Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and
may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast
episode.
Notes
Apart from Sergio Perez & the Mexican Formula 1 fans - there's a lot to look forward to this weekend. Audi-Sauber's most-recent announcement, the Alpine-FIA protest, a carry forward from the last race in COTA - and a Mexican Wave, perhaps?
Join our race watchalong sessions with the award-winning journalist & team manager (Williams & Ferrari), Peter Windsor.
On the live stream, you can discuss with Peter & our hosts various race-related topics - performances, insights & more. Join us to enhance your real-time race viewing experience!
If Sergio Perez wins, it will be the most-epic Mexican Grand Prix ever! Will Mexico declare a national holiday!? And of course, we don't think Max Verstappen will gift a win to Checo; but stranger things have happened before. Remember Spain?
And then the usual - Alpine vs. Mclaren, Aston Martin vs. Alfa Romeo + the few others in the Drivers' Championship. Tune in!
1. **Checo Perez's Potential Win:** - Could Mexico declare a national holiday if Sergio Perez wins? - Will Max Verstappen gift a win to Checo?
2. **Other Race Contenders:** - Alpine vs. McLaren - Aston Martin vs. Alfa Romeo - Other drivers in the Drivers' Championship
3. **Audi-Sauber Deal:** - Audi's 50% stake purchase in Sauber - Significance for Sauber and Formula One
4. **FP1 New Drivers:** - Liam Lawson for Toro Rosso - Pietro Fittipaldi for Haas - Jack Doohan, son of Mick Doohan
5. **Stats Preview by F1 Stats Guru:** - Altitude impact on aerodynamics and engine performance - Only three drivers have won in Mexico since its return - 10 different pole sitters in the last 10 races - Pole sitters have not won or even reached the podium since 2017
6. **Race Predictions:** - Soumil: Carlos Sainz Jr. for pole position and potential win - Kunal: Max Verstappen likely to win, dismisses the idea of him gifting the win to Perez
7. **Watchalong with Peter Windsor:** - Free access to watchalong session on Paytm Insider - Interactive Q&A with Peter Windsor and hosts
8. **FIA Alpine Hearing:** - Discussion on the potential landmark judgment - Fernando Alonso's comments on the matter
9. **George Russell's Performance:** - Outqualified by Lewis Hamilton in recent races - Lando Norris's comments on Russell's change in demeanor - Russell's desire for his first Formula One win
10. **Carlos Sainz's Struggles:** - Completing two laps in the last couple of races - Mexico City's unique challenges, including altitude and thin air
11. **Mexican GP Atmosphere:** - Day of the Dead celebrations - Vibrant fan base and unique traditions
12. **Conclusion:** - Excitement for the Mexican Grand Prix and the various storylines to follow
# Inside Line F1 Podcast: Episode 65
---
## Introduction
* The upcoming Mexican Grand Prix promises to be an exciting event, particularly for Sergio Perez and his Mexican fans. * Apart from the race itself, there are several other developments to look forward to, including Audi-Sauber's recent announcement, the Alpine-FIA protest carried forward from the previous race in COTA, and the possibility of a Mexican Wave.
---
## Peter Windsor's Race Watchalong Sessions
* The podcast hosts invite listeners to join their live race watchalong sessions with award-winning journalist and former team manager (Williams & Ferrari), Peter Windsor. * During these sessions, viewers can engage with Peter and the hosts to discuss various race-related topics, enhancing their real-time race viewing experience. * To access these sessions, listeners can obtain a free pass through the link provided in the podcast description.
---
## Sergio Perez's Potential Victory and Its Significance
* If Sergio Perez wins the Mexican Grand Prix, it would be a historic moment for Mexico, potentially leading to a national holiday being declared. * While it's unlikely that Max Verstappen would intentionally gift a win to Perez, there have been instances in the past where unexpected outcomes have occurred, such as in Spain.
---
## Other Contests to Watch
* In addition to the main event, there are several other battles to watch out for in the Drivers' Championship, including: * Alpine vs. McLaren * Aston Martin vs. Alfa Romeo * Other teams vying for positions in the championship standings
---
## Conclusion
* The Mexican Grand Prix is shaping up to be an exciting and unpredictable race with various storylines to follow. * Listeners are encouraged to tune in and enjoy the race, and to subscribe to the Inside Line F1 podcast for future episodes. * They can also register for the Live Race Watch Along with Peter Windsor for the Brazilian GP through the link provided in the episode description.
