series relationship that you need.
[07:54.560 -> 07:58.320] And the best part of them all, they might just have another driver to cheer for for
[07:58.320 -> 08:02.720] next year as well, because there are three drivers fighting for two AlphaTauri seats.
[08:02.720 -> 08:04.800] Are we certain that Yuki is going to stay for next year?
[08:04.800 -> 08:08.080] Because that looks like the only real certainty in my mind. Before we talk of Yuki
[08:08.080 -> 08:12.320] Sonoda, you said you described the Japanese fans really well that they'll finish everything and
[08:12.320 -> 08:18.080] they'll go home, but there will be a crucial step before that. They will clean the stands themselves,
[08:18.640 -> 08:24.000] which I absolutely love about that culture. We've seen that several times in several sports in
[08:24.000 -> 08:25.600] several locations.
[08:25.600 -> 08:28.880] But coming to Yuki Sonoda, he's going to be the fan favorite. He's going to be the Max
[08:28.880 -> 08:31.680] Verstappen for the Japanese fans this weekend.
[08:31.680 -> 08:36.520] Hey, what do you mean? He's also beaten Max Verstappen in Equal Machinery, the monster
[08:36.520 -> 08:39.440] truck. Don't forget that. Yes, yes. He is faster.
[08:39.440 -> 08:46.360] Absolutely. AlphaTauri should just bring that monster truck to Japan. But has he done enough?
[08:46.360 -> 08:47.560] And let's get to that.
[08:47.560 -> 08:52.400] I mean, till last year, he was overshadowed by Pierre Gasly.
[08:52.400 -> 08:54.900] But he was still matching him a little bit in the second half
[08:54.900 -> 08:55.500] of the year.
[08:55.500 -> 08:59.040] Franz Tost, one of the junior driver architects
[08:59.040 -> 09:01.160] for Red Bull Racing, has also always
[09:01.160 -> 09:04.480] said you need three years for a driver
[09:04.480 -> 09:06.320] to settle into Formula 1. This is Yuki's
[09:06.320 -> 09:11.680] third year. He's not been washed away by Nick DeVries, who comes with a far more experience
[09:11.680 -> 09:16.480] of racing, which is, he literally ended Nick DeVries' Formula 1 career, if we may put it as
[09:16.480 -> 09:21.680] that, right? Apart from an interview that you and I pulled off with Helmut Marko, if we can
[09:21.680 -> 09:26.440] sort of credit that bit as well, which created those ripples in the paddock.
[09:26.440 -> 09:32.220] Then the second thing is Yuki Sonoda has actually had tremendous bad luck in the last two races.
[09:32.220 -> 09:37.380] So while we are applauding Lawson and his ninth place finish and all of that, Yuki did
[09:37.380 -> 09:39.380] not start in Monza.
[09:39.380 -> 09:46.520] And then in Singapore, he had a Q2 exit, courtesy of Max Verstappen impeding him.
[09:46.520 -> 09:48.520] And then we saw Lawson get into Q3
[09:48.520 -> 09:49.740] and then deliver a good race.
[09:49.740 -> 09:54.740] So I think Yuki has actually done a tremendous job
[09:55.320 -> 09:56.160] in Alfa Tauri.
[09:56.160 -> 09:57.520] And here's an unpopular opinion.
[09:57.520 -> 10:02.020] There's three drivers going into two cars, right?
[10:02.020 -> 10:03.360] But out of these three drivers,
[10:03.360 -> 10:07.720] Sunoda and Lawson have actually proved themselves.
[10:07.720 -> 10:13.360] If there's one driver who needs to prove himself yet to be eligible for the seat next year,
[10:13.360 -> 10:19.620] that's Daniel Ricciardo. And I don't mean marketing points, I mean points in the Drivers
[10:19.620 -> 10:20.620] Championship.
[10:20.620 -> 10:26.200] Yeah, no, genuinely, because five Alfred Tauri points so far this year, five of them have
[10:26.200 -> 10:28.160] been contributed by Sonoda and Lawson.
