Formula 1's Game Of Thrones

THE INSIDE LINE F1 PODCAST IS HOSTED BY MITHILA MEHTA AND KUNAL SHAH. THIS FORMULA ONE PODCAST OFFERS A UNIQUE HUMOUROUS VIEW ON THE SPORT. 

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND ON GOOGLE+

Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement has just kicked off Formula 1‘s silly season to fill THE throne that will be left vacant by our reigning World Champion in 2017. Why the hell did Rosberg quit? We’d have loved to see him defend his title against Lewis Hamilton. But is this exactly why he quit? (Rosberg Won, But Was Hamilton Fair?)

We consider his move ‘ballsy’, given that quitting at the top is not everyone’s cup of tea. But has he made sport suddenly look like a sales target? We discuss this in our special episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, also our third of the week! (Thank you Nico for making us work this hard!)

SUBSCRIBE NOW: ITUNES, AUDIO BOOM (ANDROID & OTHER PHONES) AND TUNEIN RADIO

Who will Mercedes replace Nico Rosberg with? And will Rosberg’s retirement make them go slow on Hamilton’s impending sanction for his disobedience in Abu Dhabi? Talk of Rosberg stealing Hamilton’s thunder twice over in the last few days. (What Will Mercedes Do With Lewis Hamilton?)

Social media is abuzz with suggestions that Fernando Alonso should leave Mclaren for Mercedes and Formula 1 should re-live the epic Hamilton-Alonso story that ended abruptly in 2007. Apart from Alonso, we discuss a string of other names only to add to Mercedes’ confusion. Irrespective of everyone’s efforts, it’ll be Bernie Ecclestone’s efforts that will count the most to ensure that Mercedes hire a driver who can consistently challenge Hamilton in 2017.

Tune in!

(Season 2016, Episode 42)

The Inside Line F1 Podcast is a weekly show on Formula 1 that attempts to simplify the sport and business of Formula 1. This show also aims to add some much needed humour to the otherwise serious sport of Formula 1. The show is top-rated on iTunes and Audio Boom and is co-hosted by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah. The show is available on Kunal’s F1 Blog and other partner websites such as Motorsport, Firstpost, NDTVAuto, Sport360, Scroll, Talking About F1, Motor Octane and others.

Kunal Shah is an FIA-accredited Formula 1 journalist who has been reporting on Formula 1 for nearly two decades. He worked with the Force India Formula 1 Team for 6 seasons in Marketing, Sponsorship and Commercial roles. As a former single-seater racer, he was responsible for Force India's grassroots talent program, One from a Billion Hunt. Presently, he co-writes a regular Formula 1 column for Firstpost, speaks on Inside Line F1 Podcast & Pits to Podium and produces broadcast/OTT content for NENT Group (Viasport & Viaplay).

8 comments On Formula 1's Game Of Thrones

  • Nico Rosberg seems to have made a very, very wise decision. Why? because he will be free of competition, suggestive questions, relentless pressure, noise and danger. This conclusion, termination, close.. or whatever you want to call it, also means.. that he will be a formula 1 world champignon who has never been beaten while he was a world champignon.
    Even much more important is that Nico will have time to enjoy giving and receiving love to and from his family. Holding his daughter and singing to her softly, listening to her voice, experience her first attempts to walk, to talk and to discover the world will give him a greater happiness than racing could ever give him.

    • Absolutely, yes. Family > Formula 1 🙂 It is unfortunate that his retirement is thought of as running away from a HAM fight when in fact he’s returned after losing the fight for the last so many years.

      • Indeed and most wins are considered a ‘win’ JUST because someone else lost, suffered technical mishap or unluckily ran into the gravel (like Max’s win in Barcelona).
        Likewise most losers thought of as unlucky because someone else was lucky enough to win. And all of this is true and correct and justified, explainable and understandable.
        But that is not the point, is it. Nico’s smart move is admirable because he did not want to be HAM’s favorite loser anymore and to make sure that he will not be the ‘lifelong’ number 2 for the rest of his days. Instead of running away he kept coming back time and again to achieve a position of equality with his father. Family > Formula 1.

        • Absolutely. 😀 And btw, who do you think will partner HAM?

          • Ahum..Hmpf..well I have a b s o l u t e l y no idea, but it is inviting enough to dwell on it. From a Mercedes point of view I would say ‘a Mercedes bloke’ not necessary good enough to give HAM an opposition. This way it invites other drivers the ‘I can do better’ motivation to join Mercedes in 2018.
            From a Hamiltons’ point of view I would say ‘any bloke’ as long as he is inferior enough to be beaten but good enough to function as a hindrance to other drivers. This way it enlarges HAM’s chances to snatch back the title.
            Please explain to me what you mean by: “D And btw,” My knowledge of english comes to short in this case.
            Regards, jvjb

          • Interesting breakdown of logic, let’s see who gets the nod. At this moment and basis past performances, I am not sure that Bottas would be a good choice for Mercedes, especially if they want to keep Hamilton on his toes. As the internet has shown, Alonso is the fans’ favourite and my personal choice would be Hulkenberg or Sainz.
            ‘And btw’ means ‘And by the way’ 🙂

      • Recently I found an App in the Play store describing about the F1 Events, Track names, Driver profile,Team Standings.News Race Results etc were found in an app. I directly download it from the play store. Which gives me Up to date information about the race. So that I ever miss even a single race information. This app gives the full details about the race through our smartphone. I think this will be very useful to you also. So I Will share the link to you.
        https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bgimac.rapidotravel

Leave a reply:

Site Footer

Shares
Open chat
Let's Talk Formula 1
Hello,
Happy to share my passion for Formula 1 with you. If you have specific queries about the sport, feel free to ping me.

In the meanwhile, I welcome you to subscribe to the Inside Line F1 Podcast for insightful conversations around Formula 1. We release an episode every week.

Regards,
Kunal