Season Review Part 2 of probably 3

Spanners and Stevens are joined by F1 media breakout star Antonia Rankin

 and legendary streamer and sim racer Scott Tuffey as they continue to take a leisurely stroll through the 2023 season. From the mercurial Mercedes, to the astonishing Astons to the, no getting around it, horrible HAAS no CFD correlation goes uncalculated in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast.

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**Missed Apex Podcast: Season Review Part 2**

**Haas F1:**

* A season marked by unfulfilled expectations and unremarkable performances.
* The team's struggles attributed to tire management issues and correlation problems with upgrades.
* Haas' unique team structure, involving Dallara, Ferrari, and multiple locations, may hinder efficient operations.
* The lack of resources and budget limitations under the cost cap restrict the team's ability to make significant improvements.
* The team's focus on qualifying performance may be driven by the need for sponsor exposure, given their struggles in race pace.
* The question of Gunther Steiner's long-term suitability as team principal arises, with differing opinions on his management style and impact on the team's performance.

**Aston Martin:**

* Aston Martin's resurgence in 2023, securing sixth place in the Constructors' Championship.
* The team's success attributed to the leadership of Mike Krack and the recruitment of experienced personnel.
* The AMR23 car's strengths in high-speed corners and wet weather conditions.
* Fernando Alonso's impressive performances, including podium finishes and a pole position.
* The team's struggles in certain races due to reliability issues and strategic errors.
* The departure of Sebastian Vettel and the arrival of Felipe Drugovich for 2024.

**Mercedes:**

* A challenging season for Mercedes, finishing third in the Constructors' Championship behind Red Bull and Ferrari.
* The team's initial struggles with the W13 car's porpoising and overall lack of pace.
* The team's recovery in the second half of the season, with upgrades and improved understanding of the car.
* Lewis Hamilton's consistent performances, securing podiums and a race win in Brazil.
* George Russell's impressive debut season with Mercedes, outperforming Hamilton in qualifying and scoring more points.
* The team's focus on developing the W14 car for 2024, with the hope of returning to championship contention. **Missed Apex Podcast Transcript Analysis**

**Episode:** Aston Martin and Haas F1 Teams Review

**Hosts:**

- SpannersReady
- Chris Stevens
- Antonia Rankin
- Stuffey

**Summary:**

The podcast begins with a discussion about the Haas F1 team and its drivers, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg. The hosts debate whether there is a clear difference in performance between the two drivers, and whether either of them has the potential to move up the grid. They also discuss the team's overall performance in the 2023 season, and whether they have the potential to improve in the future.

Next, the hosts turn their attention to the Aston Martin F1 team. They discuss the team's strong start to the season, and how they were able to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari for podium finishes. However, they also discuss the team's decline in performance as the season progressed, and whether they have the potential to return to the front of the grid in the future.

The hosts also discuss the team's driver lineup, and whether Lance Stroll is a suitable teammate for Fernando Alonso. They debate whether Stroll has the potential to improve his performance, or whether he should be replaced by another driver.

Finally, the hosts discuss the Aston Martin team's car design, and whether they have been able to successfully copy the designs of other teams. They also discuss the team's development strategy, and whether they are able to keep up with the other top teams in Formula One.

**Key Insights and Perspectives:**

* There is no clear consensus among the hosts about whether Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg are equally matched in terms of performance. Some hosts believe that Magnussen is the stronger driver, while others believe that Hulkenberg has the potential to be just as good.
* The hosts agree that the Haas F1 team has the potential to improve in the future, but they also acknowledge that the team has a number of weaknesses that need to be addressed.
* The hosts are divided on whether Lance Stroll is a suitable teammate for Fernando Alonso. Some hosts believe that Stroll is capable of improving his performance, while others believe that he should be replaced by another driver.
* The hosts agree that the Aston Martin F1 team has a strong car design, but they also acknowledge that the team has struggled to keep up with the development of the other top teams in Formula One.

**Controversies and Particularly Insightful Moments:**

* The hosts have a heated debate about whether Lance Stroll is a good enough driver to be in Formula One. Some hosts believe that he is not a top-level driver and should be replaced, while others believe that he has the potential to improve.
* The hosts also have a discussion about the Aston Martin team's car design, and whether they have been able to successfully copy the designs of other teams. Some hosts believe that the team has been able to do this successfully, while others believe that they have not been able to keep up with the development of the other top teams.

**Overall Message and Takeaway:**

The overall message of the podcast is that the Haas and Aston Martin F1 teams have both had a mixed season in 2023. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance, but they have also struggled with consistency. The hosts believe that both teams have the potential to improve in the future, but they also acknowledge that they have a number of weaknesses that need to be addressed. 1. **Mercedes' Zero-Pod Concept:**

- Mercedes' decision to stick with the zero-pod concept proved disastrous, resulting in a car with excessive drag and insufficient downforce.
- Despite recognizing the concept's flaws during testing, Mercedes persisted with it, leading to frustration within the team.
- Lewis Hamilton openly criticized the concept throughout the season, expressing eagerness for a change in 2024.
- The mid-season concept shift highlighted the design's shortcomings, demonstrating the immense faith some team members had in the zero-pod idea.

2. **Aston Martin's Strong Performance:**

- Aston Martin had a phenomenal season, finishing sixth in the Constructors' Championship and challenging Ferrari and Mercedes at times.
- Their success can be attributed to the hiring of top-level engineers and the time it took for these personnel to integrate their expertise into the car's design.
- The team's performance surge coincided with Ferrari and Mercedes encountering development issues, allowing Aston Martin to capitalize on their misfortunes.
- However, the team's performance dipped after a rumored technical directive targeted at their car, suggesting they may have been exploiting a loophole.

