F1 Saudi Arabian GP Predictions | Frenzy at Ferrari & Mercedes? | Grid Walk March 16, 2023

On this week’s episode of Grid Walk, Briana and Nicole are gearing up for another Formula 1 race week! Before diving into thoughts about the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, there was a lot of excitement for Formula 1 and Motorsports panels at 2023 South by Southwest (SXSW).

There have been a lot of conflicting quotes from Team Principal Toto Wolff and drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russel when it comes to Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s disappointing season start in Bahrain. Briana and Nicole discuss the PR recovery strategy Mercedes is pursuing after dedicating a heartfelt and honest letter to fans.

Another day, another drama at Scuderia Ferrari. Is the Italian media just generating good headlines or are team members looking at other teams for employment? Is new team principal Frédéric Vasseur the problem? What does it mean that Charles Leclerc is meeting with Ferrari’s CEO Benedetto Vigna?

As of right now it seems like the Mclaren F1 Team has gotten their 2023 car totally wrong. What areas did Mclaren completely miss the mark? How will this affect their drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris?

The hottest trend hitting the runway at New York Fashion Week and Parish Fashion week is Motorcore. On this week’s Gossip Grid, Nicole shares how leather, logos, and layers are taking over. Designers like Diesel or Givenchy and celebrities like Rosalia and Dua Lipa have Formula 1 to thank for their outfit inspiration.

Ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Briana and Nicole have a frank discussion about the issue of sportwashing in Formula 1. How has Formula 1’s CEO Stefano Domenicali defended the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix amidst the nation’s history of human rights violations? Does it have anything to do with Formula 1’s $650 million contract?

As part of their season-long competition, Briana and Nicole make predictions for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Was Max Verstappened picked to win? Between BWT Alpine F1 Team, Williams Racing, Mclaren F1 Team, Scuderia Alpha Tauri, and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, which team will score the most points? Will either Scuderia Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz Jr. make the podium?

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

**Grid Block:**

* Brianna and Nicole discuss the excitement surrounding South by Southwest (SXSW) and the four F1-themed panels scheduled to take place during the event.
* They express their enthusiasm for the panels, particularly those focusing on the intersection of F1 and technology, culture, and diversity.

**Mercedes PR Crisis and Recovery:**

* Mercedes' recent PR crisis, triggered by Toto Wolff's comments about the team's struggles, is analyzed.
* Brianna and Nicole discuss the coordinated effort by Mercedes to downplay their issues and the subsequent backlash from fans and media.
* The release of a letter from Mercedes to its fans, acknowledging the team's shortcomings and expressing a commitment to improvement, is examined.
* They emphasize the significance of Mercedes identifying the need to appease their fan base and highlight the importance of fan engagement in modern sports marketing.

**Aston Martin's Performance and Mercedes' Potential:**

* The impressive performance of Aston Martin in the early stages of the season is discussed, with Brianna and Nicole acknowledging that it has raised expectations for Mercedes.
* They express optimism that Mercedes, with its superior resources and engineering capabilities, can make a significant leap forward once they identify the correct direction for development.
* The possibility of Mercedes introducing a B-spec car at the Imola Grand Prix is mentioned, fueling speculation about a potential resurgence in the team's performance.

**McLaren's Struggles:**

* McLaren's ongoing struggles are attributed to their misinterpretation of the floor edge regulation changes, resulting in a flawed floor design.
* Brianna and Nicole discuss the team's decision to abandon their current design and start over, leading to delays in the introduction of upgrades.
* They highlight the systemic issues within McLaren, extending beyond the floor design, and express concern about the team's overall operations and communication.

**Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Preview:**

* The upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is briefly mentioned, with Brianna and Nicole expressing anticipation for the race. **Episode Summary: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Preview and Predictions**

1. **Sportswashing Allegations:**
- Saudi Arabia's involvement in Formula One is often criticized as an attempt to improve the country's reputation and distract from its human rights issues.
- F1 claims that its presence in Saudi Arabia is intended to spotlight and address these issues, but critics argue that the efforts are insufficient.
- The hosts discuss the ethical implications of racing in Saudi Arabia and emphasize the importance of being informed about the country's human rights record.

2. **Race Predictions:**
- The hosts make predictions for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, assigning points for various categories such as P1, P4, P7, P10, and the team scoring the most points from the back half of the standings.
- Both hosts predict Max Verstappen to win the race, while they have different picks for other positions, leading to an intriguing head-to-head competition.

3. **Track Characteristics and Team Performance:**
- The hosts analyze the unique features of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, highlighting its length, fast straights, and the changes made to improve safety.
- They discuss how the track's characteristics might impact the performance of different teams and drivers.
- The hosts speculate on the potential performance of teams like Ferrari, Haas, and Williams based on their strengths and weaknesses.

4. **Fashion Trends in Formula One:**
- The hosts discuss the growing influence of Formula One on fashion, particularly the trend known as "Motorcore."
- They describe the key elements of Motorcore, including leather, logos, and unconventional cuts, and mention celebrities who have embraced this style.
- The hosts attribute the rise of Motorcore to the increased popularity of Formula One and its association with glamour and luxury.

5. **Upcoming Segments and Fan Engagement:**
- The hosts remind listeners about their live tweeting during qualifying and the race, encouraging fans to follow them for real-time updates and commentary.
- They briefly mention upcoming segments and content on their show, including a visit to the Red Bull Racing factory and an interview with a Formula One driver. **Gridwalk: The Formula One Podcast - Episode 174**

Mercedes released a behind-the-scenes video featuring Lewis Hamilton playing Monopoly with his family during a media shoot. The hosts express amusement and speculate about the competitive nature of Monopoly games within Hamilton's household.

Alpine's sponsor, Castrol, releases an ice driving video showcasing Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly's winter break activities. Oscar Piastri and Nick de Vries participate in a karting event organized by Sky Sports, leaving fans wondering about Logan Sargeant's absence.

Valtteri Bottas shares a romantic photo with his dog, Louis, sparking envy among the hosts. Aston Martin captures a unique group photo of their entire factory team in the shape of their logo, demonstrating impressive coordination and team spirit.

The hosts discuss a recent investigation involving Haas, the manufacturing company that funds the Haas F1 Team. Haas is under investigation for allegedly continuing to sell weapons manufacturing machinery to Russia despite US sanctions imposed after the Ukraine invasion. This news comes as a surprise, considering it involves the team's primary sponsor rather than a traditional sponsor.

The podcast concludes with the hosts expressing their gratitude to their listeners, Voice Over Man, Unlimited Drink Packages Royal Caribbean, and their four-legged executive producers. They encourage listeners to leave ratings and reviews, share their feedback, and follow the show on various social media platforms. The hosts promise to return every Thursday with more Formula One discussions and insights.