Formula 1 USGP Preview | Grid Walk October 19, 2023

Briana and Nicole are in Austin in every way…except physically that is. The COTA FOMO is real! With the United States Grand Prix this weekend Briana and Nicole reminisce on their trip to COTA in 2022. How is the 2022 USGP closely connected to the creation of Grid Walk?

Alright so it is time for Grid Walk to address the elephant in the room from the Qatar Grand Prix. There was some on track drama for Mercedes F1 Team on the Losail International Circuit. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had a collision at Turn 1 of the Qatar GP. Briana and Nicole are not shy about being Lewis Hamilton fans so they needed some time to “chill” before addressing the collison.

At this point, it is impossible to deny that the FIA treats Lewis Hamilton differently from other F1 drivers. Briana and Nicole discuss the FIA reopening the investigation into Lewis Hamilton for crossing the track at the Qatar GP. Is the FIA able to reopen an investigation like this? Is the FIA really just trying to focus on the betterment of safety in motorsports or is the FIA considering other factors?

Daniel Ricciardo is making his return to the F1 grid…again! For the second time in the F1 2023 season DR3 is making his F1 return in the Alpha Tauri. Daniel Ricciardo has been out since the Hungarian GP due to a broken hand. Austin is the perfect place for Daniel Ricciardo to come back to the F1 grid and it is only right that Daniel Ricciardo releases a merchandise line full of Austin vibes! What is it about Daniel Ricciardo’s merchandise for the 2023 USGP that makes it stand out? How is Daniel Ricciardo trying to appeal to female F1 fans?

There has been a crazy amount of F1 news! Even more investors are getting their piece of the Alpine F1 Team! This time the Alpine F1 Team is welcoming Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes as new investors? Netflix announced its first live sporting event with a Driver to Survive and Full Swing crossover event! Will Netflix be able to live up to the hype and expectations? Scuderia Ferrari has released “football” jerseys for the United States Grand Prix, what?? How did Scuderia Ferrari hit and miss the mark at the same time with these jerseys? NETFLIX GOLD

Briana and Nicole continue their F1 predictions battles as they attempt to predict the United States Grand Prix! Will Mclaren F1 Team be able to maintain their momentum? Will Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri make it on the podium in Austin? Will Scuderia Ferrari have better luck at COTA than they did at Qatar? Which F1 team will come out on top during the F1 Sprint Race?

Austin also has the return of F1 Academy for the final race weekend of 2023! Somehow Briana and Nicole are TIED in their F1 Academy picks?? Will Marta García solidify the championship this weekend? Will either Léna Bühler or Hamda Al Qubaisi catch up? How will the first real F1 Academy broadcast go?

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

00:00 Formation Lap

04:29 The Elephant in the Room

09:05 Harper Interruption

09:53 Into the Wild: FIA Reopens the Lewis Hamilton Investigation

11:33 Daniel Ricciardo IS BACK

12:39 Ricciardo USGP Merch Launch is for the Girls

20:27 Nicole's Shoey Hat

20:36 Grid Walk's Origin Story

26:46 The Track Invasion at COTA is a Must Do

28:11 The End of the Grid Walk's Origin Story

30:24 Netflix Announces a Live F1xGolf Crossover Event

34:17 Briana's Mom Cameo

35:09 More New Alpine Investors

39:23 Ferrari Tried to Make NFL Jerseys...

43:11 Nicole Previews the USGP

44:33 Formula 1 Race Predictions

53:19 2nd Harper Interruption

54:16 Formula 1 Academy Preview & Predictions

01:00:37 Yellow Sector Notes

**Formation Lap**

* Briana and Nicole discuss their excitement for the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
* They mention the "Elephant in the Room," which is the collision between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at the previous Grand Prix.
* They express their disappointment in the incident and discuss the potential consequences for both drivers.

**Mercedes Driver Collision**

* Briana and Nicole delve deeper into the collision between Hamilton and Russell.
* They analyze the incident from both drivers' perspectives and discuss the potential impact on their relationship and the Mercedes team.
* They also address the FIA's handling of the situation and the ongoing investigation into Hamilton's actions.

**Daniel Ricciardo's Return**

* Nicole expresses her excitement about Daniel Ricciardo's return to the McLaren cockpit for the US Grand Prix.
* She praises Ricciardo's talent and charisma and discusses his potential impact on the race.
* She also mentions Ricciardo's unique and creative merchandise line, which has expanded to include a collection inspired by Austin and its music scene.

