Why you SHOULD watch the 2023 Abu Dhabi GP!

Red Bull Racing may have wrapped up a 1-2 finish in the Drivers' Championship for the first time in their Formula 1 history, but the battle for 4th in the Drivers' Championship is still wide open.

Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc are separated by 12 points for P4. Similarly, the battle for the 2nd in the Constructors' Championship is tightly contested. Ferrari and Mercedes are separated by 4 points only.

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And finally, if the minnows interest you (which we are sure they do!), then only 16 points separated Williams in 7th to Haas in 10th. Yes, they might not be heavy points scorers, but this is Formula 1 and in Abu Dhabi, you never know what result is thrown up! 

In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal preview the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It's the 15th race in Abu Dhabi - time flies! But what do you remember the most about the Yas Marina Circuit? The pit lane tunnel exit? Or the fact that it is one of the most-expensive circuits to be ever built...with little to offer for on-track entertainment?

Also, if you're worried that Formula 1 will be over and done with after Abu Dhabi, worry not. The start to the 2024 Formula 1 Season will only be 97 days after the chequered flag drops in Abu Dhabi. 

A Red Bull Racing-Max Verstappen win might be certain. And if so, Red Bull Racing will only be 1 win behind Williams' all-time race wins in Formula 1 (114). Also, Verstappen will overtake Sebastian Vettel to be the third-highest race winner in the sport - after Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. Of course, he will extend his current record of most wins in a season to 19!

But will Sergio Perez lose a spot on the final lap of a race for the third consecutive time? Can Ferrari finally perform in Abu Dhabi? They have scored neither a pole position nor a race win here ever! If they score pole on Saturday, it will be their 250th pole overall. Who will win the qualifying head-to-head in Mercedes? George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are both tied 11-11. 

Haven't we already given you all the reasons for tuning in to this weekend's 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and of course, this episode, too?

(Season 2023, Episode 63)

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

Image courtesy: Mercedes

* **Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview:**

- The 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the 15th race in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the circuit's long history in Formula 1.

- Despite its reputation as an expensive circuit, Abu Dhabi is often remembered for its unique features like the pit lane tunnel exit.

- This year's race will be the final one before a short break, with the 2024 Formula 1 season starting just 97 days after the checkered flag drops in Abu Dhabi.

* **Max Verstappen's Dominance:**

- Max Verstappen is poised to clinch another victory in Abu Dhabi, potentially securing a record-breaking 19 wins in a single season.

- A win in Abu Dhabi would also see Red Bull Racing come one win shy of equaling Williams' all-time Formula 1 race wins (114).

- Verstappen would surpass Sebastian Vettel as the third-highest race winner in the sport, trailing only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.

* **Other Contests and Battles:**

- Sergio Perez aims to avoid losing a position on the final lap of a race for the third consecutive time.

- Ferrari seeks to break their winless streak in Abu Dhabi, having never taken pole position or won a race at the circuit.

- The qualifying head-to-head battle between George Russell and Lewis Hamilton is tied at 11-11, adding excitement to Saturday's qualifying session.

* **Midfield and Backmarker Battles:**

- The battle for fourth place in the Drivers' Championship is still open, with Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc separated by just 12 points.

- Similarly, the fight for second place in the Constructors' Championship is tight, with Ferrari and Mercedes separated by only 4 points.

- The battle for seventh place in the Constructors' Championship is also close, with Williams, Alpha Tauri, Alfa Romeo, and Haas separated by 16 points.

* **Upcoming Events:**

- The Inside Line F1 podcast will continue to provide coverage and analysis during the winter break, featuring interviews with drivers, team principals, and other experts.

- The 2024 Formula 1 season will begin on March 2, 2024, with a record-breaking 24 races scheduled.

- The Inside Line F1 podcast team will be hosting a special "F1 Pit Stop" event in Mumbai on November 26th, featuring a car social, pre-race and post-race interactions, and a special post-race chat. **2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview:**

- The battle for 4th in the Drivers' Championship and 2nd in the Constructors' Championship remains intense, with several teams and drivers in close contention.

- The Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is known for its unique pit lane tunnel exit and is considered one of the most expensive circuits ever built, but it offers limited on-track entertainment.

- The 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the 15th race held at the Yas Marina Circuit.

- Red Bull Racing is poised to win the race, potentially securing their 114th race win in Formula 1, just one behind Williams' all-time record.

- Max Verstappen is set to surpass Sebastian Vettel as the third-highest race winner in Formula 1, behind Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.

- Sergio Perez's recent misfortune of losing positions on the final lap of races may continue in Abu Dhabi.

- Ferrari faces a challenge in performing well at the Yas Marina Circuit, having never achieved a pole position or race win there.

- The qualifying head-to-head between George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes is tied at 11-11.

- McLaren and Aston Martin are expected to engage in an intriguing battle, with Lance Stroll performing exceptionally well in recent races.

- The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend will mark the farewell of Alpha Tauri, Alpha Romeo, and Franz Tost from the Formula 1 paddock.

- The podcast hosts discuss their predictions for the race, including a potential first-lap collision and Ferrari securing P2 in the Constructors' Championship.

- The Inside Line F1 podcast will continue with special episodes during the off-season, including interviews with Franz Tost, Otmar Szafnauer, and Daryl Goodrich, focusing on various aspects of Formula 1.

