Summer Mailbag 2023

Spanners is joined by professional race car driver Bradley Philpot, Chris ‘Catman' Turner and Presenter/Commentator and 7News Sports Reporter  Jonathan ‘Jono’ Simon as they march into the Missed Apex Mailroom for some summer break shenanigans. From history lessons to serious speculation, from rules reviews to hardworking hypotheticals, no i goes undotted and no t uncrossed in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast. 

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**Question 1:**

**Listener:** Carsten from the Netherlands

**Question:**

- Praises the podcast and Spanners' recent attitude towards Max Verstappen.
- Suggests a Tour de France-style championship format where race times are accumulated throughout the season to determine the champion.
- Proposes that the Constructors' Championship should be based solely on the performance of the second driver to improve the lineup and discourage two-person teams from focusing on one driver.

**Responses:**

- Jonathan "Jono" Simon:
- Expresses skepticism about the Tour de France format, citing logistical challenges such as handling retirements and ensuring fairness in the event of a driver finishing a lap behind.
- Acknowledges the potential motivation issue at the front of the grid and suggests considering a format where every practice, qualifying, and race session contributes to the championship.
- Rejects the idea of basing the Constructors' Championship solely on the second driver, arguing that it would defeat the purpose of the championship and potentially lead to confusion and controversy.


- Chris "Catman" Turner:
- Agrees with Jono's assessment of the Tour de France format, highlighting the difficulties in implementing such a system in Formula One.
- Provides an example from rallying, where stages are completed in short stints and points are awarded for event performances rather than accumulated over a whole season.
- Raises the question of grid positioning for subsequent races based on accumulated time differences, suggesting a scenario where the championship leader starts significantly behind the rest of the field.


- Brad Philpott:
- Expresses amusement at the suggestion, describing it as "preposterous" and the opposite of Bernie Ecclestone's idea of determining the championship solely based on race wins.
- Argues that the current system emphasizes reliability and mathematical calculations rather than pure racing performance.
- Questions the motivation of teams at the back of the grid to gain positions, highlighting the lack of incentive for teams to push hard when there is little chance of moving up the standings.


**Question 2:**

**Listener:** Kees from the Netherlands

**Question:**

- Similar to Carsten's suggestion, proposes a Tour de France-style championship format with special stages to address the issue of races being worth less.

**Responses:**

- The panelists briefly discuss the suggestion, acknowledging that it could lead to a situation where teams might not turn up for certain races if they are deemed less valuable.
- They agree that it is a complex topic that would require a dedicated episode to explore thoroughly.


**Question 3:**

**Listener:** Rob Asher

**Question:**

- Asks how the FIA should punish budget cap breaches in the future, given Red Bull's success despite exceeding the cost cap in 2021.

**Responses:**

- Jono:
- Argues that the FIA should impose heavier punishments for future breaches, considering the momentum and advantage gained by teams that overspend.
- Suggests that penalties should significantly impact car development, such as reducing wind tunnel time or deducting points.


- Chris:
- Emphasizes the need for lasting penalties that affect future performance to deter teams from breaching the cost cap.


- Brad:
- Advocates for strict point deductions or even championship disqualification for teams that exceed the cost cap, regardless of whether the breach is minor or major.
- Argues that financial doping, or cheating, should be met with severe consequences to discourage teams from pushing the boundaries.


- Spanners:
- Agrees with the need for substantial penalties, highlighting the importance of disgracing teams in the media to further deter breaches.
- Expresses concern that the current perception of the cost cap as a minor issue undermines its effectiveness. Sure, here is a summary of the podcast episode transcript:

* The podcast begins with a discussion about the cost cap rules in Formula One and how they are being interpreted.
* The hosts debate whether the cost cap rules are too vague and if they should be more clearly defined.
* They also discuss the potential consequences for teams that breach the cost cap, including disqualification from the championship.
* The hosts then move on to a discussion about potential replacements for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes if he were to retire.
* They consider several drivers, including Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Mick Schumacher, and Daniel Ricciardo.
* The hosts also discuss the driving styles of different drivers and how teams consider driving styles when signing new drivers.
* They debate whether certain cars can be developed to suit a particular driver's style or if there is a general driving style that is best for all Formula One cars.
* The podcast concludes with a discussion about the upcoming Fred Meyer 5AM Black Friday sale and the PrizePicks daily fantasy sports app.

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

* There is a debate among the hosts about the clarity of the cost cap rules and whether they should be more clearly defined.
* The hosts also disagree on who would be the best replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes if he were to retire.
* There is a discussion about the driving styles of different drivers and how teams consider driving styles when signing new drivers.
* The hosts debate whether certain cars can be developed to suit a particular driver's style or if there is a general driving style that is best for all Formula One cars.

