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5 years and 105 races later, the Chinese Grand Prix is back to host Formula 1. The BIGGEST talking point of the weekend will be the Sprint format - and the sole 60 mins-long practice session for the team-drivers to dial their setup in. 

A lot has changed in Formula 1 since the sport last raced in China. For starters, Mercedes aren't dominating, Max Verstappen is now a World Champion along with Red Bull Racing, Fernando Alonso is back...and Ferrari, well, they're still Ferrari - happy to be in the / lead the chasing pack instead of being chased themselves.

Tyres will be another key talking point at the Shanghai International Circuit. The last time Formula 1 raced in China, it wasn't just the tyres that were different, but the wheel rims, too. Yes, Formula 1 raced the 13" rims back then (and currently use the 18" ones).

The SIC is expected to be front-limited and heavy on tyre wear - will that bring Ferrari closer to Red Bull Racing? If the conditions are cooler, it will aid Mercedes and McLaren. A lot of stats and facts are packed in this episode, happy listening!

Tune in!

(Season 2024, Episode 16)


Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

 

Is Ferrari really on the mend? They only scored a 3-4 finish in the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix BUT that finish came at the back of very good tyre degradation...and race strategy. 

Now whether you've been following Formula 1 recently or for the past many years, you would know that these are two factors that have usually held Ferrari back on the Sundays. Helmets off to Frederic Vasseur and all of Ferrari for having turned these variables around in their favour.

You know what made Ferrari's race strategy and tyre degradation even more impressive? The track was at its hottest on Sunday - and that impacts tyre wear and usage directly.

Elsewhere, Max Verstappen won his 57th race in Formula 1; after scoring his 36th career pole on Saturday. Verstappen has been unbeaten in Qualifying in the first 4 races of the season. Is this a new streak building up?

Sergio Perez is doing what's expected of him, but how has he turned things around? Who has picked up the pieces in the top-10 each time they were available? Also, why did Lewis Hamilton ask to swap position with George Russell? Why was McLaren unable to challenge Ferrari at Suzuka. 

Lots of race discussions...insights, stats and banter with Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah in this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast.

Tune in!

(Season 2024, Episode 15)


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

Image courtesy: Ferrari

Former Williams and Ferrari team member and renowned Formula 1 broadcaster, Peter Windsor joins as a guest on the Inside Line F1 Podcast to preview the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix.

He is hosted by the show regulars, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah.


We are hosting an Inside Line F1 Pitstop at Khar SOCIAL in Mumbai for the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix. This is your chance to meet-interact with like-minded Formula 1 fans in the city and win merchandise via quizzes and conversations. 

Limited early-bird tickets available on Paytm Insider.

The event will be hosted by Soumil Arora and @f1statsguru (aka Sundaram).


In this episoide, the trio discuss a variety of topics -


the legendary Suzuka Circuit, the earnest and passionate Japanese fans
the importance of Adrian Newey at Red Bull Racing over Max Verstappen
Ferrari's puzzling choice of Lewis Hamilton over Carlos Sainz
Daniel Ricciardo's struggles against Yuki Tsunoda and since leaving Red Bull Racing and much more.

This episode is packed with banter, references from history (given Peter's illustrious experiences), insights and facts. 

Tune in!

(Season 2024, Episode 14)


Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes

Fernando Alonso brake-testing George Russell OR was he fair?

Williams Racing issuing a brutal team order - Alexander Albon replacing Logan Sargeant for the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.

Mercedes' double DNF, Red Bull Racing - could they have won with Max Verstappen or was Ferrari genuinely quick to get pole, which they failed, and win the race by scoring a 1-2. In fact, why was Charles Leclerc comprehensively beaten by Carlos Sainz?

Haas' double score, Yuki Tsunoda's points, Daniel Ricciardo's struggles and Sauber's slow stops - a lot of stories from this weekend's 2024 Australian Grand Prix. 