[10:28.160 -> 10:32.840] So if anything, this is, I mean, I was initially thinking this is one last chance for Lawson
[10:32.840 -> 10:36.520] to prove himself, but it's not, he's already done all that he needs to.
[10:36.520 -> 10:40.400] So if anything, it's one more chance to show the world why he should be in that car.
[10:40.400 -> 10:43.800] And that for me is so exciting, mentally heading into this weekend as well.
[10:43.800 -> 10:48.880] But it's kind of amazing how these sort of opportunities come in and turn the entire title on.
[10:48.880 -> 10:54.560] Like Bertrand Gachot and Michael Schumacher, where if one driver is unfortunately not there for some reason whatsoever,
[10:54.560 -> 10:56.800] you're able to unearth talent for quite a while.
[10:56.800 -> 11:01.280] And best part of all Kunal, Liam Lawson has the Martin Grundle seal of approval as well.
[11:01.280 -> 11:02.480] So bingo!
[11:02.480 -> 11:05.040] And what we might end up seeing this weekend for the
[11:05.040 -> 11:10.400] first time, or rather we might end up seeing completed at last, is an Oscar Piastri interview
[11:10.400 -> 11:16.320] with Martin Brundle. I'm most excited for the gridlock. Really? I'm most excited about Oscar
[11:16.320 -> 11:22.560] Piastri's interview on the InsideLineF1 podcast because several times we end up asking more deeper
[11:22.560 -> 11:27.520] relevant, insightful questions than what standard journalists
[11:27.520 -> 11:28.720] get a couple of minutes to do.
[11:28.720 -> 11:30.640] So we should go about setting that up.
[11:30.640 -> 11:33.040] But yeah, these things are great for social media
[11:33.040 -> 11:35.600] and hyping up the whole gridwalk.
[11:35.600 -> 11:37.880] If in the middle of the interview
[11:37.880 -> 11:39.600] we don't wish S. S. M. an happy birthday,
[11:39.600 -> 11:41.880] then it's not really a fair Oscar Piazza interview,
[11:41.880 -> 11:43.040] then, is it?
[11:43.040 -> 11:43.640] That's true.
[11:43.640 -> 11:50.720] But I'll tell you what, the Viaplay group has a gridwalk for most races with David Coulthard.
[11:50.720 -> 11:53.960] And trust me, that's also fantastic.
[11:53.960 -> 11:59.720] It's just that you don't get to see that on social media the way or you just don't always
[11:59.720 -> 12:10.640] get it because there are territory blocks, geo-blocking that happens. But Martin's not the only gridwalker who carries a lot of attention there.
[12:10.640 -> 12:19.120] But attention will be on Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, can they win, will they win,
[12:19.120 -> 12:25.000] or even more so on the partner to your favorite driver,
[12:25.080 -> 12:26.680] which is Charles Leclerc,
[12:26.680 -> 12:29.960] because after the summer break,
[12:29.960 -> 12:34.720] Carlos Sainz has outscored all drivers,
[12:34.720 -> 12:36.760] barring Max Verstappen.
[12:36.760 -> 12:40.520] He has outqualified and outscored Charles Leclerc
[12:40.520 -> 12:41.880] in three races in a row.
[12:41.880 -> 12:46.720] I don't know if that's ever happened with Leclerc in Ferrari races in a row. I don't know if that's ever happened in like happened in happened
[12:46.720 -> 12:51.280] with Leclerc in Ferrari ever since he moved to Ferrari. I don't think Fettel ever could do that.
[12:51.920 -> 12:56.880] And I'm sure you're excited. Look at that smile on your face. Look at that.
