Qatar, one of the maddest weekends in F1 history for all the wrong reasons.

We had Pirelli discovering that the FIA's new Pyramid Kerb was harming the construction of the tyre, leading to a gamechanger as the track was reduced in width on the fast Turn 12/13 complex by almost three feet, leading to an insane rise in track limits violations, and a race that was a 3-stop mandated sprint with an 18-lap limit on tyre life, regardless as to if they were used or new. It led to another Max Verstappen win, his 14th of the season, but a close fight with McLaren became the story, despite track limit violations out the ass.

But the race went without a tyre issue, it was another problem that reared its ugly head - Extreme heat. The race was run at 33-degree heat with 77% humidity and it led to health issues everywhere. Stroll and Russell admitted to nearly passing out behind the wheel. Logan Sargeant had to retire due to a mix of dehydration and flu symptoms. Albon had acute heat exposure. Bottas called it torture. Dre speaks passionately about why this race should have been stopped and the insecurity the sport has over hero worship. 

We also clean up all the weekend news, like McLaren's best F1 weekend since 2021 with Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen's 3rd straight Championship, Mercedes teammate clash that put Hamilton out of the race on Lap 1, and some of the craftiness of their PR, and Andretti's bid being approved by the FIA. 

All that and even more in Motorsport101!

Episode #477: 2023 F1 Qatar Grand Prix Review

This is an audio track from a written article originally on Motorsport101 as Dre talks about Liberty Media's massive $4bn deal to buy Dorna Sports and the commercial rights holds for MotoGP. Just what does this all mean? Dre tries to make sense of it, in about 10 minutes!

Written Article: So Liberty Has Bought MotoGP... Now What?

Did you miss that fortnight when it wasn't Max Verstappen winning? Well, he was back with a vengence in Japan as Red Bull would go onto dominate the Japanese GP with a 1-2 finish in its new April timeslot.

But in optimistic news, if there was any doubt left, Ferrari are clearly the #2 team with Carlos Sainz keeping up his 100% podium streak alive, and Charles Leclerc with a masterful tyre saving drive to finish 4th, we break down their performances, as well as the reshuffle behind the scenes at McLaren and the struggles of Mercedes. 

We also breakdown the Lap 1 crash between Alex Albon and Daniel Ricciardo, and with Yuki Tsunoda in the points (The first for a Japanese rider at home since 2012), is the Honey Badger's seat in trouble? All that and more in another M101!

Episode #508: F1 2024 Japanese Grand Prix Review

The last time Max Verstappen raced in China, he had just five career wins as Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes 1-2 with Valtteri Bottas in close company. Five years later, Max has won 53 races since, the same as the rest of the field. Welcome back to Shanghai huh?

In this episde, Dre, RJ and Cam breakdown the latest Max Verstappen win, his brilliant pitcrew AVERAING a 2.0 across their four stops, and Lando Norris coming inbetween with a 1-stopper ran beautifully...

...Off the back of a messy pair of Safety Cars, and Lance Stroll caight hotdogging as he drove into the back of Daniel Ricciardo while still under yellow. It's getting really tiring talking in this way about a driver with nearly 150 starts to his name, but here we are...

We also talk about the difficult situation Zhou Guanyu is in. He got a lot of special treatment in his first ever home race, with Yao MIng saying he could be to F1 what he was to Basketball. Is that fair? And with Nico Hulkenberg now heading to Sauber for 2025, will this be Zhou's one and only home race?! 

And finally, F1's considering going to 12 places for points in the future. Is that the move to bandaid the Top 5 teams being so dominant? Let us know, with that and more on a new Motorsport101!

Episode #510: 2024 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix Review

In a very special episode of Motorsport101, and in troube to one of our favourite podcasts, "Well There's Your Problem", we did our own version of the show, "Well There's Your Caution", and on it, we talk about the Gosh Darn News of a huge Short Track wreck, the first shots in the IndyCar Push to Pass Scandal, and Kawasaki leaving World Superbikes. Then, for the main feature, we talk about the rise of Japanese Motorsport, and the construction of Fuji International Speedway. Enjoy!

Episode #511: Well There's Your Caution - Fuji Speedway (WTYP Tribute)

Just when you thought the MotoGP Season was simmering over nicely in 2024, Jerez was when the touch paper was lit. Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez go head-to-head for the first time since 2021!

On this week's episode, Dre, RJ and SUper Sub Ryan Erik King break down one of the most anticipated fights in recent MotoGP history. Jorge Martin tucks the front and cleared the way to have a clash for the ages, including wheels on shoulders and some stunning overtaking attempts. 

We also talk an absolutely chaotic Sprint Race as 15 riders hit the deck at a damp Jerez track as Dani Pedrosa gets back on a podium for KTM at the ripe old age of 38! 

We also talk Johann Zarco getting tossed from Race Direction after saying Freddie Spencer was unfit for his job. He may have had a point after Aleix Espargaro took him out with no penalty... Another day in MotoGP!

