Inside Line F1 Podcast

After weeks of rumours, the Raikkonen-Leclerc swap was finally announced. Hats off to Ferrari for making an exception and realising that an early investment in Charles Leclerc's progression in the world of Formula 1 is only going to pay them early dividends. But is this also a sign from Ferrari that they are beginning to lose hope in Sebastian Vettel's erring ways? In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we have bytes from the man-on-the-move himself, Charles Leclerc. We met with the driver in the month of August and spoke to him about several topics including his dream move to Ferrari, partnering with Sebastian Vettel and how he handles the fame and pressure of being such a successful Motorsport personality.  And of course, we are thrilled to see Kimi Raikkonen extend his stay in Formula 1 for a couple of more seasons. Let's enjoy our typical Raikkonen moments for as long as they last. There's a lot of Leclerc-Raikkonen-Ferrari-Sauber in this episode. Tune in!  (Season 2018, Episode 31)  The [Inside Line F1 Podcast](http://bit.ly/ilf1ponkf1b), a top-rated podcast on iTunes, audioBoom and the BookMyShow Jukebox, is hosted every week by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This podcast offers a [humourous view on the sport and business of Formula 1](http://www.kunalsf1blog.com). Subscribe: [iTunes](http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast), [audioBoom](http://bit.ly/insidelineviarss) (RSS feed for all devices) and [Google Play Podcasts](http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplay) Official Pages: [Facebook](http://bit.ly/insidelineonfacebook) and [Google+](http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplus) Follow our hosts on Twitter: [Mithila Mehta](http://www.twitter.com/mith_m) and [Kunal Shah](http://www.twitter.com/kunalashah) _Image courtesy: Kunal Shah_ _Interview courtesy: Viasport_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Ferrari re-sign Kimi Raikkonen? Or will Kimi Raikkonen resign from Ferrari and Formula 1? There are tons of rumours doing the rounds last week and while we ignore them all, we wonder if Kimi Raikkonen would actually be well suited to become Vice President.  In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and Kunal argue over Raikkonen's possible extension, Nico Rosberg's sudden love for Lewis Hamilton, the possibility of drivers becoming title sponsors of their home Grands Prix and Force India's fourth place in the Constructors' Championship (yes, you read that right!). Tune in!  (Season 2018, Episode 30) The [Inside Line F1 Podcast](http://bit.ly/ilf1ponkf1b), a top-rated podcast on iTunes, audioBoom and the BookMyShow Jukebox, is hosted every week by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This podcast offers a humourous view on the sport and business of Formula 1. Subscribe: [iTunes](http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast), [audioBoom](http://bit.ly/insidelineviarss) (RSS feed for all devices) and [Google Play Podcasts](http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplay) Official Pages: [Facebook](http://bit.ly/insidelineonfacebook) and [Google+](http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplus) Follow our hosts on Twitter: [Mithila Mehta](http://www.twitter.com/mith_m) and [Kunal Shah](http://www.twitter.com/kunalashah) Image courtesy: ESPN // Sutton Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 'points for all' topic is disturbing. No, please don't go down this road, Formula 1\. We've gone from awarding points to top-6 to top-8 and now 50% of the grid (top-10) scores points. By increasing the base of points scorers to 100% (all-20), we will go from incentivising drivers to win or finish higher to simply just finishing races. Is this Formula 1's way of retaining Fernando Alonso? In this week's episode of the [Inside Line F1 Podcast](http://bit.ly/ilf1ponkf1b), the 'What Wolff Said This Week' section is hilarious, because Toto Wolff did have a lot to say in the 2018 British Grand Prix. We discuss if Mercedes & Haas can learn a thing of two from Force India, the epic (and rare!) Kimi Raikkonen vs. Max Verstappen battle, the creative use of DRS by the FIA and how we shouldn't be harsh in judging Stoffel Vandoorne's talent just yet. Also, we explain why the talk of Mercedes being inexperienced to handle fierce external competition is untrue. Tune in!  (Season 2018, Episode 22) The Inside Line F1 Podcast, a top-rated podcast on iTunes, audioBoom and the BookMyShow Jukebox, is hosted every week by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This podcast offers a [humourous view on the sport and business of Formula 1](http://www.kunalsf1blog.com/). Subscribe: [iTunes](http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast), [audioBoom](http://bit.ly/insidelineviarss) (RSS feed for all devices) and [Google Play Podcasts](http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplay) Official Pages: [Facebook](http://bit.ly/insidelineonfacebook) and [Google+](http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplus) Follow our hosts on Twitter: [Mithila Mehta](http://www.twitter.com/mith_m) and [Kunal Shah](http://www.twitter.com/kunalashah) Image courtesy: _Force India F1 Team_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Renault has joined the list of demotions at Red Bull Racing, while Honda find themselves with an unexpected promotion. In this week's episode of the [Inside Line F1 Podcast](http://bit.ly/ilf1ponkf1b), Mithila and Kunal wonder what would crack first in 2019 - the Honda engine or Max Verstappen? (But of course, we're kidding!). On a serious note, Red Bull Racing seem to have a made a sensible decision, let's see if Daniel Ricciardo thinks so too.  Has Winnie Harlow triggered the FIA to replace all flags altogether and digitise them? Let's hope not! In the digital version of Formula 1 (the F1 2018 video game), fans have the option to remove the central pillar of the 'halo' for better visibility, an option that almost every driver in the real world of Formula 1 would love to have to. And of course, we look forward to this weekend's French Grand Prix. Tune in!  (Season 2018, Episode 18) The Inside Line F1 Podcast, a top-rated podcast on iTunes, audioBoom and the BookMyShow Jukebox, is hosted every week by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This podcast offers a [humourous view on the sport and business of Formula 1](http://www.kunalsf1blog.com/). Subscribe: [iTunes](http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast), [audioBoom](http://bit.ly/insidelineviarss) (RSS feed for all devices) and [Google Play Podcasts](http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplay) Official Pages: [Facebook](http://bit.ly/insidelineonfacebook) and [Google+](http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplus) Follow our hosts on Twitter: [Mithila Mehta](http://www.twitter.com/mith_m) and [Kunal Shah](http://www.twitter.com/kunalashah) Image courtesy: _www.formulaspy.com_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have family and friends who are on-the-fence fans of Formula 1, the 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix could go a long way into dropping them onto our side of the fence. The nail-biting and edge-of-the-seat action from Bahrain was definitely the perfect advertisement that Formula 1 could ask for.  In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and Kunal rejoice the season's first of many back-to-back races. They applaud Liberty Media for ensuring that there were no adverse reactions from their meeting with the teams in Bahrain (where they discussed the future of Formula 1). Also, while a brutal way to find out a system issue, Ferrari's pit error robbed us of a Kimi Raikkonen vs. Lewis Hamilton fight for the podium. They tell you why Valtteri Bottas should have definitely tried harder to overtake Sebastian Vettel and how Mclaren are actually the luckiest team on the grid right now.  Will the cooler conditions in Shanghai bring Mercedes back into focus, and if so, will their 'party mode' be hotly discussed yet again? Or will Ferrari have answers to Mercedes' pace in the 2018 Chinese Grand Prix too? Tune in!  (Season 2018, Episode 12) The [Inside Line F1 Podcast](http://bit.ly/ilf1ponkf1b), a top-rated podcast on iTunes, audioBoom and the BookMyShow Jukebox, is hosted every week by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This podcast offers a [humourous view on the sport and business of Formula 1](http://www.kunalsf1blog.com). Subscribe: [iTunes](http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast), [audioBoom](http://bit.ly/insidelineviarss) (RSS feed for all devices) and [Google Play Podcasts](http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplay) Official Pages: [Facebook](http://bit.ly/insidelineonfacebook) and [Google+](http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplus) Follow our hosts on Twitter: [Mithila Mehta](http://www.twitter.com/mith_m) and [Kunal Shah](http://www.twitter.com/kunalashah) Image courtesy: _F1 via