2013 Belgian Grand Prix team radio transcript

2013 Belgian Grand Prix

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As the anticipated rain failed to materialise the radio chatter at the Belgian Grand Prix was the usual mix of strategy, tyre management and penalties.

Only a handful of drivers went down the route of one-stop strategies. McLaren considered for Button and switched back and forth between different options during the course of the race, eventually deciding to stop twice.

The most interesting aspect of the Sergio Perez-Romain Grosjean captured on the radio was that the following Felipe Massa chose to comment on it, perhaps hoping the stewards would give Perez a penalty, as they eventually did. Perez complained more than once about getting a drive-through for forcing Grosjean off the track.

Likewise Esteban Gutierrez was unhappy at taking a penalty for going off the track at Blanchimont while passing Pastor Maldonado.

Before the start of the race an exchange between Nico Rosberg and his engineers showed the extent to which teams go to keep sensitive information from being broadcast.

There was an interesting moment around Sebastian Vettel’s second pit stop when he was initially told to pit, then the order was cancelled. He came in on the next lap.

Nico Hulkenberg was despondent about his car’s performance at the end of a race in which he’d complained more than once about tyre degradation. Team mate Gutierrez seemed to have a better-handling car.

Here’s what was broadcast of the teams’ radio messages during the Belgian Grand Prix.