All that on another M101 Episode!

Episode #513: 2024 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix Review

After 110 starts and over five years of plugging away at it, Lando Norris finally takes his first Grand Prix win on the Streets of Miami after McLaren brought a beefy new upgrade to the race that replaced almost the entire aerodynamic body of the car, and a bit of a fortunate Safety Car between Magnussen and Sargeant and yeah... man cashed in a big one!

Sadly, it wasn't without controversy though, as US Presidential Candidate and former Preisdent Donald Trump was invited to the race on behalf of F1 and Lando and McLaren were probably a bit too accomodating for him. We talk about that. CONTENT WARNING: Sexual language is used that you may find upsetting, be careful if you choose to listen. Look after yourselves. 

We also talk about Kevin Magnussen picking up 35 seconds worth of time penalties for running Lewis Hamilton off the road to keep him behind to protect his teammate in the Sprint. 5 penalty points in a weekend. Is Kevin gaming the penalty system? Let the debate continue. 

All that and more on another Motorsport101!

Episode #514: 2024 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix Review

It's amazing. We thought MotoGP was the regular series that had the most potential problems heading into 2024 and it's delivered new ownership, three classic races in a row, and a likeable new set of regulations. Who'd have thought?

Jorge Martin held his nerve in an incredibly intense French GP in front of 120,000 rabid home fans, as Marc Marquez took some revenge on Francesco Bagnaia after beating him with a stunning final lap divebomb. Martin after another perfect Sprint/Win double, now has a 38-point lead in the standings. But will it be enough for him to claim the Factory Ducati seat over Marquez or current resident Enea Bastianini? 

We also talk about the the new regulations and there's some big changes planned. Ride-height and holeshot devices banned? Fairings reduced in width and shorter from the front. Fuel reduced to 20 litres from 22. Rear aero now included in homologation. And engine displacement reduced from 1000cc to 850. But will it work? And will there be after-effects? 

All that and more on another loaded Motorsport101!

Episode #515: 2024 MotoGP French Grand Prix Review

Sorry, this has been a little delayed, I've been dealing with a family bereavement, forgive me. - Dre

On this episode of Motorsport101, the boys review a pretty interesting Sonsio Grand Prix, with Alex Palou finally returning to the winner's circle after racking up Top 10's like they were going out of fashion. He's had 22 of them in a row going back to his 2022 season. Of them, 18 are Top 5's. 

His insane run of form ties in beautifully with the heated three-way fight for the win he had with Will Power, as his Zenmaster form begins to return from 2022, and Lundgaard, the Indy GP specialist who cannot catch a break after his fifth Top 5 finish at the track. We talk about how it all came together on track.

Also, does IndyCar have a marketing problem... or a storytelling problem? After yet more hype for Santino Ferrucci as he gets into a bloodfeud with Romain Grosjean, the gang ponder whether the series has its priorities in the right place. All that and more on the next Motorsport101!

Episode #516: 2024 IndyCar Sonsio Grand Prix Review

Orignally a written article on Motorsport101.com, it's time for Months of May's Ask Dre, the show where you the wonderful Motorsport101 Audience ask your boi Dre some questions about Formula 1, MotoGP, IndyCar, Formula E, and occasionally, other shit that takes your fancy! 

This edition talks about Carlos Sainz’ future, MotoGP's silly season, and much more!

F1's Next Champion, Bagnaia's Teammate, F2 vs Road To Indy - #AskDre May '25

For the third time in three years, the all-time pole record falls at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway!

It's almost that time again - The 108th Running of the Indy 500 is right around the corner, and Dre Harrison and RJ O'Connell is joined by a guest, Chris DeHarde of Frontstretch.com joins the gang to preview the big race and breakdown all the stories coming out of Qualifying weekend.

Scott McLaughlin made history with a 234.220mph run to narrowly break Palou's 2023 record but also take the pole in a Penske front rock lockout with Power and Newgarden close behind. What has led to such a remarkable Penske turnaround, having not had a Top 10 Qualifier since 2019! 

There's also the glum story of a horrible Bump Day for Katherine Legge, Graham Rahal, Marcus Ericsson and the bumped man Nolan Siegel, all with horror stories to share about how they got there in the first place. Plus a full grid rundown and the threat of rain all covered in another edition of Motorsport101!

Episode #517: 108th Indy 500 Preview

Motorsport101 is an alternative Motorsport podcast, made by all walks of life, for all walks of life, hosted by Dre Harrison, alongside Cameron Buckley and RJ O'Connell! Every week we tackle the biggest show on the motor racing planet, Formula One, as well as Indycar, Formula E! We aim to be a refreshing, newer, more modern take on the world of Motorsport, and we hope you enjoy the show!

Episode #477: 2023 F1 Qatar Grand Prix Review

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