[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 -> 00:39.320] Right then, let's get right into today's episode. Take a deep breath everyone, we are finally at the end.
[00:39.320 -> 00:43.840] The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is here and it has been a gruelling year with Max Verstappen
[00:43.840 -> 00:44.840] winning.
[00:44.840 -> 00:45.120] But guys, very quickly before we get to all the good year with Max Verstappen winning. But guys,
[00:45.120 -> 00:49.320] very quickly before we get to all the good stuff, is Verstappen going to win again? I
[00:49.320 -> 00:55.320] think so, yes. Let's just clear the air immediately. Yes, no. Quick. What do you think Anil? Yes.
[00:55.320 -> 00:59.360] Yes. Absolutely yes, he should. Okay, great. So that's enough of Max Verstappen because
[00:59.360 -> 01:03.320] we've seen too much of him in 2023. Let's talk about the other stuff on the Inside Line
[01:03.320 -> 01:05.060] F1 podcast. Guys, this might be the first time in history. I's talk about the other stuff on the Inside Line F1 Podcast. Guys,
[01:05.060 -> 01:10.200] this might be the first time in history, I know it's a very tricky stat to verify, but
[01:10.200 -> 01:15.360] we might just have a watertight grid for the first time in history, like every single driver
[01:15.360 -> 01:20.120] racing in the Abu Dhabi GP this year is going to straight up be carried forward to next
[01:20.120 -> 01:24.920] year. Same teams, same drivers, nobody leaves, nobody goes out. It's just like Formula 1's
[01:24.920 -> 01:29.840] budget cap rules. It's like, I don't know what to make of it. Normally Abu Dhabi is a race of
[01:29.840 -> 01:36.480] farewells, but for the first time in history Kunal, no farewell in Abu Dhabi. It's odd. It's like,
[01:36.480 -> 01:43.520] why? No. Well, for the first time in history also Samuel Arora has literally just confirmed that
[01:43.520 -> 01:50.560] Loken Sargent is going to continue for Williams next year. Is he not? I know what you mean Samuel. Yeah, well, yeah,
[01:50.560 -> 01:56.880] you know, there is a hint out there, right? And I'm still not sure, but let's see, let's see how
[01:56.880 -> 02:01.440] this plays. So the hint is Mick Schumacher has signed up for the hypercar category in the World
[02:01.440 -> 02:05.040] Endurance Championship with Alpine for 2024.
[02:09.400 -> 02:10.080] And he will continue to be Mercedes' reserve driver next year.
[02:15.560 -> 02:20.800] Right. I think Felipe Drogobic is also confirming, is also confirmed or is going to confirm a similar role for himself, which means that I don't think there's anybody out
[02:20.800 -> 02:24.680] there who is going to take Logan Sargent's seat.
[02:24.720 -> 02:25.920] Right. But having said that,
[02:25.920 -> 02:33.280] if they wanted to confirm Sargent, they had the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the biggest American race
[02:33.280 -> 02:39.760] in history ever and for history to come, to confirm him if they wanted to. So could it be
[02:39.760 -> 02:45.040] Theo Pochard who probably wins F2 and gets in. Could it be Fredrik Vesthi who's also trying to win F2 and
[02:45.040 -> 02:51.360] maybe he gets a gets an odd as a Mercedes junior. Let's see, but I'm a bit bummed it's not Mick
[02:51.360 -> 02:57.040] Schumacher back on the grid, honestly. It's a bit strange, but I don't think 2024 will be
[02:57.040 -> 03:02.560] the first year without any rookie Sundaram because knowing Red Bull and knowing the way things do
[03:02.560 -> 03:10.380] tend to go, there's a good chance that either one of Isaac Hachar or Jake Dennis or Yumu Iwasa or maybe even Liam Lawson might
[03:10.380 -> 03:11.660] end up being on the grid.
[03:11.660 -> 03:15.340] And by the way, three of those four names are going to be testing this weekend in FP1.
[03:15.340 -> 03:19.860] In fact, Red Bull have two rookies in their cast, so Vastapan and Perez, both of them
[03:19.860 -> 03:21.300] don't get to do FP1.
[03:21.300 -> 03:22.300] That's just cool.
[03:22.300 -> 03:23.300] That's good stuff.
[03:23.300 -> 03:26.760] You know, guys, we're going too fast. We're taking this too fast.
[03:27.160 -> 03:30.880] Let's take a short view to the past for a second. You know,
[03:31.160 -> 03:32.560] before we go into Abu Dhabi,
[03:32.600 -> 03:37.600] I really want to look back and see how far we have come because it just feels
[03:39.200 -> 03:41.600] like yesterday when we did our first event in Mumbai,
[03:41.680 -> 03:45.920] our first live event and just just seems like a couple of hours before we did our first event in Mumbai, our first live event. And just seems like a couple of hours
[03:45.920 -> 03:48.760] before we did our first live event
[03:48.760 -> 03:51.320] in front of literally 300, 400 people, Somal,
[03:51.320 -> 03:54.640] for the inaugural race this season.
[03:54.640 -> 03:57.240] And we are finally down to the end of the season.
[03:57.240 -> 03:58.480] It feels a little bittersweet,
[03:58.480 -> 04:01.280] because in a way I'm glad that the season is finally ending.
[04:01.280 -> 04:04.440] We've had a couple of triple headers and double headers,
[04:04.440 -> 04:05.200] but the season's
[04:05.200 -> 04:11.280] ending but lots of great memories, lots of great screenings and interactions, lots of great guests
[04:11.280 -> 04:16.880] on the podcast firstly and I'm sure 2024 is going to be even better. So yeah, I've put it out there.
[04:16.880 -> 04:21.360] I am very grateful for what we've done this year and now we can move on to Abu Dhabi.
[04:21.360 -> 04:25.400] I know but there are bigger things coming in Abu Dhabi as well. That's the best part.
[04:25.400 -> 04:30.260] The fun doesn't stop because folks, if in case you are in Mumbai, or if you are in Pune,
[04:30.260 -> 04:34.500] please make your way down to Mumbai for this event because on the 26th of November,
[04:34.500 -> 04:39.200] there's going to be a grand Insightline F1 pit stop for the first time in a few months.
[04:39.200 -> 04:43.600] Finally, the entire band is in the city together and it's going to be a ton of fun.
[04:43.600 -> 04:49.580] Car social for the Abu Dhabi GP. There's going to be a really fun pre-race and post-race interaction
[04:49.580 -> 04:54.760] including an F1 pit wall, a quiz, hopefully a virtual guest as well over there and also
[04:54.760 -> 04:59.760] a very very special post-race chat where we just debrief the season, not in a serious
[04:59.760 -> 05:03.600] way, just with drinks and just having a great deal of fun at Car Social which is always
[05:03.600 -> 05:07.880] a great venue. So check out the link in the description for more on that.
[05:07.880 -> 05:12.360] But it's going to be so much fun guys because normally we were all thinking, okay, will
[05:12.360 -> 05:14.420] people turn up to watch Abu Dhabi?
[05:14.420 -> 05:17.960] But for some reason, Sundaram, the ticket sales have clearly reflected that people are
