Ep23 - Baku Preview - Episode Summary and Transcript

Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast episode.

Summary

# **The Engine Breaking F1 Podcast: Baku Preview**

## **Hosts:**
- Dan, also known as EngineMode11
- Blake, also known as Brake

---

## **News and Updates:**

- **Soundboard Mishap:** Dan accidentally breaks his soundboard during the recording.
- **Blake's Texan Adventure:** Blake shares his experiences from his recent trip to Texas, including a barbecue, lake visit, and campfire.
- **Street Circuit vs. Not Street Circuit:** The hosts discuss the upcoming Baku Grand Prix and whether or not it should be considered a street circuit.
- **Random Fandom Draw:** A listener is randomly selected from the audience to ask a question or make a comment.
- **Traeger Grill and Race Ticket Shenanigans:** Dan attempts to blag a Traeger grill from a sponsor, while Blake tries to blag a race ticket.
- **Putin's Magic Briefcase:** The hosts speculate about the contents of a mysterious briefcase that Russian President Vladimir Putin is often seen carrying.

## **NordVPN Partnership:**
The hosts promote their partnership with NordVPN and encourage listeners to visit nordvpn.com/engine for an exclusive offer.

## **Vacuum Stories from the Past:**
The hosts reminisce about vacuuming stories from their past, including a time when Dan accidentally vacuumed up a cat.

## **Baku Grand Prix Preview:**
- **Predictions:** The hosts make predictions for the upcoming Baku Grand Prix, with Blake favoring Max Verstappen and Dan favoring Charles Leclerc.
- **Strategy:** They discuss the potential strategies teams might employ during the race, considering the unique characteristics of the Baku circuit.
- **Controversies:** They highlight some of the controversies surrounding the Baku Grand Prix, including past incidents and safety concerns.
- **Random Fandom Draw:** Another listener is randomly selected to ask a question or make a comment.

## **Wrap-Up:**
The hosts wrap up the podcast by emphasizing the importance of making Formula One fun again and embracing the fraudulent nature of the sport. They also encourage listeners to engage with them on social media and share their thoughts and opinions.

## **Additional Highlights:**
- The hosts discuss the recent news that Audi has given an update on their Formula One project, including hiring staff and building a single-cylinder test engine.
- They also mention the upcoming deadline for teams to apply for the 2026 engine regulations and speculate on whether any other manufacturers might join Audi and Porsche in entering the sport.
- The hosts express concern about the potential impact of strikes by French energy workers on the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival.
- They also discuss the ongoing rumors and speculation surrounding a potential relationship between Fernando Alonso and Taylor Swift.
- The hosts conclude the podcast by discussing Felipe Massa's recent decision to challenge the outcome of the 2008 Formula One World Championship due to the "crashgate" scandal. - The podcast begins with the hosts discussing various news items, including Dan breaking his soundboard, Blake's adventure at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, and the debate over whether a street circuit is truly a street circuit.

- They also mention a random fan interaction and Dan's attempt to blag a Traeger Grill and Blake's attempt to blag a race ticket.

- The hosts then discuss the rumor that Vladimir Putin has a briefcase that can blank out all phone and radio signals, which was allegedly used to prevent teams from communicating during his visits to the Sochi Grand Prix.

- They also discuss the news that Nikita Mazepin is suing Canada for sanctions against him, which is seen as an attempt to get back into Formula One.

- The podcast then covers the announcement that Franz Tost will be leaving his role as Team Principal of AlphaTauri at the end of the season.

- The hosts speculate on the reasons behind Tost's departure and discuss potential candidates to replace him, including current Ferrari race director Laurent Mekies.

- They also discuss the news that James Allison is returning to Mercedes to focus on Formula One duties, swapping roles with Mike Elliott.

- The hosts speculate on the reasons behind this move and discuss the implications for the team.

- They also discuss the FIA's decision to increase the number of power unit components that teams are allowed to use during the season, which is seen as a response to the high number of penalties being handed out for exceeding the previous limits.

- The podcast then covers the launch of the F1 Academy, a new series for women drivers, and the controversy surrounding its lack of visibility and broadcast coverage.

- The hosts discuss the challenges facing the series and suggest ways to increase its exposure.

- They also discuss the upcoming Baku Grand Prix and the history of the race, including the fact that there have been no repeat winners and that only Ferrari and Mercedes have taken pole position.

- The podcast concludes with the hosts reminiscing about some of the more painful memories from past Baku Grands Prix, including the infamous double DNF for Red Bull in 2018. ## Baku: A Unique Formula One Street Circuit

### Introduction

In this podcast episode, hosts Dan and Blake delve into the upcoming Formula One Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan. They discuss the unique characteristics of the Baku City Circuit, its history, and the excitement it brings to the world of Formula One racing.