Raw Transcript with Timestamps
[00:00.000 -> 00:25.520] Hey folks, welcome to this Mexican GP preview of the Insideline F1 podcast. [00:25.520 -> 00:31.760] And on this episode, we've got a ton to discuss, including the big question of this entire weekend. [00:31.760 -> 00:35.920] Will it be declared a national holiday if Sergio Perez ends up winning this weekend? [00:35.920 -> 00:40.080] Well, apart from that, we've got tons of other stuff. We've got F1 stats crew returning [00:40.080 -> 00:44.960] with a stats preview segment. And also one big question that we'd all love to know the answer to. [00:44.960 -> 00:50.000] Why isn't the world champion given the drivers world championship trophy right after they seal it? [00:50.000 -> 00:56.000] More on that, more on this weekend, more on Audi finally signing a deal with Sauber to come in 2026 [00:56.000 -> 00:59.000] and also what we love about Mexico City. [00:59.000 -> 01:02.000] All of this and more is going to be a part of the Inside Line F1 podcast. [01:02.000 -> 01:05.560] But first I must introduce myself. My name [01:05.560 -> 01:09.920] is Somal Arora, I'm the host of The Driving Force on Disney Plus Hotstar and joining me [01:09.920 -> 01:15.400] as always is Kunal Shah, the former marketing head of the Force India F1 team, who now works [01:15.400 -> 01:20.080] as an FIA accredited Formula 1 journalist at the We're Playing Network in Norway. Now [01:20.080 -> 01:25.120] Kunal, in your times when you were at Force India, Formula 1 didn't quite go to Mexico. [01:25.120 -> 01:28.840] But have you quite heard stories of crazy fans over there? [01:28.840 -> 01:34.160] Because when Bob Varsha came out here last week, he said that we had upwards of 100,000 [01:34.160 -> 01:38.400] people going to every single F1 race over there at the Mexico City Circuit. [01:38.400 -> 01:39.880] And also for Formula E as well. [01:39.880 -> 01:44.040] I mean, this is, I think at Parvatik, one of the best fan circuits that you could probably [01:44.040 -> 01:45.240] have for the Formula 1 Canada [01:45.240 -> 01:49.220] Because we've got the amazing stadium section, such a crazy racetrack [01:49.220 -> 01:53.460] I think it's gonna be amazing if Sergio Perez just somehow finds a way to win [01:53.460 -> 01:57.580] And he actually has the best chance to win because last year when he was a Red Bull driver [01:57.820 -> 02:03.780] There wasn't a race in Mexico and this year he is in a race winning title winning car [02:04.180 -> 02:07.080] Can he actually win in Mexico? Oh, yeah, there was a race last year he is in a race winning, title winning car. Can he actually win in Mexico? [02:07.080 -> 02:08.600] Oh yeah, there was a race last year, sorry. [02:08.600 -> 02:11.280] In 2020, there wasn't a race, my apologies. [02:11.280 -> 02:14.520] So he's got a second time to sort of see [02:14.520 -> 02:17.760] if Mexico actually declares a national holiday. [02:17.760 -> 02:19.640] Should he actually win, right? [02:19.640 -> 02:21.880] To my mind, I still thought we were in 2021, [02:21.880 -> 02:23.800] just COVID reasons. [02:23.800 -> 02:27.440] Okay, but you know, the thing is, the Day of the Dead [02:27.440 -> 02:30.760] is what the Mexicans actually celebrate [02:30.760 -> 02:32.240] around the Mexican Grand Prix, which [02:32.240 -> 02:34.760] is why it is held at this time of the year. [02:34.760 -> 02:36.720] But it's actually the Day of the Alive, [02:36.720 -> 02:38.640] if you were to see what you see on broadcast. [02:38.640 -> 02:42.560] Because Japan, different set of Formula 1 fans [02:42.560 -> 02:44.680] that we saw two races ago. [02:44.680 -> 02:49.280] Miami, close to half a million different set of Formula One fans that we saw two races ago. Miami, close to half a million, different set of Formula One fans. [02:49.280 -> 02:55.160] Similarly now, Mexico, another very different but a very engaged fan base. [02:55.160 -> 02:58.560] Almost demigod status for Checo Perez. [02:58.560 -> 03:03.280] And the race to come, Brazil, again, a very, very interesting fan base. [03:03.280 -> 03:07.040] I mean, these four races are so critical to Formula 1, [03:07.400 -> 03:11.520] so critical to the history, the legacy, and to the racing that we're going to see [03:11.520 -> 03:16.520] this weekend. But apart from just the fans, apart from Checo Perez, [03:16.840 -> 03:21.360] the one thing I am really looking forward to is the Alpine hearing, [03:21.360 -> 03:25.960] which is happening on the Thursday, which is the day we release this episode, which [03:25.960 -> 03:30.320] is when whether Fernando's result will be reinstated [03:30.320 -> 03:35.680] or not from Austin, Texas, and so on. [03:35.680 -> 03:38.080] And Fernando Alonso, of course, says [03:38.080 -> 03:41.640] that this is going to be a hallmark judgment, et cetera, [03:41.640 -> 03:42.140] et cetera. [03:42.140 -> 03:44.720] And I believe so, because in the past, [03:44.720 -> 03:47.200] and I saw the internet is famous for this, [03:47.200 -> 03:51.520] somebody pulled out a picture of Sebastian Vettel's [03:51.520 -> 03:53.800] Red Bull from 2012 Brazil, [03:53.800 -> 03:56.440] when he actually drove a damaged floor car. [03:56.440 -> 03:57.520] And they said, that's it, [03:57.520 -> 03:59.880] this car is now disqualified 10 years later. [03:59.880 -> 04:02.440] So Fernando Alonso is a three-time champion. [04:02.440 -> 04:05.280] So let's see what happens with that. [04:05.280 -> 04:09.560] That hearing Haas, you know, who of course have had a black and