Canadian GP 2023 F1 race review

Spanners and Trumpets are joined by F1 media breakout star Antonia Rankin and F1 Tik Tok titan Cristina Lee Mace as they dodge all the wildlife at the Canadian Grand Prix. From Alonso’s attempt to Hamilton’s hopes, from the wonders of Williams to the inevitable Safety Car shuffle, no pass on the finish line for points goes unbroadcast in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast. 

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**Summary of the Canadian Grand Prix Race Review Podcast**

The Missed Apex podcast crew, joined by F1 media breakout star Antonia Rankin and F1 Tik Tok titan Cristina Lee Mace, dissect the Canadian Grand Prix.

**Key Points:**

* Despite the lack of a clear frontrunner, the race provided some exciting moments and strategic battles.
* Aston Martin showed promising signs with their upgrades, with Fernando Alonso expressing confidence in their ability to challenge Red Bull.
* The midfield battle intensified, with Mercedes and Aston Martin emerging as potential contenders for second place in the championship.
* George Russell's mistake cost him a podium finish, highlighting the pressure he faces as Lewis Hamilton's teammate.
* Sergio Perez's struggles continued, with a poor qualifying session and an inability to make up positions during the race.
* Ferrari's strategic blunders once again hindered their drivers, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz expressing frustration with the team's decision-making.
* The Canadian Grand Prix highlighted the need for better communication and trust between drivers and pit walls, particularly at Ferrari.
* Lance Stroll's performance in Canada was a positive sign, but he needs to show more consistency to match his teammate Fernando Alonso.
* The different characteristics of each circuit will play a role in determining the competitiveness of the various teams throughout the season.
* The battle between Alonso and Hamilton for second place in the championship is heating up, with both drivers showing strong pace and determination.

**Overall Message:**

The Canadian Grand Prix provided some exciting racing and strategic battles, but also highlighted the ongoing issues faced by Ferrari and the pressure on George Russell as Lewis Hamilton's teammate. The midfield battle is intensifying, and the different characteristics of upcoming circuits will play a role in determining the competitiveness of the various teams. # Missed Apex Podcast Transcript Summary

**Canada Grand Prix Recap**

- Fernando Alonso's attempt to pass Lewis Hamilton resulted in a safety car, highlighting the strategic importance of fuel management and potential fuel pump issues.
- Hulkenberg's penalty for a track limits infringement disrupted Mercedes' strategy and prevented them from taking advantage of the safety car restart.
- Alonso's pursuit of race leader Max Verstappen was hindered by tire temperature issues and a rear brake problem, leading to cautious driving and missed opportunities.

**Unsafe Pit Release Controversy**

- Lewis Hamilton's pit release ahead of Alonso sparked debate regarding the definition of an unsafe release in Formula One.
- The stewards deemed the release safe, emphasizing the subjective nature of the regulations and the reliance on stewards' judgment in such situations.
- The incident highlighted the need for clearer guidelines and consistent enforcement of pit lane safety regulations.

**George Russell's Sophomore Struggles**

- Russell's crash during the race was seen as a setback in his development as a top-tier driver, raising questions about his ability to consistently perform at the highest level.
- His struggles were attributed to a combination of factors, including pressure to match Lewis Hamilton's pace, lack of self-critical analysis, and the challenge of adapting to a new team and car.
- Russell's comments about other drivers' spatial awareness were seen as ironic given his own recent incidents.

**Max Verstappen's Dominant Performance**

- Verstappen's controlled and efficient race showcased his ability to manage tire issues and maintain a comfortable lead, extending his championship advantage.
- His performance highlighted the strength of the Red Bull car and his status as a top contender for the world championship.

**Sergio Perez's Ongoing Struggles**

- Perez's disappointing qualifying and race performances raised concerns about his form and consistency as a teammate to Verstappen.
- His struggles were attributed to a combination of factors, including setup issues, lack of confidence, and potential changes in his approach or routine.
- The team's analytical approach to problem-solving was questioned, as Perez's issues persisted despite the team's reputation for self-criticism and problem-solving. **Thing of the Weekend:**

* Antonia Rankin: Lando Norris' fighting spirit until the last lap.
* Christina Lee Mace: George Russell's double overtake on De Vries and Magnussen.
* Matt Trumpets: The strategic decisions made during the safety car period.

