2013 Korean Grand Prix team radio transcript

2013 Korean Grand Prix

Posted on

| Written by

Managing the ferocious levels of degradation on the front-right tyres was the preoccupation of most of the teams during the Korean Grand Prix as dozens of messages from the team radio broadcast make clear.

Another major talking point from the team radio chatter was Romain Grosjean’s concerted effort to have Lotus order Kimi Raikkonen to let him past during their battle for second at the end of the race. Team principal Eric Boullier eventually intervened and after the race Grosjean was told in no uncertain terms not to make his displeasure visible once he got out of the car.

A couple of minor but interesting details emerged from Red Bull after the chequered flag. Sebastian Vettel revealed he’d driven the whole race without his drinks bottle working and his race engineer Rocquelin appeared to be encouraging him not to perform his usual post-race ‘finger’ celebration.

Here are all the radio messages from Sunday’s race.

2013 Korean Grand Prix team radio transcript

Lap*FromToMessage
PRAndrea StellaFernando AlonsoAlonso arrives at the grid.
Fernando charge zero, cool down the car.
PRRob SmedleyFelipe MassaOK do a short KERS boost for us please, just to unload a bit. OK that’s fine.
PRLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonYou need to tell Pez that the starts were quite poor, we aren’t getting any grip.
PRPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonAffirm, Lewis, copy that. We see the issue, it’ll be OK for the start.
PRUnknownEsteban Gutierrez15 minutes to go, 15.
PRUnknownNico HulkenbergTen minutes, ten to go.
PRTony RossNico RosbergWe’re considering obviously with the path that we’ve gone on the tyre that you’re running had done two runs in quali so it’s going to be in worse condition. So just expect possibly initially some oversteer going to the front graining and then when the front cleans up it’ll go to oversteer again so we’ll need to be fairly active on the controls.
PRAyao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanPit lane speed limiter off. Procedure is two static bite points and we’re going to release KERS from second gear so it’ll be a bit earlier. And then release all KERS during formation lap and hopefully we don’t have to cool the car much but if we have to I’ll have to tell you at the time to cool the car. And remember if you want to warm up the front tyres we have to be careful about graining as well so braking is the best way to get the temperature in. OK and the procedure for the race start is two rolling bite points and we have to do three burn-outs now.
PRFrancesco NenciEsteban GutierrezTwo minutes to go
PRSimon RennieMark WebberJust a couple of reminders. Obviously you’ve got KERS at the start. We know how powerful it is at turn two but also at turn three. And just remember it’s a long race, you don’t need to do it all into turn one, OK?
FLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelGearbox is good, KERS is good and engine on target. Remember no part throttle. And clutch four when you can.
FLMarco MatassaDaniel RicciardoTrack temperature is at 30. So minus ten compared to Friday. Weather forecast: the radar does not see any rain expectations. The wind is similar to Friday, the direction.
FLMarco SchupbachNico HulkenbergWarm up tyres and brakes, learn all gears.
FLNico HulkenbergMarco SchupbachStill not really a lot of torque.
FLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelAll systems are good. Feedback on start: hold throttle after first paddle.
FLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonFour good burn-outs, three seconds between them. Brake balance for turn one.
FLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonAnd then you’re going to stop in your box, steering straight, the yellow line is on the right-hand side. You’re going to stop in your box for a bite point check, then neutral, then RS modes. Brake balance for turn one.
1Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonAnd cancel RS.
1Paul DavisonJules BianchiMassa spins at turn three.
Watch for a spinner turn three, someone in the middle of the track at turn three.
2Brad JoyceAdrian SutilAdrian does your front wing feel OK?
2Adrian SutilBrad JoyceI don’t know, I have to check now I think. I think I have to come into the pits.
2Brad JoyceAdrian SutilAdrian just feel it, see if it is an issue.
2Adrian SutilBrad JoyceThe front wing is damaged, I’m losing downforce.
2Andrew MurdochPastor MaldonadoPastor, everything OK with the car?
2Pastor MaldonadoAndrew MurdochAll OK.
2Adrian SutilBrad JoyceI can still follow the other cars.
