What do King Tutankhamun and Formula One have in common? More than you think.

In this unexpected and delightfully chaotic episode of Trackside Tea, we take you from the London immersive Tutankhamun exhibition straight into the sands of a fictional Afterlife Grand Prix. Golden chariots, mummified fans, and a pyramid-load of F1.

Whether you're a die-hard F1 fan, a history buff, or just here for the chaos.

Subscribe and listen now wherever you get your podcasts — and may your tyres be blessed by Ra himself.

TRANSCRIPT:

Hey. Hey. And welcome back to Trackside Tea. The F1 podcast where the takes are hot, the tea is flowing, and the logic, well, questionable at best.

So this week, I took a little break from the modern chaos of F1 and stepped back in time all the way back to ancient Egypt from Tutankhamun immersive experience in London. At the Excel. It was absolutely amazing. I think it's actually closed now but it probably might do the rounds again.

Now you'd think that this has nothing to do with F1 though wouldn't you? But oh no my brain doesn't switch off that easily. This episode is what happens when you mix ancient pharaohs with fast cars and I promise it kind of somehow works.

The pit lane of the Nile

Now let's set the scene. I was walking through this stunning recreation of King Tut's tomb using a VR headset which is one of the oddest feelings in the world, just putting it out there, when you know lots of other people are also wandering around looking at the same thing as you with other VR headsets on. It's quite a weird experience I have to say.

But all I could think about was if ancient Egypt had a grand prix what would it look like?

Imagine if this was the grid walk for the afterlife Grand Prix.

I mean, picture it. Golden chariots in the pit lane, papyrus flags waving, Horus on commentary, Anubis in a headset calling strategy, and Ra as race control. Because obviously the sun god would have total control over the red lights, no DRS zones, I mean, how would you even work that on a chariot? I'm not even sure I don't even know. They don't even have backs so there couldn't be a DRS.

Anyway, just sand traps and maybe the occasional locust swarm, just to throw in a little bit of a animal twist like the other week.

King Tut. Oh, he's not just a pharaoh. He's pole sitter, of course.

And the fans all mummified, but still booing anyone who dared overtake Tutankhamun on his home track. Sound familiar? I think every race where somebodies got a home track, that's exactly how it sounds.

F1 drivers as pharaohs and what they'd be buried with.

Naturally, this then leads me on to a new obsession. What would each current F1 driver be buried with if they were pharaohs?

Lewis Hamilton for example. He'd be entombed with his McLaren from 2008. He'd have seven world champion titles carved in hieroglyphics on his sarcophagus, vegan incense, only vegan incense, and of course Roscoe. He would be curled up beside him with a little gold collar on.

What about Max Verstappen? Max would be on his own surrounded by oracle dashboards, red ball cans, and a throne made of checkered flags.

How about, Fernando Alonso? Because you all know I have a bit of a soft spot for Fernando.

Three sarcophagi deep, labeled king of comebacks, master of midfield, and unfinished business. There you go. That's Alonso. Definitely Alonso.

Yuki Tsunoda. He'd be buried with a horn to yell at all the gods. And the scroll of grievances against traffic in Monaco. That's definitely gonna be a thing. Definitely.

Oh, I know. Daniel Ricciardo. His tomb is a full on nightclub. It's got to be with showy goblets, neon lights, and a chariot with the words honeybadger for life etched into the sides. That would be very good. That's very Danny Rick.

Oh and maybe instead of curses how they always used to say that...