Episodes #503- the present day of Motorsport101, in full playlist form!

The Complete Motorsport101 Series 2

Okay, this actually IS Episode 503 this time, promise. Our bad!

But MotoGP is back for 2024 for its season opener in Qatar! And in it, Francesco Bagnaia reminded the sport that he very much still him, winning in comfortable fashion! But to his surprise, it was Brad Binder that posed the biggest threat to him on a KTM. Is it a sign of things to come?

Inevitably, we have to talk about Marc Marquez who finished in the Top 5 in the Sprint and the Race, and was only about a tenth of Bagnaia's pace? A good sign for the future? And of course, the excitement is here in Tech3's Pedro Acosta, who at one point was ahead of Marquez and thinking about a podium before draining his tyres. A star is here?

Also, talk about the new Moto2, and an incredible comeback in Moto3 by "Magic" David Alonso, all on tap in another Motorsport101!

Episode #503: 2024 MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix Review

And finally, in the weekend of beatings, Josef Newgarden is back! The man who made some big radical behind-the-scenes changes in the off-season and after a year of struggles on road and street courses, Josef dominates St Pete in the 2024 IndyCar Season Opener and wins from pole by 8 seconds over Pato O'Ward and Scott McLaughlin. A flash in the pan or is it the return of the Newgarden that won a $1m Triple Crown bonus in 2022?

We also talk about the series' internal politics as Michael Andretti had no problem calling out Roger Penske's leadership of IndyCar and pushing for him to open his wallets to promote the series further. Is he right, or should he be defending for navigating the series through the pandemic? Or is it somewhere in between?

And finally, guest Chris DeHarde of Frontstretch joins us and asks, what was your memories of the pandemic as it hits its 4th anniversary. A surprisingly deep episode of Motorsport101!

Episode #504: IndyCar 2024 GP of St Petersburg Review

NOTE: This is a reupload of Episode 502 from last week, reason being was due to an error where I (Admin Dre), uplaoded the wrong episode into your feed, and gave you 503 instead, this was my mistake, and Spotify didn't want to upload the updated version, so for those who have missed out on there, here's Episode 502. Again! My bad - Dre

You know what they say about meeting your heroes? How about racing them?

Ollie Bearman is the story of the weekend here, after having to sub in for Carlos Sainz getting a nasty bout of appendicitis. But Bearman did a brilliant job subbing in qualifying in 11th and finishing 7th on just 24 hours notice. Is this proof that Bearman is the real deal?

Also, alongside Max Verstappen's 19th win in the last 20 races, Haas pulled a nasty bit of gamesmanship using Kevin Magnussen as a blocker to let Nico Hulkenberg back in front on an alternate strategy to finish 10th, despite 20 seconds of time penalties and a potential FIA complaint from RB. Was that fair?

And finally, yet more from the horrible Christian Horner investigation as it turns as Helmut Marko cried wolf over another potential investigation, and BBC reports the victim of the alleged reports has been suspended.

All that and more on another loaded M101!

(REUPLOAD) Episode #502: 2024 F1 Saudi Arabian GP Review

It's a loaded smorgasbord of Racing here on Episode 505 of the Motorsport101 Podcast! We bring back Keepin It 101 here as RJ returns from the 12 Hours of Sebring over in IMSA as a member of the press and reports on one of the best races of 2024. We also talk NASCAR at Bristol as tyre wear was the order of the day and Denny Hamlin won a classic around the short track!

Then we get into our main event, the weirdness of Formula E as Sao Paulo... actually delivered. Sam Bird took his first win in the series since New York in 2021 as he nailed a late last corner pass on Mitch Evans to steal the win, as Jake Dennis, Pascal Wehrlein and Oli Rowland all fought for the final podium spot too. We also talk about how important the win is for Sam, McLaren's 1st F-E win, and the series as a whole.

We also talk about the new nature of the series running - Peloton Racing. Is it a form of racing for the series that is sustainable long-term for Formula E's future? A deep dive on it all on the latest M101 with Dre Harrison and RJ O'Connell!

Episode #505: Sebring, Bristol and Formula E's 2024 Brazil ePrix

Well... that was an upset alright?! 

Max Verstappen, after 43 straight scoring finishes and 1,055 consecutive points scored, Verstappen fails to finish a race as a stuck brake on the grid ended his Australian GP early! And with it, it cleared the way for a Ferrari 1-2 finish as Carlos Sainz ends Max's 9-race winning streak, again! We talk all of that and the McLaren/Ferrari fight afterwards!

