That's All, Folks - 2023 Abu Dhabi GP Review

That's all for the on-track action from the 2023 Formula 1 season. But the action will continue on the Inside Line F1 Podcast into the off-season of the sport. We've got a few Team Principals lined up as guests followed by Daryl Goodrich (Director of the Brawn GP documentary) and Andrew Denford (from F1 in Schools).

But in this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah and @f1statsguru review the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Was the race fitting as a finale for the 2023 Formula 1 season? Or was it underwhelming at best? Frankly, the Feature Race of Formula 2 in Abu Dhabi was far more fun!

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Max Verstappen's 19th win of the season, his overtaking of Sebastian Vettel's win tally of 53 races, his leading more than 1,000 racing laps this season and more. The 2023 Abu Dhabi was yet another race of dominance by Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. However, it was also another classic for Sergio Perez. Checo lost positions yet again, this time due to a post-race time penalty! It's the third consecutive race in which he's lost positions on the final lap!

McLaren's missed opportunities with Lando Norris and their slow stop giving George Russell and Mercedes vital track position and points in their battle for P2 against Ferrari, Charles Leclerc's Sainz-esque approach to clinch P2, Tsunoda-Hamilton's last lap scrap and Fernando Alonso's brake-testing of Hamilton. A lot happened in the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix even if the overall race wasn't as exciting. 'Tyre management' was the name of the game, unfortunately.

Btw, did you notice the new podium at the Yas Marina Circuit? Also, AI was in action for 'track limits' this race. Lots to talk about, lots to tune in for!

(Season 2023, Episode 63)

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

Image courtesy: Mercedes

**Race Review:**

* Max Verstappen secured his 19th win of the season, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's record of 53 race wins and leading more than 1,000 racing laps.
* Sergio Perez lost positions due to a post-race time penalty, marking the third consecutive race where he lost positions on the final lap.
* McLaren missed opportunities with Lando Norris due to a slow stop, giving George Russell and Mercedes vital track position and points in their battle for P2 against Ferrari.
* Charles Leclerc employed a Sainz-like approach to secure P2, while Tsunoda and Hamilton had a last-lap scrap, and Alonso brake-tested Hamilton.

**Notable Moments:**

* A new podium was unveiled at the Yas Marina Circuit.
* AI was utilized for track limits enforcement during the race.

**Season Review:**

* Mercedes secured the Formula 1.5 Constructors' Championship by a narrow margin.
* Max Verstappen's dominance has relegated other teams to Formula 1.5, leading to a lack of excitement and entertainment in Formula 1.
* The 2023 season featured several thrilling races, including the Singapore Grand Prix, which was the only race where all drivers participated.
* Verstappen's achievements, including 19 race wins and 1,000 laps led, are remarkable and may be difficult to surpass in the future.

**Proposed Changes for 2024:**

* Sundaram suggests introducing more races to potentially allow for more race wins and record-breaking performances.
* Kunal expresses satisfaction with the current format and believes teams should figure out how to improve their performance within the existing regulations.
* Jens emphasizes the need for better stewarding and consistent application of rules and penalties to enhance the quality of racing.

**Donut Gate:**

* Formula One initially allowed the top three drivers to perform donuts on the start-finish straight post-race but later rescinded the permission.
* Drivers such as Leclerc, Alonso, Russell, and Albon inquired about doing donuts but were denied.
* Potential reasons for the denial include preserving engines for post-season testing and avoiding unnecessary expenses associated with potential damage from donuts.

**Driver of the Day:**

* Yuki Tsunoda is unanimously chosen as the Driver of the Day for his impressive performance, leading five laps and showcasing his skills.

**Leclerc and Alonso's Performances:**

* Leclerc displayed strategic decision-making by letting Perez pass, a move that Ferrari initially disapproved of but ultimately benefited the team in the Constructors' Championship.
* Alonso secured P3 in the Drivers' Championship, with the outcome being determined by the number of P3 finishes throughout the season.
* Both Leclerc and Alonso demonstrated a willingness to take matters into their own hands and make strategic decisions during the race.

**McLaren's Struggles:**

* McLaren faced a five-second pit stop for Lando Norris, costing him track position to George Russell.
* The team acknowledged that developments made to the car to catch up with Red Bull may have compromised its drivability, leading to driver errors.
* Norris' tendency to make mistakes under pressure is a concern, and his progression will be closely monitored in the upcoming season.

**Alpine's Performance:**

* Alpine's struggles will be discussed in an upcoming podcast episode with Otmar Szafnauer.
* Pierre Gasly had a challenging race, expressing frustration over incidents with Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez.

**Perez's Penalty and Alonso's Brake Check:**

* Perez received a five-second penalty for his collision with Norris, which some consider unfair as it was a racing incident.
* Alonso's brake-testing of Hamilton is deemed unsporting and dangerous, although it did not result in any major consequences.

**Conclusion:**

* The 2023 Formula 1 season concluded with a race that lacked excitement, highlighting the dominance of Verstappen and Red Bull.
* The focus now shifts to the off-season, with several team principals and experts lined up as guests on the Inside Line F1 Podcast to discuss various aspects of the sport. # Inside Line F1 Podcast: Season 2023, Episode 63 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Review

**Summary:**

The Inside Line F1 Podcast team, consisting of Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah, and @f1statsguru, convene to dissect the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race of the 2023 Formula 1 season. They delve into various aspects of the race, offering their insights and perspectives.

**Key Points:**

* **Max Verstappen's Dominance:** Verstappen secured his 19th win of the season, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's win tally of 53 races. He also led more than 1,000 racing laps, further solidifying his dominance.

* **Sergio Perez's Misfortunes:** Despite a strong performance, Perez lost positions due to a post-race time penalty, marking the third consecutive race where he lost positions on the final lap.

* **McLaren's Missed Opportunities:** McLaren missed crucial opportunities, including a slow pit stop for Lando Norris, which allowed George Russell and Mercedes to gain track position and points in their battle for P2 against Ferrari.

* **Charles Leclerc's Strategy:** Leclerc adopted a Sainz-like approach to secure P2, demonstrating his adaptability and strategic thinking.

* **Tsunoda-Hamilton Scrap:** Yuki Tsunoda and Lewis Hamilton engaged in a thrilling last-lap battle, adding excitement to the race.

* **Fernando Alonso's Brake-Testing Controversy:** Alonso admitted to brake-testing Hamilton, sparking discussions about the dangers and unsporting nature of such actions.

* **Track Limits and AI Implementation:** The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked the first use of AI to monitor track limits, resulting in penalties for Logan Sargent and Sergio Perez.

* **Post-Season Car Management:** The teams will analyze the cars, conduct stress tests, and allocate components for the 2024 season. Some cars may be preserved for museums or sold at auctions.

* **Yuki Tsunoda's Progress:** Tsunoda's impressive performance, including leading five laps, highlighted his growth and potential.

* **Alpha Tauri's Resurgence:** Alpha Tauri's improved pace, attributed to adopting more Red Bull components, has resulted in a significant jump in the constructors' standings.

* **New Podium at Yas Marina Circuit:** The Abu Dhabi circuit unveiled a new podium, inspired by the Monza podium, but it received mixed reactions.

* **Conclusion:** The 2023 Formula 1 season concluded with Verstappen's dominance and several memorable moments. The team looks forward to the off-season, including upcoming podcast episodes featuring Team Principals and special guests.