orange flag three occasions, [04:09.560 -> 04:14.440] Singapore, Canada, Hungary, thought that they were receiving more black and orange flags [04:14.440 -> 04:15.640] than some of the others. [04:15.640 -> 04:20.280] So that's the first thing to look forward to before even the cars hit the circuit on [04:20.280 -> 04:21.280] Friday. [04:21.280 -> 04:22.280] Somal. [04:22.280 -> 04:23.280] In a way, Alpena, right? [04:23.280 -> 04:25.840] Because they're claiming that the FIA stewards didn't quite [04:25.840 -> 04:28.680] black and orange flag it while the race was on. [04:28.680 -> 04:33.040] So Alpina are like wait a minute, why didn't you do that while the race was going on and [04:33.040 -> 04:35.280] why did you file your protest after the deadline. [04:35.280 -> 04:38.680] So I think it's going to be interesting to look at the judgement of this one. [04:38.680 -> 04:44.060] But I'm also very curious to actually maybe sell an idea to Fernando Alonso to sell a [04:44.060 -> 04:46.240] copy of his journal if he has one as his [04:46.240 -> 04:51.520] autobiography because seriously I think the first entry of his Aston Martin frustrations might have [04:51.520 -> 04:56.560] already begun last week. I mean in public of course we all know that he's of course come out and said [04:56.560 -> 05:01.520] it all, Lance Stroll was okay, he didn't do any error in that crazy accident that they had, it was [05:01.520 -> 05:07.880] a racing incident blah blah blah but deep down inside I think we all know that this is the first of many complaints [05:07.880 -> 05:12.000] that are going to come with Lance Stroll and I'm just waiting. Does he actually go [05:12.000 -> 05:16.280] for it next year? Does he unleash them all? Because I mean Fernando might be all [05:16.280 -> 05:19.840] goody-two-shoes when he comes to Aston Martin but what if we get a chance to [05:19.840 -> 05:24.400] read his journal? Wouldn't that be amazing? The kind of frustrations or that's his [05:24.400 -> 05:25.120] thoughts that he [05:25.120 -> 05:29.440] might have over the course of his entire span with any team, especially McLaren, that'll be fun. [05:29.440 -> 05:35.600] Oh boy, you know, when the movie comes, when an autobiography or biography comes, [05:35.600 -> 05:41.520] I hope it's as unfiltered as he's always been during his Honda days is at McLaren, you know, [05:41.520 -> 05:48.160] where when he called it a GP2 engine and Suzuka and the likes, and not like he was in Austin, where he [05:48.480 -> 05:52.000] sort of just brushed off Lance Stroll's mistake as a misunderstanding or [05:52.000 -> 05:57.040] whatever. But that's, of course, one thing I'm looking forward to a driver [05:57.040 -> 06:02.000] that Fernando Alonso hosts, holds in very high regard. That's George Russell. [06:02.440 -> 06:05.520] Ever since his poll in Hungary earlier this year, [06:05.520 -> 06:12.320] George has been outqualified by Lewis Hamilton at every single race, right? Yes, George did [06:12.320 -> 06:18.080] outscore him in the races, but George has also not had the cleanest of races. I mean, he's had [06:18.080 -> 06:24.880] lots of wheel-to-wheel actions, incidents that sort of have come. And, you know, Lando Norris [06:24.880 -> 06:26.160] just turned around and said, [06:26.160 -> 06:32.700] George is no longer the fun guy he was at Williams. He's changed and George is sort of, you know, has offered a rebuttal to that. [06:32.700 -> 06:42.180] But, just goes to show, I mean, going up against Lewis Hamilton, given the season, start to the season, the first half of the season that he had [06:42.180 -> 06:49.760] and now the second half and so on. So, he might finish ahead of Hamilton in the Drivers' Championship, but Lewis has definitely had a run [06:49.760 -> 06:56.080] on him in the last several races through the summer break. So what will be the story in Mexico? Will [06:56.080 -> 07:02.480] George still continue to be outqualified? Will he sort of strike back? That will be important [07:03.360 -> 07:07.800] for us to see. There, interestingly, has never been a repeat poll sitter. [07:07.800 -> 07:12.280] So there are five drivers who can actually change that around, although I [07:12.280 -> 07:14.440] wouldn't rule three drivers in the mix there. [07:14.440 -> 07:21.360] So Leclerc, Bottas, Ricardo, Hamilton and Vettel are the ones who could be a [07:21.360 -> 07:23.720] repeat poll sitter in case that were to happen. [07:24.000 -> 07:26.960] But let's see how that story unfolds as well. [07:26.960 -> 07:34.480] On the subject of George Russell, I really want to see him take his first Formula One win over here of all places. [07:34.480 -> 07:37.760] Because you know, at the Mexican GP, once you're done with the race, [07:37.760 -> 07:43.920] they tend to lift your car up on the podium while a DJ is playing, as they did with Max Verstappen last year. [07:43.920 -> 07:48.080] Now imagine this sight. Russell wins his first ever Formula 1 race. [07:48.080 -> 07:51.360] We all know him to be a little bit stiff, he's not quite the most open [07:51.920 -> 07:55.360] let's say dancer of sorts in comparison to all the other Formula 1 drivers. [07:55.360 -> 07:59.040] There's a DJ playing all these excited beats, Russell's car is being lifted up [07:59.040 -> 08:03.520] and there he is pretending to dance. And now wouldn't that be a really fun sight? [08:03.520 -> 08:05.320] I can't imagine it genuinely but that's one side I really would want to dance. Wouldn't that be a really fun sight? I can't imagine it