Inside Line F1 Podcast

The Inside Line F1 Podcast is produced by Rishi Kapoor and Kunal Shah (Image courtesy: Mercedes AMG) In the pre-season, while the Formula1 teams and drivers were testing, Rishi and I hosted our Formula1 Podcast Awards, introduced 11 new drivers to Formula1, paid tribute to Ross Brawn (his Last Formula1 Season?) and of course waited for ‘Testing to End, Racing to Begin’. (Now, if you’ve not already heard our pre-season podcasts, go ahead and click!) We are now in ‘the’ week when Formula1 fans wait anxiously for the first ever racing weekend of the 2013 Formula1 season. The week when suspense takes over with ‘who will be the fastest?’ and with the stat in mind that 60% of the Australian GP winners have gone to win the Drivers’ Championship that season! Anyhow, we observed our Mondays as usual and recorded our podcast which is also our preview of the 2013 Australian GP. In this week’s Formula1 Podcast, here’s what we discussed: - If Schumacher were to turn TV commentator… o We assess his competition o And what they ‘could’ end up facing from Schumacher! - And there will be new drivers on the grid of the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, we try and pronounce their names! (Schumachers in the making?) - We share our memories from the Albert Park in the last few years. Some exciting duels, accidents and near wins and misses! (Have some of your own? Share them with us!) - And we play darts in dark – hear our podium predictions for the 2013 Australian Grand Prix. Agree or disagree? Still on TV commentary, I would love to see what Kimi Raikkonen can do! ;) Over to Melbourne… Inside Line Formula1 Podcast is produced by Rishi Kapoor and Kunal Shah. Follow us on Twitter!

Inside Line F1 Podcast produced by Rishi Kapoor and Kunal Shah (Image Courtesy: Red Bull Racing) (YouTube channel: http://youtu.be/5_gYyfpsmdg) Just the time of the 2013 Formula1 Season that we were waiting for – testing to end, racing to begin! It is that time of the year when all Formula1 fans sit back, observe timings and read as many reports available to find out the quickest teams from testing. However, like most years, it is only when the sport reaches the 2013 Australian Grand Prix does one find out the real truth. In this week’s Formula1 Podcast, here’s what we discussed: (YouTube channel: ) - Adrian Sutil is back! Jules Bianchi got a seat too! Boy! Aren’t we happy! - Last week, we predicted Razia’s ouster. While we were proved right, we observe a minute’s silence for his now dead Formula1 dream (and hope for a quick resurrection!) - Question of the week: Were teams sandbagging in the pre-season tests? We answer! - We pick our top three teams basis the pre-season tests. Agree or disagree with our picks? We’ve enjoyed bringing our pre-season podcasts to you and hope you’ve enjoyed it too. Now, like you, we eagerly await the start of the new Formula1 season. Excited, are you too?

The Inside Line Formula1 Podcast is produced by Rishi Kapoor and Kunal Shah. Image Courtesy: Mercedes AMG Last evening, Rishi and I met to record our weekly Formula1 podcast. It was only minutes before we started our recording that the news of Paddy Lowe cropped up in our inboxes. I think the first thought that crossed both our minds was that the 2013 Formula1 Season could be Ross Brawn’s last season in Formula1. Or will it? (Sigh!) Here’s what else we discussed in our latest Formula1 podcast: - Our deductions from the test held last week in Barcelona. I just say that it is PR machinery on over-drive. Something no driver or team will ever say! - Pirelli tyres – will they be our reason for exciting races this season? - Formula1’s ‘rigged’ result – Rishi tells us what it is. - Lowe, Brawn and related talk. I’d love to visit the gardens of the Mclaren Technology Centre! - Razia and his sponsor issues. A seat available at Marussia? - Our reactions to the drop in viewership of our sport. And how it affects our podcasts! - And our big discussion – where will Narain Karthikeyan be in 2013? And also, Karun Chandhok? (Read: Narain Karthikeyan To Race For WilliamsF1 In 2013) The 2013 Australian Grand Prix is only a few weeks away. The last pre-season test starts on 1st March. Plenty of talk, updates (and updates to those updates), gossip expected to come your way via our ‘Inside Line’ podcast. Keep listening, keep racing! Our previous Formula1 Podcast on ‘Three Car Teams And 11 New Drivers In Formula1’ received a very good response from our listeners. Thank you!