[12:58.160 -> 13:03.920] No, it's hard to contain it because all the way through, right, I remember when we initially had
[13:03.920 -> 13:07.480] Carlos Sainz join the team team the entire perception Kunal was that
[13:07.480 -> 13:11.360] Leclerc is a faster one undoubtedly like Saenz might be the smarter one but
[13:11.360 -> 13:15.360] Leclerc is the one able to get out more raw pace and what's really baffled me
[13:15.360 -> 13:19.120] is the fact that ever since we have returned from the summer break even in
[13:19.120 -> 13:23.280] terms of raw qualifying pace in terms of extracting the last bit from the car
[13:23.280 -> 13:26.880] Carlos Saenz has somehow discovered some missing part of the jigsaw piece.
[13:26.880 -> 13:27.880] I don't know what it is.
[13:27.880 -> 13:31.160] Like, generally, maybe it's just the fact that he's warming up his tyres better, getting
[13:31.160 -> 13:35.120] the right runs, which I remember being a serious problem in the early half of the season.
[13:35.120 -> 13:38.480] Like, Hungary, I remember, Carlos Sainz got knocked out of Q1 just because he couldn't
[13:38.480 -> 13:40.440] find the right place to get out of.
[13:40.440 -> 13:43.520] And that too, by the way, folks, is quite a skill, if you ask me.
[13:43.520 -> 13:46.240] Like, timing your qualifying exits for the warm-up lap.
[13:46.240 -> 13:54.840] Whatever it might be, just that last set, just that little bit more incisiveness, if that's the right word to use in that regard.
[13:54.840 -> 13:56.240] Science has been just having that.
[13:56.240 -> 14:01.240] And so for me, that transformation in driving ability for the last couple of years has been remarkable.
[14:01.240 -> 14:10.080] To the point where I'm super proud that I have been predicting Carlos Saenz for a win every single time and this time is going to be no different. I'm still saying this, Red Bull
[14:10.080 -> 14:14.720] Racing do not exist in Formula One, just look elsewhere because honestly Kunal, if we have
[14:14.720 -> 14:18.960] battles like last week once again, like wouldn't we all have every single one of our friends and
[14:18.960 -> 14:26.000] family members watching Formula One instead of just one and ten these days. Oh, yeah, yeah, absolutely. I mean, Singapore was a classic example
[14:26.000 -> 14:30.160] of how Formula One can be, or Formula One
[14:30.160 -> 14:34.640] is without Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen's dominance.
[14:34.640 -> 14:40.480] But this weekend, I think Leclerc has to bounce back
[14:40.480 -> 14:43.760] because that whole blue-eyed boy, it's so strange.
[14:43.760 -> 14:45.360] Despite Carlos Sainz being right up there with him, Leclerc is still the blue-eyed boy, you know, it's so strange despite Carlos Sainz being right
[14:45.360 -> 14:48.880] up there with him, Leclerc is still the blue-eyed boy who's going to deliver all the world
[14:48.880 -> 14:55.040] championships to Ferrari at some point, whether it's in 2030 or 2040, nobody knows. But what Carlos
[14:55.040 -> 15:00.880] Sainz has actually said, what he's done to sort of have this change in form and performance is,
[15:00.880 -> 15:06.680] in the summer, he sat down with his engineers, looked through a lot of data, pulled out some insights,
[15:06.680 -> 15:09.680] and has used those insights to get more comfortable
[15:09.680 -> 15:12.200] in Ferrari, which has helped him build confidence.
[15:12.200 -> 15:15.440] And that's why he is so tremendously quick.
[15:15.440 -> 15:18.660] And we already know that he's also very, very
[15:18.660 -> 15:20.560] smart in that car.
[15:20.560 -> 15:23.280] Another team that I really think,
[15:23.280 -> 15:28.680] and I'm going to make a bold prediction now, that I really think is in danger is Aston Martin.
[15:28.680 -> 15:35.160] They've slipped from number two to number four now, if I remember, in the Constructors' Championship.
[15:35.160 -> 15:41.600] There's 80 points that separate Aston Martin and McLaren.
[15:41.600 -> 15:46.440] And I get a feeling McLaren are eyeing that fifth place.
[15:46.440 -> 15:52.160] It is incredible downfall after a fantastic start to a season.
[15:52.160 -> 15:57.440] And of course, they still just have just one driver who's consistently bankable and scoring.