genuinely, but [08:05.320 -> 08:08.840] that's one side I really would want to see. I belong with another side that I really want [08:08.840 -> 08:14.240] to see, which is Carlos Sainz completing two laps this weekend, Gunal. He's not completed [08:14.240 -> 08:18.720] one in both of the last couple of races. I really just want to see him get to lap number [08:18.720 -> 08:22.280] two. But what happens afterwards? Does he end up finishing lap number two as well is [08:22.280 -> 08:29.120] going to be a major question because traditionally over here crashes can happen and drivers can go wide which has got me wondering [08:29.120 -> 08:34.040] if I was the Mexican GP organizer I wouldn't even bother trimming the grass on the exit [08:34.040 -> 08:39.200] of turn number one because every single year someone or the other just goes out there cuts [08:39.200 -> 08:44.080] the grass all the time and gets back on the track so why unnecessarily boost your expenses [08:44.080 -> 08:49.680] when you can have the Formula One drivers turn into lawnmowers? Oh, that's an expensive but a very interesting lawnmower when [08:49.680 -> 08:56.880] that happens. And it's an exciting track, lots of challenges. One of the key buzzwords we will hear [08:56.880 -> 09:03.840] this weekend is altitude and the impact that it will have on engines, on downforce. We will hear [09:03.500 -> 09:08.440] that it will have on engines, on downforce. We will hear all sorts of numbers [09:08.440 -> 09:12.000] on how there is an impact on aero performance. [09:12.000 -> 09:16.000] It's lower, especially because you need as thick air possible [09:16.000 -> 09:18.680] to generate all the downforce, but the air is thin. [09:18.680 -> 09:20.500] Similarly with engine performance, [09:20.500 -> 09:23.340] and I think it's 25% the altitude, [09:23.340 -> 09:26.080] the air is 25% thinner than regular places. [09:26.080 -> 09:29.120] And traditionally, this has always been a Honda [09:29.120 -> 09:31.920] and a Maxwell-Stapler Red Bull circuit [09:31.920 -> 09:33.440] because back in the days [09:33.440 -> 09:36.080] when they didn't have the best package, [09:36.080 -> 09:38.240] they would look forward to the Mexican Grand Prix [09:38.240 -> 09:41.440] to score at least one odd win in the season. [09:41.440 -> 09:44.000] So that's why Max actually has scored more wins [09:44.000 -> 09:47.080] in the last five years, if I recollect correctly, [09:47.080 -> 09:48.200] than any other driver. [09:48.200 -> 09:52.440] So altitude, look out for that word, apart from Checo Perez [09:52.440 -> 09:55.680] and Day of the Dead and all the skull masks [09:55.680 -> 09:57.520] and those sombreros. [09:57.520 -> 10:01.200] Is that the word, if I remember my Mexican attire correctly? [10:01.200 -> 10:01.840] It is, yes. [10:01.840 -> 10:03.040] Sombreros it is. [10:03.040 -> 10:06.280] And the sombreros won't be the only thing to watch for because [10:06.280 -> 10:11.600] this weekend we are going to have a whole host of new drivers come along to try and [10:11.600 -> 10:16.540] race in FP1, which we should get down to in a little more depth. But first, I need to [10:16.540 -> 10:23.000] invite you to come to a Brazilian GP watch along on Paytm Insider next week. I think [10:23.000 -> 10:26.640] it's next to next week, right? I think we do have a week-long gap after the Mexican GP, but that's going to happen rather soon, folks. [10:26.640 -> 10:28.440] And over there, we'll have Peter Winsett, [10:28.440 -> 10:30.240] the reputed Formula One journalist, [10:30.240 -> 10:32.800] come along, share his Formula One stories, [10:32.800 -> 10:35.560] share his insights on driver styles and abilities, [10:35.560 -> 10:38.600] and how certain drivers have certain styles that really [10:38.600 -> 10:40.680] impact the way their car behaves, [10:40.680 -> 10:42.800] and why, let's say, a Charles Leclerc is [10:42.800 -> 10:47.720] very different to Carlos Sainz in terms of his driving [10:47.720 -> 10:51.400] style. There's that, we're going to be discussing the race strategy and you can [10:51.400 -> 10:55.160] interact with Peter on all things Formula One including the race on hand [10:55.160 -> 11:00.000] live as it happens. Now to register for that please check out the link in the [11:00.000 -> 11:03.400] description of this episode and I think you'll really have a fun time [11:03.400 -> 11:07.680] joining us over there so do forget do not forget to check out the link [11:07.680 -> 11:11.280] over there. Well let me get my words correctly but now that I've told you [11:11.280 -> 11:15.480] more about this event let's get to FP1 first but what about you Kunal? You have [11:15.480 -> 11:18.880] something to look forward to for the watch along? Oh absolutely very crucially [11:18.880 -> 11:23.880] this watch along is open to everybody on the planet with an internet-enabled [11:23.880 -> 11:28.400] device. It is free to come and visit and come and interact with Peter. [11:28.400 -> 11:32.400] In fact, we are expecting such a long queue of questions that we're going to have a, [11:32.400 -> 11:35.200] you know, token system to try and get questions answered. [11:35.200 -> 11:39.600] But it's like the best second screen experience you can ever have [11:39.600 -> 11:42.200] when it comes to consuming Formula 1. [11:42.200 -> 11:47.440] You watch your Formula 1 at home, but tune into the live race, watch along. [11:47.440 -> 11:49.920] It's like going into a conference call [11:49.920 -> 11:52.680] or joining a clubhouse session with