2Brad JoyceAdrian SutilCopy that Adrian, keep going.
3Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelKERS map 12. Grosjean 46.9.
3Gary GannonMax ChiltonBoth cars are tyre-saving. Look after the front-right.
3Tim WrightCharles PicCharles you can go one click forward for brake balance for balance
3GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaMove the brake balance forward if you need it, Paul.
3Jenson ButtonDave RobsonI think I’ve got a damaged front wing,
3Dave RobsonJenson ButtonThere is some front wing damage, we’re just looking at the data, it’s not a problem, just let us know how the balance is.
3Jenson ButtonDave RobsonA bit of understeer.
3Dave RobsonJenson ButtonOK, understood.
4Dave RobsonJenson ButtonButton’s wing was damaged when Gutierrez swerved to avoid Alonso who in turn was dodging Massa.
Jenson we need to box this lap for a front wing. It’s affecting the brake temperatures.
4Jenson ButtonDave RobsonBox this lap.
5Jenson ButtonDave RobsonThese tyres are very grained already.
5Dave RobsonJenson ButtonOK Jenson understood. This could still work out well for us.
5Jean-Eric VergnePhil CharlesI have big graining on the front right.
5Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneOK, understood.
5Brad JoyceAdrian SutilSutil pitted on lap three.
We could do with looking after these as they’ll have a longish stint. So front-right.
6Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe could have low-level Charlie
6Tim WrightCharles PicForwards for brake balance for temperature and balance. We think you should go forwards with brake balance please.
6GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaPaul, Plan A or Plan B?
6Paul di RestaGianPiero LambiaseB. Er A, sorry.
6GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaCopy that, Plan A.
6Brad JoyceAdrian SutilAdrian these will need to last a long time these tyres.
7Francesco NenciEsteban GutierrezWith the first pit stops rapidly approaching and most drivers switching from super-soft to medium tyres, Gutierrez is asked how he would like his front wing to be adjusted.
Front wing for [medium] question? Everybody’s degrading.
7Esteban GutierrezFrancesco NenciPlus two.
8GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaPaul box to overtake Perez. So if he comes in, stay out, and you think you can go faster, otherwise box this lap. Front wing adjust for the medium?
8Paul di RestaGianPiero Lambiase[Distorted] standard.
8Dave RobsonJenson ButtonButton is gaining on Chilton after his early pit stop.
That’s the back of the pack you’re coming up to, we need to clear these slow cars as quickly as we can.
8Sergio PerezMark TempleDo you still think Plan A?
8Mark TempleSergio PerezYes Checo we’re still on Plan A but let’s pick up the place now we’ve got clear air. Let’s push now.
8Sergio PerezMark TempleI was pushing, I am pushing.
9Paul DavisonJules BianchiYou’re doing well mate, KERS recovery five.
9Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonHamilton is told he’ll be pitting a lap early.
Target minus one so you can push, push.
9Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonYou’re confusing the hell out of me, man.
9Tony RossNico RosbergThe default flap adjustment for the [medium] tyre is going to be 0.5% aero balance down.
9Brad JoyceAdrian SutilRacing Bottas.
9Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelRemember the fronts coming back only means the right-front is worn, so be careful.
10Mark TempleSergio PerezPerez pitted on lap ten.
Let’s keep pushing we’re still gapping the backmarkers.
10GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaPerez came out just in front of Di Resta after his pit stop.
So we’re still on the cusp of gapping Perez. His last lap 1’47.8.
11Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanThis message would have been given to Grosjean as he came in for his lap ten pit stop.
Let’s concentrate stopping square.
11Mark SladeKimi RaikkonenNext set of tyres is [mediums], should we reduce the front wing by more than one turn?
11Kimi RaikkonenMark SladeI have no idea how they will be.
11Brad JoyceAdrian SutilHow is the balance, Adrian?
11Adrian SutilBrad JoyceOversteering.
11Brad JoyceAdrian SutilOK watch the slip on the rears then. Just look after the rears a bit on traction phases.
12Dave RobsonJenson ButtonThis is good, this pace is good. Let’s use the free air ahead to look after the front tyres.
13Gary GannonMax ChiltonIn now, clutch eight, torque five. Sorry, correction, clutch seven, torque five.
