La Monumental, Red Flags, McLaren vs. Mercedes | 2026 Spanish GP at the MADRing in Madrid

[00:00:00] The Spanish Grand Prix is here. It wasn't Catalonia. Normally, that's been the Spanish Grand Prix for the longest time. But Formula 1 has decided to do things differently. We have a new circuit. It's our first new circuit since Las Vegas. It's another new street circuit. It's another circuit with over 20 corners. Madrid is on the Formula 1 calendar. And on the Inside Line F1 Podcast, our mission today is to dissect the track, what to expect over the weekend, and the biggest stories that have been told.

[00:00:30] circulating around the paddock since we last went racing in Monza. Welcome along, folks. My name is Somal Arora. Kunal Shah joins me. We both commentate on the Hindi Formula 1 broadcast for Fancode, among many of our other motorsport projects as well. But heading into this weekend, Kunal, there is a genuine buzz because this MADRing circuit is genuinely mad. It's ludicrous how many fast corners just keep coming at you.

[00:00:54] It is ludicrous. And congratulations to Liberty Media, the mayor of Madrid, to the fans in Spain to actually get a new racing venue in Europe. Because Liberty Media otherwise, or FOM as we know them, Formula 1 management, has been focused on taking the sport to outside of Europe, whether it's the Asian races or the races in America and the likes.

[00:01:16] But for once, they actually realized that the traditional stronghold in Europe, that fan base can do with a second race. And the mayor of Madrid is very nicely pointing out each time that this is actually one of the largest European cities to actually have its own race within city or city limits.

[00:01:35] And Somal, my favorite fact of Madrid is not that it's a semi, you know, street race and a semi permanent build structure. You know how we've seen several of these other circuits like Australia and Canada, where there are parts which is a street race and there are parts which is custom built. And my favorite fact is that there are zero manhole covers. That's how they have planned the Madrid circuit.

[00:01:59] Because you remember, yeah, every time we've gone to a new circuit, and you remember Las Vegas, there was either a manhole cover coming out, or I remember, was it Baku? Or maybe it was Las Vegas itself that when the car was lifted in a tow truck and driving through, it was there wasn't enough space to let the tow truck through. So lots of learnings from other circuits that have come, most specifically that there are zero manhole covers. But does that mean that there will be zero red flags? I don't think so.

[00:02:25] I don't think so. Because when Formula 3 went testing here a couple of weeks ago, we had a total of 19 stoppages, Kunal, in a couple of days. 19. Now, take it with a pinch of salt, because obviously they were the first cars ever to run on that tarmac. So there's barely any grip. The circuit is super green. The rubber gets laid down. Drivers are learning the track. It's not a video game. You don't get a flashback option. And every crash ends up being more costly.

[00:02:51] However, it is a sign, because the walls are super close here. I mean, I'm looking at the track layout and seeing corners like turn number six, this violent entry into the chicane. And we're like, man, this is so tight. If anyone tries to go make an overtake here, they are definitely crashing out. And same with turn one and two. Have you seen how narrow it is? It's a very narrow circuit. And I actually beg to differ with you on one thing.

[00:03:16] Yes, Formula 3 had 19 red flags over two days of driving. But remember, this is Formula 1. The drivers are far more experienced, far better trained, and they know what it takes to keep the cars out of the barriers. Most of them do. I was just going to say, apart from maybe one of them out there. Or maybe now too. Maybe now too, yeah. If you know, you know. And we will get to that topic as well. But yes.

[00:03:43] So my sense here, Samuel, is that we're going to get a clean race weekend. Yes, they will do everything in the practice sessions and they'll probably find the barriers. But when it comes to qualifying, when it comes to the race, they will clean up their act. Some of or most of the 22 drivers that are going to be racing in Formula 1, which actually makes me ask the question, will F3 and F2 sessions be delayed and if their delays will cause further delays in the Formula 1 schedule?

[00:04:10] That's another thing to look out for, which we will get at. But you mentioned some of the corners and it's a beautiful, fast flowing circuit. And I actually sat to write down what does each sector look like? So sector 1 is just plain, very fast. It's just fast and flowing. Very fast. Sector 2 is several medium and low speed corners. This is where the bank turned to a la monumental, that we call it. And we'll talk about that corner. Monumental. Monumental. Okay.