[00:00.000 -> 00:07.280] Before we begin, I wanted to give a huge shout out to the folks at Amazon Music for partnering
[00:07.280 -> 00:10.800] with us on this episode of the InsideLine F1 podcast.
[00:10.800 -> 00:12.500] But more on this later.
[00:12.500 -> 00:38.360] Right then, let's get right into today's episode. Ladies and gentlemen, it is all over and done with.
[00:38.360 -> 00:42.200] At last, we can all take a deep breath and settle in.
[00:42.200 -> 00:46.520] The pain and torture of watching Max Verstappen dominate Formula 1 is over.
[00:46.520 -> 00:51.560] But in Formula 1.5, we have a new constructors championship by only a couple of points here
[00:51.560 -> 00:52.560] and there.
[00:52.560 -> 00:55.460] Ladies and gentlemen, it is Mercedes.
[00:55.460 -> 00:56.460] That was a race Kunal.
[00:56.460 -> 00:59.200] I mean, okay, straight up for everyone listening in.
[00:59.200 -> 01:03.880] We are not talking about Formula 1 here very clearly because Formula 1 hasn't existed for
[01:03.880 -> 01:05.040] the last 12 months. But bloody hell Formula 1. very clearly because Formula 1 hasn't existed for the last 12 months,
[01:05.040 -> 01:11.440] but bloody hell Formula 1.5 Kunal, that was a title fight literally if you had to genuinely
[01:11.440 -> 01:16.640] exclude Verstappen out of it, can you imagine a title fight decided by one driver letting the
[01:16.640 -> 01:21.120] other one go past and hoping that a penalty to them will allow them to pip their main rivals.
[01:21.840 -> 01:29.720] That is a great title finish. That's incredible right? Can you imagine? Singapore was the only race where we actually had a
[01:29.720 -> 01:35.080] Formula One race where everybody participated. We don't just say this because Max didn't
[01:35.080 -> 01:40.720] win. By the way, Max has taken Formula One so far away from everybody with his dominance
[01:40.720 -> 01:46.360] and his display this season, that even if others have been paying to participate in Formula One,
[01:46.360 -> 01:48.960] they have been relegated to Formula 1.5.
[01:48.960 -> 01:50.000] That's what Samuel says.
[01:50.000 -> 01:52.600] So for all the Dutch fans listening in,
[01:52.600 -> 01:54.240] we love what Max is doing.
[01:54.240 -> 01:58.240] Absolutely, thousand laps that he's led in 23.
[01:58.240 -> 02:01.480] But we have to look down the field
[02:01.480 -> 02:03.880] because that's literally where the action,
[02:03.880 -> 02:09.340] the entertainment, the talking point, all of that is right. Sundaram, what's your pick?
[02:09.340 -> 02:14.620] Is it Formula One? Is it Formula 1.5? Formula 1.5 has been the theme of the day
[02:14.620 -> 02:18.060] so let's let's talk about that and kind of give credit to the other teams that
[02:18.060 -> 02:23.620] made the season a little bit bearable, exciting to a certain extent, otherwise it
[02:23.620 -> 02:26.000] would have been a lot more boring
[02:26.000 -> 02:31.920] than it probably seems like. But yeah, lots of interesting battles which we totally relished.
[02:31.920 -> 02:37.760] Yeah, but wait, before we go to that Sundaram, you mentioned a very interesting stat right before we
[02:37.760 -> 02:45.600] went on air. Max could have won 18 races in a row, had it not been for Singapore. Before we get to Formula 1.5
[02:45.600 -> 02:50.020] proper, let's just put that into context right. I think the most amount of wins
[02:50.020 -> 02:55.000] that Lewis Hamilton ever had in a season was 13 wasn't it? Now that's
[02:55.000 -> 03:00.080] Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton had less, Hamilton had 10. What is this guy? I mean
[03:00.080 -> 03:04.640] seriously let's just put it out there and I know finish it off. I know for all
[03:04.640 -> 03:06.760] the Max fans right here, even they're tired.
[03:06.760 -> 03:10.520] Because when we had our event at Khar Social today, which by the way was such a roaring
[03:10.520 -> 03:13.840] success and for all of you listening in, thank you for showing up there.
[03:13.840 -> 03:17.920] But when we had the event over there, everyone just did not want to talk about Max, but we
[03:17.920 -> 03:20.600] should for only one second.
[03:20.600 -> 03:24.640] In 19 wins Sundaram, it doesn't add up to me.
[03:24.640 -> 03:25.480] Seriously. 19 wins Sundaram, it doesn't add up to me, seriously.
[03:29.640 -> 03:32.560] You know, when these records were first set by the likes of Alan Prost and Michael Schumacher, and it always seemed that it would never be broken.
[03:32.640 -> 03:35.480] And Michael's always said that records are meant to be broken.
[03:36.080 -> 03:37.440] And then Hamilton broke them.
[03:37.440 -> 03:42.280] And worst happens taken them so far that that thought comes to your mind once again,
[03:42.280 -> 03:44.560] can anyone actually beat this?
[03:44.560 -> 03:47.160] Sure, we're going to see more races in Formula 125 races,
[03:47.160 -> 03:48.760] 24 races and all,
[03:48.760 -> 03:50.760] but it's gonna be extremely difficult
[03:50.760 -> 03:53.760] for a driver to lead a thousand Grand Prix laps,
[03:53.760 -> 03:55.600] not even considering sprint laps,
[03:55.600 -> 03:58.760] a thousand Grand Prix laps, 19 race wins.
[03:58.760 -> 04:00.220] It's incredible.
[04:00.220 -> 04:04.560] It's only gonna take some mega prodigy
[04:04.560 -> 04:06.320] who's probably gonna come and break this.
[04:06.320 -> 04:09.360] But yeah, it looks very, very unbeatable in my opinion.
[04:09.360 -> 04:16.080] Or, you know, while I was growing up, I used to wonder why can't we just have a Formula
[04:16.080 -> 04:19.280] One race every weekend? There are 52 weekends in the year.
[04:20.160 -> 04:24.320] Just get on with it and have 52 race weekends. It was when I was growing up,
[04:24.320 -> 04:27.280] I was aspiring to drive in Formula 1.
[04:27.280 -> 04:31.080] Now that I'm working in Formula 1, I will not tell you what my ideal number of races
[04:31.080 -> 04:33.560] are because I don't know.
[04:33.560 -> 04:37.640] But yeah, if there were 52 races, then somebody could come and win 19 or whatever.
[04:37.640 -> 04:40.560] But yeah, incredible driving, Max Verstappen.
[04:40.560 -> 04:47.000] He also extended this record, nine consecutive race wins from pole for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix,
[04:47.000 -> 04:51.000] which by the way, we should do a rate the race conversation.
[04:51.000 -> 04:54.000] We are rating Max Verstappen. Yeah, we are rating Max Verstappen.
[04:54.000 -> 04:58.000] Great drive, great whatever, dominant, etc. We didn't expect anything less.
[04:58.000 -> 05:03.000] Let's do one thing. Let's rate the race and then let's discuss the most important thing.
[05:03.000 -> 05:05.920] There was Donut Gate that happened post race.
[05:05.920 -> 05:10.840] I want to talk about that just after we rate. Yes, there was donut gate.
[05:10.960 -> 05:15.560] Yes. We'll talk about it, but I'm going to start rating the race.
[05:16.040 -> 05:20.560] If ever there was a finale that formula one did not need,
[05:21.080 -> 05:22.120] it was this.
[05:22.920 -> 05:24.960] One second. One second.
[05:30.560 -> 05:37.360] What do you, one second, one second, are you talking about the entire race as a whole? I'm talking about the entire race as a whole yeah I mean the the the the last Vegas Grand Prix was
[05:37.360 -> 05:45.000] you know where the trip just ended on a high. Greatest of entertainment, great on track battles and then done.
[05:48.760 -> 05:49.360] Okay. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, my goodness,
[05:54.560 -> 05:55.400] till the last two laps, till whatever happened with like Claire and Perez and
[06:00.200 -> 06:03.400] and George Russell and then with Sunoda and with Lewis Hamilton was the only thing that spiced things up. I'm telling you, literally every third radio message
