2022 Season Review and Call-in

Spanners and Trumpets are joined by Danish TV journo Kristian Pedersen and Presenter/Commentator extraordinaire Jonathan ‘Jono’ Simon as they cast a wary eye at the looming off season. From Power Unit priorities to Norris’ future notions, from Leclerc’s learnings to call in questions, no outwash rear wing endplate goes unbanned in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast.

Please consider supporting us on patreon. We exist only because of our patron support:

Missed Apex F1 is creating Podcasts

Or use our Tip Jar to support our 2022  advertising campaign and help us grow the podcast 

Spanners Ready Spanners���� (@SpannersReady)

[email protected]

Matt Trumpets mattpt55 (@mattpt55)

[email protected]

Kristian Pedersen krede (@ikrede) / Twitter

Jonathan Simon Jonathan Simon (@jonnyess8) / Twitter

Jonathan Simon (@jonnyess8) • Instagram photos and videos

Missed Apex Missed Apex Podcast (@MissedApexF1)

[email protected]

RSS feed for episodes:

https://missedapexpodcast.com/episode-list?format=rss

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

**2022 Season Review: Missed Apex Podcast**

* **Missed Apex Podcast:** A podcast dedicated to Formula One racing, hosted by Spanners (Richard Ready), Matt Trumpets, Kristian Pedersen, and Jonathan Simon.

**Discussion:**

* **Lando Norris' Future:**
* Norris is stuck in the top midfield seat, with limited opportunities for advancement due to the dominance of Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari.
* McLaren needs to improve its budget and car performance to compete with the top teams.
* Norris should demand a better car from McLaren, while also exploring options with other teams.

* **McLaren's Struggles:**
* McLaren has not been a championship-contending team for over a decade, despite its rich history.
* The team's partnership with Mercedes led to a decline in its competitiveness.
* McLaren needs to find a new engine partner for 2026 to become a works team.

* **Charles Leclerc's Performance:**
* Leclerc has shown speed and driving skill, but he needs to improve his communication and assertiveness.
* Leclerc may struggle to win a championship unless Ferrari provides him with a dominant car.
* Ferrari's unreliable power unit in 2022 hindered Leclerc's performance.

* **Power Unit Freeze and Ferrari's Strategy:**
* The power unit freeze allows teams to make modifications for reliability reasons only.
* Ferrari may have prioritized performance over reliability in developing its power unit.
* This strategy could give Ferrari an advantage in qualifying but may lead to reliability issues during races.

* **Call from EJ (Denmark):**
* EJ expresses concern that the current regulations may lead to a repeat of the 2017-2019 era, with limited competition beyond the top three teams.
* He questions whether the regulations should be prolonged to allow for closer racing.

* **Call from Wietse (Netherlands):**
* Wietse asks if Charles Leclerc has learned enough from the 2022 season to mount a championship challenge in 2023.
* He highlights Leclerc's speed and driving skills but notes his passive communication style compared to Carlos Sainz.

**Overall:**

* The podcast discusses various topics related to the 2022 Formula One season, including the challenges faced by Lando Norris and McLaren, Charles Leclerc's performance and development, and the impact of the power unit freeze on Ferrari's strategy.

* The podcast also features calls from listeners, providing their perspectives and questions on the discussed topics. **Summary of the Missed Apex Podcast Episode**

**Episode Overview:**

The Missed Apex podcast crew, joined by Danish TV journalist Kristian Pedersen and commentator Jonathan 'Jono' Simon, engage in a lively discussion about various topics related to the Formula One off-season. They delve into power unit priorities, Charles Leclerc's performance and challenges, and the impact of the cost cap on team dynamics.

**Key Points:**

1. **Power Unit Analysis:**
- Ferrari's power unit has potential for improvement in terms of reliability.
- Mercedes' power unit is considered the most reliable but lacks performance.
- Honda or Red Bull Racing's power unit is currently the best option.
- Ferrari's decision to focus on developing reliability over performance is a strategic move.

2. **Charles Leclerc's Performance:**
- Leclerc has demonstrated exceptional speed when his car is performing well.
- Communication issues between Leclerc and the Ferrari team have hindered his performance.
- Leclerc's tendency to push too hard and make mistakes under pressure is a concern.

3. **Cost Cap Impact:**
- The cost cap has leveled the playing field, allowing smaller teams to compete more effectively.
- Teams must now carefully manage their resources and prioritize spending.
- Controlling a team's budget within the cost cap is a new challenge for Formula One teams.

**Insights and Perspectives:**

- The podcast panelists believe that Ferrari has the potential to become a championship-winning team if they can resolve their reliability issues.
- Leclerc's performance is highly dependent on the car's performance and the team's ability to provide effective communication and support.
- The cost cap has introduced a new dimension to Formula One, requiring teams to adapt their strategies and resource allocation.