[05:17.960 -> 05:18.960] willing to watch.
[05:18.960 -> 05:20.720] And there are so many things to watch for.
[05:20.720 -> 05:25.200] Like we mentioned the rookies being one, the lack of a farewell probably not being
[05:25.200 -> 05:29.280] the fun part but maybe knowing that it's Logan's last race could be fun for some people. But
[05:29.280 -> 05:35.240] also there is other things as well like championship fights. Even though it might seem inconsequential,
[05:35.240 -> 05:38.480] there are generally some big fights on the table here this weekend.
[05:38.480 -> 05:42.760] Oh absolutely and that's what usually happens around the Bahrain Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi
[05:42.760 -> 05:47.280] Grand Prix. These two season, these two races are the season openers and the season finales.
[05:47.280 -> 05:51.520] And you always have people flocking in to the race or people flocking to screenings.
[05:51.520 -> 05:53.760] And I hope that's what happens this weekend as well.
[05:53.760 -> 05:57.600] But like you mentioned, quite a few things left in the championship.
[05:57.600 -> 06:00.240] So Ferrari and Mercedes are roughly four points away.
[06:01.520 -> 06:07.880] And McLaren and Aston Martin are roughly 11 points away. So still lots to play for in that since Aston Martin
[06:07.880 -> 06:11.720] imagine if they have a brilliant weekend like last time out, and
[06:11.720 -> 06:15.360] McLaren have another sober sad one, then they could actually
[06:15.360 -> 06:18.500] take before Aston Martin, when it seemed that everything was
[06:18.500 -> 06:21.920] already sealed and done. But that's still out there. And we
[06:21.920 -> 06:28.200] have quite a few drivers Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, who else is there? Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris fighting it out for V4
[06:28.420 -> 06:33.860] So lots to still play for and like you said a bunch of drivers
[06:33.860 -> 06:37.940] I mean, how many do we have? 9, 10 drivers participating in FP1?
[06:37.940 -> 06:41.200] And I think Red Bull has two rookies. 10 of them. They're going with two rookies
[06:42.540 -> 06:45.440] And Red Bull's going with two rookies, Jake Danish
[06:45.440 -> 06:51.580] and Isaac Hatcher. So Verstappen and Perez are literally going to put their feet up and
[06:51.580 -> 06:56.040] probably have a beer during FP1. No, we should just invite them saying, why don't you do
[06:56.040 -> 07:08.160] a, you know, why don't you watch an FP1 live session with us and decode it. Because one answer of Max Verstappen's ad
[07:08.160 -> 07:10.480] went viral in Las Vegas.
[07:10.480 -> 07:12.280] Something I absolutely stand by
[07:12.280 -> 07:15.160] was taking fans deeper into the sport
[07:15.160 -> 07:17.920] and not just using entertainment as a plug,
[07:17.920 -> 07:20.800] but using data, telling them what teams and drivers do
[07:20.800 -> 07:23.560] on a weekend and bring them closer, right?
[07:23.560 -> 07:26.440] And that's what guys, I I know you all are planning to do
[07:26.440 -> 07:29.200] with the F1 pit wall that you'll have
[07:29.200 -> 07:31.720] for the race screening event,
[07:31.720 -> 07:34.320] which means you will get to see live timing
[07:34.320 -> 07:37.720] and Soumil and Sundaram will be decoding the race,
[07:37.720 -> 07:39.280] not just the visuals on the screen,
[07:39.280 -> 07:42.880] but what is actually happening in the race
[07:42.880 -> 07:44.520] through live timing data as well.
[07:44.520 -> 07:46.360] So that's something to look forward to.
[07:46.360 -> 07:48.920] And whoever said that all the battles are done,
[07:48.920 -> 07:51.560] actually just two teams are safe
[07:51.560 -> 07:53.360] in the Constructors Championship.
[07:53.360 -> 07:55.960] Red Bull, obviously, and Alpine,
[07:55.960 -> 07:57.600] obviously they're 100 points ahead
[07:57.600 -> 07:59.040] and 100 points below and so on.
[07:59.040 -> 08:03.400] That means eight teams could see their fortunes change
[08:03.400 -> 08:04.240] this weekend.
[08:04.240 -> 08:06.440] And the other battle I'm looking forward to
[08:06.440 -> 08:07.460] is for seventh place.
[08:07.460 -> 08:09.720] The bottom four teams are in a battle,
[08:09.720 -> 08:14.720] 16 points between Alpine, Alpha Tauri, Alpha Romeo, and Haas.
[08:15.680 -> 08:18.720] And yes, it's the money, it's the pride,
[08:18.720 -> 08:21.880] but it's also the momentum that teams will be wanting
[08:21.880 -> 08:25.000] to take into the short winter period.
[08:25.000 -> 08:31.000] Because I think literally today is the day there's 100 days to the start of 2024 Formula 1 season.
[08:31.000 -> 08:32.000] Literally. Yeah.
[08:32.000 -> 08:36.000] No, we need less. I mean, we have been...
[08:36.000 -> 08:40.000] I know it's an incredible honor and privilege to cover Formula 1.
[08:40.000 -> 08:43.000] And honestly, if we had a choice, we'd just do this.
[08:43.000 -> 08:44.000] But life comes in the way, Sundar.
[08:44.000 -> 08:46.840] I mean, we're just people covering it from a media point of view.
[08:46.840 -> 08:49.220] Imagine for all the mechanics and team principals
[08:49.220 -> 08:52.100] and all the other people working in the sport day in, day out.
[08:52.100 -> 08:56.940] 100 days only for then this whole circus to be back again?
[08:56.940 -> 08:58.560] I know that's not meant to be the major talking point
[08:58.560 -> 09:02.780] for Abu Dhabi, but still, that is scary, to say the least.
[09:02.780 -> 09:03.780] It is scary.
[09:03.780 -> 09:06.800] And I really can't fathom what those people go
[09:06.800 -> 09:10.920] through through an entire season and probably December is the only time that
[09:10.920 -> 09:15.080] they get some really relaxed off time with their families because once it's
[09:15.080 -> 09:19.860] January then it's we're getting closer to launch time we have to prepare the
[09:19.860 -> 09:23.440] cars and everything so all of that you really get into the mode of Formula One
[09:23.440 -> 09:28.000] January February onwards towards end of January actually so people roughly have a couple
[09:28.000 -> 09:32.680] of weeks to unwind and reset before the next season starts again and that's the
[09:32.680 -> 09:36.880] thing we have so many races in a season this is next year is going to be the
[09:36.880 -> 09:42.320] longest season ever 24 races and it's going to be I think it's going to be
[09:42.320 -> 09:46.240] very painful because just imagine sort of traveling
[09:46.240 -> 09:50.800] and the jet lag and everything that these drivers and the teams go through. Even this week, for
[09:50.800 -> 09:55.520] example, I mean, take for example, the Alpha Tauri team, a team that's based out of Italy,
[09:55.520 -> 10:00.800] they go all the way to the west coast in USA for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and then they fly out