2013 Belgian Grand Prix team radio transcript

Lap*FromToMessage
PRPaul DavisonJules BianchiGoing to do our burn-outs as planned. Coming up to the race start we’ll do our static bite point learn once we’ve fired up and we’ve left the grid before the formation start. On the formation lap, as always, I’ll tell you mixture one and clutch setting. Then on the first lap of the race we’ll go revs 1 and to torque 3 for running. We’ll need a one light release out of 15 on the formation lap, one light out of 15.
PRGary GannonMax ChiltonAs we discussed it will be four lights on the start here. After the engine starts and once we’re away from the car and you’re on the deck you’ll do your static bite point learn and then formation start. On the formation lap we’ll do one light KERS out of 15.
PRAyao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanLeave the pit lane speed limiter off this time around. And KERS mode, we only need it at six this time so we don’t need to change it on the formation lap.
PRSimon RennieMark WebberAll of the top ten cars are on [medium].
FLNico RosbergTony RossNico Rosberg asks his team whether they should start on new tyres. Team mate and pole sitter Hamilton started on new mediums, the Red Bulls were on used mediums and behind him Di Resta was on new mediums.
Are you sure it’s not better to start with a fresh set? To make sure that I get a good start? You say we’ll get a chance at the stops but most likely in the dry the Red Bulls are just a little bit faster. So my point of view is starting on a fresh one then I should get a good start.
FLJames ?Nico RosbergI’ve given Tony some information on a different channel, I don’t want to broadcast it on a driver channel, he’ll have a chat to you.
FLTony RossNico RosbergI heard what you said. James made the choice. James, if you want to comment on Nico’s channel please do so now. We are fitting set three as planned.
FLJames ?Nico RosbergI commented on the other channel so it wasn’t a driver radio so it’s not broadcast so I’ll try to be encrypted about this. It’s not the start, it’s the reason of the length of that middle stint.
FLJock ClearLewis HamiltonHave you and Bono discussed the change from [medium] to [hard], front flap?
FLLewis HamiltonJock ClearNo
FLJock ClearPeter BonningtonBono do you want to talk about that, I suggested between one-and-a-half and two. It’s probably up to Lewis what we agree so that we have a pre-plan.
FLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonYeah Lewis so just quickly Jock’s analysis came out with one-and-a-half to two turns. In the run on Friday we did one-and-a-half turns, obviously not a great balance at the moment we’re recommending one-and-a-half but two is an option. We’ll communicate with you at that stop for what you feel.
FLLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonYeah, OK.
FLJock ClearPeter BonningtonSo, Bono and Lewis, if we don’t hear anything else, what are we doing? One-and-a-half at the moment and then change on discussion?
FLPeter BonningtonJock ClearAffirm, Jock.
FLGianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaContinue to heat the brakes and remember KERS charge nine zero.
FLJonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasVergne is [medium], Ricciardo [hard] and Gutierrez behind on the [hard] as well.
FLUnknownJenson ButtonHPB to mid position please Jenson and launch map on.
FLMarco SchupbachNico HulkenbergAfter burnouts RPM 70 for standing.
1Tony RossNico RosbergCancel RS.
1Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelRed switch down when you can.
1Felipe MassaRob SmedleyJust check if the front wing is fine.
1Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaOK we’ll have a look.
2Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelKERS ten, one-zero. You’re at nine at the moment. OK, ten confirmed.
2Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaThe front wing is fine, front wing looked fine when you passed me.
2Tony RossNico RosbergRFA [DRS] will be active next lap. Gap to Button 0.8. Harvest three when you can, please.
3Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelSebastian you’re plus two eight Hamilton, plus three Hamilton. Hamilton 56.0. Need to save your tyres, we don’t want any more than this.
4Romain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuIs everything OK with my front wing?
4Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK we’ll double-check and get back to you.
4Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanData looks OK. Diff entry three.
4Felipe MassaRob SmedleyI [distorted] completely but I cannot see anything. [Distorted] the KERS do not work.
4Marco MatassaDaniel RicciardoWell done Daniel, keep pushing, mix six.
4Gary GannonMax ChiltonGo mix two. Tyres are up to temp now.
4Tony RossNico RosbergTry diff entry three for understeer. Alonso next car behind.
5Tony RossNico RosbergSeveral messages to drivers giving advice on driving style were played. Rosberg seemed to receive more than most.
Tyre temperatures are all good, all within limits.
5Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelHamilton 55.7
5Nico HulkenbergMarco SchupbachTyres are going away already. [Distorted] target but not much longer.
5Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergCopy Nico. Brake bar plus one for rear protection.
5Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonHarvest mode six. For Eau Rouge Nico taking in seventh, still with KERS boost, it’s quicker.
6Brad JoyceAdrian SutilMassa ahead may have a KERS problem so attack him.
6Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonAlonso now the car behind. You are on your target lap.
7Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneMix five Jev, let’s see if we can get him, come on!
7GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaNo response from Di Resta was played.
We are strategy A Paul, let’s have a tyres update please.
7Tony RossNico RosbergHarvest six when you can please. Try carrying more speed through the apex of turn five.
7Francesco NenciEsteban GutierrezYou can push more the tyres turn ten and eleven.
8Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergHulkenberg was one of the first drivers to pit along with Massa on lap nine.
From lap times target looks good, Nico, we stick to target. Looks all OK. Good job so far.
8Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaWe’ve completed seven lap, we’re thinking more Plan A.
9Mark SladeKimi RaikkonenLotus discovered at Raikkonen’s first pit stop his front left brake duct had ingested a visor tear-off strip.
Brake temperatures are a bit high, manage them if you can, please.
9Mark TempleSergio PerezCars are still quite bunched up behind. We think Plan B could be the correct strategy but drive for Plan A.
9Sergio PerezMark TempleOK.
10Tim WrightCharles PicPic’s engine fails.
We have to stop the car, find a safe place to stop and stop the car this lap. Save the engine, box box, slow in.
10Juan Pablo RamirezGiedo van der GardeCharles is out of the race, just take care of your tyres.
10Felipe MassaRob SmedleyPerez passed Grosjean at Les Combes on lap eight but pushed the Lotus off the track. That allowed Massa to pass Grosjean.
For information Perez put Grosjean out on braking, he pushed Grosjean to the left.
10Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaYeah OK it’s nothing to do with you so just stay where you are.
11Tony RossNico RosbergSo push hard now, Nico.
11Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonGive us a balance check.
11Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonBalance is OK.
12Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelDefault eleven, one-one. Hamilton in the pits.
12Gary GannonMax ChiltonGoing up on entry might help the exit. If the exit is your biggest problem, go up on entry. Jules is on entry nine.
13Mark SladeKimi RaikkonenRaikkonen has trouble understanding what he’s being told.
Left-front wear is high so we need to manage it as much as we can please to get it back under control.
13Kimi RaikkonenMark SladeI don’t understand anything because you speak too early.
13Jenson ButtonDave RobsonThe two cars in front are helping, we’d say?
13Romain GrosjeanAyao Komatsu[Censored] pushed me completely off-track.
13Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanConfirm Charlie is looking into the incident.
14Mark TempleSergio PerezPerez objects to his drive-through penalty for forcing Grosjean off.
We have been given a drive-through, we must do it this lap. It’s for the incident with Grosjean. We’re in a good position though so let’s keep pushing, you’re doing a really good job. We must come in this lap for the drive-through.
14Sergio PerezMark TempleWhy the drive-through.
14Mark TempleSergio PerezFor forcing Grosjean off the track when you overtook him.
14Sergio PerezMark TempleI had the corner.
14Tony RossNico RosbergAnd Alonso is the next car in front, who’s just stopped. Rear temperatures are 16, still OK.
14Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBox, torque map one and box.
14Sergio PerezMark TempleI did nothing wrong.
14Mark TempleSergio PerezWe’ll look at it after the race. Just let’s stay focused, we can still get some good points in this race. You’re doing really well up ’til now, let’s keep doing that.
15Nico HulkenbergMarco SchupbachTo be honest the car and the tyre feels like [distorted]. Feels really poor grip.
15Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergCopy, Nico.
15Daniel RicciardoMarco MatassaUnlike most of his rivals (including his team mate) Ricciardo started on the hard tyres. He pitted on lap 16, later than most, which eventually helped him gain positions.
What do you think we do? Is it worth staying out or are we going to lose time with the faster cars for nothing?
15Marco MatassaDaniel RicciardoWe are looking at that, stay with Jev behind you, keep pushing.
15Gary GannonMax ChiltonIn now Max for [mediums].
16Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaRicciardo also on the hard tyre. He is the car in front, obviously.
17Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelPace is high 53s.
17Tony RossNico RosbergSo holding 25s so we can get on good target with fuel.
17Paul DavisonJules BianchiSeven more laps this stint, mixture 3.
17Andrew MurdochPastor MaldonadoYour lap times at the minute are similar to Vergne in front.
18Dave RobsonJenson ButtonButton started on the medium tyres and it seems Plan A was to make one stop and Plan B to make two. He made his first pit stop on lap 17.
Switching to Plan B, push now.
18Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelAlonso 53.9 but he was behind Button. The next lap will be more representative.
19Sergio PerezMark TemplePerez reports the state of his tyres.
I’m in F3 now. Very close to F4.
19Mark TempleSergio PerezUnderstood, which tyre is limiting?
19Sergio PerezMark TempleThe rears.
19Simon RennieMark WebberEngine 29, two-nine.
19GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaKERS two, minus one click brake balance.
19Francesco NenciEsteban GutierrezHow are the tyres Esteban, question?
19Esteban GutierrezFrancesco NenciThey feel OK.
19Tony RossNico RosbergSo just try controlling the slip to help the rear tyres, stop them overheating.
20Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonOn lap 15 Hamilton had let Alonso past at the hairpin, belieivng he’d be able to use DRS to re-pass the Ferrari. It didn’t work, leaving Hamilton chasing Alonso and Vettel.
Are we catching Vettel together?
20Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo Vettel six tenths faster last lap. You were within a tenth of Alonso.
21Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanGood job, mix 20.
21Dave RobsonJenson ButtonGreat job with Massa. Car in front is Grosjean, he looks like he could be trying to one-stop. You’re two-and-a-half seconds back from him.
21Mark TempleSergio PerezWe’ve inspected the tyres, think about protecting rear-right through ten and eleven.
21Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergNico still five laps to target, I’ll help you with the pressures on the next set.
22Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonHamilton has used the tyre wear indicator on his steering wheel to communicate to his team the state of his tyres.
We copy your wear switch. You are on your target lap but we need to tune it so do not come into the pits unless you hear the command.
22Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonThat’s OK. I’m getting everything I can out of this car.
22Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonCopy that Lewis, we just need to make sure we can manage that [hard] stint at the end.
22Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaSafety Car window open and we need about another four, five laps. If you can up that pace let’s go for it. I’ll tell you if there’s anywhere we can pick up the pace in sector two. If you can go quicker please go quicker. Braking less in corner ten.
23Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanFor Lotus, Plan B was a one-stop. Grosjean split the race exactly in two, switching to hards at the end of lap 22.
I’m sure you know we are Plan B.
24Mark TempleSergio PerezMcLaren considered their strategic options after Perez’s penalty. He’d switched to hards on lap 18 and they decided to keep him out until the end of the race.
We think the best thing to do is to push and try to get in front of the cars in front. We’ll decide on the best strategy depending on how it goes in the next five to ten laps,
24Paul di RestaGianPiero LambiaseStruggling with the front-left
24GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaCopy.
25Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneTyre phase please, Jev
25Jean-Eric VergnePhil CharlesI have front graining.
25Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneUnderstood.
25Jenson ButtonDave RobsonWhat times are Rosberg doing?
25Dave RobsonJenson ButtonRosberg on [medium] tyre that lap 1’53.7.
25Mark TempleSergio PerezMain time loss relative to Jenson six-tenths middle sector.
27Dave RobsonJenson ButtonDo you prefer [hard] or [medium]?
27Jenson ButtonDave Robson[Hard] at the moment.
27Dave RobsonJenson ButtonOK, understood.
27Peter BonningtonLewis Hamilton18 laps on this tyre set, 18 laps remaining.
27Kimi RaikkonenMark SladeDespite having the tear-off removed from his duct, Raikkonen’s brake had overheated too much and eventually failed.
Box, I had a brake failure. Something wrong with the brakes.
27Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneWell one Jev, next one, get your head down.
28Giedo van der GardeJuan Pablo RamirezThe rears are starting to go a little bit.
28Brad JoyceAdrian SutilOK settle down mate we’ll get them on the next straight. Watch out for Di Resta behind.
29GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaDi Resta catches Maldonado, Gutierrez and Sutil.
So that’s a train: Maldonado, Gutierrez, Sutil ahead.
29GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaGutierrez passes Maldonado at the chicane, who then hits to the Force Indias, putting Di Resta out.
Switch the engine off.
29Tony RossNico RosbergRosberg is advised to back off by six tenths of a second per lap.
You can slow the pace down, go plus 0.6 on delta time.
30Andrea StellaFernando AlonsoNo problems behind, really. Button he only did one stop so far, he is on hard, and Hamilton is still behind you.
30Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelVettel is initially told to pit, then hurriedly told to stay out. This may have been a reaction to the possibility of the Safety Car coming out because of the Maldonado/Di Resta collision, and the fact his team mate was also pitting at the same time may have played a role.
Box, torque map one and box.
30Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelStay out, stay out, stay out.
30Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinStay out.
30Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelConfirmed. Stay out.
30Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneWe’re a lot quicker than Hulkenberg this time, let’s see if we can get him, we’re a lot quicker now.
30Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBox, torque map one and box.
31Gary GannonMax ChiltonBlue flag Rosberg. In now, clutch five, torque five.
31Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergWe have three laps of special two, use them when you need them. Thirteen laps to go.
31Mark TempleSergio PerezThis pace is good, let’s see if we can find another tenth or two. We’re catching Ricciardo in front.
31Dave RobsonJenson ButtonThere are 14 laps to go. [hard] or [medium] tyre next stop?
31Jenson ButtonDave RobsonI still think [hard].
31Dave RobsonJenson ButtonOK understand and I agree.
31Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelRed Bull are also concerned about the possibility of rain.
You need to use your tyres to the end of the race. Use your tyres. We need to build up a gap, there could be some rain coming. So do it progressively, but open the gap.
32Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneVergne and Hulkenberg made their last pit stops together on lap 24.
Mix five Jev, we’ve got to overtake Hulkenberg. And release six. We’ve got to get him done, you’ve got to overtake him now, Jev.
32Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelInformation: Mark did 16 laps on his [hards] in the middle of the race.
32Dave RobsonJenson ButtonMcLaren believe they can switch Button back to a one-stopper. They eventually abandon the idea and he makes his second stop on lap 34.
There are 12 more laps to go. We think we can go back to Plan A.
32Jenson ButtonDave RobsonOK, I’m up for that.
33Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe’re going to need to pick up the pace a little bit. Webber now catching Nico, he is on the [medium] tyre, so just start lifting that pace.
34Tony RossNico RosbergGap to Webber is two seconds. Situation is Button is in front of Hamilton, he may not stop again, so we will need to overtake him in the race.
34Dave RobsonJenson ButtonSituation is the two cars in front are quite a long way ahead. Behind the two Mercedes are not much quicker than us. Webber’s behind them, he is quicker but he’s being held up.
34Brad JoyceAdrian SutilYou’re coming up to lap Chilton ahead. Chilton has a penalty drive-through.
34Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe need to pick up the pace. We also believe Button has switched back to a one-stop so we’re going to need to pass him on-track.
35Jean-Eric VergnePhil CharlesVergne finally gets past Hulkenberg nine laps after their pit stops.
[Distorted but clearly shouting for joy]
35Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneWell done Jev, Sutil next, come on get your head down, really good laps now.
35Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasTyre management good but do not put more energy than this. Ten more laps.
36Mark TempleSergio PerezWe are still racing Vergne and Hulkenberg behind. Eight-and-a-half second gap behind. I’ll keep you updated.
36Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSame lap time as Nico last lap, gap 2.6 seconds.
37Simon RennieMark WebberThat did look a bit closer. Concentrate on getting a good exit from turn one and use all your KERS.
37Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonTwo-tenths faster than Nico last lap. Webber looks like he’s starting to drop, I’ll keep you updated.
37Dave RobsonJenson ButtonYou are the quickest car on the circuit. Two seconds a lap faster than Webber.
37Gary GannonMax ChiltonGood job Max you built temp there. Fronts -5 rears -12.
38Andrew MurdochPastor MaldonadoNo response from Maldonado is played as he is informed of his penalty for taking Di Resta out of the race.
You need to box for a penalty, ten second stop-and-go.
38Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergWe have to go to the end, there’s no advantage in pitting now, stay out.
38Nico HulkenbergMarco SchupbachI will have none left by the end of the race.
39Marco MatassaDaniel RicciardoPerez six seconds in front of you, two seconds slower. You can catch him, come one Daniel, go for it!
39Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonTwo-tenths faster than Nico last lap. Six laps remaining.
39Mark TempleSergio PerezCar behind now Ricciardo on five-lap-old [mediums]. We’re going to be racing him to the end, let’s do everything we can to keep him behind us. We are P10.
40Simon RennieMark WebberFive laps to go, Mark, let’s have a good go at Rosberg.
40Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaGood lad, that’s a good pass. That puts us up into P7.
41Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasGutierrez in front has got a drive-through. We’re going to be pretty close to him when he comes out after his drive-through.
42Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasPush hard this lap, four laps to go.
42Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelYou’re +15 Alonso. Make sure you stay within your car and within yourself, OK? Remember careful track limits under braking.
