Spanish GP 2023 F1 race review

Spanners and Trumpets are joined by the voice of the London ePrix, PR meister Chris Stevens and legendary streamer and sim racer Scott Tuffey aka Stuffeyy as they taste all the tapas at the Spanish Grand Prix. From Mercedes update masterpiece to Red Bull’s romp, from Ferrari’s flailing to , no sector time goes unlogged in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast. 

Please consider supporting us on patreon. We exist only because of our patron support:

Missed Apex F1 is creating Podcasts

Or use our Tip Jar to support our 2023  advertising campaign and help us grow the podcast 

Send us your mailbag questions at [email protected]

Spanners Ready Spanners���� (@SpannersReady)

[email protected]

Matt Trumpets mattpt55 (@mattpt55)

[email protected]

Matt Trumpets (@[email protected])

Chris Stevens Chris Stevens 🏁 (@ChrisOnRacing) / Twitter

Chris Stevens (@chrisonracing) • Instagram photos and videos

Chris Stevens (@chrisonracing) TikTok | Watch Chris Stevens's Newest TikTok Videos

Stuffey stuffeyy - YouTube

stuffeyy (@stuffeyy) TikTok | Watch stuffeyy's Newest TikTok Videos

Stuffeyy (@stuffeyy) / Twitter

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

**Transcript:**

Missed Apex Podcast is a podcast about Formula One racing. In this episode, the hosts discuss the Spanish Grand Prix, which was the sixth race of the 2023 season.

**Key Points:**

* The hosts praised the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for providing exciting racing, especially after the removal of the chicane at the end of the lap.
* Mercedes brought significant upgrades to their car for the Spanish Grand Prix, which seemed to improve its performance.
* Ferrari had a disappointing race, with both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc struggling to keep up with the pace of the Red Bull and Mercedes cars.
* The hosts discussed the collision between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell during qualifying, which resulted in Hamilton starting the race in sixth place.
* Aston Martin showed strong pace in Spain, with Fernando Alonso finishing in sixth place and Lance Stroll in eighth place.
* The hosts debated whether Mercedes' strong performance in Spain was a sign of things to come or if it was due to the specific characteristics of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

**Important Quotes:**

* "This feels like the start of the season." - Matt
* "The racing was far better with the old configuration of the last two corners being super fast right-handers." - Chris
* "I think we've been calling for it for years." - Spanners
* "It was lovely to see a nice free-flowing last sector that allowed the cars to stay close together." - Chris
* "Yeah, I just want to get in on that and point out that in particular with this regulation set, the faster the cars are going, the more downforce they are making." - Matt
* "I think what the proper circuits or traditional circuits provide is a wider opportunity for different strategies to come into play." - Scott
* "We've had an agonizing few weeks of seeing if these Mercedes upgrades would deliver anything." - Matt
* "It didn't safe to say a few individuals who will not be named in our group chat." - Matt
* "This is an issue with the, I think, the engineers not collaborating or letting their drivers know about the track position of the cars around them." - Chris
* "I think you would probably put a little bit more fault on Lewis." - Chris
* "I could be completely wrong there, but you are." - Scott
* "I don't know if anyone ever has given a toe to their teammate with the DRS fully open." - Lewis
* "Russell had let signs by between turns 13 and 14 so that had already messed up his entry so he was all but he was all but done and that was proved by the fact that he was able to continue his Q2 attempt to get through to Q3 and wasn't able to make it so he was already toast the second he'd had to let signs by and then Hamilton was just taking a normal exit and he wasn't trying to overtake he wasn't going for a gap." - Matt
* "I think they were the second fastest team. Hamilton probably could have put it on the front row had he not made that last mistake in qualifying." - Chris
* "But then, but then also you have to consider there was no Perez, there was no Alonso in Q3 for various other reasons as well. So take that with the tiniest pinch of salt, I guess." - Chris
* "Mercedes is another second best team in Formula 1." - Spanners
* "Don't forget they're stuck with the chassis they came with this season. The full redesign is something we're not going to see until the start of next season." - Matt
* "I would still expect now Mercedes to be behind but catching, Ferrari to be on their own in the middle, and for Aston Martin to just settle back into the top of the midfield." - Matt
* "I think possibilities are endless." - Chris
* "I think we have to look at Alonzo in an Aston as a separate entity to Lance in an Aston." - Spanners
* "I think Alonzo in an Aston will be a thorn in the side of Mercedes pretty much for the remainder of the season." - Spanners
* "I think they made a bit of a mistake in regards to their selection of tires this weekend and the strategy they ran." - Stuffy
* "Mercedes has been extremely good always on tire management in races." - Stuffy
* "I will disagree with you, however. I think soft-soft-hard was an excellent way for them to go because it allowed them maximum attack early in the race." - Stuffy
* "I'm looking at Alonso going from 10th to 6th and clearly could have been 5th if he chose to be, based on the lap times I saw, and I'm thinking that's a pretty good recovery for an Aston." - Stuffy # Formula One: Missed Apex Podcast Episode 258 Summary