[10:00.800 -> 10:06.480] to Abu Dhabi. Imagine what they are probably feeling, along with the rest of the people from UK as well.
[10:06.480 -> 10:08.560] But yeah, it's not an easy sport.
[10:08.560 -> 10:09.440] Clearly, clearly.
[10:09.440 -> 10:11.680] But there are going to be a few people trying it out
[10:11.680 -> 10:13.240] for the first time this time.
[10:13.240 -> 10:14.680] And speaking of the winter break,
[10:14.680 -> 10:16.760] folks, if you think that this podcast is
[10:16.760 -> 10:19.400] going to be shut during the winter break,
[10:19.400 -> 10:20.760] you're mistaken a little bit.
[10:20.760 -> 10:23.800] Because the winter is when we're actually the most active.
[10:23.800 -> 10:27.380] There's going to be lots of guests coming on the show because this is the
[10:27.380 -> 10:31.540] time where we can actually get people free so many drivers many team
[10:31.540 -> 10:35.660] principals many commentators journalists we've got the list lined up and we
[10:35.660 -> 10:39.900] can't wait to share all of that and more with you so if you think Formula One is
[10:39.900 -> 10:44.860] done it is done but the inside line f1 podcast I can't say never sleeps
[10:44.860 -> 10:45.480] Sundaram is the't say never sleeps.
[10:45.480 -> 10:47.080] Sundaram is the one who never sleeps here.
[10:47.080 -> 10:48.320] I sleep for a few hours.
[10:48.320 -> 10:49.960] Kunal gets a decent bit as well.
[10:49.960 -> 10:53.400] But we are going to have a lot of stuff going on in the winter.
[10:53.400 -> 10:54.440] So stay tuned.
[10:54.440 -> 10:57.680] But speaking of that whole discussion, Kunal, rookies.
[10:57.680 -> 11:00.000] So Iwasa has won for Alpha Tauri.
[11:00.000 -> 11:03.880] I'm very excited to see Jake Dennis, who's really impressed a lot in Formula E. So I
[11:03.880 -> 11:06.140] want to see that sort of transfer storyline. Because obviously, being a Formula E nerd, I'm very curious to see Jake Dennis, who's really impressed a lot in Formula E. So I want to see that sort of transfer storyline.
[11:06.140 -> 11:07.660] Because obviously being a Formula E nerd,
[11:07.660 -> 11:10.700] I'm very curious to see what the lap times are like.
[11:10.700 -> 11:12.900] But who else really excites you
[11:12.900 -> 11:14.940] from this list of rookies that we've got here this time?
[11:14.940 -> 11:18.820] But by the way, Iwasa is for the post-season test
[11:18.820 -> 11:20.340] for AlphaTauri.
[11:20.340 -> 11:23.340] Because AlphaTauri has done their rookie sessions
[11:23.340 -> 11:24.460] with the two drivers.
[11:24.460 -> 11:28.740] Yeah, with Lawson and with Nick DeFries as well at the start of the year, right?
[11:28.740 -> 11:29.740] Wait, what?
[11:29.740 -> 11:30.740] But there's Fredrik Hvest.
[11:30.740 -> 11:33.740] Yeah, because Nick DeVries was not a rookie.
[11:33.740 -> 11:34.740] Oh, because it only says two races.
[11:34.740 -> 11:35.740] This is not one.
[11:35.740 -> 11:36.740] Yeah, exactly.
[11:36.740 -> 11:39.740] You need to have started two races and DeVries had only done one at that point.
[11:39.740 -> 11:40.740] Two races.
[11:40.740 -> 11:41.740] Oh, smart.
[11:41.740 -> 11:42.740] Yeah.
[11:42.740 -> 11:44.740] Another masterstroke by the pitfall of AlphaTauri.
[11:44.740 -> 11:46.300] Okay, jokes aside.
[11:46.300 -> 11:48.960] But you mentioned Jake Dennis and Isaac Hodge
[11:48.960 -> 11:50.700] are Red Bull Racing.
[11:50.700 -> 11:52.220] So interesting two drivers.
[11:52.220 -> 11:55.500] They have such a, they've had such a strong season.
[11:55.500 -> 11:58.140] They can have both their drivers sit out of FP1.
[11:58.140 -> 12:00.660] And by the way, Red Bull is one win away
[12:00.660 -> 12:04.180] from equaling Williams' all time wins in Formula One.
[12:04.180 -> 12:05.680] That's just how popular and
[12:05.680 -> 12:11.920] successful they have been. And I know you said, Samuel, that we're done talking about Max Verstappen,
[12:11.920 -> 12:16.720] but let me just, I know you told rookies and this comes, the super rookie comes to my mind.
[12:17.760 -> 12:28.080] Before I go back to the rookies that we're talking, right, Max has had 18 wins this season. He of course is now equal with Sebastian Vettel.
[12:28.080 -> 12:32.040] He has five more wins than any other driver
[12:32.040 -> 12:33.640] in any other season,
[12:33.640 -> 12:36.440] and three more than what he managed last year.
[12:36.440 -> 12:39.480] Last year he had 15 wins.
[12:39.480 -> 12:42.600] And here's one for Sundaram.
[12:42.600 -> 12:45.000] Since the start of the 2022 season,
[12:46.600 -> 12:50.360] Max Verstappen has won 33 races,
[12:50.360 -> 12:52.820] which is more than what Fernando Alonso managed
[12:52.820 -> 12:55.000] in 20 years in Formula One.
[12:55.000 -> 12:55.840] Oh no.
[12:57.080 -> 12:59.480] Sorry to rub it in, but that's just where the stats are.
[12:59.480 -> 13:00.760] Don't throw that at me.
[13:02.040 -> 13:07.120] But, but 50% of the drivers in FP1 are going to be rookies. They're going to be
[13:07.680 -> 13:12.720] different than your usual drivers. That's Fredrik Hveste in Mercedes, Robert Schwarzman in Ferrari,
[13:13.360 -> 13:19.440] Jack Doohan in Alpine, Patricia O'Ward in McLaren, Philippe Dragovic in Aston Martin,
[13:19.440 -> 13:26.320] Theo Pochard in Alfa Romeo, Oliver Behrmann in Haas, and Zach O'Sullivan in Williams.
[13:26.320 -> 13:28.720] You asked me who's the one I'm really excited about,
[13:28.720 -> 13:30.720] and that's Oliver Behrman.
[13:30.720 -> 13:34.260] He has gone fantastic in Formula 2 this year.
[13:35.400 -> 13:38.360] And even in Haas, when he did the FP1,
[13:38.360 -> 13:40.560] I think a couple of races ago in Mexico, was it?
[13:40.560 -> 13:43.080] He went pretty well out there as well.
[13:43.080 -> 13:45.280] So I have a feeling that that's a driver to watch
[13:45.280 -> 13:50.720] for. He is already a part of Ferrari's driver academy. Clearly that's why he's doing the FP1 for
[13:50.720 -> 13:56.480] us. Actually, Behrman will be fun but also very quickly because we have other points to talk about
[13:56.480 -> 14:01.840] as well. I get a feeling that Felipe Drugo which will also be so much fun to watch for. For one
[14:01.840 -> 14:08.240] simple thing right, we knew that Aston Martin would have liked this guy to be a part of the team had it not been the top
[14:08.240 -> 14:12.560] management interfering and saying hey get Lance in the car for Bahrain. Clearly
[14:12.560 -> 14:16.400] this guy is very good, his free practice times over there were actually pretty
[14:16.400 -> 14:20.200] darn quick for someone in the Formula One car for the first time ever. So I'm
[14:20.200 -> 14:24.360] just curious to see right, when you add in the temperature delta that you need
[14:24.360 -> 14:28.920] to adjust for between free practice one and two, when you account for the tires as well,
[14:28.920 -> 14:31.640] will he genuinely be faster than Lance Stroll?
[14:31.640 -> 14:36.120] I know there's no direct comparison, you have to add in assumed time differences between
