Verstappen vs Leclerc

Here we are on Episode 11 of the Pitstop Podcast, and yesterday was race day in Jeddah! We give you our pre-race thoughts and predictions, before diving into everything that happened during the race on this crazy street track. Join us every Monday & Thursday for Q&A’s, guests, race predictions, and a whole load of laughter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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# Episode Summary: Race Recap and Analysis

The episode begins with a discussion about the surprising grid positions for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with Hamilton starting in 16th place and several Mercedes-powered cars failing to make it out of Q3. The hosts express their excitement for the race and acknowledge the ongoing controversy surrounding the safety of the Jeddah circuit.

**Race Highlights:**

* Max Verstappen secures a hard-fought victory, showcasing his dominance and determination.
* Charles Leclerc delivers a strong performance, pushing Verstappen to the limit and engaging in thrilling battles throughout the race.
* Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez also perform well, securing third and fourth positions respectively.
* Fernando Alonso impresses with his pace and battles, qualifying in seventh and finishing in fifth place.
* Lewis Hamilton recovers from his poor starting position to finish in sixth place, demonstrating his resilience and skill.

**Key Insights and Observations:**

* The new regulations have significantly impacted the dynamics of the race, leading to closer battles and more overtaking opportunities.
* DRS (Drag Reduction System) plays a crucial role in the race, with drivers strategically using it to gain an advantage on straightaways.
* The DRS flap is controlled by the driver, allowing them to manage its usage and optimize their performance.
* The race showcases the importance of the middle and end stages of the race, as drivers can make up positions and challenge for the lead.
* The Jeddah circuit remains a dangerous track, with several drivers experiencing technical issues and crashes, highlighting the need for improved safety measures.

**Controversies and Memorable Moments:**

* The hosts discuss the ongoing debate about the suitability of the Jeddah circuit for Formula One racing, given its high-speed nature and lack of runoff areas.
* They speculate on the possibility of a reverse grid format, which would see the slowest qualifiers starting at the front of the grid, as a potential solution to promote more exciting races.
* The episode features a lighthearted discussion about the hosts' desire to attend various Formula One races, including the home Grand Prix's and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

**Overall Takeaway:**

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix delivered an exhilarating and unpredictable race, showcasing the new regulations' impact on the sport and highlighting the intense competition among the top drivers. The episode provides an engaging and informative analysis of the race, capturing the excitement, controversies, and key moments that made it a memorable event. # Race Review: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2022

## Introduction

The hosts, Jake Boys and Fabio Bocca, begin the podcast by discussing their upcoming trip to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where they'll have the chance to drive various cars up a hill climb. They also express their excitement for the upcoming Australian Grand Prix.

## Race Recap

The hosts then delve into a detailed recap of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. They discuss the impressive performances of Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Sergio Perez, who finished in the top three positions, respectively. They also highlight the strong drives of George Russell and Fernando Alonso, who finished in the top five.

## Stand-In Drivers

The hosts discuss the performances of the stand-in drivers who replaced the regular drivers who were unable to compete due to COVID-19. They praise Nyck de Vries for his impressive debut with Williams, and they also mention the solid performances of Jack Aitken and Pietro Fittipaldi.

## Haas' Strong Result

The hosts express their delight at Haas' strong result in the race, with Kevin Magnussen finishing in the points for the second consecutive race. They credit team principal Guenther Steiner for the team's turnaround in form.

## Mercedes' Potential

The hosts discuss Mercedes' potential for improvement in the upcoming races. They believe that if the team can resolve its porpoising issues, it could be a major contender for race wins.

## Respect Between Leclerc and Verstappen

The hosts commend the respect shown between Leclerc and Verstappen both during and after the race. They note that the two drivers have a long history of racing together, and they appreciate the professionalism and sportsmanship they displayed.

## Red Bull's Strategy

The hosts analyze Red Bull's strategy in the race, which involved holding back Verstappen for most of the race before unleashing him for a late attack on Leclerc. They believe that this strategy was executed perfectly and that it ultimately led to Verstappen's victory.

## Upcoming Australian Grand Prix

The hosts look ahead to the upcoming Australian Grand Prix, which will take place in two weeks. They express their excitement for the race and speculate on the potential for more surprises and close battles.

## Conclusion

The hosts wrap up the podcast by encouraging listeners to follow them on Instagram and TikTok for more F1 content. They also remind listeners to leave a five-star review and subscribe to the podcast.