Major Moments of F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix & FIA Causes Podium Pandemonium | Grid Walk March 22, 2023

This week’s Grid Walk kicks off with Briana and Nicole daydreaming about attending the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. Thanks to college football, Briana and Nicole have spent plenty of time at Hard Rock Stadium a.k.a. The Miami Autodrome.On the brand new segment Into the Wild, Briana and Nicole dive into the latest regulations of the “zebras” (the referees) of F1, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) and new race director Niels Wittich. Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team driver, Lewis Hamilton still has to get medical clearance for piercings? Why won’t F1 fans meet Charles Leclerc on a bike anytime soon? Why did it take the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) so long to deal with the penalty of Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team driver Fernando Alonso? Did BWT Alpine F1 Team driver Pierre Gasly inspire new penalty point rules?The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix left Briana and Nicole asking several questions. Will Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Sergio “Checo” Perez be able to battle his teammate Max Verstappen? Will Scuderia Ferrari be able to fix the issues they face especially for drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr.? Is there still hope for Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, Lewis Hamilton, and George Russell?This past race weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was a rough one for Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team driver Lance Stroll. Mclaren F1 Team battled several issues with both drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. How did Yuki Tsunoda communicate his frustrations to Scuderia AlphaTauri over the radio? Was it just an unlucky weekend for Williams Racing and Alexander Albon? How did Alfa Romeo F1 Stake driver Valtteri Bottas have such a tough Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?Nicole brings a jam packed Gossip Grid this week because the F1 pop culture moments were everywhere! Is Taylor Swift a Lewis Hamilton Fan? Is Lewis Hamilton a Swiftie? Why did Will.i.am shut down the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix track? Are we going to see Will Smith star in Brad Pitt and Lewis Hamilton’s upcoming F1 movie on Apple TV? What happened at the Mission 44 inaugural dinner? Who is going to be playing Ayrton Senna in the much buzzed about Netflix mini-series? Valtteri Bottas strips down with GP Racing magazine. Who became Niall Horan’s favorite Formula 1 driver after watching Drive to Survive?Grid Walk is a weekly Formula 1 show that releases every Thursday. For daily F1 content follow @gridwalkshow on all social media platforms.

**FIA Controversies:**

* The FIA made several questionable decisions during the race weekend, including:
* Banning track walks for drivers and team members on bikes or scooters.
* Demanding that Lewis Hamilton remove his nose piercing for medical reasons, despite previous exemptions.
* Changing the penalty system for drivers, retroactively penalizing Pierre Gasly for exceeding the pit lane speed limit.
* Delaying the announcement of Fernando Alonso's penalty for an on-track incident, leading to confusion and awkwardness.

**Awkward Moments:**

* Charles Leclerc's frustrated radio message to his team during the safety car period.
* The tense and uncomfortable atmosphere in the cool-down room after the race, with drivers and team members sitting in the wrong chairs and engaging in strained conversations.
* The confusion and controversy surrounding Fernando Alonso's podium finish, which was initially awarded to him but later taken away due to a penalty.

**Red Bull's Dominance:**

* Red Bull's cars, particularly Max Verstappen's, demonstrated圧倒的な速さ圧倒的な速さoverwhelming pace compared to other teams.
* Questions arose regarding the extent of Red Bull's advantage and whether Sergio Perez could challenge Verstappen for the championship.
* Red Bull's decision to allow Perez and Verstappen to race freely, without imposing team orders, was seen as a strategic move to maintain fan interest and avoid accusations of favoritism.

**Podiums of the Saudi Arabian GP:**

* **P3:** Moments that made the hosts sad, including the announcement of Angela Cullen's departure from the paddock.
* **P2:** Moments that made the hosts smile, such as Fernando Alonso's humorous social media post asking for his trophy back after the penalty.
* **P1:** Moments that made the hosts say "Wot," including the FIA's inconsistent and confusing decisions throughout the weekend. # Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Podcast Episode Summary



- A highlight of the episode was the "Moments That Made Me Very Happy" segment, where the hosts discussed positive aspects of the race weekend.

