Sergio Perez Wins For Ferrari - 2022 Austrian GP Review

No, you read that right - Sergio Perez did win the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix for Ferrari; at least if the television graphics operator is to be believed. But this wasn't the only error to laugh off from the weekend - remember the Vettel-gate, physio-gate & then track limits?

The FIA, Race Control & the Stewards - definitely topped our Eight Sleep list of race performers! And guess what, our dearest @f1statsguru (aka Sundaram) made it to this list, too. His awesome stat on Lando Norris was read-out on the global Formula 1 feed by Crofty aka David Croft!

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In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal review the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix - Charles Leclerc's stupendous win (finally!). But why did Red Bull Racing struggle at their home venue? And reliability continues to play a part in this year's title battle - could Carlos Sainz have scored a 1-2 for Ferrari?

@f1statsguru hosts his stats review segment - a fantastic stat on Mick & Michael Schumacher; lots to tune in for!

(Season 2022, Episode 41)

Follow our hosts: Sundaram Ramaswami, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Ferrari

Here's a summary of the Inside Line F1 Podcast episode reviewing the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix:

**Race Review:**

* Charles Leclerc secured a dominant win for Ferrari, ending his five-race winless streak.
* Red Bull faced tire management issues and struggled to match Ferrari's pace.
* Max Verstappen pitted early for a two-stop strategy, prompting others to follow suit.
* Ferrari maintained their strategy and tire management, allowing Leclerc to control the race.
* Carlos Sainz retired due to a power unit issue, costing Ferrari a potential 1-2 finish.
* Sergio Perez recovered from a grid penalty to finish fifth, gaining valuable points for Red Bull.

**Race Performers:**

* Fernando Alonso impressed with a recovery drive from the back of the grid to finish in the points.
* Mick Schumacher continued his strong form, scoring points in consecutive races for the first time.
* Valtteri Bottas' five-race podium streak in Austria came to an end with an 11th-place finish.

**Controversies and Insights:**

* The FIA faced criticism for excessive fines, track limits penalties, and their handling of the Sebastian Vettel jewelry ban.
* Vettel expressed frustration with the FIA's treatment, leading to speculation about his future in Formula One.
* The sprint race format provided exciting wheel-to-wheel action, including a five-car battle for position.

**Overall Takeaway:**

Ferrari demonstrated their potential to challenge Red Bull for the championship, but reliability concerns remain a factor. The midfield battle continues to heat up, with Haas and McLaren showing strong performances. The FIA's actions and decisions continue to draw scrutiny and debate within the Formula One community.

# Inside Line F1 Podcast Episode 41: 2022 Austrian Grand Prix Review

## Introduction:

- The podcast begins with a discussion about the various errors that occurred during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, including the misidentification of Sergio Perez as the race winner and the confusion surrounding track limits.
- The hosts highlight the FIA, Race Control, and the Stewards as the top performers of the race, with a special mention to Sundaram Ramaswami (@f1statsguru) for his insightful stat on Lando Norris that was featured on the global Formula 1 feed.

## Race Review:

- The hosts review the Austrian Grand Prix, focusing on Charles Leclerc's dominant victory for Ferrari.
- They discuss Red Bull Racing's struggles at their home venue and speculate on whether Carlos Sainz could have secured a 1-2 finish for Ferrari if not for reliability issues.
- Sundaram Ramaswami presents his stats segment, including an intriguing comparison between Mick and Michael Schumacher.

## Mercedes' Performance:

- The hosts analyze Mercedes' performance at the Austrian Grand Prix, noting their impressive podium finish with Lewis Hamilton despite a challenging qualifying session and early-race incidents.
- They discuss the team's current position in the Constructors' Championship and the challenges they face in catching up to Ferrari and Red Bull.
- The hosts question whether the Austrian Grand Prix was a genuine step forward for Mercedes in terms of pace and look ahead to the French Grand Prix for further insights.

## Race Control Controversies:

- The hosts delve into the various controversies surrounding race control decisions, particularly the inconsistency in penalties for similar incidents involving Max Verstappen and Alex Albon.
- They highlight the challenges faced by race control in adjudicating wheel-to-wheel battles and the importance of finding a consistent approach.
- The hosts also discuss the incidents involving drivers being weighed after the race and the FIA's efforts to prevent potential loopholes.

## Track Limits Debate:

- The hosts engage in a discussion about track limits, emphasizing the challenges drivers face in staying within the white lines, especially at blind corners like Turn 10.
- They debate the merits of using gravel and grass as natural deterrents for exceeding track limits and acknowledge the difficulties in relying solely on slow-motion technology to determine penalties.
- The hosts express their hope that the FIA, drivers, and George Russell can find a solution to the track limits issue before the upcoming French Grand Prix.

## Conclusion:

- The hosts wrap up the podcast by expressing their excitement for the upcoming French Grand Prix and tease the preview episode that will provide more insights into the race.
- They encourage listeners to like, share, and leave comments on the podcast to support their efforts.