F1 Foolcast

The championships may have been decided before we arrived, but Abu Dhabi was an emotional roller-coaster all the same. The excitement of midfield teams battling for position. The sadness of so many drivers saying goodbye to their teams and even to F1. We even had the suspense of whether Valtteri Bottas could restore some pride. Ok, that last one was a never happening. At least Fernando Alonso treated us to more free donuts than appear a Krispy Kreme employee's diet.

There were a lot of things we expected as we returned to Interlagos for the penultimate race of the 2018 season - would the most significant technical component of the weekend be your bathroom scales? Would Dana White sue Liberty Media for stealing UFC’s brand? Would Sergey Sirotkin actually look like a genuine driver? Actually, precisely nobody expected these things, but hey, it’s F1. #DealWithIt Join Rian McDonnell and F1 novice Joe Molloy as they stumble and joke their way through each round of the Formula 1 World Championship.

The Foolcast may seem like just a joke, but we like to think that we have a serious side too. And it’s thanks to that serious side that just 2 months into this podcast, we can bring you our first exclusive story. We’re blowing the lid on the biggest conspiracy since the moon landings. Folks, #Hornergate is no joke. Christian Horner is a dangerous man. I can hear your protests- why would he sabotage his own driver, that would make no sense, you say. That’s just what he’d want you to think. Ever seen Christian Horner and Vlad ‘The Lad’ Putin in the same room? I thought not. This man is diabolical, and we’re going to fight until his tyre-slashing, engine-sabotaging, foot-tapping days are over. Also, Lewis Hamilton is a 5-time world champion, that happened too.

There are a few certainties in life. Death. Taxes. Ferrari being incapable doing strategy. These are the reliable things which we base our lives around, the things that ground us and assure us that the world, as we know it, will continue to turn. That was the world we knew. What a sweet and innocent time it was.

The Japanese Grand Prix, held at the remodeled Suzuka Circuit since 1987 (thanks to google for that fact) has produced some spectacular racing over the years. With a highly technical first sector, corners like 130R and Spoon (no, I’ve no idea where they come up with these names either), and a high chance of rain, it’s never a simple job to predict quite what a race weekend will bring. Though the race itself was quiet enough up front, there was plenty of action to discuss, including the old reliables of Kevin Magnussen trying to kill half the grid and Ferrari’s strategy team bottling it. Not to mentions some slightly unsettling input from our special guests…

 When you think of all the great F1 tracks a few come up on everyone’s lists; Monaco, Spa, Monza, Suzuka. They all have one thing in common, they are not Sochi. The bland track that slivers through the 2014 Olympic park is not well regarded by racing fans, but at least it managed to throw up some drama this year…

Nothing quite shows off the raw beauty of F1 cars as well as the spotlights that fight back the night around the streets of Singapore. A stunning lap from Lewis Hamilton on Saturday put him on pole, but just 1 spot behind, Max Verstappen was determined to make up for a disappointing race last year. The stage was set for an epic race. Shame we never got it.

The red flags are out in force, which can only mean we're back with some of F1's most passionate fans just a short distance North of Milan. Though it's one of the most iconic circuits on the calendar, Monza has gained a reputation in recent years as a bit of an anticlimax. Apparently, Kimi Räikkönen didn't get the memo...

The driver market is on fire, Force India doesn’t exist (or does it), and Nico Hulkenberg plays bowling in La Source. Plenty to discuss on the first episode of the F1 foolcast! Join Rian McDonnell and F1 novice Joe Molloy as they stumble and joke their way through each round of the Formula 1 World Championship. Check out the Show Notes here- https://f1foolcast.com/backendepisodes/2018/8/28/belgian-gp-2018-stroll-son.