Max Verstappen Goes on A Safari | F1 Canadian Grand Prix Review

“I don’t know about you but I am feeling” like this is the 22nd episode of Grid Walk!

A lot went on in Montreal this weekend, Briana and Nicole cover it all with a Canadian Grand Prix Review. What an awesome weekend for Williams Racing driver Alex Albon and the willpower of his hard tires! Returning to the podium this weekend as P2 and P3 was Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team driver Fernando Alonso and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team driver Lewis Hamilton. Has Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team begun closing the gap to Oracle Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen? It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room, Sergio “Checo” Perez’s seat at Oracle Red Bull Racing. Is Sergio “Checo'' Perez's time up? Did Scuderia Ferrari actually figure out a “successful” race strategy? Why did Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz still look frustrated (besides, the line for the stewards’ office)?

A new compound is on the grid this week, the brand new segment, The Tire of Topics! Briana and Nicole will spin the wheel and let the universe decide which big F1 headlines they dive into! What is happening with the expansion of F1 Arcade? Will the recently announced F1 scripted TV series be as successful as the reality docuseries Drive to Survive? What are Barbie and Ken doing at the Monaco Grand Prix in the 60’s? Lewis Hamilton takes no breaks in between races and appears to be on a tour! Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Principal Toto Wolff spoke about the importance of diversity and inclusion in their workplace at the Forbes Iconoclast Summit in New York City. Lewis Hamilton was then part of the “Mavericks of Motorsports” panel with Mercedes Benz Canada. What is the F1 Academy’s Discover your Drive initiative? F1 and Make A Wish come together for an incredible cause!A Grid Walk tradition, Briana and Nicole have curated their own Canadian Grand Prix podiums for some of what they found to be the most memorable Montreal moments. How did Alex Albon celebrate his P7 finish and what did his pets think? Someone prepare the hope alarm, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team has more plans in store and seem optimistic (!!!!!). What new meme did Toto Wolff gift us? How soon is too soon for the BWT Alpine F1 Team to poke fun at Carlos Sainz’s impeding penalty? Of course, there is a moment to honor the true stars of the Canadian Grand Prix, the wildlife.

After the news of the W Series entering administration it is important to highlight the legacy the W Series will have. It is a reminder to the F1 fan base to continue to vocalize support for female driven racing series like, F1 Academy. F1 Academy heads to the Netherlands this weekend. Briana and Nicole give you their F1 Academy picks for the racing in Zandvoort.

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 A Maple Syrup Free Review

03:27 Alex Albon is that Dude

10:04 F1 Grand Prix Podium: Wholesome Moments

12:52 Are Mercedes and Aston Martin Catching Red Bull?

23:10 F1 Grand Prix Podium: Hype Creating Mercedes Quotes

25:50 Ferrari Got the Strategy Right?!

29:49 F1 Grand Prix Podium: Spicy Canadian GP Moments

32:28 The Sergio Perez Conversation

37:03 F1 Grand Prix Podium: Awesome Animals of the Canadian GP

40:01 The Tire of Topics

56:37 Reflecting on the W-Series

01:06:57 F1 Academy Predictions

01:13:41 Yellow Sector Notes: 1 Story From Every Team

**Gridwalk: Episode 22 - Canadian Grand Prix Review**

1. **Introduction:**
* The hosts begin the episode by discussing a fun fact related to the episode number (22) and the date of release (June 22nd).
* They acknowledge that they will not be drinking maple syrup during the Canadian GP review.

2. **Driver of the Weekend:**
* Both hosts agree that Alexander Albon was the driver of the weekend for his incredible performance in the Williams car.
* Albon held off an entire DRS train of cars for 50 laps on hard tires, showcasing his skill and determination.
* Data analysis reveals that Albon had the highest average speed trap speed of all the cars on track, allowing him to maintain his position.

3. **Wholesome Podium:**
* Host Nicole presents her wholesome podium moments from the Canadian GP:
* P3: Yuki Tsunoda's post-race front flip into the river to celebrate his teammate's departure.
* P2: Valtteri Bottas' lumberjack-themed helmet and merchandise, combining his love for nature and monetization.
* P1: Alex Albon Pets Instagram account, showcasing his adorable pets and celebrating his achievements.

4. **The Gap Between Red Bull and Other Teams:**
* The hosts discuss the ongoing debate about whether the gap between Red Bull and other teams is closing.
* Data analysis shows that Max Verstappen's average lap times were similar to those of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso during the first stint of the race.
* However, Verstappen had no DRS assistance during this time, suggesting that the gap may be closer at certain circuits.
* The hosts acknowledge that it is difficult to assess the true gap due to the presence of a bird in Verstappen's brake duct during the race.

5. **Mercedes' Upgrades and Silverstone Hopes:**
* The hosts discuss Mercedes' announcement of two more upgrades coming before the summer break, one of which will be introduced at Silverstone.
* Toto Wolff's statement that Silverstone could be a race where Mercedes can win generates excitement and anticipation.
* The hosts express their nervousness and excitement for the upcoming British Grand Prix.

6. **Ferrari's Strategy:**
* The hosts analyze Ferrari's strategy at the Canadian GP, which resulted in both cars finishing in the points.
* They question whether Ferrari got it right or if it was a case of a broken clock being correct twice a day.
* The hosts discuss the lack of a split strategy and the potential favoritism towards one driver, which could be a sign of Ferrari's ongoing strategic issues.

