I Can't Believe It's Not Renault

Spanners and Trumpets are joined by Chris ‘Catman’  Turner and F1 Tik Tok titan Cristina Lee Mace as they discount all the rumours on the way to Baku. From Mercedes’ machinations to Alpine’s aspirations, from sprint race speculation to update uncertainty, no hopium is overlooked in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast. 

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**Mercedes Reshuffle:**

* Mike Elliott, the former Technical Director, has been moved to a managerial role.
* James Allison, the former CTO, has returned to his previous role as Technical Director.
* This move was prompted by Mercedes' disappointing start to the season and disagreements among the engineering team about the car's concept.

**Alpine's Aspirations:**

* Alpine aims to challenge Mercedes for fourth place in the Constructors' Championship.
* The team believes that it has the potential to make significant progress this season.
* Alpine's drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, have shown strong pace in the first three races.

**American Races:**

* The debate continues over the number of races held in America.
* Some argue that there are too many races in the United States, while others believe that the growing popularity of F1 in America warrants the increased presence.
* The Miami Grand Prix is the next race on the calendar, and it is expected to be a major event.

**Kimi Raikkonen's Contention in 2008:**

* Kimi Raikkonen is often overlooked when discussing the 2008 Formula One season.
* Raikkonen won the Drivers' Championship that year, but his title victory is often overshadowed by the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa.
* Raikkonen's consistency and strong performances throughout the season were key factors in his championship win. ## Missed Apex Podcast Episode Transcript Summary

**Introduction**

- The podcast hosts discuss the upcoming Baku Grand Prix and the various rumors surrounding it, including Mercedes' machinations, Alpine's aspirations, and sprint race speculation.


**American Interest in Formula One**

- The hosts express concern about the sustainability of the recent surge in American interest in Formula One, given the high cost of attending races and the potential for the sport to become more focused on spectacle than competition.


**New Tracks and the Future of Formula One**

- The hosts debate the pros and cons of adding new tracks to the Formula One calendar, particularly in the United States. They discuss the need for a balance between expanding the sport's reach and maintaining the quality of the racing.


**Street Circuits vs. Traditional Tracks**

- The hosts discuss the relative merits of street circuits and traditional race tracks, with some expressing a preference for the latter due to their focus on single-seater racing.


**IndyCar and the Appeal of Overtaking**

- The hosts discuss the appeal of IndyCar racing, particularly the high number of overtakes and the closer competition between teams. They also discuss the use of push-to-pass in IndyCar and whether it could be a viable alternative to DRS in Formula One.


**Sprint Races and the Future of Qualifying**

- The hosts discuss the upcoming sprint races in Formula One, expressing mixed feelings about their impact on the sport. They also discuss the possibility of changing the format of qualifying for the sprint races.


**Conclusion**

- The hosts wrap up the podcast by discussing the overall state of Formula One and the challenges it faces in maintaining its popularity and relevance in the future. * **Summary of the Podcast:**

1. **Sprint Races Debate:**
- The hosts discuss the pros and cons of sprint races, acknowledging that they can be exciting but also dilute the value of traditional Grand Prix events.
- Cristina Lee Mace, a Formula 1 TikTok creator, expresses her support for sprint races, particularly for their ability to engage new fans and generate more excitement over race weekends.
- Matt Trumpets, a Formula 1 podcaster and journalist, voices his opposition to sprint races, arguing that they diminish the significance of the main race and add unnecessary complexity to the weekend format.
- Chris "Catman" Turner, a Formula 1 journalist and podcaster, takes a more neutral stance, acknowledging the benefits of sprint races for race promoters and the potential to mix things up, but also expressing concerns about the impact on the overall racing calendar and the strain it puts on teams and drivers.

2. **Kimi Räikkönen's 2008 Season:**
- Catman brings up Kimi Räikkönen's 2008 season, questioning whether he was a forgotten contender for the World Championship that year.
- The hosts discuss Räikkönen's inconsistent performances and tendency to crash, suggesting that he may not have been as competitive as some fans remember.
- They also mention the controversial incident at the Singapore Grand Prix, where Nelson Piquet Jr. was allegedly ordered to crash to benefit Fernando Alonso's championship chances.