[14:36.120 -> 14:39.760] tire compounds and track temperatures and ambient temperatures and all that stuff.
[14:39.760 -> 14:44.120] But still, Philippe Drogobacan's performance, I think it's all black and white.
[14:44.120 -> 14:45.200] Let's just wait and see.
[14:45.200 -> 14:48.600] And if that's the reason why they're ending up losing P...
[14:48.600 -> 14:51.200] What is it? P1, 2, 3, 5, isn't it?
[14:51.200 -> 14:52.200] To Aston Martin.
[14:52.200 -> 14:54.400] I think so.
[14:54.400 -> 14:58.800] Yeah, if that's the reason why they're losing P5 to McLaren,
[14:58.800 -> 15:02.000] I think that'll be an interesting shot in the face for their team.
[15:02.000 -> 15:05.120] I'm very curious to see how that plays out eventually, Sundaram.
[15:05.120 -> 15:10.320] Don't make me bring out the stats about Lance Stroll and how well he's fared this year.
[15:10.320 -> 15:15.840] But he's on a good run in the last couple of races. So I don't think we need to bash him at this point of time.
[15:15.840 -> 15:23.360] I hope he puts in a spectacular performance to see Aston Martin take fourth and then he can cement his place for 2024.
[15:23.360 -> 15:28.160] Talking about Felipe Drogobic, I mean, the sort of circumstances that he came in for
[15:28.160 -> 15:34.040] pre-season testing and even ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, I think it was a very last-minute
[15:34.040 -> 15:38.840] replacement and I think people really didn't have any expectations from him, but he did
[15:38.840 -> 15:40.720] really well in pre-season testing.
[15:40.720 -> 15:48.440] He kept it really clean and as per the team, he gave some very interesting and good inputs. So in that sense, I think there's a little bit more respect
[15:48.440 -> 15:52.360] for Filipe Dragovic. And yeah, even I'm very excited to see what he can do this weekend.
[15:52.360 -> 15:58.480] Yeah, we wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I am yet to come across
[15:58.480 -> 16:06.000] ever in history, a team down talking a rookie or a new driver saying we got bad inputs, the lap time so bad or whatever,
[16:06.000 -> 16:12.800] which is all the PR stuff I would never fall for. I mean, unless the payment has not been made somewhere,
[16:12.800 -> 16:18.400] it's highly improbable. I mean, tell me one rookie since we're talking of rookies not joining 2024,
[16:18.400 -> 16:31.280] tell me one rookie that has been down talked by a team. That driver was shit we'll never have him or her in the car. Nikita Mazepin I remember because I think. But never a direct way to say it. He was always
[16:31.280 -> 16:37.120] competitive. He was always competitive. He's improving. He's showing succession and all that
[16:37.120 -> 16:42.480] stuff that we would get. I think Gunter said something that was along the lines of it's a
[16:42.480 -> 16:47.760] matter of time. He didn't mention a matter of time to what I think it was a matter of time
[16:47.760 -> 16:51.960] before they left rather than the lap times got faster, but that's just,
[16:51.960 -> 16:56.000] what do you write about that? Yeah, no, I think I've heard silence because when
[16:56.000 -> 16:58.840] Mahavir Raghunathan also tested a Formula One car twice,
[16:59.240 -> 17:02.120] there was no PR statement from Alfa Romeo ever.
[17:02.840 -> 17:07.400] I normally they would say impressive testing or great
[17:07.400 -> 17:11.440] learning session but nothing came out. So I think that's the closest you can ever get
[17:11.440 -> 17:15.920] to that. But folks with that let's go to a short break. We'll be back with a small message.
[17:15.920 -> 17:22.300] Stay right here. Welcome back in folks to the Insightline F1 podcast. Now we have spoken
[17:22.300 -> 17:25.960] a lot about what to watch for an Abu Dhabi, but we haven't told you who we are.
[17:25.960 -> 17:27.840] So let's do that very, very quickly.
[17:27.840 -> 17:29.440] Let's try something different, folks.
[17:29.440 -> 17:30.440] My name is Somal Alora.
[17:30.440 -> 17:36.920] I'm the voice of the MotoGP Indian Grand Prix and also of the Indian Racing League on Starsports.
[17:36.920 -> 17:40.760] Another person with me who's also on the Indian Racing League crew is F1StatsGuru.
[17:40.760 -> 17:49.680] He's not just the official stats person for the Indian Racing League, but also a part of the WTF1 content creator pool. And yes, know of this guy called Crofty.
[17:49.680 -> 17:54.520] Yeah, he got pretty famous last month with the Abu Dhabi and the Las Vegas GP. He is
[17:54.520 -> 17:59.560] also someone who really, really rates Sundaram stats very highly often. So that's him. And
[17:59.560 -> 18:04.400] also Kunal Shah, the former marketing head of the Force India F1 team, and an FIA accredited
[18:04.400 -> 18:07.000] F1 journalist for the Viaplay Network. And on the studio this weekend, Kunal Shah, the former marketing head of the Force India F1 team and an FIA accredited F1 journalist for the Viaplay Network.
[18:07.000 -> 18:12.380] And on the studio this weekend, Kunal, what are you guys mostly interested to talk about?
[18:12.380 -> 18:15.840] In a way, are you guys actually thinking about the history of Abu Dhabi?
[18:15.840 -> 18:22.040] Because it feels odd, but this place has been around for a while now, like what, 2009, 19,
[18:22.040 -> 18:23.040] four years after that.
[18:23.040 -> 18:25.120] Almost 15 years now, almost.
[18:25.120 -> 18:30.320] It is. It is the 15th year of Abu Dhabi. Can you imagine Abu Dhabi has been around for so long
[18:30.320 -> 18:36.480] that we are talking of the history of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Yeah. And you know, usual circuits
[18:36.480 -> 18:43.440] are the Crown Jewel, the fastest street circuit, the most extra extravagant street circuit, whatever
[18:43.440 -> 18:45.520] Las Vegas, you'd want to call it. Abu Dhabi also has a tag of the most extravagant street circuit, whatever Las Vegas you'd want to call it.
[18:45.520 -> 18:48.280] Abu Dhabi also has a tag of the most expensive
[18:48.280 -> 18:49.600] street circuit made ever.
[18:49.600 -> 18:53.680] In 2009, they spent one point, not street, sorry,
[18:53.680 -> 18:55.680] expensive circuit.
[18:55.680 -> 18:56.800] There are so many street circuits,
[18:56.800 -> 18:58.040] I just put the word in street,
[18:58.040 -> 19:00.360] but thanks for catching that, yeah.
[19:00.360 -> 19:08.680] It's the most expensive circuit with 1.322 billion dollars that was spent in 2009.
[19:08.680 -> 19:10.880] And they came up with this, right?
[19:10.880 -> 19:14.200] And the only thing we, well, two things that we remember Abu Dhabi for.
[19:14.200 -> 19:17.480] What do you mean by they came up with this?
[19:17.480 -> 19:20.000] Did you do the hand gesture while saying it?
[19:20.000 -> 19:23.840] Yeah, well, yes, we, I did.
[19:23.840 -> 19:27.560] But I think the tunnel is the one thing that we remember.
