Ep3 - João Ginete

What's worse than 2 Former Red Bull staff on a podcast? 3 Of course.

João Ginete joins us to talk all things F1, F2, 2023 calendar and explains to Dan how the Super license Point System works because no-one else seems to know.

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**Navigating the World of Formula One: A Comprehensive Discussion with Former Red Bull Engineer João Ginete**

**Introduction:**

* The Engine Breaking podcast welcomes João Ginete, a former Red Bull employee, to delve into the world of Formula One.
* João shares his journey from McLaren to Red Bull and his transition from technical engineering to race engineering.
* The podcast hosts express their surprise at the number of former Red Bull employees joining the podcast.

**João's Career Path:**

* João began his career at McLaren as an aerodynamicist, where he worked for four years before joining Red Bull Racing.
* At Red Bull, João specialized in front wing design, focusing on front wing end plates and inboard bits.
* Despite his expertise, João eventually grew bored with the lack of variety in his work and the limited opportunities for career advancement.

**Transition to Race Engineering:**

* After leaving Red Bull, João transitioned to race engineering, working with Jota in WEC and Japanese F3.
* He currently works as a Formula 2 race engineer, applying his technical knowledge to trackside operations.

**Insights into Formula One Teams:**

* João explains the typical structure of Formula One teams, with three to four teams focusing on different sections of the car.
* He highlights the importance of specialization and the challenges of maintaining creativity and motivation within a structured environment.
* João emphasizes the significance of collaboration and the sharing of ideas to drive innovation and progress.

**Controversial Topics and Fraud Watch:**

* The hosts tease a later segment called "Fraud Watch," hinting at juicy and controversial discussions about Formula One.
* They mention the recent allegations against Red Bull regarding budget overruns and potential rule violations.
* João's involvement in the design of the RB13 car, which he refers to as a "turd," is briefly mentioned.

**Conclusion:**

* The podcast hosts thank João for his insights and perspectives on Formula One.
* They express their excitement for future episodes and the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of Formula One with their listeners. **Podcast Episode Summary: A Conversation with João Ginete, Former Red Bull Staff**

* **Guest:** João Ginete, former Red Bull staff member and current Formula 2 race engineer with Van Amersfoort Racing.

* **Hosts:** Dan and Blake, hosts of the podcast.

**Topics Discussed:**

1. **João's Background and Experience:**
- Worked in Adrian Newey's design team at Red Bull, primarily on the Valkyrie project.
- Transitioned from aerodynamics to race engineering, starting with a Portuguese team running an LMS race.
- Faced challenges and firings early in his race engineering career due to his outspoken nature and desire for better organization.
- Gained valuable experience in Japanese Formula 3, managing a team while also working on the Valkyrie project.

2. **Current Role in Formula 2:**
- Race engineer for Van Amersfoort Racing in Formula 2.
- Emphasizes the challenges of Formula 2, including limited practice time, red flags, and inconsistent driving standards.
- Highlights the importance of experience and intuition in race engineering, as well as the need for accurate data and tools.

3. **24-Race Formula 1 Calendar:**
- Discusses the upcoming 24-race Formula 1 calendar, expressing concerns about the excessive travel and logistical challenges for personnel.
- Questions the sustainability of the sport, given the significant carbon footprint of transporting personnel and equipment around the world.
- Criticizes the concentration of races in North America, particularly the addition of new tracks that may not deliver exciting racing.
- Suggests that Formula 1 should consider utilizing existing, iconic tracks in the United States, such as Laguna Seca and Sebring, rather than creating new ones.

4. **Adrian Newey's Work Style:**
- Describes Adrian Newey's messy and chaotic work environment, with paperwork and sketches scattered around his office.
- Recalls Newey's habit of grabbing any available piece of paper, even a tax return, to sketch his ideas.
- Praises Newey's openness to feedback, as long as it was backed up with data.

5. **Future Plans:**
- Expresses a desire to find a middle ground between the limited resources and data available in Formula 2 and the abundance of tools and expertise in Formula 1.
- Aims to strike a balance between engineering and guesswork, emphasizing the importance of experience and gut feel in race engineering.
- Considers the possibility of combining race engineering with YouTube content creation.

**Overall Message:**
The podcast episode provides insights into the world of Formula 2 race engineering, the challenges of the upcoming 24-race Formula 1 calendar, and the unique work style of Adrian Newey. João Ginete shares his experiences, perspectives, and aspirations, offering valuable insights for those interested in the world of motorsports. **Podcast Episode Summary:**

**Introduction:**

- The podcast begins with a discussion about potential American tracks that Formula One could return to.
- The hosts mention fan suggestions for tracks like Road America, Watkins Glen, and Laguna Seca.

**F2 Calendar and Nick de Vries:**

- The hosts discuss the condensed F2 calendar, with a two-month break between Monza and Abu Dhabi.
- They express their disappointment with the scheduling and suggest adding a race in a location like the US or Mexico.
- João Ginete, a guest on the podcast, shares his experience at the London Formula E race and highlights the benefits of city-based tracks.

**Nick de Vries' Performance and Future Prospects:**

- The hosts analyze Nick de Vries' performance in the Williams car at the Italian Grand Prix, where he scored points.
- They discuss the speculation surrounding de Vries' potential move to Alpine as a replacement for Fernando Alonso.
- The hosts debate de Vries' strengths and weaknesses as a driver and his suitability for a top team.
- They mention other drivers, like Jack Villeneuve, who have been linked to Alpine.