[15:57.440 -> 16:00.280] And by the way, Lance Stroll is back in the car this weekend.
[16:00.280 -> 16:01.280] Way.
[16:01.280 -> 16:04.200] But hey, I mean, I love Lance Stroll.
[16:04.200 -> 16:06.080] Honestly, I really do. I love the commitment
[16:06.080 -> 16:10.240] that he shows because of the high commitment that he had. He eventually ended up having that
[16:10.240 -> 16:16.560] Singapore GP crash. And one of our former guests on the podcast, Blake Hinzey, Blake, came out with
[16:16.560 -> 16:22.480] the best tweet of the entire, entire year. Because Mike Crack obviously quoted that Lance Stroll's
[16:22.480 -> 16:29.200] crash shows his commitment towards racing. And Blake, mind you, man, if you're hearing this, you're a legend, because he ended up saying,
[16:29.600 -> 16:36.120] give me the chance, rather pay me to drive a car into the wall at 350 kph for commitment and I'll do it as well.
[16:36.520 -> 16:39.640] Sure, I think you'd be more committed, wouldn't you Kunal?
[16:39.680 -> 16:43.160] Like you've done this before, you'd be more committed than Lance Stroll to make this happen.
[16:43.840 -> 16:46.600] All you have to do is drive a car into the wall at 350 kph.
[16:46.600 -> 16:49.880] And then go make a presentation about it saying, look, that's how committed I am.
[16:49.880 -> 16:51.880] I could go hit that wall.
[16:51.880 -> 16:55.120] Much like George Russell hit the gap in the wall.
[16:55.120 -> 17:01.000] I think that was another brilliant meme that came out of the Singapore Grand Prix.
[17:01.000 -> 17:05.760] And this is what I really love about social media and motorsports. Suddenly
[17:05.760 -> 17:12.040] everybody realized he literally hit the gap in Singapore Grand Prix in the barriers for
[17:12.040 -> 17:18.160] all those who haven't visually seen that. But what else do we have? We have Alpine.
[17:18.160 -> 17:23.760] They need to bounce back. They've had a miserable few outings, of course. With one car, it's
[17:23.760 -> 17:26.000] always been miserable. The other one's done all the scoring.
[17:26.000 -> 17:27.320] So if you look at Esteban's card,
[17:27.320 -> 17:29.220] he did all the fighting, but didn't get the scoring,
[17:29.220 -> 17:30.640] but Kasli did.
[17:30.640 -> 17:35.040] And then somehow they just don't seem consistent
[17:35.040 -> 17:38.440] or they seem consistently inconsistent and unreliable.
[17:38.440 -> 17:43.440] So that's another team that we need to look out for.
[17:44.240 -> 17:46.680] But above all else, Somil, and I'm pretty sure
[17:46.680 -> 17:48.640] this is where you're waiting for,
[17:48.640 -> 17:52.920] Suzuka in itself, I mean, the only circuit
[17:52.920 -> 17:57.220] which runs clockwise and then anti-clockwise, right?
[17:57.220 -> 17:59.480] Because hey, that's what the Japs can do.
[17:59.480 -> 18:01.960] The only circuit that has some of the most
[18:01.960 -> 18:07.120] magnificent corners, right, on the calendar. And not just
[18:07.120 -> 18:13.440] one, that there are the S's, the Degners, the Spoon, 130R. I mean, is there a corner on the
[18:13.440 -> 18:18.000] circuit which is standard? I mean, you're a commentator, you know this. By the way,
[18:18.000 -> 18:23.120] Somil spoke of MotoGP. He's going to be the voice of MotoGP in India this coming weekend.
[18:23.120 -> 18:25.360] Congratulations, Somil.
[18:25.360 -> 18:28.120] We look forward to hearing your commentary
[18:28.120 -> 18:32.600] for the upcoming inaugural MotoGP Grand Prix in India.
[18:32.600 -> 18:35.240] But your thoughts on Suzuka.