42Mark TempleSergio PerezPerez has been passed by Ricciardo and is down to 11th.
Vergne is the next car behind. His pace is the same as us. So if you can keep going this position is safe. We may still get a position towards the end if we’re lucky.
42Paul DavisonJules BianchiBianchi’s KERS fails.
KERS recovery one, do not use KERS.
43Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergIn front of Vergne, Perez 1.3 slower than you.
43Brad JoyceAdrian SutilTwo laps to go, Ricciardo catching 1.6 seconds per lap. He is 4.6 behind.
44Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelLast lap, Sebastian.
44Dave RobsonJenson ButtonFuel three, please.
44Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBring it home, stay away from the kerbs.
VLChristian HornerSebastian VettelFantastic Sebastian you won the Belgian Grand Prix! Brilliant drive, well done, great performance.
VLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelNice one, mate.
VLSebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinNice one boys, nice one! Yes! Thank you, the car was absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much, it was so nice to drive. Unbelievable. Thank you guys.
VLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelYou’ve got to be careful mate there’s a lot of people in the pit lane and they’re not paying any attention.
VLChristian HornerSebastian VettelSeb, Michael Manning the Irish leprechaun is coming up with you today.
VLAndrea StellaFernando AlonsoAlonso is congratulated on his “great race” in Italian.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWell done Lewis that’s P3. Race as you probably imagine it’s Vettel one, Alonso, then Lewis, Nico right behind you, Webber, Button, Massa, Grosjean, Sutil and Ricciardo.
VLRoss BrawnLewis HamiltonLewis it’s Ross. Good drive today. Didn’t quite have the car we’d hoped but not so far off. Very, very good drive, made the most of what we had, well done.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSolid drive man.
VLTony RossNico RosbergGood job, Nico.
VLRoss BrawnNico RosbergGood drive today Nico. Didn’t quite have the car we hoped but very good drive, important points, well done.
VLNico RosbergTony RossYeah, thank you.
VLDave RobsonJenson ButtonGreat job. You know the routine here so around turn one, into the pit exit. Great drive, JB.
VLJenson ButtonDave RobsonHow far were we behind third?
VLDave RobsonJenson ButtonAbout 12, 13 seconds behind third place, Lewis.
VLRob SmedleyFelipe MassaThat was a well-fought race to be honest. Think we did mostly what we could correct. From 12th in the first lap up to seven is not too bad. Passing cars and passed them with the strategy as well. It was a good drive, well done.
VLFelipe MassaRob SmedleyYeah the strategy was a problem – er, sorry, the start was a problem. Just lost too many positions at the first corner.
VLRob SmedleyFelipe MassaYep. Anyway, it was a good recovery.
VLAyao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanThat was a very difficult race. We finished P8
VLRomain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuIt was difficult today.
VLAyao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanYeah just didn’t have the pace but I think you made the most of it. Good job.
VLBrad JoyceAdrian SutilWell done Adrian, easy on the throttle on the way in. Good man. Great job, mate. P9.
VLAdrian SutilBrad JoyceYeah it was a good effort.
VLMarco MatassaDaniel RicciardoWell done, Daniel. P10.
VLDaniel RicciardoMarco MatassaBravo!
VLMark TempleSergio PerezWe finished P11. Unfortunately that drive-through I think cost us a potential seventh or eighth position. We’ll have a good look at that afterwards. Good job in the last stint managing the tyres.
VLPhil CharlesJean-Eric VergneHard luck today. P12, Daniel P10.
VLNico HulkenbergMarco SchupbachJesus Christ. I don’t know about the car it was not together at all. The balance is so far apart, there’s understeer, oversteer. Car is all over the place. It’s so damn difficult.
VLMarco SchupbachNico HulkenbergYeah we are way too slow. Sorry for that. Sorry about the pit stop. Remember to switch off.
VLNico HulkenbergMarco SchupbachWhat happened to Esteban in the end?
VLMarco SchupbachNico HulkenbergHe got a drive-through, I don’t know why. I think he left the track with all four wheels. We’ll see after. Nico, thanks for the push. Remember to switch off. See you later.
VLFrancesco NenciEsteban GutierrezWe had a very good pace, we’ll look a bit more into it. We disagree about the drive-through, sorry about that.
VLEsteban GutierrezFrancesco NenciIs not fair because he didn’t leave me space anyway.
VLFrancesco NenciEsteban GutierrezWe understand. Sorry. Our biggest problem was the qualifying, isn’t it?
VLEsteban GutierrezFrancesco NenciYeah because the pace was good.
VLFrancesco NenciEsteban GutierrezIt was very good, yes. Thanks Esteban. It’s also good for us because the car was good. It’s a morale boost, anyway. And we try to do better, OK?
VLEsteban GutierrezFrancesco NenciCopy. We keep motivation up.
VLFrancesco NenciEsteban GutierrezYes please!
VLJonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasP15 Valtteri. Remember to come down the pit lane the wrong way.

