Will Ferrari re-sign Kimi Raikkonen? Or will Kimi Raikkonen resign from Ferrari and Formula 1? There are tons of rumours doing the rounds last week and while we ignore them all, we wonder if Kimi Raikkonen would actually be well suited to become Vice President. In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and Kunal argue over Raikkonen's possible extension, Nico Rosberg's sudden love for Lewis Hamilton, the possibility of drivers becoming title sponsors of their home Grands Prix...
Sep 09, 2018•24 min•Season 2018Ep. 30
The 'points for all' topic is disturbing. No, please don't go down this road, Formula 1\. We've gone from awarding points to top-6 to top-8 and now 50% of the grid (top-10) scores points. By increasing the base of points scorers to 100% (all-20), we will go from incentivising drivers to win or finish higher to simply just finishing races. Is this Formula 1's way of retaining Fernando Alonso? In this week's episode of the [Inside Line F1 Podcast](http://bit.ly/ilf1ponkf1b), the 'What Wolff Said T...
Jul 11, 2018•20 min•Season 2018Ep. 22
Renault has joined the list of demotions at Red Bull Racing, while Honda find themselves with an unexpected promotion. In this week's episode of the [Inside Line F1 Podcast](http://bit.ly/ilf1ponkf1b), Mithila and Kunal wonder what would crack first in 2019 - the Honda engine or Max Verstappen? (But of course, we're kidding!). On a serious note, Red Bull Racing seem to have a made a sensible decision, let's see if Daniel Ricciardo thinks so too. Has Winnie Harlow triggered the FIA to replace all...
Jun 20, 2018•23 min•Season 2018Ep. 18
If you have family and friends who are on-the-fence fans of Formula 1, the 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix could go a long way into dropping them onto our side of the fence. The nail-biting and edge-of-the-seat action from Bahrain was definitely the perfect advertisement that Formula 1 could ask for. In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and Kunal rejoice the season's first of many back-to-back races. They applaud Liberty Media for ensuring that there were no adverse reactions fr...
Apr 11, 2018•22 min•Season 2018Ep. 12
What does Max Verstappen need to do to finish a race this season? His dismal luck reminds us of Michael Schumacher's 2000 title campaign! Either way, it is time Verstappen goes woo-ing his Lady Luck, again. Maybe, Red Bull Racing needs to rename the RB13 to get rid of the bad luck! In the Red Bull Racing ecosystem, Daniel Ricciardo seems to be the only driver 'happy'. Carlos Sainz Jr. had a public spat regarding his future; given Red Bull Racing's attitude, he should be glad it wasn't a public s...
Jul 12, 2017•23 min
After the incredible Chinese Grand Prix, we wondered what most Ferrari fans would've wondered - why did Ferrari not ask Kimi Raikkonen to move over and let Sebastian Vettel pass? Could this strategic move have altered the race result? Did this 'no team order' strategy blunder cost Ferrari more than their tyre strategy for Vettel? Frankly, we're happy that Ferrari let their drivers race. Yes, it's unusual, but it is something that Mercedes and Red Bull Racing have been doing since ages. Thank you...
Apr 10, 2017•27 min
As we near the start of the 2017 Formula 1 Season, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull Racing are busy trading the 'favourites' tag with each other. In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and Kunal tell you that despite their lack of pace and reliability, Mclaren-Honda are definitely the fan favourite for 2017. The million dollar questions staring at Formula 1 right now are: Will Mercedes unleash more pace? Will Mclaren-Honda be able to go the full race distance? Also, does Dan...
Mar 14, 2017•22 min
Sauber is on pole position - to launch 2017's first Formula 1 car. The strange part is that two relatively unknown drivers (Ericsson and Wehrlein) will unveil the new looking Formula 1 car. Given the excitement around the new look, couldn't Formula 1 (read: Liberty Media) get some of their superstar drivers to do so? But this pole position works well for Sauber. It is a PR masterstroke. This unveil might garner them more publicity than the previous two seasons put together. As for Mclaren, they ...
Feb 17, 2017•18 min
Is this Formula 1's busiest 'off-season' yet? There's been an overdose of stories in this period: from Mercedes hiring Valtteri Bottas as Nico Rosberg's replacement, Formula 1's sale and Bernie Ecclestone being forcibly replaced to Juan Pablo Montoya's Race of Champions victory on debut and Sebastian Vettel's single-handled efforts winning Germany their 7th Race of Champion Nations Cup! (PS: we love the Juan 'juan' ROC jokes!) In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we tell you why...
Jan 25, 2017•22 min
If we are treated to a Mercedes vs. Red Bull Racing contest in 2017, it could well be an 'engine vs. aero' battle given Mercedes' superior power unit and Red Bull Racing's aero prowess. But well, Bernie Ecclestone doesn't believe that Mercedes will be challenged this season too. Sigh! On this 'engine vs. aero' debate, we're reminded of Enzo Ferrari's famous quote 'aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines' and this does seem true for Red Bull Racing - who have publicly declared that th...