an expert that [11:52.680 -> 11:57.840] sort of helps you understand the race action, the race insights, [11:57.840 -> 11:59.840] and other stories much better. [11:59.840 -> 12:02.080] And the best part is that Samuel is [12:02.080 -> 12:05.840] going to co-host it with Peter along with F1 stats guru Sundaram. [12:05.840 -> 12:11.760] So it's like a perfect trio to get you that much closer to your Formula 1 race consumption [12:11.760 -> 12:12.760] experience. [12:12.760 -> 12:16.840] And we had three watch alongs with Steve Slater and they were so much fun. [12:16.840 -> 12:18.800] I can't tell you genuinely. [12:18.800 -> 12:22.660] And we are going to have more with Peter Winsor as well, starting out with the Brazilian GP. [12:22.660 -> 12:25.160] So I think you'll love to join us over there. [12:25.160 -> 12:26.640] And as I mentioned, check out the link [12:26.640 -> 12:27.960] in the description below. [12:27.960 -> 12:30.920] But I was quickly going to talk about the new drivers coming [12:30.920 -> 12:31.840] into FP1. [12:31.840 -> 12:35.320] But before we go to that, I've just remembered, [12:35.320 -> 12:37.040] we just got the news early this morning [12:37.040 -> 12:39.840] that Audi have finalized the deal [12:39.840 -> 12:44.160] to buy 50% of Sauber's shares in 2026 [12:44.160 -> 12:47.840] and to enter Formula One as Audi Sauber, much like BMW [12:47.840 -> 12:49.360] Sauber back in the day. [12:49.360 -> 12:53.560] Now this is revolutionary news of sorts for the Swiss-based team because they haven't [12:53.560 -> 12:56.840] properly had any manufacturer support for a very, very long time. [12:56.840 -> 13:01.040] Indeed, they have a bit of a synergy with Ferrari right now and they are under the Alfa Romeo [13:01.040 -> 13:10.960] name, but let's be honest Kunal, it's just a name, right? This will be back to the old 2006-2009 formula of sorts where they have a manufacturer team investing [13:10.960 -> 13:16.560] heavily, setting up their own plant, getting their own workers in, properly making it a [13:16.560 -> 13:21.440] manufactured offer. And this, I think, represents good times coming in once again for SABA. [13:21.440 -> 13:24.800] What do you have to say about the sole agenda before I share my opinion on it? [13:24.800 -> 13:26.240] Firstly, for the Volkswagen group, [13:26.240 -> 13:29.640] this is probably the best news more than just anyone else [13:29.640 -> 13:33.240] after the whole Red Bull-Porsche botch deal that happened. [13:33.240 -> 13:35.960] And all in all, it's a win-win for Sauber. [13:35.960 -> 13:37.720] It's a win-win for Audi. [13:37.720 -> 13:40.280] More than anything else, it's a win-win for Formula One [13:40.280 -> 13:43.560] because there's another historic constructor [13:43.560 -> 13:48.200] with a fantastic lineage in the motorsport world [13:48.200 -> 13:49.840] joining the ranks of Formula One. [13:49.840 -> 13:54.400] This is what the 2026 regulations have been set out to do [13:54.400 -> 13:59.400] to get new manufacturers, to get new interest in the sport. [13:59.800 -> 14:03.040] And the hope then is that instead of having [14:03.040 -> 14:06.120] just two teams competing for wins, and for [14:06.120 -> 14:12.480] example this season, and Mercedes just on the outside, could we then see that Audi is [14:12.480 -> 14:19.760] also able to elevate Sauber to the potential of being a race winning team or at least competing [14:19.760 -> 14:23.320] for race wins as they would come, right? [14:23.320 -> 14:28.920] Because that's the key part about the whole Sauber-Audi deal. [14:28.920 -> 14:32.240] And to me, Sauber is a fantastic journey, a very inspiring [14:32.240 -> 14:32.720] journey. [14:32.720 -> 14:36.240] I had the privilege of interviewing Peter Sauber [14:36.240 -> 14:40.920] for when Sauber was celebrating 50 years of motorsport [14:40.920 -> 14:41.840] a couple of years ago. [14:41.840 -> 14:44.880] And he actually reminded me of how when he started. [14:44.880 -> 14:51.360] He started in his parents' basement building the C1 which was actually participating in winning [14:51.360 -> 14:59.840] hill climb championships in Switzerland because motorsport of all forms was banned [14:59.840 -> 15:08.800] in Switzerland after the 1955 Le Mans incident that happened, right? So from there, he went on to winning sports car [15:08.800 -> 15:13.840] championships, won Le Mans, introduced Mercedes, [15:13.840 -> 15:15.960] or reintroduced Mercedes to motorsport, [15:15.960 -> 15:21.200] because Mercedes was in a 33-year gap after the Le Mans [15:21.200 -> 15:22.560] disaster. [15:22.560 -> 15:25.160] Also brought BMW, like you pointed out, [15:25.160 -> 15:29.520] but very crucially, brought Red Bull to Formula One. [15:29.520 -> 15:32.640] And that's what Peter Sauber was capable of doing. [15:32.640 -> 15:36.240] And then, of course, brought Petronas to Formula One [15:36.240 -> 15:37.840] as well back in the 2000s. [15:37.840 -> 15:40.040] And Red Bull is one of the biggest investors [15:40.040 -> 15:41.520] in the sport now. [15:41.520 -> 15:44.000] Petronas is one of the biggest sponsors [15:44.000 -> 15:46.800] in the sport with the former, and I like [15:46.800 -> 15:53.120] to say there's a former constructors champions, Mercedes. So just the impact that Sauber has had [15:53.120 -> 15:57.840] on the commercial as well as the driving side of things in Formula One, you know, giving the likes [15:57.840 -> 16:05.760] of Filipe Massa, the likes of Kimi Raikkonen, even Michael Schumacher was essentially