Time to get the sandbags off + 5 things to watch for - 2022 Bahrain GP Preview

We're getting closer to the start of the 2022 Formula 1 season and soon it will be time to get the sandbags off! On Saturday, we will sort of know the pecking order for the first third of the season.

On Sunday, we will know if the cars and tyres will deliver what we're all waiting in anticipation for - classic wheel-to-wheel battles. 

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In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal preview the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix and tell you the 5 things to watch for - this includes a possible battle between Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg!

Tune in!

(Season 2022, Episode 12)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

## Formula 1 Inside Line Podcast: Season Premiere Discussion

### Episode Overview:

- The Inside Line F1 Podcast hosts, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah, kick off the 2022 Formula 1 season with excitement and anticipation.
- They discuss the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, highlighting five key aspects to watch for during the race weekend.

### Key Points:

1. **Pecking Order:**
- The biggest intrigue lies in determining the pecking order among the teams, especially in the midfield.
- Williams is expected to be at the back, while Red Bull and Ferrari are likely to be at the front.
- The true performance of teams and drivers will be revealed during qualifying, when the sandbags come off.

2. **New Rivalries:**
- The new regulations and cars could lead to unexpected rivalries and battles on the track.
- Potential rivalries include Schumacher vs. Verstappen, Sainz vs. Alonso, and Magnussen vs. Hülkenberg.

3. **Car Performance:**
- The drivers and teams have been emphasizing the improved ability to race closely with the new cars.
- Sunday's race will reveal if the cars can truly deliver exciting wheel-to-wheel battles.

4. **Tire Performance:**
- The debut of 18-inch tires and the removal of the Q2 tire choice rule add intrigue to tire strategy.
- Pirelli's new tire compounds are expected to be more durable in battle, enhancing racing.

5. **Race Direction and Graphics:**
- A new race director structure, including Niels Wittig and Eduardo Freitas, aims to ensure consistent application of rules, especially in wheel-to-wheel racing.
- Fans eagerly await the new television graphics and intro sequence for the 2022 season.

### Additional Points:

- Sebastian Vettel's positive COVID-19 test and Nico Hülkenberg's return as a reserve driver are mentioned.
- The hosts express their enthusiasm for the new season and the return of Formula 1 racing.
- They invite listeners to join them for a pre-race quiz event in Mumbai.

### Predictions:

- Soumil predicts Max Verstappen for pole position and Carlos Sainz for the race win, with a surprise midfield performance from Valtteri Bottas.
- Kunal also predicts Verstappen for pole and the win, with an emphasis on watching how Hülkenberg settles into the Aston Martin.

### Conclusion:

- The hosts encourage listeners to follow the Inside Line F1 podcast and social media channels for in-depth analysis and coverage throughout the season.
- They bid farewell to the listeners, expressing their excitement for the upcoming race weekend.