Lap: Refers to lap message was broadcast on. There may be a delay between messages being said and being broadcast. PR = pre-race; FL = formation lap; VL = victory lap.
Message: Repetitive or irrelevant messages omitted. Notes in italics. Highlights in bold.

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56 comments on “2013 Belgian Grand Prix team radio transcript”

  1. Interesting conversation at Sauber after the race: Hulkenberg said the car was “all over the place” and his engineer responds with “Yeah we are way too slow”. But Gutierrez was very positive about his pace, with his engineer saying “the car was good”. Huh?

    1. Different setups? Strange.

    2. Different races. GUT is racing Caterham and Marussia. And he is a rookie. HULK is racing force India and McLaren on a good day. You’re going to get much better feedback from the better and more experienced driver. Also it’s likely that GUT was on a higher df aka slower setup to protect his lack of ability/experience.

    3. Or different standards. Maybe Hulk expects more.

    4. JP (@jonathanproc)
      29th August 2013, 19:50

      @andae23 Possibly because Hulkenberg has experienced a lot better cars. Force India are always rather good around Spa and last year he finished 4th with them. On the other hand this was Gutierrez’s first experience in an F1 car at Spa, so probably the fastest car he’s ever drove around the track.

    5. Gutierrez had the stronger pace out of the two in the race. If he didn’t have the drive-through, he would’ve been very close with Hulkenberg, after starting 10 places down.

  2. These radio transcripts make boring races appear exciting

    1. Or maybe boring races make radio transcripts appear more exciting…

  3. Text in bold is really useful as I usually can’t be bothered to read the whole transcript.

  4. Has Massa become a Grosjean fan since Hungary?

    1. @tryneplague hahaha, i was thinking the same!

    2. seems like it :)
      Actually it’s nice that other drivers voice their opinion on events.

      1. I think it may have more to do with him gaining a position if Perez gets a drive-through!

        1. Smart tactical Massa FTW!

        2. Or he was surprised it wasnt Grosjean’s fault!

        3. Well in Hungary he Argus that Grosjean shouldn’t be penealised. So ist wasn’t necessarily self-serving

          1. argued I meant! Damn spelling corrector :)

  5. #35 Vergne finally gets past Hulkenberg nine laps after their pit stops.
    [Distorted but clearly shouting for joy]

    Some suggest the message was about tyres. ‘Puncture on the rear!’ (audio)

    JEV: I think we could have done a bit better than this 12th place, because my pace was good until the final stint when I had a slow puncture almost right from the start of it, which meant my performance dropped off

    It’s impossible to know exactly at what point he picked it up and his race engineer’s response doesn’t seem quite right to a puncture report though.

  6. Keith, did Alonso said anything after Stella congratulated him for the great race?.

    1. @zoomracing If he did, it wasn’t broadcast on the pit wall channel or the main feed. But as others have noted before we don’t hear much of Alonso’s radio messages. Either not as much is being said or it’s being left out by FOM.

      1. thanks

      2. His powerslide out of the chicane on the last lap made me believe he was a bit gutted after the race.

  7. Not sure whose mistake this is:

    VL Jenson Button Dave Robson How far were we behind third?
    VL Dave Robson Jenson Button About 12, 13 seconds behind third place, >>>Lewis<<<.

    1. I understood that to mean that Lewis was in third place.

      1. @jh1806 @jimg Exactly, he was saying Hamilton was third.

  8. I love this feature, but I find it distracting to have the tyre type code names translated from “prime” and “option” to “[hard]” and “[medium]”, partly because the square brackets are jarring (although I understand that they are there to show that the original has been changed), and partly because I have to translate back in my head as to whether it’s the prime or option tyres which are being discussed.

    My preference would be to leave “prime” and “option” in the text and add a reminder at the top, e.g. “prime = hard, option = medium”.

    But please keep it going, either way!

    1. @jimg Some teams use the prime/option distinction, some use the hard/medium/soft/super-soft distinction. I use the latter because it conveys more information. I wouldn’t want to mix both styles in the same article.

      1. Maybe he spoke japanese as a Samurai would do “arigatou” :D

      2. FWIW, I don’t mind terribly, but I would prefer to read exactly what they said. I think most people who read these transcripts pay pretty close attention to these things and would have no trouble keeping everything straight.

        I love the transcripts, by the way. They’re my favorite feature of the already-great site.

        1. @ecuzzillo I’m not saying people aren’t capable of understanding the distinction, but for consistency within the article and across the site I have a set style which I use. Juggling between the more specific hard/medium/soft/super-soft and less specific prime/option seems pointless.

          And, as indicated in the article, these are not verbatim transcripts anyway, largely because of the huge amount of repetition that goes on.

          Glad you like them, though!

  9. I wonder what Grosjean calls Perez!

    1. Sarge-YO!!!

  10. You’d have thought Rosberg would have discussed tyre choices before he was in the car. I know that would be the first time they would have seen rivals tyre’s, but I’m still suprised the level of conversation that soon before the start.

  11. No mention of Vernge’s apparent slow puncture on the radio transcripts. Was it that major an issue?

    1. @vettel1, to me it felt as if Jean-Eric I-blow-away-my-teammate-when-I-don’t-have-a-problem Vergne, was desperately looking for an excuse. From the transcript it doesn’t sound as if he noticed anything (of course we don’t know what else they said over the radio).

      1. Didn´t his team principal mention it in the end of the race PR notes?

        1. @celeste, yes he did, and I don’t dispute there was something, but I don’t think it was very serious, judging by what we see from the transcript (and his lap times, and the fact they didn’t pit him). Perhaps it was even beneficial to run the tyre at lower pressures than prescribed by Pirelli…

        2. @celeste @adrianmorse what I was implicitly implying is that I don’t really think the argument that JEV had a slow puncture can be used too heavily against Ricciardo – I did have that challenge used against me when discussing Dan’s true racing ability showing through.

  12. This is great!

    1. The abomination that is the ‘official’ F1 website could learn a lot from F1F. I can’t bring myself read it anymore.

  13. These transcripts are the best.

  14. I was pleasantly surprised by di Resta’s restraint toward Gutierrez, I was expecting a rant from di Resta but these transcripts appear to confirm his discipline.

  15. These radio transcripts are fantastic! Thanks Keith.

  16. It’s nice to see Alonso still has a radio!

    1. Now all he has to do is speak English so that I/we can understand him!

      1. I remember when Alonso first went to Ferrari, all the radio chatter was in English..I guess he has learned Italian over the years.

    2. Sudha S (@cbeSudha)
      30th August 2013, 4:16

      Either Alonso and Stella speak in Italian a lot and it does not get translated, or they dont speak too much or they have a secret channel to communicate in. Why dont they read Samurai quotes over his radio to motivate him though :-)

  17. Good lad Et all…… Rob has become the Father figure for Massa…..guiding him like a small child…..

    and not to mention Rocky….. Stay in the car and stay within Yourself OK ?????

    I think these 2 have a very tight bond with their drivers.

  18. Was Vergne really ‘shouting for joy’ after passing someone for 11th or whatever it was
    I can’t imagine it :D

  19. James from Mercedes is James Vowles, their chief strategist – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Vowles

  20. What does these two mean?
    -KERS ten, one-zero
    -Harvest mode six

    1. The second one determines how much energy is harvested by KERS when the car decelerates. The first will just be a KERS setting.

  21. I noticed that teams always tell their drivers to do “burn outs” before the race start. What is that?

    1. To generate heat in their rear tyres.

      1. Thank you!

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