3. **Upcoming Upgrades and Team Expectations:**
- The hosts speculate on potential upgrades that teams might bring to upcoming races, particularly the upcoming races in Baku and Imola.
- They discuss the significance of the "B-spec" cars that Mercedes and McLaren are expected to introduce, as well as the possibility of Alpine making further improvements to their car.
- Matt Trumpets expresses optimism for Alpine's progress, citing their switch to push-rod rear suspension as a sign of their commitment to improvement.
- Cristina Lee Mace sets a modest goal for Alpine, hoping to see both of their cars finish races without making major mistakes.

4. **McLaren's Struggles:**
- The hosts briefly touch on McLaren's disappointing start to the season, acknowledging that the team has been struggling for pace and results.
- Catman mentions the "size zero" concept that McLaren introduced in 2015, which was a very tight and aerodynamic package, but ultimately did not deliver the desired results.

**Overall, the podcast provides an engaging and informative discussion on various topics related to Formula 1, including sprint races, past seasons, upcoming upgrades, and team expectations.** ## Missed Apex Podcast: Discounting the Rumors on the Way to Baku

**Key Points:**

- The podcast discusses the latest rumors and speculations surrounding the Formula One world ahead of the Baku Grand Prix.

- McLaren's struggles and the impact of Andrea Seidel's departure are analyzed.

- Technical changes and upgrades expected for McLaren's car are discussed, with cautious optimism expressed.

- The podcast speculates on the potential impact of the sprint race on the Saturday of the Baku Grand Prix.

- A live show in London in June and a karting event on July 1st are announced, with details provided.

- The importance of Patreon support for the podcast's survival is emphasized.

- Recommendations for following the podcast hosts and crew on social media are given.

- Shopify and Prize Picks advertisements are included in the podcast.

**Detailed Summary:**

1. **McLaren's Struggles and Technical Changes:**

- McLaren's recent struggles are attributed to fundamental issues rather than a lack of technical ability.
- Andrea Seidel's departure as McLaren's Team Principal is seen as a setback for the team's stability.
- McLaren is expected to introduce a B-spec package for their car between the Baku and Imola races, which could potentially improve their performance.
- The podcast highlights the importance of stability in technical departments for Formula One teams.

2. **Technical Changes and Upgrades:**

- McLaren's engineering structure has undergone changes, with Stella taking over as Team Principal.
- The team is aiming to resolve design problems that have affected their car's performance.
- The podcast emphasizes that McLaren is not reverting to the Matrix-style engineering structure used in the past.

3. **Cautious Optimism for McLaren:**

- The podcast expresses cautious optimism about McLaren's prospects with the upcoming upgrades.
- Piastri's performance is seen as a positive sign, while Ricciardo's struggles continue.
- McLaren's potential to compete with Alpine and other midfield teams is discussed.

4. **Sprint Race Speculation:**

- The podcast considers the possibility of the sprint race on Saturday becoming a point-scoring race.
- Plans for a special race preview podcast are mentioned in case the sprint race format changes.

5. **Live Show and Karting Event:**

- The podcast announces a live show in London in June and a karting event on July 1st.
- Details regarding venue and registration are provided.

6. **Patreon Support and Social Media:**

- The importance of Patreon support for the podcast's survival is emphasized.
- The podcast encourages listeners to follow the hosts and crew on social media platforms.

7. **Shopify and Prize Picks Advertisements:**

- The podcast includes advertisements for Shopify and Prize Picks, highlighting their services and offerings.

**Overall Message:**

The podcast provides an informed and engaging discussion of the latest developments in Formula One, focusing on McLaren's struggles, technical changes, and the upcoming Baku Grand Prix. It also promotes the podcast's live show, karting event, and the importance of Patreon support.