**Controversies and Notable Moments:**

- The panelists debate the merits of Ferrari's decision to prioritize reliability over performance in their power unit development.
- There is discussion about Leclerc's tendency to make mistakes under pressure and whether he can overcome this challenge.
- The podcast crew acknowledges the ongoing debate surrounding Red Bull's alleged cost cap breach and its potential consequences.

**Overall Message:**

The podcast highlights the complexities and challenges facing Formula One teams during the off-season. It emphasizes the need for strategic decision-making, effective communication, and adaptability in the face of changing regulations and competitive dynamics. * **FIA Review:**

* The FIA has been proactive in trying new things and reacting to the increasing demand for more action and entertainment in Formula One.
* They have shown a willingness to be inventive and have demonstrated initiative.
* The FIA has become more transparent and quicker in their decision-making and communication with teams and drivers.
* The new leadership at the FIA is working to get rid of the old bureaucratic approach that hindered progress in the past.

* **Overtaking:**

* There has been a 30% increase in overtakes this season compared to last season, with 785 overtakes in 2022 compared to 599 in 2021.
* The new cars and regulations have made it easier for drivers to follow and overtake each other, leading to more exciting races.
* Pirelli has played a crucial role by providing tires that allow drivers to make second pit stops and catch up to those who have made only one stop.
* The introduction of a new front tire next season is expected to further reduce understeer and improve overtaking.

* **Cost Cap:**

* The cost cap has been a controversial topic, with some teams, including Red Bull, accused of breaching the regulations.
* The FIA has been criticized for its handling of the cost cap saga, with some feeling that Red Bull received a lenient penalty.
* The cost cap is seen as a necessary measure to ensure financial sustainability and prevent a few wealthy teams from dominating the sport.
* The cost cap is expected to level the playing field and make it more competitive for smaller teams to challenge for wins and championships.

* **Mercedes' Struggles:**

* Mercedes has struggled to adapt to the new regulations and has fallen behind Red Bull and Ferrari in terms of performance.
* The team's struggles have been attributed to a combination of factors, including the design of their car and their difficulty in getting the tires to work properly.
* Mercedes is expected to bounce back next season, but they will need to make significant improvements to their car and strategy.

* **Norris' Future:**

* Lando Norris is one of the most talented young drivers in Formula One and is seen as a future world champion.
* He has been linked with a move to Red Bull or Ferrari in the future, but he is currently contracted to McLaren until the end of 2025.
* Norris has expressed his desire to win a world championship with McLaren, but he may be tempted to move to a top team if they offer him a better chance of success.

* **Leclerc's Learnings:**

* Charles Leclerc has had a challenging season in 2022, making several mistakes and losing valuable points.
* He has learned from his mistakes and is determined to come back stronger next season.
* Leclerc is still considered one of the best young drivers in Formula One and is expected to challenge for the world championship in the future.

* **Call-in Questions:**

* The podcast received a call from a listener who expressed concern that Red Bull was getting away with breaking the cost cap regulations.
* The caller also questioned whether Aston Martin had deliberately exploited loopholes in the cost cap rules to gain an advantage.
* The panelists discussed the caller's concerns and provided their perspectives on the cost cap controversy. **Season Review: Overtaking, Driver Styles, and a Farewell to 2022**

* **Overtaking:**

* The 2022 season witnessed a significant increase in overtaking maneuvers, a positive development for the sport.
* Several factors contributed to this, including the new regulations, which aimed to promote closer racing.
* Drivers had more opportunities to overtake, leading to exciting and unpredictable races.
* The DRS system also played a role in facilitating overtaking.

* **Driver Styles:**

* Max Verstappen's driving style evolved throughout the season, becoming more controlled and less aggressive.
* This change was attributed to the new regulations and the pressure of being a world champion.
* Verstappen's adaptation to the new rules and his ability to maintain composure under pressure were key factors in his success.

* **Farewell to 2022:**

* The podcast hosts expressed their gratitude to their listeners for their support throughout the 2022 season.
* They acknowledged the challenges faced by the team, including the loss of a close friend, but also highlighted the positive experiences and the growth of the podcast.
* The hosts looked forward to the upcoming 2023 season and promised to continue delivering engaging and informative content to their listeners.

**Additional Points:**

* The hosts discussed the importance of constructive criticism and welcomed feedback from their listeners.
* They encouraged listeners to reach out to them on social media or via email to share their thoughts and suggestions.
* The podcast team expressed their appreciation for their Patreon supporters, whose contributions help sustain the podcast.
* They also mentioned their partnership with PrizePicks, a daily fantasy sports platform, and encouraged listeners to check it out.
* The hosts concluded the episode with a heartfelt farewell to the 2022 season and expressed their excitement for the upcoming year.