The Inside Line Formula1 Podcast by RJ Rishi Kapoor and Kunal Shah (Image Courtesy: Team Talk) Back in routine, back to our weekly Formula1 podcast, Rishi and I discuss the first pre-season test that was held in Jerez last week. We discuss what we learned! And of course, we discussed how many cars caught fire! Testing isn’t always boring as I have already explained in an earlier post ‘The Fun Part of Formula1 Testing’ and podcast on the testing rules in Formula1. (Tyre War, Testing and Chevrolet) And to add to our testing talk, we also bring back Luca Montezemolo’s favourite topic – 3 car Formula1 teams! Rishi and I go about picking our ‘third’ racing driver for each team. Hear the podcast to see if your view matches ours! - First pre-season test in Jerez. What did we learn? - 11 teams, 33 cars and 33 drivers! We all know the 22 (or 21) names racing in the 2013 Formula1 Season. Hear the other 11 names we’ve nominated! If you missed our earlier podcast, come hear ‘Happy New Season’.

The 'Inside Line' presented by Rishi Kapoor and Kunal Shah. Image courtesy: Sahara Force India

The 2012 Formula1 Podcast Awards In our final Formula1 podcast of the 2012 Formula1 season, Rishi Kapoor and I donned our tuxedos to come up with the ‘2012 Formula1 Podcast Awards’. The credit for the concept and award categories goes to our avid listener Latesh Wakodkar, thank you! And as always, while the categories and nominations may seem standard, the eventual winners of course aren’t. Now what’s Formula1 without a little bit of humour from Rishi and myself! Here’s what is in store: - A quick message to congratulate Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok for winning Race of Champions Asia Nations Cup! And crash-kid Romain Grosjean for winning the ‘Champion of Champions’ title! - 2012 Formula1 Podcast Award Categories (and nominees) 1. Fulcrum of the Year (Pirelli P-Zero, Newey, Alonso) 2. Rumour of the Year (Alonso’s team-mate(s), return of Adrian Sutil) 3. Technology of the Year (Coanda exhausts, D-DRS ) 4. Demise of the Year (HRT, Mercedes AMG) 5. Pitstop of the Year (Mclaren’s 5 wheel pitstop, Mclaren’s World Record pitstop) 6. Promotion of the Year (Monisha Kaltenborn, Sergio Perez, Charles Pic) 7. ‘Keep Distance From Me’ of the Year (Pastor Maldonado, Narain Karthikeyan, Romain Grosjean) – (yes, we pick two winners for this award!) 8. ‘How Did That Happen’ of the Year (Hamilton-Mercedes, Perez-Mclaren, Hulkenberg-Sauber, Schumacher’s Monaco Pole and more…) 9. ‘WOW Factor’ of the Year (7 out of 7, Maldonado and Rosberg’s maiden victories, Marussia – Caterham fight and more…) 10. Chaos of the Year (Abu Dhabi, Suzuka and Spa Turn 1, HRT) 11. Overtaking Maneuvre of the Year (Massa-Senna in Singapore, Raikkonen-Hulkenberg in Austin, Alonso-Grosjean in Valencia and some 1456 other moves!) 12. (our Oscars!) Race of the Year (Valencia, Austin, Brazil) - Over to the 2013 Formula1 Season A few more weeks before the official car launches and pre-season testing take precedence in our lives. A few Formula1 seats are still pending as we eagerly await announcements from Sahara Force India and Caterham! Till then, Rishi and I promise to keep you entertained. As for now, we have the 2012 Formula1 Podcast Awards! See you in the New Year…! (image: benzf1.tumblr.com)

