Pre-Season News Ticker Jan 22nd 2023

Spanners and Trumpets are joined by Danish TV journo Kristian Pedersen and Dutch journalist Jules Seegers as they find all the free F1 food. From contested contracts to Mercedes’ mistake, from maximum Max to panel predictions, no catering cupcake goes unconsumed in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast. (Note: we're aware that some of those listening on higher end systems may experience a small infrequent audio imperfection on this episode. We have identified the issue for future recordings)

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Mike Elliot interview in Motorsport How one wrong simulation answer triggered key mistake with Mercedes' W13 design

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**Missed Apex Podcast: Episode Transcript Analysis**

**Introduction:**

* The hosts, Spanners, Matt Trumpets, Kristian Pedersen (Danish TV journalist), and Jules Seegers (Dutch journalist), discuss the latest Formula One news and controversies.
* They also address some fair criticism they received from listeners regarding their previous episode on porpoising.

**Big Dirty News:**

* **Nick de Vries' Lawsuits:**
* De Vries is facing two lawsuits related to a loan he took out in 2018 to help fund his Formula 2 career.
* The investor who provided the loan is claiming that De Vries owes him 50% of his Formula One income for 2023, as per the terms of the loan agreement.
* De Vries argues that he does not owe the money because he did not have a Formula One seat in 2022, as defined in the agreement.
* The case is currently being heard in a Dutch court.

* **Mercedes' Side Pods:**
* There has been speculation that Mercedes will abandon its zero-side pod design for the 2023 season.
* However, the hosts believe that Mercedes will stick with the concept, despite its challenges.
* They argue that Mercedes has found solutions and upgrades that are not visible in the bodywork and that they are determined to make the design work.

**Other Topics Discussed:**

* **Porpoising:**
* The hosts acknowledge that they made some errors in their previous discussion of porpoising.
* They clarify that porpoising is not specifically a function of temperature and that it is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors.

* **Weight and Mass:**
* The hosts respond to a listener's criticism that they were too loose in their definition of weight and mass when discussing understeer.
* They acknowledge that they should have been more precise in their terminology and that they will strive to do better in the future.

**Conclusion:**

* The hosts wrap up the episode by emphasizing the importance of listener feedback and their commitment to improving the quality of the podcast.
* They also encourage listeners to send in their mailbag questions and to support the podcast through Patreon or their Tip Jar.

**Overall:**

The episode provides an informative and engaging discussion of the latest Formula One news and controversies. The hosts demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the sport and are able to provide insightful analysis and commentary. They also show a willingness to acknowledge and correct their mistakes, which is commendable. Overall, the episode is a valuable resource for Formula One fans who want to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the sport. 1. **Mercedes' 2023 Car Issues:**
- The article suggests that Mercedes' struggles in the 2023 season might be due to an error in simulations, specifically regarding the floor design.
- Matt McLaughlin argues that the simulations are only as good as the information given to them and that it's possible that a modeling error led Mercedes to believe they could run the car at a height that wasn't feasible in real-world conditions.


2. **Ferrari Hype Train:**
- Jules Seegers and Christian commend Ferrari's impressive simulated performance, but caution against getting carried away with hype.
- They emphasize the need for Ferrari to translate these simulations into actual on-track performance and consistency throughout the season.


3. **Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes' Number One Driver:**
- Matt McLaughlin asserts that Lewis Hamilton is the number one driver at Mercedes, citing his long tenure, experience, and status within the team.
- He believes that Mercedes designs and operates with Hamilton as their primary focus, despite their stated policy of equal treatment for both drivers.


4. **George Russell's Role at Mercedes:**
- Christian agrees that Hamilton is the number one driver, acknowledging that there could be a Bottas-esque situation if Russell struggles to match Hamilton's performance.
- However, Matt McLaughlin emphasizes that this shouldn't diminish Russell's talent, as he might be in a support role due to Mercedes' focus on Hamilton.


5. **Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton's Potential Retirement:**
- Christian speculates that Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton might be considering retirement after achieving their eighth championship titles.
- He suggests that James Vowles could be groomed to replace Wolff as the team principal, leading a new era with George Russell as the primary driver.


