Ep43 - Las Vegas GP - 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

**I. Introduction**

* Dan and Blake, the hosts of the Engine Breaking F1 podcast, begin the episode by discussing the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
* They acknowledge that the race weekend was full of glitz and glamour but also had its share of issues, including the infamous drain cover incident.

**II. F1's No Refunds Policy**

* Dan and Blake criticize Formula One's policy of not issuing refunds to fans who were unable to attend the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to the delayed start and shortened schedule.
* They point out that this policy is unfair to fans who paid a significant amount of money for tickets and travel arrangements.

**III. Dan Comes to Terms with His Ocon Agenda**

* Dan admits that he has been overly critical of Esteban Ocon in the past, but he is starting to come around on the French driver.
* He acknowledges that Ocon has been performing well in recent races and deserves more credit.

**IV. Ferrari's Design Flaw is Actually Golden**

* Dan and Blake discuss Ferrari's decision to use a low-downforce rear wing in Las Vegas, which resulted in Charles Leclerc qualifying in first place.
* They praise Ferrari's engineers for their innovative approach and for taking a risk that paid off.

**V. What Happened with McLaren?**

* Dan and Blake express their disappointment with McLaren's performance in Las Vegas, as the team struggled with tire preparation and finished outside the points.
* They speculate that McLaren may have made a mistake in bringing a Monza-spec bodywork to Vegas, which could have compromised their performance on the slower sections of the track.

**VI. Vegas Wasn't Actually That Bad?**

* Dan and Blake reflect on the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend as a whole and conclude that it was not as bad as they initially thought.
* They acknowledge that the race itself was exciting and that the city of Las Vegas put on a great show.

**VII. Fraud Watch and Engine Mode Good Boy**

* Dan and Blake nominate Carlos Sainz as the "fraud" of the week for his costly crash in practice, which was caused by a loose drain cover.
* They nominate Charles Leclerc as the "good boy" of the week for his impressive performance in qualifying and the race.

**VIII. Random Fandom for Next Week**

* Dan and Blake select their teams for random fandom for the next race weekend in Abu Dhabi.
* Dan chooses Red Bull Racing, while Blake chooses Mercedes.

**IX. Conclusion**

* Dan and Blake wrap up the episode by discussing the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and expressing their excitement for the final race of the season.
* They also remind listeners to check out their YouTube channel, where they post additional content, including interviews with drivers and engineers. Sure, here is a detailed summary of the podcast episode transcript:

**Introduction**

* The podcast begins with a discussion about the Las Vegas Grand Prix, its glamour, and the infamous drain covers that caused issues for some drivers.
* The hosts also mention the Formula One policy of not issuing refunds, which has been a source of frustration for some fans.

**Race Shenanigans**

* The race was filled with drama and incidents, including several collisions and safety car periods.
* The most notable incident was the collision between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on lap 17, which resulted in a puncture for Hamilton and a five-second penalty for Verstappen.
* Other incidents included a spin by Fernando Alonso, a collision between George Russell and Oscar Piastri, and a safety car period caused by debris from a collision between Verstappen and Russell.

**Race Analysis**

* The hosts analyze the performance of various drivers and teams, including Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, and Oscar Piastri.
* They discuss the different strategies employed by the teams, such as the use of hard tires and the timing of pit stops.
* They also highlight some underrated drives, such as Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon, who both made impressive recoveries after difficult qualifying sessions.

**Track and Event Review**

* The hosts discuss the Las Vegas Grand Prix track and the overall event.
* They praise the track for providing overtaking opportunities and for producing an exciting race.
* However, they also criticize the event for being too commercial and lacking in atmosphere.
* They suggest some changes that could be made to improve the event, such as reducing the number of celebrities and focusing more on the racing.

**Conclusion**

* The hosts conclude the podcast by discussing the championship standings and the upcoming final race of the season.
* They also reflect on the Las Vegas Grand Prix and its place in the Formula One calendar.

**Overall, the podcast provides an informative and entertaining discussion of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with insights from experienced Formula One experts.** # **2022 Las Vegas Grand Prix Recap**

## **Overview**

- The Las Vegas Grand Prix was a controversial race, with many criticizing the track layout and the lack of overtaking opportunities.
- However, the race did produce some exciting moments, including a thrilling battle for the lead between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
- In the end, Verstappen won the race, with Perez finishing second and Lewis Hamilton taking the final podium spot.

## **Key Talking Points**

### **The Track Layout**

- The Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit was a temporary street circuit that was built around the Las Vegas Strip.
- The track was very narrow and twisty, with few overtaking opportunities.
- This made it difficult for drivers to make up positions, and the race was often processional.

### **The Race**

- The race started with Verstappen taking the lead from pole position.
- Perez quickly moved up to second place, and the two Red Bull drivers were able to pull away from the rest of the field.
- Hamilton was able to make up some ground in the second half of the race, but he was never able to challenge Verstappen and Perez for the lead.
- In the end, Verstappen won the race by a comfortable margin, with Perez finishing second and Hamilton taking the final podium spot.

### **The Controversies**

- The Las Vegas Grand Prix was marred by a number of controversies.
- One of the biggest controversies was the decision to hold the race on a Saturday night.
- This meant that many fans were unable to attend the race due to work or other commitments.
- Another controversy was the decision to charge fans a $100 fee to watch the race on a big screen in the city center.
- This was seen as a cash grab by Formula One, and it led to many fans boycotting the race.

## **Overall**

- The Las Vegas Grand Prix was a controversial race, but it did produce some exciting moments.
- The track layout was not ideal, but the race was still entertaining.
- The controversies surrounding the race will likely lead to changes being made for next year's event.