Our first off-season Formula1 podcast and we thought we wouldn’t have much to speak about. However, ten minutes into our pre-podcast talk and we ended up striking out topics to ensure we don’t overshoot our usual time limit! Now such is Formula1… Here’s a brief on what RJ Rishi Kapoor and I spoke about in our latest podcast: - We try but are unable to stay away from talking about Formula1 - And we share Ross Brawn’s joke…! (Did you find it funny too?) - Will Hamilton and Mercedes give Schumacher the credit for the 2013 Formula1 season? (Read: Hamilton To Replace Schumacher In Mercedes In 2013) - The Flag Saga (as we call it!): o FIA’s role o And why on earth is Ecclestone criticizing Ferrari for it?? Hear my view! - Button is our ‘tyre man’, do you think Pirelli should change tyre characteristics for next season? - And Rishi tries to be a ‘tyre man’ too – hear his view on a different strategy that Pirelli should follow. Anyone put him in touch with Ecclestone and the FIA? - We do a roundup of the seats waiting to be confirmed for 2013 – who do you want to see in Sahara Force India, Caterham and Marussia? Share your thoughts! - The Indian Formula1 drivers and their tryst with the Race of Champions – some respite for motor-racing fans this off-season (Read: Narain Karthikeyan And Karun Chandhok In The Race Of Champions) - Rishi passes it off as local stuff, but knows it’s important for Indian Motorsport – we speak about the SIDVIN Festival of Speed. Why is it important? This off-season, we will aim to bring to you our weekly Formula1 podcasts and will talk about issues that we don’t otherwise get to speak about in Formula1. Anything you’d like to hear us speak about? Anything you’d like us to discuss? Feel free to write to us! We are listening…

The 2012 Drivers’ Championship title was decided in a nerve wracking race in Brazil, the last race of the 2012 Formula1 season. The upside was that we had a really exciting race; the downside is that there will be no Formula1 action for nearly 4 months! Before we sulk about the lack of action, we have a new World Champion to celebrate! And if you are an Alonso fan, sulking is what it will be till the action resumes… Here’s what we discussed in our latest Formula1 podcast: (Also the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix Race Report) Vettel a worthy champion? Rishi and I almost get into a cat fight! Hear both our views! Hear it! Worthy champion or not, Vettel was a bundle of nerves in the opening lap of the race! Did the crash with Senna wake him up? I dig into a bit of psychology! Raikkonen a brilliant entertainer, but there’s one driver we will sorely miss – Schumacher! And the camera shot of a distraught Alonso post-race. My heart goes out to him…! Interlagos, does it ever fail to entertain? We love it! Hulkenberg loves it even more? Sadly, he and Sahara Force India weren’t able to win their first ever Formula1 race…why the drive-thru, why! Raikkonen went up the wrong circuit! Now we would love to hear that radio conversation. Would he have still said ‘Leave me alone! I know what I am doing!’? Caterham vs Marussia, they didn’t fail to entertain as well! Hamilton crashed in his last race for Mclaren, but his comment about Hulkenberg was totally uncalled for. Did you hear it? And we ask a few interesting questions towards the end of our podcast for our listeners to respond to. Hear the link and leave your comments, as Rishi says always ‘we love to hear from you!’ Also, Formula1 fans, worry not, we are lining up a special package to keep you entertained this off-season. And if there are any topics you’d like us to discuss, debate and fight over, do share it with us. As always, we are happy to talk Formula1! Over to you…! *** At the end of the current, I am happy to share with you earlier posts that were well subscribed to: Narain Karthikeyan To Drive For WilliamsF1 In 2013 Has TATA Made A Mistake With HRT? TATA Increases Investment In Narain Karthikeyan Fernando Alonso And Ferrari Had No Option But To Sign Till 2016 Formula1 Needs Better Marketing As It Enters Newer Territories Does Formula1 Need Michael Schumacher? Narain Karthikeyan And Karun Chandhok In The Race Of Champions Mclaren’s Five Wheel Pitstop In India Image Courtesy (Red Bull Racing)

2012 Formula1 Podcast: Red Bull Racing Are Champions, Will Vettel Be Champion Too? Whatta race! Whatta return for Formula1 to America! Whatta drive by Hamilton and even more so, what was Vettel doing blaming Karthikeyan? And did Raikkonen pull off the ‘move of the season’ on Hulkenberg? And how did the Williams drivers manage to have an incident free race and score points? RJ Rishi Kapoor and I go about talking Formula1 in our latest Formula1 Podcast. Here’s what we spoke: - Lack of grip actually made the 2012 United States GP very exciting. You agree? - Hamilton vs Vettel – great racing! Is Narain really to blame? - Your ‘Driver of the Day’ in Austin? We try and choose between Massa, Button and Hamilton. - Rishi read a ‘no self-respect’ clause in Massa’s contract. Did Ferrari do the right thing though? - Schumacher’s W03 was the ‘Safety Car’ in Austin! He just kept going backwards! - Raikkonen vs Hulkenberg, whatta move! Best of the season? - Which car was the faster one in Austin? Mclaren or Red Bull Racing? - And off now to Brazil, with numerous titles decided in Sao Paolo, who will emerge victorious this year? If I were Ferrari, I would pray for a mad race in Brazil, because when it usually is mad, there is one driver who comes out on top! No prizes for guessing who I am rooting for. And would it help if I told you that chances of rain for the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix are as high as 40%? We are in for yet another nail biting finish! (Photo courtesy: Red Bull Racing)