Are you also convinced that Sainz's win wasn't the biggest story? For us, it wasn't because Max Verstappen retired and we'd have loved to see if the win was on merit. Sometimes, Formula 1 celebrates a non-Red Bull Racing win...just because.

Tune in!

(Season 2024, Episode 13)


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

Image courtesy: Ferrari

Courtesy of the Doohans, Australia's Motorsport royalty, Formula 1 fans will be treated to Formula 1 + MotoGP demo runs through the weekend of the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.

Jack Doohan will drive the Benetton Formula 1 car from 2000 to commemorate his father Mick's successes in MotoGP. Mick (Doohan) will be on a production Honda MotoGP bike (2016).

Also, the 2024 Australian Grand Prix marks the start of Inside Line Club's race screening events in India. Soumil and @f1statsguru will host an event in Mumbai (Khar) while other cities of India will have race screenings. Yes, breakfast tastes best  when served with Formula 1 action!

(Tickets out soon on Paytm Insider; check out our social media handles)

At this weekend's 2024 Australian Grand Prix, will the chaos from last year continue? We had three SCs and three Red Flag periods while eight drivers retired. As Soumil mentioned it, this is the only "park" Formula 1 goes racing at.

Could Max Verstappen equal his race winning streak of 10 races? Is it really that easy for him and Red Bull Racing? Also, will this two week break have helped Red Bull Racing negotiate truce between all the warring factions? OR will Jos Verstappen's possible return to the Formula 1 paddock (he skipped Saudi Arabia, remember?) cause more news and controversy for the reigning World Champion team?

In Bahrain, it was Christian Horner under attack. In Saudi Arabia, it was Helmut Marko. Who's turn might it be in Australia? On-track, Aston Martin, McLaren and Mercedes have to chase Ferrari first - before they set their sights on Red Bull Racing. Will Carlos Sainz return OR will Oliver Bearman get a second shot for Ferrari? 

The narrative has expanded to - who will finish P3 in the race AND who will be the non-top-5 team driver to break into Q3? Lots of facts and stats packed into this preview episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast with Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah.

Tune in!

(Season 2024, Episode 12)


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

Image courtesy: Mercedes

What a Formula 1 debut weekend for Oliver Bearman! For starters, he didn't crash - and mind you, he had two FPs less than the other 19 races at the world's fastest street circuit. He almost knocked Lewis Hamilton out of Q3, pulled off overtakes in the Grand Prix to score his first points for Ferrari in Formula 1. 

And yes, he's scored more points in Formula 1 in 2024...than in Formula 2. Heck, he also won the "Driver of the Day" in Saudi Arabia. Thanks to Bearman, Ferrari now has three drivers in the top-10 of the Drivers' Championship! The 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was the best advertisement for Bearman's candidature for  a Formula 1 seat in 2025.

Also in this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah look back at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Just how far up the road is Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing? Will Verstappen be challenged at all on-track in 2024? Will he score another "10 wins on the trot" record OR will he add more to it? Has Sergio Perez accepted that he's only ever going to be the "second-best" driver in the world?

Is Mercedes the second-fastest team in 2024 or have they fallen back? Why were McLaren and Mercedes unable to overtake each other? Will the two Red Bull Racing and Ferrari drivers continue to occupy the podium for the races to come?

Did Fernando Alonso quality and finish the race out-of-place for Aston Martin? Does Lance Stroll need "how not to crash" lessons still? "Can you bring it back, Lance?" is the most-epic radio message of the season!

Why did the FIA not penalise Lando Norris for his apparent jump start? Why did Kevin Magnussen get 2 x 10 second time penalties? Also, Magnussen's heroics helped Haas F1 Team and Nico Hulkenberg score their first point for the 2024 Formula 1 season. In fact, Haas is only the sixth team to score points this season.

Alpine's struggles, Daniel Ricciardo's spin and Racing Bulls-Yuki Tsunoda's annoyance with Magnussen's heroics. We've got a lot packed in this review episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast.

Tune in!

(Season 2024, Episode 11)


Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Ferrari