[00:04:39] I don't know if that's Spanish or if that's Italian, but anyway. We'll mix it up. Why not? And then sector 3 is a lot of 90 degrees corners, which actually reminded me of Baku the first time I saw it. Baku or Sochi? Sochi is where I actually, I remembered when, you know, that, that, what's the fair lands or whatever that's called? The circuit actually wraps itself around some of the Real Madrid playing facilities as well, isn't it? Yes! What is a Real Madrid, Kunal? What is a Real Madrid?

[00:05:07] It's just a football team. God, you could not be more wrong than that. It is the football team. But a very interesting point. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, both the local Madrid clubs, are circuit partners. They are helping out with a lot of stuff. In fact, as Kunal mentioned, some of the land is also there nearby. Real Madrid legends are going to be there as a part of it. And isn't there a friendly match one of these days before the race or something? Oh, is there?

[00:05:33] I saw Edem Militao and Rodrigo with Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, I think yesterday in some promotional event. But yeah, that could be part of the plan. In fact, if you just zoom out of the venue, you'll see two very important things. Firstly, the convention center of Madrid, where a lot of major events happen, which for this race has been integrated into the paddock. And on top of that, the Real Madrid training complex, which is literally next door.

[00:05:58] So when the Real Madrid players have been training these last few days, they've actually heard the Formula 3 cars go about. I remember it was such a beautiful clip on social media. The players were playing and suddenly you're hearing all the F3 engines. Wait, my friends, till you hear F1 engines. They're not too loud than F1, F3, but why not? Classic F1 demonstrations, just like Fernando Lodz has been doing at the circuit Barcelona-Catalunya. If that happens, separate story altogether. But no, the beautiful fact about this canal, you mentioned talking about the different sectors.

[00:06:27] I want to split the circuit up, which has actually happened. There's a road that runs right down the middle, the Grand Highway, that splits the track into two. And as a fan, you cannot go from one side to the other. You just can't. You can't. And since you mentioned Real Madrid, I quickly, you know, just ran a Google search. I still use Google, not ChatGPD. But Real Madrid has actually joined forces as the official local sponsor and partner, event partner of the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid.

[00:06:56] And very interestingly, Real Madrid will host dedicated hospitality suites along the circuit, featuring appearances from club legends and current stars. So this is Formula One and football royalty coming together at Madrid. And I would love to see, you know, what that happens in terms of content, in terms of impressions, in terms of conversations. And my football knowledge is probably I'm the minority of the pack when it comes to that.

[00:07:25] But either way, I love that football is using F1 for conversations and promotions, much as F1 is using or has been using football from over the years. Yeah. And the people in Madrid love their motorsport. I remember Red Bull also got a Dakar rally champion to do a showcase at the Atletico Madrid Stadium, the Wanda Metropolitano, just a few months ago. It's a motorsport loving place, Madrid. So great that we have this circuit. Great that we also have a very weird paddock.

[00:07:54] A very weird paddock canal. Part of the teams have their hospitality and engineering rooms out in the open. And then some teams have it inside the convention center. Which is air conditioned. Yeah. Yeah. It's a very interesting thing. And the Formula 2 and Formula 3 paddocks, I have never seen anything like this before. They legitimately are having their own garages in a convention center. So it's not even like they have a roof. The roof is a few hundred meters, a few, few meters above their head. But it's ridiculous.

[00:08:24] It's actually just like a showcase. Like a product has been set up in a convention hall. And I love that they could fit in so many cars, garages, motorhomes. Apart from, I think, the bottom three teams that don't have the air conditioned, you know. No, I think even Mercedes don't. So I think it's split up by the areas of the track. So the midfield teams most likely get the air conditioned hall. Because obviously the teams who have done better in the championship are further up in the pit lane. And the teams who have done worse are further far away. So that's how it's split up. Yeah.