[00:00.000 -> 00:29.320] It's that time of the year once again. Ah, welcome back ladies and gentlemen to the Inside Line F1 podcast and pits to podium
[00:29.320 -> 00:32.480] or I think for this year, the Ferrari Hype Train.
[00:32.480 -> 00:33.480] Welcome aboard.
[00:33.480 -> 00:35.520] But jokes aside, welcome along folks.
[00:35.520 -> 00:39.760] It feels so great to introduce you to yet another season of our race coverage right
[00:39.760 -> 00:42.760] here on the Inside Line F1 podcast and pits to podium.
[00:42.760 -> 00:45.920] And I think it's about time where we can just bid goodbye
[00:45.920 -> 00:48.840] to all of our social interactions on Saturday and Sunday.
[00:48.840 -> 00:51.800] They were fun while it lasted, but see you in December, guys.
[00:51.800 -> 00:53.160] Wow, what a time of the year.
[00:53.160 -> 00:54.240] Feels so good.
[00:54.240 -> 00:56.440] It feels like we are in the spring of the year,
[00:56.440 -> 00:58.000] quite literally in terms of the season,
[00:58.000 -> 01:00.840] but also in terms of just how upbeat we're all feeling
[01:00.840 -> 01:01.760] to see this new season.
[01:01.760 -> 01:04.000] And firstly, I've got to introduce myself.
[01:04.000 -> 01:08.640] My name is Somal Arora. I'm the host of the driving force on Disney plus hot star joined by the former
[01:08.640 -> 01:13.280] marketing head of the force India F1 team in Kunal Shah who's now working as a motorsport consultant
[01:13.280 -> 01:18.880] at the Vsport network in Norway. Clearly Kunal over the last couple of days I've had this amazing
[01:18.880 -> 01:24.080] urge just to watch Formula One. Now the funny part is if you can have something like that for a movie
[01:24.080 -> 01:27.640] you can just go and maybe find about find out about the outcome right but the funny part is if you can have something like that for a movie you can just go and maybe find out about the outcome right but
[01:27.640 -> 01:32.300] the best part about this is you have to wait but luckily that wait is finally
[01:32.300 -> 01:34.600] over.
[01:34.800 -> 01:39.160] That wait is finally over by the time this episode is out the cars would have
[01:39.160 -> 01:45.920] hit free practice one or been getting ready for Free Practice 1 in Bahrain, I would say.
[01:46.480 -> 01:54.480] And yes, it's the whole anticipation. First race of the season. What do we expect? What are the
[01:54.480 -> 02:01.280] five things to watch for? What's the pecking order? And we've already been given the first
[02:01.280 -> 02:08.960] big news of the weekend. I know we're going to talk about it later but that is Sebastian Vettel testing positive for COVID-19 and
[02:08.960 -> 02:14.680] Nico Hulkenberg stepping in as a reserve for him. So first big news in
[02:14.680 -> 02:19.080] I know we speak about it but what's the one thing that's on the top of your list
[02:19.080 -> 02:24.880] that you are waiting in anticipation for for this weekend's Grand Prix? For me it has
[02:24.880 -> 02:26.800] to be the pecking order, genuinely.
[02:26.800 -> 02:31.360] Because there's this great buzz and great uncertainty about who stacks up where.
[02:31.360 -> 02:34.560] Now we all know that Williams are very likely to be last,
[02:34.560 -> 02:37.200] and we all know that Red Bull and Ferrari are very likely to be first,
[02:37.200 -> 02:39.440] but everything in the middle is murky.
[02:39.440 -> 02:41.840] We don't know just how far the midfield teams are,
[02:41.840 -> 02:43.680] even if they are midfield teams at all.
[02:43.680 -> 02:50.240] So that order just really battles me out out and just Mercedes as a whole because as we discussed in our last episode with
[02:50.240 -> 02:54.320] Abhishek Thakle where we discussed the whole season and played a game of word association
[02:54.320 -> 02:59.840] with each team. I mentioned that it could be the story like the boy who cried wolf where they've
[02:59.840 -> 03:03.760] always always claimed that they've had a bad testing but maybe now that they finally have
[03:03.760 -> 03:06.900] had one nobody's ready to believe them including my dad who claims that they've had a bad testing, but maybe now that they finally have had one, nobody's ready to believe them, including my dad,
[03:06.900 -> 03:08.240] who claims that they're gonna get pole