13Paul di RestaGianPiero LambiaseI can’t get these tyres to switch on.
13GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaOK keep plugging away they will clean up. Temperatures and pressures look good.
13Mark SladeKimi RaikkonenNice one you’re well ahead of him.
13Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaMassa is trying to pass Gutierrez who he’s been behind since lap eight.
Just for this lap try something. Save one light… OK I couldn’t tell you because I don’t think you could have heard me with of all the cars. What I wanted to say to you was try and save one light on one of the laps and then use one light to launch to get closer to him.
14Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonYou are on your target lap. Current lap 14. So you need to look after your tyres and we can push at the end of this stint. This medium level Charlie looks good. You are currently in P3, the race is ahead of you.
14Juan Pablo RamirezGiedo van der GardeDiff entry four.
15Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelThe gap is good, focus on stint length.
16Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanLet’s look after right-front tyre in sector two, please.
16Brad JoyceAdrian SutilWe need to push a bit more now. We need to catch up the cars in front.
16Adrian SutilBrad JoyceMessage censored by FOM.
The car’s ******* slow. I can’t go faster. It’s a piece of ****.
16Jenson ButtonDave RobsonUndersteer, understeer.
16Dave RobsonJenson ButtonOK Jenson understand. We need to decide Plan A or Plan B.
17Simon RennieMark WebberLooks like Fernando ahead is struggling with right-front graining.
17Mark TempleSergio PerezWe think it will be tight to reach the target lap so let’s make sure we look after the tyres. Jenson will struggle a lot more as we get closer to our target lap.
18Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelYou’re quick in the middle sector, be careful not to abuse your tyres.
18Tim WrightCharles PicAll tyres are just below the limt. Your deg and pace are good, Charles.
18Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergLap time on target. Around 15. Doing good, Nico.
18Simon RennieMark WebberRicciardo was the only driver to start the race on medium tyres.
Your group of cars will catch Ricciardo, on old [mediums] in the next two laps.
19Dave RobsonJenson ButtonThis pace is very strong. We’re catching the group in front who are all being held up by Hulkenberg.
19Jenson ButtonDave RobsonButton reports he’s gone through the graining phase.
My tyre is clean.
19Dave RobsonJenson ButtonUnderstand, great news, let’s keep this up, use the free air, this is going pretty well.
19Mark SladeKimi RaikkonenOil transfer. KERS battery was not getting charged enough, that’s why we’ve gone to recovery five.
20Tim WrightCharles PicCharles at turn six concentrate more on the exit. You are too aggressive on the way in and you’re losing two-tenths.
20Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergTarget 12 to 14.
20Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneRelease six, use KERS after turn one and two.
20Andrew MurdochPastor MaldonadoOK we need to seal the front tyres a bit more in turn 11.
21Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanTarget minus five.
21Nico HulkenbergMarco SchupbachMy tyres are not holding on.
21Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergCould be graining Nico. I think they will come back also. Nico, Ricciardo did 18 laps on the [medium] I think they will come back and we’ll be fine.
21Mark TempleSergio PerezLast lap you were eight-tenths faster than Jenson with similar tyre wear so that’s good. Let’s keep doing this.
22Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaMassa finally passed Gutierrez on lap 23. He ended up behind him again after the Safety Car periods and had to pass him a second time later on.
OK maybe try a lap where you save everything and then see if you can catch him through sector two and sector three. So save everything for one lap and use everything to launch at the last corner.
22Mark TempleSergio PerezYou gained 1.2 seconds on Jenson last lap, I think he could be starting to struggle. Let’s make sure these tyres last to our target lap. This is good, you’re doinga good job.
22Marco MatassaDaniel RicciardoRelease six for target. Come on Daniel, you can do it.
23GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaShortly after this message Di Resta spun off, hit the wall and retired.
Paul we need another five laps to stay on plan, is that possible?
23Paul di RestaGianPiero LambiaseI don’t think so.
23GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaOK, stay out for now.
23Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBe careful with backmarkers. If you have to go off-line it might take a lot of grip out of your tyres. Do what you do but think about what you need to do to compensate.