2012 Formula1 Podcast: Formula1 Returns To America After a five year gap, Formula1 is finally back in America. The upcoming weekend is an important one for the sport as it aims to establish itself in the United States of America, something it has failed to do so in the last few decades. The United States of America has a diversified sports culture and a very strong following of the locally run NASCAR and Indy Car series. It will be interesting to see how Formula1 fans in America take to the return of the sport. While we await the weekend, here’s what RJ Rishi Kapoor and I went about talking in our latest Formula1 Podcast: - We are already suffering from withdrawal symptoms and you should know why. Any guesses? - Views on the Tilke designed Austin GP track and its characteristics. Who will it benefit, who will it not! - Thank you to Pirelli for offering an extra set of tyres for Friday. And what’s in it for the fans? - Simulators and Formula1, would they have helped the teams and drivers much? - Formula1 vs NASCAR in America on this Sunday. Is Bernie being brave? - HRT being sold off! What about Narain? Only 11 teams in the 2013 Formula1 Season? (Read: Narain Karthikeyan To Drive For WilliamsF1 In 2013; Has TATA Made The Wrong Decision With HRT?) - Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s entry into the World Superbike Championship. A boost for Indian Motorsport? Hear my views! A new circuit always throws up unexpected challenges and like they say ‘may the best man win!’ Also hear ‘Mclaren Changes Five Wheels In A Pitstop’ and ‘Hulkenberg To Sauber In 2013, Right Move?’

RJ Rishi Kapoor had an interesting way to celebrating Raikkonen’s first win of the 2012 Formula1 season and of course Vettel’s valiant drive from the pitlane to the podium! (Image Courtesy: Lotus F1 Team) RJ Rishi Kapoor had an interesting way to celebrating Raikkonen’s first win of the 2012 Formula1 season and of course Vettel’s valiant drive from the pitlane to the podium! Here’s a quick snapshot of what we discussed in our latest weekly Formula1 Podcast: 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix podium interview. We are still unable to get over it! And of course, unable to get over Raikkonen’s radio messages too. Simply hilarious! A GP2 car started amongst 23 Formula1 cars in Abu Dhabi, did you know? Aided with some massive good luck, Vettel drove a fabulous race. However, does he deserve the 2012 Drivers’ Championship? Rishi has some sympathy for Karthikeyan, yes, I am not kidding that he did. Who had the most consistent race strategy in Abu Dhabi? Any guesses? On radio or off it, Raikkonen just doesn’t like to speak much! Yet another immature drive from a future Mclaren driver. Sigh! Alonso – Button – Vettel, could Alonso have done any different? Hear our view! And we get technical, should cars be allowed setup changes post qualifying? The 2012 Austin Grand Prix is up next! A new track for everyone and it will indeed be a lottery. Will be interesting to see which driver and team learn it fast and gain early weekend advantage. Hope you enjoyed this podcast while we are still getting over the exciting weekend of the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix! Hear ‘Mclaren Changes Five Wheels In A Pitstop’ and ‘Hulkenberg To Sauber In 2013, Right Move?’.

RJ Rishi Kapoor and I talk about the 2012 Indian Grand Prix and why it was a bore! Also, we look forward to the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the latest movements in the driver market