[03:08.240 -> 03:09.520] and the win this time around.
[03:09.520 -> 03:12.160] So where they stack up is generally
[03:12.160 -> 03:13.560] so exciting to think about.
[03:16.120 -> 03:19.240] Yes, come qualifying, you know,
[03:19.240 -> 03:21.400] it's gonna be time to take the sandbags off.
[03:21.400 -> 03:23.920] It's gonna be time to take all the fuel off
[03:23.920 -> 03:26.280] and nobody will be able to hide
[03:26.280 -> 03:28.100] their true pace and performance.
[03:28.100 -> 03:32.860] And for all the Drive to Survive viewers who've tuned in,
[03:32.860 -> 03:35.980] like Toto Wolff said, he loves motorsport,
[03:35.980 -> 03:39.580] he loves the clock because it's the most honest thing.
[03:39.580 -> 03:41.720] The clock never lies, as they say.
[03:41.720 -> 03:44.740] So that's one thing I'm really looking forward to,
[03:44.740 -> 03:49.440] much like pretty much everybody else which team stands where and and which driver
[03:49.440 -> 03:53.020] stands where. Of course it's gonna be just one session that doesn't mean
[03:53.020 -> 03:57.800] that's what stands for the whole season but at least we know what's gonna be or
[03:57.800 -> 04:01.640] what could be the pecking order for the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend. Yeah
[04:01.640 -> 04:05.440] absolutely and along with the pecking order there's also such a big
[04:11.760 -> 04:16.880] big air of uncertainty around the new rivalries. Now I'll go with you on this one firstly Kunal because I've got so many fun combinations just boiling up inside my head but which is let's say
[04:16.880 -> 04:21.520] one rivalry that you love to see happen in Bahrain which honestly we haven't quite seen so far.
[04:22.000 -> 04:25.000] we haven't quite seen so far.
[04:29.000 -> 04:30.000] What if we get a Schumacher versus a Wieschtappen? You never know.
[04:30.000 -> 04:32.000] Oh, yes.
[04:32.000 -> 04:35.000] Haas went quickest in testing, second quickest.
[04:35.000 -> 04:38.000] Max was, you know, the quickest as well.
[04:38.000 -> 04:41.000] But yeah, guys, in fact, that's what Sommel's trying to get at.
[04:41.000 -> 04:45.600] He's saying, we could have some really different or
[04:45.600 -> 04:51.440] really weird rivalries thrown at us this season. You know we've been used to Max versus Lewis and
[04:51.440 -> 04:57.440] Sebastian versus Lewis but hey what about a Schumacher versus Verstappen or a Schumacher
[04:57.440 -> 05:11.160] versus an Alonso and what's your pick? So I've gone for a bit of a quirky one in terms of the quirky rivalries I had one in mind I had I know I've just forgotten it because I forgot
[05:11.160 -> 05:13.620] to write it but I'll go for the most serious one I feel like I end up
[05:13.620 -> 05:17.160] actually remember what the quirky one was but I thought that it'll be really
[05:17.160 -> 05:20.280] fun to watch the battle between Verstappen and Science because we all
[05:20.280 -> 05:24.880] know the backstory they all came into F1 together Verstappen was always the guy
[05:24.880 -> 05:25.120] and Science is always the guy and
[05:25.120 -> 05:30.000] science is always the second one now finally it seems like they could have equal machinery or
[05:30.000 -> 05:34.640] maybe machinery that's very very close i'm excited i mean great to think that what could potentially
[05:34.640 -> 05:39.120] happen in this case when they go head to head against each other and as for the quirky one
[05:39.120 -> 05:44.400] and i'm gonna go for it i'm gonna add to your science and wish Stappan thing
[05:40.840 -> 05:42.120] Go for it.
[05:45.120 -> 05:48.960] I'm gonna add to your science and Verstappen thing. Science was let go off so that Red Bull
[05:48.960 -> 05:51.080] keeps Max Verstappen.
[05:51.080 -> 05:52.040] That's the key part.
[05:52.040 -> 05:54.040] Imagine them going head to head in science
[05:54.040 -> 05:57.640] and getting the jump on Max to this year's title challenge.
[05:57.640 -> 05:59.800] I mean, anything could happen right at this time.
[05:59.800 -> 06:01.360] Yeah, 100%.
[06:01.360 -> 06:04.320] And another rivalry that I'm actually very keen on seeing,
[06:04.320 -> 06:06.360] now call me a bit of an oldie, but rivalry that I'm actually very keen on seeing now, call me a bit of
