Just Suzuka things - 2023 Japanese GP Review

Sergio Perez's driving went from bad in Singapore to worse...in Suzuka.

Red Bull Racing were cheeky with Perez's double retirement and time penalty...in Suzuka.

McLaren scored their best result of the season, a double podium,...in Suzuka.

Fernando Alonso finally lost his cool with Aston Martin on the radio...in Suzuka.

The tension brewed over between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell...in Suzuka.

Max Verstappen resumed to his dominant winning ways...in Suzuka.

Alpine had a team-mate fall-out on the last lap of the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix...in Suzuka.

And of course, Sebastian Vettel started a 'bee hotel'...in Suzuka.

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah review the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix. Yes, we're a day late than usual but Soumil was busy with MotoGP's Grand Prix of India. Psst! He was the 'voice of MotoGP' in India.

Lots of fun stories from the paddock, championship narratives and facts-stats packed into this episode of our podcast.

If you missed our race screenings for the last couple of races, we'll be back our events in Mumbai from the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 51)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Aston Martin Formula One Team

**Inside Line F1 Podcast Transcript - Japanese Grand Prix 2023**

**Hosts:** Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah, Sundaram

**Summary:**

* The episode begins with a discussion about Sebastian Vettel's "B-Hotel" project at the Suzuka circuit, which involved creating a hotel for bees. The hosts express their amusement and confusion about the initiative, particularly given Vettel's focus on sustainability and his previous efforts to reduce his carbon footprint.

* The conversation shifts to Sergio Perez's performance in the Japanese Grand Prix, where he made a controversial move on Kevin Magnussen, resulting in a penalty. The hosts criticize Perez's actions, calling them "outrageous" and "dropping a giant shit in the middle of the road."

* The hosts then discuss the exciting racing at the Japanese Grand Prix, praising the quality of the competition and the emergence of new storylines. They highlight the resurgence of McLaren, who scored their best result of the season with a double podium finish.

* The episode also covers the growing tensions between Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin, with Alonso expressing his frustration with the team's performance and strategy calls during the race. The hosts speculate on the future of the Alonso-Aston Martin relationship and wonder when the "honeymoon period" will end.

* The hosts also discuss the ongoing rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at Mercedes, noting the increasing tension between the two drivers. They mention an incident where Russell complained about Hamilton's driving on the radio, but later clarified that it was fair racing.

* The episode concludes with a discussion about the Constructors' Championship celebration, where Red Bull Racing was notably missing Helmut Marko. The hosts speculate on the reasons behind Marko's absence and discuss the significance of Red Bull's achievement in securing the championship.

**Key Insights and Perspectives:**

* The hosts express their amusement and confusion about Sebastian Vettel's "B-Hotel" project, questioning its relevance to his sustainability efforts and the overall context of the Japanese Grand Prix.

* The hosts criticize Sergio Perez's aggressive move on Kevin Magnussen, highlighting the potential consequences of such actions and the impact on his reputation and team's performance.

* The hosts praise the exciting racing at the Japanese Grand Prix, emphasizing the importance of competitive and unpredictable races in Formula One. They also acknowledge the emergence of McLaren as a strong contender.

* The hosts discuss the growing tensions between Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin, speculating on the future of their relationship and the impact of Alonso's frustration on the team's performance.

* The hosts highlight the ongoing rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at Mercedes, noting the increasing tension between the two drivers and the potential implications for the team's championship hopes.

* The hosts conclude the episode by discussing the Constructors' Championship celebration and the significance of Red Bull Racing's achievement, while also speculating on the reasons behind Helmut Marko's absence from the event. **2023 Japanese Grand Prix Review: Inside Line F1 Podcast Episode 51**

* **Hosts:** Soumil Arora (@iamsoumilaroraa), Kunal Shah (@kshtwitter), and F1 Stats Guru (@f1statsguru)

* **Overview:** The hosts of the Inside Line F1 Podcast provide an in-depth review and analysis of the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix, discussing various key moments, controversies, and driver performances.

**Key Points:**

* **Sergio Perez's Poor Performance:** Perez had a disappointing race, retiring twice due to technical issues and receiving a time penalty. The hosts criticize Red Bull Racing's handling of the situation, which they deem to be unfair and inconsistent.

* **McLaren's Strong Result:** McLaren achieved their best result of the season with a double podium finish, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri securing second and third place respectively. The hosts praise McLaren's strategic decisions and the impressive performances of both drivers.

* **Fernando Alonso's Frustration:** Alonso expressed his frustration with Aston Martin's poor performance over the team radio, highlighting the team's struggles and his own dissatisfaction. The hosts discuss the challenges faced by Alonso and the team's need for improvement.

* **Hamilton-Russell Tension:** The hosts analyze the growing tension between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, particularly Russell's decision not to fight Hamilton for position during the race. They speculate on the potential impact of this incident on the team dynamics and future races.

* **Max Verstappen's Dominance:** Verstappen continued his dominant run, securing another victory and extending his lead in the Drivers' Championship. The hosts discuss Verstappen's impressive performance and his ability to maintain consistency throughout the season.

* **Alpine's Team-Mate Fallout:** The hosts highlight the incident on the last lap of the race, where Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso collided, resulting in a loss of positions for both drivers. They discuss the consequences of this incident and the potential impact on team morale.

* **Sebastian Vettel's Bee Hotel:** Vettel made headlines by starting a 'bee hotel' at the Suzuka circuit, demonstrating his commitment to environmental sustainability. The hosts commend Vettel's initiative and emphasize the importance of raising awareness about environmental issues in Formula One.

* **Moment of the Race:** The hosts share their personal choices for the most memorable moment of the race, ranging from the exciting start involving McLaren and Red Bull to the thrilling overtake by Lewis Hamilton on Fernando Alonso at 130R.

* **Red Bull's Dominance:** The hosts acknowledge Red Bull Racing's remarkable achievement of winning three consecutive Constructors' World Championships, highlighting their impressive performance and consistency. They compare Red Bull to Ferrari, emphasizing the team's growing stature in Formula One.

**Conclusion:**

The hosts wrap up the podcast by thanking their listeners and encouraging them to share the episode with friends and family. They announce their return for the Qatar Grand Prix and promise more special episodes in the future.