Magazine Show: Harry Benjamin and also DTS

It’s a special edition MAP Magazine as Spanners is joined by Harry Benjamin to discuss comms and the other end of the grid then Presenter/Commentator and 7News Sports Reporter  Jonathan ‘Jono’ Simon hops on with Trumpets, voice of the London ePrix, PR meister Chris Stevens and legendary streamer and sim racer Scott Tuffey aka Stuffeyy for some serious Drive To Survive dissecting. From comms box commotions to midfield mania, from DTS diversions to storyline central, no backroom chat goes unrecorded in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast.

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Come watch our iRacing championship!!!! With Stevens and Catman on Comms!!! 

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**Missed Apex Podcast: Commentary and the Back of the Grid**

- Harry Benjamin, a rising star in F1 media, joins the podcast to discuss the art of commentary and his experiences in Formula One.

- Benjamin emphasizes the importance of preparation and homework in commentary, noting the challenges of keeping track of 30 cars and their drivers during a race.

- He also highlights the supportive team environment in Formula 3, where he has commentated alongside experts like Alex Brundle, Jordan King, and Alice Powell.

- Benjamin discusses the pressure and excitement of commentating on Formula One races, particularly his first experience on the BBC coverage.

- He reflects on his journey to becoming a commentator, including a humorous anecdote about sending a commentary demo to F1 after accidentally destroying his laptop during a practice session.

- Benjamin shares his thoughts on the current state of F1 media coverage, praising the variety of options available to viewers and the increasing accessibility of the sport.

- He acknowledges the competitive nature of the commentary world and the constant pressure to perform well and avoid mistakes.

- Benjamin provides his predictions for the bottom three teams in Formula One based on testing results, with Alfa Tauri being his hot take for last place.

- He also discusses the potential impact of driver lineups on team performance, particularly in the case of Williams with Alex Albon and Alfa Tauri with Yuki Tsunoda and Nick De Vries.

- Benjamin emphasizes the importance of development and investment for teams looking to improve their performance and avoid being sold.

- The podcast concludes with a brief mention of Yuki Tsunoda's impressive fourth-place finish in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is often overshadowed by the championship battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. **Summary of the Missed Apex Podcast Episode: Drive To Survive Season 5 Dissection**

* **Introduction:**

* The Missed Apex podcast team, including Jonathan 'Jono' Simon, Matt Trumpets, Chris Stevens, and Scott 'Stuffeyy' Tuffey, gather to discuss the fifth season of the popular Netflix series, Drive to Survive.

* **Comms and the Other End of the Grid:**

* The episode begins with a discussion about communications and the teams at the back of the grid.
* Harry Benjamin, a current F1 commentator, joins the panel to share his insights.
* Benjamin highlights the importance of comms in F1 and the challenges faced by teams with limited resources.

* **DTS Diversions and Storyline Central:**

* The panel moves on to discuss the portrayal of storylines in Drive to Survive.
* They debate the show's focus on drama and manufactured rivalries, acknowledging that it can be entertaining but also misleading.
* Benjamin emphasizes the need for balance and accuracy in storytelling.

* **Midfield Mania:**

* The conversation shifts to the midfield battle in Formula One.
* The panel discusses the competitiveness of the midfield and the impact of the new regulations on the pecking order.
* They also touch upon the struggles of McLaren and the potential of teams like Alfa Romeo and Williams.

* **Cost Cap Controversy:**

* The panel delves into the cost cap controversy that emerged during the 2022 season.
* They analyze the accusations against Red Bull and the subsequent investigation by the FIA.
* The discussion highlights the importance of financial regulations in maintaining a level playing field in F1.

* **Toto Wolff vs. Christian Horner:**

* The episode explores the rivalry between Toto Wolff of Mercedes and Christian Horner of Red Bull.
* The panel examines their heated exchanges during team principal meetings, particularly regarding porpoising and the cost cap.
* They analyze the strategies employed by both team principals and their impact on the championship battle.

* **Active Suspension and Driver Safety:**

* The discussion turns to the issue of porpoising and the safety concerns raised by drivers.
* The panel debates the effectiveness of the FIA's response to the problem and the potential long-term health implications for drivers.
* They also discuss the historical context of active suspension in Formula One and the parallels to the current situation.

* **Conclusion:**

* The panel wraps up the episode by reflecting on the overall impact of Drive to Survive on Formula One.
* They acknowledge the show's success in attracting new fans and generating excitement for the sport.
* However, they also emphasize the need for caution in interpreting the storylines presented in the series and the importance of seeking out additional sources of information to gain a comprehensive understanding of Formula One. **Summary of Missed Apex Podcast Episode: DTS Season 5 Discussion**

The Missed Apex podcast crew, along with special guests Harry Benjamin, Jonathan 'Jono' Simon, Chris Stevens, and Scott 'Stuffeyy' Tuffey, dissect the fifth season of the popular Netflix Formula One docuseries, Drive to Survive (DTS).