[19:27.560 -> 19:30.920] And it's been 15 years of that pit exit tunnel that we've seen.
[19:30.920 -> 19:35.440] I've always wondered what would happen, how would recovery happen if somebody crashed in the tunnel.
[19:35.440 -> 19:40.200] I think there has been once where somebody did stop in the tunnel with an issue or something.
[19:40.200 -> 19:41.200] I can't remember.
[19:41.200 -> 19:43.200] Was it a battle?
[19:43.200 -> 19:45.000] I would never know, right? No clue. I vaguely remember something.
[19:45.000 -> 19:51.000] I would have to check that.
[19:51.000 -> 19:53.040] And then of course they remember for 2021.
[19:53.040 -> 19:59.200] Every year when 2021, every year when Abu Dhabi Grand Prix comes, people who want impressions
[19:59.200 -> 20:02.120] on social media talk of the scandal in 2021.
[20:02.120 -> 20:06.080] And you know, sort of social media algorithms give that a lot of pick but
[20:07.040 -> 20:13.520] the the Yas Marina circuit has 60,000 fans if there are any Abu Dhabi fans listening to our
[20:13.520 -> 20:19.680] show going to the race or not drop in a message say a hello Abu Dhabi is also frequently visited
[20:19.680 -> 20:26.880] by Indian fans if you are going listening in say a hello to us on social media. The motto of Abu
[20:26.880 -> 20:34.480] Dhabi this is this is cool stuff right of the nation in itself is God, Nation, President.
[20:34.480 -> 20:39.040] Okay I always thought it would be God, Nation, King but I don't know why they are president there.
[20:39.040 -> 20:50.320] With an S or a C? S. What? Not precedent, precedent. What? Yeah. I don't even know what to make of that,
[20:50.320 -> 20:55.360] honestly. But that's how long the season has been that all these random things are also fun to talk
[20:55.360 -> 21:00.640] about. Because usually, we would have spoken about what are the challenges in Abu Dhabi and we'd have
[21:00.640 -> 21:11.280] said tires, because that's the tire, you need to get the tires working across different temperature ranges and bands and and so on and we are not talking of tires as much
[21:11.280 -> 21:15.680] because 15 years we've been talking of tires and we still will continue to do so. Actually,
[21:16.320 -> 21:21.360] we will not talk about liveries as well strictly no we're not doing that anymore right Sundaram
[21:21.360 -> 21:25.760] we've we've seen too many livery changes we've seen too many livery changes, we've seen too many helmet
[21:25.760 -> 21:31.440] changes. I think at this point as you mentioned right there are some teams that should literally
[21:31.440 -> 21:38.000] be stopped and we're not going to give them more free PR clearly. Yes please I'm done with liveries
[21:38.000 -> 21:44.160] I'm done rating liveries so I think people these teams should rather invest in upgrades rather than
[21:44.160 -> 21:45.000] in more liveries
[21:45.480 -> 21:49.120] But but coming back to the point of Abu Dhabi's history. I'll summarize it
[21:49.120 -> 21:52.660] You didn't mention a couple of lines. You have to mention Alfa Romeo. One second. I'm not gonna let you go like this
[21:52.660 -> 21:54.660] We have to tell the people who are talking about it.
[21:56.800 -> 22:01.100] Alfa Romeo, I mean McLaren's upgrades quite clearly have been working
[22:01.100 -> 22:09.920] So I can't fault them there, but Alfa Romeo needs to stop with the liveries. But yeah, coming back to Abu Dhabi, I'll summarize the history of the track in a couple of lines.
[22:09.920 -> 22:14.800] The last eight races in Abu Dhabi have been won by the pole sitter. That's more than what
[22:14.800 -> 22:20.320] you see at Monaco, at what you see at Monza. So this is the true track where qualifying
[22:20.320 -> 22:26.080] P1, or rather in the front row, is is very important because the last 10 races in
[22:26.080 -> 22:30.920] Abu Dhabi have been won by the team taking pole position and there's been only one time
[22:30.920 -> 22:35.640] in 14 years where a driver has won the race when starting lower than the front row which
[22:35.640 -> 22:40.200] was our favorite Kimi Raikkonen in 2012 starting from P4.
[22:40.200 -> 22:43.080] So that was probably what you can expect to see this weekend.
[22:43.080 -> 22:47.680] Max Verstappen putting the car on P1 and then probably taking a Grand Slam along with it.
[22:48.120 -> 22:51.600] The other piece of history that I want to talk about is about Ferrari,
[22:52.160 -> 22:54.760] because Abu Dhabi is Ferrari's bogey track.
[22:55.160 -> 22:56.720] They've never taken pole position here.
[22:56.840 -> 22:58.240] They have never won a race here.
[22:58.520 -> 23:00.120] They've never started on the front row.
[23:00.400 -> 23:04.480] And they've only led 12 laps in 14 races in Abu Dhabi.
[23:04.800 -> 23:05.000] All this with the Ferrari world in the background, Kunal. and they've only led 12 laps in 14 races in Abu Dhabi.
[23:05.000 -> 23:07.000] All this with the Ferrari world in the background, Kunal.
[23:07.000 -> 23:11.000] Exactly. Can you imagine the Ferrari world is...
[23:11.000 -> 23:15.000] The reason why Ferrari fans go to Abu Dhabi is the Ferrari world.
[23:15.000 -> 23:18.000] They clearly don't go to see their team perform.
[23:18.000 -> 23:21.000] If they get a poll, by the way, they've been going good in the races.
[23:21.000 -> 23:25.680] If they get a poll, it'll be their 250th pole in history of Formula
[23:25.680 -> 23:35.840] One. And I think Charles Leclerc has out qualified signs in the last six races on the trot, which
[23:35.840 -> 23:40.360] I think is very interesting, because I think, yeah, we know that Leclerc is either going
[23:40.360 -> 23:43.160] to finish fourth or seventh in the Drivers' Championship.
[23:43.160 -> 23:49.120] Can you believe that? Can you believe that? Right? In a year he literally went from, wait was he P2 or P3
[23:49.120 -> 23:55.760] eventually last year? I'm assuming P2, but yeah, but he went from going to P2 to P8 in the
[23:55.760 -> 24:02.080] championship within a year, within a year Kunal. That just, it doesn't add up to me, it doesn't
[24:02.080 -> 24:05.560] add up, seriously. Well a lot of things that Ferrari does, doesn't add up to me. It doesn't add up, seriously. Well, a lot of things that Ferrari does
[24:05.560 -> 24:07.960] doesn't add up to any one of us.
[24:07.960 -> 24:10.000] But that's just how it goes.
[24:10.000 -> 24:12.800] They are just happy to get pole position when they have to,
[24:12.800 -> 24:15.480] if they need to, and so on.
[24:15.480 -> 24:16.600] But here's another thing.
[24:16.600 -> 24:19.240] The other thing that drivers and Ferrari drivers have won
[24:19.240 -> 24:20.680] is the driver of the day.
[24:20.680 -> 24:26.440] Since Spa, it's only been a Ferrari or a McLaren driver who's won a driver of the day. Since Spa, it's only been a Ferrari or a McLaren driver who's won a driver of