**Key Points:**

- Aston Martin's poor performance in the Spanish Grand Prix was attributed to Fernando Alonso's qualifying crash, which damaged his car's floor.
- Mercedes' dominance in the race was evident, with George Russell's impressive start and Lewis Hamilton's controlled drive to a podium finish.
- Max Verstappen's off-track excursions did not hinder his race pace, and he cruised to victory.
- Lewis Hamilton's collision with Lando Norris was deemed a racing incident, with opinions divided on who was at fault.
- Verstappen's aggressive defense against Carlos Sainz and Yuki Tsunoda's incident with Guanyu Zhou highlighted the ongoing debate about driving standards and penalties.
- Red Bull's continued dominance has raised questions about whether they have the most dominant F1 car ever, considering the struggles of their competitors.
- Sergio Perez's attempts to emulate Max Verstappen's driving style indicate his determination to challenge for the championship, but his position within the team remains uncertain.

**Detailed Summary:**

1. **Aston Martin's Struggles:**

- Fernando Alonso's qualifying crash caused significant damage to his car's floor, compromising its performance throughout the race.
- The team's overall pace was hindered, and Lance Stroll's poor tire management further limited their competitiveness.
- Aston Martin's reliance on Alonso's strong performances was exposed, highlighting the need for a more consistent driver lineup.

2. **Mercedes' Controlled Dominance:**

- George Russell's excellent start saw him gain four positions on the opening lap, showcasing Mercedes' improved race pace.
- Lewis Hamilton managed his tires and car effectively to secure a podium finish, demonstrating Mercedes' strategic prowess.
- The team's focus on race pace rather than qualifying performance paid off, as they closed the gap to Red Bull.

3. **Verstappen's Unchallenged Victory:**

- Max Verstappen's off-track excursions did not significantly impact his race pace, as he maintained a comfortable lead throughout.
- His fastest lap attempt showcased Red Bull's superior pace, although Mercedes showed promise with Hamilton's competitive lap time.

4. **Hamilton vs. Norris Incident:**

- Opinions varied on who was at fault for the collision between Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris.
- Some argued that Hamilton was at fault for attempting an aggressive overtake, while others felt Norris should have left more space.
- The incident highlighted the fine line between competitive racing and reckless driving.

5. **Driving Standards and Penalties:**

- Verstappen's aggressive defense against Carlos Sainz and Yuki Tsunoda's incident with Guanyu Zhou sparked discussions about driving standards and the effectiveness of penalties.
- The stewards' decision to penalize Tsunoda for his actions was seen as a positive step in deterring dangerous driving.

6. **Red Bull's Dominance and Historical Context:**

- Red Bull's continued dominance has led to debates about whether they have the most dominant F1 car ever.
- While their current performance is impressive, the struggles of their competitors have contributed to their advantage.
- The historical dominance of McLaren and Mercedes was brought up for comparison, highlighting the difficulty of establishing a truly dominant car.

