Bahrain F1 Race Review 2023

Spanners and Trumpets are joined  by the voice of the London ePrix, PR meister Chris Stevens and driver analyst Alex ‘Jeansy’ Vangeen as the teams turn over all their cards at the Bahrain GP. From remarkable Red Bull to amazing Aston, from Mercedes’ maelstrom to Williams’ wild ride, no aggregate roughness goes unmeasured in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast. 

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## Missed Apex Podcast Episode Transcript Review

**Title:** How Hard Can It Be? A McLaren Story

**Summary:**

1. **Aston Martin's Impressive Start:**
- Aston Martin's remarkable performance, securing a podium finish and challenging Mercedes, exceeded pre-season expectations.
- The team's progress is attributed to the recruitment of skilled personnel, particularly Dan Fallows, who brought valuable aerodynamic insights.
- However, questions remain regarding Aston Martin's adherence to the cost cap and the sustainability of their strong start throughout the season.

2. **Fernando Alonso's Podium Finish:**
- Fernando Alonso's podium finish was a highlight of the race, showcasing his exceptional racing skills and ability to compete with top drivers.
- His clean and skillful overtaking moves, particularly against Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz, were praised by the hosts.
- Alonso's performance demonstrated that, despite his age, he remains one of the best drivers on the grid.

3. **Lance Stroll's Performance:**
- Lance Stroll's effort in the race was commendable, considering his recent injuries and lack of practice.
- He drove flawlessly after a minor incident with his teammate and managed to split the Mercedes cars.
- However, concerns were raised about Stroll's awareness and the potential consequences if his actions had caused a major accident.

4. **Mercedes' Struggles:**
- Mercedes faced difficulties in the race, with Lewis Hamilton expressing dissatisfaction with the car's performance and downforce.
- The team's strategic decision to pit Hamilton early to countercut Alonso backfired, as Alonso gained an advantage with fresher tires.
- Mercedes' overall messaging appeared muddled, with Toto Wolff acknowledging the need for improvements while also downplaying the significance of the team's struggles.

5. **McLaren's Brief Appearance:**
- McLaren's race was short-lived, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri retiring due to technical issues.
- The team's poor start to the season has led to disappointment among fans, who had hoped for a stronger performance.

6. **Williams' Positive Step:**
- Williams showed signs of improvement, with Alex Albon finishing in the points and Nicholas Latifi showing promise.
- The team's progress is attributed to the leadership of James Vowles, who joined from Mercedes.

**Overall:**
The Bahrain Grand Prix provided excitement and intrigue, with Aston Martin's strong start, Fernando Alonso's podium finish, and Mercedes' struggles being key talking points. McLaren's disappointing performance and Williams' positive step also garnered attention. The hosts engaged in lively discussions, providing insightful analysis and engaging commentary throughout the episode. # Missed Apex Podcast Episode 115 Transcript: Bahrain Takeaways

## Introduction

- Spanners, Trumpets, Chris Stevens, and Alex Vangeen join the podcast to discuss the Bahrain Grand Prix.
- The team analyzes the remarkable Red Bull performance, Aston Martin's impressive podium finish, Mercedes' struggles, and Williams' wild ride.

## Red Bull's Dominance

- Max Verstappen dominates the race, leading from start to finish and setting a new lap record.
- Sergio Perez also has a strong race, finishing third behind Charles Leclerc.
- Red Bull's RB19 proves to be the class of the field, with superior pace and tire management.

## Aston Martin's Resurgence

- Aston Martin secures a podium finish with Fernando Alonso, their first since 2021.
- The team's AMR23 shows strong pace and consistency, suggesting they could be a contender for regular top-six finishes.
- Lance Stroll also has a solid race, finishing in the points.

## Mercedes' Struggles

- Mercedes endures a difficult weekend, with Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth and George Russell retiring due to a hydraulic issue.
- The team's W14 car suffers from porpoising and lacks pace compared to Red Bull and Ferrari.
- Toto Wolff admits that Mercedes needs to change their car concept, but this will require a significant redesign.

## Williams' Wild Ride

- Williams shows signs of improvement with Alex Albon finishing in the points and Logan Sargeant impressing on his Formula 1 debut.
- The team's FW45 car appears to be more competitive than in previous seasons.

## Other Notable Moments

- Carlos Sainz retires from the race due to a reliability issue with his Ferrari.
- Kevin Magnussen scores points for Haas, continuing their strong start to the season.
- Nyck de Vries impresses on his AlphaTauri debut, finishing ninth.

