Inside Line F1 Podcast: Should FIA warn Verstappen over risky driving?

We are the first ones to say it – both Mercedes drivers got lucky in Spa. Nico Rosberg won his 20th race because of Lewis Hamilton’s grid penalties.

In the same breath, we’ve got to agree that Hamilton was lucky to make it to the podium (from P21), all thanks to the safety car period and the red flag.

Though we wonder why Hamilton didn’t win the 44 lap grand prix, if 44 is his lucky number! Only 9 points separate the duo, which way will the remainder of the season go?

Formula 1 returned after the summer break with a bang at Spa – it was a race of collisions and crashes (mostly into Ferraris). Was Sebastian Vettel at fault at the first corner? Vettel should have a ‘How to Overtake Max Verstappen’ class with mandatory attendance for Kimi Raikkonen.

Verstappen has been accused of dangerous driving, but of course the FIA won’t do anything about it. He’s THE crowd puller, at the moment.

Though Niki Lauda believes that Max needs to visit a psychiatrist! Lauda says that he will call Jos if Max does not listen – Parent Teacher Meeting for the teenager in Monza?

Also, did the young sensation not win the ‘Driver of the Day’ in Spa because his entire Orange Army was at the race track? Of course, Hamilton did find support in his Barmy Army.

Force India love affair with Spa continued, though Nico Hulkenberg may have been robbed of a podium finish. The team’s survival is in question if Sergio Perez moves teams in 2017. Maybe finishing 4th in the Constructors’ Championship will earn them the deficit.

Will Kevin Magnusen be fit for Monza – and if not, will Renault make the popular decision of getting Carmen Jorda to drive?

And was Fernando Alonso’s P22 to P7 more noteworthy than Hamilton’s recovery drive? With newer talent gaining popularity and faster cockpits, will Alonso have a chance for his final flourish at all?

Over the summer break, we learnt that Bernie Ecclestone plans to sell F1's radio messages (with a premium charge for listening to Raikkonen’s radio?).

On that note, Minttu signed up for a lifetime of realtime Raikkonen humour! Hamilton hung out with Nicole over summer, and she was a real-life Pussy Cat (Doll). Also, our favourite moment of the summer break, Daniel Ricciardo calling bullshit on Hamilton’s tweet!

Rosberg has never won at Monza, will it be yet another ‘first’ for him? And will Hamilton equalize Fangio and Senna’s record for maximum poles?

Season 2016, Episode 27:

Kunal Shah is a former racer who works in the sports business industry. He pens his view on Formula 1 on his personal blog: kunalsf1blog.