Inside Line F1 Podcast

Okay, the question has to be asked. Are 'Virtual Grands Prix' the future of Formula 1? For our sake, let's really hope not. We'd rather that it was Formula E! The question also has to be asked - how much is too much when it comes to the virtual races? There's a race every second day! Anyone who is a someone is trying their hand at virtual racing - heck, we even had a cricketer and golfer try their...

In these unprecedented times, could Formula 1 run unusual experiments in 2020? The obvious suggestions have been running races clockwise and anti-clockwise or running 'Grand Slam' races or a 2020-21 super season. But could Formula 1 also explore more unusual options? How about racing on a non-weekend day? Okay, if that's doesn't make the cut with you, would a quadruple header do? Also in this epis...

At the moment, Lando Norris is the only 'thing' about Formula 1 that's operating. The Mclaren racer has become a Twitch sensation - entertaining the much-deprived fans with lots of virtual racing action. If we were MotoGP, Formula E and the Indy Car series, we'd invite Norris to race virtually in our series, too. We like how Norris is building his positioning in Formula 1 - fast, friendly, social...

The future is NOW! Formula 1's Virtual Grand Prix series will replace the cancelled / postponed rounds of the 2020 Formula 1 season. Who'd have ever imagined such a start to the sport's 70th year. The upside is that we will see rivals race in equal cars, something otherwise unheard of in Formula 1. The downside could be that not all drivers will participate. 2020 will be a hybrid-season of races,...

To summarise, Liberty Media was undercut by the corona-virus. Yes, that's the unfortunate truth! Liberty Media's strategy for the 2020 Australian Grand Prix was a lot worse than Ferrari's race strategies. Either way, let's hope that the aftereffects of their delayed decision-making isn't too heavy on the human capital of Formula 1. The 12 hours between Mclaren's withdrawal and the eventual cancell...

We may not have 22 races in the 2020 Formula 1 season, but in this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast (http://bit.ly/ilf1ponkf1b) , we actually have 22 predictions for the upcoming season. Will Lance Stroll win his battle against Q1? Will Kimi Raikkonen retire from Formula 1 at the end of 2020? Will drivers still blame Pirelli? Will Formula 1 undergo a Tik Tok revolution? Will all 10 teams sign...

Jehan Daruvala is the latest recruit of the Red Bull Junior Team - the Formula 1's team driver development program helmed by the much-feared Dr. Helmut Marko. In this episode of Inside Line F1 Podcast (http://bit.ly/ilf1ponkf1b) , the Formula 2 racer shares how his partnership with Red Bull came about, if he received the infamous early morning call from Dr. Marko, Red Bull's targets and expectatio...

The Corona-virus has led to the postponement of the Heineken Chinese Grand Prix. Yes, there's some irony in the disappointment. But for Liberty Media, could this be an opportunity to turn race promoter? Can they host a 'private' Grand Prix in place of China just so that we have 22 races this year? Let's remember that there's money to lose if the calendar is reduced to 21 races in 2020. If not Chin...

Our first episode of 2020! New Year resolutions are passé, so in this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast (http://bit.ly/ilf1ponkf1b) , we discuss un-resolutions for several Formula 1 teams and drivers. Basically, what should drivers not do, but will anyway do in 2020. For e.g.: Lando Norris said that he wants to be 'less funny' in 2020! In our list, we've got un-resolutions for several t...

Our 50th and final episode of 2019 - the Inside Line F1 Podcast 'Parody' Awards. Like every year, we live up to our tagline for the Inside Line F1 Podcast 'Parody' Awards - 'the winner is never who you think it is'. Sit back, tune-in and enjoy our festive special parody episode, one that's most-awaited by teams, drivers and our legion of listeners. (Season 2019, Episode 50) Categories & Nomination...

Max Verstappen has made a fresh claim on how easy it would be to become a World Champion with Mercedes. 60% of the current grid could win the title if they raced Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes, claimed Verstappen. In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast (http://bit.ly/ilf1ponkf1b) , we discuss the other 40%! Basically, we guess the list of 'Drivers Who Wouldn't Be World Champion Even In A...

From now until the start of the 2020 Formula 1 season, the most-awaited moment for Formula 1 fans is season 2 of the Netflix-F1 show, Drive to Survive. In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we discuss the key storylines for the show. In fact, we go one step forward - we recommend names for each Formula 1 team's episode in the show. Tune in! Here's what's in store for you in this episode:...