racing for Sauber [16:05.760 -> 16:11.600] Mercedes back in sports cars back then. So Charles Leclerc, again, one of the other drivers who had [16:11.600 -> 16:18.240] his debut with Sauber. So a fantastic lineage in Formula 1 and I'm waiting to see how this [16:18.240 -> 16:24.400] story unfolds. And hopefully this is the partnership that gets Sauber out from the midfield [16:24.400 -> 16:25.560] into the sharp end of the [16:25.560 -> 16:29.280] field fighting for wins and podiums consistently. [16:29.280 -> 16:33.200] And Sauber has had such a big impact on the engineers of Formula One as well. [16:33.200 -> 16:36.800] I've heard that it's a really great proving ground to learn your craft. [16:36.800 -> 16:39.680] And I mean, of course, Formula One is not a learning school at the end of the day. [16:39.680 -> 16:43.200] It's a finishing school, but there's so much that you can learn and take from a smaller [16:43.200 -> 16:44.400] team into a bigger team as well. [16:44.400 -> 16:49.040] And Sauber is one of those smaller teams that really can help you out with that and that's [16:49.040 -> 16:54.720] amazing to see and Audi as well just the history that that name represents we've had it in Formula [16:54.720 -> 16:59.200] One back in the day in the pre-war eras and the kind of races that they were a part of and the [16:59.200 -> 17:04.320] kind of championships that they won before Formula One was even Formula One it's just a remarkable [17:04.320 -> 17:08.960] bit of history that comes with that badge and it'll be amazing to see them back in Formula One once again [17:08.960 -> 17:14.560] after such a long time and I'm just curious who will the drivers be but that's for 2026 let's not [17:14.560 -> 17:20.160] worry about it right now let's celebrate that good news but also let's answer a really fun question [17:20.160 -> 17:28.480] that we all have been curious about at some point in a Formula One watching lives which is well, well, an IndyCar, if the driver wins the championship, they are awarded with [17:28.480 -> 17:32.920] the championship right there and there. If it happens in the world of football, you're [17:32.920 -> 17:37.080] given the trophy right there and there in the final. But why not in Formula One? Why [17:37.080 -> 17:41.280] do we have to wait for a championship gala at the very end? Well, to answer that, we've [17:41.280 -> 17:46.140] got F1 stats guru back on the podcast once again explaining this in his special segment [17:46.140 -> 17:49.860] Let's listen in. So Max Verstappen became the world champion at Suzuka [17:49.860 -> 17:53.760] But are you wondering why hasn't he received his championship trophy yet? [17:54.040 -> 17:57.360] So title winners don't receive the trophy at the race they win it [17:57.360 -> 18:02.240] In fact, it's presented at the end of the season and I don't mean at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix [18:02.440 -> 18:06.760] so unlike other sports like football or cricket, where the winners receive their silverware [18:06.760 -> 18:10.880] on the day the tournament or the league ends, in Formula 1, the winner is presented with [18:10.880 -> 18:13.640] their trophy at the FIA prize-giving ceremony. [18:13.640 -> 18:18.440] It's a separate formal event which takes place a few days after the season finale. [18:18.440 -> 18:21.560] The F2 and F3 champions are also officially crowned that night. [18:21.560 -> 18:27.720] Oh, and sometimes, you also get to see Kimi Raikkonen getting drunk as well. But why did they do that? So the delay is because [18:27.720 -> 18:31.760] there's an outside chance a driver could be penalized from the race or even [18:31.760 -> 18:35.860] disqualified from the championship due to a technical or sporting infringement. [18:35.860 -> 18:40.240] For example, Sebastian Vettel came second at last year's Hungarian Grand Prix but [18:40.240 -> 18:49.200] was later disqualified for not having enough fuel in his car. Similarly, after Kimi Räikkönen won the 2007 title, McLaren appealed to disqualify [18:49.200 -> 18:54.920] Sauber and Williams from the last race due to a fuel violation. Had that been accepted, [18:54.920 -> 19:00.240] Lewis Hamilton would have been the world champion in 2007, his rookie year in Formula 1. [19:00.240 -> 19:04.800] Isn't it weird? Yes it is, because when you just become the champion, that's the moment [19:04.800 -> 19:05.800] of celebration, that's what you worked hard for is, because when you just become the champion, that's the moment of celebration, [19:05.800 -> 19:09.240] that's what you worked hard for, and that's when you want your whole team and your fans [19:09.240 -> 19:10.240] to be there. [19:10.240 -> 19:15.240] But when they receive the trophy 4-5 days later, the excitement and the raw human emotion [19:15.240 -> 19:19.200] isn't there anymore, and celebrations are usually subdued. [19:19.200 -> 19:24.000] It feels a little unnecessary, considering it's really rare for a driver to be penalized [19:24.000 -> 19:25.200] at the end of the [19:25.200 -> 19:46.440] season. But results, it [19:46.440 -> 19:48.240] does help out to have that buffer loop. [19:48.240 -> 19:49.720] Well, I disagree. [19:49.720 -> 19:58.120] I strongly believe that the day the championships are won are the days when you should end up [19:58.120 -> 19:59.720] celebrating and giving it away. [19:59.720 -> 20:06.200] I mean, having it at the FIA gala in December where there's no broadcast, there will be [20:06.200 -> 20:08.800] some social media updates. [20:08.800 -> 20:12.120] And that's a very FIA-controlled event, mind you, right? [20:12.120 -> 20:19.560] Very formal, no champagne, no celebrations, no jumping, black tie, tie bow, whatever event [20:19.560 -> 20:20.640] and all that. [20:20.640 -> 20:27.160] To me, I would have loved for it to happen in Japan and then in Kota when the championships were won. [20:27.160 -> 20:31.000] Yes, then the pressure is on the FIA to turn around and say, [20:31.000 -> 20:32.960] hey, it has to happen. [20:32.960 -> 20:34.300] We need to come up with a decision [20:34.300 -> 20:37.840] on what sort of the final race result is going to be. [20:37.840 -> 20:40.520] And let's assume that it takes a couple of hours, [20:40.520 -> 20:43.660] then at least you could award the trophy in the next race. [20:43.660 -> 20:53.520] But the fact is it needs to be awarded when F1 has the maximum attention, maximum eyeballs live on broadcast, on TV. [20:53.520 -> 21:01.280] And mind you, a lot of these television broadcasts pay millions of dollars for all of these high points in through the season. [21:01.280 -> 21:05.360] Right. So that's my view, but hopefully, or maybe knowing Liberty Media and [21:05.360 -> 21:11.600] how TV friendly, how fan friendly, how commerce friendly they are, maybe these are those small, [21:11.600 -> 21:16.800] subtle, but very evident changes that they could end up making in the seasons to come. [21:16.800 -> 21:21.760] I think they really must have looked at Japan and have been like, wow, is this the pinnacle of a [21:21.760 -> 21:26.040] Formula One season? And I'm sure that by next year, they will make some concrete changes. [21:26.040 -> 21:29.720] But I think it's fair to present it at the FIA Gala [21:29.720 -> 21:32.720] if every single driver drinks like Kimi Raikkonen, [21:32.720 -> 21:34.640] only then it'll be an interesting spectacle [21:34.640 -> 21:36.760] that we will tune into in the middle of December [21:36.760 -> 21:38.400] just to check out what's happening. [21:38.400 -> 21:40.520] But that's enough on the FIA Gala and the trophies. [21:40.520 -> 21:42.720] Let's talk more about the new drivers coming in [21:42.720 -> 21:45.580] to race at Mexico City, in Mexico City [21:45.580 -> 21:47.180] rather for FP1. [21:47.180 -> 21:51.260] And this time Kunal, we're going to have three different drivers coming in. [21:51.260 -> 21:56.860] Firstly, it's going to be Liam Lawson driving once again for Toro Rosso this time on. [21:56.860 -> 22:00.140] There is going to be Pietro Fredipali racing for Haas. [22:00.140 -> 22:03.260] And now, best of the lot, Jack Doohan. [22:03.260 -> 22:05.200] And now Jack Doohan, of course, is the son of Mick Doohan, [22:05.200 -> 22:07.040] the legendary motorcycle racer, [22:07.040 -> 22:09.800] who's won countless world championships on two wheels. [22:09.800 -> 22:11.320] But the interesting part is, [22:11.320 -> 22:13.760] Peter Winsor was on the Insight Lineup One podcast [22:13.760 -> 22:15.880] a couple of, I think, not even a couple of months ago, [22:15.880 -> 22:17.120] I think only a month ago, [22:17.120 -> 22:19.440] to talk about how good Jack Doohan is [22:19.440 -> 22:21.440] and how well Alpine have been bringing him up. [22:21.440 -> 22:22.960] And the fun fact is, Kunal, [22:22.960 -> 22:25.000] he's only born in the January of [22:25.000 -> 22:30.600] 2003. Now that's just the same year in which Fernando Alonso won his first Formula One [22:30.600 -> 22:35.360] race. It's going to be fun to see him share the track with him actually. Or is he actually [22:35.360 -> 22:38.800] going to drive in place of Alonso this time? I'm not sure. Yeah, I believe they've not [22:38.800 -> 22:42.080] yet made the announcement whose car he's going to take because that's what I was looking [22:42.080 -> 22:51.200] out for in the in the press release as well. But's good you know USA and Mexico FP2 is 30 minutes longer because of 2023 tire testing [22:51.840 -> 22:56.560] which is why it's sort of easier to give FP1 away to another junior driver so your regular [22:56.560 -> 23:02.480] drivers still get track time. Remember this was also supposed to be the plan for Suzuka the longer [23:02.480 -> 23:06.520] FP2 but Pirelli carried tires all the way there only to realize, [23:06.520 -> 23:10.360] hey, the probability of rain was higher [23:10.360 -> 23:14.760] than the probability of us running a longer FP2 session. [23:14.760 -> 23:16.240] So that's the reason. [23:16.240 -> 23:19.280] But I expect a lot more drivers, not in Brazil [23:19.280 -> 23:21.760] because of the sprint race, but then again, everybody [23:21.760 -> 23:26.240] back in Abu Dhabi, to make sure that the two mandatory [23:26.240 -> 23:30.560] FP1 sessions where you feel a rookie driver get fulfilled in the time to come. [23:30.560 -> 23:33.880] Yeah, let's wait and watch to see how well these drivers perform at the end because I'm [23:33.880 -> 23:37.920] actually very curious to see how Dhruv especially ends up playing out. [23:37.920 -> 23:39.720] That's going to be very, very interesting. [23:39.720 -> 23:44.640] But now Kunal, we have come to that stage where we finally get to listen to the stats [23:44.640 -> 23:47.000] preview once again from F1 Stats Guru. [23:47.000 -> 23:54.000] Unfortunately, he's not quite with us to record this in our episode, but here's F1 Stats Guru back once again for the stats preview. Let's listen in. [23:54.000 -> 24:01.000] It's time to do the stats preview of the Mexican Grand Prix. My name is Sundaram, also