[06:03.840 -> 06:09.040] was using the word style management. People were laughing then Carlos Sainz's engineer said we are waiting
[06:09.040 -> 06:14.000] for the safety car to pit but that's what they do when you have a tyre management race you wait
[06:14.000 -> 06:19.200] to see if there are interruptions you can make fun of. So I think it was a really boring end to the
[06:19.200 -> 06:23.920] race. This is not the momentum I want to take into the winter season but now we're forced to do that.
[06:23.920 -> 06:24.640] the momentum I want to take into the winter season. But now we're forced to do that.
[06:30.080 -> 06:35.520] At least we get a break, which is honestly, I think, let's be honest, at this stage, everyone is tired. Everyone, the fans are tired, the drivers are tired,
[06:35.520 -> 06:39.360] the people working in the sport are tired, the broadcasters are tired.
[06:39.360 -> 06:45.680] I think even Max at some point has to be tired of winning so much. It's a well needed 100 day break.
[06:45.680 -> 06:50.160] Hopefully McLaren comes back in but on the subject of tyre management, it's interesting
[06:50.160 -> 06:54.720] because when we have all this stuff, maybe one fine day Formula One and the bosses will say Pirelli
[06:54.720 -> 06:59.280] hey, we don't want any tyre management anymore. And Pirelli will stupidly come up with a compound
[06:59.280 -> 07:07.920] that's too, too, let's say feeble in a way. what we end up getting is more six-stop races like we had in 2013
[07:07.920 -> 07:12.800] and that's also not the solution. One second before we go to all the drivers and talk about
[07:12.800 -> 07:18.240] them. Jens, what do you think needs to change for 24 genuinely from the sports perspective
[07:18.240 -> 07:21.680] because we can talk about all the stories in this race until the cows come home but
[07:22.480 -> 07:31.600] what do we want to see different from 2024 genuinely Genuinely, we can start off with you Sundaram. No, no, no, no, you guys haven't rated the race yet. So
[07:31.600 -> 07:37.760] I think the tone in both of our voices says it's a solid slap bang four out of ten, isn't it?
[07:39.120 -> 07:43.280] Yeah, but you also said we get a break. Who said we're getting a break? We've got Franz
[07:43.280 -> 07:46.200] Tost coming. We got Otmar Saffnauer coming.
[07:46.200 -> 07:48.600] We're going to have a preseason event to plan for.
[07:48.600 -> 07:50.400] We've got F1 in schools coming.
[07:50.400 -> 07:54.400] We've got Darryl Goodrich from the Braun GP coming.
[07:54.400 -> 07:57.840] Who said we need a break after Abu Dhabi?
[07:57.840 -> 08:00.760] Yes, but I don't think we are getting a break from Formula
[08:00.760 -> 08:02.280] 1 in the off season.
[08:02.280 -> 08:04.480] We're getting a break from Wassapen being in B1
[08:04.480 -> 08:08.040] for a while, at least for 100 days. And that I'm so glad to see.
[08:08.360 -> 08:10.880] But no, genuinely Kunal, we'll start with you on this one.
[08:11.160 -> 08:14.520] What would you like to see different from the sport before we talk about all
[08:14.520 -> 08:18.000] the quirky stories from this race? Because genuinely there were a few.
[08:18.360 -> 08:20.440] I don't think I want to change anything. You know,
[08:20.440 -> 08:24.280] what we've seen and everybody's going to say this as the rule,
[08:26.720 -> 08:34.160] as, as an era prolongs, or as an era goes by in Formula One, convergence happens, teams get closer, Saturdays are incredibly
[08:34.160 -> 08:40.480] close as well. Red Bull stopped developing the RB19 since July or August since the summer break.
[08:40.480 -> 08:43.840] We don't know if it was before the summer break or after the summer break because that in itself
[08:43.840 -> 08:47.280] is four weeks of development.
[08:47.280 -> 08:52.000] I'm excited to see what ABI 20 is going to be like and if Mercedes is going to have a
[08:52.000 -> 08:54.440] W15 which is again going to go to the bin or not.
[08:54.440 -> 08:57.880] So I don't want to change anything, let them figure it out.
[08:57.880 -> 09:03.560] But yeah, okay, if there's one thing I want to change, I want to have drivers being able
[09:03.560 -> 09:05.000] to do donuts because like I said,
[09:05.260 -> 09:09.120] we had donut gate in Abu Dhabi and I don't like it when my donuts are not
[09:09.120 -> 09:09.960] served.
[09:11.960 -> 09:12.800] Oh,
[09:16.040 -> 09:18.720] let's get to that in a second. What do you, what do you think about this?
[09:19.680 -> 09:21.280] It's a fun little place to be right?
[09:21.280 -> 09:24.040] Because we were all crying out loud for a budget cap.
[09:24.480 -> 09:28.000] Now that the budget cap is here, nobody can catch up because of the budget cap.
[09:28.000 -> 09:31.000] I don't think that's the thing that should be changed ideally.
[09:31.000 -> 09:41.000] But in all honesty, I think, really, I'm so confused about how structurally we can get championship battles to happen.
[09:41.000 -> 09:47.880] It's been two years now. If, God forbid, 2024 is also going to be be somewhat similar where teams cannot catch up to Red Bull because simply they're hindered by the
[09:47.880 -> 09:53.400] budget cap. Maybe it'll be a decent time for us to re-evaluate the structure of the sport.
[09:53.400 -> 09:56.880] Because as you rightly mentioned earlier on Kunal, it seems like teams are not hungry
[09:56.880 -> 10:01.520] anymore because they don't have to finish higher up in the table to survive. Yes, it
[10:01.520 -> 10:08.720] means that we get to see more healthy businesses and more safe jobs. But in terms of a racing spectacle, which is why by the way, we folks are all here,
[10:09.280 -> 10:13.520] it kills the hunger, because the stomachs are already full. What do you reckon Sundaram?
[10:14.400 -> 10:19.840] Absolutely. And the one thing I mean, this is my long term request, a long term wish from Formula
[10:19.840 -> 10:25.880] One. You know, in back in 2010, we had four drivers fighting for the championship in the season finale.
[10:25.880 -> 10:28.760] Four different drivers from three different teams.
[10:28.760 -> 10:32.320] I want to see Formula One go back to that stage where we have three different constructors
[10:32.320 -> 10:37.980] fighting it out for the championship, if not in the finale, but generally in the championship.
[10:37.980 -> 10:42.240] I genuinely want to see teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, right up there.
[10:42.240 -> 10:46.000] And that's eventually the end goal, in my opinion. The sprints are
[10:46.000 -> 10:50.460] not the problem, there's no problem with sprints. So don't put all your focus over there, try
[10:50.460 -> 10:56.760] to get better racing on Sundays, that's the number one thing. And it's a lot more easier
[10:56.760 -> 11:01.800] said than done, surely it's going to take a couple of years, maybe 2024 and 2025 are
[11:01.800 -> 11:09.440] going to be similar to how it was this year. But one thing probably that can generally be fixed maybe is better
[11:09.440 -> 11:13.340] stewarding and better application of rules and penalties.
[11:13.340 -> 11:16.080] That is one thing I think has to be improved.
[11:16.320 -> 11:20.360] Why don't we do this? We'll invite a guest we had early on in the season,
[11:20.360 -> 11:23.400] Craig Scarborough, who we all know from F1 TV Tech Talk.
[11:24.080 -> 11:25.280] He is best equipped
[11:25.280 -> 11:30.440] to tell us what could Formula One do to have more closer battles.
[11:30.440 -> 11:35.600] Although we don't want it to be manufactured, we want it to be on merit.
[11:35.600 -> 11:40.680] And I feel this is a very heavy conversation for Abu Dhabi review when, by the way, there
[11:40.680 -> 11:44.040] were so many stories that came up from the race weekend.
[11:44.040 -> 11:45.600] Donut Gate, I know I've been saying it