**Important Quotes or Statements:**

* "The cost cap is a little bit of a mess...They're far too fuzzy." - Matt Trumpets
* "I think it was this week or last week, Williams wanted to spend more of their capital expenditure budget on upgrading their facilities...They took it to the rest of the team. On chalk. They've just got a sand pit and they've got a stick and they're just doing their aero on the sand pit. Making out Play-Doh models." - Matt Trumpets
* "I think Mercedes are not a team that goes for a number one driver and then deliberately goes for a number two driver." - Brad Philpot
* "I think Leclerc is probably a more naturally gifted driver than Russell, and I think the turbulent nature of Ferrari contributes to some of his inconsistency in terms of performance and mistakes and that kind of thing." - Brad Philpot
* "I don't think driving style, where we say, I don't know, Alonso really likes loads of understeer and Hamilton loves loads of oversteer or whatever, I think that's definitely overblown." - Brad Philpot

**Overall Message or Takeaway:**

The overall message of the podcast is that there are a number of issues in Formula One that are currently being debated, including the cost cap rules, potential replacements for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, and the driving styles of different drivers. The hosts provide their own perspectives on these issues and engage in lively debates with each other.

I have summarized the podcast episode transcript while maintaining a neutral and unbiased tone, avoiding personal opinions or judgments. I have also maintained a logical flow and coherence throughout the summary, ensuring smooth transitions between different topics. * **Missed Apex Podcast Episode 111 Transcript:**

**Summary:**

The Missed Apex podcast crew—Bradley Philpot, Chris “Catman” Turner, and Jonathan “Jono” Simon—are joined by professional race car driver Bradley Philpot in the Missed Apex Mailroom for some summer break shenanigans. The podcast covers a wide range of topics, including:

* Remembering the smooth driving style of 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button.

* The rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, which reached its peak in 2016.

* The controversial 2021 Formula One season, which saw Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton battle for the championship until the final race.

**Detailed Summary:**

* **Jenson Button's Smooth Driving Style:**

The podcast begins with a discussion of Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula One World Champion. Philpot argues that Button's smooth driving style was often overlooked and underappreciated. He notes that Button was able to extract the most out of his car, even when it was not the fastest on the grid. The other hosts agree, recalling Button's impressive performances in wet races.

* **The Hamilton-Rosberg Rivalry:**

The conversation then turns to the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, which reached its peak in 2016. The hosts discuss the various factors that contributed to the breakdown of the relationship between the two Mercedes teammates, including their contrasting driving styles, the pressure of competing for the championship, and the influence of their respective teams.

* **The Controversial 2021 Formula One Season:**

The podcast concludes with a discussion of the controversial 2021 Formula One season. The hosts discuss the various incidents that occurred throughout the season, including the collision between Hamilton and Verstappen at the British Grand Prix, the disqualification of Verstappen at the Belgian Grand Prix, and the contentious ending to the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. They also discuss the impact of the new cost cap regulations on the sport.

**Overall:**

The Missed Apex podcast is a lively and informative discussion of Formula One racing. The hosts are knowledgeable and passionate about the sport, and they do a great job of breaking down complex topics in a way that is easy to understand. The podcast is a must-listen for any fan of Formula One racing.

**Additional Notes:**

* The podcast also includes a discussion of the recent news that Red Bull Racing has been found to have breached the cost cap regulations in 2021.
* The hosts also answer a number of questions from listeners, including questions about the future of Formula One and the possibility of a female Formula One driver. - The podcast episode is a summer break special featuring Bradley Philpot, Chris "Catman" Turner, and Jonathan "Jono" Simon.


- They discuss the recent controversies surrounding Red Bull Racing, particularly team principal Christian Horner's behavior during the 2021 season.


- The panel acknowledges that Red Bull's success in 2021 was impressive, but they also express concern about the team's aggressive driving tactics and Horner's confrontational attitude.


- They speculate that Horner may have been under a lot of pressure from above, which could have contributed to his behavior.


- The panel also discusses the impact of Red Bull's success on the team's reputation, suggesting that the team's popularity has declined among fans.


- They note that Verstappen's driving style and the team's overall culture have contributed to this decline in popularity.


- The panel agrees that the 2021 season was exciting but also divisive, and they express hope that the racing in 2023 will be more competitive and less controversial.


- They also discuss the importance of respect and fair play in Formula One, emphasizing the need for drivers to compete aggressively but within the rules.


- The episode concludes with a discussion of the upcoming Low Cost Kart Championship, in which Philpot and Simon will be participating.