### Baku City Circuit: A Street Circuit Like No Other

- The Baku City Circuit is a street circuit, meaning it is set up on public roads in the city of Baku.
- It is a challenging track with a mix of high-speed straights, tight corners, and narrow sections.
- The circuit also features a long straight that runs along the Caspian Sea, offering stunning views for drivers and spectators alike.

### History of the Baku Grand Prix

- The Baku Grand Prix was first held in 2016 and has quickly become a fan favorite.
- The race has produced some memorable moments, including a dramatic crash involving Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton in 2016.
- The 2022 race saw Sergio Perez take the checkered flag, followed by Max Verstappen and George Russell.

### Excitement and Chaos of the Baku Grand Prix

- The Baku Grand Prix is known for its unpredictable and chaotic races.
- The narrow streets and tight corners often lead to collisions and safety car periods.
- The long straight along the Caspian Sea provides opportunities for overtaking and thrilling battles between drivers.

### Controversies and Challenges

- The Baku Grand Prix has also been marred by controversy, with concerns raised about human rights issues in Azerbaijan.
- The race has also faced logistical challenges, including the need to close down public roads and the difficulty of transporting equipment and personnel to the circuit.

### The Future of the Baku Grand Prix

- Despite the challenges, the Baku Grand Prix remains a popular event on the Formula One calendar.
- The race offers a unique and exciting spectacle for fans around the world.
- The future of the Baku Grand Prix looks bright, with the race likely to continue to be a highlight of the Formula One season.

### Conclusion

The Baku City Circuit is a unique and challenging street circuit that has quickly become a fan favorite in the world of Formula One racing. The race has produced some memorable moments and has become known for its unpredictable and chaotic nature. Despite some controversies and challenges, the Baku Grand Prix remains a popular event on the Formula One calendar and is likely to continue to be a highlight of the season for years to come. ## **Transcript Summary: The Formula One Podcast**

**Episode:** The Formula One Podcast - Latest News and Baku GP Preview

**Hosts:** Dan and Blake

**Main Discussion Points:**

* **New Qualifying Format:**
* Spring Shootout format explained.
* Medium, medium, soft tire strategy for the sessions.
* Dan prefers the new format over the previous sprint races.
* Blake hates the new format and sprint races in general.
* **Baku Resurfacing:**
* Significant resurfacing done on the Baku track.
* Drivers will have to adapt to the new track conditions.
* Teams will likely do low-grip running in the simulator to prepare.
* **DRS and Red Bull's Dominance:**
* Red Bull has one of the most powerful DRS systems.
* DRS is not a fix-all for Red Bull's success.
* Other factors like efficient car design contribute to their dominance.
* **Predictions for Baku GP:**
* Both Dan and Blake predict a Red Bull 1-2 finish.
* Dan predicts Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Hamilton, Russell for top 5 in qualifying.
* Blake predicts Verstappen, Perez, Russell, Hamilton, Leclerc for top 5 in qualifying.
* Dan predicts Alonso to win the race, with Verstappen and Perez on the podium.
* Blake predicts Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc for the podium.

**Random Fandom:**

* Technical issues prevented the hosts from doing the random fandom segment.

**Overall Message:**

The podcast provides an insightful preview of the upcoming Baku Grand Prix, discussing the new qualifying format, track resurfacing, and predictions for the race. The hosts engage in lively banter and share their unique perspectives on Formula One. **Engineered Insanity: Baku GP Preview and Traeger Grill Shenanigans**

* **Random Fandom:**

* Blake and Dan randomly select teams to represent and hype up for the upcoming Baku GP.
* Blake gets Williams, while Dan gets Haas.

* **Nico Hulkenberg AMA on r/Formula1:**

* Nico Hulkenberg will be doing an AMA on the Formula 1 subreddit on Thursday afternoon.
* Dan and Blake discuss Hulkenberg's reputation as a nice guy and a bit of a lad.

* **Traeger Grill Blag Attempt:**

* Dan tries to convince Traeger to send him a grill by repeatedly calling out to them on the podcast.
* Blake suggests that Dan should do a brisket cook on his Traeger grill.

* **Upcoming Busy Schedule:**

* The hosts acknowledge that they will have a busy schedule in the coming weeks.
* They encourage listeners to reach out with ideas and feedback for the show.

* **ADHD and Soundboard Shenanigans:**

* Dan mentions that he is not taking medication for his ADHD, which can sometimes lead to chaotic moments on the podcast.
* He also apologizes for the occasional soundboard mishaps.

* **Appreciation and Call to Action:**

* The hosts express gratitude to their listeners for hanging out with them.
* They encourage listeners to leave a five-star rating and share the podcast with friends and family.