1. Mercedes was tied for second in the constructors' standings after the race.
2. Lewis Hamilton's stylish outfits throughout the weekend.


- In the "Moments That Made Me Very Sad" segment, the hosts expressed their disappointment with certain aspects of the race.

1. Lance Stroll's DNF (Did Not Finish) and the subsequent fire and safety concerns.
2. The Aston Martin's overall performance, which seemed to hinder Lance Stroll's race.


- The hosts also discussed the upcoming Australian Grand Prix and expressed excitement for Daniel Ricciardo's return to his home race.


- The episode included a segment called "Gossip Grid," which focused on pop culture and celebrity news related to Formula One.

1. Taylor Swift's connection to Lewis Hamilton and her 44-song concert tour.
2. Will.i.am's music video shoot on the Saudi Arabian track and the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo at the race despite rumors of a contractual obligation to attend.
3. Will Smith's interaction with Martin Brundle on the grid and his desire to be cast in the upcoming Brad Pitt F1 movie.
4. Lewis Hamilton's dog Roscoe's Be Real post and the speculation surrounding it.
5. The Mission 44 dinner, where Lewis Hamilton and his foundation celebrated their achievements and goals.
6. The announcement of the casting of Gabriel Leon as Ayrton Senna in the upcoming Netflix miniseries about the legendary driver.
7. Valtteri Bottas's appearance in a magazine photoshoot, revealing his naked body.
8. Speculation about which F1 drivers might be featured in the ESPN Body Issue if it were to return.
9. Niall Horan's declaration of Lewis Hamilton as his favorite F1 driver.


### Niall Horan's Love for F1

Niall Horan, a member of the popular boy band One Direction, recently expressed his love for Formula One, particularly for Lewis Hamilton. Klein and Katz discuss how Horan's fandom, which began after watching the Netflix series Drive to Survive, has been positively received by the F1 community.

### Red Bull's Antitrust Investigation

The podcast delves into the recent raid on Red Bull's headquarters by the European Union (EU) due to antitrust suspicions. This news comes shortly after Haas, another F1 team owner, faced legal challenges. Klein and Katz highlight the significance of these investigations and their potential impact on the sport.

### Aston Martin's Road Car Ad

Aston Martin released a clever road car advertisement that references the speed of their F1 car. The ad features the shadow of the road car transforming into the F1 car, showcasing the brand's commitment to high-performance vehicles.

### Lewis Hamilton: Style Champion of F1

GQ Australia published an article declaring Lewis Hamilton as the 2023 Style Champion of F1. Klein and Katz express their support for this title, emphasizing Hamilton's impeccable fashion sense both on and off the track.

### Ferrari's Power Unit Display

Ferrari's modern power unit will be showcased at the F1 exhibition in Madrid. While it may not be the current specification, it still provides an exciting opportunity for fans to gain insights into the inner workings of a Formula One powertrain.

### Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas' Appearances

Esteban Ocon was spotted filming for Alpine Road Cars in Paris, while Valtteri Bottas is set to make an appearance at a Puma store in Australia. Klein and Katz encourage listeners to attend these events and share photos of the drivers.

### Gunther Steiner's NASCAR Appearance

Guenther Steiner, the team principal of Haas F1, will be joining the Fox booth for the NASCAR race at Kota. This appearance highlights the growing popularity of Formula One and its personalities in other racing series.

### Will Hill's Australian GP Merch Line

Will Hill's Australian GP merch line has been released, featuring stylish and unique designs. However, Klein and Katz express their disappointment at the lack of Debris-themed items, which they believe would have been a popular choice among fans.

### Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris' Interviews

Oscar Piastri and his girlfriend toured parts of Melbourne in a video promoting the Australian GP. Additionally, Lando Norris appeared on Tom Daley's podcast, Made With Love, discussing various topics.

### Conclusion

The episode concludes with Klein and Katz thanking their listeners, sponsors, and production team. They encourage listeners to provide feedback, rate and review the podcast, and follow them on social media for daily grid walks.