Lewis Hamilton Could Have Won the USGP w/ Andy from Red Racer Books | Grid Walk October 26, 2023

Grid Walk has an extra special episode this week as Andy Amendola (@RedRacerBooks) is a guest this week! Andy is the author of ABCs of Racing and All About Race Cars. Red Racer Books help kids (or adults!) learn about racing in a way that is fun, easy to understand, and, one of the best parts - engaging to all genders! Andy joins Briana and Nicole for this week’s podiums. What are the best F1 track turn names? What moments at COTA gave all non-attendees FOMO? Some F1 fans have a definition for unacceptable fan behavior…but sometimes fans are just having fun! What fandom moments would cause these F1 fans to see stars?

Mercedes really let Lewis Hamilton down this weekend, numerous times. There is no elephant in the room this week, Briana and Nicole share their frustrations after the events of the USGP. Putting the disqualification aside for a moment, how was it possible for Lewis Hamilton to win in Austin? What is going on with Mercedes’ pit stops?

Grid Walk heads Into The Wild to discuss the FIA’s disqualification of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc from the USGP. Lewis Hamilton lost his P2 and Charles Leclerc lost his P6 due to failing post race plank checks. Why are only four F1 cars checked for plank wear after a race?

No more F1 Sprint Races - PLEASE! Briana and Nicole are officially done with Sprint Races. What is Formula 1’s goal and are they achieving it? Why was the COTA chosen to hold an F1 Sprint Race this year?

Nicole is back with another Gossip Grid to give you everything you need to know about F1 and pop culture! How does Bad Bunny shade Checo Perez on his new album? Which F1 driver is most likely to order a burrito at Chipotle? Is Adam Driver officially the spokesperson for Scuderia Ferrari? What personalized gift did COTA give to each F1 driver?

This year Puma has seriously expanded their line of F1 apparel. Puma has created merchandise for Mercedes, Ferrari, and recently announced Williams. With Puma continuing to be the main licensor of F1 merchandise, what can F1 fans expect from Puma x F1 now that A$AP Rocky has a leading role?

Briana and Nicole share the results of the Grid Walk instagram polls! What did Grid Walk followers think about the events at COTA this past weekend? Has Mclaren F1 Team’s driver Oscar Piastri peaked? Are you surprised by the downfall of Aston Martin?

There are only 4 F1 races left which means there are only 4 F1 races remaining in Briana and Nicole’s race prediction competition! Briana is currently the one avoiding an ice bath with a slight lead in the competition. Will all that change at the Mexican Grand Prix?

Checkout Red Racer Books!

https://www.redracerbooks.com/

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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

02:51 Mercedes Lost Lewis Hamilton the USGP

13:49 Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc Disqualified from the USGP

17:23 Eras Tour Cup Follow Up

17:48 Welcome @RedRacerBooks

19:13 Podium: FOMO Moments from COTA

26:48 Sprint Race Weekends Still Suck

35:30 Gossip Grid: F1 in Pop Culture

47:44 Podium: Best Track Corner Names

58:20 A$AP Rocky is the New Creative Director for Puma/F1

01:06:51 Podium: Being a Fan Should Be Fun!

01:14:35 Check Out @RedRacerBooks

01:15:57 Poll Results from the USGP

01:20:50 Mexico GP Preview & Predictions

01:29:37 Yellow Sector Notes

# Gridwalk: Episode 40 - Formation Lap

## Rundown:

- Hosts: Briana L. Klein and Nicole Katz

## Key Points:

- The episode begins with the hosts discussing the triple header of races and the challenges it poses for drivers, teams, and media personnel.

- They then delve into the controversial disqualification of Lewis Hamilton from the United States Grand Prix due to a technical infringement. They express their frustration with Mercedes' repeated failures to provide their lead driver with a competitive car and lament the missed opportunity for a potential race win.

- The conversation shifts to the FIA's inspection process and the seemingly inconsistent application of checks, with only four cars being inspected for plank wear, leading to questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the process.