[11:45.600 -> 11:47.300] since the last 11 minutes.
[11:47.300 -> 11:50.960] What happened is F1 actually said top three drivers
[11:50.960 -> 11:55.240] could do donuts on the start finish straight post-race.
[11:55.240 -> 11:58.320] They said that, it was an official document that came out.
[11:58.320 -> 11:59.760] Okay.
[11:59.760 -> 12:02.680] Then what happened is Charles Leclerc, he asked,
[12:02.680 -> 12:04.200] seriously, can I do donuts?
[12:04.200 -> 12:10.400] Negative, you can't do donuts. Fernando Alonso, George Russell, Alexander Alban, all of them asked if they
[12:10.400 -> 12:16.080] could do donuts. Alex Alban was actually told by James Wall that our seventh place in the
[12:16.080 -> 12:19.600] Constructors' Championship is thanks to your hard work this season. Thank you. And he said,
[12:19.600 -> 12:23.680] thank you. Yeah, but hey, now can I do donuts? You know, he was like a child. This is what my
[12:23.680 -> 12:28.480] daughter does. You know, suddenly when she thinks she's done something or she's like, but now can I have olives?
[12:28.480 -> 12:32.160] You know her favorite thing instead of having some candies or whatever, right? And
[12:33.260 -> 12:39.940] Everybody was told to not do doughnuts. Now there could be two reasons for this. First is they don't believe they had a season
[12:40.480 -> 12:45.600] Celebrate worth celebrating enough. That could be one of the reasons reasons I don't think we've had a great
[12:45.600 -> 12:51.600] season guys no donuts or second which is more obvious is they are just saving the engine
[12:51.600 -> 12:58.240] for the post-season tests that are to happen in Abu Dhabi from Tuesday because at the end of the
[12:58.240 -> 13:05.520] day if you know imagine you're not going to use a new engine or a new power unit in the test.
[13:05.520 -> 13:08.720] You will reuse your quota from the season because it costs money.
[13:08.720 -> 13:11.120] It's all under the budget cap, etc.
[13:11.120 -> 13:18.480] You don't want to suddenly have the whole team, all your drivers show up, stay back in Abu Dhabi, do a test,
[13:18.480 -> 13:23.520] which nobody's interested in and then suddenly blowing up engines because your driver wanted to do donuts.
[13:23.520 -> 13:25.160] So, I guess that's just the reason.
[13:25.360 -> 13:27.360] Ah, if only, if only.
[13:27.560 -> 13:28.960] It would have been cool. Donuts,
[13:28.960 -> 13:31.680] maybe the championship trophy being awarded at that moment in time.
[13:32.000 -> 13:33.440] Yeah, that would have been cool, no Sundaram?
[13:33.440 -> 13:35.040] But it is what it is, I suppose.
[13:35.480 -> 13:36.560] Yeah, I just vaguely remember.
[13:36.560 -> 13:39.440] I think, didn't we have this directive last year as well that,
[13:39.840 -> 13:43.720] I think it came from Formula One that you're not supposed to do donuts.
[13:43.720 -> 13:46.100] And that's, I think that's also the question.
[13:46.100 -> 13:47.800] You see, if teams are really preserving
[13:47.800 -> 13:51.280] on their components and engines for the postseason test,
[13:51.280 -> 13:52.440] I kind of get it.
[13:52.440 -> 13:54.780] Why is this a directive from Formula One itself
[13:54.780 -> 13:56.920] that you're not supposed to do donuts?
[13:56.920 -> 13:58.260] And who did donuts?
[13:58.260 -> 14:00.840] Mick Schumacher did donuts, only to be told off
[14:00.840 -> 14:03.680] by Gunter Steiner, I remember.
[14:03.680 -> 14:06.480] And I think Max was the only one who could do donuts,
[14:06.480 -> 14:08.760] because he was like, dude, I'm Max Verstappen.
[14:08.760 -> 14:10.280] I'm a three-time world champion.
[14:10.280 -> 14:12.360] I tell Red Bull I want to pit, and they pit.
[14:12.360 -> 14:14.360] I tell Red Bull pit, Checo, and they pit.
[14:14.360 -> 14:17.880] So I tell Red Bull, and I tell Formula One, I'm doing donuts.
[14:17.880 -> 14:19.640] Or hey, I just do the donuts, and then they
[14:19.640 -> 14:21.920] figured out I've done donuts.
[14:21.920 -> 14:23.920] Or maybe I touch the rear wing of a car,
[14:23.920 -> 14:25.600] and I get a 50,000 euro fine and I don't
[14:25.600 -> 14:31.280] even care about it. That's the sort of thing Max does. Yeah. Or I just overtake in the pit lane exit
[14:31.920 -> 14:38.000] in FP2 in that tunnel in Abu Dhabi and then they turn around and remind everybody, no overtaking
[14:38.000 -> 14:43.200] in the pit lane. You know, Max is sometimes this challenging. Or I end up dominating a race without
[14:43.200 -> 14:45.400] even doing FP1 and I just don't care about it.
[14:45.400 -> 14:47.600] That's how good he is doing this year.
[14:47.600 -> 14:51.200] And I get replaced in FP1 by a rookie and I still win the race.
[14:51.200 -> 14:52.000] That's what Max did.
[14:52.000 -> 14:52.800] Exactly.
[14:52.800 -> 14:56.000] This is Max Verstappen dominating.
[14:56.000 -> 15:01.000] And you know, sometimes Max Verstappen has just challenged my knowledge of Formula 1 and the rulebook.
[15:01.400 -> 15:04.800] You know, when he did the pit lane thing, he's been doing it since a couple of races now.
[15:04.800 -> 15:06.480] I'm like, is that even allowed?
[15:06.480 -> 15:17.120] I'm sure he's, you know, if Max is doing it, it's allowed. Now you have to ask the reverse question. If Max has done it, is it actually allowed? And will the stewards then be reminded the next race?
[15:17.120 -> 15:25.960] Oh, by the way, he's not supposed to do that. And any Logan Sargent fans in the house here?
[15:26.760 -> 15:26.920] Awkward silence.
[15:27.600 -> 15:28.160] I guess.
[15:28.520 -> 15:29.040] Nice. I guess no.
[15:29.040 -> 15:29.280] Nice.
[15:29.280 -> 15:29.960] I like that.
[15:29.960 -> 15:30.400] I like that.
[15:30.400 -> 15:31.240] I really like that.
[15:31.240 -> 15:33.040] That speaks volumes.
[15:33.280 -> 15:35.520] The fact that nobody said anything.
[15:37.360 -> 15:38.000] No, but you say.
[15:38.000 -> 15:46.720] So Logan Sargent was inadvertently confirmed as a Williams driver for 2024.
[15:47.440 -> 15:52.400] All our listeners in United States of America, assuming that you're Logan Sargent fans,
[15:52.960 -> 15:57.360] Williams actually told him post race, you know, good drive, blah, blah, blah, lots to work on
[15:57.360 -> 16:10.760] winter and look forward to more next year. Okay, so either the engineer was just used to saying it to whichever driver he has worked on all these years or the engineer just let it slip by. I
[16:10.760 -> 16:14.400] think it's the latter. What do you guys think? I think it's the latter. I think
[16:14.400 -> 16:19.400] he's gonna keep a seat for next year. I mean seriously, where else do you go?
[16:19.400 -> 16:26.040] Where else do you go? All I'm gonna say is if they have as much ambition, Williams probably won't
[16:26.040 -> 16:30.200] keep him. But clearly, it tells you more about where they're going to be in that regard.
[16:30.200 -> 16:36.160] But we should also talk about more on the racing because yes, we had these things, but
[16:36.160 -> 16:40.760] on the track as well on Sunday, there was so much madness, including what Leclerc did,
[16:40.760 -> 16:45.600] why that happened, why Fernando Alonso eventually got P4 over him in the championship,
[16:50.400 -> 16:56.400] more on McLaren and there are a few micro stories that we need to track for 2024 as well. And also what we think of Yuki Tsunoda's race, because he clearly, clearly was the driver of
[16:56.400 -> 17:02.000] the day. Do we all agree guys? Driver of the day for sure? Yes. Absolutely. What do you think Sundaram?
[17:02.000 -> 17:05.000] Surely right? There's no,? Yes. He led five laps.
[17:05.000 -> 17:06.000] He's done an Antonio Giovinazzi.
[17:06.000 -> 17:07.000] I love it.
[17:07.000 -> 17:11.000] But we're going to discuss all of that and more after a short break.
[17:11.000 -> 17:12.000] After a short break.