[18:36.720 -> 18:37.560] Thank you.
[18:37.560 -> 18:38.840] Thank you for making it happen, Radhakunal.
[18:38.840 -> 18:40.780] But on Suzuka, actually,
[18:40.780 -> 18:42.480] I have to urge you guys for one thing.
[18:42.480 -> 18:50.640] Now, normally, there's not much urging at end of the day. the day joining our inside line F1 pit stops whenever they happen in Mumbai, but in all honesty for Suzuka
[18:50.640 -> 18:51.960] I know I'm a commentator
[18:51.960 -> 18:56.340] I know that's basically how I like to make my motorsport happen just by talking about it
[18:56.340 -> 19:00.900] But this weekend don't listen to me. Don't listen to Krofty, don't listen to Alex Jakes
[19:00.900 -> 19:02.900] Don't listen to any other regional commentator
[19:03.000 -> 19:06.080] Just turn the commentary down on Saturday.
[19:06.080 -> 19:08.880] Because if the TV director is doing a good job,
[19:08.880 -> 19:13.280] you my friend will remind yourself why you fell in love with Formula 1 in the first place.
[19:13.280 -> 19:16.720] Because we all tend to love talking about the championship battles,
[19:16.720 -> 19:19.840] the driver politics, the technical directives, the upgrades,
[19:19.840 -> 19:22.160] the budget cap and so on and so forth.
[19:22.160 -> 19:25.500] But genuinely, what do you really love about Formula 1?
[19:25.500 -> 19:28.500] If you weren't a fan of speed, you wouldn't be here.
[19:28.500 -> 19:32.000] And this is one occasion where you genuinely get to check that out once again.
[19:32.000 -> 19:35.000] When you see the cars just taking down the first deck in the corner,
[19:35.000 -> 19:39.500] heading down into the camber and just the commitment that the drivers carry Kunal.
[19:39.500 -> 19:40.500] It's unbelievable.
[19:40.500 -> 19:44.500] Have you seen that shot of the drivers actually taking the spoon curve with the camera being static?
[19:44.500 -> 19:48.900] I think that's what it hits you about how fast these cars can genuinely corner because
[19:48.900 -> 19:53.580] if the camera is just right there and the car takes a fast left, it is mind-blowing
[19:53.580 -> 19:57.380] to see the amount of grip that the tyre generates and also in slow-mo if you can get to watch
[19:57.380 -> 20:02.220] it just how much the rubber actually shakes up and moves on the ground as well.
[20:02.220 -> 20:05.200] So these sort of things, that's what you love Suzuki for. And
[20:05.200 -> 20:09.600] then at the end of the day, if it gets boring in the middle of the race, you can always just
[20:09.600 -> 20:13.920] put on the onboard of one driver and just watch the car swinging around. Like that's my low key
[20:13.920 -> 20:18.240] hack. But I don't know if it really does get boring. Does it ever get boring at Suzuki Konal?
[20:18.240 -> 20:22.880] Because if there's no racing happening, blue flags I've always noticed are a big talking point
[20:22.880 -> 20:27.520] here. Like every single year, there's someone who gets obstructed by traffic because the places to pass are so
[20:27.520 -> 20:33.520] blind and so tricky. I mean, I can't in my memory think of a boring race at Suzuka. It's
[20:33.520 -> 20:37.520] even the last corner, it looks so simple. It's just a right hander taking on the straight,
[20:37.520 -> 20:43.760] but that is technical. Sector one, another, I think there are, sector one is all full of corners.
