Sauber is on pole position – to launch 2017’s first Formula 1 car. The strange part is that two relatively unknown drivers (Marcus Ericsson and Pascal Wehrlein) will unveil the new looking car.

Given the excitement around the new look, couldn’t Formula 1 (read: Liberty Media) get some of their superstar drivers to do so?

But this pole position works well for Sauber. It is a PR masterstroke. This unveiling might garner them more publicity than the previous two seasons. As for McLaren, they almost clinched pole! Their agency might have just leaked their livery images on social media.

PS: Williams’ unexpected reveal on Autosport/Motorsport was after this podcast was recorded and published.

Nico Rosberg wants to go back to being friends with Lewis Hamilton. Is it easier for him to say so now that he’s beaten him? Either way, we think Rosberg-Hamilton could be the Rocky Balboa-Apollo Creed of Formula 1.

Also, in this week’s episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, we dissect Juan Pablo Montoya’s comment on ‘weak’ European drivers, the engine fire-up by teams, Kimi Raikkonen’s karaoke skills and new bar and Fernando Alonso’s really cool emojis.

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