Jan 17, 2017•19 min
After bringing to you Nico 'The Hulk' Hulkenberg last week, we bring to you Sergio 'Checo' Perez this week. Tune in to hear Checo's favourite radio message and how he played a prank on his former team, Sauber. And of course, no prizes for guessing which driver's radio he would enjoying listening to the most. Apart from Checo's bytes, Mithila and Kunal discuss how Felipe Massa might just go from Formula 1's 'shortest ever' (in terms of time) World Champion to logging the sport's 'shortest ever' (...
Dec 19, 2016•18 min
As the Hamilton vs. Rosberg title battle goes down to the wire, the big question is who will win the 2016 World Drivers' Championship. While the odds may be stacked in Rosberg’s favour, this is Formula 1 – and nothing’s over till it’s over. Could Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing be Lewis Hamilton’s best ally in the ‘duel of the desert'? Here’s a prediction we’re going to stick our heads out and make – respective of the outcome, when fans look back on the season they’ll probably believe that ‘t...
Nov 22, 2016•21 min
The 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix could have given Formula 1 a new World Champion, but it didn't. However, it confirmed a fact that didn't need much confirming - that Max Verstappen is absolute World Champion material. Irrespective of the outcome of the World Drivers' Championship, 2016 will be remembered for the brilliance of Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton won his first-ever race in Ayrton Senna's land ensuring that Abu Dhabi hosts the title decider yet again. We guess that Bernie Ecclestone and th...
Nov 15, 2016•24 min
The 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix could be a Grand Prix of firsts for the Mercedes drivers. Lewis Hamilton could win his first-ever Brazilian Grand Prix OR Nico Rosberg could win his first-ever Formula 1 Drivers' Championship. Let's hope the 'best driver' wins. In which case, shouldn't it then be Fernando Alonso? We're loving the suspense and surprise of title fight this season and don't mind it being taken forward to Abu Dhabi. After all, there's finally some surprise in the sport other than Max Ve...
Nov 08, 2016•24 min
FIA was sneaky in its ways to keep the shoey off the podium. We had an instance where 3 drivers were classified 3rd at least once. Thank you FIA, for embarrassing Formula 1. And thank you (not!) for ensuring the shoey man doesn't find himself on the podium, during the podium. Daniel Ricciardo's shoey was missed in Mexico, but is it time for a new party trick? We're excited to know what it could be and how he's going to up that game! The Mexico Grand Prix will be remembered for the FIA's inconsis...
Nov 01, 2016•23 min
Mercedes to be challenged in Singapore, really? Or is this yet another Ferrari-inspired pre-race PR hype? Singapore has been tagged as Red Bull Racing’s track, and boy are we excited! Will we get to see some Verstappen vs. Ricciardo action (and will Red Bull Racing let it be a fair fight!)? To keep his championship hopes alive, Nico Rosberg must fight against all odds in Singapore. Forget winning, he's not been on the podium here since 8 years! At the same time, he had his ‘first-ever’ wins in S...
Sep 13, 2016•16 min
Kimi Raikkonen finally won something - the ‘Driver of the Day’ in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Did Max Verstappen's fans vote for him as a 'thank you' gesture for not overtaking their driver again? And of course, we applaud Lewis Hamilton’s perfect race start - one that took him nearly 10 races to master. Not to forget, his ‘international hand gesture’ to a lesser known Esteban Gutierrez. Nico Rosberg’s third (or fourth?) consecutive date with the FIA Stewards? Did they pull him up three hours afte...
Jul 26, 2016•19 min
Lewis Hamilton may have won in Canada, but it was the second time this season he was gifted a victory. First by Red Bull Racing and now by Ferrari – it seems like the entire paddock is conspiring to have Lewis Hamilton as World Champion again! Pity Justin Bieber wasn’t around to celebrate with Lewis on the podium. Max Verstappen or Carlos Sainz Jr. – which future World Champion had a better race in Canada? And Kimi Raikkonen could learn a trick or two from Verstappen's brilliant defence over Nic...
Jun 14, 2016•22 min
Lewis Hamilton must be pissed with Niki Lauda for two reasons - first, Lauda blamed Hamilton for the Mercedes collision and second, Lauda called Max Verstappen the 'talent of the century.' Well, for that compliment, even Sebastian Vettel must be pissed! Max Verstappen's maiden race victory on his Red Bull Racing debut gives us plenty to cheer about. We heard the Dutch national anthem on the Formula 1 podium for the first time ever and it seems fans should get used to hearing this anthem very oft...
May 16, 2016•19 min
With a 36-point deficit in the Drivers' Championship, can and will Lewis Hamilton win his fourth title in 2016? Will Nico Rosberg's lady luck shine all season long? While Ferrari vs. Mercedes might seem to be a farce, Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton is serious business, say Mithila and Kunal in this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast. Apart from Hamilton's race notes, Rosberg needs to read and learn from his party notes. Burger King, like really? And we ask the question everyone wants ...
