Inside Line F1 Podcast - Not Just Sponsors, Fans Want F1 Bodywork Changes Too

Come 2019, Formula 1 cars will adapt existing bodywork to better the visibility of sponsor logos. Whatever happened to fans calling for bodywork changes to increase the racing spectacle! Formula 1, a business first and a sport later?

In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we discuss how fans pay to access Formula 1 too but how our wants have been long ignored. We also talk about Formula 1's plans to launch live streaming, Mercedes' flawed PR strategy in the off-season, Romain Grosjean's desire to race till the age of 40, the absence of Fernando Alonso in McLaren's newly formed Business Advisory Board and anomalies in the report that announced the driver salaries for the 2018 Formula 1 Season. Tune in!

(Season 2018, Episode 2)

Subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast on iTunes and audioBoom for your weekly dose of Formula 1 humour

New Motorsport Week article: Time to start...opening your minds (to later race starts)

Photo: Octane Photography

How quickly reputations shift in F1. It seems just like yesterday Liberty Media was the great white hope. These days it seems increasingly like a pariah.

It's flown another kite. This time to shift the starting time of races back by 70 minutes. And the reaction against was immediate and resolute.

In my latest for Motorsport Week I argue that perhaps we should have more of an open mind. I mean, at least let us hear the rationale. Who knows, the idea might have something going for it?

You can read my thinking here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/16736

New Motorsport Week article: When Alfa Romeo set the pace - more recently than you think

By tomislav medak - originally posted to Flickr as
L'evoluzione dell'automobile: Alfa Romeo 179 F-1,
CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/
w/index.php?curid=7529003

Alfa Romeo is back in F1 for 2018. Sort of.

We know about about Alfa's F1 previous. Again, sort of. As while it bagging the first two F1 world championships in 1950 and '51 comes up readily in a word association test, it's less well known that Alfa in fact was an F1 pace-setter much more recently too.

In my latest for Motorsport Week I look at Alfa and its about as unlikely driver Bruno Giacomelli having its part-season in the sun in late 1980.

You can have a read here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/16646

And somehow I neglected to let you know about my previous Motorsport Week article, which was about the grid girls debate, Bette Hill's sad passing, and how the role of women in F1 in Bette's day was very different to what came next.

That one is available to read here: https://www.motorsportweek.com/news/id/16538

Inside Line F1 Podcast - Alonso, Raikkonen & Kimoa

In the English language dictionary, the word 'kimoa' finds no meaning. While the origins of the word 'kimoa' may be Hawaiian, we believe that the real reason why Fernando Alonso chose the name 'Kimoa' was because of the social love for Kimi and his favourite expression 'BWOAH'.

In this week's episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we also discuss Kimi Raikkonen's social media entry and the chances that this led to Lewis Hamilton's exit! In the American drivers vs. Haas F1 Team debate, there's no prizes for guessing whose side we are on. And since we're talking of prizes, we'll definitely write to the World Rally Championship to claim ours. Tune in!

Subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast on iTunes and audioBoom for your weekly dose of Formula 1 humour. 

(Season 2018, Episode 1)

The Perfect Pit Stop, by Select Car Leasing

Without a doubt, the pit stop crew are the unsung heroes of Formula 1. We all watch them in amazement of their speed and precision, but do you know what it takes to be a member of the crew?

Select Car Leasing has taken a look at the fastest ever pit stop, the role of each of the crew, how they practice for precision and what it takes to become a member of the team.

We can guarantee that you don't realise the work that goes behind those all-important seconds in the pit lane. You can take a look below:


The Perfect Pit Stop by SELECT CAR LEASING.

Inside Line F1 Podcast - Bernie Ecclestone - Ferrari's Breakaway Series

Ferrari's breakaway series is no longer news. In fact, apart from grabbing headlines for the last decade, there's never been further movement. But will the out-of-work Bernie Ecclestone take up Ferrari's breakaway series as a project to bring him back into force in the world of Motorsport? Ecclestone's love for Ferrari is public knowledge, but how serious could Ferrari be?

Frankly, if there's any series who can benefit from Ecclestone's administrative experience, it would be Formula E. But that's for another episode.

In this episode, we talk about Robert Kubica's possible comeback and if he would be the fastest pay driver ever. Did Lewis Hamilton take piano lessons from Adrian Sutil? Will Lewis Hamilton skip the F1 Live events planned in 2018, or will Liberty Media make it mandatory for drivers to attend? Finally, instead of the grid girls vs. grid boys debate, let's have grid pets.

Finally, Formula 1 recorded an increase in circuit attendance in 2017. This is when we registered a 22% increase in our listenership. Thank you for your support, listens and comments. Here's wishing you a Happy New Year. We'll see you in 2018! Tune in!