[00:08:53] So there's so many unique things. There's this placement of all these, you know, motorhomes and the likes. The second unique thing, which we said we speak about is La Monumental, as you call it. And how that's going to challenge drivers, fans. I believe it's even going to challenge TV direction. It's going to have the highest vertical loads of the season for two reasons. For one, which we all know it's banking. But the second, which we will all find out, is its length. It's more than half a kilometer long.

[00:09:22] So you're going to be cornering over a banked corner for more than half a kilometer. The lap time is almost six seconds. That's the estimated simulated lap time. So you will be going through La Monumental for six seconds. It's inspired by all the historic bull rings in Madrid. Another sport Madrid is famous for. So you're going to see not just the four bulls, the racing bulls and red bulls. But, you know, 18 other cars go at it in La Monumental.

[00:09:50] And another thing which, you know, reminds me, we spoke of how the circuit reminds us of Miami, Jeddah, Baku, even Sochi. But that La Monumental space reminds me of Mexico. You know, that infield baseball section where there are just this concentrated fan. A year in Madrid, the first year, they are limiting their spectator capacity to only 110,000 fans. It can go up to 140,000.

[00:10:16] But 50% of those fans, Somil, are going to be seated on either sides of La Monumental. So they really are making a hero out of that turn. Like they rightfully should turn 12, remember? Yeah. And the good part about having a corner that big is you can also have lots of hospitality suites around. And it gives you a near 360 degree view. So you can pack more seats. This is something that Miami has also exploited a lot, by the way. I think I don't recollect what corner that was because they're all so drab and similar looking.

[00:10:45] But it's the one where you come down the back straight and take a left and then you have the stadium section around. It's a good idea, right? Yeah. You can pack a lot of people on the outside and the inside as well. Hockenheim Ring also did it. Remember when they changed it? They called it a stadium section where you come in and there's this right-hander. The stadium never had something inside it though. It was always on the outside. But yeah, you're right. You can pack people around. Yeah. So that's a new thing. And since... So what? So what's going to actually...

[00:11:14] Who's going to actually be quick? And everyone's saying it could be McLaren. That's quick because there is going to be a premium on low speed corner performance. We know how they went in Budapest and in Sunfoot as well. There's also this ability to deliver traction and riding curbs that will matter. So remember, Max Verstappen is going to complain if something's broken in the rear. He'll continue to say that despite being in the top three or the top five of all the sessions that he can be.

[00:11:40] But I think this is a race where Lando Norris will probably lead from the front. And there's a reason why I'm not saying Oscar Piastri. Because new circuit, new tarmac, it's going to start with a lot of low grip. Two drivers in the top teams who struggle with low grip are Oscar Piastri. Sorry, Oscar. And George Russell. So will they continue to struggle? That's one area. Yeah. Also, F3 is running. F2 is running. There will be a lot of track evolution. Okay.

[00:12:08] Which also means that teams being able to anticipate the rate of evolution. And a team that's, I wouldn't say traditionally struggled. But when it comes to such adaptations, I've always seen Ferrari has been slower. So suddenly it's Q1, Q2. They'll be quick. Q3, they have to make the step up on the soft tire because, you know, grip is ramping up and they're nowhere. Okay. So could it be that the traditional challenges that low grip, high evolving surfaces bring to drivers and teams still remain as is?

[00:12:36] And on top of that, Ferrari's a duo upgrade has not quite worked out very well. It did not seem to be super effective in Monza. Maybe it was, but we never got the real opportunity to find out. Because Leclerc crashed out himself. Lewis got put in a compromised position. And the yo-yo racing makes it tough to tell the true pace of a car. So Madring will be more revealing on that front too. Where are Ferrari really in this grand scheme of things? And how much can Max Verstappen do?

[00:13:03] Because this is yet another Jeddah style circuit where I'm almost going to call it like a cyberpunk circuit in a way. This is the new generation, right? What does that mean? Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Like cyberpunk is a game of the future. Super high rise buildings. Everything's futuristic. Everything's grand. There's neon lights and stuff. And this is the kind of vibe that it gives out. Because another circuit canal, 20 plus corners. Another place where they've got a track in the middle of the city. Barriers are very close.