[06:06.360 -> 06:10.680] an oldie, but I mean I'm only 18 but call me a bit of an oldie in terms of what wanting
[06:10.680 -> 06:14.320] to watch old things but Lewis versus Alonso could be true.
[06:14.320 -> 06:19.360] If Mercedes really are struggling that bad and if Alpine really are where they were last
[06:19.360 -> 06:24.800] year, I mean I'm fine with getting hungry 2.0, I don't mind, I know that you don't either
[06:24.800 -> 06:26.480] because that is going to be such a fun one.
[06:26.480 -> 06:33.280] But it's crazy that we get to see this and it's so crazy that at this stage, we just can't tell who's going to race against who.
[06:33.280 -> 06:38.720] I mean, for all we know, Lance Stroll could be fighting against Max Verstappen. It's brilliant.
[06:38.720 -> 06:48.000] Yeah. I think I remember your quirky one, even though I know you didn't tell me this one. Was it Kevin McNewson versus Nico Halkenberg?
[06:48.000 -> 06:53.000] Now mind you it could happen just for this race in Bahrain even though it's a doubleheader.
[06:53.000 -> 06:57.000] But imagine a McNewson versus Halkenberg since Halkenberg is back.
[06:57.000 -> 07:05.600] Yeah exactly. So that would be as Nityanand in our Pitch the Podium team who's our expert data analyst has just written a minute ago on our Pitch the Podium team, who's our expert data analyst, has just written a minute ago on our Pitch the Podium WhatsApp group.
[07:05.600 -> 07:07.780] He said, SMB part two.
[07:07.780 -> 07:09.960] That would be awesome, even if just for just a race.
[07:09.960 -> 07:10.960] But think of it.
[07:10.960 -> 07:13.320] Kevin Magnuson versus Fernando Alonso could be possible too.
[07:13.320 -> 07:15.240] I mean, we last saw that in 2015.
[07:15.240 -> 07:16.240] That was a lovely battle.
[07:16.240 -> 07:18.200] Who knows if we could see that again.
[07:18.200 -> 07:19.200] I'm loving this.
[07:19.200 -> 07:20.200] It's perfect.
[07:20.200 -> 07:23.280] We get to do so much of fantasy booking in a way.
[07:23.280 -> 07:24.800] It's brilliant.
[07:24.800 -> 07:25.120] We do
[07:25.120 -> 07:29.880] and the key to all of this is our second thing to watch for this weekend is the
[07:29.880 -> 07:35.160] cars you know F1 and every single team and driver has been talking about it's
[07:35.160 -> 07:39.320] easier to battle you know I remember Charles Leclerc actually gave a very
[07:39.320 -> 07:43.440] mathematical answer to this that when you're so many tenths away that's how
[07:43.440 -> 07:48.600] we feel in you're so many tenths closer to the car ahead and that's how it feels and the overall
[07:48.600 -> 07:53.300] verdict yet and this could very well be a communication platform that or the
[07:53.300 -> 07:56.760] communication peg that Formula One's told the teams and drivers to put
[07:56.760 -> 08:03.520] forward is right that the cars are easier to compete in to go wheel-to-wheel
[08:03.520 -> 08:06.480] battling on that's what everybody's saying.
[08:06.480 -> 08:10.320] The truth is going to be revealed this Sunday.
[08:10.320 -> 08:13.200] Will the cars be able to race each other?
[08:13.200 -> 08:17.880] Because that's eventually what this whole formula is all about, saying we are going
[08:17.880 -> 08:22.920] to do whatever it takes to get really good looking cars, which we've got, that can go
[08:22.920 -> 08:25.440] racing and that can allow drivers to go
[08:25.440 -> 08:29.160] wheel to wheel in action. And guys, remember, I've always had this classification, I don't
[08:29.160 -> 08:35.680] care if an overtake happens at the end of a battle, all I want is the battle. Exactly,
[08:35.680 -> 08:41.400] exactly that, because Imola 2005 and 2006 as well, we didn't have a million overtakes,
[08:41.400 -> 08:49.600] but a fun race that really was, right. So so that's the case but we can't tell from testing as always because you always see some close racing and testing right so you can't
[08:49.600 -> 08:54.160] really tell if the cars are that much better so Sunday is the day when we find out and
[08:54.160 -> 08:59.120] I'll add to that list of quirky rivalries Schumacher versus Hamilton Kunal, think of it
[09:01.040 -> 09:06.320] Wow that's another big one. My mind is becoming a melting pot for so many of these but hey that's