[17:12.000 -> 17:13.000] So be right here, folks.
[17:13.000 -> 17:14.000] We'll be back.
[17:14.000 -> 17:19.000] Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen, to the InsideLine F1 podcast.
[17:19.000 -> 17:21.960] Now, we haven't quite introduced ourselves yet.
[17:21.960 -> 17:22.960] My name is Somal Arora.
[17:22.960 -> 17:23.960] I'm the...
[17:23.960 -> 17:25.680] I butchered my name very quickly. My name is Somal Arora. I am the, I butchered my name very
[17:25.680 -> 17:30.840] quickly. My name is Somal Arora. Yes, that's how you say it. I am the voice of the MotoGP
[17:30.840 -> 17:36.380] Indian GP and also of the Indian Racing League. Joined of course by two very, very special
[17:36.380 -> 17:40.460] guests for the last race review of the year. We've got Kunal Sharp, the former marketing
[17:40.460 -> 17:46.960] head of the Force India Formula One team and an FIA accredited F1 journalist for the Viaplay network in Norway.
[17:46.960 -> 17:52.640] And also F1 Stats Gurusundaram, part of the WTF1 content creators pool and whose stats
[17:52.640 -> 17:56.320] have been read out by Crofty so many times on the broadcast.
[17:56.320 -> 17:57.880] It's not even funny anymore.
[17:57.880 -> 17:59.760] But okay, where do we go to folks?
[17:59.760 -> 18:00.840] Very, very quickly.
[18:00.840 -> 18:06.440] I think we should start with Leclerc and Alonso. Two different drivers with different
[18:06.440 -> 18:12.800] stories. But eventually we saw Fernando Alonso in his third Formula 1 season take P3 in F1.5.
[18:12.800 -> 18:18.200] I feel genuinely that's an achievement. But talk about the margins, Kunal. Imagine P3
[18:18.200 -> 18:23.920] in the Drivers' Championship being settled by the most number of P3s in the races. That
[18:23.920 -> 18:27.280] is honestly, Formula 1 is in a good space right now
[18:27.280 -> 18:31.920] if we just take Max away. Such a close battle. I don't remember for a long time actually for P3,
[18:31.920 -> 18:36.240] genuinely. Yeah, and Fernando Alonso going through Fernando Alonso things,
[18:36.880 -> 18:42.160] but, you know, he drove a fairly interesting race to seventh, I would say. You know, the usual,
[18:42.160 -> 18:49.060] Aston Martin wasn't really flying or anything. they were just there. And the most fun thing that
[18:49.060 -> 18:52.520] Fernando Alonso actually had, he had a moment with Max Verstappen, they
[18:52.520 -> 18:56.200] both were interviewing each other after the race. It was on Viaplay, it's all
[18:56.200 -> 19:00.760] over the social media, go and check it out. But the most fun thing when Fernando
[19:00.760 -> 19:04.480] Alonso was asked, he asked saying, can I do a donut? And they said no Fernando,
[19:04.480 -> 19:05.320] absolutely not. He had the funniest answer, he asked saying, can I do a donut? And they said, no, Fernando, absolutely not.
[19:05.640 -> 19:06.760] He had the funniest answer.
[19:06.760 -> 19:10.960] He said, I actually did my donut on lap one in Las Vegas last Sunday or last
[19:10.960 -> 19:11.800] Saturday.
[19:13.840 -> 19:17.120] At least man's got humor. But for Alonso,
[19:17.600 -> 19:20.120] we'll do like a proper season review later,
[19:20.600 -> 19:30.000] but I find it interesting how Leclerc eventually finally got, I mean, it's kind of strange that he's ended up in P5 in the original championship all the way through.
[19:30.000 -> 19:41.000] But even then, we need to talk about what he's done. Because I find it amazing that both the Ferrari drivers, now officially Leclerc as well, have taken matters into their own hands.
[19:41.000 -> 19:47.600] They no longer depend on the team, they'll come up with wise solutions in the middle of the race. And yes, initially, we thought Leclerc was the more
[19:47.600 -> 19:52.840] submissive one. We remember Monaco 22 as being a shining example of him following the team
[19:52.840 -> 19:57.440] and doing what they say. But I like that Sundaram now he's taking matters into his own hands.
[19:57.440 -> 20:01.560] And he didn't get Ferrari's approval, but he still let Perez go. Sheaman didn't work
[20:01.560 -> 20:05.360] out. But I like what I see for 2024. He's realized that
[20:05.360 -> 20:08.800] if there's anyone who's got to take matters in their own hands, it's got to be me. And
[20:08.800 -> 20:13.200] that is a fun story to follow for next year. I hope that's not the case for next. I hope
[20:13.200 -> 20:18.060] they only have to focus on the driving. But I mean, kudos to Luckluck for doing that great
[20:18.060 -> 20:23.240] presence of mind that too in the final stages of the race. Because I mean, in all honesty,
[20:23.240 -> 20:25.440] I always thought that Ferrari could beat
[20:28.800 -> 20:33.200] Mercedes by probably doing a different tyre strategy or something of that sort. But look, look, coming out with this sort of a tactic towards the end of the race,
[20:33.200 -> 20:38.480] letting Perez get by. I mean, quite honestly, that would have meant Ferrari would have been
[20:38.480 -> 20:43.600] ahead of Mercedes in the championship, probably 10 to 12 million more in the kitty in terms of
[20:43.600 -> 20:46.000] development, which is great.
[20:50.720 -> 20:58.400] Unfortunately, science wasn't there in the mix. If he was there, I think it would have given them a few extra points. But unfortunately, he started from 16. But I genuinely hope that the drivers
[20:58.400 -> 21:02.800] don't have to take things into their hands next year. And the strategic team, the strategy team
[21:02.800 -> 21:05.660] is able to come up with these things from their side themselves.
[21:05.660 -> 21:10.020] But the drivers already have things in their hands, they're the ones driving the cars.
[21:10.020 -> 21:15.260] The funny thing, and I'm just joking of course, the funny thing is that Carlos Sainz did a
[21:15.260 -> 21:19.700] hard hard, so he committed to a two stop and then he retired from the race, which most
[21:19.700 -> 21:26.000] of us missed because Ferrari again would have realized, hey, P2 is not coming, let's just call it off and
[21:26.000 -> 21:32.160] go. So we, unless there was a genuine problem, which we'll never know. But I think Charles was
[21:32.160 -> 21:37.840] very impressive in the way he showed, you know, what he wanted to do. It was very cheeky, very
[21:37.840 -> 21:42.320] un-Charles-like, I would say, it was very Carlos-signs-like. That's what we all assumed and
[21:42.320 -> 21:46.720] we thought. But here's the fun part. George Russell
[21:46.720 -> 21:53.440] was thorn in the fish, right? George Russell actually was behind the two McLaren cars at
[21:53.440 -> 21:57.680] the start. And then he of course overtook Oscar Piaceri. And Oscar Piaceri clearly,
[21:57.680 -> 22:01.360] every time we go to a race where there's tire management, he just drops back. He qualifies
[22:01.360 -> 22:08.960] well and then he drops back. And that's the progression, like we've said, Samuel has explained before, we are just going to keep tracking that progression.
[22:09.520 -> 22:15.200] But McLaren, a team that has two sub two-second stops actually had a five-second stop on Lando
[22:15.200 -> 22:21.360] Norris. And then Lando Norris lost track position to George Russell in the pits. And then he never
[22:21.360 -> 22:25.160] recovered from that. So, George suddenly had a boost of points.
[22:25.160 -> 22:29.600] So McLaren inadvertently helped Mercedes finish ahead
[22:29.600 -> 22:32.160] of Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship.
[22:32.160 -> 22:33.920] Because we saw Lewis was struggling,
[22:33.920 -> 22:35.640] he was battling, et cetera, et cetera.
[22:35.640 -> 22:37.600] And then Lando Norris, since we are on that,
[22:37.600 -> 22:39.080] we have to ask the question,
[22:39.080 -> 22:42.400] when is he going to stop making mistakes under pressure?