[00:13:33] High banking is something that they've opted for. It's almost like a template now that Formula One are now searching for with these new city-like circuits. And this is what it is. And Verstappen traditionally has been pretty good at this. Yeah. And another place which, another performance differentiator. So teams have done lots of simulations. This is where any correlation issues between simulator and track evolutions and track data will get amplified. Because there is no reference data. And there will be a separation between the boys and the men.

[00:14:03] Not in terms of how fast they are able to drive through some of these challenging corners and blind crests. But more so about how fast they learn the circuit. Remember, at the end of the day, there are drivers who just need a couple of laps and they learn a circuit. There are drivers who need more sessions. So by the time that experience converges, we could very well be in the business end of qualifying and the race. So watch out for drivers who learn quick. Watch out for teams that have better tools and efficiency in learning things.

[00:14:31] Because there will be a premium in how fast you learn the track. And hence are able to set up your car for this particular track. And also, as you know, Somal, teams already know from their simulations that, okay, energy recovery is, say, like Budapest. But energy, you know, cornering is, say, like maybe Jeddah or Baku. So they already will have baseline setups that they will deploy. But FP1 is going to be so crucial.

[00:14:57] And not putting it in the barriers in FP1 and FP2 is going to be such. That's another premium, right? You want to make sure you leave some margin for error. Because, you know, the typical ways of, you know, gaining lap time, putting it close to the walls and riding the curbs and attacking all the bumps and so on will exist. But how do you make sure you use your Friday for all the data gathering and let the engineers do their magic overnight? Yeah, that's going to be so critical. And for that, you need a driver who can keep the car on the road, as you mentioned. Very important.

[00:15:27] Track time here is going to be super critical. And I'm also looking at the layout and thinking, well, there's not too many major straights here. There are these acceleration zones where having good deployment is definitely going to be helpful. But if you've got significant or rather a solid package where you're naturally producing so much downforce that you can take some off on the straight and still not lose too much, that'll be helpful. McLaren's shorter wheelbase, definitely helpful.

[00:15:51] You also need a car that's very, very gentle on the tyres because there are so many corners and La Monumentale will definitely test your front left. On top of that, these Sector 3 corners are pretty, pretty nasty on the rear tyres. These are like pretty much second gear corners. We've got to accelerate out of them. And the rear tyres end up spinning a lot and going through a lot of pressure there. Maybe this is tailor-made from McLaren, Kunal. Who knows? Maybe this just is. Yeah.

[00:16:14] And so just so we know, very little things are known, but what we do know is Pirelli is bringing the C2, C3, C4. So the middle range of their tyres. Same as Spa and same as Catalonia. Only Somal can remember these things. Okay. But yes. The reason why this is crucial to mention is, you know, Pirelli has done lots of data. They said they've been doing data collection and research for three years. So they've been preparing for this circuit.

[00:16:40] And one of the things that they've inspected is the macro and micro roughness of the surface. And each time they collect data, they're trying to optimize and refine their simulations. And then the team has, all the teams have been given access to the simulated data. That's the pre-event preparations that they do. Ultimately, it's all going to boil down to what Somal said, which is your rear tyres in those traction zones, especially on a single lap in qualifying. It's going to be like how Barcelona has been.

[00:17:07] You can attack turn, you know, sectors one and two, but you run out tyres in sector three. So how do you sort of find that fine balance in making sure tyres are there? Because it's a hot circuit. It is a, you know, with low grip, there is a higher chance that we will see graining. But ultimately, I believe overheating could be the main performance limitation. And overtaking is going to be hard. So watch out for, you know, qualifying position being premium.

[00:17:32] And to me, it seems a bit of an unfair advantage, which will lead to nothing, Somal. Mind you, that Ferrari have done 200 kilometers of driving at the Madring in, was it in June or July? I think it was, yeah. Yeah, when they had a filming session at the Madring with Leclerc and with Hamilton in the latest car on Pirelli demonstration tyres. So they've picked up a lot of data, but can they really turn this around?

[00:18:00] Because the one team that's been under most pressure after Monza has been Ferrari. Leclerc in the wall. How does he bounce back? Of course, he had vision issues and the likes. I'm glad he's doing fine. But what we saw on track, like we discussed in the Monza review, is probably revealing of what's happening behind the scenes. And for the first time, didn't we see Lewis Hamilton attack? Yeah. Frederick was sewered directly, saying this is something needs to come from the top. It needs to come from Fred. But I don't think of it as an attack.

