Ep25 - Miami GP

The Miami GP, it was certainly... something...

• The Flawed Ferrari
• Strategy Shakedown
• Circuit Toilet Diaries
• Sir Jackie Stewarts Royale Rumble
• $42 Wagyu Beef Sandwiches

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**Race Weekend and Commentary Booth Shenanigans:**

* The Miami Grand Prix weekend was full of unique experiences, including the Americanized driver introductions, which featured LL Cool J and cheerleaders.
* Some drivers, like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, seemed amused by the spectacle, while others appeared more reserved.
* The event also faced criticism for its high ticket prices and expensive concessions, with some fans expressing disappointment.
* During Free Practice 1, David Croft of Sky F1 reached out to Engine Breaking for insights on track evolution, leading to a shoutout on the live broadcast.

**Ferrari's Struggles and Strategy Calls:**

* Ferrari's car exhibited handling issues throughout the weekend, particularly during high-fuel runs.
* The team opted to use the soft tires during the race, despite concerns about their degradation.
* This decision proved costly, as both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. struggled with tire wear and fell down the order.
* Sainz eventually retired from the race due to a hydraulic issue, while Leclerc finished in sixth place, well behind the leaders.

**Red Bull's Dominance and Verstappen's Victory:**

* Red Bull Racing showcased their strength once again, with Max Verstappen securing a dominant victory.
* Verstappen led from start to finish, extending his championship lead and maintaining his impressive winning streak.
* Sergio Perez had a strong race as well, finishing in second place and securing a 1-2 finish for the team.

**Mercedes' Resurgence and Hamilton's Podium:**

* Mercedes showed signs of improvement in Miami, with Lewis Hamilton securing a podium finish.
* Hamilton started the race in sixth position but made up ground through strategic pit stops and strong pace.
* George Russell also had a solid race, finishing in fifth place, demonstrating Mercedes' progress.

**Other Notable Moments and Controversies:**

* Fernando Alonso had an impressive race, finishing in ninth place despite starting from the back of the grid due to a penalty.
* Esteban Ocon's race ended prematurely due to a mechanical issue, while Valtteri Bottas struggled with tire degradation and finished outside the points.
* The race featured only two lapped cars, highlighting the competitiveness of the midfield.
* The event also saw several incidents and penalties, including a collision between Lando Norris and Pierre Gasly.

**Overall Assessment of the Miami Grand Prix:**

* The Miami Grand Prix offered a unique and entertaining spectacle, showcasing the glamour and excitement of Formula 1 in a new location.
* However, the high ticket prices and expensive concessions drew criticism from some fans, raising questions about the accessibility of the sport.
* The on-track action was thrilling, with Red Bull's dominance and Mercedes' resurgence providing plenty of excitement.
* Ferrari's struggles and strategic missteps overshadowed their strong qualifying performance, leaving them with work to do in the upcoming races.
* The Miami Grand Prix ultimately delivered a memorable race weekend, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the 2022 Formula 1 season. # **Formula One Miami Grand Prix Debrief**

## **Overview**

- The Miami GP was an eventful race, marked by strategy shifts, surprising performances, and controversial moments.
- Ferrari faced challenges with car balance and tire degradation, leading to subpar results.
- Red Bull's Sergio Perez secured a surprise pole position, while Max Verstappen recovered from a poor qualifying to win the race.
- Aston Martin and McLaren experienced setbacks after promising practice sessions.
- Sir Jackie Stewart made headlines for his assertive approach during the pre-race ceremony.
- The race featured a costly $42 Wagyu beef sandwich and discussions about the feasibility of electric versus hybrid race cars.

## **Key Race Moments**

- Perez maintained the lead after a strong start but struggled with tire degradation, forcing him to pit early.
- Verstappen, starting ninth on hard tires, displayed impressive pace and tire management, allowing him to extend his first stint and gain positions.
- Verstappen's medium tire stint towards the end of the race showcased his exceptional speed, setting the fastest lap and securing the victory.
- Charles Leclerc, starting seventh due to a red flag in qualifying, had a disappointing race, finishing outside the points.
- Mick Schumacher's retirement due to a technical issue added to Haas's woes after a promising qualifying performance.

## **Strategy and Controversies**

- Red Bull's decision to start Verstappen on hard tires proved to be a strategic masterstroke, enabling him to extend his first stint and gain positions.
- Ferrari's tire strategy for Perez, starting on medium tires, resulted in early degradation and a loss of track position.
- The red flag during qualifying, caused by Charles Leclerc's crash, sparked discussions about implementing a penalty for drivers who deliberately cause red flags to gain an advantage.
- The introduction of synthetic fuels was proposed as a potential solution to the environmental concerns surrounding Formula One.

## **Notable Quotes**

- "That was terrible. I was having a shit anyway." - Sergio Perez, on his tardiness to the pre-race ceremony.
- "I don't think there's anything surprising about that. Like it was a good first stint, but he just got into a bit of deg and had to pit." - Tom Bellingham, on Sergio Perez's tire degradation.
- "It was just like, yep, he's going faster. And he's talking to his engineers a lot about car balance problems and they're working through these problems, which is really cool to hear." - Matt Gallagher, on Max Verstappen's communication with his engineers during the race.
- "I don't see like maybe we could have looked back. Checo getting into the deck on the medium, lost him a bit of time. Max being able to come through without losing too much time. He came through the field. Nobody. Not, I don't remember seeing a single fucking driver putting up any sort of fight against Max." - Tom Bellingham, expressing disappointment at the lack of resistance Verstappen faced during his overtaking maneuvers.