[22:42.400 -> 22:46.640] Is that the progression we will see him make in the coming season?
[22:46.640 -> 22:50.800] Because we've seen Max Verstappen do it several times before, we've seen Sebastian Vettel do it,
[22:50.800 -> 22:55.920] is it now Lando Norris' time to sort of iron out these mistakes? And I also like what
[22:55.920 -> 23:01.360] McLaren came out and said post-qualifying, that maybe the developments of the car that we made
[23:01.360 -> 23:05.560] to try and catch Red Bull have made the car a little
[23:05.560 -> 23:10.120] undrivable in places forcing driver error. So they are backing their drivers
[23:10.120 -> 23:13.560] as well like they should. They are two great drivers, don't they?
[23:13.560 -> 23:18.560] No, because in that sense whenever Lando does bottle it, you then look towards
[23:18.560 -> 23:22.880] where Oscar finishes and you tend to compare the results in that sense and
[23:22.880 -> 23:29.100] Oscar in that sense has been keeping it very clean. So that's why people tend to compare the results in that sense and Oscar in that sense has been keeping it very clean so that's why people tend to appreciate Oscar being
[23:29.100 -> 23:33.860] able to do well despite Lando kind of bottling it in certain situation that
[23:33.860 -> 23:38.420] only makes Oscar look better is what I am trying to say and this is something
[23:38.420 -> 23:42.580] that they're definitely going to track throughout 2024 as well because
[23:42.580 -> 23:45.280] we've discussed this before as well. The chances
[23:45.280 -> 23:51.620] are very far and few that McLaren can really put their car on pole or even win a race.
[23:51.620 -> 23:56.860] And when that opportunity does arise, Lando has to keep it together and take it with both
[23:56.860 -> 23:59.540] hands. Let's see how it happens in 24.
[23:59.540 -> 24:04.360] And not just this race, we saw Qatar as well being one shining example of that. One might
[24:04.360 -> 24:05.120] say had there been a
[24:05.120 -> 24:08.960] better start? I think it was a sprint race in Brazil, right? I think that could have been
[24:08.960 -> 24:14.160] another opportunity for them to track position being the potential advantage there. But that's
[24:14.160 -> 24:20.800] on McLaren. What are we going to track next for Alpine? I think with Alpine, it's going to be so
[24:20.800 -> 24:26.340] hard to go in the future. But we're trying to do that with Otmar Safner who's gonna come on the podcast very quickly and
[24:26.400 -> 24:31.240] We're really gonna throw a few direct questions at him like quite simply. Why are Alpine where they are?
[24:32.320 -> 24:36.600] We need to talk about where they are because this was a typical Alpine race for PA Gasly
[24:36.600 -> 24:42.400] We couldn't quite hear the depths of his furiousness, but apparently he was going crazy
[24:42.440 -> 24:45.960] We saw that clash with Lewis Hamilton at the start.
[24:45.960 -> 24:48.680] We saw that move with Sergio Perez as well.
[24:48.680 -> 24:50.880] Really really a terrible race for him.
[24:50.880 -> 24:55.120] But on that front, on that Perez clash that reminds me, now that we've come here, he got
[24:55.120 -> 24:57.600] a five second penalty for what he did to Lando Norris.
[24:57.600 -> 24:58.600] Correct.
[24:58.600 -> 25:00.200] Okay, we all agree it's a fair one.
[25:00.200 -> 25:02.160] I know Fernando Alonso's a fan.
[25:02.160 -> 25:04.440] No, I don't think it's a fair one.
[25:04.440 -> 25:09.040] I think it was a racing incident. That's what Formula 1 needs to change.
[25:09.040 -> 25:13.840] Oh, wait, one second. Am I getting? Yes, I'm a better see that wasn't too aggressive.
[25:13.840 -> 25:17.440] Generally, yeah, Perez on them. No, surely that can't be a penalty, right?
[25:18.080 -> 25:23.680] I got confused with the accidents initially. Perez on Norris should have just been treated
[25:23.680 -> 25:25.200] as a racing incident.
[25:25.200 -> 25:26.200] Yeah.
[25:26.200 -> 25:28.960] Yes, Perez went in, went in deep, braked, etc.
[25:28.960 -> 25:29.960] But Norris also turned in.
[25:29.960 -> 25:31.960] Norris could have waited for him, whatever.
[25:31.960 -> 25:34.880] It's a racing and Norris didn't turn him on him on purpose, etc.
[25:34.880 -> 25:36.440] Whatever, you know, I think.
[25:36.440 -> 25:40.920] But this is the third consecutive race that Perez has actually lost a position in, not
[25:40.920 -> 25:44.640] on the last lap in Abu Dhabi, but in the closing stages of the race, because Brazil happened,
[25:44.640 -> 25:45.780] Las Vegas happened and now
[25:45.780 -> 25:47.780] this happened and
[25:47.800 -> 25:50.560] You know, anyway Perez finishing high would have helped
[25:51.360 -> 25:56.480] Red Bull and Ferrari and whatever sorry and Ferrari and Mercedes in P2 in the drivers
[25:56.980 -> 26:02.160] Championship as well because I clearly don't think that was a racing incident. Yeah, I
[26:02.720 -> 26:12.160] Now that you look back at the replays, it feels like it's a little inconsistent. Let's put it that way. I mean, the way it's all worked out, it was pivotal
[26:12.160 -> 26:16.160] to the way the championship also panned out at the very, very end too. So interesting how that's
[26:16.160 -> 26:22.560] played out. But on that subject, if Perez gets a P5 second penalty for that, I honestly don't
[26:22.560 -> 26:25.280] understand why Alonso doesn't get a penalty for a break check,
[26:25.280 -> 26:30.560] which is the most unsporting and dangerous thing you can do. Even though it's a, even though I'm
[26:30.560 -> 26:37.120] a Fernando Alonzo fan openly, I don't think that is a sporting thing to do Sundaram in any way
[26:37.120 -> 26:41.360] whatsoever. Yes, it didn't, it didn't result in anything crazy, but that break check was just,
[26:42.960 -> 26:46.000] it can be passed off as naughty, but it can be far far worse than that as well.
[26:46.000 -> 26:48.000] Isn't that typical Fernando?
[26:48.000 -> 26:50.000] But isn't he naughty?
[26:50.000 -> 26:52.000] Isn't he trying to be a little smart on track?
[26:52.000 -> 26:54.000] But I just want to go back to that.
[26:54.000 -> 26:56.000] Did he actually break test Lewis?
[26:56.000 -> 26:59.000] He admitted to it. He said it's just what you have to do.
[26:59.000 -> 27:02.000] Really? I must have missed that.
[27:02.000 -> 27:05.600] If he said that, that's just, that's not fair. I mean,
[27:05.840 -> 27:09.920] I still remember Fernando Alonso had break tested David Coulthard in the
[27:09.920 -> 27:14.240] early 2020s, no early 2000s.
[27:14.240 -> 27:18.160] It was in Imola or something, breaking for the chicane. But anyway,
[27:18.240 -> 27:22.080] he said that it was a repeat of, he said, sorry,
[27:22.080 -> 27:26.520] it was a repeat of Canada 2013 and in both cases I won.
[27:26.520 -> 27:30.240] That's the exact wording of Fernando Alonso on the brake check.
[27:30.240 -> 27:37.320] He said he was he admitted to wanting to get Hamilton away from the DRS range.
[27:37.320 -> 27:39.340] Honestly it bugs me.
[27:39.340 -> 27:44.240] It bugs me because yes Formula One cars are super safe but you never know what the result
[27:44.240 -> 27:47.040] of a brake check is going to be.
[27:47.040 -> 27:49.960] It comes across to be, honestly, it
[27:49.960 -> 27:52.040] comes across to me as being slightly frivolous
[27:52.040 -> 27:56.240] and being not bothered about what the potential outcomes can
[27:56.240 -> 27:56.720] be.
[27:56.720 -> 27:58.280] I'm talking about talking like an uncle right now,
[27:58.280 -> 27:58.800] but it's true.
[27:58.800 -> 27:59.640] It's a brake check.
[27:59.640 -> 28:02.480] It is the most unsporting thing you can do as a driver, Kunal.
[28:02.480 -> 28:02.960] Oh, yeah.
[28:02.960 -> 28:03.680] It's unsporting.
[28:03.680 -> 28:04.440] It's dangerous.