[00:18:29] I think Lewis is just spitting facts. It's true. Racing rules and code of conduct between drivers are always decided at the top. I don't think Lewis meant any harm or any evil to Fred. No, yeah, yeah. It's just what it is. And let's be honest, if we are seeing this disintegrate on track and we are seeing this turning into a situation where Ferrari are actively losing points, it does come from the top and it's something that they have to take accountability for. There are rumors, Kunal.

[00:18:56] Fred Basur is being investigated. Is investigated the right word? Let's say his role is under conversation and consideration again by the Ferrari upper management. Could well be. And I mean, you said the Duo 2 engine hasn't delivered upgrades. That's what everyone's takeaway from Monza is. But I'm going to throw a caveat to that. And this is where Ferrari's management should be a little more displeased with Leclerc. Because not he crashed, which is fine. Drivers can make errors and they crashed.

[00:19:24] But he also compromised Hamilton's race by doing what he did at turns one and two. So Ferrari probably don't know where they actually lie in the pecking order. Or maybe they do know and we don't know. Given that Lewis didn't pit under the virtual safety car in Monza. Because they were not sure if they would have the overtaking delta on Pierre Gasly and Arvid Lindblad. Yeah. Okay. So Ferrari's a duo will be questioned. And I can understand why Basur is being questioned. And it's not just down to the racing rules.

[00:19:53] It's down to just how yet another rules era has started with a lot of hope and hype, but not delivered. And when you come to think of it, Mercedes' lap times is coming on the straights. Ferrari's built a car that's quick through the corners. Ferrari, I would say, lost the political battle of the start. Where they made that small turbo and everyone else had large turbos. So again, that was a loss, so to say.

[00:20:17] And several other political situations where I believe Ferrari losing F1 politics is unheard of. Given all the history that we've been aware of. So not only are they losing on track to their rivals, but they're also losing the political battle. And then drivers fighting out and making statements against Basur. Or just don't help, does it? No, it does not. I'm also very intrigued by the nature of Ferrari's updates and how they've been coming.

[00:20:45] Toto Wolff has pointed out that he himself is surprised as to how Ferrari has that much budget available to consistently bring out upgrades on this car. And I'm also of the same opinion. We've seen a lot from Ferrari. But has that lot genuinely been effective? Probably not. It's a decision that they've made, Kunar, isn't it? Mercedes, for instance, are holding back on a lot of small upgrades to bring in one cohesive, well-designed, well-integrated package. Which we still don't know, by the way, will work out or not.

[00:21:14] Just putting that asterisk up there. But this approach of Ferrari, constant small updates, was working till a point. But now every upgrade is not adding any marginal value. So you can also take a step back and ask whether this approach of budget planning and upgrades was also right or not. Yeah, I mean, again, it's all down to being fit. There's more to it. There's more to it as well because the whole package should work together too. But it's just an approach. I'll add something to what you said, which is Ferrari have been the perennial chasers.

[00:21:41] Will McLaren, with their, you know, the circuit characteristics aiding them, layout aiding them, go back to being the chasers as well? Okay, and then suddenly Ferrari is back to being third, as we know. So lots of situations and the rumor in the paddock, of course, you know, I wouldn't say paddock, but on the social media paddock is that he could, well, Frederic Vasseur could be replaced by Christian Horner. Well, well, is...

[00:22:06] Can we imagine, can we visualize what could Christian Horner's life as a Ferrari team principal would be? I can't, I can't. Because... Can we imagine Horner and Hamilton sitting together and saying, let's go beat Max Verstappen? Yeah, that firstly is dramatic. And secondly, how does an Englishman learn Italian in a matter of a couple of months is going to be a huge question. It's not easy. And it's Ferrari. You're walking into Ferrari. They're not walking into your team anymore. No, no.