**Cost Cap Controversy:**

* The episode delves into the cost cap controversy surrounding Red Bull Racing's alleged breach of the 2021 budget regulations.

* Christian Horner's reaction to the allegations is analyzed, with the panel discussing his perceived victimhood and the mental health card he played.

* The panel agrees that Horner's response was pathetic and that he should have taken responsibility for the team's actions.

* The conversation also touches on the reactions of other team principals, such as Mattia Binotto and Zak Brown.

* Brown's letter to the FIA, in which he called for strict adherence to the cost cap regulations, is praised by the panel.

**Alpine Driver Drama:**

* The podcast discusses the driver drama at Alpine, specifically the departures of Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri.

* The panel examines the domino effect caused by Sebastian Vettel's retirement and the subsequent musical chairs among drivers.

* Otmar Szafnauer's handling of the situation is criticized, with the panel arguing that he dropped the ball by not re-signing Piastri sooner.

* The panel also discusses the impact of Piastri's move to McLaren and the potential damage to his reputation.

**Haas and Mick Schumacher:**

* The podcast analyzes the relationship between Haas and Mick Schumacher, which ultimately ended with Schumacher's departure from the team.

* The panel discusses Haas's need for an experienced and reliable driver, given their limited budget.

* Schumacher's costly crashes and mistakes are highlighted as factors contributing to the team's decision not to renew his contract.

* The panel agrees that the pairing of Haas and Schumacher was a poor fit from the start.

**Other Observations:**

* The podcast also touches on other topics, including:

* Nico Rosberg and Max Verstappen's obsession with mentioning Mercedes in the media.

* The perception that Christian Horner has an obsession with attacking Mercedes.

* The intriguing conversations captured between Otmar Szafnauer and Zak Brown.

**Overall:**

The Missed Apex podcast provides an engaging and informative discussion of the key storylines and controversies from the fifth season of Drive to Survive. The panel's insights and analysis offer a deeper understanding of the events and personalities that shaped the 2022 Formula One season. # Missed Apex Podcast: Drive To Survive Dissection

## Episode Summary:

This special edition of the Missed Apex Podcast features Spanners joined by Harry Benjamin to discuss communications and the other end of the grid. Jonathan 'Jono' Simon, presenter, commentator, and 7News Sports Reporter, hops on with Trumpets, the voice of the London ePrix, PR meister Chris Stevens, and legendary streamer and sim racer Scott Tuffey aka Stuffeyy for a deep dive into the popular Netflix series Drive to Survive.

## Key Points:

- **Mick Schumacher's Departure from Haas:**
- Haas' decision to drop Mick Schumacher was influenced by the team's financial situation and their focus on experienced drivers.
- Schumacher's struggles to adapt to the team's aggressive management style and his expensive crashes contributed to his departure.
- The team's lack of support and nurturing of Schumacher hindered his development.

- **Coaching Styles in Junior Single Seaters:**
- Different teams employ various coaching approaches in junior single-seater racing.
- Some teams adopt a softer, nurturing approach, fostering open dialogue and providing support to drivers.
- Other teams use a more aggressive, hard-line approach, pushing drivers to perform at their limits.

- **Haas' Management Style:**
- Haas' management style mirrors the cutthroat nature of Formula One, prioritizing results over driver development.
- Gunther Steiner's particular hard-line coaching style and dismissive attitude towards Schumacher contributed to the driver's struggles.

- **The Impact of Crashes on Schumacher's Performance:**
- Schumacher's expensive crashes added pressure on the team, especially considering Haas' budget constraints.
- The team's emphasis on avoiding crashes may have hindered Schumacher's ability to push the limits and improve his performance.

- **Schumacher's Potential:**
- Despite his struggles at Haas, Schumacher has shown glimpses of talent, such as his performance at Silverstone, where he scored points and nearly overtook Verstappen.
- Schumacher's departure from Haas may provide him with a fresh start and an opportunity to rebuild his career.

- **The Importance of Confidence for Drivers:**
- Confidence is crucial for drivers, especially in Formula One, where they operate at high speeds and face immense pressure.
- The conflicting messages and lack of support from the team undermined Schumacher's confidence, affecting his performance.

- **The Role of Gene Haas:**
- Gene Haas' concerns about the cost of Schumacher's crashes and his preference for experienced drivers also contributed to the driver's departure.

- **Haas' New Drivers:**
- With Schumacher's departure, Haas has brought in more experienced drivers, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, who are expected to perform consistently and avoid costly crashes.

- **The Popularity of Drive to Survive:**
- The Drive to Survive series has gained immense popularity for its behind-the-scenes look at Formula One, attracting new fans to the sport.
- The series has also sparked discussions about the challenges faced by drivers, team dynamics, and the intense competition in Formula One.

## Overall Message:

The podcast highlights the complex dynamics within Formula One teams, the impact of management styles on driver performance, and the challenges faced by young drivers trying to establish themselves in the sport. It also emphasizes the importance of confidence and support for drivers, especially in a high-pressure environment like Formula One.