[20:43.760 -> 20:46.080] You're just turning the steering wheel for almost two
[20:46.120 -> 20:52.640] kilometers, which is roughly, you know, 40% of the racetrack, because that's what sector one needs. And the circuit
[20:52.640 -> 20:58.440] design is so Japanese, right, if I may put it as that. Usually, you have a circuit, we say, you know what, your lefts will
[20:58.440 -> 21:04.280] get screwed, or your rights are more used. But the chap said, you know, we need balanced circuit, we need balanced
[21:26.560 -> 21:32.080] But the chap said, you know, we need balanced circuit. We need balanced tyre wear. So what do we do? We on the Friday than on the Saturday Sunday. FP2 I think is going to have 30 more minutes because
[21:32.080 -> 21:38.480] they have some more prototype tires for 2024 to test. And Sawmill there could, there's actually
[21:38.480 -> 21:43.360] rain predicted this weekend or forecast for this weekend more so on the Friday than the Saturday
[21:43.360 -> 21:45.200] Sunday. Which means that if it
[21:45.200 -> 21:51.600] rains on Friday, we might not see a lot of on-track action, which is a bit of a bummer because FP2 is
[21:51.600 -> 21:57.760] 30 minutes longer with Pirelli bringing the 2020 for prototype tires. But, you know, this is where
[21:57.760 -> 22:03.360] this whole alternative tire allocation and Lewis Hamilton's comments come to my mind, because
[22:04.000 -> 22:06.960] you're bringing extra tires to a race weekend
[22:06.960 -> 22:08.840] when there's rain and you can't run them,
[22:08.840 -> 22:10.680] and you're gonna just take them back,
[22:10.680 -> 22:12.920] and that's a wastage, right?
[22:12.920 -> 22:15.520] But here on race weekends where we have everything running,
[22:15.520 -> 22:16.960] we'll just give you two, three sets less
[22:16.960 -> 22:19.720] and say it's for sustainability purposes or whatever.
[22:21.120 -> 22:23.320] Yeah, it just doesn't add up.
[22:23.320 -> 22:28.000] Just this doesn't add up, and also the't add up and also the endless flying and also just trying to accommodate
[22:28.000 -> 22:33.440] Canada so we have Azerbaijan, Canada, and then Spain in like a triple header.
[22:33.440 -> 22:35.040] Like why do we do these things?
[22:35.040 -> 22:36.960] Come on, are we really sustainable?
[22:36.960 -> 22:37.960] To be very honest.
[22:37.960 -> 22:44.120] And actually, fun fact on this one, because I know this isn't meant to be part of our
[22:44.120 -> 22:45.200] run plan, but
[22:45.200 -> 22:49.440] I was having a word with a friend of mine, so we were just randomly chatting on the sustainability
[22:49.440 -> 22:54.160] aspect of motorsports, because we were talking about Formula E and then the chat alert to Formula
[22:54.160 -> 22:59.360] 1 about net zero carbon, and then I told that friend that hey, so Formula 1 is trying pretty
[22:59.360 -> 23:03.440] hard, they want to use carbon neutral fuels and ensure that Formula 1 is as sustainable as it
[23:03.440 -> 23:08.320] possibly can be, and they want to show that motor racing is green. But she pointed out a very valid point, Kunal,
[23:08.320 -> 23:13.920] which is that if you really want to go green and sustainable, don't go motor racing. And that's
[23:13.920 -> 23:20.320] like the fairest point of it all, isn't it all? So if we're really being polluting, I don't mean
[23:20.320 -> 23:25.120] to say we shouldn't care about the environment, but again, just don't try
[23:25.120 -> 23:27.800] to pretend is what my point is.
[23:27.800 -> 23:29.240] If you're going all out, you go all out.
[23:29.240 -> 23:31.880] Just be gas guzzling and be absolutely fine with it.
[23:31.880 -> 23:32.880] Like NASCAR is a day.
[23:32.880 -> 23:34.240] If we're being dirty, we're being dirty.
[23:34.240 -> 23:35.240] Fine.
[23:35.240 -> 23:36.240] Fair.
[23:36.240 -> 23:39.000] But this whole half act that Formula 1 tends to do and the lack of a statement for Helmut
[23:39.000 -> 23:43.240] Mark who's openly racist comment on Sergio Perez, and then the whole we racist one campaign
[23:43.240 -> 23:44.240] comes to mind.