23Mark TempleSergio PerezJenson’s had to come in because of the tyres. Let’s make sure we look after these. The best result would be to stick to Plan A. Let’s make sure we can get it to work.
24Tim WrightCharles PicIf you need support with the rear tyres on exit you can use torque three throttle map.
24Jenson ButtonDave RobsonIs everything OK because the red light came on?
24Dave RobsonJenson ButtonYes Jenson everything’s OK.
24Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonRight-front is destroyed.
24Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonCopy that Lewis. It looks like others have gone through the graining phase and it cleans up, but let us know how you get on.
24Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonI’ve been through the graining phase and it’s dead.
25Andrew MurdochPastor MaldonadoOK we need to look after this tyre set. Open this set easy.
25Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaPeople are already starting to stop, we should absolutely avoid that. Ricciardo five seconds in front. Keep the pace nice and steady like this. We need another seven laps.
25Mark TempleSergio PerezLet’s look after the front righ tyre a little bit more. We’ve got a 12-second gap in front to Webber and an eight-second behind to Ricciardo so we can afford to do more to ensure we reach our target lap.
27Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonAm I under threat from people behind?
27Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonNico the car behind, 7.5 seconds.
27Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonThat’s not what I asked. I asked am I under threat? Is he catching me?
27Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonNico 1.7 faster last lap, 7.5 seconds behind.
27Sergio PerezMark TempleHow many laps we have done?
27Mark TempleSergio PerezWe are on lap 26.
27Paul di RestaGianPiero LambiaseHit the wall.
27GianPiero LambiasePaul di RestaOK.
28Tony RossNico RosbergGap to Lewis in front is 3.7 seconds, you are catching him at 2.5 seconds a lap. He has Chilton and Van der Garde lapped traffic in front of him.
28Felipe MassaRob SmedleyFront-right starting to go away.
28Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaIf you can we need to extend, mate, it’s important.
28Tony RossNico RosbergA mounting pin on Rosberg’s front wing failed at the very moment he was passing his struggling team mate.
Front wing looks to have failed Nico. So we need you to box this lap.
28Nico RosbergTony RossTell me the state. I need to know what I need to do. Do I keep pushing?
28Tony RossNico RosbergWe need you to box this lap. Try and lose minimum amount of time. It looks like a pillar has failed. We’ll try and keep you advised on it. The front of the wing is sparking so you just need to get it back to the pits as quick as you can.
28Nico RosbergTony RossHow fast do you think I can go?
28Tony RossNico RosbergSpeed looks OK at the moment.
29Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonMeanwhile Hamilton, who was supposed to come in on that lap, was held up by his team mate and had to pit a lap later. Message censored by FOM.
When are you going to call me in, man? These tyres are *******.
29Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonCopy that Lewis. We need to service Nico this lap, you’re next lap.
30Brad JoyceAdrian SutilHere’s our opportunity now, Adrian. We need to get a good couple of laps out, now.
30Mark TempleSergio PerezRaikkonen 1.5 seconds behind, he is on a different strategy, we are not racing him, let’s make sure we don’t damage our tyres and we get to our target lap.
31Tony RossNico RosbergMost important thing is to look after the right-front. We have 26 laps remaining, you were down to 5% on the right-front.
31Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergWebber in pits, you will have to fight.
31Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe just need to close the gap to Webber he is in our pit window by one second so we just need to find a little bit.
31Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonDo you want me to manage the tyres or do you want me to push, which one?
31Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo just push for this out-lap.
32Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonPerez’s front-right tyre exploded on lap 31, bringing out the Safety Car.
Perez ahead has a tyre failure. We’re going to have to manage this tyre to the end of the race we’ve got 25 laps remaining, Safety Car will help us.
32Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanVery good job last stint, let’s do the same.
32Nico RosbergTony RossWhere exactly can we go full-speed again?
32Tony RossNico RosbergJust on the exit of turn 17. 200m before the Safety Car line.
33Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelAnything you can do to burn fuel will help. Remember those tyres are high working range, they need temperature in them, they’re pretty good right now.
33Mark SladeKimi RaikkonenDo you think the tyres will make Plan A from this point?
33Kimi RaikkonenMark SladeHow many laps do we have left?
