Mid-season Review (funny takes only), 2023 F1 Season - Inside Line F1 Podcast

We are only half way through the 2023 Formula 1 season - and just so many stories, narratives and off-track incidents have shared the limelight. 

In this summer break, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah got together in a studio in Mumbai to record the mid-season review episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast.

Do you remember the multiple time penalties that Esteban Ocon received in the first race of the season? What about the time when Formula 1 cars were too wide for the grid boxes? And of course, the track limits penalties in Austria.

Apart from Max Verstappen-Red Bull Racing's dominant show, a lot has happened in the 2023 Formula 1 season and some of the funniest-whackiest bits have made it to this mid-season review episode. 

Also in the summer break, we celebrated Jehan Daruvala's illustrious Motorsport career @ Khar SOCIAL. Along with the podcast, the Inside Line Club's Pitstop events have seen tremendous growth this year.

Thank you for your continued patronage - online and offline!

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 41)

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

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

**Introduction**

* Hosts discuss the significance of Mattia Binotto's quote from 2022, where he expressed confidence in Ferrari's ability to win all the remaining races of the season.
* They highlight the irony that Ferrari has yet to secure a single victory despite Binotto's bold statement.

**Ferrari's Struggles**

* The hosts delve into the reasons behind Ferrari's lack of success in the 2023 season.
* They mention several factors, including pit stop issues, management decisions, and the car's sensitivity to wind conditions.
* They also discuss the incident where Ferrari mistakenly brought out their old car for a show and tell session.

**Other Quirky Moments**

* The hosts share other amusing incidents that have occurred during the season.
* They mention the unusual names of some Zimbabwean cricket players and draw parallels to quirky things in Formula One.
* They discuss the FIA's strict regulations and policies, such as the ban on bikes and celebrations on the pit wall.

**Key Learnings**

* Each host shares their key learning from the season so far.
* Soumil Arora emphasizes the importance of patience and realistic expectations in Formula One.
* Sundaram Ramaswamy highlights the unpredictable nature of race results due to potential penalties and reinstatements.
* Kunal Shah stresses the FIA's efforts to maintain control and influence in the sport.

**Alpine's Woes**

* The hosts discuss the revolving door of leadership at Alpine and the team's lack of competitiveness.
* They mention the numerous penalties and strange incidents involving Alpine drivers.
* They speculate about the reasons behind Alpine's struggles, including the cost cap and the team's long-term plan.

**Conclusion**

* The hosts wrap up the episode by acknowledging the entertainment value of the 2023 season despite Ferrari's struggles.
* They express their anticipation for the second half of the season and the potential for more exciting moments. * **Introduction:**

* The hosts, Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah, and special guest Sundaram welcome listeners to the mid-season review episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast.
* They mention the various incidents and controversies that have taken place during the first half of the 2023 Formula 1 season.

* **Esteban Ocon's Penalties:**

* The hosts discuss Esteban Ocon's multiple time penalties in the first race of the season.
* They highlight the confusion surrounding the track limits penalties in Austria.

* **Haas F1 Team:**

* The hosts praise Haas F1 Team's positive start to the season, particularly their decision to reduce the size of their pit wall crew.
* They speculate on the possibility of Haas being renamed to Alfa Romeo due to their new title sponsorship deal.

* **Alfa Romeo F1 Team:**

* The hosts discuss Alfa Romeo F1 Team's low-key presence in the season so far.
* They mention the team's lack of recent success and question their continued involvement in Formula 1.

* **McLaren F1 Team:**

* The hosts highlight McLaren F1 Team's resurgence in form during the season.
* They joke about the possibility of Lord Mahavir Raghunathan testing the McLaren car as the reason for their improvement.

* **Nicholas Latifi:**

* The hosts mention Nicholas Latifi's departure from Formula 1 and his pursuit of a master's degree in barrier assessment.
* They speculate on the circumstances surrounding his decision to retire from racing.

* **Lance Stroll and Aston Martin F1 Team:**

* The hosts discuss Lance Stroll's helmet design for the Canadian Grand Prix, which featured QR codes leading to his favorite places in Montreal.
* They criticize the helmet's impracticality and question its appeal to potential buyers.
* They express gratitude towards Stroll for enabling Fernando Alonso to achieve podium finishes this season.
* They criticize Aston Martin F1 Team's decision-making during the Monaco Grand Prix, which prevented them from securing a race win.
* They mention the team's struggles after introducing upgrades that resulted in excessive downforce.

* **Logan Sargent and Williams F1 Team:**

* The hosts discuss Logan Sargent's limited airtime during Formula 1 broadcasts, except for an incident where he was checked out by a female marshal.
* They mention the "Logan Sargent Updates" Twitter page, which posts humorous videos of Sargent from every session.
* They speculate on the possibility of Sargent finishing ahead of Daniel Ricciardo in the Drivers' Championship.

* **F1 2023 Driver Ratings:**

* The hosts discuss the F1 2023 driver ratings, particularly Fernando Alonso's relatively low awareness rating.
* They explain that the awareness rating is based on penalty points accumulated in recent months, rather than on-track performance.
* They mention that Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton have the highest awareness ratings among the drivers. # Inside Line F1 Podcast: Mid-Season Review

**Hosts:** Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah

**Key Points:**

* The 2023 Formula 1 season has been filled with drama, controversy, and exciting moments.
* Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing have been dominant, winning 12 of the first 13 races.
* Other teams, such as Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren, have struggled to keep up.
* There have been several controversial incidents, including track limits penalties, grid penalties, and safety car restarts.
* The midfield battle has been intense, with teams like Alpine, Aston Martin, and Haas fighting for points.
* The podcast hosts discuss the key storylines and moments of the season so far, and look ahead to the second half of the season.

**Insights and Perspectives:**

* The hosts provide expert analysis and insights into the key moments and controversies of the season.
* They offer unique perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of the different teams and drivers.
* The hosts engage in lively and informative discussions, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of the sport.

**Memorable Quotes:**

* "Max Verstappen has been on another level this season. He's just been untouchable." - Soumil Arora
* "The midfield battle has been really exciting to watch. There are so many teams fighting for points, and it's anyone's guess who's going to come out on top." - Kunal Shah
* "The track limits penalties have been a big talking point this season. Some people think they're necessary to keep the drivers in check, while others think they're too harsh." - Soumil Arora
* "The safety car restarts have also been a bit of a mess. It seems like there's always a lot of confusion and chaos when they happen." - Kunal Shah

**Overall:**

The Inside Line F1 Podcast's mid-season review is a comprehensive and engaging look at the 2023 Formula 1 season so far. The hosts provide expert analysis, unique perspectives, and lively discussions, making it a must-listen for any fan of the sport.