Cadillac, McLaren, Aston Martin & Bahrain Day 1 – Episode 5 | The Cooldown Lap
About this episode
Excitement fills the air as the hosts dive into the latest F1 news, discussing the intense rivalry between teams, particularly Toto Wolff's challenges with Red Bull. They share their thoughts on the recent car reveals, including Cadillac's new design, which sparked mixed reactions, and McLaren's less-than-exciting livery update. The episode balances humor and analysis, touching on the implications of car designs on performance and driver visibility, while also teasing upcoming discussions on testing and regulations.
Launch season is done. Testing begins. 👀
In Episode 5, we break down the Cadillac, McLaren, and Aston Martin liveries — which one looks championship-ready and which one feels like a long-term project?
Then we react to Day 1 of Bahrain testing 🇧🇭
🏁 Lando Norris goes fastest for McLaren
🐂 Max Verstappen right behind for Red Bull Racing
🔴 Charles Leclerc P3 for Ferrari
But lap times don’t tell the full story…
We discuss:
Long-run pace vs low-fuel runs
Early reliability signs
Who looks confident already
And who might be sandbagging
Launch season is about paint.
Testing is about truth.
🎙️ Episode 5 out now.
#F1 #BahrainTesting #McLaren #RedBullRacing #Ferrari #AstonMartin #CadillacF1 #F1Podcast #TheCooldownLap #formula1driver
FIA
"I think if I were the FIA, I would look at the greater good of the sport. Don't you agree?"
The FIA is the organization that makes the rules for car racing, especially in big events like Formula 1. They help keep the races fair and safe.
The FIA, or Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, is the governing body for many motorsport events, including Formula 1. They establish the rules and regulations that teams must follow to ensure fair competition.
F2 cars
"Yes, but also if you handcuff everyone and give them F2 cars that just have different liveries on them to distinguish the teams..."
F2 cars are racing cars used in a lower-level series before drivers reach Formula 1. They are simpler and cheaper, helping new drivers gain experience.
F2 cars refer to vehicles used in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, which is a feeder series to Formula 1. These cars are designed to be less powerful and less expensive than F1 cars, allowing for competitive racing among up-and-coming drivers.
liveries
"...give them F2 cars that just have different liveries on them to distinguish the teams..."
Liveries are the designs and colors on race cars that show which team they belong to. They help fans identify the cars during races.
Liveries refer to the paint schemes and graphics applied to a race car. They are important for branding and team identity, allowing fans to easily recognize different teams on the track.
Cadillac Escalade
"...nd like low keef, like you think like black gold escalade, like big rims, you know, like gangster car, lik..."
The Cadillac Escalade is a large, fancy SUV that many people see as a sign of luxury and success. It's known for being very comfortable and having a lot of space inside, making it great for families or those who want to travel in style.
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV known for its bold styling, spacious interior, and high-end features. It has become a symbol of wealth and status, often associated with celebrities and affluent individuals. Its presence in popular culture, particularly in music and film, makes it a frequent topic of discussion.
McLaren
"We have McLaren. Got McLaren team copy paste 2026."
McLaren is a famous car company from the UK that makes fast and expensive sports cars. They are also well-known for their racing team in Formula 1.
McLaren is a British automotive manufacturer known for producing high-performance sports cars and supercars. They also have a successful Formula 1 team, which contributes to their reputation in motorsports.
Aston Martin
"The one thing I love about Aston Martin and like the brand and even Lauren Stroll and the whole it's it's like it's like they have money"
Aston Martin is a famous car brand from the UK that makes luxury sports cars. They are known for their stylish designs and fast performance, and they often appear in movies like James Bond.
Aston Martin is a British luxury sports car manufacturer known for its high-performance vehicles and association with elegance and sophistication. The brand has a rich history in motorsport and is often linked to James Bond films.
F1
"we'll use the proceeds of this podcast and buy you an F1 team. You heard it here first."
F1 stands for Formula 1, which is the top level of car racing. It involves very fast cars and skilled drivers racing on different tracks around the world.
F1, or Formula 1, is the highest class of single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It features the fastest cars and the most skilled drivers in the world, competing in a series of races known as Grands Prix.
F4 car
"Yes, we will buy an F4 car, build our way up. Jog is a crazy driver."
An F4 car is a type of race car used in a lower level of racing compared to Formula 1. It's meant for younger drivers to learn and improve their racing skills.
F4 refers to a category of single-seater racing cars that are designed for young drivers to develop their skills before moving up to higher levels like Formula 3 and Formula 1. These cars are less powerful than F1 cars but still provide a competitive racing experience.
British racing green
"Like, like you said, James Bond class, British racing green. Like it just like, honestly, like why I love Aston Martin."
British racing green is a dark green color that is often used on British race cars. It's a classic color that represents British motorsport history.
British racing green is a color traditionally associated with British motor racing. It has become a signature color for many British car manufacturers, including Aston Martin, symbolizing elegance and heritage.
fastest time
"McLaren was on top for the fastest time of the day. Yeah, Max set the fastest morning, ran the most amount of laps."
The fastest time is how quickly a driver can complete a lap on a race track. It's important because it shows who is performing best during practice or qualifying sessions.
The fastest time refers to the quickest lap or run achieved by a driver or car during a specific session, such as practice or qualifying. This metric is crucial in motorsports as it often determines the starting position for races.
hundredth of a second
"But Lando Norris squeaked him out by like a hundredth of a second. Hmm. Interesting."
A hundredth of a second is a very small amount of time. It's used in racing to show how close the competition can be, sometimes just a tiny fraction of a second can make a big difference.
A hundredth of a second is a unit of time measurement equal to one one-hundredth (1/100) of a second. In racing, such precise measurements are crucial for determining the winner or fastest lap.
locking up
"...where all these drivers are locking up, it seems like for Stappen has it down already..."
Locking up happens when a car's wheels stop turning while braking, which can make it hard to steer and control the car. It's something drivers try to avoid, especially in racing.
Locking up refers to a situation where a vehicle's wheels stop rotating during braking, causing the tires to skid. This can lead to loss of control and is often a concern in high-performance driving and racing.
downshifting
"...He's planted in the corners. He's downshifting to the point of what should be breaking the engine and put in 136 laps and set pretty well the fastest time..."
Downshifting means changing to a lower gear in a car, which helps the engine go faster and gives the driver more control, especially when turning or speeding up.
Downshifting is the process of shifting to a lower gear in a vehicle's transmission, which can help increase engine RPMs and provide more power during acceleration or cornering. It's a technique often used in racing to maintain control and optimize speed.
Ford
"...Yeah, Red Bull and Ford pulled this off because, you know, their car is showing up..."
Ford is a popular car company from America that makes many types of vehicles. They also have a history of being involved in racing.
Ford is a well-known American automotive manufacturer that produces a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. In motorsports, Ford has a rich history and has been involved in various racing series, including NASCAR and Formula 1.
compression ratio
"...they might have the sneaky compression ratio over at Mercedes. But when you take engine, driver and arrow packaging and put it together..."
Compression ratio tells you how much the engine squeezes the fuel and air before it burns. A higher number means more power, but it needs special fuel to work well.
The compression ratio is a measure of how much the air-fuel mixture is compressed in the engine's cylinders before ignition. A higher compression ratio can lead to more power and efficiency, but it also requires higher-octane fuel to prevent knocking.
Honda
"Seems like they're lagging behind Honda engines, struggling a little bit."
Honda is a well-known car company from Japan that makes reliable cars and is also involved in racing.
Honda is a Japanese automaker known for producing reliable vehicles and high-performance engines, particularly in motorsports.
Mercedes
"Yeah, they gave him a brand new Mercedes and he wrecked it like two days later."
Mercedes is a famous car brand from Germany that makes luxury cars and is known for their quality and performance.
Mercedes-Benz is a German automotive brand known for luxury vehicles, high-performance cars, and advanced engineering.
speeding tickets
"because I would have an incredible number of speeding tickets. I had a car that could speed, but, you know, when you're..."
A speeding ticket is a fine you get for driving faster than the law allows. It means you have to pay money because you were going too fast.
Speeding tickets are fines issued to drivers who exceed the legal speed limit. They can vary in cost based on how much the speed limit was exceeded.
race car
"given a race car and told to drive it conservatively. I don't know. Good luck."
A race car is a type of car made to go really fast on tracks. They are built differently than regular cars to help them win races.
A race car is a specially designed vehicle built for speed and performance on racetracks. They often have enhancements that make them faster and more agile than regular cars.
Audi
"...there was a lot of kind of stirrer with Audi. And in regards to the side pod, did you see that?"
Audi is a car company from Germany that makes high-quality cars. They are known for their stylish designs and technology.
Audi is a German automotive manufacturer known for its luxury vehicles and advanced engineering. The brand is part of the Volkswagen Group and has a strong presence in motorsports.
side pod
"...in regards to the side pod, did you see that? Yeah, man."
The side pod is a part of a race car that helps with cooling and aerodynamics. It helps the car move through the air more efficiently.
In motorsport, particularly in Formula 1, the side pod is a crucial component of the car's aerodynamics. It houses the cooling systems and contributes to the overall airflow around the vehicle, impacting performance and handling.
laps
"...Kimmy was 11th with only 30 laps in due to some issues and then George Russell. He put up 56 laps..."
A lap is when a car goes all the way around the racetrack once. The more laps a driver completes, the more practice they get.
In racing, a lap refers to one complete circuit around the track. The number of laps completed is an important metric for assessing a car's performance during testing or a race.
customer engine
"...that's in a Haas and a Ferrari engine. So I don't know if that also speaks volumes, even being a customer..."
A customer engine is one that a racing team buys from another company instead of making their own. Here, it means Haas is using an engine made by Ferrari, which can affect how well they perform in races.
A customer engine refers to an engine supplied by a manufacturer to a racing team that is not directly owned or developed by the team itself. In this context, it highlights that Haas is using a Ferrari engine, which is a significant aspect of their performance.
Ferrari
"...and customer engine of Ferrari,"
Ferrari is a famous car brand from Italy that makes fast sports cars and has a successful racing team in Formula 1. They are known for their powerful engines and racing heritage.
Ferrari is an iconic Italian automotive brand known for its high-performance sports cars and its successful Formula 1 racing team. They have a long history in motorsport and are recognized for their engineering excellence.
MGU-H
"I don't know if you heard, but the MGU H that they took out"
MGU-H is a technology used in racing cars that helps make them faster and more efficient by using heat energy from the engine. It helps the car save fuel and go faster.
MGU-H stands for Motor Generator Unit - Heat, which is part of the hybrid power unit used in Formula 1. It captures energy from the turbocharger's heat and converts it into electrical energy to improve efficiency and performance.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.