[00:22:35] And Horner has always said he wants more than a job at a Formula One team, even if the title says team principal and CEO. But Ferrari is not going to give him shares and shareholding and stockholding. Definitely not. So, it's all down to where things will end up. But yeah, I think holding on to Vasseur and helping him in his role is more crucial than suddenly just another snap of change at the helm.

[00:23:01] But a snap of change that I would love to have, if we are done talking about all the sporting matters for Mad Drink, is what Max Verstappen said. I would love a V8 engine. And which is fine. Okay, drivers would love it. But what I was amazed by is that the FIA social media handles made a quote out of it and then shared it on social media. Is the FIA desperately hinting at something else? It all comes from the top again.

[00:23:29] And the person at the top has told that he loves V8 engines. I love it. I love it. Maybe, maybe, maybe just. Mohammed bin Salahim is one of our own Kunal. Maybe just. Because another thing Max Verstappen gave away, apart from give us the right engines, which I think is great, is he said he spoke to Mercedes in 2025. And he spoke to McLaren in 2026. And all were serious conversations from his side.

[00:23:53] I think lots of pressure that's being put on the sport for the right engines, for Red Bull, for the right package. Max Verstappen knowing how to use the media to get things right, if that's the way to put it. Yeah, I'd say right. I'd say right. I trust Verstappen's judgment on what's good for the sport, because I think we all grew up the same way. You're saying if Max Verstappen stands for FIA presidency, you'll vote for him? Yeah, I will. I genuinely will. I genuinely will.

[00:24:22] Because I finally have an FIA president that cares about all forms of motorsport, not just the one at the very top. So, yeah, I love that. Yeah, and he'll be a no-nonsense talking diplomat and politician, which is a welcome change from the world of diplomacy. But Max Verstappen also said that these cars are easy to drive. Look at Lawson in Red Bull and look at Yuki Tsunoda in Racing Bulls. Which then begs me to ask the question, Arvid Lindblad, what a debut season he's been having.

[00:24:52] Has it been easier for him? Or has it been easier for him? Because these cars are easier to drive and extract performance from? Yes, without a doubt. But you can only play the cards that you've been dealt with. So, fair play to Arvid. Although... What I then mean is... And fair play to Arvid. Yes, absolutely. Done well. Hopefully, he's got a longer duration in front of him. I've heard some people question whether this is already his peak or is there more to come? I'm guessing... I've heard that too. I've heard that too.

[00:25:21] And I think it's a rubbish question to ask. I know maybe there were suggestions within the garage from, again, Rumor Mill. He's not progressing and there's only so much you can do with this technique and all and whatever. But if he's scoring points, what's the problem? Yeah, and I'll put it this way. It's a rubbish question, but it's a great trend to track over time. That is your driver continuing to peak when others around them are peaking or not?

[00:25:48] At this moment, you could argue that maybe the others in the midfield are a step back, which is always the case. Somebody's ahead. Somebody's behind. But when you have the uber-competitive midfield as we had from last year, that's when a driver making that step also helps. But yeah, these are all Rumor Mills. Other drivers wanting his seat and the likes. But I'd say it's a great way to... It's a great perspective that, yes, Lindblad's had a great debut season. Racing Bulls is an easier car to extract performance from.

[00:26:14] But in general, these cars are easier to drive than some of their predecessors. So that's also... The timing of Arvid's debut should be spoken of. But, you know, this is where... And this will never happen. This is where I really want Formula 1 teams to take us through all of it. Just bring us a level deeper. It's never going to happen. Let's be very honest, guys. But we are such nerds. We really want to know what the pattern is. What the progression is like. What's the feedback like? What's Arvid saying? What's he coming back to? What is the team saying to him?

[00:26:43] What are the objectives they've set? Because for drivers, the objectives are broadly finish well and get in the points. But there's more to it as well. Can you come back and get feedback on this front wing and what it's exactly doing? Or does it add performance that way? Or is the balance of the car better or worse from the last few races? That diagnosis is so important because it helps decide the direction of the car in the future. And we've seen championships being decided by that. So I'd love to be a flyer on the wall. I'd love to be a flyer on the wall. But unlikely to happen. Although lots of points scored by Arvid. It's been good to see.