[09:06.320 -> 09:10.800] that's the cars right and the cars will be supported by in a way the tires. Now lots of
[09:10.800 -> 09:17.760] things are happening to the tires. Firstly it's the debut of the 18 inch, what do you call them,
[09:17.760 -> 09:26.400] the 18 inch tires in a way because I mean not the tires are of 18 inch but the spokes and the wheels are of 18 inch. I'm missing the exact terminology for that.
[09:27.600 -> 09:28.640] What's it called?
[09:28.640 -> 09:29.920] Yes, it's 18 inch tires.
[09:29.920 -> 09:31.120] That's the right tire.
[09:31.120 -> 09:32.240] That's the terminology.
[09:32.240 -> 09:34.560] Okay, so the 18 inch tires maybe for the first time.
[09:34.560 -> 09:38.880] We've seen them in Formula 2 for a couple of years but also Kunal, free tire choices.
[09:38.880 -> 09:43.600] So that Q2 rule is gone now which means that we could see even more volatility in that sense.
[09:43.400 -> 09:49.360] rule is gone now which means that we could see even more volatility in that sense. Yes the key question is going to be are the Pirelli's new tire
[09:49.360 -> 09:54.680] compounds you know susceptible to overheating when in battle because
[09:54.680 -> 09:57.760] that's what used to happen with the previous era of the tires as well up
[09:57.760 -> 10:01.960] until last year and one of the things that the drivers had requested Pirelli
[10:01.960 -> 10:08.560] was to give tires that are more durable when they are in battle. So the drivers had requested Pirelli was to give tires that are more durable when they are in battle. So the drivers are ready for battle, the cars they say are
[10:08.560 -> 10:12.900] going to be ready for battle. Let's see if the tires actually hold up and yes
[10:12.900 -> 10:18.100] the free tire choice is critical. It's going to have an important, you know,
[10:18.100 -> 10:21.820] it's an important ingredient when it comes to race strategy and
[10:21.820 -> 10:27.320] qualifying strategy. So let's see how that evolves, because for the last seven, eight years,
[10:27.320 -> 10:29.080] we've had this Q2 rule in existence.
[10:29.080 -> 10:33.920] So I'm really glad that they've dropped that rule altogether.
[10:33.920 -> 10:37.680] And since we are sticking on this whole conversation
[10:37.680 -> 10:41.480] of battles, we also have a new race direction
[10:41.480 -> 10:43.600] and a new race structure in place.
[10:43.600 -> 10:46.640] The hope that we all have from this weekend
[10:46.640 -> 10:53.200] onwards is that the FIA are far more consistent in their application of rules especially when
[10:53.200 -> 10:59.120] it comes to wheel-to-wheel racing. Oh yeah, that's basically the biggest change that we could ask for
[10:59.120 -> 11:03.200] apart from a budget cap and let's say more closer teams. I think this is what would come up next
[11:03.200 -> 11:09.280] because what's a sport if you don't have clear rules right. So there's going to be that but a word on who our
[11:09.280 -> 11:14.240] race directors are because now of course we have two race directors. So we're going to have Niels
[11:14.240 -> 11:18.960] Wittig and Eduardo Freitas respectively. They're going to be swapping around that role as and when
[11:18.960 -> 11:23.120] and I don't quite know who's going to do the role in this particular weekend but we're going to have
[11:23.120 -> 11:26.960] them and they've actually done quite a fair bit of work in the WEC and DTM so
[11:26.960 -> 11:31.760] that's a decent bit of experience to have alongside and plus Herbie Blash is
[11:31.760 -> 11:36.040] back he's gonna be assisting and I think he's he's done a lot of work with
[11:36.040 -> 11:40.000] Charlie Whiting previously but to add to that as well Kunal that whole VAR based
[11:40.000 -> 11:42.920] structure that we're talking about in the world of Formula One but there'll be
[11:42.920 -> 11:46.840] a virtual race editor assisting you reckon it'll have a major impact as such
[11:46.840 -> 11:53.000] on the racing as it? Let's see that's exactly what we're gonna watch out for
[11:53.000 -> 11:57.280] in Bahrain and I'm really hoping the VAR is tested, I'm really hoping that the
[11:57.280 -> 12:02.560] race direction is tested because we need them to be robust should an Abu Dhabi
[12:02.560 -> 12:05.680] 2021 scenario come up in our lives again.