Also, Fernando Alonso copped a 20-second penalty for "aggrevating circumstances" after his erratic driving into Turn 6 was what led to George Russell crashing into the fence on the final lap. Right call? Or another stewarding can of worms?

And finally, WIlliams had a dilemma of their own after Alex Albon wrecked his car so badly on Friday that they had to sacrifice Logan Sargeant's car to allow Albon to continue. We break down the craziness of that decision and much on another Motorsport101!

Episode #506: 2024 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Review

MotoGP heads back to Portugal for a brief stop in Europe for Round 2 of the Championship and the first true look at the state of the field... oh and Jorge Martin dominated from start to finish. We break down Spain's #1 hope in regaining the title as he led every single lap in Portimao!

Martin also leaves Portugal with an 18-point Championship lead after contenders Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia had a crash at Turn 5 with just a couple of laps to go, taking each other out of contention. Was there someone to blame or just another racing incident? 

And we also gush over Pedro Acosta after the 19-year old became just the third teenager in Premier Class history and the first since 1979 to hit a Grand Prix podium. This man is quite possibly the truth! 

All that and more on another Motorsport101!

Episode #507: 2024 MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix Review

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

So... safe to say a lot has changed in the last fortnight in the land oif two wheels.

We catch up to last week's BIG news - Liberty Media has bought 86% of Dorna Sports, MotoGP's Commercial rights holder for $4.2 billion. Now, assuming the deal beats the European Competition commission, what does it mean for both sports? Does MotoGP need new ownership? What DOES it need to take itself to the next level. The boys ponder the thought.

Also, on the US GP itself - Maverick VInales put together the most complete MotoGP weekend of his career to take pole, the sprint and the win to become the first man in the modern era of MotoGP to win on three different bikes. Is this a flash in the pan, or something more? 

What about the other protagonists? Marc Marquez led but had his front brake fail, Pedro Acosta is absolutely still him via another podium finish, and the Ducati continues to have rear-end chatter problems, ala Pecco Bagnaia looking a little bit sus early on again.

Also big change at Yamaha, with Fabio Quartararo staying on a new two-year contract, but after 25 years managing the team, Lin Jarvis will be retiring at season's end... and it quickly turned into a rant at how BAD Honda are.

All that and more on another Motorsport101!

Episode #509: Liberty Buys MotoGP / 2024 USA GP 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)

Welcome to the most chaotic week of IndyCar in years.

On this extended edition, Dre Harrison and RJ O'Connell try to make sense of an absolutely wild week, catching up with the back end of the Penske Push-To-Pass cheating scandal, as Josef Newgarden in particular had to face the music with a presser after his St Pete disqualification.

We talk the Grand Prix of Barber where Scott McLaughlin taught Motorsport a valuable lesson - If you're under heat for cheating, release a statement, don't do a presser, then go dominate the track you won at last year. And for bonus points, pick up a hot date!

There's also the horrible news coming out of McLaren as they announced the firing of David Malukas after never turning a wheel in anger for the papaya brand? Unfair, or just good business? A deep dive on that as McLaren drives to move on before the Month of May. 

All that and more on a stacked M101, listen in now!

Episode #512: IndyCar's Cheating Scandal / Barber 2024 Review

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

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

Max Verstappen had to go hard to win his 59th GP of his career (Fun Fact: Every other member of Red Bull's history also has 59 combined), at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix last week, but he had to earn it after a spirited fight with Lando Norris for McLaren.

Max was going so easy on his tyres at the back end of the split, he lost a 7 second lead in the last 20 laps of the race, leading to Norris being in the DRS zone of Max right at the end of the race. Is it the first sign that Red Bull are being caught?

There's also dialogue on the state of the silly season after Carlos Sainz is still on the fence about signing with Audi, as well as Valterri Bottas being seen coming out of Williams garage citing "coffee" as the reason. So who may end up where in F1? Listen in to find out!

And finally, F1 has had to deny it's going to America for a fourth race on the schedule, and instead made it clear they want to make moves in Asia, with Thailand set to join the calendar in 2027 and South Korea also potentially joining in the future. Is this the right move for the series and will European rounds suffer as a result?

All that and more on another episode of Motorsport101!

Episode #518: 2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Review

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!

The Complete Motorsport101 Series 2

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