What if...? Formula 1: Recent Episodes
Ian Truong
Sometimes looking back on something we ask ourselves the infamous question, "What if?". On Monday, not every Monday but Mondays, we ponder 'What if" situations in Formula 1 and hypothesize what could have most accurately happened. Could there have been a change in dynasties? Possibly. Change in careers? Perhaps. But at the end of the day, it is all just speculation.
It happens, drivers crash, that's the nature of Formula 1. Most of the time they happen in races, but there are some instances where they happen in qualifying. A driver crashing in qualifying can be detrimental for their race result because you could miss out on many positions. This was the case for Max Verstappen in Jeddah. Come listen and find out if Max Verstappen never hit the last corner in Jeddah.
Inequality has been a part of this world since the beginning. That is why F1 made the #WeRaceAsOne movement in order to fight for equality, specifically against racism and for the LGBTQ+. However, being the money-hungry pigs they are, F1 has completely contradicted that movement by racing in countries that contradict that movement itself. Come listen and find out if F1 followed the #WeRaceAsOne movement.
Rookies are the punching bags in every sport. Every rookie comes in with expectations, some perform, some don't, that's how sports work. In Formula 1, most rookies aren't expected to win races and compete for podiums just yet. That wasn't the case for Lewis Hamilton, he was expected to grab a few podiums here and there. But if you never watched Formula 1 back in 2007, you would think he is a seasoned veteran. His title run would come to an end in China essentially due to a crucial mistake. Come and listen to find out if Lewis Hamilton never retired at China in 2007.
In recent modern Formula 1 history, we have become accustomed to junior or sister teams in Formula 1. The most popular example is AlphaTauri as they are the sister team of Red Bull, while some not-so-known examples are Williams being the indirect junior team of Mercedes and Haas & Alfa Romeo being the indirect junior teams of Ferrari. In the past, we've seen rookies get the call up the top teams in Formula 1 like Lewis Hamilton, however, in modern times it is not common to see that whatsoever. Come and listen to find out what would happen if there were no junior teams in Formula 1.
Reliability is always a problem in Formula 1. It can make or break your season to an extent. In this scenario for Kimi Raikkonen in 2003, this broke his season as this cost him the championship. Come listen to find out what would happen if Kimi didn't encounter engine problems.
Most rookies experience Formula 2 to develop until they are ready to race in Formula 1. Some drivers completely skip Formula 2 and develop in Formula 1, while others stay in Formula 2 for 2 or 3 years then are ready to jump at it in Formula 1. Some drivers are one and done, meaning they drive for 1 year then move on. That was the case for Yuki Tsunoda, however, some say that his move was premature. Come listen to find out what would happen if Yuki Tsunoda stayed in F2 longer.
It is completely natural for drivers wanting to leave teams for other opportunities, especially if it is an offer from a top-tier team in Formula 1. But it is not natural to see a driver from a top-tier team voluntarily move down. That was Daniel Ricciardo's case back in 2018. Come and listen to find out what would happen if Daniel stayed.
If you play or watch sports, you know injuries are detrimental to a players career. Some injuries are temporary which can sideline a player for a few weeks or months while some are permanent and can end their career. This can result in championship aspirations gone for that season or ever. In Michael Schumacher's case, it was temporary but that still left his aspirations for the 1999 championship gone essentially. So for this episode, we talk about what would happen if Schumacher never broke his leg. Listen and find out!
The grid over the years has gotten younger and younger as the sport has evolved. You may see drivers as young as teenagers enter the sport, like Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll for example. So I wonder, what if the Formula 1 grid consisted of drivers under 30. Come and listen to find out what I believe would happen.
The last non-championship race was in 1983. These types of races are races that are usually Formula 1 races that were supposed to be counted towards a championship, but issues occurred and are classified under non-championship races. That means that these races don't go towards a standings for both drivers and constructors. This happened in 1981 at the South African Grand Prix and was costly to the championship. Tune in and find out what happens!
The drivers championship started in 1950, but for some reason there wasn't a constructors championship until 1958, 8 years later since the first drivers championship. What would happened if there was a constructors chThat. is 8 years of champions left out of Formula 1 history books. So what if there was a constructors championship throughout the 50s. Come listen and find out!
Crashes are very common in Formula 1. It just has been a part of the sport since 1950. But it's never every day there is a crash in Formula 1 and a driver dies... well not in modern Formula 1. Back in the day it was very common, but the fact that a potential champion died prematurely is even worse. That potential champion is Wolfgang von Trips. Therefore, what if Wolfgang von Trips never crashed into Jim Clark? Could he have gone off to achieve greatness? What would have happened? Tune in and find out
Thinking about it, it has never snowed in Formula 1, like EVER... maybe if you include testing sessions then yea it has snowed but other than that NO! So, with that information, we'll be discussing what if it had snowed during a Formula 1 race.
Back in 2008 during the Singapore Grand Prix, Felipe Massa was ordered to pit in response to the Nelson Piquet crash. Unfortunately for Massa, this pitstop would lead to a disastrous event that would ruin his race and would eventually effect him in the championship. Therefore, we discuss what happens if Felipe Massa didn't encounter the infamous 2008 fuel hose incident.
There have been only 5 races in Formula 1 history that has implemented the half point rule. Half points can be detrimental when fighting for the championship since you want to maximize your results. Therefore it begs the question, what if full points were awarded instead of half points for suspended races? Well, we answer that question in this episode!
Most of us are familiar that Formula 1 started in 1950. But it wasn't the first season of Formula 1, in fact it was the 4th season. The first season of Formula 1 dates back to 1947, but there was no official driver to constructors standing. Therefore, those seasons of Formula 1 aren't too documented and too looked at until 1950. But what if Formula 1 officially started in 1947.
For only 12 seasons, you were rewarded 1 point for the fastest lap of the race. There have been many Formula 1 seasons that was decided by just a few points and the fastest lap point was not included in the points system in their respective era. Therefore, what if they would have kept that rule? History would have changed, but what would have changed? Find out in this episode of What if... Formula 1!
Lawerence Stroll bought the infamous pink team known as Force India due to their financial struggles and controversy. But what would have happened if Lawerence Stroll didn't buy the pink team? What would have happened? Who would have bought it? Did it change anything? Well, find out by tuning in!
Going into the last race in 2012 there was a lot on the line for everybody, whether for placements in the standings, credibility, career legacies and etcetera. On lap 54 at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Nico Hulkenberg was going for a move on the race leader Lewis Hamilton at the time and crashed, forcing Hamilton to retire while Nico Hulkenberg managed to get P5. He would miss out on a podium or even a race win at that time and in hindsight, this was one of Nico Hulkenberg's best performances to date, even though he missed out on that podium. But what if Nico Hulkenberg didn't crash into Lewis Hamilton at Brazil in 2012? Well, that is what this episode is all about!
The Halo has been regarded are the most controversial safety device in Formula 1 throughout the years. But due to a recent crash involving Romain Grosjean, sparked many fans and drivers to support the Halo, deeming it as the most necessary device in Formula 1. Arguably it is also the most revolutionary and best thing to happen in Formula 1 this decade. So what if the Halo was never invented.
It is no surprise that Lewis Hamilton is one of the best drivers in Formula and has had most of his success in Mercedes. But none of this would have happened if he didn't officially announce his departure from McLaren and joined Mercedes on September 28th, 2012. Looking back on this decision it was the best career move in history but at the time it seemed like suicide. So let us go back in time and speculate 'What if Lewis Hamilton stayed at McLaren'.