Twitter_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does Max Verstappen need to do to finish a race this season? His dismal luck reminds us of Michael Schumacher's 2000 title campaign! Either way, it is time Verstappen goes woo-ing his Lady Luck, again. Maybe, Red Bull Racing needs to rename the RB13 to get rid of the bad luck! In the Red Bull Racing ecosystem, Daniel Ricciardo seems to be the only driver 'happy'. Carlos Sainz Jr. had a public spat regarding his future; given Red Bull Racing's attitude, he should be glad it wasn't a public slap. As for Daniil Kvyat, he was let off leniently by the FIA for his 'torpedo' move, but will Red Bull Racing let him off as lightly? In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and Kunal wonder how and why are people expecting Valtteri Bottas to be the third title contender for the season. Has he done enough to warrant a contract extension with Mercedes? Similarly, Fernando Alonso is in high demand. Maybe he should approach a multi-team contract option for 2018. You'll have to tune-in to understand this crazy idea of ours better. Finally, Mclaren have suggested that Formula 1 should purchase Silverstone. Given Mclaren's recent Formula 1 decisions, we'd advise Carey & Team to just ignore that suggestion. Tune in! (Season 2017, Episode 26) (Image Courtesy: Red Bull Racing) The Inside Line F1 Podcast, a top-rated podcast on iTunes and audioBoom, is hosted by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This Formula One podcast offers a unique humourous view on the sport. Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/insidelineonfacebook and on Google+: http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplus Follow us on Twitter: Mithila Mehta (http://www.twitter.com/mith_m) and Kunal Shah (http://twitter.com/kunalashah) Subscribe on: iTunes Store: http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast AudioBoom RSS feed (for Google & other phones): http://bit.ly/insidelineviarss (You will need a Podcast player!) Google Play Podcasts: http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplay And hear our ever popular episodes from the previous weeks: 1. A Lose Head & A Loose Headrest (http://bit.ly/2toAA6a) 2. Slow & Steady Wins The Race (http://bit.ly/2ucqoKw) 3. Fernando Alonso, Motorsport's Disruptive Force (http://bit.ly/2s0Kjid) 4. Red Bull Gives You Wings, But No Brakes (http://bit.ly/2r7Wh5h) 5. Mclaren Saved Formula 1 From A Honda Disaster (http://bit.ly/2qiffWw) 6. How Can Verstappen Not Know Heel-Toe? (http://bit.ly/2nfPXLC) #F1 #Formula1 #FormulaOne #CarRacing #AutoRacing #Ferrari #Mercedes #Mclaren #Honda #RedBull #Motorsport #Motorracing #Sports #Podcast #RedBullRacing #MaxVerstappen #LewisHamilton #InsideLineF1Podcast #Humour #Jokes #ForceIndia #Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the incredible Chinese Grand Prix, we wondered what most Ferrari fans would've wondered - why did Ferrari not ask Kimi Raikkonen to move over and let Sebastian Vettel pass? Could this strategic move have altered the race result? Did this 'no team order' strategy blunder cost Ferrari more than their tyre strategy for Vettel? Frankly, we're happy that Ferrari let their drivers race. Yes, it's unusual, but it is something that Mercedes and Red Bull Racing have been doing since ages. Thank you, Ferrari. And since we're thanking people, thank you Max Verstappen for a fantastic charge up the grid. The Chinese Grand Prix also confirmed two things: First, we're about to witness a closely contested season after many many many years! It'll be a Ferrari vs. Mercedes to start with and we're praying Red Bull Racing join the action too. Second, it'll be Vettel vs. Hamilton battle for the Drivers' Championship and Bottas vs. Raikkonen for the Constructors' Championship. In this week's episode, our hosts look forward to the first double header racing weekend of the season. Yes, we'll be racing in Bahrain in a few days. Should Bernie Ecclestone buy Interlagos just to have some fun with the new boys running Formula 1? Could Fernando Alonso deflect to Williams in 2018? Bye-Bye Sepang and hello Nurburgring or Hockenheim? Okay, can we have both? Tune in! (Season 2017, Episode 14) The Inside Line F1 Podcast, a top-rated podcast on iTunes and audioBoom, is hosted by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This Formula One podcast offers a unique humourous view on the sport. Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/insidelineonfacebook and on Google+: http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplus Follow us on Twitter: Mithila Mehta (http://www.twitter.com/mith_m) and Kunal Shah (http://twitter.com/kunalashah) Subscribe on: iTunes Store: http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast AudioBoom RSS feed (for Google & other phones): http://bit.ly/insidelineviarss (You will need a Podcast player!) Google Play Podcasts: http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplay And hear our ever popular episodes from the previous weeks: 1. How Can Max Verstappen Not Know Heel-Toe? (http://bit.ly/2nfPXLC) 2. Dear F1, Make Our Races Longer (http://bit.ly/2o6BYay) 3. Mclaren Is The Fan Favourite For 2017 (http://bit.ly/2nBa3fl) 4. From T-Bone To T-Wing (http://bit.ly/2m7ENXs) 5. Ferrari Missing Historic Bonus From Formula E (http://bit.ly/2kLz72Z) 6. Bernie Ecclestone Should Turn TV Commentator (http://bit.ly/2kWw8nV) 7. How Did Lewis Hamilton Get On The Cover Of TIME? (http://bit.ly/2i3CuTB) #F1 #Formula1 #FormulaOne #CarRacing #AutoRacing #Ferrari #Mercedes #Mclaren #Honda #RedBull #Motorsport #Motorracing #Sports #Podcast #RedBullRacing #MaxVerstappen #LewisHamilton #InsideLineF1Podcast #Humour #Jokes #ForceIndia #Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we near the start of the 2017 Formula 1 Season, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull Racing are busy trading the 'favourites' tag with each other. In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Mithila and Kunal tell you that despite their lack of pace and reliability, Mclaren-Honda are definitely the fan favourite for 2017. The million dollar questions staring at Formula 1 right now are: Will Mercedes unleash more pace? Will Mclaren-Honda be able to go the full race distance? Also, does Daniel Ricciardo have a new party trick for 2017? Because we know that Max Verstappen does. Liberty Media have re-branded GP2 to F2, but with F3 already there, what will they brand GP3 to? And we were most glad when they admitted that traditional races in Europe are key to Formula 1's future. The new owners of the sport seem to be making the right noises (again). Is this why Bernie Ecclestone chose to not stay on? Tune in! (Season 2017, Episode 10) The Inside Line F1 Podcast, a top-rated podcast on iTunes and audioBoom, is hosted by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This Formula One podcast offers a unique humourous view on the sport. Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/insidelineonfacebook and on Google+: http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplus Follow us on Twitter: Mithila Mehta (http://www.twitter.com/mith_m) and Kunal Shah (http://twitter.com/kunalashah) Subscribe on: iTunes Store: http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast AudioBoom RSS feed (for Google & other phones): http://bit.ly/insidelineviarss (You will need a Podcast player!) Google Play Podcasts: http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplay And hear our ever popular episodes from the previous weeks: 1. Which F1 Team Is Sandbagging? (http://bit.ly/2lY7svx) 2. From T-Bone To T-Wing (http://bit.ly/2m7ENXs) 3. Ferrari Missing Historic Bonus From Formula E (http://bit.ly/2kLz72Z) 4. Bernie Ecclestone Should Turn TV Commentator (http://bit.ly/2kWw8nV) 5. How Did Lewis Hamilton Get On The Cover Of TIME? (http://bit.ly/2i3CuTB) #F1 #Formula1 #FormulaOne #CarRacing #AutoRacing #Ferrari #Mercedes #Mclaren #Honda #RedBull #Motorsport #Motorracing #Sports #Podcast #RedBullRacing #MaxVerstappen #LewisHamilton #InsideLineF1Podcast #Humour #Jokes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sauber is on pole position - to launch 2017's first Formula 1 car. The strange part is that two relatively unknown drivers (Ericsson and Wehrlein) will unveil the new looking Formula 1 car. Given the excitement around the new look, couldn't Formula 1 (read: Liberty Media) get some of their superstar drivers to do so? But this pole position works well for Sauber. It is a PR masterstroke. This unveil might garner them more publicity than the previous two seasons put together. As for Mclaren, they almost clinched pole! Their agency might have just leaked their livery images on social media. PS: Williams' unexpected reveal on Autosport/Motorsport was after this podcast was recorded and published. Nico Rosberg wants to go back to being friends with Lewis Hamilton. Is it easier for him to say so now that he's beaten him? Either way, we think Rosberg-Hamilton could be the Rocky Balboa-Apollo Creed of Formula 1. And in this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we dissect Juan Pablo Montoya's comment on 'weak' European drivers, the engine fire-up by teams, Kimi Raikkonen's karaoke skills and new bar and Fernando Alonso's really cool emojis. Tune in! (Season 2017, Episode 07) Image Courtesy: Motorsport Clicks The Inside Line F1 Podcast, a top-rated podcast on iTunes and audioBoom, is hosted by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This Formula One podcast offers a unique humourous view on the sport. Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/insidelineonfacebook and on Google+: http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplus Follow us on Twitter: Mithila Mehta (http://www.twitter.com/mith_m) and Kunal Shah (http://twitter.com/kunalashah) Subscribe on: iTunes Store: http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast AudioBoom RSS feed (for Google & other phones): http://bit.ly/insidelineviarss (You will need a Podcast player!) TuneIn Radio: http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast-tuneinradio Stitcher Radio: http://bit.ly/insidelinestitcherradio And hear our ever popular episodes from the previous weeks: 1. Ferrari Missing Historic Bonus From Formula E (http://bit.ly/2kLz72Z) 2. Bernie Ecclestone Should Turn TV Commentator (http://bit.ly/2kWw8nV) 3. How Did Lewis Hamilton Get On The Cover Of TIME? (http://bit.ly/2i3CuTB) 4. Sergio Perez Reveals His Prankster Self (http://bit.ly/2hNdWOY) 5. Nico Hulkenberg Gets Funny On The Inside Line (http://bit.ly/2hiRBb6) #F1 #Formula1 #FormulaOne #CarRacing #AutoRacing #Ferrari #Mercedes #Mclaren #Honda #RedBull #Motorsport #Motorracing #Sports #Podcast #RedBullRacing #MaxVerstappen #LewisHamilton #InsideLineF1Podcast #NicoRosberg #Humour #Jokes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is this Formula 1's busiest 'off-season' yet? There's been an overdose of stories in this period: from Mercedes hiring Valtteri Bottas as Nico Rosberg's replacement, Formula 1's sale and Bernie Ecclestone being forcibly replaced to Juan Pablo Montoya's Race of Champions victory on debut and Sebastian Vettel's single-handled efforts winning Germany their 7th Race of Champion Nations Cup! (PS: we love the Juan 'juan' ROC jokes!) In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we tell you why Formula 1 would never go the Race of Champions way, even if it is a fun format. We also decode why Max Verstappen might never participate in the ROC. Pascal Wehrlein's crash was heart-stopping! Does it worry Monisha (Kaltenborn) about her budgets for 2017? And did anyone notice the fan seated next to Wehrlein? Through the entire crash, this fan was on his (or her) phone shooting content! We'd love to see the fan's footage. If you've not seen this picture yet, go over to our Facebook page. Finally, Formula 1's sale saw the unthinkable but the long overdue happen - Bernie Ecclestone's dismissal. Much like Formula 1 hopes to benefit by bringing Ross Brawn back, we're sure the sport can benefit much by bringing back the uber talented and mercurial Juan Pablo Montoya. Tune in! (Season 2017, Episode 04) The Inside Line F1 Podcast, a top-rated podcast on iTunes and audioBoom, is hosted by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. This Formula One podcast offers a unique humourous view on the sport. Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/insidelineonfacebook and on Google+: http://bit.ly/insidelineongoogleplus Follow us on Twitter: Mithila Mehta (http://www.twitter.com/mith_m) and Kunal Shah (http://twitter.com/kunalashah) Subscribe on: iTunes Store: http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast AudioBoom RSS feed (for Google & other phones): http://bit.ly/insidelineviarss (You will need a Podcast player!) TuneIn Radio: http://bit.ly/insidelinef1podcast-tuneinradio Stitcher Radio: http://bit.ly/insidelinestitcherradio And hear our ever popular episodes from the previous weeks: 1. 2017 Inside Line F1 Podcast Awards (http://bit.ly/2017f1awards) 2. Mercedes vs Red Bull = Mercedes vs Aero (http://bit.ly/2k0CXYa) 3. How Did Lewis Hamilton Get On The Cover Of TIME? (http://bit.ly/2i3CuTB) 4. Sergio Perez Reveals His Prankster Self (http://bit.ly/2hNdWOY) 5. Nico Hulkenberg Gets Funny On The Inside Line (http://bit.ly/2hiRBb6) 6. Will The FIA Ban The Shoey? (http://bit.ly/f1shoey) #F1 #Formula1 #FormulaOne #CarRacing #AutoRacing #Ferrari #Mercedes #Mclaren #Honda #RedBull #Motorsport #Motorracing #Sports #Podcast #RedBullRacing #MaxVerstappen #LewisHamilton #InsideLineF1Podcast #NicoRosberg #Humour #Jokes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices