Vegas Preview and News Update

Spanners and Trumpets are joined by digital law expert Peter Wright for a bit of midweek madness as they shine a light deep into F1 legal corners. From Massa’s machinations to Andretti’s ace to what’s happening in Vegas definitely not staying there, no grandstand goes unfilled 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 2024 advertising campaign and help us grow the podcast 

Intro music by Gareth Machray

All enquiries for custom music for TV, Games,  Podcasts and more email: [email protected]

Spanners Ready Spanners���� (@SpannersReady)

[email protected]

Spanners 🔧🔧 (@spannersready) • Instagram photos and videos

Spanners 🔧🔧 (@spannersready) on Threads

Matt Trumpets mattpt55 (@mattpt55)

[email protected]

Matt Trumpets (@[email protected])

Matt Trumpets (@mattpt55) on Instagram

Matt Trumpets (@mattpt55) on Threads

Peter Wright Peter Wright (@DigitalLawUK) / Twitter

Give our new MotoGP Pod a listen!!! Two wheels are better than none!

The Thai Moto GP Race Review 2023 - Missed Apex MotoGP | Podcast on Spotify

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

**Introduction:**

- Join hosts Spanners, Matt Trumpets, and legal expert Peter Wright for an in-depth analysis of Formula One's legal corners.

- Missed Apex Podcast is supported by Patreon and listeners can donate via their Tip Jar to help with their 2024 advertising campaign.

- Intro music by Gareth Machray.

**Legal Matters in Formula One:**

- Felipe Massa's pursuit of recognition as the rightful champion of the 2008 season.

- The status of Andretti's bid in the legal process and potential next steps.

**Las Vegas Grand Prix Preview:**

- Speculation on whether the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be a successful event.

- Discussion of track temperatures and tire performance in cold conditions.

- Pirelli's prescribed high tire pressures to prevent tire failure at high speeds.

- The potential impact of cold temperatures on tire warmup and grip.

- The risk of drivers losing grip and spinning out, especially at the start of the race.

- The challenge of finding the right balance between tire performance and durability.

- The possibility of a large field spread due to varying levels of tire management.

- Prediction of Max Verstappen dominating the race, potentially lapping everyone except the podium finishers.

- Speculation about the impact of the dense air on the performance of power units.

- The potential advantage for Mercedes if they can run their car at a low enough ride height.

- Discussion of Alpha Tauri's improved performance due to using Red Bull's rear suspension parts.

- The legality of customer arrangements and the sharing of intellectual property between teams.

- The cost cap and its impact on teams' ability to purchase components from other teams.

- The upcoming live watch-along event hosted by Matt and Brad at Tomo F1's studios in London.

**Conclusion:**

- The Las Vegas Grand Prix is a unique event with its night race format and focus on entertainment.

- The cold temperatures and unique track conditions present challenges for teams and drivers.

- The race is expected to be unpredictable and could potentially produce exciting racing. # Missed Apex Podcast Episode 695 Transcript Summary

## Introduction

* Spanners, Matt Trumpets, and Peter Wright, a digital law expert, discuss Formula One's legal complexities.
* Topics include Massa's machinations, Andretti's pursuit of an F1 team, and the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.

## Las Vegas Grand Prix

* Ticket prices for the Las Vegas Grand Prix are high, leading to concerns about empty grandstands.
* The race is expected to be exciting due to its unique track layout and potential for drama.
* However, the best-case scenario is a nail-biting finish with multiple manufacturers involved.

## Andretti's F1 Bid

* Andretti's bid to enter Formula One has faced resistance from some existing teams.
* The FIA is expected to make a decision on Andretti's application soon.
* If Andretti's bid is successful, it could lead to a more competitive and exciting Formula One grid.

## Felipe Massa's Case

* Felipe Massa has threatened to sue the FIA over the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix incident known as "Crashgate."
* Massa's legal team has sent a letter before action to the FIA, but no formal legal proceedings have been initiated.
* The FIA has not publicly responded to Massa's allegations.

