F1 Car Launch Midterms | Ford in F1 Reactions | Grid Walk Feb 9, 2023

Another week, another Thursday, another new episode of Grid Walk! This week Nicole and Briana share their reactions to the latest car launches: MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, Oracle Red Bull Racing, Williams Racing, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake. Which F1 driver did we think were PR rockstars? Briana and Nicole also share their wishlist for the upcoming Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team launch!

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem will be stepping back from overseeing the day to day operations of Formula 1. Briana and Nicole speculate what this announcement really means and what effect Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s change of responsibilities will have on Andretti Autosport | Cadillac/General Motors’ F1 bid.

It was a surprise to almost no one - Ford Motor Company announced their return to Formula 1 as a strategic partner to Oracle Red Bull Racing starting in the 2026 season. Will Ford Motor Company and Oracle Red Bull Racing make a good pair?

Everyone is excited for the 2023 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Local Las Vegas lawmakers of Clark County have already approved the return of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix until 2032! What does this say about America’s presence in F1? Will what happens in Vegas really stay in Vegas?

The former CEO of the Formula One Group, Chase Carey, had previously discussed the goal of having every F1 race weekend feel like a Super Bowl weekend. In the spirit of this weekend’s big game, Briana and Nicole talk about what F1 is doing to achieve this SUPER feeling and everything they could do to get closer.

Grid Walk is a weekly Formula 1 show that releases every Thursday. For daily F1 content follow @gridwalkshow on all social media platforms.

**Car Launches:**

* The Formula One car launch season is in full swing, with teams unveiling their new liveries and providing insights into their upcoming campaigns.

* Some key highlights include:

* Williams' concise and professional launch, focusing on their new Gulf Oil partnership and featuring an interview with Jamie Chadwick.

* Red Bull's entertaining launch, which included appearances by Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon, as well as pyrotechnics and a focus on their expanded involvement in extreme sports.

* Alfa Romeo's launch, which generated mixed reactions due to its morning talk show format and failure to meet expectations.

* Overall, there have been differing opinions among fans regarding the car launches, with some appreciating the entertainment value and others expressing disappointment at the lack of technical details.

**Communication and Expectations:**

* The varying reactions to the car launches have prompted discussions about the importance of clear communication from teams regarding their launch goals and content.

* Some fans feel misled when they expect to see the actual car but are presented with a livery launch instead.

* Teams need to manage expectations by accurately conveying what to expect from their launches to avoid disappointing fans.

* The launches are often used to showcase sponsorships and partnerships, which can lead to varying levels of fan engagement depending on their interests.

**Upcoming Launches:**

* Several car launches are still to come, including AlphaTauri in New York City, Aston Martin and McLaren sharing a day, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Alpine.

* Fans are eagerly anticipating the Mercedes launch, particularly the possibility of a black livery, which would symbolize confidence in the car's performance.

**FIA President's Step Back:**

* Mohammed bin Sulayem, the FIA President, has announced that he will step back from his day-to-day duties in Formula One.

* This move is widely seen as a result of pressure from Formula One, which was unhappy with bin Sulayem's public comments and actions.

* The announcement states that bin Sulayem will still be involved in major decision-making, but many believe that his influence will be diminished.

**Impact on Andretti and GM's F1 Entry:**

* The change in bin Sulayem's role may negatively affect Andretti and GM's efforts to enter Formula One.

* Andretti had hoped to gain support from the FIA in their bid to join the grid, but bin Sulayem's diminished influence could weaken their chances.

* The situation remains uncertain, and it is unclear how this development will impact Andretti and GM's F1 aspirations.

The podcast episode delves into Formula One's quest to make every race feel like the Super Bowl, as envisioned by former F1 CEO Chase Carey. The discussion centers around three key aspects that contribute to the Super Bowl's unique status:

1. **High Stakes:** The Super Bowl represents the championship game, where teams compete for the ultimate prize. In F1, this translates to the championship battle, where drivers and teams strive for the World Championship titles.

2. **Extensive Media Coverage:** The Super Bowl attracts media attention from various outlets, including traditional sports media and non-sports platforms. F1 aims to replicate this by expanding its media reach beyond traditional motorsports outlets to capture a broader audience.

3. **City Involvement:** The Super Bowl transforms the host city into a hub of activities and activations, creating a festive atmosphere. F1 seeks to engage cities hosting races by organizing events and activations that immerse fans in the racing experience.

The hosts, Briana L. Klein and Nicole Katz, analyze F1's progress in achieving these goals. They acknowledge that while some races, like the Miami Grand Prix, have successfully captured the Super Bowl spirit, others still have room for improvement. They emphasize the importance of local city involvement and engaging non-traditional media outlets to enhance the overall fan experience.

The episode also covers various news and updates from the F1 world, including Ford's partnership with Red Bull Powertrains, the extension of the Las Vegas Grand Prix contract until 2032, and the upcoming car launches and testing sessions.

Overall, the podcast provides an insightful analysis of F1's efforts to elevate its races to the level of the Super Bowl, highlighting both the successes and areas for further development.