known as the F1 Stats Guru. Let's talk numbers. [24:01.000 -> 24:08.640] There are some interesting patterns and circuit characteristics surrounding this event. The venue for the Mexican Grand Prix, the Autodromo Hermanos [24:08.640 -> 24:14.240] Rodriguez is situated over 2200 meters above sea level. That's literally three times the [24:14.240 -> 24:19.120] height of the Burj Khalifa. Due to the high altitude, the air around this venue is a lot [24:19.120 -> 24:25.080] thinner. As a result, teams run Monaco spec wing levels, the highest downforce levels basically, yet [24:25.080 -> 24:27.000] they get Monza like speeds. [24:27.000 -> 24:28.640] Crazy, isn't it? [24:28.640 -> 24:32.760] Since this track returned to Formula 1, only three drivers have won here, Nico Rosberg, [24:32.760 -> 24:35.120] Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. [24:35.120 -> 24:40.360] And Verstappen needs just one more win to break the all time record of 13 wins in one [24:40.360 -> 24:44.560] season first set by Michael Schumacher and later by Sebastian Vettel as well. [24:44.560 -> 24:48.400] There have been 10 different pole sitters in Mexico in the last 10 races here which [24:48.400 -> 24:53.840] dates back to 1989 and if Verstappen, Perez or Sainz take pole this time, it'll be the [24:53.840 -> 24:56.860] 11th different driver to do so in as many years. [24:56.860 -> 25:01.280] But being the pole sitter around this track is probably not the best thing to do, because [25:01.280 -> 25:06.160] since 2017, the driver starting P1 has not only failed to win the race but hasn't [25:06.160 -> 25:11.200] even stood on the podium. That was a stats preview of the Mexican Grand Prix. I hope you guys enjoyed [25:11.200 -> 25:16.560] it. To see more such interesting stats do follow me on Instagram and Twitter under the name F1StatsGuru [25:16.560 -> 25:21.600] and I'll see you guys later. Welcome back in folks to the Insideline F1 podcast and now that we know [25:21.600 -> 25:25.160] what the numbers have to say, how do we predict this [25:25.160 -> 25:29.840] Mexican GP to end up going? Now for me, for my side, I can't quite look beyond [25:29.840 -> 25:34.120] Carlos Sainz once again because we saw him take a pole position last time out. [25:34.120 -> 25:37.400] There is this little bit of momentum, at least in the qualifying sense that he is [25:37.400 -> 25:41.320] kind of bringing in and we discussed in the US GP review as well that Sainz has [25:41.320 -> 25:49.520] been consistently getting closer in terms of qualifying gaps to every single driver and at Mexico City that is quite an important thing to consider. So Kunal [25:49.520 -> 25:54.160] how would you pan your race out? Finally my Carlos Sainz prediction has a little bit of [25:54.160 -> 25:58.400] sense behind it but who are you going to pick for this race? Sorry to burst your bubble but Carlos [25:58.400 -> 26:09.200] Sainz's two back-to-back races of no points is actually his worst since 2020 McLaren, Turkey and Russia. [26:09.200 -> 26:13.120] I know he had two races of no points earlier in the season, but Imola also had a sprint [26:13.120 -> 26:19.360] race where he scored points. So that sort of evens it out. But I can't look beyond Verstappen [26:19.360 -> 26:24.120] and Red Bull Racing. And there's this whole question on F1 Nation, will Verstappen move [26:24.120 -> 26:29.920] away to give Checo the win if they are 1-2 and I think that's all nonsense talk. I mean eventually, [26:30.800 -> 26:35.520] you can imagine a slow stop and he's fuming and something else happens, you know, he's [26:35.520 -> 26:40.480] two seconds off the line and crossing the line and he's fuming because he wants perfect execution [26:40.480 -> 26:44.800] and then imagine you just tell Max, Checo's done a great job, why don't you just let him take the [26:44.800 -> 26:45.360] win. I don't think just let him take the win? [26:45.360 -> 26:49.560] I don't think that's happening, but you never know, this is a crazy sport. [26:49.560 -> 26:52.080] When you believe nothing will happen, nothing usually does. [26:52.080 -> 26:55.800] That's what the great Murray Walker's already always said. [26:55.800 -> 26:57.600] So I'd still say Max Verstappen. [26:57.600 -> 26:59.880] Come on, don't be a spoilsport, Kunal. [26:59.880 -> 27:04.600] I really want to see Mexico celebrate very, very hard when Sergio Perez ends up winning. [27:04.600 -> 27:06.840] But that's just a hope at this moment in time. [27:06.840 -> 27:08.280] We've got to wait and see. [27:08.280 -> 27:12.600] And I think just for fun, Verstappen should end up taking a good drop to start from last [27:12.600 -> 27:14.880] and see, well, what's the worst that can happen? [27:14.880 -> 27:16.640] That way Sergio Perez can win at home as well. [27:16.640 -> 27:21.000] And we can also potentially see Verstappen at least try to go from last to first. [27:21.000 -> 27:23.520] But I think I'm being a little bit too hopeful. [27:23.520 -> 27:28.560] Let's hope that does happen, though. And let's hope that you all really enjoy this weekend folks and if you have enjoyed listening [27:28.560 -> 27:33.520] to this episode don't forget to subscribe to the Inside Lineup 1 podcast and don't forget to [27:33.520 -> 27:38.480] register on the Live Race Watch Along with Peter Wintzer for the Brazilian GP by clicking on the [27:38.480 -> 27:45.000] link in the description to this episode. Thanks for listening folks, Have a great day and we shall see you all soon. Bye bye. [27:55.120 -> 27:57.200] you