Monaco GP 2023 F1 race review - 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

Here's a detailed summary of the Missed Apex podcast episode: "Slippery When Wet":

**Introduction:**

* The podcast begins with a discussion about the Monaco Grand Prix, which took place on the same day as the Indy 500 and the Missed Apex 24-hour Enduro.
* The hosts, Jonathan Simon, Matt Trumpets, Kyle Power, and Jules Seegers, express their excitement for the race, despite its reputation for being uneventful.

**Race Review:**

* The hosts analyze the various factors that contributed to the thrilling Monaco Grand Prix, including strategy, rain, and driver mistakes.
* They discuss the strategic decisions made by the teams, particularly Aston Martin's controversial pit stop strategy for Fernando Alonso.
* The hosts also highlight the impressive qualifying lap by Max Verstappen, which they believe was one of the best they've ever seen.

**Tire Strategy:**

* The hosts delve into the complex tire strategy employed by the teams during the race, with a focus on the different tire compounds and their impact on performance.
* They discuss the challenges faced by drivers on the medium tires, which were more susceptible to graining and wear.
* The hosts also analyze the decision by some teams to start on the soft tires in anticipation of rain, which ultimately proved to be a successful strategy.

**Fernando Alonso's Potential Victory:**

* The hosts debate whether Fernando Alonso could have won the race if Aston Martin had made different strategic decisions.
* They discuss Alonso's strong performance in qualifying and his ability to maintain a competitive pace on the hard tires.
* The hosts conclude that Aston Martin missed an opportunity to secure a victory for Alonso, who hasn't won a race in Formula One since 2013.

**Mercedes' Upgrades:**

* The hosts briefly discuss Mercedes' heavily anticipated upgrades, which were introduced at the Monaco Grand Prix.
* They express cautious optimism about the potential impact of the upgrades on Mercedes' performance, but acknowledge that it's too early to make any definitive judgments.

**Overall Thoughts:**

* The hosts conclude the podcast by praising the Monaco Grand Prix for delivering an exciting and unpredictable race, despite its reputation for being boring.
* They emphasize the importance of strategy, luck, and driver skill in Formula One, and express their anticipation for the upcoming races.

**Key Points:**

* The Monaco Grand Prix was a thrilling race with a variety of strategic decisions, rain, and driver mistakes.
* Aston Martin's pit stop strategy for Fernando Alonso was controversial, and many believe it cost him the race.
* Max Verstappen's qualifying lap was one of the best ever seen, showcasing his incredible skill and the Red Bull team's dominance.
* The tire strategy played a crucial role in the race, with teams having to carefully manage their tires to avoid graining and wear.
* Fernando Alonso could have potentially won the race if Aston Martin had made different strategic decisions, but the team missed an opportunity to secure a victory for him.
* Mercedes' heavily anticipated upgrades were introduced at the Monaco Grand Prix, but it's too early to determine their impact on the team's performance. ## Missed Apex Podcast Episode Transcription
**Summary**

The Missed Apex podcast crew discusses the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, focusing on key moments, driver performances, and strategic decisions.

**Key Moments and Controversies**

* **Alonso vs. Verstappen Pit Stop:** The pivotal moment of the race was the pit stop decision for Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen. Alonso pitted for the intermediate tires one lap before Verstappen, and many believe that had Alonso stayed out on the track for one more lap, he would have gained a significant advantage and potentially won the race.

* **Russell's Mistake:** George Russell made a costly error when he locked up his brakes while exiting the pits on intermediate tires, dropping him down the order and costing him a podium finish.

* **Sainz's Frustration:** Carlos Sainz was visibly frustrated with Ferrari's strategic decisions during the race. He felt that the team should have kept him out on track longer on the hard tires, rather than pitting him for the medium tires.

* **Gasly's Performance:** Pierre Gasly had a solid race, finishing in the points, but was overshadowed by his teammate Esteban Ocon's podium finish.

**Key Insights and Perspectives**

* **The Importance of Patience at Monaco:** The Monaco Grand Prix is known for its tight and narrow circuit, which makes it difficult to overtake. As a result, patience is key, and drivers often need to wait for the right moment to make a move.

* **The Role of Strategy:** Strategy plays a crucial role in the Monaco Grand Prix, as teams need to make the right decisions regarding tire choice and pit stops. The ability to adapt to changing conditions and make quick decisions can be the difference between success and failure.

* **The Mental Challenge of Monaco:** The Monaco Grand Prix is a mentally challenging race for drivers, as they need to maintain focus and composure in the face of intense pressure and unpredictable conditions.