[00:27:13] That midfield battle. He scored points in eight of the nine last race weekends. Which I think is fabulous. I think it was six in a row as well at a point. Yes, I believe so. And he's also had a really long stint of Q3s and the like. So it's been incredible how he's settled in. Because at this moment, it seems like the biggest competition to Max Verstappen might not be Arvid Lindblad.

[00:27:41] But Robin Raikkonen, who's now been signed by the Red Bull Racing Junior Driver Program. Lots of relationships coming into play here. Of course, he's a son of Kimi Raikkonen, a Ferrari world champion. Former Red Bull athlete. Former Red Bull athlete. Yes. Also, Laura McKeys and Kimi going back to their old Ferrari days as well. And this is hopefully, although it may be too premature to say this. But Gwen Legrue's first signing of a junior driver. Which is very surprising.

[00:28:09] Because since I've worked with some of the junior drivers from India in karting. Teams have actually paused signing go-karters to their program. Especially unless they're really reaching a junior and a senior level just before they get into F4. But here, of course, the Raikkonen name comes in. As we know, Formula 1 or motorsport is a family sport. But also a family business. Yeah. Tie him down. Why not? Tie him down. See where it goes. Let's not put too much pressure on Robin. Like we did on Mick.

[00:28:39] I think we, generally, as motorsport fans, also had a big hand in the journey that Mick Schumacher has had. For better or for worse. I think we hyped him up way too much. We never looked at him objectively. We always had that lens in our eyes. That, oh, he's Michael's son and he's got that something special. He's just his own man. And honestly, a very good racing driver. But we're never able to take that lens off, right? So, for Robin, I just hope we've learned from our past. And we give him a fair treatment as a fair racing driver. We should.

[00:29:05] Which, on that note, can we do predictions before we end this episode? We should. What's the one story you think that's going to come out? Red flags. A lot of red flags. Red flags. Oh, way too many red flags. And probably... In qualifying or in the race? Or only free practices? Qualifying too. I think some people are going to take genuine risks. I feel this is not going to be the easiest place to pass anyone. So, I think genuine risks will be taken. Although, qualifying is going to be incredible.

[00:29:35] But just honestly, turn the commentary off. And also because we don't commentate on qualifying for fan courts. That's why you have another reason not to. But turn it off and just watch the cars and listen to them. I think that will be genuinely exciting. For the race, I'm going Lando Norris for the win. And a pole for Lando as well. What about you, Kunal? So, you're putting all your eggs in the red and the papaya basket. Yes. I'm going for... I think the drivers are going to love the circuit. They're going to talk about that.

[00:30:01] And the teams will love talking up the venue as well. So, look out for that. There will always be niggles. There always are. Yeah. So, you know, just look at the larger picture. So, I think just the fact that a new circuit is delivered and everything is safe and fast is the main point. And I would go for pole position with Andrea Kimi Antonelli. I think he's going to slam it with that momentum from Monza. And I believe it's also going to be an Antonelli win.

[00:30:29] Yes, everyone's throwing upgrades and Mercedes is not bringing upgrades and holding back. But there's a reason why they're holding back. Which is that they anyway still have a fantastic racing car. And that could be interesting. Last story before we go. Big pressure on George Russell Kunal. Your teammate has just beaten you from 19th place. You're losing your grip in the championship. Everything is stopping making sense. What now? What now for George Russell? I think he just has to enjoy it.

[00:30:56] Because when you think of him as before the summer break, there were more variations in his performance. After the summer break, yes, it's only been two races that we've had. But he's still been there. He's not been found lacking for answers. He's just got to enjoy it. Go with it. See that he's as close to Antonelli if he can't be ahead of him. And then just enjoy Antonelli taking it. Because this just seems Antonelli written all over when you think of the 2026 Formula One season. And sometimes you just sit back and enjoy.

[00:31:26] I say you're a part of history just on the wrong side of it. Let's see. This weekend will tell us a lot more. But for now, we have to depart on the Inside Line F1 podcast. Thank you for watching and listening to us. Subscribe on YouTube and Instagram. And we will be back, firstly, for the Hindi Formula One broadcast this weekend on FanCode. And then for the live review as well. Catch you, folks. Bye-bye.