7. **Shady, Sassy, Silly, Spicy Moments:**
* The hosts present their picks for the shady, sassy, silly, and spicy moments of the weekend:
* P3: George Russell and Daniel Ricciardo's playful exchange of middle fingers after the race.
* P2: Pierre Gasly's dig at Carlos Sainz after receiving two impeding penalties the previous week.
* P1: Toto Wolff's hilarious impersonation of Fernando Alonso steering the wheel during a post-race interview.

**Checo's Performance and Red Bull's Strategy**

* Klein and Katz discuss the possibility of Red Bull replacing Pérez mid-season, but they both believe that the team is unlikely to make such a move.
* They speculate that Red Bull may be grooming Yuki Tsunoda to eventually take Pérez's seat, given Tsunoda's impressive performances in the AlphaTauri car.
* The hosts express their excitement at the prospect of a chaotic and entertaining dynamic between Verstappen and Tsunoda as teammates.

**Animal Moments of the Canadian GP**

* Klein and Katz shift the conversation to lighter topics, highlighting some amusing animal-related incidents that occurred during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
* They mention groundhogs appearing on the track during FP1, leading to extensive commentary and even name cards for the animals in the F1 graphics.
* The hosts also discuss Max Verstappen's encounter with various animals during the race, including a bird that got stuck in his brake duct and several groundhogs and other birds that he passed on the track.
* Valtteri Bottas' humorous quip about the weather being "good for a duck" during the race is also brought up.

**Tire of Topics Segment**

* Klein introduces a new segment called "Tire of Topics," where they spin a tire-shaped wheel to randomly select topics for discussion.
* The first topic they land on is the upcoming F1 scripted TV show, which will star Felicity Jones and focus on a fictional F1 team owned by a family.
* Klein and Katz express their excitement for the show, comparing it to "Friday Night Lights" but with an F1 theme.
* They also discuss the challenges of creating a successful F1 TV show and the importance of having a compelling storyline and characters.

**F1 Arcade Expansion and Diversity in Motorsports**

* The next topic selected is F1 Arcade's global expansion plans, with the goal of opening over 30 locations by 2027.
* Klein and Katz discuss the potential benefits of these arcades in terms of accessibility and creating a community for F1 fans.
* They also mention the recent investments made by notable figures such as Zach Brown, Lando Norris, and Logan Sargeant in F1 Arcade.
* The hosts then move on to the topic of diversity in motorsports, highlighting a recent panel discussion featuring Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton at a Forbes conference.
* They praise Mercedes' efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion within their organization and the positive impact it has on performance and innovation.
* Klein and Katz also acknowledge the growing female fan base in motorsports and express their appreciation for the recognition and support they receive from teams and drivers.

**F1 Academy and the Legacy of the W Series**

* The hosts briefly mention the ongoing F1 Academy race weekend, expressing their disappointment that the races are not televised.
* They then discuss the recent news of the W Series going into administration, effectively ending the all-female racing series.
* Klein and Katz reflect on the W Series' impact on female representation in motorsports, acknowledging its role in raising awareness and providing opportunities for women drivers.
* They emphasize the importance of not solely focusing on the financial challenges faced by the W Series but also recognizing its positive contributions to the sport.

**The W Series: A Catalyst for Change in Women's Motorsport**

The W Series, a single-seater motor racing championship exclusively for women, has sparked significant attention and brought renewed focus to the cause of promoting female participation in Formula One (F1). As a result, F1 has made substantial investments in its own F1 Academy, which aims to nurture and develop the talent of aspiring female drivers. The W Series has not only established its own Formula 4 category within the F1 Academy but is also working at the grassroots level to encourage more women to take up karting. These initiatives would likely not exist without the trailblazing efforts of the W Series.

The W Series has set the stage for systemic change in the perception and opportunities for women in motorsports. While the series may not have achieved perfection in its execution, it has undeniably made a positive impact. Critics may argue that the W Series' financial feasibility is a concern, but that should not overshadow its broader mission of addressing ingrained biases against women in motorsports. While some may wish for improvements, such as increased television coverage, the series' existence is a testament to its role in creating opportunities for women drivers and inspiring a new generation of talent.

The F1 Academy is another crucial initiative aimed at addressing the gender gap in motorsports. The series is still in its early stages, and its success will ultimately be judged based on its ability to produce female drivers capable of competing in F3 with funded seats. However, the mere existence of the F1 Academy signifies a commitment to creating a more inclusive environment for women in the sport.

While the W Series has faced challenges and may not have met all expectations, it should not be considered a failure. It has played a vital role in raising awareness, sparking conversations, and inspiring young women to pursue careers in motorsports. The F1 Academy, while imperfect, represents a step in the right direction and has the potential to build on the foundation laid by the W Series.

**F1 Academy Driver Picks and Predictions**

Nicole and Briana, the hosts of the podcast, engage in a snake draft to select their top three drivers for the F1 Academy. They discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each driver and make strategic choices based on the rules of the draft. The selections reflect their knowledge of the drivers and their understanding of the competitive landscape in the F1 Academy.

**Yellow Sector Notes: News and Updates from the F1 Paddock**

The hosts provide a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments from the F1 paddock. They cover various topics, including Adrian Newey's comments on his retirement plans, the interest expressed by Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in participating in the Le Mans race, and Lewis Hamilton's participation in various events and discussions. They also highlight other notable news items, such as Lance Stroll's charitable initiative, Gunther Steiner's hockey experience, Alex Palou's return to McLaren for testing, Williams' proposal to break the cost cap, James Key's appointment as Technical Director for the Audi Sauber team, and Daniel Ricciardo's desire to return to the Red Bull seat.