Mercedes Car Launch | Will Charles Leave Ferrari? | New Quotes About Andretti's F1 Bid | Grid Walk Feb 16, 2023

Happy Thursday! Happy New Episode of Gridwalk! Briana and Nicole are in rare form this week coming to you immediately after experiencing the launch of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s W14. Which is BLACK! It was an early morning but Briana and Nicole could not wait to talk about Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Mick Schumacher, Toto Wolff and the BLACK LIVERY.

The excitement doesn’t stop with the W14. This week Grid Walk is jam packed with brand new segments! During Overheated, Briana and Nicole give their HOT TAKES now that car launches are over (Sorry BWT Alpine F1 Team you launched too late). Briana and Nicole do some wild speculation when it comes to Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, Mclaren F1 Team, and Scuderia Ferrari and the 2023 Formula 1 Season.

Grid Walk takes its first visit to the F1 Ring. Putting on the gloves this week are Andretti Autosport (with dedicated partner Cadillac/General Motors), Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), and Formula One Group/Liberty Media. Each of the parties provide an opening statement regarding the possibility of growing the number of teams on the Formula 1 grid.

It’s a SUPER edition of Gossip Grid this week! We saw a few familiar Formula One faces at this year’s big game in Phoenix. What were Toto Wolff and Susie Wolff up to? Who was Daniel Ricciardo spotted hanging out with? Esteban Ocon debuts a helmet straight from the Spider-Verse for the Formula One 2023 Season. Embracing his new role as a Dior China brand ambassador, Zhou Guanyu proves again why he is fashion royalty in the F1 paddock.

Grid Walk sees into the future this week with Red Flag. Briana presents a series of hypothetical events that take place during the 2023-2025 Formula 1 Seasons, the years leading to the end of contracts for both Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and Mclaren F1 Team driver Lando Norris. Nicole needs to decide how long should Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris push before either resigning or walking away from their current seats.

Lastly, Briana gives “Yellow Sector Notes,” so we can complete a full lap around the paddock making a pitstop at every F1 teams’ garage.

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

- Mercedes launched their new car, the W14, in a striking black livery, generating excitement among fans and experts.
- The hosts discuss the significance of the black livery and express optimism about the car's performance.
- Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff appeared cheerful and confident during the launch, further boosting expectations.
- The hosts speculate about the potential competitiveness of the W14, particularly in relation to Red Bull and Ferrari.
- A new segment called "Overheated" is introduced, where the hosts share their hot takes and rate each other's opinions.
- Hot takes include predictions about McLaren's performance, Mercedes' competitiveness, and Aston Martin's potential.
- The hosts criticize Ferrari's dysfunctional antics during their car launch, highlighting the team's ongoing issues.
- The ongoing Andretti bid to join Formula One is discussed, with a humorous reenactment of a hypothetical "F1 Battle at the F1 Ring."
- The hosts analyze the various perspectives and arguments surrounding the Andretti bid, including those of Andretti, the FIA, Formula One Management, and the existing teams.
- The hosts express their desire for a healthy and competitive Formula One, emphasizing the importance of financial stability and sporting fairness.
- They question Andretti's ability to make a significant impact on the grid, given the challenges of starting a new team from scratch.
- The hosts discuss the need for more competitive teams in Formula One, rather than adding teams that may struggle to perform well.
- They criticize Andretti's public statements and approach, suggesting that a more strategic and measured approach would be more effective.
- The hosts also highlight the importance of maintaining the sport's infrastructure and ensuring that new teams are financially viable and competitive.
- The "Gossip Grid" segment focuses on the Super Bowl weekend, highlighting the presence of Formula One personalities such as Toto Wolff, Susie Wolff, and Daniel Ricciardo.
- The hosts speculate about potential networking opportunities and behind-the-scenes projects that may have taken place during the event.
- They also discuss Daniel Ricciardo's growing presence in the American market and his recent interactions with other celebrities and athletes.


The podcast episode focuses on the excitement surrounding the Mercedes W14 launch, the introduction of the "Overheated" segment, discussions about the Andretti bid and the importance of competitive balance in Formula One, and highlights from the Super Bowl weekend. **Gossip Grid**

* Esteban Ocon unveiled his new Spider-Man-inspired helmet, further solidifying his friendship with Daniel Ricciardo, who gifted him a Spider-Man present during Secret Santa.
* Zhou Guanyu made waves by appearing in a Dior campaign as a brand ambassador, showcasing the increasing involvement of Formula One drivers in the fashion industry.

**Red Flag**

Nicole and Brianna engage in a hypothetical game called "Red Flag," speculating on potential events that could lead to Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris leaving their respective teams, Ferrari and McLaren, in the 2026 season.

**Charles Leclerc**

* Despite initial resilience, a series of hypothetical events, including Ferrari's struggles, team orders, and Fernando Alonso's potential return, eventually lead Leclerc to consider leaving the team.
* The tipping point for Leclerc is when Ferrari publicly flirts with re-signing Fernando Alonso, leading to a Monaco Grand Prix pit stop error that costs him the race.

**Lando Norris**

* McLaren's struggles continue, with the team failing to deliver a competitive car and Piastri emerging as a strong teammate.
* Norris' patience wears thin as he witnesses his peers securing race wins while he remains without a victory.
* The final straw for Norris is when Piastri wins a race while he fails to do so, prompting him to leave McLaren.

**Yellow Sector Notes**

* Red Bull and Alpine conduct secret shakedowns at Silverstone, while other teams, including Ferrari and Alfa Tauri, hold their shakedowns in Italy.
* Alfa Romeo's Joe Zhou participates in a Dior modeling campaign, and the team conducts its shakedown at Barcelona.
* McLaren expresses dissatisfaction with its launch car and plans significant upgrades for the Baku Grand Prix.
* Mercedes unveils its new black livery for the W14 car, generating excitement among fans.