2012 Formula1 Podcast: Massa Renews, Raikkonen To Renew RJ Rishi Kapoor and I yawned a little during the 2012 Korean Grand Prix. Admittedly, he slept off for a few laps too! But with the Indian Grand Prix up next, we’re back to full excitement mode! As we build up to our home Grand Prix, here’s what our latest Formula1 podcast has to offer: - How many cars are capable of causing first lap accidents? We do a count! - 2012 Korean Grand Prix – we avoid talking too much about the boring race, only for our listeners! (Read: Vettel Wins, Overtakes Alonso In The Championship) - We pick our ‘Racer of the Day’ in Korea – agree with our view? - Felipe Massa awarded a ‘Thank You’ drive by Ferrari for the 2013 Formula1 Season - And what about the 2014 Formula1 Season? Who is aiming for Massa’s seat? - Raikkonen’s announcement is awaited too – where will he be? - Alonso vs Vettel, Red Bull Racing vs Mclaren, who is your money on? - Also, were Red Bull Racing playing to the television audience while relaying radio messages to Vettel? - Hamilton’s bad luck struck in Korea. Astroturf? Really? Need a safety guide for circuit organisers? Well, a few aunties in Mumbai do know how Hamilton felt there! - Felix Baumgartner and his feat. Are Formula1 drivers fit enough to do what he did? We talk! F1 in India is around the corner as up next is the 2012 Indian Grand Prix – Sahara Force India’s home race! There are chances to be the team’s guest at the Indian Grand Prix, just go and ‘Raise the Flag’ on the team’s website. Show your support for India’s only Formula1 team! And also, for those Michael Schumacher fans, this will be his last Indian Grand Prix – still no reason enough to go ahead and buy your tickets, is it? Well then here’s the last and probably the best reason to be there at the race – Alonso and Vettel’s title fight will only intensify! Now come on, see me there! *** If you’ve not already purchased your tickets for the 2012 Indian Grand Prix to enjoy F1 in India, go ahead and do so right away! Read the ‘2012 Indian Grand Prix Ticket Purchase Guide’ and get yourself the best seats possible! Read latest posts on my Formula1 blog on Narain Karthikeyan, Indian Grand Prix and my Formula1 Podcasts recorded with RJ Rishi Kapoor. Also read the most read posts on my blog: 1. Does Formula1 Need Michael Schumacher? 2. Narain Karthikeyan To Drive For WilliamsF1 In 2013 3. TATA Increases Investment In Karthikeyan, TATA Tea To Enter Formula1 With HRT 4. Hamilton To Mercedes, Schumacher To Retire 5. Airtel Partners Mercedes AMG Petronas For The 2012 Indian Grand Prix 6. Has TATA Made The Wrong Decision With HRT?

Will Ferrari enter the equation in Korea? Alonso’s said this will now be a mini-championship of sorts, will he be able to fight at the front? And of course, how long before Sauber finally overtake Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship! All these questions and many more should be answered come Race Day in Korea!

RJ Rishi Kapoor was upto antics yet again while recording our latest Formula1 podcast. This time he had me participate in them too (of course!)! And also, our man was off to Sri Lanka to catch a certain cricket match. I bet he’d now do anything to get tickets to the 2012 Indian Grand Prix. Which reminds me – have you bought your tickets? Do read ‘Indian Grand Prix – Which Stand Is The Best? ‘. And back to our pre-Japanese GP podcast, here’s what we went talking: - Hamilton to Mercedes, Schumacher to retire? Did we get our predictions right? - Schumacher to Sauber – can life complete a full circle? Hear me say why it could! - Has Hamilton made the right decision? We split our answers into commercial and sporting reasons (Read more: Hamilton to replace Schumacher in Mercedes) - And Rishi does a role play yet again – he tells what he would do if he was Peter Sauber! - A ‘Thank You’ drive for Massa next year? We name drivers who could replace him! Hear a few surprises here! - Back to Back Grand Prixs – can life get better for a Formula1 fan? - And importantly, can Perez fill up Hamilton’s boots in Mclaren? - Also, Raikkonen’s still figuring what to do for the 2013 Formula1 Season. Where should he be? - The 2012 Japanese Grand Prix – we re-live some of our favourite movements from the past. Have any you’d like to share? Use the comments section below! - 130R, Spoon Curve, Esses, Casio Triangle – and the typical Rishi remembers the ‘Giant Wheel’! - Button’s gearbox penalty – can we please change the regulations here? I have a dirty feeling it could possibly decide this year’s Drivers’ Championship! - And good news, the stepped noses to go away next year! Really? We almost got used to how the cars look! Suzuka has witnessed many an epic Formula1 battles. This week we anticipate a Red Bull vs Mclaren fight yet again and as Rishi put it, Alonso’s cemented 3rd place in the podium. But I feel that he will need much more than that if he wishes to keep his advantage in the title fight. As for the mid-field teams, Sauber are facing a tough challenge from Sahara Force India and will Williams’ ‘Crash’analdo crash this race too? Help me pick a corner where you most likely think he will! And read ‘Narain Karthikeyan To Drive For WilliamsF1 In 2013’.