**Bad Thing of the Weekend:**

* Antonia Rankin: Nick De Vries and Kevin Magnussen's collision.
* Christina Lee Mace: McLaren's unsportsmanlike behavior during the safety car period.
* Matt Trumpets: Sergio Perez's qualifying performance.

**Controversial Moments:**

* The stewards' decision to penalize Norris for impeding Piastri during the safety car period.
* The stewards' decision not to penalize Norris for backing up the field during the safety car period.
* The stewards' decision to penalize Perez for impeding Albon during qualifying.

**Insights and Perspectives:**

* Sergio Perez is a reliable and capable driver, but he is not a title contender.
* McLaren's unsportsmanlike behavior during the safety car period was a strategic move to gain an advantage, but it was also against the spirit of sportsmanship.
* The safety car period created a unique opportunity for strategic decision-making, which added excitement to the race.

**Overall Message:**

The Canadian Grand Prix was a race of strategy, controversy, and exciting battles. The strategic decisions made during the safety car period were particularly noteworthy, as they had a significant impact on the outcome of the race. # Missed Apex Podcast: Canadian Grand Prix Review

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## Key Points and Main Arguments:

* **Williams' Strategy:** The team's decision to switch to slick tires during qualifying and take advantage of the safety car period was a strategic masterstroke, leading to strong results for Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi.

* **Alonso's and Hamilton's Strategy:** There was discussion about whether Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton could have improved their positions by staying out during the safety car period, but the consensus was that they made the right call to pit.

* **Hamilton's Tire Management:** Hamilton's ability to manage his tires effectively throughout the race was highlighted as a key factor in his strong performance and eventual podium finish.

* **Missed Apex Awards:**

* **Thing of the Weekend:** Cristina Lee Mace awarded this to Lewis Hamilton for his impressive tire management.

* **Missed Apex:** Antonia Rankin gave this to Nick De Vries for his subpar driving and defending, while Cristina Lee Mace criticized the camera angle on the main straight for providing poor coverage of the race. Matt Trumpets expressed frustration with the lack of a backup plan for the CCTV issues during Free Practice 1, and he also criticized Lando Norris for his reckless driving and five-second penalty.

## Notable Quotes:

* "I hope this doesn't go too deep, but I wonder, could Alonzo, could Hamilton have done better by staying out during the safety car?" - Antonia Rankin

* "Lewis Hamilton doing what Lewis Hamilton does best, which is, yeah, not going out there and thrashing his tires, going out there, managing stints, and actually kind of delivering." - Cristina Lee Mace

* "I'm going to give an honourable mention or dishonourable mention I suppose in this case to Nick De Vries. Just not the standard of racing I would expect from a driver of his calibre, the standard of defending you would expect from an F1 driver, generally disappointing battles from his side." - Antonia Rankin

* "For me it's that barrier and the camera angle going down the main straight into turn one. I don't know who allowed that camera to be set up that way." - Cristina Lee Mace

* "I'm really frustrated, because I had mine all lined up and it was guaranteed to enrage everybody." - Matt Trumpets

## Controversies and Insights:

* There was some debate about whether Alonso and Hamilton could have improved their positions by staying out during the safety car period, but the consensus was that they made the right call to pit.

* Antonia Rankin's criticism of Nick De Vries' driving and defending was met with some disagreement from the other panelists, who felt that he was simply being cautious and respectful in his battles.

* Matt Trumpets' frustration with the lack of a backup plan for the CCTV issues during Free Practice 1 highlighted the importance of having contingency plans in place for unforeseen circumstances.

## Overall Message and Takeaway:

The Canadian Grand Prix provided exciting racing and strategic battles, with Williams emerging as a surprise performer and Lewis Hamilton showcasing his tire management skills. The Missed Apex panel engaged in lively discussions about various aspects of the race, providing insightful analysis and entertaining commentary.