## Conclusion

* The upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix is expected to be an exciting race, but concerns remain about ticket prices and the potential for empty grandstands.
* Andretti's bid to enter Formula One could shake up the grid and make the sport more competitive.
* Massa's legal case against the FIA is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen whether he will pursue formal legal action. ## **Transcript Summary**

**Massa's Legal Action Against the FIA**

- Felipe Massa is considering legal action against the FIA over the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
- Massa alleges that Renault deliberately crashed a car during the race to trigger a safety car, which ultimately affected the race outcome and cost him the championship title.
- The FIA has not yet taken any action on Massa's allegations, and it is unclear if they will.
- If Massa does decide to pursue legal action, it could be a lengthy and expensive process, with no guarantee of success.

**Andretti's Bid to Join Formula One**

- General Motors (GM) has officially applied to become a Formula One power unit manufacturer from 2028 onwards.
- GM would partner with Andretti Autosport, which has been seeking to enter Formula One for several years.
- The FIA has confirmed that it has received GM's application, but it is not yet clear if Andretti's bid will be successful.
- The current Formula One teams are reportedly opposed to Andretti's entry, arguing that it would dilute the value of their own teams.

**Peter Wright's Insights**

- Peter Wright, a digital law expert, provided his insights on the legal and commercial aspects of the above topics.
- Wright believes that Massa's legal action against the FIA is unlikely to succeed, as there is no precedent for a race result being annulled in Formula One history.
- Wright also discussed the challenges facing Andretti's bid to enter Formula One, including the opposition from the current teams and the need for Andretti to secure a significant amount of funding.

**Overall Message**

The podcast episode provided an in-depth analysis of the legal and commercial challenges facing Felipe Massa and Michael Andretti in their respective pursuits of justice and entry into Formula One. The discussion highlighted the complexities of the sport's governance and the challenges faced by new entrants. **Summary of the Podcast Episode**

**Introduction of participants:**

* Spanners
* Matt Trumpets
* Peter Wright, digital law expert

**Main Discussion Points:**

* **Legal complexities surrounding Andretti's bid to join Formula One:**
* The FIA's sole regulatory authority over Formula One, as per the last settlement, has created a complex situation.
* Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder, is not the sole decision-maker in Andretti's entry.
* The teams' significant influence and united front against Andretti's entry raise concerns about the governance and operation of the sport.
* The potential for an EU investigation due to anti-competitive practices if Andretti is denied entry.

* **Historical context of Formula One's legal battles:**
* Bernie Ecclestone's use of his power to control tracks and prevent other series from racing led to investigations and a settlement in the 1990s.
* The FIA was forced to lease its commercial rights to FOM as a result of the settlement.
* This led to the FIA becoming the sole regulator, while Liberty Media holds the commercial rights.

* **The role of the European Union (EU) in Formula One:**
* The EU's regulatory reach and influence due to the location of FOM companies and the large EU consumer base for Formula One.
* The EU's proactive approach to investigations and enforcement of competition law.
* The potential for EU involvement if Liberty Media is seen as breaching competition law by preventing Andretti's entry.

* **Speculation on Liberty Media's motivations and potential outcomes:**
* The teams' united opposition to Andretti's entry suggests Liberty Media may also be against it.
* Liberty Media and the teams could be concerned about the impact on the sport's stability and commercial viability if Andretti joins.
* The ongoing negotiations for a new Concorde Agreement and the upcoming regulatory changes add to the uncertainty.
* Corporate interests, such as GM and Ford, may influence decisions due to their investments in Formula One.

* **Peter Wright's opinion on Andretti's chances of joining Formula One:**
* He believes Andretti should be allowed to compete and that their entry would bring positive changes to the sport.
* He acknowledges the challenges Andretti faces, but he is hopeful that they will eventually be able to join the grid.
* He emphasizes the need for more opportunities for young drivers and a more open and competitive environment in Formula One.

**Conclusion:**

The discussion highlights the complex legal and commercial landscape surrounding Andretti's bid to join Formula One. The involvement of the FIA, Liberty Media, the teams, and the EU adds layers of complexity to the process. The outcome of Andretti's entry remains uncertain, but the podcast provides valuable insights into the various factors at play.