**Super License Points System:**

- The hosts delve into the controversial super license points system in Formula One.
- They criticize the system for prioritizing certain championships over others, leading to unfairness in driver progression.
- The hosts provide examples of drivers who have struggled to accumulate enough points despite strong performances in lower categories.

**Lance Stroll's Performance and Career:**

- The hosts briefly discuss Lance Stroll's career and his improvement as a driver.
- They acknowledge that Stroll has become a respectable driver despite initial criticism.

**Conclusion:**

- The hosts wrap up the podcast by reiterating their concerns about the super license points system and the need for reform. **Summary of the Podcast Episode Transcript**

The podcast episode transcript covers a wide range of topics related to Formula One racing, including the 2023 calendar, the Super License Point System, and the recent controversies surrounding the sport.

**Key Insights, Perspectives, and Controversies:**

* **Super License Point System:** Guest speaker João Ginete provides an in-depth explanation of the Super License Point System, which determines a driver's eligibility to compete in Formula One. He highlights the complexities of the system and the challenges drivers face in accumulating enough points to qualify.

* **2023 Calendar:** The hosts discuss the recently released 2023 Formula One calendar, which features a record-breaking 24 races. They express concerns about the demanding schedule and its potential impact on the well-being of drivers and team personnel.

* **Controversial Rule Changes:** The hosts and João Ginete engage in a lively debate about recent controversial rule changes in Formula One, including the introduction of sprint races and the revised points system. They discuss the pros and cons of these changes and their potential impact on the sport.

* **Cost-Cutting Measures:** The hosts criticize the high costs associated with Formula One, particularly for smaller teams. They argue that the current financial structure makes it difficult for new teams to enter the sport and limits competition.

* **Fraud Watch Segment:** The hosts introduce a new segment called "Fraud Watch," where they discuss individuals or organizations in the motorsport community who have engaged in questionable or fraudulent behavior. They highlight several examples and engage in light-hearted banter about the topic.

**Important Quotes and Statements:**

* **On the Super License Point System:**

> "The Super License Point System is a complex system that aims to ensure that drivers have the necessary experience and skills to compete in Formula One. However, it can be challenging for drivers to accumulate enough points, especially if they come from underrepresented regions or lack financial backing." - João Ginete

* **On the 2023 Calendar:**

> "The 24-race calendar is ambitious and will undoubtedly be demanding for drivers and teams. It's important to strike a balance between the desire for more races and the well-being of those involved in the sport." - Dan

* **On Controversial Rule Changes:**

> "The introduction of sprint races and the revised points system have sparked mixed reactions. Some argue that they add excitement and unpredictability to the sport, while others believe they undermine the traditional format of Formula One." - João Ginete

* **On Cost-Cutting Measures:**

> "The high costs associated with Formula One are a major barrier to entry for new teams and can lead to a lack of competition. It's crucial to find ways to reduce costs and make the sport more accessible to a wider range of teams." - Dan

* **On Fraud Watch:**

> "Fraud Watch is a lighthearted segment where we call out individuals or organizations in the motorsport community who have engaged in questionable or fraudulent behavior. It's all in good fun, but it also serves as a reminder that the sport is not immune to corruption." - Dan

The podcast episode concludes with the hosts discussing their plans for future episodes and encouraging listeners to engage with them on social media. Overall, the episode provides an informative and entertaining look at various aspects of Formula One racing, while also addressing some of the controversies and challenges facing the sport. **Podcast Summary: A Candid Conversation on Formula One with João Ginete**

**Introduction:**

In this engaging podcast episode, host Dan welcomes João Ginete, a former Red Bull staff member, to delve into the world of Formula One, Formula Two, and the upcoming 2023 calendar. João sheds light on the intricate Super License Point System, a topic that has perplexed many in the racing community.

**Key Points and Discussion:**

1. **The Super License Point System Demystified:**

- João provides a comprehensive explanation of the Super License Point System, a crucial aspect for drivers aspiring to compete in Formula One.
- He clarifies the requirements and criteria that drivers must meet to obtain the necessary points for a Super License.
- The discussion highlights the significance of this system in ensuring the safety and competence of drivers entering the pinnacle of motorsport.

2. **Formula One and Formula Two Updates:**

- João shares his insights on the current state of Formula One and Formula Two, discussing recent developments and notable performances.
- He offers his perspective on the upcoming 2023 calendar, analyzing the changes and potential implications for the upcoming season.
- The conversation covers various aspects of the sport, including team strategies, driver dynamics, and the evolving landscape of Formula One.

3. **Controversies and Insights:**

- João addresses some of the controversies surrounding the sport, providing his take on contentious issues and incidents.
- He shares his thoughts on the recent rule changes and their impact on the sport, offering a balanced and informed perspective.
- The podcast delves into the complexities of Formula One, exploring the challenges and opportunities that teams and drivers face throughout the season.

**Overall Message:**

The podcast offers a comprehensive overview of Formula One and Formula Two, providing valuable insights from a respected industry expert. João Ginete's knowledge and experience shed light on various aspects of the sport, making this episode an informative and engaging listen for fans and enthusiasts alike.