It's been a tough week in world motor sport, Chris Balfe, Glen Crompton and Mat Coch dedicating the latest Pitpass podcast to Maria de Villota.

The trio butt-heads over the Japanese Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel's fifth consecutive victory – a point none of the three are willing to mention.

Instead they focus on the fans, the die-hard, respectful and at times downright whacky Japanese fans who make Suzuka the amphitheatre of world motor sport that it is.

Crompo and Coch argue over the fate of Lewis Hamilton, forcing a reluctant Balfe to play mediator, whilst also giving a unique behind-the-scenes look at the decision making process inside the highly-populated Mercedes technical department.

The (ageing) team admits it longs for the characters of yesteryear, lamenting the Twitter generation and the media handlers, yearning for a simpler time when drivers would settle their differences behind the tyre barriers after the race (or during it, if your name is Nelson) rather than a sharply worded post-race interview.

Running at almost fifteen minutes it's a wrap up of the Japanese Grand Prix which artfully actually almost manages to dodge the subject.

Warning: Several minutes into the podcast,. for reasons known only to himself, Crompo emits a high-pitched sound which may cause distress to any dogs within a five mile radius.

You can download the latest episode on iTunes here.

Android listeners can download or subscribe here.

Simply listen online here.

Alternatively You can also hear all Pitpass podcasts here here. (warning: external site)