The 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix could have given Formula One a new world champion, but it didn’t. However, it confirmed a fact that didn’t need much confirming – that Max Verstappen is absolute world champion material. Irrespective of the outcome of the World Drivers’ Championship, 2016 will be remembered for the brilliance of Max Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton won his first-ever race in Ayrton Senna’s land, ensuring that Abu Dhabi hosts the title decider yet again. We guess that Bernie Ecclestone and the Sheikhs would be very pleased given the amount of money they pay as hosting fees!
On the Inside Line F1 Podcast this week, we laugh over Fernando Alonso’s sense of humour. He was a horrible cameraman, but hey, at least he gave us a good laugh! Alonso also said that F1 should pay fans to watch the sport. Though, ironically, thanks to all his engine woes, Alonso has been the sport’s highest paid viewer for the better part of the last two seasons!
The success of the wet race in Brazil makes us wonder whether Bernie’s sprinkler idea is all that bad after all! Pirelli’s extreme wet tyres are so bad, but then we guess that’s true of all their tyres. Felipe Massa had an emotional farewell in Brazil, and we are sure that Jenson Button was slightly jealous – though that’s the price you pay for not making up your mind! And a gutsy Sergio Perez dumped his new sponsor on Twitter for a joke that clearly wasn’t funny.
Finally, the big question: As we head to the title decider in Abu Dhabi, who is going to emerge as world champion?
Tune in!
Co-presented by Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah, the Inside Line F1 Podcast aims to add some much needed humour to the world of Formula 1. This podcast will be available on The Field frequently.
Mithila Mehta is an avid Formula 1 fan who also writes on travel and lifestyle on her blog: www.miss-wanderlust.com
Kunal Shah is a former racer and Force India F1 Team personnel. He pens his views on the sport and business of Formula 1 on www.kunalsf1blog.com