3. **Fernando Alonso's Season:**

- Alonso's performances were impressive, but it remains unclear how he would fare against top drivers like Hamilton or Verstappen.
- His performance against Lance Stroll is not a true test of his abilities, and his TikTok popularity may have overshadowed his on-track achievements.
- While he has shown glimpses of his former brilliance, it is difficult to determine his true level in this era of Formula 1.

4. **Mercedes' Concept Shift:**

- Mercedes' mid-season concept shift was a significant undertaking, requiring immense resources and effort.
- The fact that they were able to execute such a major change demonstrates the team's technical capabilities and determination to improve.
- However, the shift also highlights the shortcomings of the zero-pod concept and the team's initial misjudgment.

5. **Aston Martin's Future Prospects:**

- Aston Martin's new factory and production facilities are expected to enhance their competitiveness in 2024.
- The team's strong showing in 2023 suggests they have the potential to challenge for podiums and even race wins in the future.
- However, they need to maintain consistency and avoid the performance fluctuations that plagued them in 2023.

6. **Mercedes' Technical Struggles:**

- Mercedes faced significant technical challenges throughout the season, particularly with their power unit.
- These issues hindered their performance and contributed to their disappointing results.
- The team's struggles underscore the complexities of Formula 1 engineering and the challenges of developing a competitive car within the cost cap regulations.

7. **Aston Martin's Technical Directive:**

- The rumored technical directive aimed at Aston Martin's car remains a controversial topic.
- Some believe it was justified, while others see it as an attempt to stifle their progress.
- The directive's impact on Aston Martin's performance is unclear, but it may have played a role in their mid-season decline.

8. **Mercedes' 2024 Prospects:**

- Mercedes has a strong track record of success and is expected to bounce back in 2024.
- The team has already begun work on their 2024 car and is determined to regain their dominance.
- However, the increasing competitiveness of the midfield teams means that Mercedes cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

9. **Aston Martin's Long-Term Goals:**

- Aston Martin's ultimate goal is to become a championship-contending team.
- The team has the resources and ambition to achieve this, but it will require sustained effort and investment.
- Their performance in 2023 provides a solid foundation for future success, but they need to build on it and make further progress in 2024.

10. **Mercedes' Legacy:**

- Mercedes' dominance in recent years has cemented their status as one of the greatest Formula 1 teams of all time.
- Their success is a testament to their technical prowess, strategic decision-making, and driver talent.
- While they may have faced challenges in 2023, their legacy remains intact, and they are poised to return to the forefront in 2024. # Missed Apex: Episode Transcript
## Mercedes Review 2023

**Mercedes and the W14**

* Mercedes had a difficult 2023 season, finishing second in the Constructors' Championship behind Red Bull.
* The team struggled with the W14 car, which was plagued by porpoising and other issues.
* Lewis Hamilton and George Russell both had inconsistent seasons, with Hamilton failing to win a race for the first time since 2011.
* Mercedes' struggles were compounded by the cost cap, which limited their ability to develop the W14.

**Mercedes' Future**

* Mercedes is optimistic that they can bounce back in 2024.
* The team has already begun work on the W15, and they are confident that they have learned from their mistakes this season.
* Mercedes is also hoping that the cost cap will be more evenly enforced in 2024, which will give them a better chance of competing with Red Bull.

**Other Topics Discussed**

* The performance of Aston Martin in 2023.
* The struggles of Haas in 2023.
* The impact of the cost cap on Formula One.
* The future of Lewis Hamilton.

**Overall**

This episode of Missed Apex provides a comprehensive review of Mercedes' 2023 season. The hosts discuss the team's struggles, their hopes for the future, and a variety of other topics related to Formula One. The episode is informative and engaging, and it is a must-listen for any fan of the sport. # Missed Apex Podcast Episode Transcript Summary

## Introduction

* The podcast episode features Spanners, Chris Stevens, Antonia Rankin, and Scott Tuffey.
* They discuss the 2023 Formula One season and give their perspectives on various teams and drivers.

## Mercedes

* The team's performance in 2023 has been inconsistent.
* George Russell has shown potential but has also had some disappointing races.
* Lewis Hamilton remains the team's number one driver, but there could be a shift in dynamics if Russell continues to perform well.

## Aston Martin

* The team has shown signs of improvement in 2023.
* Fernando Alonso has been a standout performer for the team.
* The team's car has been reliable, which has allowed them to score points consistently.

## Haas

* The team has struggled for pace and reliability in 2023.
* Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg have both had frustrating seasons.
* The team's lack of correlation between CFD and on-track performance has been a major issue.

## Other Teams

* The podcasters also discuss the performances of other teams, including Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Alpine.
* They analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each team and make predictions for the remainder of the season.

## George Russell's Future

* The podcasters debate whether George Russell can become the number one driver at Mercedes in the future.
* They consider the factors that could influence Russell's success, such as the performance of the car and the team's strategy.
* They also discuss the possibility of Russell moving to another team, such as Ferrari, if he does not get the机会 at Mercedes.

## Season Outlook

* The podcasters conclude the episode by discussing their overall outlook for the 2024 Formula One season.
* They remain optimistic that the new regulations will lead to closer racing and more exciting battles.
* They also hope that the teams will be able to resolve their technical issues and produce more reliable cars.

## Conclusion

* The podcast episode provides an informative and engaging discussion of the 2023 Formula One season.
* The podcasters offer insightful analysis and predictions, and they also inject some humor and personality into the conversation.
* Overall, the episode is a must-listen for any fan of Formula One racing.