6. **Max Verstappen's Phenomenon:**
- Matt McLaughlin proposes that Max Verstappen's effectiveness might have reached its peak, despite his immense talent.
- He argues that Verstappen's aggressive and uncompromising driving style, which initially gave him an edge, might become less effective as other drivers adapt and become more assertive against him.


7. **The Verstappen Effect:**
- Matt McLaughlin clarifies that he is not referring to Verstappen's driving talent but rather the impact his presence has on other drivers and race officials.
- He suggests that Verstappen's past actions have influenced rule changes and officiating decisions, and that he might face increased scrutiny and less leniency from stewards in the future. ## Episode Overview:

The podcast episode delves into various topics related to Formula One racing, including:

1. **Mercedes' Mistake with the W13 Design:**
- A simulation error led to an incorrect answer, which resulted in a crucial mistake in the design of Mercedes' W13 car.
- This mistake significantly affected the team's performance during the 2022 season.

2. **Max Verstappen's Dominance:**
- Verstappen's aggressive driving style and ability to adapt to different conditions have contributed to his success.
- Verstappen's maturity and improved racecraft have made him a formidable competitor.
- Some believe that Verstappen may eventually lose interest in Formula One if he continues to dominate.

3. **Red Bull's Aggressive Tactics:**
- Red Bull's tactics, including pressuring race directors and using media to their advantage, have been criticized by some.
- Red Bull's approach has been effective in securing two consecutive world championships.

4. **The Importance of Challenges:**
- Verstappen's motivation may be affected if he faces fewer challenges in the future.
- A change of team could provide Verstappen with new challenges and keep him interested in the sport.

5. **Lewis Hamilton's Evolution:**
- Hamilton has matured as a driver and become more strategic in his approach to racing.
- Hamilton's ability to conserve tires and make calculated decisions has contributed to his success.
- Hamilton's motivation may be waning as he approaches the end of his career.

6. **Politics in Formula One:**
- The FIA's ban on political, religious, and personal statements without prior approval has sparked controversy.
- The ban aims to maintain neutrality in the sport and avoid political controversies.
- However, some argue that drivers should have the freedom to express their personal views.
- The timing of the ban has raised suspicions that it specifically targets LGBTQ+ rights activism.

7. **The Future of Wind Tunnels in Formula One:**
- Discussions are underway to ban wind tunnels in Formula One in pursuit of carbon neutrality.
- Wind tunnels are expensive and resource-intensive, and CFD simulation is becoming more advanced.
- Eliminating wind tunnels could lead to more random problems and correlation issues between design and track performance.
- Aerodynamicists may resist the ban as wind tunnels are crucial for accurate aerodynamic development. Sure, here is a detailed summary of the podcast episode transcript:

**Missed Apex Podcast – Episode 451**

**Hosts:**
- Spanners Ready
- Matt Trumpets
- Kristian Pedersen
- Jules Seegers

**Key Points:**

* The hosts start the episode by discussing the upcoming mailbag show, encouraging listeners to send in their questions to [email protected]. They also thank their Patreon supporters for their ongoing support.

* The hosts then move on to make country-specific predictions for the upcoming F1 season.

* Jules Seegers predicts that Max Verstappen will come out on top in the Dutch driver standings, due to the ongoing lawsuits surrounding his contract.

* The hosts unanimously agree that Nyck de Vries will beat Yuki Tsunoda by the end of the season.

* Christian Pedersen predicts that Kevin Magnussen will win his teammate battle against Nico Hülkenberg.

* Matt Trumpets predicts that the Andretti entry into F1 will be approved.

* The hosts predict that Haas will finish seventh in the championship standings.

* The episode ends with the hosts reminding listeners to be nice to the crew over the next couple of weeks, as they will be working hard to keep the podcast running smoothly during the off-season.

**Overall Message:**
The hosts provide their predictions for the upcoming F1 season, discuss the latest news and rumors, and thank their listeners for their support.

**Additional Notes:**

* The hosts also discuss the recent interview with Mike Elliot in Motorsport, where he talked about the key mistake with the Mercedes W13 design.

* The hosts also mention that they will be having a substitute host for the upcoming mailbag show.