[28:04.440 -> 28:10.320] It's unwanted. It's all of that. I'm expecting this to carry forward into the winter.
[28:12.240 -> 28:16.960] There will be conversations around this because it was clear from the onboards as well you could see
[28:16.960 -> 28:22.000] it but you know the FIA maybe this is where the FIA's consistency needs to come in because break
[28:22.000 -> 28:25.120] checking should just not be allowed come what may.
[28:25.120 -> 28:30.200] But the FIA again, they had AI for the first time checking track limits.
[28:30.200 -> 28:34.720] And I think it was Logan Sargent and Checo Perez who were the clear victims.
[28:34.720 -> 28:39.200] I mean, Perez has been victim of track limits every time in qualifying.
[28:39.200 -> 28:44.080] Logan Sargent, again, his average qualifying position is actually lower than Nick Defries'
[28:44.080 -> 28:45.500] position, just so y'all know.
[28:45.500 -> 28:50.200] But just Logan, Sargent things, I guess.
[28:50.200 -> 28:55.000] But, you know, another thing we should talk about, what will happen to the cars now?
[28:55.000 -> 28:57.200] Because we spoke about the post-season test on Tuesday.
[28:57.200 -> 28:59.200] So the cars will, you know, last till then.
[28:59.200 -> 29:00.300] They'll go back to the factories.
[29:00.300 -> 29:05.860] They'll literally break down every component, you know, strip the cars apart.
[29:05.860 -> 29:08.260] They will put aside components that will be carried forward
[29:08.260 -> 29:10.700] and they will run stress tests on these cars.
[29:10.700 -> 29:12.220] Some cars will make it to the museum,
[29:12.220 -> 29:14.860] the power units go to the power unit department,
[29:14.860 -> 29:15.860] or if you're a customer team,
[29:15.860 -> 29:18.500] go back to your power unit supplier.
[29:18.500 -> 29:21.020] And then you just see what learnings
[29:21.020 -> 29:24.860] and what you can do to build the 2024 car, I guess.
[29:24.860 -> 29:25.920] And some of them after
[29:25.920 -> 29:29.920] five years or 10 years or 15 years will make it to a Sotheby's auction right.
[29:32.880 -> 29:36.880] Yeah exactly and it's interesting now the postseason test is also going to come about
[29:36.880 -> 29:42.800] that could also reveal a few things here and there. I think we should then also go off and
[29:42.800 -> 29:45.000] talk a little bit more about Yuki Tsunoda.
[29:45.000 -> 29:50.760] I think last thing to touch upon, we're all glad to see the way things are going.
[29:50.760 -> 29:53.600] He's led a few laps, which is incredible to see.
[29:53.600 -> 29:59.160] We had one person actually at our race screening event at Car Social in Mumbai, talk about
[29:59.160 -> 30:00.160] this.
[30:00.160 -> 30:03.160] He said, I think Yuki Tsunoda is the most overrated driver, he said, something along
[30:03.160 -> 30:04.200] those lines.
[30:04.200 -> 30:05.920] And immediately afterwards, Tsunoda
[30:05.920 -> 30:08.240] went out there and proved him wrong in a way, which
[30:08.240 -> 30:09.440] is generally great to see.
[30:09.440 -> 30:11.680] Because I think we all doubted why he's getting
[30:11.680 -> 30:13.360] another chance in Formula 1.
[30:13.360 -> 30:14.920] The progression is great to see.
[30:14.920 -> 30:16.680] But just what went wrong, Sundaram?
[30:16.680 -> 30:21.320] One stopper, clearly Alfa Tauri just, I feel,
[30:21.320 -> 30:23.800] at least what it looks like from all the news reports,
[30:23.800 -> 30:25.080] it seems like their tyre
[30:25.080 -> 30:29.200] wear went in bad afterwards and they just couldn't keep up unfortunately.
[30:29.200 -> 30:33.640] You mentioned a while ago that Sunoda has done a Giovonazzi and that's actually true.
[30:33.640 -> 30:39.160] I mean, a little bit of context setting over here, Giovonazzi actually has led more laps
[30:39.160 -> 30:42.080] around Singapore than Max Verstappen.
[30:42.080 -> 30:45.480] Similarly, Yuki Sunoda has led more laps around Abu
[30:45.480 -> 30:51.520] Dhabi than Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc combined. Five laps for him and three for
[30:51.520 -> 30:57.640] Alonso and two for Leclerc. So yes, that's a stat I'm going to use for next year definitely.
[30:57.640 -> 31:04.200] But yeah, very, very interesting race for Tsunoda and a great farewell for Franz Tost.
[31:04.200 -> 31:07.440] Last race with the team, Yuki Tsunoda
[31:07.440 -> 31:12.040] leads five laps. I think the first time that they've led laps since Italy 2020
[31:12.040 -> 31:17.120] and a bunch of points as well. They got very very close to Williams in the
[31:17.120 -> 31:21.720] constructors as well. It would have been almost P7 but yes they stuck to a
[31:21.720 -> 31:26.920] one-stopper. They stuck to a one one stopper when in fact when they did have the opportunity to a two stopper
[31:26.920 -> 31:31.320] and that kind of didn't work in their favor.
[31:31.320 -> 31:34.760] But yeah, P8 is not bad.
[31:34.760 -> 31:39.600] Yeah, especially when you consider how it started off with their car.
[31:39.600 -> 31:43.200] And another story to track is going to be how they fare next year.
[31:43.200 -> 31:48.000] No Sundaram, the way they've picked up at certain places, P4 in Mexico in qualifying,
[31:48.000 -> 31:52.160] couple of good results, P6 for Sunoda here. It's just getting better.
[31:52.160 -> 31:56.720] No, it has been getting better, but it has been exponentially getting better because this team,
[31:56.720 -> 32:02.640] if I remember correctly, they had scored only five points in the first 17 races of the season.
[32:02.640 -> 32:06.160] And the last five races, they have literally taken 20 points, jumped from P10 in the first 17 races of the season and in the last five races they have literally taken 20
[32:06.160 -> 32:12.400] points, jumped from P10 in the constructors to P8. So definitely the last couple of races things
[32:12.400 -> 32:18.880] have improved. It's not just the Riccardo factor but generally upgrades have worked for them and
[32:18.880 -> 32:23.920] Yuki has been doing exceptional. I would say he's been doing a lot better than his previous season.
[32:23.920 -> 32:28.480] Sure there's been a lot of question marks about this probably being his last season
[32:28.480 -> 32:34.760] in F1 or with Alpha Tauri, but he's generally done better and put that team or put that
[32:34.760 -> 32:39.880] car in situations where it would have been otherwise difficult. So a good season for
[32:39.880 -> 32:43.280] UK, I would say. I'm hoping next year is better.
[32:43.280 -> 32:45.680] And you know, so Alpha Tauri has also picked
[32:45.680 -> 32:49.920] up pace because they're taking on more components from Red Bull. The most important thing they're
[32:49.920 -> 32:53.360] going to take this or they have taken the suspension as well. So clearly they've suddenly
[32:53.360 -> 32:59.200] had this spike in performance that's there because if you know, literally Red Bull's RB19 is what
[32:59.200 -> 33:04.640] everybody wants to have. And Alpha Tauri for them, it's the easiest to have it legally, I mean to say
[33:04.640 -> 33:05.280] right. But I'm a little disappointed. They should have just done what everybody was doing, done a to have an Alpha Tauri for them, it's the easiest to have it legally, I mean to say, right?
[33:05.280 -> 33:06.320] But I'm a little disappointed.
[33:06.320 -> 33:08.280] They should have just done what everybody was doing,
[33:08.280 -> 33:10.840] done a two stopper, trusted their scar
[33:10.840 -> 33:12.720] and the deck rates that they had
[33:12.720 -> 33:14.960] and just managed to probably score a few points
[33:14.960 -> 33:16.400] because there was that one position,
[33:16.400 -> 33:19.880] they were just going equal or one point less than Williams.
[33:19.880 -> 33:24.000] And they were just lucky that Williams actually didn't score.
