F1 News and Strategy March 12th 2023 - 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

**Missed Apex Podcast - Episode Summary**

* **Introduction:**
* The podcast begins with the hosts, Spanners, Trumpets, and Kyle Power, discussing the recent Bahrain Grand Prix and the state of Formula One after the first race of the season.

* **Mercedes' Struggles:**
* The hosts analyze Mercedes' poor performance in Bahrain, attributing it to the team's struggles with their new car concept and the cost cap regulations.
* They also discuss the potential impact of the cost cap on the competitiveness of the field and the transfer of technology between teams.

* **Ferrari's Issues:**
* The hosts discuss Ferrari's disappointing result in Bahrain, focusing on the team's decision to sack Chief Aerodynamicist David Sanchez after just one race.
* They speculate on the reasons behind Sanchez's departure and the potential impact it could have on Ferrari's development.

* **McLaren's Problems:**
* The hosts discuss McLaren's struggles in Bahrain, attributing them to the team's misinterpretation of the new floor regulations.
* They also discuss the team's new wind tunnel, which is expected to be operational in June, and its potential impact on McLaren's development.

* **Alpine's Progress:**
* The hosts discuss Alpine's strong performance in Bahrain, highlighting the team's impressive reliability and Fernando Alonso's impressive drive.
* They also discuss the team's history and the challenges it faces in competing with the top teams.

* **Conclusion:**
* The hosts wrap up the podcast by discussing the upcoming races and the potential for a more competitive season as the teams continue to develop their cars.

**Additional Notes:**

* The hosts also briefly discuss the recent news of Red Bull's cost cap breach and the potential consequences for the team.
* The podcast includes several humorous exchanges between the hosts, particularly regarding the gardening leave regulations and the guillotine-style management at Ferrari.
* The hosts also make several references to historical events and figures in Formula One, demonstrating their deep knowledge of the sport. # Missed Apex Podcast Episode 131 Transcript

## Introduction

* Spanners and Trumpets are joined first by driver analyst Kyle ‘Edgy’ Power to chew the post-Bahrain fat and then former Mercedes and Haas F1 strategist Mike Caulfield stops by for a special strategy summit.
* From lap time leaps to Pirelli’s predicament, from Mercedes misfires to lightening the F1 load, no tyre degradation curve goes unplotted in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast.

## Alpine and Aston Martin’s Troubles

* Spanners and Matt discuss the struggles of Alpine and Aston Martin in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
* Alpine, despite their strong development cycle last season, had a disappointing start to the season, with Fernando Alonso finishing ninth and Esteban Ocon finishing 17th.
* Aston Martin, on the other hand, had a surprisingly strong performance, with Fernando Alonso finishing ninth and Esteban Ocon finishing 17th.
* The team is hopeful that they can extract more performance from the current car and make significant improvements throughout the season.

## Mercedes’ Struggles

* The hosts discuss Mercedes’ struggles in the Bahrain Grand Prix, where they finished third and fourth, well behind Red Bull and Ferrari.
* Toto Wolff, the team principal, has been critical of the team’s performance, saying that they have made a “S-ball drop” and that they may have to write off the season.
* Kyle and Matt discuss the different opinions within Mercedes about whether to continue developing the current car or to switch to a new concept.
* They also discuss the team’s decision to bring a significant upgrade to the Imola Grand Prix, which could potentially help them close the gap to Red Bull and Ferrari.

## Interview with Mike Caulfield

* The hosts interview Mike Caulfield, a former strategist for Mercedes and Haas, to get his insights on the start of the season and the challenges facing the teams.
* Caulfield discusses the atmosphere in the paddock in Bahrain, which he describes as “relaxed and chilled.”
* He also talks about the challenges of preparing for the first race of the season, given the limited amount of testing that teams had.
* Caulfield explains how teams use historic data from previous races and testing sessions to help them make decisions during the race.
* He also discusses the changes to the tires for the 2023 season, including the introduction of a new C1 tire and a new construction for the front tires.

## Conclusion

* The hosts wrap up the episode by discussing the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the challenges that the teams will face there.
* They also discuss the importance of fan engagement and the need for Formula One to continue to grow its audience. ## Missed Apex Podcast: Post-Bahrain Strategy Summit with Kyle 'Edgy' Power and Ex-Mercedes/Haas Strategist Mike Caulfield

### Introduction

- The podcast begins with hosts Spanners and Matt Trumpets discussing the recent Bahrain Grand Prix and the performance of the new Pirelli tires.
- Driver analyst Kyle 'Edgy' Power joins the conversation to provide his insights on the tire data and the impact of the new regulations on car performance.
- Former Mercedes and Haas F1 strategist Mike Caulfield joins the show for a special strategy summit, where he discusses the complexities of race strategy and the challenges faced by teams in making the right calls.

### Discussion:

**Tire Performance and Data Analysis:**

- Kyle Power explains that Pirelli has been conducting extensive tire tests throughout the off-season, but the teams have limited access to this data.
- The new C1 tire, which is the hardest compound available this year, is performing more like a C2 tire in terms of degradation and lap times.
- The medium tire (C2) was not used by any team during the Bahrain Grand Prix due to its lack of performance compared to the other compounds.
- The soft tire (C3) and the new C4 tire showed similar levels of degradation, with a difference of only 0.04 seconds per lap.
- Pirelli is aiming to create a mix of one-stop and two-stop races, with some teams opting for a more aggressive strategy to gain an advantage.