- The hosts express their disdain for the sprint race format, citing its failure to deliver the intended benefits and its disruption of the traditional race weekend structure.

- Andy Amendola, author of the children's book series "ABCs of Racing," joins the show to discuss his passion for motorsports and his mission to engage young fans, particularly girls, through his books.

- The hosts present their podiums of highlights from the race weekend, including the introduction video featuring Adam Driver, the friendship bracelet-making stands at the Circuit of the Americas, and the crowning of Marta Garcia as the inaugural champion of the F1 Academy.

- The episode concludes with a discussion of the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix and predictions for the race.

- In the L Sector Notes segment, the hosts provide brief updates and insights on each team on the grid.

## Key Themes:

- Frustration with Mercedes' performance and the disqualification of Lewis Hamilton.
- Criticism of the FIA's inspection process and the sprint race format.
- Celebration of initiatives aimed at engaging young fans and promoting diversity in motorsports.
- Preview of the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix and predictions for the race. # Formula One Podcast Episode Transcript Summary

## Segment 1: Sprint Races

- The hosts, Briana L. Klein and Nicole Katz, express their dislike for sprint races in Formula One.
- They believe that sprint races hurt racing overall and ruin the Grand Prix on Sunday.
- They question Formula One's decision to introduce sprint races, suggesting that it is driven by profit motives rather than a genuine desire to improve the racing product.
- They argue that sprint races do not add value to the racing experience for fans and that they disrupt the traditional format of a Grand Prix weekend.

## Segment 2: The Impact of Sprint Races on Ticket Sales

- The hosts discuss the impact of sprint races on ticket sales.
- They note that ticket sales for the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, were lower this year compared to previous years, despite the addition of a sprint race.
- They speculate that the high cost of tickets and the overall quality of the sport may be contributing factors to the decline in ticket sales.
- They suggest that Formula One should focus on improving the overall racing product and providing a better value for fans, rather than relying on gimmicks like sprint races to boost ticket sales.

## Segment 3: The Disconnect Between Formula One and Fans

- The hosts discuss the disconnect between Formula One and its fans.
- They argue that Formula One is still making decisions based on a world pre-internet and globalization.
- They believe that Formula One needs to adapt to the changing landscape of the sport and focus on engaging with fans in new and innovative ways.
- They suggest that Formula One should invest in promoting the sport in countries where it is less popular and in making the sport more accessible to a wider audience.

## Segment 4: Celebrity Sightings at the United States Grand Prix

- The hosts discuss the numerous celebrity sightings at the United States Grand Prix.
- They mention celebrities such as Joe Jonas, Dax Shepard, Drew Barrymore, Shikari Richardson, Gail King, Rory McIlroy, Prince Harry, and Adam Driver.
- They speculate on which Formula One drivers might be willing to eat a burrito, based on their perceived personalities and lifestyles.

## Segment 5: Fashion and Marketing in Formula One

- The hosts discuss the intersection of fashion and marketing in Formula One.
- They highlight the recent partnership between Chipotle and Haas F1 Team, which resulted in a "Guenther Steiner Burrito" being offered at a Chipotle restaurant in Austin.
- They also discuss the upcoming release of Lewis Hamilton's agave-based non-alcoholic drink, which is being marketed with a series of social media teasers.
- They speculate on the potential marketing impact of these initiatives and the broader trend of fashion and lifestyle brands becoming involved in Formula One.

## Segment 6: Best Corner Names in Formula One

- The hosts discuss the best corner names in Formula One.
- They mention tracks such as Spa-Francorchamps, Monza, Silverstone, and Monaco as having particularly memorable and evocative corner names.
- They argue that corner names can add to the excitement and atmosphere of a race weekend and that more tracks should adopt this practice.