## Overall

- Red Bull emerges as the clear favorite for the 2023 championship.
- Aston Martin and Williams show signs of improvement, while Mercedes faces an uphill battle to catch up.
- The midfield battle promises to be intense, with several teams capable of challenging for points. Sure, here is a summary of the podcast episode transcript:

**Race Recap:**

* Red Bull dominated the race, with Max Verstappen winning and Sergio Perez finishing second.
* Aston Martin had a strong showing, with Fernando Alonso finishing fifth and Lance Stroll finishing eighth.
* Mercedes struggled, with Lewis Hamilton finishing ninth and George Russell finishing fourth.
* Williams had a solid race, with Alex Albon finishing tenth and Logan Sargeant finishing twelfth.
* Valtteri Bottas finished eighth in the Alfa Romeo.

**Key Points:**

* Mercedes' W14 car has fundamental problems that will take time to fix.
* Aston Martin's AMR23 car is a significant improvement over last year's car.
* Williams' FW45 car is a step forward for the team.
* Valtteri Bottas is settling in well at Alfa Romeo.
* Esteban Ocon had a disastrous race, receiving multiple penalties.

**Insights and Controversies:**

* There was some debate among the hosts about whether Mercedes should abandon development of the W14 car and focus on the 2024 car.
* There was also some discussion about whether Aston Martin's performance is sustainable or if it was just a one-off.
* The hosts praised Williams' progress and expressed optimism for the team's future.
* There was some criticism of Ocon's driving and the Alpine team's strategy.

**Overall Message:**

The first race of the 2023 Formula One season provided plenty of surprises and talking points. Red Bull and Aston Martin look strong, while Mercedes and Ferrari have work to do. The midfield is also shaping up to be competitive, with several teams showing promise. * **Thing of the Weekend:**
* Matt: Pierre Gasly's 11-place gain and points finish for Alpine.
* Alex: Lance Stroll's performance considering his injuries.
* Chris: Fernando Alonso's post-race interview and comments about the new aero testing regulations.
* **Bad Thing Award:**
* Matt: McLaren's poor performance and reliability issues.
* Chris: Esteban Ocon's grid box and speed limiter line errors, as well as Alpine's stopwatch malfunction.
* Alex: Mercedes' PR messaging and negative comments about their car's concept.
* **Missed Apex Award:**
* Alex: Carlos Sainz's performance, falling behind teammate Charles Leclerc. ## Missed Apex Podcast: Bahrain GP Review

**Key Points:**

* The Bahrain GP featured remarkable performances from Red Bull, Aston Martin, and Williams, while Mercedes faced challenges and Ferrari struggled on a track not suited to their car.
* Red Bull's dominance continued with Max Verstappen securing pole position and the race win, while Sergio Perez finished second.
* Aston Martin surprised with Fernando Alonso finishing fifth and Lance Stroll in tenth place, demonstrating the team's progress.
* Williams had a strong race with Alex Albon finishing ninth and Logan Sargeant in twelfth, showing signs of improvement for the team.
* Mercedes encountered difficulties with Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth and George Russell ninth, highlighting the team's ongoing struggles.
* Ferrari had a disappointing weekend with Carlos Sainz finishing sixth and Charles Leclerc retiring due to a mechanical issue, showcasing the team's vulnerability on certain tracks.

**Insights and Perspectives:**

* Alex Vangeen, driver analyst, emphasized the importance of track characteristics in determining team performance, highlighting Ferrari's struggles on tracks that don't favor their car.
* Chris Stevens, PR meister, discussed the impact of the new regulations on the pecking order of teams, leading to closer competition and unexpected results.

**Controversies and Insightful Moments:**

* The podcast acknowledged the controversy surrounding the FIA's handling of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, recognizing the need for improved decision-making and consistency in race officiating.
* The discussion highlighted the impressive performance of Aston Martin, particularly Fernando Alonso's strong race, showcasing the team's potential for further improvement.

**Overall Message:**

The Bahrain GP provided a glimpse into the evolving dynamics of the 2023 Formula One season, with Red Bull maintaining its dominance, Aston Martin making strides, Williams showing signs of progress, Mercedes facing difficulties, and Ferrari facing challenges on certain tracks. The podcast emphasized the influence of track characteristics on team performance and the impact of the new regulations on the competitive landscape.