**Strategy Summit with Mike Caulfield:**

- Mike Caulfield discusses the challenges of race strategy, including the need to consider tire degradation, fuel management, and the performance of the car.
- He explains that teams often have to make quick decisions based on limited data and that there is always an element of risk involved in strategy calls.
- Caulfield emphasizes the importance of communication between the team and the driver, as the driver provides valuable feedback on the car's performance and tire condition.
- The strategy team also needs to consider the impact of track conditions, weather, and the performance of other cars on the grid.
- Caulfield believes that the new regulations have made it more difficult for teams to predict tire degradation and fuel consumption, which has added an extra layer of complexity to strategy decisions.

**Other Topics Discussed:**

- The impact of the new regulations on car performance and the potential for teams to erode the advantages gained last season.
- The difficulty of overtaking at certain tracks due to the increased downforce generated by the new cars.
- The challenges faced by teams in managing tire temperatures and avoiding overheating.
- The importance of driver feedback in helping the team make informed strategy decisions.
- The role of simulation tools in helping teams prepare for race weekends and make strategic decisions during the race. * **Race Lap Time:**

-> 01:13:01.160] that's the difference between where you are and where you want to be, you know, what's the delta.[01:13:01.160 -> 01:13:05.040] And then you can kind of use that to see, right, okay, if I stay out, I'll be X seconds behind them.[01:13:05.040 -> 01:13:08.920] If I pit, I'll lose X seconds in the pits, and then I'll be X seconds behind them.[01:13:08.920 -> 01:13:10.600] So, if it's a bigger loss than what you'll gain, then it's not worth pitting.[01:13:10.600 -> 01:13:13.200] If it's a smaller loss than what you'll gain, then it is worth pitting.[01:13:13.200 -> 01:13:15.560] But then you've also got to factor in, if I pit, will the person ahead of me also pit?[01:13:15.560 -> 01:13:19.720] And if they do, then I've lost out. So, it's a bit of a gamble, really, and you're kind of trying to second guess what the other teams are going to do.[01:13:19.720 -> 01:13:24.720] And then you've also got to factor in the track position, because if you're in a good track position, you don't want to give that up by pitting.[01:13:24.720 -> 01:13:25.240] So, it's a lot of things to consider.[01:13:25.240 -> 01:13:28.480] And then you've also got to factor in the track position, because if you're in a good track position, you don't want to give that up by pitting.[01:13:28.480 -> 01:13:30.040] So, it's a lot of things to consider. ## Missed Apex Podcast: Strategy Summit with Mike Caulfield

### Segment 1: Kyle Power's Analysis of the Bahrain Grand Prix

- Kyle Power, a driver analyst, joins Spanners and Trumpets to discuss the recently concluded Bahrain Grand Prix.
- They analyze the performance of Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes, with a focus on the impressive pace of Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
- They also delve into the strategic decisions made by the teams, particularly the timing of pit stops, and how they influenced the race outcome.

### Segment 2: Strategy Summit with Mike Caulfield

- Mike Caulfield, a former strategist for Mercedes and Haas F1 teams, joins the podcast for a special strategy summit.
- They discuss the various factors that affect tire strategy in F1, including tire degradation, car performance, and track conditions.
- Caulfield explains the concept of tire degradation curves and how teams use them to make strategic decisions during a race.
- They also discuss the importance of considering the performance of the car and the driver when making strategic calls.

### Segment 3: Insights from Mike Caulfield

- Caulfield shares his insights on the strategic decisions made by Mercedes and Red Bull during the Bahrain Grand Prix.
- He explains the reasoning behind Mercedes' decision to pit Lewis Hamilton early, and how it ultimately cost him the race.
- He also discusses Red Bull's strategy with Verstappen, which allowed him to maintain a significant lead throughout the race.

### Segment 4: Pirelli's Predicament

- The discussion shifts to the challenges faced by Pirelli, the sole tire supplier for F1, in developing tires that provide both performance and durability.
- They highlight the difficulties in balancing these two factors, given the varying demands of different tracks and driving styles.
- They also discuss the impact of tire degradation on race strategy and how it can lead to unpredictable outcomes.

### Segment 5: Mercedes' Misfires and Reducing the F1 Load

- The podcast delves into Mercedes' struggles in the early part of the 2023 season, focusing on their strategic errors and car performance issues.
- They discuss the challenges faced by the team in adapting to the new regulations and the pressure they are under to maintain their dominance in the sport.
- They also touch upon the ongoing debate about reducing the number of races in the F1 calendar and the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a move.

### Segment 6: Wrap-Up and Takeaways

- The podcast concludes with a summary of the key points discussed and the overall takeaways from the episode.
- They emphasize the importance of understanding tire strategy and how it can impact race outcomes.
- They also highlight the challenges faced by teams and drivers in making strategic decisions during a race and the role of experience and data analysis in this process.