[24:26.440 -> 24:33.720] the day. And that's such a because Max has won all races but one. But it's been a driver
[24:33.720 -> 24:38.800] of the day who's a Ferrari or a McLaren driver, not even a Mercedes driver, not even Lewis
[24:38.800 -> 24:47.960] Hamilton is what I actually met. But yeah. And a couple of more things that I'm excited to see about this weekend is Checo Perez.
[24:47.960 -> 24:51.200] He's lost a position on the last lap of the race
[24:51.200 -> 24:53.480] for the last two races.
[24:53.480 -> 24:55.080] Has he?
[24:55.080 -> 24:57.600] Yeah, because Brazil was Fernando Alonso,
[24:57.600 -> 25:01.680] and then Las Vegas was Charles Leclerc.
[25:01.680 -> 25:03.440] What will happen in Abu Dhabi?
[25:03.440 -> 25:05.120] Let's see what that is.
[25:05.120 -> 25:07.840] George Russell, I love how the Lewis Hamilton fan base
[25:07.840 -> 25:11.160] has been playing up Russell's race finishes,
[25:11.160 -> 25:12.640] being behind Lewis.
[25:12.640 -> 25:16.240] I think it's five times that Russell has finished ahead
[25:16.240 -> 25:18.200] of Lewis, and all the balance time it's been Lewis.
[25:18.200 -> 25:21.200] But in qualifying, they've been head to head 11.
[25:21.200 -> 25:23.320] So there will be a battle on Saturday,
[25:23.320 -> 25:30.400] which the Mercedes drivers will settle, which will be the qualifying head-to-head battle. And since
[25:30.400 -> 25:34.340] since I already mentioned something negative or not so good about Fernando
[25:34.340 -> 25:38.800] Alonso. Fernando Alonso could finish in the top five in the Drivers Championship
[25:38.800 -> 25:48.680] since finishing a runner-up in 2013. this is going to be his best championship finish in 11 years or something like that.
[25:48.680 -> 25:52.800] It wasn't much of a competition in the years in the middle,
[25:52.800 -> 25:53.520] very clearly.
[25:53.520 -> 25:55.160] He's finally back on the podium.
[25:55.160 -> 25:57.240] But on that Alonzo point, Sundaram,
[25:57.240 -> 25:59.360] I really want to bring this up, because McLaren
[25:59.360 -> 26:02.600] versus Aston Martin, yes, it looks like a dead fight.
[26:02.600 -> 26:05.440] But we saw what happened last time out in Las Vegas,
[26:05.440 -> 26:09.560] where even if you have a couple of mistakes in qualifying, you'd end up being in the wrong
[26:09.560 -> 26:13.800] place at the wrong time in the race, you could end up losing out on so much.
[26:13.800 -> 26:16.440] And that is the risk that McLaren run with so little.
[26:16.440 -> 26:20.480] I think, if I'm not mistaken, the difference between the two of them is nine points for
[26:20.480 -> 26:21.480] P4.
[26:21.480 -> 26:24.160] Mercedes only four points ahead of Ferrari for P2.
[26:24.160 -> 26:25.840] So the stakes are super high.
[26:25.840 -> 26:30.080] But in this whole little quadrant of sorts, right, I think as Kunal mentioned earlier,
[26:30.080 -> 26:34.160] tyre management is going to be so much fun. Ferrari, yes, this is their bogey track,
[26:34.160 -> 26:39.120] but McLaren have been getting better at circuits just like these, Silverstone being one of them.
[26:39.120 -> 26:44.640] And now that Abu Dhabi has more faster reprofiled corners in comparison to slower ones, theoretically,
[26:44.640 -> 26:45.560] I get a feeling
[26:45.560 -> 26:49.480] they just might be up there and this whole fight will be so much fun to watch in the
[26:49.480 -> 26:50.480] middle.
[26:50.480 -> 26:51.480] Exactly.
[26:51.480 -> 26:55.600] I mean, Ferrari had great tyre degradation the last time out because the temperatures
[26:55.600 -> 27:00.120] were a lot cooler and that's why you could see Ferrari probably not enjoying that sort
[27:00.120 -> 27:01.960] of tyre degradation this weekend.
[27:01.960 -> 27:06.160] Similarly, for McLaren, what caught them out was the temperatures
[27:06.160 -> 27:13.520] and also the fact that we had an extra long straight in Las Vegas. And the track characteristics
[27:13.520 -> 27:18.000] also kind of suit McLaren in that sense. So you would expect it to be an interesting battle
[27:18.000 -> 27:23.040] between McLaren and Aston Martin. I mean, ever since Fernando Alonso said there is nothing to
[27:23.040 -> 27:28.400] fight for, for some reason Lance Stroll goes P5 and P5, probably that's all that he needed to hear.
[27:28.400 -> 27:34.200] The pressure is lifted and he is in his best form at this moment for some reason.
[27:34.200 -> 27:37.200] So it's going to be a very interesting battle in that sense.
[27:37.200 -> 27:43.240] And I think McLaren can, it'll be a track that kind of more suits them compared to what
[27:43.240 -> 27:44.240] was there in Las Vegas.
[27:44.240 -> 27:45.520] Yeah, should be fun.
[27:45.520 -> 27:46.760] Should be fun to watch that as well.
[27:46.760 -> 27:48.640] And also the last couple of battles
[27:48.640 -> 27:50.980] in the driver's standings between Sainz and Alonso,
[27:50.980 -> 27:52.600] two heroes battling with each other.
[27:52.600 -> 27:57.000] And also Norris LeClerc and Russell also being
[27:57.000 -> 27:58.680] somewhat in there in the mix as well.
[27:58.680 -> 28:00.320] So that should be interesting Sundaram.
[28:00.320 -> 28:01.800] No, I just remembered right now,
[28:01.800 -> 28:03.520] we said that there are no farewells.
[28:03.520 -> 28:06.800] There are two farewells, by the way, Alpha Tauri and Alpha Romeo.
[28:06.800 -> 28:09.800] You won't see these two names and Franz Tost.
[28:09.800 -> 28:13.200] So you won't see these people or these names in the paddock next year.
[28:13.200 -> 28:17.400] Since you mentioned that we're going to have some guests in the off-season,
[28:17.400 -> 28:24.000] I'm happy to just reveal we are in talks to get Franz Tost as a guest in the off-season.
[28:24.000 -> 28:27.560] We have a confirmation from Otmar Safnauer,
[28:27.560 -> 28:29.240] my former boss at Force India,
[28:29.240 -> 28:30.520] that he's gonna show up as well.
[28:30.520 -> 28:33.260] And we're gonna discuss a lot of his Force India memories.
[28:33.260 -> 28:35.600] I'm saying this only 28 minutes into the show,
[28:35.600 -> 28:37.000] but yes, there you know.
[28:37.000 -> 28:40.640] We have Andrew Denford from F1 in schools,
[28:40.640 -> 28:42.660] basically the F1 Academy,
[28:42.660 -> 28:45.920] but for engineers and project managers and sponsorship
[28:45.920 -> 28:50.400] managers in Formula One, a brilliant episode that's come out. And for all those who are big
[28:50.400 -> 28:58.480] fans of Jensen Button and the Braun GP story, we have Daryl Goodrich, who basically was a producer
[28:58.480 -> 29:05.900] and rather the director of the Braun GP story. He was there actually, he recorded an episode with us yesterday
[29:05.900 -> 29:08.880] and that's what we will play out after Abu Dhabi.
[29:08.880 -> 29:11.560] So yes, interesting stories to look out for,
[29:11.560 -> 29:14.320] but France tossed, what a career.
[29:14.320 -> 29:18.840] And yes, he will have a great farewell send off this weekend.