[23:44.240 -> 23:49.280] This is all half hearting stuff, isn't it? Honestly. My view is that if they don't have these
[23:50.320 -> 23:55.200] media images, some of the biggest global corporations that are spending billions of
[23:55.200 -> 24:00.160] dollars to be a part of Formula One will not want to be there. So is this positioning? Is it
[24:00.160 -> 24:06.600] posturing? Of course it is, but that's how, not just Formula One. It's so, you know, you talk of climate change,
[24:06.600 -> 24:08.700] you talk of, and these are now very touchy topics.
[24:08.700 -> 24:10.600] So it's not that I'm taking a stance.
[24:10.600 -> 24:13.100] I am just backing your point saying,
[24:13.100 -> 24:16.000] yes, Formula One can do more, do better,
[24:16.000 -> 24:18.200] rather than just being put a curtain over it.
[24:18.200 -> 24:20.500] If that's what we are trying to aim for.
[24:20.500 -> 24:21.500] Yeah, honestly.
[24:21.500 -> 24:24.500] But let's return the focus back down to Suzuka this weekend,
[24:24.500 -> 24:30.500] because it's going to be fun. So for all our American listeners here, firstly, I'll just
[24:30.500 -> 24:35.820] tell you how tricky is it. It is going to be to watch for you. I'm sure you know, but
[24:35.820 -> 24:41.520] one o'clock in New York, 10pm in US, that's the start time for the race. So if you are
[24:41.520 -> 24:49.380] a Max Verstappen fan celebrating in the east side of the US, I am sorry you're gonna need an all-nighter my friend.
[24:49.380 -> 24:52.300] That's when you really get to buy the Red Bulls and support Max Verstappen
[24:52.300 -> 24:55.960] because you need a couple of them at least to stay awake. But 3 o'clock for
[24:55.960 -> 24:59.200] the race to end Kunal, that's gonna be a tricky time for them. They're gonna be
[24:59.200 -> 25:03.520] drinking Red Bull and we are not being paid to say this. To actually see Red Bull
[25:03.520 -> 25:06.720] win the Constructors' Championship in Japan.
[25:06.720 -> 25:08.880] That's a possibility this weekend.
[25:08.880 -> 25:13.720] We've literally just forgotten about the championships and when they can be settled, but Red Bull
[25:13.720 -> 25:17.200] could win it mathematically this weekend.
[25:17.200 -> 25:23.000] Also, drivers fifth and below in the Drivers' Championship are mathematically out of contention
[25:23.000 -> 25:25.960] because there are 206 points available yet in the Drivers' Championship are mathematically out of contention because there are 206 points
[25:25.960 -> 25:29.120] available yet in the Drivers' Championship.
[25:29.120 -> 25:30.360] Oh, no.
[25:30.360 -> 25:33.640] So is Essam Anokhon out of the championship?
[25:33.640 -> 25:34.640] Most definitely.
[25:34.640 -> 25:37.240] Is Lance Stroll out of the championship?
[25:37.240 -> 25:42.760] Yes, as is George Russell, I think, and maybe even Charles Leclerc, I think so.
[25:42.760 -> 25:44.320] But it shows commitment, Kunal.
[25:44.320 -> 25:48.120] It shows commitment that Lance Stroll was able to get into the championship at this point
[25:48.120 -> 25:49.120] to compete.
[25:49.120 -> 25:52.120] Otherwise, he would have been out of the championship by round one only, right?
[25:52.120 -> 25:54.920] So I'm glad that he showed commitment to get to this stage.
[25:54.920 -> 26:00.140] But to the serious stuff, predictions, Kunal, because I know my heart will always put the
[26:00.140 -> 26:04.720] money on Carlos Sainz, but I'm honestly going to go a little bit left feet.
[26:04.720 -> 26:05.000] I think that Sergio Perez will have a little bit left feet. I think that
[26:05.000 -> 26:09.200] Sergio Perez will have a good weekend this time. Why? Again, your guess is as good as
[26:09.200 -> 26:13.800] mine. But I'm just hoping that he's able to get the original form back in because we've
[26:13.800 -> 26:18.600] seen like 10 years, 8 years ago in the past, this circuit really does work for him. Like
[26:18.600 -> 26:22.160] because his tie wear skills come in handy all the time. So I'm just banking on something
[26:22.160 -> 26:26.280] and Red Bull to get back in the right form. But who's your heart and mind?
