EXCLUSIVE: Daniel Ricciardo And Noel Miller Take On Nashville Streets In All-New Racing Talk Show
We had the opportunity to speak with comedian and podcast host Noel Miller about his latest venture, "Hot Laps", which distinguishes itself with its unique format: a series of mobile interviews conducted from a custom-built racing desk, the 'Hot Laps Desk Car'.
Each episode, released monthly on Miller's YouTube channel, will feature a mix of celebrities, including actors, musicians, car enthusiasts, and newcomers to the world of motorsport, all sharing their experiences at breakneck speeds.
Kicking off with F1 fan-favourite Daniel Ricciardo, the debut episode sets a high bar as they take on the streets of Nashville, Tennessee. The Hot Laps Desk Car, equipped with a live differential and independent rear suspension, showcases Miller's ingenuity and wit. Known for his award-winning podcast and viral comedy tours, Miller brings his unique blend of humour and insight to "Hot Laps."
Lydia Mee: First of all, I loved the first episode of the show. What was your inspiration to start the show with the Hot Laps Desk Car?
Noel Miller: "It was actually during COVID. We were in quarantine and I don't remember the exact thing that spawned it in my mind, but I had this idea of, 'Oh, it'd be really funny if I fabbed [fabricated] a talk show desk to a vehicle.'
"And then I just started spiralling out from that premise, and that's really the start. So, that was three years ago, going on four. I guess if I had to put it in a concise answer, I think at this point, I've hosted my podcast going on seven years now, I've made a lot of YouTube videos, I've done a lot of talking and so I just wanted something that maybe made the conversation a different context and made it different and just fun."
LM: You started off strong with Daniel Ricciardo in Nashville. Can you give us any insight into some of the future guests and locations and ca we expect any more F1 drivers?
NM: "Yeah, I mean, F1 driver schedules are obviously very busy. We definitely are aiming to get a few, it just comes down to logistics, but you know, we definitely intend to have as many of them as we can.
"As far as guests, the most immediate thing I can tease is a gentleman by the name of James Pumphrey from the YouTube channel Donut. They helped me kind of complete this idea. James, in fact, was one of the people I spoke to during quarantine. And when I was really looking to take the idea to another level, he helped facilitate support in that way and help me bring the desk to where it is now."
LM: I noticed the Donut Media logo on the Hot Laps Desk Car, so I was going to ask if there was going to be a stronger collaboration to come?
NM: "Yeah. So, we'll have a full episode with James and we shot some stuff together as well. I don't want to blow their cover, but yeah, we got a couple things coming up."
LM: Of those you haven’t got on the show so far, who would be your number one choice of Formula One driver?
NM: "This is a really tough one. I think Yuki [Tsunoda] would be really funny because he's just got so much personality. I think out of all the drivers, I'd really like to have a one on one conversation with him. I'm really curious to speak to him as a person."
LM: You've got your podcast, YouTube channels, and comedy tour, but tell me a bit about your history with F1?
NM: "Yeah, so I followed briefly in 2014-ish, right when the rule changes were occurring. It was the start of the TurboHybrid [era]. I remember that video that Red Bull put out where Sebastian [Vettel] was explaining the different changes with the turbo and I remember a lot of the fans were like, 'This is going to stink.' And they were so upset about it.
"So I followed briefly and then actually in that time, I got into a bit of sim racing at home, I put that in quotes because it was just setting up a steering wheel and driving in Gran Turismo, but I was doing that religiously for a period.
"And then my life got really busy from that point and it was during COVID where I had this viral clip where I was playing Call Of Duty and I killed someone using a steering wheel. That was inspired by this really old video of a dude doing the same thing in Counter-Strike. I think that video was from early 2000s - 2001 or something.
"After that clip went viral, I wound up doing some virtual races with Lando [Norris] and Charles [Leclerc] and after getting to know Lando, I was like, 'Oh maybe I'll watch this season.' Which is, I think a very unique entry point to just go, 'I met the guys, maybe I'll watch what they do.'
"Obviously, from that point forward, F1 has been massively popular. It's been kind of great to see this and then even go back and watch old races. So as far as my history with it, I would say it's pretty recent, but I'm not totally clueless in the way of it's growth from [Ayrton] Senna to now."
LM: Moving on to the first episode of Hot Laps, why did you choose Daniel Ricciardo for the opening episode?
NM: "So with Danny it was this awesome thing because I know a handful of people over at Red Bull, some current and some former. I've been talking to them about this idea for years, and I would show them pictures as the car was developing and all of Red Bull contacts were like, 'We have to get this thing, we have to do something with it. This idea is absurd.'
"So when the show run came about in the pre planning phase, my Red Bull contact hit me up and he says, 'Hey, we're doing a show run and I'm extremely keen on getting the desk out here. How do we make this happen?' So it was at that point that the desk was kind of nearing its final development phase. And so it kind of just felt perfect."
LM: Would you consider letting an F1 driver behind the wheel of the desk car?