[12:05.880 -> 12:07.640] And so that's one thing to look for.
[12:07.840 -> 12:10.200] And Samuel, I'm also eager to look for
[12:10.400 -> 12:14.320] the television graphics that we will see new for 2022.
[12:14.520 -> 12:19.280] We had Priya Ponnapalli from AWS a couple of weeks ago on the show,
[12:19.480 -> 12:23.840] and she explained how AWS is working so closely with Formula One to bring us
[12:23.840 -> 12:28.440] a better sport. So I am really looking forward to the new TV graphics as well.
[12:28.440 -> 12:31.240] There is no word yet on what they're gonna be.
[12:31.240 -> 12:35.840] So maybe that's another suspense that Formula One is gonna throw our way in the next few days.
[12:35.840 -> 12:41.920] I think they're gonna bring out the F1 sprint type graphics where you could see the car up ahead and they had a name marker and you
[12:41.920 -> 12:48.720] could see the live gap like a video game essentially and I would love to see that happen it's just so much fun to see that graphic but what more could
[12:48.720 -> 12:53.600] they have in store because F1 is always working on something with AWS in that side so that's going
[12:53.600 -> 12:59.440] to be super intriguing and maybe some changes to the to the broadcasting taste and flavor of it
[12:59.440 -> 13:04.880] perhaps because it's been what three four seasons since F1 has had the same graphics I think and
[13:04.880 -> 13:07.260] Liberty Media would love to have a bit of a switch,
[13:07.260 -> 13:08.860] something new, something special.
[13:08.860 -> 13:10.080] So that could be up for grabs.
[13:10.080 -> 13:11.060] And we really don't know.
[13:11.060 -> 13:12.480] It's only on that Friday when we'll
[13:12.480 -> 13:14.700] get to know what the intro and the graphics look like.
[13:14.700 -> 13:17.820] But final point for today, Kunal, the intro.
[13:17.820 -> 13:19.180] Specifically, yes, the intro.
[13:19.180 -> 13:19.780] It's strange.
[13:19.780 -> 13:21.540] It's Thursday, and we don't have the intro.
[13:21.540 -> 13:25.180] How much more sitcom level, yeah, how much more sitcom level yeah how much more sitcom
[13:25.180 -> 13:29.720] level can it get rom-com level can it get will it be a boy band we don't know
[13:29.720 -> 13:34.940] but that's that's definitely one thing to watch for as well but Samuel your
[13:34.940 -> 13:38.820] predictions for this Sunday I get to my predictions I've got one request for
[13:38.820 -> 13:42.940] Formula One if you haven't made the intro yet please bring back the liquid
[13:42.940 -> 13:46.080] flag from 2018 that was the best 2018. That was the best, seriously,
[13:46.080 -> 13:50.480] that really was the best. But actually, before we go to the predictions, we let's also speak about
[13:50.480 -> 13:55.520] two drivers very very quickly, Kevin Magnuson and Nico Hulkenberg. I think before this episode began
[13:55.520 -> 13:59.840] we were thinking, well, who could be our driver in spotlight and Kunal chose Hulkenberg, I chose
[13:59.840 -> 14:08.840] Magnuson, but it's an amazing story, isn't it Kunal Kunal that Magnussen is finally back in the most absurd of circumstances same can be said for Hulkenberg in a way and
[14:08.840 -> 14:16.280] finally we get to see their battle continue on after four years now. Yes SMB
[14:16.280 -> 14:20.720] part two or not let's see but great to see Magnussen back definitely I think
[14:20.720 -> 14:26.720] this is this is just the way he came back is of course not the most fortunate.
[14:26.720 -> 14:31.120] And Hulkenberg, you know, he's super sub or Hulken back as it's now known.
[14:31.120 -> 14:34.720] So let's look to see how well he settles in.
[14:34.720 -> 14:40.920] And he's had no mileage in the 2022 car, the real car apart from the one in the simulator.
[14:40.920 -> 14:43.720] So, you know, he'll be at it from FP1.
[14:43.720 -> 14:49.560] And, you know, COVID-19, you19, as the world opens up step by step,
[14:49.560 -> 14:52.560] could it play a factor as the season evolves?
[14:52.560 -> 14:55.320] Because drivers will still be more social.
[14:55.320 -> 14:57.880] People may contract COVID multiple times.
[14:57.880 -> 14:59.840] Charles Leclerc has had it, right?
[14:59.840 -> 15:04.280] So the question is, if you get it during a race weekend,