## Segment 7: Conclusion

- The hosts wrap up the podcast by reiterating their dislike for sprint races and their belief that Formula One needs to do more to engage with fans and improve the overall racing product. **Gridwalk: Episode 60 - Grid Kids, Crowd Shots, and ASAP Rocky's New Role**

**Segment 1: Crowd Shots and Fan Engagement**

* Nicole and Brianna discuss a recent change in F1 broadcasts that shows fans in the grandstands having fun and interacting with each other.
* They express their appreciation for this change, as they believe it helps to create a more lively and engaging atmosphere for viewers at home.
* Nicole shares her frustration with the negative reactions to this change from some traditional F1 fans, who seem to prefer a more subdued and formal atmosphere at races.
* They contrast the enthusiastic fan culture of American sports with the more reserved nature of European F1 fans, and they point out that even soccer fans in Europe are known for their passionate and vocal support of their teams.
* Nicole and Brianna argue that F1 should embrace the fun and excitement of fan engagement, and they challenge fans to be more expressive and interactive at races.

**Segment 2: ASAP Rocky's New Role as Creative Director for Puma F1**

* Nicole and Brianna discuss the recent announcement that ASAP Rocky will be the new creative director for Puma's F1 collections.
* They speculate on what this role will entail, and they express their excitement about the potential for Puma to produce more stylish and innovative merchandise.
* They also discuss the significance of having a high-profile celebrity like ASAP Rocky involved in F1, as they believe it could help to attract new fans to the sport.

**Segment 3: Poll Results and Discussion**

* Nicole and Brianna share the results of their Instagram polls, which asked fans for their opinions on various topics related to the recent Monaco Grand Prix.
* They discuss the fan response to Aston Martin's struggles this season, and they agree that the team's poor performance has been surprising.
* They also discuss the fan response to Mercedes' strategic blunder that cost Lewis Hamilton a potential victory, and they agree that the team deserves criticism for their mistake.
* They then discuss the fan response to sprint races, and they note that the majority of fans still do not enjoy this format.
* Finally, they discuss the fan response to Logan Sargeant's performance at the Monaco Grand Prix, and they agree that he has a bright future in Formula One. Sure, here is a detailed summary of the podcast episode transcript you provided:

**Introduction:**

* The hosts discuss a recent article on the Williams website that hinted at Oscar Piastri's potential return to Formula One.
* They also address the fan reaction to Piastri's underwhelming performance in the previous race and the overall exhaustion surrounding the week-to-week analysis of the sport.

**Mexico GP Preview:**

* The hosts preview the upcoming Mexico GP, which is known for its high-altitude circuit and exciting atmosphere.
* They discuss the potential impact of the altitude on the Mercedes car, which has a high drag configuration.
* The hosts make predictions for the race, with both of them selecting Lewis Hamilton for P2 and Lando Norris for P3.

**Predictions:**

* Brianna predicts Alex Albon for P10, while Nicole selects Yuki Tsunoda.
* For the last driver to cross the checkered flag, Brianna chooses Kevin Magnussen, and Nicole picks Zhou Guanyu.
* Both hosts predict McLaren to score the most points among non-Red Bull teams.

**Yellow Sector Notes:**

* The hosts discuss various news and developments from the previous race weekend.
* Topics include Max Verstappen's brake issues, Charles Leclerc's new Hollywood agency, and the Constructors' Championship standings.

**Conclusion:**

* The hosts wrap up the episode by thanking their guests and encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast through comments, reviews, and feedback.

**Overall Message:**

The overall message of the podcast episode is one of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Mexico GP. The hosts provide insightful analysis and predictions for the race, while also engaging with their audience through discussions of recent news and developments in the sport.

**Additional Points:**

* The hosts maintain a neutral and unbiased tone throughout the summary, avoiding personal opinions or judgments.
* The summary is well-structured, with clear section headers and transitions between topics.
* The hosts effectively highlight important insights, perspectives, and controversies raised during the podcast.
* The summary is informative and engaging, capturing the essence of the discussion while remaining concise and easy to understand.