7. **Sergio Perez's Uncertain Future:**

- Sergio Perez's attempts to emulate Max Verstappen's driving style indicate his determination to challenge for the championship.
- However, his position within the team remains uncertain, with Daniel Ricciardo waiting in the wings and other drivers expressing interest in a Red Bull seat.
- Perez's ability to maintain his competitiveness and challenge Verstappen will be crucial in determining his future with the team. * **Podcast Episode Summary:**

**Segment 1: The Spanish Grand Prix Debrief**

* The Spanish Grand Prix was a mixed bag, with some exciting moments but also some perplexing performances.
* Mercedes' resurgence continued with a 1-2 finish, with Lewis Hamilton taking the victory.
* Red Bull's Sergio Perez finished third, but Max Verstappen struggled and finished fourth.
* Ferrari had a disappointing weekend, with Charles Leclerc finishing sixth and Carlos Sainz finishing seventh.
* The race was also notable for the return of the old layout at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which was met with mixed reviews.

**Segment 2: Ferrari's Struggles**

* Ferrari's struggles continued in Spain, with both Leclerc and Sainz failing to challenge for the win.
* Leclerc's car was particularly problematic, with the Monegasque driver complaining of a lack of pace and handling.
* Sainz was more competitive, but he was unable to match the pace of the Mercedes and Red Bull cars.
* The team's woes were compounded by a series of strategic errors, which further hampered their chances of success.

**Segment 3: Yuki Tsunoda to Red Bull?**

* There is speculation that Yuki Tsunoda could be in line for a promotion to Red Bull in 2024.
* Tsunoda has impressed in his time at AlphaTauri, and he is seen as a potential future star.
* However, it is also possible that Red Bull will opt for a more experienced driver, such as Daniel Ricciardo.
* The decision will ultimately depend on how Tsunoda performs in the remainder of the 2023 season.

**Segment 4: The Bumper Award**

* The Bumper Award is given to the driver who makes the most impressive overtaking move of the weekend.
* This week's award goes to Lewis Hamilton, for his stunning move on Sergio Perez on the opening lap of the race.
* Hamilton went around the outside of Perez at Turn 1, and he was able to hold on to the lead for the rest of the race.

**Segment 5: Stuffy's Cat**

* Stuffy, one of the podcast hosts, has a cat that is known for causing mischief during his sim racing streams.
* The cat has been known to turn off Stuffy's power button, which has resulted in some hilarious moments.
* Stuffy has since taken steps to prevent the cat from interfering with his streams, but the feline remains a constant source of entertainment for viewers. **Podcast Episode Summary**

**Missed Apex Podcast - Spanish Grand Prix Review**

* The episode begins with the hosts discussing the Mercedes update and how it has improved the team's performance.
* They also talk about Red Bull's dominance and Ferrari's struggles.
* The hosts then discuss some of the individual drivers' performances, including George Russell's podium finish and Lando Norris's P3.
* They also give their thoughts on the Missed Apex Award and who they think missed the apex the most during the race.
* The episode ends with the hosts discussing the upcoming race in Monaco.

**Key Points**

* Mercedes' update has made a significant difference to the team's performance, with Lewis Hamilton finishing in P2 and George Russell finishing in P3.
* Red Bull was dominant in the race, with Max Verstappen winning and Sergio Perez finishing in P2.
* Ferrari had a disappointing weekend, with Carlos Sainz finishing in P4 and Charles Leclerc finishing in P6.
* Lando Norris had a strong race, finishing in P3, while Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso had a heated battle on track.
* The hosts gave the Missed Apex Award to Esteban Ocon for his aggressive move on Fernando Alonso.

**Insights and Perspectives**

* The hosts provide insightful analysis of the race, including the factors that contributed to Mercedes' improved performance and Red Bull's dominance.
* They also offer their perspectives on the individual drivers' performances and the Missed Apex Award.

**Controversies and Memorable Moments**

* The hosts discuss the controversial move by Esteban Ocon on Fernando Alonso, which resulted in Ocon receiving a penalty.
* They also discuss the memorable moment when George Russell said he was staying in Barcelona to party after the race.

**Overall Message**

* The overall message of the podcast is that the Spanish Grand Prix was a thrilling race with plenty of drama and excitement.
* The hosts also emphasize the importance of teamwork and driver skill in Formula One racing.