F1 Strategy with Mike Caulfield 23rd August 2023

It’s a strategic special as Spanners and Trumpets are joined by former Mercedes and Haas F1 strategist Mike Caulfield as they sand off the summer break blues. From tantalizing tires to intriguing IndyCar no pit delta goes uncalculated in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast

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# Missed Apex Podcast: Strategy Special

**Summary:**

* **Introduction:**

* Hosts: Spanners, Matt Trumpets, and special guest Mike Caulfield, former Mercedes and Haas F1 strategist.
* The trio discusses the summer break and their anticipation for the upcoming strategic battles in Formula One.

* **Main Discussion:**

* **IndyCar vs. Formula One:**

* Mike shares his observations from the Indianapolis Road Course event, which featured both IndyCar and NASCAR races.
* He highlights the sense of community and camaraderie among IndyCar teams, contrasting it with the more competitive atmosphere in Formula One.
* The hosts discuss the reasons behind IndyCar's lagging popularity compared to Formula One, including the smaller team sizes, lower technology levels, and lack of global appeal.

* **Strategic Elements in IndyCar:**

* Mike emphasizes the importance of push-to-pass in IndyCar, which allows drivers to use a power boost for overtaking and defense.
* He suggests that Formula One could benefit from implementing a similar system, potentially by limiting DRS usage and making it more tactical.

* **Fuel Saving and Tire Management:**

* Mike discusses the strategic implications of fuel saving and tire management in Formula One.
* He expresses his disagreement with the decision to scrap the 110-kilo fuel limit, arguing that it reduces the strategic options for teams.
* The hosts reflect on past races where fuel saving and tire management played crucial roles in determining the outcome.

* **The Role of Commentary:**

* Mike shares his frustrations with Formula One commentary, particularly when commentators make incorrect assumptions about strategy.
* He emphasizes the importance of having experts who can provide accurate and insightful analysis during races.

* **The Future of Strategy in Formula One:**

* The hosts speculate on potential changes to Formula One regulations that could enhance strategic decision-making.
* They discuss the challenges of balancing entertainment with the need for clear and understandable strategies.
* Mike stresses the importance of driver skill and the ability to adapt to changing conditions, regardless of the specific regulations.

* **Conclusion:**

* The hosts summarize the key points discussed in the episode and thank Mike Caulfield for sharing his insights.
* They encourage listeners to support the podcast through Patreon or the Tip Jar.

**Additional Notes:**

* The hosts mention that they will be doing a commentary stint for their iRacing series on Friday, August 26th.
* Paul Adams, a listener, poses a question on Twitter: if Formula One switched to tires that could last the entire race, what would be left for the strategy department to do?
* The hosts discuss the implications of having tires that provide no performance degradation, concluding that it would lead to fewer overtakes and a less exciting spectacle.
* Mike Caulfield shares an anecdote about Max Verstappen's race engineer reprimanding him for not bringing the tires in gently enough during a race. He explains the importance of treating tires well to preserve their performance. Sure, here is a detailed summary of the podcast episode transcript you provided, organized into clear sections and covering the main points discussed:

**Tire Allocations and Strategy:**

* Pirelli introduced new tire constructions at Silverstone, but teams didn't notice a significant impact on strategy.
* The main issue with full wets is that they struggle to remove enough water, leading to spray and aquaplaning.
* Pirelli is considering introducing a 'super intermediate' tire to bridge the gap between full wets and intermediates.
* The alternate tire allocation rule, which was tested in Budapest, worked well, but it remains to be seen if it will be effective at other tracks like Monza.

**Tire Warm-Ups and Blankets:**

* Mike Caulfield was in favor of removing tire warmers as it adds a different strategic element and can lead to more overtakes on track.
* Removing tire warmers won't necessarily make racing less safe, as IndyCar successfully runs without them.
* Teams currently have to follow strict regulations regarding tire blankets, so there's less scope for trickery.
* In the past, teams invested significant resources in researching and optimizing tire blanket usage.

**Quick-Fire Questions from Listeners:**

* Jordan asks if there are tracks where strategy alone can't overcome a car's inherent lack of pace.
* Caulfield agrees that some tracks, like Monaco, are more difficult to overcome with strategy alone.

* Ben asks if teams should be allowed to use data from previous races to help with strategy.
* Caulfield believes that using data from previous races can be beneficial, especially for newer teams or drivers.

* Matt asks if there's a way to make tire strategy more interesting for fans.
* Caulfield suggests that teams could be required to use a wider range of tires during a race, forcing them to make more strategic decisions.

**Overall Takeaway:**

The podcast episode delves into various aspects of tire strategy in Formula One, including the challenges of wet weather conditions, the potential benefits of removing tire warmers, and the role of data and innovation in optimizing tire usage. The discussion also highlights the importance of strategy in overcoming car limitations and the potential for rule changes to make tire strategy more exciting for fans. ## Missed Apex Podcast: Strategic Special with Mike Caulfield

**Introduction:**
- The podcast begins with a discussion about the summer break and the anticipation for the upcoming races.
- The hosts, Spanners and Trumpets, welcome former Mercedes and Haas F1 strategist Mike Caulfield as their guest.

**Strategies in Formula One:**
- The podcast delves into the strategies employed in Formula One racing, particularly in situations where a car is significantly slower than its competitors.
- Caulfield explains that in such cases, teams often rely on outside influences, such as weather or accidents, to gain positions.
- He highlights the challenges of devising strategies for slower cars and the limited potential for gaining significant positions.

**Hulkenberg vs. Magnussen:**
- A listener asks about the performance of Nico Hulkenberg compared to Kevin Magnussen at Haas.
- Caulfield expresses his belief that Hulkenberg's strong qualifying performances have been a key factor in his success, despite the car's limitations in races.
- He attributes Hulkenberg's resurgence to his experience and motivation after a brief hiatus from F1.

**Ferrari's Struggles:**
- The discussion turns to Ferrari's strategic issues and the team's overall performance.
- Caulfield suggests that Ferrari's strategists may be attempting to compensate for flaws elsewhere in the car or team.
- He emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to address Ferrari's challenges and improve their race-day performance.

**Mike Caulfield's Insights:**
- Caulfield shares his perspective on the role of strategists in Formula One and the challenges they face.
- He highlights the importance of strategists adapting to different situations and making difficult decisions to maximize results.
- Caulfield also emphasizes the need for strategists to be proactive and innovative in their approach.

**Conclusion:**
- The podcast concludes with the hosts thanking Caulfield for his insights and encouraging listeners to follow him on social media.
- They remind listeners about the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix review and invite them to join the conversation.