Ferrari-Lewis Hamilton-Toto Wolff-Mercedes - we wonder how the love quadrangle will eventually settle. At the moment, it is brilliant positive PR for Formula 1 and Ferrari - but more than Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari needs the managerial skills of Toto Wolff. Like Hamilton, Wolff too is out of contract after 2020. As for Ferrari, maybe they need an outsider to lead them back to their days of glory? We...

Formula 1 claims that it will NEVER go all-electric and will instead champion hybrid technology for the future. Let's see which approach lasts longer - Formula 1's or Formula E's? For the moment, more manufacturers seem interested in the all-electric route while fans don't really care what technology powers Formula 1! By the way, what's common among most former Formula 1 drivers? Answer: repeated...

This episode is a Formula 1 + Formula E special! We have a special guest on our show - former Formula 1 driver and now racing for Mahindra in Formula E, Jerome d'Ambrosio. Formula E - We talk to Mahindra Racing's Jerome d'Ambrosio about the 2019-20 Formula E, their preparations, learnings from the pre-season test and more - Mahindra Racing's biggest challenge has been to remain competitive through...

Unless there's a twist of fate, Lewis Hamilton will finally win a Formula 1 World Championship at the United States Grand Prix - and it's gonna be one helluva party. Any guesses who'll be on the guest list? Any guesses which celebrity guest will wish Hamilton on his pit-to-car radio? And of course, Liberty Media have much to celebrate too. They've managed to release the bold rule book for 2021. In...

Yes, we said it, and don't tell us that it hasn't crossed your mind either. Apart from a guy named Cyril, is there anyone who wouldn't want Daniel Ricciardo to be back in Red Bull Racing in 2020? After all, Red Bull-Toro Rosso are still figuring their line-up for next season. Remember 2013? Nico Hulkenberg deflected to Sauber for exactly one season before returning to Force India. Could Ricciardo...

Guenther Steiner is a character that keeps giving, especially when it comes to the Netflix-F1 show. Thankfully, the star of season 1 of 'Drive to Survive' was let off with a small financial penalty. In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we wonder if Mclaren-Mercedes is a sign that Fernando Alonso isn't returning to Formula 1 with the top-4 teams. Toto Wolff is afraid that Mclaren m...

Red Bull Racing Missing! In the races after the summer break, Red Bull Racing-Honda has struggled to mount a challenge. They've had on-track incidents and penalties marring their progress, but this is the second half of the season - the time when Red Bull Racing are supposed to be at their strongest best. Will the Max Verstappen camp be worried? And after all these years of drama, does one really...

Lewis Hamilton wasn't the only Mercedes driver who felt the heat in Monza. Nico Rosberg, Formula 1's famous YouTube influencer and former World Champion Mercedes driver, was under fire too - from Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton himself. Rosberg has already toned down his comments, but after attacking three out of the top-4 drivers, we wonder if Charles Leclerc would be Rosberg's next target. Aft...

Thousands of Dutch fans would've left Spa disappointed. After all, their star driver crashed out on the opening lap. In Monza, an opening lap half-spin followed by Sergio Perez's Racing Point's straight-line advantage prevented us from witnessing a Max Verstappen masterclass. After all, the Red Bull racer started from the back after taking on an upgraded Honda power unit. Nevertheless, Formula 1 f...

The summer break has officially ended. Apart from the Gasly-Albon swap, the Red Bull-Alonso story caught our attention - for the 194th time. Alonso's been longing for a front running car to make his comeback to Formula 1 in 2020, so why on earth would he refuse the Red Bull opportunity? This is our focus story in this episode and of course the purpose for our sensational headline.  Also in this ep...

Robin 'Aceman' Raikkonen's made the headlines and he's lined up his first sponsor already! Whether he chooses two or four wheeler racing, the Aceman's journey will be well-followed and cheered by all Motorsport fans. Here's hoping that the Raikkonens entertain us for the years to come. Will Kimi Raikkonen retire at the end of 2020 or will he race for at least one more season under the new regulati...

Kimi Raikkonen - is there a better candidate in the Formula 1 paddock to play the role of James Bond? No, sorry, Lewis Hamilton loses out too. Jokes aside, it is high time Sebastian Vettel stops playing the role of the villain who spins or crashes out other drivers.  In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we point out the irony in Nico Rosberg's advice to Kimi Raikkonen, applaud Ren...

Every sport needs to build and worship its heroes, the current flavour for Formula 1 being Lewis Hamilton. But Formula 1 took one step too far when it asked Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton's title rival, to sing praises for the reigning World Champion not once, but twice. Enough, lads. Let's respect the title rivalry between the two Mercedes drivers. In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast,...