[26:26.280 -> 26:28.280] Because the mind will always say Max.
[26:28.280 -> 26:29.280] What does the heart say?
[26:29.280 -> 26:33.440] Heart would want to see Landon Norris do well, because this is again one of those circuits
[26:33.440 -> 26:39.080] where you expect that the McLaren will have greater efficiency than it's had in the past.
[26:39.080 -> 26:43.160] McLaren has, you know, ever since they had the Austrian Grand Prix upgrade, which was
[26:43.160 -> 26:45.040] I think seven, eight races ago,
[26:45.040 -> 26:48.680] they've outscored all but Red Bull Racing
[26:48.680 -> 26:51.320] and very closely matched with Ferrari as well.
[26:51.320 -> 26:52.280] And they've been, yeah,
[26:52.280 -> 26:54.760] I think Red Bull Racing scored back some points,
[26:54.760 -> 26:55.800] then there was Ferrari.
[26:55.800 -> 26:58.720] Ferrari's boost has come in the last two weekends
[26:58.720 -> 27:01.000] and McLaren and Mercedes
[27:01.000 -> 27:02.440] have scored the same number of points.
[27:02.440 -> 27:05.720] I would say heart is with Lando Norris.
[27:05.720 -> 27:07.280] And actually, wait, before we end,
[27:07.280 -> 27:10.080] do we have any word on if Oscar Piastri is also going
[27:10.080 -> 27:11.160] to get the Singapore update?
[27:11.160 -> 27:13.200] Because I don't think he is, right?
[27:13.200 -> 27:14.520] Because that's what I remember.
[27:14.520 -> 27:15.800] So both cars will be equal, yeah.
[27:15.800 -> 27:16.920] And that will be fun.
[27:16.920 -> 27:19.680] So the 310 qualifying gap that we saw between Norris and Piastri
[27:19.680 -> 27:21.960] in Q1, which before eventually we
[27:21.960 -> 27:25.140] got to see all the headaches with the crashes come
[27:25.140 -> 27:28.940] up in the middle and ruin Oscar's laps. That could be even closer so watch out
[27:28.940 -> 27:32.460] for Saturday and just turn off the comms ladies and gentlemen because Suzuka is
[27:32.460 -> 27:36.900] always that much more fun and so since we've had so much fun talking about
[27:36.900 -> 27:40.420] Suzuka in the entire weekend we haven't introduced ourselves so far till the end
[27:40.420 -> 27:44.220] of the episode. So in case you were wondering who we are, what this is, this
[27:44.220 -> 27:46.280] was the Inside Line F1 podcast
[27:46.280 -> 27:48.040] and our Japanese GP preview.
[27:48.040 -> 27:49.280] This was Somal Adora.
[27:49.280 -> 27:51.840] I'm the host of the Indian Racing League at Star Sports.
[27:51.840 -> 27:54.000] And the other voice that you heard on this podcast
[27:54.000 -> 27:56.080] was Kunal Shah, the former marketing head of the Force
[27:56.080 -> 27:59.640] India F1 team, who is currently an FIA-accredited F1
[27:59.640 -> 28:01.960] journalist for the Viaplay Network in Norway.
[28:01.960 -> 28:04.240] Folks, I hope you've enjoyed this episode.
[28:04.240 -> 28:05.040] I hope you've enjoyed listening episode. I hope you've enjoyed
[28:05.040 -> 28:09.280] listening and I hope you've enjoyed hearing our opinions and predictions for the Japanese GP.
[28:09.280 -> 28:14.960] Let us know yours on social media and we'll be back for the Japanese GP review episode this Monday.
[28:14.960 -> None] Take care everyone. Bye-bye. you