Apr 18, 2016•17 min
Sebastian Vettel recently said that he fails to understand the 'selfie generation' and social media. This is possibly why he is 'most suited' to replace Bernie Ecclestone as F1's oh-so-important CEO, say Mithila and Kunal in this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast. The leaked payment reports also indicated that Mclaren-Honda were paid nearly $82 million in 2015 - a tad too much to pay for entertainment alone! On that note, will Fernando Alonso miss racing in China too? Another chance f...
Apr 11, 2016•17 min
In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and Kunal tell you why Ferrari should sign up Max Verstappen at the expense of letting go the yet-to-find-form Kimi Raikkonen. We explain why there's no 'crisis in Formula 1' and wonder what Haas Racing's real pace is. As we THANK GOD that Flavio Briatore isn't Bernie Ecclestone's successor, we wonder if Formula 1 needs a Narendra Modi too? The dubious qualifying format, Pirelli tyres, Ferrari vs. Mercedes - so much to look forward to...
Mar 30, 2016•17 min
After months of waiting, the 2016 Formula 1 Season is finally here. And while you wait for the five red lights to go out, tune in to the pre-Australian Grand Prix episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast. Mithila and Kunal talk about how Lewis Hamilton is the ONLY one who is seemingly having the best start to the new season already. They also reveal Williams’ strategy to beat Force India while Red Bull Racing prove that the best way to react to being beaten is to quit! We tell you why a Hamilton-Ve...
Mar 15, 2016•11 min
The new F1 season is approaching alright, but the same old problems seem to be weighing the sport down (again). Sauber is struggling to pay salaries (again) and the probability of a single team dominating 2016 looms large (again). Alonso's age old problems continue (pun intended, again) and so does the midfield teams' struggle to make the most of their budgets (again). In this episode of The Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila & Kunal tell you the real reason why Toto Wolff sold his final stake ...
Mar 09, 2016•13 min
Before we get to answering 'How to measure a good F1 test?', we tell you why we were missing in action for a few weeks. We also tell you why we love Formula 1 testing as we try and indicate the 'Sign Of Times To Come' (for 2016). Along the way, we also answer a few other questions in this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast: - Why the silly qualifying changes till be delayed till the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix? - Who is the ONE person in the sport not doing his job? - Why Lewis Hamilton wo...
Feb 29, 2016•14 min
Taking cue from Christian Horner's statements, Mithila and Kunal speculate on 'what if' Lewis Hamilton had raced for Red Bull Racing from 2012. Would he still be a triple World Champion? And what about Sebastian Vettel and of course, Mark Webber? While Horner disclosed that he encouraged Mercedes to sign up Hamilton, we wonder who encouraged Mclaren to partner with Honda. We discuss the influx of new talent in Formula 1 and if people are drunk to be joining Manor F1 Team, and maybe Mclaren too? ...
Jan 20, 2016•12 min
Taking cue from Christian Horner's statements, Mithila and Kunal speculate on 'what if' Lewis Hamilton had raced for Red Bull Racing from 2012. Would he still be a triple World Champion? What about Sebastian Vettel and of course, Mark Webber? While Horner disclosed that he encouraged Mercedes to sign up Hamilton, we wonder who encouraged Mclaren to partner with Honda. We discuss the influx of new talent in Formula 1 and if people are drunk to be joining Manor F1 Team, and maybe Mclaren too? In t...
Jan 20, 2016•12 min
**See a video clip of this episode: https://youtu.be/79u1gXSppG8** No, this episode isn't about Lewis Hamilton or his dog Roscoe. But the spotlight is on the underdogs of the sport - the Force India F1 Team and IF they will bull-y Red Bull or Williams this season. Mithila and Kunal offer perspective on the team's ambition to finish 4th in 2016, what it would take to get there and who they will need to beat en route. And as Kevin Magnussen waits for a few of the current drivers to retire, our hos...
Jan 11, 2016•10 min
So it seems that the Ecclestone surname isn’t necessarily a ticket to outstanding business acumen say Mithila and Kunal in the last episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast. And by last, we mean the last of 2015. Happy New Year! They wonder if the Lauda-Hamilton bromance was timed with Lewis-Nicole’s split and if Toto is Formula 1’s ‘crying wolf’! Is Raikkonen capable of aiding Vettel’s title challenge? Could Kevin Magnussen have helped save Jenson Button-Jessica Michibata’s marriage? They talk abo...
Dec 29, 2015•15 min
Alain Prost is rumoured to play a Niki Lauda-type role for Renault when they return as a manufacturer team to Formula 1 in 2016. Would this mean that a Prost-Pastor bromance is in the offing a la Lauda-Hamilton? In a week when Hamilton revealed that he was 'dyslexic', Mithila and Kunal try and figure why he labelled his fellow drivers as 'squares', possibly the most non-aerodynamic of all shapes. Apart from discussing the Sainz-Verstappen pairing, the duo also reveal why Kimi Raikkonen found Fer...
Dec 23, 2015•11 min