**F1 Business News**

* Briana and Nicole discuss various business-related news in the Formula One world.
* They talk about the recent announcement of a new Formula One Academy series, which will provide a pathway for young drivers to progress to Formula One.
* They also mention the expansion of the Formula One calendar to include new races in Las Vegas and Qatar.

**Origin Story of GridWalk**

* Briana and Nicole share the origin story of their podcast, GridWalk.
* They recall their first meeting and how they bonded over their shared love of sports and social media.
* They describe the moment at the 2021 US Grand Prix when they decided to start the podcast and the subsequent steps they took to make it a reality.

**US Grand Prix Preview**

* Briana and Nicole preview the upcoming US Grand Prix.
* They discuss the unique characteristics of the Circuit of the Americas and the challenges it presents to drivers.
* They also make predictions for the race, taking into account the recent form of the drivers and teams.

**F1 Academy Update**

* Briana and Nicole provide an update on the F1 Academy series.
* They discuss the recent races and the performances of the young drivers.
* They also mention the upcoming finale of the season and the drivers who are in contention for the championship.

**Yellow Sector Notes**

* Briana and Nicole conclude the episode with their "Yellow Sector Notes" segment.
* They share interesting stories and anecdotes from each team on the Formula One grid.
* They highlight the achievements and challenges of the teams and drivers, providing a comprehensive overview of the Formula One world.

**Netflix's Live Sporting Event:**

- Netflix announces its first live sporting event, a golf tournament featuring Formula One drivers Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, Lando Norris, and Pierre Gasly, alongside professional golfers.
- The hosts discuss their anticipation for the event and speculate on how Netflix will approach the live streaming and incorporate interactive elements for viewers.
- They emphasize the importance of entertaining content and innovative approaches to attract a wider audience to the event.

**Alpine Investors and Business News:**

- Alpine announces a list of new investors, including athletes such as Travis Kelsey and Patrick Mahomes, who have bought into the company's investment group.
- The hosts analyze the significance of this move and discuss the potential impact of athlete involvement on Alpine's marketing and public image.
- They question the rationale behind investing in a sport that has not consistently generated significant financial returns.

**Ferrari's US GP Merchandise:**

- Ferrari unveils US Grand Prix-specific merchandise, featuring football jerseys that are criticized by the hosts for their unconventional design and lack of authenticity.
- They express disappointment in Ferrari's attempt to merge American football and European soccer elements, resulting in a product that fails to capture the essence of either sport.

**Austin Grand Prix Preview:**

- The hosts provide a brief preview of the upcoming Austin Grand Prix, highlighting the circuit's popularity among drivers and fans.
- They discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the track, including tire management and overtaking possibilities.
- Predictions are made for the sprint and race, with the hosts selecting drivers they believe will perform well based on recent form and circuit characteristics.

**F1 Academy Race and Season Finale:**

- The F1 Academy race at Circuit of the Americas is discussed, marking the season finale of the all-female racing series.
- The hosts express excitement about the upcoming broadcast of the race, which will provide a wider audience with access to the competitive and thrilling racing in the series.
- They highlight the diversity of podium finishers and the championship battle, which remains open heading into the final round.
- The hosts draft drivers for their fantasy teams, selecting drivers they believe will score the most points in the race.

**Yellow Sector Notes:**

- The segment covers various news and updates from the Formula One paddock.
- It includes announcements about Spa's contract extension with Formula One, Williams' partnership with Puma, Haas's special race suits and livery for the US Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton's interview with British GQ, Checo Perez's collaboration with Acapella, and Charlotte Clare's attendance at a Nets game in New York.

**Alpine Note:**

- The Alpine team's endurance racing program is discussed, including Nick's upcoming test in their race car.
- An amusing recording of Briana's mother's visit to the studio is mentioned, capturing her excitement for Nick's involvement in Alpine's endurance team.

**Other News:**

- Valtteri Bottas announces his participation in a bike event in Australia.
- McLaren conducts development driver testing in Barcelona.
- Alfa Romeo is set to reveal their new title sponsor soon, with details expected to be announced before the release of this podcast episode.

**Yellow Sector Notes:**

- A recap of the notable news and events in Formula One during October 2023 is provided, covering various teams and drivers.

**Interactive Segment:**

- Listeners are encouraged to share their favorite tips for attending an F1 Grand Prix, particularly for the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin.

**Call to Action:**

- The hosts remind listeners to subscribe, like, and comment on the YouTube video, with extra bonus points for sharing COTA-specific tips.
- Audio listeners are encouraged to follow, enable auto-downloads, and rate the podcast on their preferred platform.

**Social Media:**

- Grid Walk Show's presence on various social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter) is mentioned, inviting listeners to join their daily grid walks and engage with the community.