NM: "Yeah, I'd love to. This is not something that made it to the final cut, but I actually offered to let Danny drive, but he was like, 'Oh man, I've been doing so much driving today. I'll let you take it.'
"So I put it out there and I completely get it because he had to run that car up and down the road and the road was honestly pretty tricky.
"I'd love to get any pro driver in there, anyone on the F1 lineup reserve, test driver, come have at it."
LM: There have been a lot of rumours surrounding Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez. Do you see Ricciardo taking Perez’s seat in Red Bull?
NM: "I think with, unfortunately what happened with Nyck [de Vries], it shows that an organisation can make a change at any time. And, I think in this scenario, I do genuinely feel that Red Bull will keep Checo [Sergio Perez] for now, that would be my expectation.
"But, again, I just wouldn't put it past them as an organisation. If Checo's performance really was lacking, I think Red Bull is more than willing to make a change if they have to.
"Historically, you would think yeah [Ricciardo would be the one to replace Perez], because him and Max [Verstappen] were teammates before. I think Daniel is more than comfortable at this point being a role player. If anything, Daniel may have just needed some time to, like anyone else, they want their own personal exploration, and I would love it if he got in that car and he was putting up a fight, and someone is in that thing taking it to Max. I think Daniel would be a great fit."
LM: Speaking of driver contracts, it’s been a quiet off-season this year but with 14 driver contracts expiring in 2024 what are your predictions?
NM: "I mean, so many of the guys are pretty young. I venture to think there won't be too much change. I think even if the performance is lacking... I don't want to sandbag Mr. Sargeant too much, I think he had a hell of an entry into the season and Formula One is so much pressure. So, I don't pass too much judgment on him but I really don't predict any major changes. I honestly feel a lot of the teams are with drivers that they want to grow and develop with.
"So, I predict boring. That's honestly my vibe."
LM: I know you are about to head out on your 'New Supply' tour, will you be keeping up with the 2024 season whilst on the road?
NM: "This year, thankfully, my touring schedule is not as rigorous. So, I'll for sure be watching. But, even when I'm on tour, it doesn't stop me. I am fully locked in.
"I think Abu Dhabi, I watched that at four or five in the morning. I was on tour and I woke up and took a nap and did the shows. I think what's also great is because my schedule is not so crazy, I'll probably end up going to another race. I forget if Japan is on the list this year, but if I can make that happen, I really love Suzuka."
LM: Going back to the Hot Laps Desk Car, did you build the car solely by yourself or did you have a team to support you. And what was the build process like?
NM: "I would say creatively and monetarily I was pushing this idea. Donut was very kind, they made a very strong donation to help me finish it. That was awesome and I'm forever thankful to them for that.
"I have a lead engineer, his name is Gary Castillo, he helps me execute a lot of the ideas. He has a lot of experience building track cars so he's been able to really help design and construct the desk in the way that it is now- it's not just a novelty car, it's truly a race car which is amazing. So, it's been a group of people helping."
Photo Credit: Sarah Partain Photography
LM: If you were to do future series of Hot Laps would you make any changes to the car?
NM: "I think as far as this season goes we'll continue to develop on it. I mean, at this point, we're just having fun because it's practical. It's just an amazing piece of machinery and I'm extremely proud of the state that it's in.
"We'll continue to make upgrades. The most exciting thing about it is I think from a distance, it kind of looks like a novelty car, but really the thing is built so much. It has such motorsport influence that there's not much to change at this point. It's got a full tubular chassis, independent rear suspension, and live differential, so now when 'car guys' approach it, their brains kind of explode and they're excited by the construction of it.
"So I will say my big vision is seasons two, three, and so on, I really want to change the type. So at some point I want to build an all wheel drive [model] and something that can do dirt. And then, you know, things of that nature. I guess my grand vision is five years from now, I really want to have seven or eight different versions of the desk and have this hilarious array of an idea that just went on too long, in the best way."
LM: I know you do some karting in your spare time, have you been able to take the Hot Laps Desk Car out on the track?
NM: "After we got the info about Danny [Ricciardo], we pretty immediately went and took it to my main karting track. It's a track called Adams Motorsports Park in California, shout out Troy Adams. We took it there and we did a full shakedown, really put it through its paces and that is what helped inform how we developed it further.
"So it is perfect for a kart track. A full size track- we could definitely run it but I think with the scale of a full size track it would get boring. Full size track, you gotta at least be able to do 150 and I don't know if anyone wants to do 150 miles an hour on furniture, you know? I do, but maybe not."
LM: Daniel Ricciardo seemed pretty taken aback by the speed of the Hot Laps Desk Car, what is the top speed?
NM: "We don't have an official number yet, but I would say that as soon as we test it with a speed gun, we'll put that number out there because I don't want to sell it short, but I also don't want to overspend, but it's very fast.
"That [Ricciardo's reaction] was a very true to life situation. I wouldn't say he was scared, but I think definitely it was fast enough to make him, I mean, he said, 'Holy s**t' and that was a genuine, that was pretty awesome."
Photo Credit: Sarah Partain Photography