[15:04.280 -> 15:08.160] how bad could it impact your championship chances?
[15:08.160 -> 15:11.320] Lots to ponder over for all of us
[15:11.320 -> 15:13.440] through the 23 race calendar.
[15:13.440 -> 15:16.560] But for this Sunday, what's your prediction?
[15:16.560 -> 15:19.080] And for everybody wanting a longer episode,
[15:19.080 -> 15:21.480] go back and tune in to the one we released a couple of days
[15:21.480 -> 15:23.000] ago with Abhishek Thakle.
[15:23.000 -> 15:30.240] Like Samul said, it's a one-word association format that's been doing really well on our channel and we went and said what was
[15:30.240 -> 15:36.320] the one word you could use to describe your expectations, hopes or even emotions for every
[15:36.320 -> 15:42.000] F1 team and for Formula One in 2022. So go back and tune into that. But Somil, you're in the hot
[15:42.000 -> 15:46.840] seat, what's your prediction? I'm actually in the hot seat it's actually 37 degrees outside and I'm
[15:46.840 -> 15:50.640] sitting in a leather chair so it's literally a hot seat right now but that
[15:50.640 -> 15:56.960] aside I am going to go for the same prediction I went for yesterday that I
[15:56.960 -> 16:01.040] gave in the Abhishek episode the word association episode I should say I'm
[16:01.040 -> 16:06.160] going to go for Maxwell pole, Carlos Sainz for the win, for his first win in F1 by the
[16:06.160 -> 16:07.160] way.
[16:07.160 -> 16:11.620] And one midfield driver who absolutely shocks everyone, apart from Magnussen as I've already
[16:11.620 -> 16:14.600] given away, is going to be Valtteri Bottas.
[16:14.600 -> 16:15.600] That's just what I think.
[16:15.600 -> 16:19.760] But what about, oh, actually, Guan Yu, Joe Guan Yu is going to be making his debut in
[16:19.760 -> 16:20.760] Formula 1 as well.
[16:20.760 -> 16:22.760] So is that happening too?
[16:22.760 -> 16:24.760] Yeah, absolutely.
[16:24.760 -> 16:26.880] A debutante to look forward.
[16:26.880 -> 16:32.080] And what are your predictions for him? But yes, I'm picking Max for pole. I'm picking Max for pole
[16:32.080 -> 16:37.200] and Max for the win. And frankly, at this moment, I don't really care about Kuan Yu Joe. It's going
[16:37.200 -> 16:42.560] to be his statements are going to be it's all about a learning curve for me. And it all depends
[16:42.560 -> 16:45.360] how close he can get to Valtteri Bottas. So that's
[16:45.360 -> 16:48.820] that's what it's gonna be like. How soon do you think we'll see Formula One
[16:48.820 -> 16:52.520] drivers actually be replaced by robots and in press conferences not not the
[16:52.520 -> 16:55.680] real drivers but just you know instead of them having to act like robots maybe
[16:55.680 -> 16:58.880] someday they'll actually place robots in that place. This makes it easy for
[16:58.880 -> 17:04.840] everyone right? Nah whatever then. It does I really hope that doesn't happen I love
[17:04.840 -> 17:05.240] my press
[17:05.240 -> 17:08.100] conference especially with good drivers but let's see I think it's gonna be
[17:08.100 -> 17:12.300] very organic this weekend to see genuine experiences and genuine stories on the
[17:12.300 -> 17:15.960] drivers come out as they experience the racing side of this brand new Formula
[17:15.960 -> 17:21.040] One formula in a way for the first time and I hope you have a good time watching
[17:21.040 -> 17:24.480] the race weekend folks our coverage here on the Inside Line F1 podcast and pits
[17:24.480 -> 17:27.560] to podium would be persistent. Follow us on social media, we
[17:27.560 -> 17:32.200] have got lots of data analysis and graphs coming up as a
[17:32.200 -> 17:35.840] result of a wonderful team working on it over the course of the weekend. And in
[17:35.840 -> 17:39.160] case you're in Mumbai for this weekend, come to the Stables in Andheri. We're
[17:39.160 -> 17:42.680] having a fun little quiz before the race right there. Maybe have a fun time with
[17:42.680 -> 17:48.560] us and you could win a couple of really good prizes over there. So thank you for listening, thank you for watching, see you soon and rather
[17:48.560 -> 17:52.720] actually see you post-qualifying because we're going to do that as well this year. Bye-bye folks,
[17:52.720 -> None] have a good one. you you