(Season 2017, Episode 38)

Subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast on iTunes and audioBoom for your weekly dose of Formula 1 humour. 

Inside Line F1 Podcast - What's The ONE Change Formula 1 Needs In 2018?

2017 was Liberty Media's first full season as the new owners of Formula 1. How well did they fare? Also, what is the ONE change you would like to see in the sport in 2018? Feel free to share your view(s) with us. Also, let's succumb to our fate that the 'halo' is here to stay, so let that not be your answer.

In this week's episode, we discuss various changes that the sport needs to make to secure its future. The changes we talk about go from circuits and cars to engines and tyres and everything in between. Luckily for us, 2018 will possibly see the best driving talent line up on the grid, will Formula 1 make the most of this and offer us a season-long spectacle? Tune in!

(Season 2017, Episode 38)

Daniel Ricciardo Becomes Mobil 1™ Engineer At The Abu Dhabi GP

Daniel Ricciardo recently swapped driver duties for an engineering masterclass, working hands-on with the ExxonMobil trackside team and learning about the critical role Mobil 1 race lubricants will play in this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Australian Red Bull Racing driver underwent a technology lesson from Mike Frost, ExxonMobil Motorsports Technical Advisor, in its trackside laboratory. This included testing a Mobil 1 sample, and learning the science behind the race lubricants and fuels directly attributed in the closest qualifying sessions this year to scoring one place higher on the grid.

Daniel Ricciardo, said: "It was eye opening to spend some time in the TrackLab and witness first-hand the level of detail that goes into sampling and testing the Mobil 1 race lubricants and Esso Synergy race fuels during a race weekend. The ExxonMobil team's expertise and dedication is making a measurable difference to our performance on track – they really are an extension of our team."

Looking ahead to that weekend's Abu Dhabi race, the Yas Marina circuit presents a unique set of challenges for the ExxonMobil trackside engineers. The track demands sharp acceleration between turns putting stress on the engine and gearbox. The dusty conditions in the desert also require specific monitoring of the fuel, lubricants and testing equipment to ensure zero contamination.

The fuel and lubricant formulations brought to Abu Dhabi are part of the ongoing Mobil 1 development program. David Tsurusaki, Technology Motorsports Manager commented: "On and off the track, we have a rigorous development program for our Mobil 1 race lubricants and Esso Synergy race fuels. Hand-in-hand with Red Bull Racing we've made some great steps this season and we’re confident we can carry this forward into 2018."

Merry Christmas from Talking about F1

Never let it be said that Talking about F1 does not enter into the spirit of Christmas. Which of course means nice presents from Santa.

In this spirit and to keep you all ticking over I have gathered some of my recent and not so recent F1 writing to keep you entertained. And like all Santa presents they are free:

Me. In a Santa hat. Amid some F1 decor. And a Pars flag.

My final thoughts on the 2017 year

Tribute to the 2017 World Champion Lewis Hamilton

My Top Ten Drivers of 2017

My take on every other 2017 F1 driver who didn't make my top ten

My partly-serious end of season awards

All of my race reports from the 2017 season can be found here

And here are my qualifying reports

And a few features too:

Cockpit protection - the infamous halo and fully-enclosed cockpits

Is McLaren making a mistake by ditching Honda?

Me complaining about blue flags

(An appropriate) one from the archives too: F1's previous of races in the Christmas/New Year week

There, more than enough to keep you out of mischief during any down time that may be coming your way. And of course may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and very Happy New Year.

Final thoughts on 2017: Plus ca change...

It's easy to forget now, but in 2017's early weeks F1 changed almost unthinkably. Bernie Ecclestone, who bestrode F1 for the best part of half a century, was moved on, or rather up (so far up that he couldn't see what was going on, as he liked to quip). The one man band was replaced by America's Liberty Media and its cast of thousands.

Changed, changed utterly - new F1 chairman
Chase Carey of Liberty cleared Bernie Ecclestone aside
Photo: Octane Photography

And even though plenty in the paddock had for years given genuine impression this wouldn't be the case post-Bernie, the sun still rose in the same place. F1, initially at least, continued with barely a ripple.

For a while furthermore it was glad confident morning - hosting deals for circuits would become reasonable; prestige races would return; there would be more money for everyone... Liberty appeared full of ideas particularly in areas that F1 had been left behind in such as promotion and the digital age. The possibilities seemed endless.

And Liberty heralded some specific immediate change. From Melbourne teams and drivers shared more from the pit and paddock on social media; F1 social media accounts were much more active generally; larger numbers on the cars - something wrestled with for years - came in for Spain and hardly caused a problem; the circuits generally had more going on at them for Grand Prix visits; more were invited into the paddock; more events to promote Grands Prix locally, such as London Live, were laid on; the eSports championship was a welcome extension; F1 even seemed to develop a sense of humour with for example the return of the Montreal raft race. All was not before time.