[33:24.000 -> 33:28.840] But that's just me saying what I probably think of.
[33:28.840 -> 33:33.840] But Abu Dhabi, the most expensive circuit in the world,
[33:34.040 -> 33:36.840] the one that we will remember for Ferrari World
[33:36.840 -> 33:39.360] and for 2021 more than anything else,
[33:40.920 -> 33:46.880] has, no, had, it's become one race old, had a new podium this weekend.
[33:46.880 -> 33:51.360] It's mimicked upon the Monza podium.
[33:51.360 -> 33:53.760] Frankly, I completely missed it.
[33:53.760 -> 33:58.720] It didn't make any sense to me, or it didn't hit me that it's a new podium, maybe because
[33:58.720 -> 34:03.440] they didn't open the gates like Monza does for the fans, or maybe they did open the gates
[34:03.440 -> 34:07.640] and there weren't too many fans, one doesn't't know but what do you guys think of the podium?
[34:07.640 -> 34:13.360] I agree with you on that if you have a podium like Monza you need to have the fans like
[34:13.360 -> 34:19.560] Monza and they didn't let them in but it felt flat it's okay I mean they could have done
[34:19.560 -> 34:24.400] a much better job with that but the cool down room looked cool I mean they'd finally felt
[34:24.400 -> 34:25.920] like a luxury place to be.
[34:25.920 -> 34:31.600] Normally it's just like a small quarter allocated next to the podium. Now it felt like a room to be.
[34:31.600 -> 34:37.600] I mean I wanted to be there. Look at the way. I know we're not with three grown men talking about
[34:37.600 -> 34:42.880] interiors in a racing podcast but that looked good. The sofas were incredible, the lighting was good,
[34:42.880 -> 34:45.120] they had a big enough screen for you to rewatch the race.
[34:47.960 -> 34:48.800] Everyone was nice and chill, not cramped into a Rolls Royce.
[34:51.800 -> 34:52.520] Honestly. Yeah, that is the way you want to end your season. No.
[34:55.840 -> 34:59.560] Of course, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, I mean, the most expensive race you can attend and the most expensive circuit you can go
[34:59.560 -> 35:00.400] to.
[35:00.480 -> 35:04.920] And obviously these are the two races where there's a lot of glitz and glamour
[35:04.920 -> 35:06.080] and fireworks and everything.
[35:06.080 -> 35:07.080] So sure.
[35:07.080 -> 35:10.280] Actually, before we end the episode, we also need to talk about a couple of other things.
[35:10.280 -> 35:13.480] Sundaram Haas have made some sort of an achievement this time.
[35:13.480 -> 35:14.480] What is it though?
[35:14.480 -> 35:16.880] They finished 10th? Is that what you mean?
[35:16.880 -> 35:20.000] Repeating history?
[35:20.000 -> 35:21.000] No, no.
[35:21.000 -> 35:26.960] No, in all seriousness, the fact is that Haas has scored 12 points this year.
[35:26.960 -> 35:31.200] That's the most a team finishing last has scored ever since this point system started
[35:31.200 -> 35:32.200] in 2010.
[35:32.200 -> 35:33.200] Amazing.
[35:33.200 -> 35:36.920] It's good to see the teams have then at least all scoring a few points here and there.
[35:36.920 -> 35:40.880] But we've all spoken about what we'd like to see from Formula 1 in 24 as well.
[35:40.880 -> 35:43.880] Gentlemen, one last thing to wrap from our last race review of the year.
[35:43.880 -> 35:46.400] When we say last race review of the year, we mean it.
[35:46.400 -> 35:47.880] There's going to be so many more episodes.
[35:47.880 -> 35:51.000] So don't think this is the end of us by the end of the year.
[35:51.000 -> 35:57.000] But what do you think is your concluding note for the on-track action, Kunal, for this year?
[35:57.000 -> 36:05.000] Well, I still think that, you know, teams clawing back aerodynamic performance
[36:05.360 -> 36:08.440] has seen cars become difficult to follow,
[36:08.440 -> 36:10.000] overtake and so on.
[36:10.000 -> 36:13.720] I mean, qualifying is still the one session to watch.
[36:13.720 -> 36:16.280] So if you have friends you want to introduce to Formula One,
[36:16.280 -> 36:18.360] make them watch qualifying.
[36:18.360 -> 36:23.360] I think we have had just two front row lockouts this year.
[36:23.760 -> 36:26.320] It was Red Bull at the opening race in Bahrain
[36:26.320 -> 36:27.840] and then Ferrari in Mexico City.
[36:27.840 -> 36:31.600] Literally every other race, there's been no front race.
[36:31.600 -> 36:33.200] That's my daughter coming to say,
[36:33.200 -> 36:35.080] Papa, you have to say good things about Formula One.
[36:35.080 -> 36:36.280] It's incredible.
[36:36.280 -> 36:39.140] But I think at the end of the day,
[36:39.140 -> 36:41.800] just give them more equal cars,
[36:41.800 -> 36:44.080] make it more fun in some way.
[36:44.080 -> 36:48.760] I don't know, they've had these rules about sliding scale arrow, budget caps,
[36:48.760 -> 36:53.000] making things as constant as possible.
[36:53.000 -> 36:55.920] None of that is working for some reason.
[36:55.920 -> 36:59.520] Now, this is where someone's like, you should have just said this at the start of the episode,
[36:59.520 -> 37:00.520] not at the end.
[37:00.520 -> 37:09.400] But I don't think this is the most exciting formula of Formula One that should be.
[37:09.400 -> 37:11.200] Probably that's all I have to say.
[37:11.200 -> 37:12.800] Yeah, let's wait and see.
[37:12.800 -> 37:14.440] Let's wait and see what 24 is like.
[37:14.440 -> 37:19.240] But folks, thank you for supporting us all the way through for all the on track stuff
[37:19.240 -> 37:20.240] in 2023.
[37:20.240 -> 37:22.240] Generally, it's been a crazy year.
[37:22.240 -> 37:23.840] We've had so many guests.
[37:23.840 -> 37:27.220] We have, as we've constantly mentioned, we are going to have more and more of them
[37:27.220 -> 37:32.420] coming to the podcast in the very recent, in the very near future as well.
[37:32.420 -> 37:36.840] So seriously, it's been a bumper year for the InsideLineF1 podcast.
[37:36.840 -> 37:40.380] There is going to be a lot more, there are going to be more episodes before 2023 ends.
[37:40.380 -> 37:44.280] But also a note on all of the people who have attended our in-person live events.
[37:44.280 -> 37:49.360] Seriously, we're so grateful that you choose to spend your Sunday evenings with us.
[37:49.360 -> 37:53.520] It means so much that you're able to take out three hours of your time every single
[37:53.520 -> 37:57.480] race weekend to just come be there with us and talk about the races.
[37:57.480 -> 38:02.120] It's amazing that Siddharth Sundaram and myself, and also sometimes we've had a few guests
[38:02.120 -> 38:03.120] join in as well.
[38:03.120 -> 38:07.280] People like Abhishek Thakle, who've been a great, great support for us to go out there.
[38:07.280 -> 38:10.520] So a huge thank you to you folks, firstly, for attending.
[38:10.520 -> 38:12.720] A huge thank you to our partners who've
[38:12.720 -> 38:15.200] been all around, including social and binge
[38:15.200 -> 38:17.320] pod stories as well, for making this happen.
[38:17.320 -> 38:21.160] And if you are going to be in Mumbai next year, join us.
[38:21.160 -> 38:23.120] It's going to be a ton of fun, not just Mumbai.
[38:23.120 -> 38:25.240] We're planning to bring this to other cities as well.
[38:25.240 -> 38:27.520] So be right here on this journey with us.
[38:27.520 -> 38:31.600] But on the very end, folks, thank you for making 2023 so awesome.
[38:31.600 -> 38:35.320] And we'll be back with more episodes starting off with Daryl Goodrich on the Inside Line
[38:35.320 -> 38:36.320] F1 podcast.
[38:36.320 -> 38:37.320] Stay tuned for that, folks.
[38:37.320 -> 39:08.800] We'll be right here. Goodbye. Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the Inside Line F1 podcast. Before we ended, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Amazon Music once
[39:08.800 -> 39:13.880] again for partnering with us on this episode of the podcast.