**Overall Message**

The 2023 Monaco Grand Prix was a thrilling and unpredictable race that showcased the importance of patience, strategy, and mental toughness in Formula One racing. **Summary: Missed Apex Podcast Episode on Monaco Grand Prix**

In this episode of the Missed Apex Podcast, hosts Jonathan ‘Jonno’ Simon, Trumpets, Kyle ‘Edgy’ Power, and Dutch journalist Jules Seegers discuss the Monaco Grand Prix and other Formula One-related topics.

**Key Insights, Perspectives, and Controversies:**

* Mercedes brought upgrades to the Monaco Grand Prix, but it is difficult to tell their effectiveness due to the unique characteristics of the track. The team hopes to see a clearer picture of the upgrades' impact at the Spanish Grand Prix.

* The drivers struggled with setup issues in Monaco, particularly Lewis Hamilton, who admitted to making the wrong setup choices. This highlights the challenge of finding the right setup with limited testing and simulation tools.

* Logan Sargent, the Williams rookie, faced a difficult race in Monaco, being involved in several on-track scraps and struggling with tire management. The hosts discuss the challenges faced by rookie drivers in Formula One, including limited testing opportunities and intense pressure.

* The race in Monaco was notable for the absence of a safety car, despite the challenging conditions and incidents on track. The hosts praise Formula One and the race direction for allowing the race to continue without unnecessary interruptions.

**Important Quotes and Statements:**

* "It's almost impossible to tell [how effective the Mercedes upgrades were]. The only way you can tell is how happy did the drivers seem in some of the interviews afterwards." - Matt Trumpets

* "And I think Hamilton after the race said that he found the car to be pretty stiff, but he sounded very upbeat about exploring the development of this car." - Jules Seegers

* "I'm actually looking at this not as an upgrade, as a reset. They are essentially resetting the direction they're going in." - Kyle Power

* "Logan Sargent managed to get it to the chequered flag. Yeah, yeah. I must say I had a bit of an eye out for him to see. I always like to see what rookies do on a track like this, because it's so demanding." - Jules Seegers

* "I just thought it was crazy. But guaranteed, I'm lucky I didn't look at my betting app too much before this because there's usually a bet, will there be a safety car, yes or no? And it's like free money, just free, just to put money on that and really, really happy I didn't go down that route." - Kyle Power

**Overall Message and Takeaway:**

The Monaco Grand Prix was a challenging race that tested the skills and resilience of the drivers. The absence of a safety car was a positive development, allowing the race to run without unnecessary interruptions. The hosts also highlight the challenges faced by rookie drivers in Formula One and the importance of providing them with more testing opportunities. Sure, here is a detailed summary of the podcast episode:

**Introduction**

* The hosts, Jonathan 'Jonno' Simon, Trumpets, Kyle 'Edgy' Power, and Dutch journalist Jules Seegers, discuss the helicopter shots at Monaco, which they believe were used for the first time during FOM's coverage of the race.
* They also discuss the lack of safety cars at the Monaco Grand Prix, with the last one occurring in 2021 and the one before that in 2009, both of which were held in dry conditions.

**Things of the Weekend**

* Nick De Vries' performance is praised, with the hosts noting his solid weekend and ability to keep the car out of trouble, despite driving for the worst Alfa Tauri/Toro Rosso in recent history.
* Esteban Ocon's third-place finish is also highlighted, with credit given to the team for delivering on their promise to fight for third fastest team.
* The crane footage of the cars' floors is mentioned as a positive, as it provides technical insights that are not normally available.

**Bad Things of the Weekend**

* Ferrari's continued strategic errors are criticized, with the hosts noting that the team has become a soft target for criticism in this area.
* Sergio Perez's aggressive driving is also criticized, with the hosts suggesting that he should be more mindful of the fact that he is racing on a street circuit.
* Aston Martin's struggles are discussed, with the hosts expressing concern that the team's best days may be behind them, despite their early-season advantage over Mercedes.

**Conclusion**

* The hosts wrap up the podcast by discussing the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix and their plans for midweek shows.

**Additional Notes**

* Timestamps for each section of the podcast are included in the transcript.
* The hosts' social media handles are:
* Matt Trumpets: @mattpt55 on Twitter and Mastodon
* Jonathan Simon: @jonnyess8 on Twitter and Instagram
* Kyle Power: @KylePowerF1 on Twitter
* Jules Seegers: @JulesSeegers on Twitter

**Overall Message**

The overall message of the podcast is that the Monaco Grand Prix was an exciting race with some positive and negative aspects. The hosts provide their insights and opinions on the key moments of the race, while also discussing some of the broader issues facing Formula One.