[29:18.840 -> 29:20.780] And you know, gentlemen, just before we close
[29:20.780 -> 29:23.160] and before Samuel says, what are your predictions boys?
[29:23.160 -> 29:30.960] A quick question. You know, we had the last Vegas Grand Prix on a Saturday right, if there was any race that
[29:30.960 -> 29:36.800] actually needed a Saturday race as well it was Abu Dhabi because still last year Friday,
[29:36.800 -> 29:42.720] Saturday was still the weekend in Abu Dhabi and not Saturday and Sunday. Okay so yeah,
[29:43.760 -> 29:46.520] yeah so you know Friday and Saturday is usually considered
[29:46.520 -> 29:50.560] as a weekend because of religious reasons in the Middle Eastern countries, especially
[29:50.560 -> 29:57.280] I know. So they should have had a Thursday, Friday, Saturday race weekend ever since rather
[29:57.280 -> 30:02.480] than a Saturday, Sunday, for example. But yeah, I think they're changing it. No, I think
[30:02.480 -> 30:06.160] there are a couple. Yeah, it is now Saturday, Sunday. So it's...
[30:06.160 -> 30:07.120] No, no, no. I mean...
[30:07.120 -> 30:12.160] Can you imagine Formula One is so big in Abu Dhabi that they change the weekend from Friday,
[30:12.160 -> 30:13.680] Saturday to Saturday, Sunday.
[30:13.680 -> 30:18.880] No, no, but generally, I think Formula One are going to race on Saturdays in 24,
[30:18.880 -> 30:24.560] because if I'm not mistaken, they have to... Is it just the Bahrain, the Saudi races or also
[30:24.560 -> 30:26.000] Qatar as well? Because they have to take care of the the Bahrain, the Saudi races or also Qatar as well?
[30:26.000 -> 30:28.560] Because they have to take care of the Ramzan holidays.
[30:28.560 -> 30:32.940] So that's also going to happen more often, which is, I think it's good.
[30:32.940 -> 30:36.520] You can party all night, watch the entire race, get drunk, get sloshed and then wake
[30:36.520 -> 30:39.720] up on a Sunday morning, not having to worry about work.
[30:39.720 -> 30:43.880] And you can also talk about Formula One on a Sunday, which is brilliant, isn't it?
[30:43.880 -> 30:46.240] So good for us.
[30:53.120 -> 30:57.920] But no okay to the final point. Predictions. Let's go a little different this time because obviously we don't want to go straight right. Karl Lassenz is obviously going to be in my corner but
[30:57.920 -> 31:02.560] let's talk about predictions in terms of events not in terms of who's going to finish where.
[31:03.440 -> 31:05.880] events, not in terms of who's going to finish where. I'm going to go first.
[31:05.880 -> 31:10.240] There's going to be an absolutely failed attempt
[31:10.240 -> 31:11.920] from Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricardo
[31:11.920 -> 31:13.680] to thank Franz Toss on his career.
[31:13.680 -> 31:16.200] Both of them just cannot do emotional radio messages
[31:16.200 -> 31:16.880] very well.
[31:16.880 -> 31:19.400] So that is going to be one thing I'm watching for.
[31:19.400 -> 31:21.000] What about you guys?
[31:21.000 -> 31:22.560] That's a very specific one.
[31:22.560 -> 31:24.920] Samuel, I think you've taken quite a bit of time
[31:24.920 -> 31:28.800] coming up with that. But I'm just gonna say, I think we're gonna see a first lap
[31:28.800 -> 31:32.840] collision this time out. First corner, opening corner collision. You have to say
[31:32.840 -> 31:40.320] between who? Who do you predict? Oh, not Fernando Alonso obviously. He's not gonna
[31:40.320 -> 31:45.480] do a collision. He'll just spin on his own. He'll just spin, but he's not going to do a collision. He'll just spin out of the zone. Sergio... He'll just spin away, but he's not going to do it this time.
[31:45.480 -> 31:48.960] So maybe Sergio Perez and Oscar Piastri.
[31:48.960 -> 31:49.960] Oscar Piastri.
[31:49.960 -> 31:51.720] Or maybe both the Aussies.
[31:52.600 -> 31:54.160] Oscar Piastri and Danny Ricardo.
[31:55.320 -> 31:56.640] Wow, these are wild predictions.
[31:56.640 -> 31:58.360] No, I mean, I just support you on that.
[31:58.360 -> 31:59.440] Sundaram, I support you on that.
[31:59.440 -> 32:00.960] I know there is a hidden agenda for that.
[32:00.960 -> 32:01.880] I support you on that.
[32:01.880 -> 32:02.800] We... Kunal...
[32:03.520 -> 32:05.440] For all the non-cricketing nations,
[32:05.440 -> 32:11.920] yes, that's the India, Australia cricketing rivalry at play out here on the inside line
[32:11.920 -> 32:20.320] F1 part. I just think it's going to be, it's going to be Ferrari taking P2 to Mercedes
[32:20.320 -> 32:26.000] in the Constructors' Championship. Ooh, interesting. Spicy. And I wonder who the blame will have to go to.
[32:26.000 -> 32:28.000] I would love to hear Toto Wolf's comments after that.
[32:28.000 -> 32:30.000] Yeah, exactly. Who does the blame go to for that?
[32:30.000 -> 32:32.000] Seriously.
[32:32.000 -> 32:34.000] He's already taken a dig on Michael Massey for this.
[32:34.000 -> 32:36.000] But anyway.
[32:38.000 -> 32:40.000] But folks, that's all from us
[32:40.000 -> 32:42.000] for our last race preview
[32:42.000 -> 32:44.000] episode of the year.
[32:44.000 -> 32:45.200] We'll be back very very soon with more preview
[32:45.200 -> 32:50.000] episodes because F1 is just a hundred days away after that but there's going to be lots of special
[32:50.000 -> 32:57.600] episodes on the podcast starting off firstly with the Abu Dhabi GP review on Monday. On Monday I
[32:57.600 -> 33:01.520] think it'll be because Kunal's flying out back to Mumbai where we are going to do lots of events as
[33:01.520 -> 33:07.960] well so watch out for that. As we mentioned Franz Tost is coming, Otmar Safner is going to do lots of events as well. So watch out for that. As we mentioned, Franz Tost is coming, Otmar Safnau is going to be coming as well.
[33:07.960 -> 33:12.660] Daryl Goodrich's stories, especially those on Jensen Button, they're gonna be
[33:12.660 -> 33:16.560] fantastic to listen to. So watch out for that as well and a few more episodes
[33:16.560 -> 33:20.040] coming up as well. But thank you so much for listening in folks. We'll be back
[33:20.040 -> 33:23.520] rather soon and in case you like this episode, please please support the
[33:23.520 -> 33:28.280] podcast by a. subscribing to the line of one podcast and be sharing this
[33:28.280 -> 33:31.600] episode with all your friends and family members who might like this as well
[33:31.600 -> 33:59.200] thanks for watching folks we'll be back soon Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the Inside Line F1 podcast.
[33:59.200 -> 34:04.560] Before we end it, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Amazon Music once again for partnering
[34:04.560 -> 34:06.600] with us on this episode of the podcast.
[34:04.750 -> 34:08.250] I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Amazon Music once again
[34:08.250 -> 34:11.250] for partnering with us on this episode of the podcast.