## **Overall Takeaway**

The Miami GP delivered an exciting and unpredictable race, showcasing the strategic prowess of Red Bull and the resilience of Max Verstappen. The race also highlighted the challenges faced by Ferrari and the need for Formula One to address issues related to tire degradation and the environmental impact of the sport. **Summary of the Podcast Episode Transcript:**

**Race Recap:**

* The Miami Grand Prix was a chaotic and unpredictable race, with several incidents and strategy calls shaping the final outcome.

* Ferrari's performance was puzzling, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz struggling with car issues throughout the weekend. Leclerc spun out twice during qualifying and the race, attributing it to a problem with the car bottoming out and losing downforce.

* Mercedes employed different strategies for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, with Hamilton starting from the back of the grid on hard tires and Russell starting near the front on medium tires. Hamilton recovered well and finished P4, while Russell had a solid race to finish P6.

* Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen dominated the race for Red Bull, finishing P1 and P2 respectively. Verstappen executed a stunning double overtake on Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll to secure his victory.

* Fernando Alonso had a strong race for Alpine, finishing P3 and extending his impressive run of podium finishes.

* Kevin Magnussen drove a solid race for Haas, finishing P10 after starting P7.

**Other Notable Moments:**

* Yuki Tsunoda is an avid fan of the video game Apex Legends and enjoys playing it with friends.

* Former McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has moved to Sauber as their new CEO, replacing Frederic Vasseur who departed for Ferrari.

* Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso had a humorous exchange during the race, with Alonso playfully asking Ocon about Lance Stroll's position after overtaking him.

* The incident involving a track marshal crossing the pit lane in front of Lando Norris sparked a debate about safety procedures and the need for improved communication and coordination.

**Overall Message:**

The Miami Grand Prix was a thrilling and unpredictable race, showcasing the intense competition and ever-changing dynamics of Formula One. Despite Red Bull's dominance, there were several standout performances and moments of excitement that kept fans engaged throughout the race. # Summary of "The Miami GP - Something... " Podcast

## Introduction

- The hosts, Dan and Blake, kick off the podcast by discussing the peculiar nature of the Miami Grand Prix.
- They highlight the flawed performance of Ferrari, strategic blunders, entertaining midfield battles, and controversial incidents like Sir Jackie Stewart's pit lane scuffle and the exorbitant prices of food items.

## Race Analysis

- Dan and Blake delve into the strategic decisions made by the teams during the race.
- They emphasize the dominance of Red Bull, suggesting that the team might win every race this season unless there's a major upset.
- The midfield battle is acknowledged as exciting, with several teams within a close range of each other.
- Aston Martin's progress is praised, while Mercedes and Ferrari are criticized for their ongoing struggles.

## Random Fandom

- Blake presents his "book report" on the Alfa Romeo team.
- He discusses their recent struggles and underwhelming performance in qualifying and the race.
- McLaren's disastrous weekend is also analyzed, with both drivers finishing outside the points and the team making questionable strategic calls.

## Fraud Watch

- Dan nominates Nick de Vries for Fraud Watch, questioning his credentials and suggesting that he may not deserve a place in Formula One.
- The possibility of replacing de Vries with Mick Schumacher at AlphaTauri is brought up as a controversial hot take.
- Daniel Ricciardo's potential move to AlphaTauri is also discussed, but the hosts ultimately agree that Liam Lawson would be a better choice for the team.

## Engine Mode Good Boy Award

- Dan bestows the Engine Mode Good Boy award on Jackie Stewart for his entertaining confrontation with security personnel during the race.
- Yuki Tsunoda also receives the award for his impressive performance in a mediocre car.

## Conclusion

- The hosts wrap up the podcast by summarizing their main takeaways from the Miami Grand Prix.
- They acknowledge the need for a break from the Formula One grind and express their excitement for the upcoming race analysis on Dan's Buy Me a Coffee platform. **The Engine Breaking Podcast: Miami GP Recap and More**

**Miami GP: A Unique Experience**

* The Miami Grand Prix was a unique and controversial race, with many twists and turns.
* The circuit layout was challenging, with tight corners and long straights.
* The race was also notable for its celebrity presence, with many A-list stars in attendance.

**Ferrari's Struggles**

* Ferrari had a disappointing race in Miami, with both drivers finishing outside the top 10.
* The team's strategy was questionable, and their car seemed to lack pace.
* Ferrari's struggles have raised concerns about their title hopes this season.

**Strategy Shakedown**

* The Miami GP was a test of teams' strategic thinking, with many different strategies being employed.
* Some teams opted for a one-stop strategy, while others went for a two-stop or even three-stop strategy.
* The varying strategies led to some interesting battles on track.

**Circuit Toilet Diaries**

* The Miami GP circuit was criticized for its lack of toilet facilities, with many fans having to wait in long lines.
* The lack of toilets led to some unsanitary conditions, with fans being forced to use bushes or even the side of the track as makeshift restrooms.
* The organizers of the race have promised to improve the toilet situation for future events.

**Sir Jackie Stewart's Royale Rumble**

* Sir Jackie Stewart, a three-time Formula One world champion, was involved in a heated exchange with a fan during the Miami GP.
* The fan allegedly made a rude gesture towards Stewart, who responded by giving him the middle finger.
* The incident was caught on camera and went viral on social media.

**$42 Wagyu Beef Sandwiches**

* The Miami GP was also notable for its expensive food and drinks.
* A single Wagyu beef sandwich was priced at $42, while a bottle of water cost $12.
* The high prices were met with criticism from some fans, who felt that they were being taken advantage of.

**Overall Takeaway**

The Miami GP was a unique and controversial race, with many memorable moments. The race was a test of teams' strategic thinking, and it also highlighted the importance of having a reliable car. The lack of toilet facilities and the expensive food and drinks were also major talking points.