Formula XX - Hot Wheels & Hot Flashes

Could the tectonic plates of Formula 1 be shifting beneath our feet? Fasten your seatbelts, racing fans, as we grapple with the news that's left jaws on the floor: Lewis Hamilton is donning the scarlet red of Ferrari, leaving behind the silver arrows of Mercedes. We delve into the whispers of discontent that might have pushed Hamilton towards the allure of Maranello and dissect the potential clash or cohesion with fellow speedster Charles Leclerc.
How will Hamilton adapt to the Scuderia's nuances? We unravel the enigma, balancing the weight of Hamilton's championship pedigree with the intricacies of Ferrari's design philosophy. Beyond the track, we consider how the champion's staunch advocacy for diversity dovetails with the Prancing Horse's storied legacy. The emotional gravitas of this move isn't lost on us as we reflect on its impact, not just on the man in the cockpit, but on the fans who've ridden every lap with him.
As the checkered flag waves on this episode, the speculation shifts to the future landscape of F1's starting grid. Who will claim the coveted Mercedes seat in a post-Hamilton world? We debate the merits of the contenders, from Albon's potential leap to the raw promise of rising stars. Weaving through the narrative of driver transfers, the implications for Sainz, Bottas, and the enigmatic driver market come under our inspection.

Strap in for a turbocharged tour of the F1 grid as we forecast who's set to dominate the Constructors' Championship and shake up the driver standings. We're placing our bets on Red Bull leading the charge, but with Ferrari revving up for a challenge and the Mercedes-McLaren rivalry firing up, the podium's anyone's game. And don't forget, the drama extends beyond the top contenders - with Aston Martin's Alonso and the enigmatic Visa Cash Grab team, the chase for glory is more electrifying than ever.
Join us as we make bold, cynical and sometimes absurd predictions about which teams and which drivers will stand proud 24 race weekends from now.

Today we're talking about the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix, which featured the worst opening corner imaginable for the hometown hero Checo Perez, another tire whispering masterclass from Lewis Hamilton, a stunning recovery drive from Lando Norris, and a whole lot of overheating breaks and engines.

Lack of data due to shortened practice on Friday? Mixed up grid due to heavy rain in quali? Warmer temperatures on race day and a mix of possible tire strategies...did any of this shake up the regular pecking order and give us a our first non RBR win of the season? Of course not.
But we did see some great drives, with another chapter of Alonso v. Hamilton at the front, and Alex Albon creating an epic DRS train on his 58 lap old hards on his way to points for Williams. All aboard! Choo-choo!
Join us as we talk all things 2023 Canadian GP on this week's pod.

This week we recap our trip to very plausible state of Oregon, for in the inaugural Portland E-Prix. The switch to a traditional racetrack led to over 400 overtakes and ultimately shook up the order at the top of the championship table. Did our first live Formula E race live up to expectations? Spoiler alert: Absolutely!