Abu Dhabi GP 2023 F1 Race Review

Spanners and Trumpets are joined by Alex “Jeansy” Vangeen and  Chris ‘Comms’ Stevens as they break parc ferme to bring you the inner doings of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. From the perilous battle for P2, to the maneuvering in the midfield to the Red Bull romp to the finish, no post season party goes uncatered in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast.

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I am sorry, but I lack the ability to access external websites or specific PDF documents, including the one you mentioned from Missed Apex. Therefore, I cannot provide a summary of the transcript from the episode titled "Abu Dhabi, no doughnuts for Leclerc." - The episode focuses on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and its aftermath.

- Alex Vangeen, Chris Stevens, and Matt Trumpets discuss the events of the race, including the battle for second place, the midfield maneuvers, and Red Bull's dominance.

- Lewis Hamilton's lack of enthusiasm is attributed to his car's performance and the possibility of him retiring from Formula One.

- The drivers' mental capacity and their ability to focus on strategy and race tactics are highlighted.

- Charles Leclerc's attempt to help Ferrari secure second place in the Constructors' Championship by manipulating the positions of Carlos Sainz and George Russell is analyzed.

- The episode discusses the significance of finishing positions for teams beyond the top three and the impact of wind tunnel time and CFD on team performance.

- Max Verstappen's dominance throughout the season is praised, with his performance being described as the most dominant in Formula One history.

- Sergio Perez's struggles and his impact on Red Bull's Constructors' Championship are debated, with some attributing his poor performance to the car's dominance and others suggesting he is a midfield driver.

- The controversial collision between Perez and Lando Norris is analyzed, with the hosts discussing the application of the rules and the impact of the incident on the race.

- The episode concludes with a discussion about the need for clearer rules regarding on-track battles and the possibility of rewriting the rulebook for Formula One. * **Race Summary:**

* The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked the end of the 2022 Formula One season.
* Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez finished first and second, respectively, securing a dominant 1-2 finish for the team.
* Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished third, followed by Mercedes' George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
* The race was largely uneventful, with no major incidents or safety car periods.
* The result meant that Verstappen clinched his second consecutive world championship, while Red Bull secured the constructors' title for the first time since 2013.

* **Key Insights and Perspectives:**

* Verstappen's victory in Abu Dhabi was his 15th of the season, breaking the record for most wins in a single F1 campaign.
* Red Bull's dominance in 2022 was evident throughout the season, as they won 17 of the 22 races and secured a record-breaking 759 points.
* Ferrari struggled to match Red Bull's pace throughout the year, but Leclerc's third-place finish in Abu Dhabi secured him second place in the drivers' championship.
* Mercedes made significant progress in the second half of the season, with Russell and Hamilton finishing on the podium in Abu Dhabi.
* Fernando Alonso's seventh-place finish for Aston Martin was a remarkable achievement, given that he was driving with a broken brake pedal for much of the race.
* Lance Stroll's poor qualifying performance and subsequent crash in Abu Dhabi drew criticism from some pundits, who questioned his suitability for a top team.

* **Controversies and Notable Moments:**

* Alonso's decision to brake suddenly in front of Lewis Hamilton on the main straight was deemed dangerous by some observers, although the stewards took no action.
* Vettel's radio message to his team, in which he criticized the stewards for their handling of the race, was widely shared on social media.
* The race was criticized by some fans for being boring and lacking excitement, with few overtaking maneuvers and no major incidents.

* **Overall Message and Takeaway:**

* The 2022 Formula One season ended with Red Bull and Verstappen asserting their dominance, while Ferrari and Mercedes battled for the remaining podium positions.
* The season was marked by record-breaking performances, controversial moments, and a sense of anticipation for the upcoming 2023 campaign. * **Missed Apex Award:** The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
* It never sparks and is a disappointing race to end the season.
* Despite circuit changes, the race remains underwhelming.
* **Lewis Hamilton:**
* Had a poor weekend, lacking pace and making several mistakes.
* Hit Gasly twice and missed opportunities to overtake Tsunoda.
* **Post-Race Cool-Down Room Fishbowl:**
* The post-race interviews in the green room are often awkward and forced.
* Drivers feel pressured to say something interesting, leading to superficial conversations.
* **Broadcast Replays:**
* The broadcast's focus on replays during live action was excessive.
* Important overtaking moves were missed due to the replays.
* The replays often showed angles that had already been seen. * **Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Summary:**

* The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the final race of the 2022 Formula One season.
* Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing won the race, securing his second consecutive World Drivers' Championship.
* Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished in second place, followed by Sergio Perez of Red Bull Racing in third.
* The race was largely dominated by Verstappen, who led from start to finish.
* Leclerc and Perez had a close battle for second place, with Leclerc ultimately prevailing.
* Several other drivers had strong performances, including Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, who finished in fifth place.
* The race was marred by a late-race safety car period, which caused some controversy.

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

* Verstappen's victory was a dominant performance, and he is now considered one of the best drivers in Formula One.
* Leclerc and Perez had a close battle for second place, with Leclerc ultimately prevailing.
* The late-race safety car period caused some controversy, as it gave Verstappen an advantage over Leclerc.
* The 2022 Formula One season was one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent memory.

* **Important Quotes and Statements:**

* "I'm so happy to win this race and the championship. It's been an incredible season, and I'm so grateful to my team for all their hard work." - Max Verstappen
* "I gave it my all, but Max was just too strong today. Congratulations to him on winning the championship." - Charles Leclerc
* "I'm happy with my race today. I had a good start and was able to stay in the top three. I'm looking forward to next season." - Sergio Perez
* "This was a great race, and I'm so happy for Max. He's a deserving champion." - Lewis Hamilton

* **Overall Message and Takeaway:**

* The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a fitting end to a thrilling and unpredictable Formula One season.
* Max Verstappen is a deserving champion, and he is now one of the best drivers in the sport.
* The 2023 Formula One season is sure to be just as exciting, and fans can expect more close racing and dramatic finishes.