33Mark SladeKimi Raikkonen24 laps to go at the end of this one.
33Kimi RaikkonenMark SladeI had a little bit of difficulty with the rear end but that was just when I was behind the McLaren, so maybe that was the issue.
34Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergNico for your reference the front-right of the last set was at the end of its life so we have to do everything to protect the front-right. The rest looked OK.
34Paul DavisonJules BianchiWe may now overtake so overtake the cars in front of you and the Safety Car and proceed round to catch the back of the train.
34Esteban GutierrezFrancesco NenciRicciardo switched to the super-soft tyres when the Safety Car came out and faced a 22-lap final stint on them.
Ricciardo still needs to put a set of [super-softs], no?
34Francesco NenciEsteban GutierrezNo he put the [super-softs] in Safety Car.
34Esteban GutierrezFrancesco NenciOK.
34Francesco NenciEsteban GutierrezBut it will be hard for getting to the end, eh? He will be doing tyre management or whatever but in any case it will be hard for him.
34Esteban GutierrezFrancesco NenciFor us is possible [distorted]
34Francesco NenciEsteban GutierrezAgain?
34Esteban GutierrezFrancesco NenciHow many laps we did in the last stint?
34Francesco NenciEsteban GutierrezWe did 24.
34Esteban GutierrezFrancesco NenciOk so we finish easy.
34Francesco NenciEsteban GutierrezHe will try. If he doesn’t manage he will be out of the points. He’s P10 at the moment so he will try that. There’s also Maldonado in front. Maldonado is on used [mediums] and they pitted ten laps ago, almost, so he is on used tyres and for him it will be hard to go to the end.
34Jenson ButtonDave RobsonHow many laps did we do on the previous set?
34Dave RobsonJenson ButtonAt this stage McLaren planned to bring Button in for a third pit stop.
We did 18, Jenson, 18 total.
34Jenson ButtonDave RobsonOK. Does that not tell you something?
34Dave RobsonJenson ButtonYep Jenson we are on Plan B but we will need to fit the [super-soft] tyre for the final stint.
34Jenson ButtonDave RobsonJust out of interest, where would we have come out if we had stopped under the Safety Car.
34Dave RobsonJenson ButtonWe would have been P13.
35Simon RennieMark WebberWe’re in a tricky position. Plan is to go to the end.
35Mark WebberSimon RennieWhy did we fit [super-soft]?
35Simon RennieMark WebberWe didn’t have any more [mediums], mate.
35Mark WebberSimon RennieBut the Q1 set would have been better. Sorry, the… Anyway, yeah, whatever.
36Mark SladeKimi RaikkonenSome information: Hamilton also stopped before the Safety Car but his laps are four laps younger than yours, he is also on [medium] tyres
36Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelJust so you know on the previous stint the right-front tyre was gone, there was no margin. Don’t think you had anything on hand at the previous stint.
36Simon RennieMark WebberSafety Car is in this lap. Keep working the tyres, there are 19 laps to go.
36Tim WrightCharles PicFront tyres are five degrees into the range. Safety Car in this lap.
38Jenson ButtonDave RobsonThe Safety Car came out a second time after Sutil crashed into Webber.
What do we think?
38Dave RobsonJenson ButtonThere are 17 laps to go, we’re going to fit a [super-soft] tyre. It’s a long stint, but I think it’s the best thing we can do from here.
38Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaA fire marshal’s car went out onto the track despite the Safety Car not having been deployed, though it was quickly summoned as the field bore down on the course vehicle.
Safety Car is deployed. This is quite bizarre, there was a car on the track, no message. Safety Car is now deployed. We stay out.
38Brad JoyceAdrian SutilOK let’s see how the car is. See if you can continue.
38Adrian SutilBrad JoyceI don’t know what happened, just snapped the rear, I had no control.
38Brad JoyceAdrian SutilCopy that, Adrian. Is the car still drive-able? Is it OK?
38Adrian SutilBrad JoyceThe car is nervous at the rear.
38Brad JoyceAdrian SutilWe might get anorther Safety Car yet, just hang on.
39Simon RennieMark WebberFor the second race in a row, Webber’s car caught fire.
Stop the car, there’s a fire, get out quickly.
39Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneTo look after the tyres you need to brake hard and not carry the speed into the corner. So brake late but slow the car down but the last part is under braking. You’re carrying too much speed into the turn-in. That’s how to look after the tyres, it’s the turning phase.
39Jenson ButtonDave RobsonMcLaren decided to gamble on not pitting Button again.
What’s the longest stint anyone’s done on [super-softs]? Obviously it’s the start of the race.
39Dave RobsonJenson Button12 laps was the maximum stint.
39Jenson ButtonDave RobsonYou guys think staying on this tyre is a good idea?
39Dave RobsonJenson ButtonIt’s a massive gamble Jenson, we could do it, your call.
39Jenson ButtonDave RobsonHow many laps left?
39Dave RobsonJenson Button17 laps left. We think we should stay out and give it a go, stay out and give it a go.
39Jenson ButtonDave RobsonStaying out.
40Tony RossNico RosbergJust be aware Lewis was over-stressing his front-right tyre in turn 11 which caused high wear.
40Felipe MassaRob SmedleyLike Gutierrez, Massa has his eye on Ricciardo.
This guy in Toro Rosso has the super-soft, it’s a new super-soft they put under the Safety Car?
40Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaYes it is, it’s a new super-soft they put under the Safety Car. He needs to do something like 17 laps on it plus he’s done two laps so it’s going to be like 20 laps in total that he needs to do on it.
40Tony RossNico RosbergWe think diff magic is latched currently.
40Nico RosbergTony RossKeep an eye on them, it was not on purpose.
40Tony RossNico RosbergCopy.
40Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasThis Safety Car will give us a good chance of getting to the end, there’ll be around 15 laps. Safety Car in this lap so push up. Go max six, six six. You’ve done that? Reset the KERS.
41Giedo van der GardeJuan Pablo RamirezI’ve a big flat spot on the left.
41Juan Pablo RamirezGiedo van der GardeOK, try to continue.
42Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelRemember it’s all about stint length.
43Jules BianchiPaul DavisonI need to save tyres. I’m pushing too much.
43Paul DavisonJules BianchiOK mate understood just do what you can, remember to back up in high speed.
43Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanBetween the two Safety Car periods Raikkonen sprang a pass on his team mate who ran wide at turn 15.
We’ve got 14 laps to go.
43Romain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuI’m stuck behind Kimi.
43Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanDRS is available.
43Felipe MassaRob SmedleyMassa and Perez made contact at turn four. The stewards investigated it after the race and took no action.
He hit me.
43Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaUnderstood, just tell me clearly who hit you and what he did.
43Felipe MassaRob SmedleyPerez. I was in the front and he hit my rear wheel.
43Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaOK understood Perez hit you from behind. We’ll check, make sure everything’s OK.
44Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe suggest we take it easy in sector two so we can save it for the end of the race. There’s 12 laps remaining.
44Romain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuGrosjean lobbied Lotus to have Raikkonen let him past.
Let me by Kimi.
44Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK Romain you are just racing him.
44Romain GrosjeanAyao Komatsu[Distorted] …killing my front tyres.
45Tony RossNico RosbergSo to turn four if you can, right hand side of the car in clean air. If you’re passing Button, no problem.
45Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasSeveral cars in front on older tyres. Keep your head down and try to get to the end on this set, anything could happen.
45Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneYour braking is much better now Jev.
46Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanYour deg is much better than Kimi’s.
46Romain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuYes but I am stuck behind Kimi. I cannot do anything in sector two.
46Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanIf we want to do anything you need to overtake him.
47Nico HulkenbergMarco SchupbachMessage censored by FOM.
**** that Mercedes has got some downforce. I just hope we don’t fall off like bananas at the end of the race. This is 110%.
47Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergCopy Nico ten laps to go. I mean that, you’re doing well.
48Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneCome on Jev, eight laps to go after this one.
48Rob SmedleyFelipe MassaPace is very, very quick. You should be in the DRS this lap.
49Francesco NenciEsteban GutierrezSeven laps to go, you’re closing half a second per lap.
50Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanTeam principal Eric Boullier firmly rejected Grosjean’s requests to be let through.
Romain you are quicker than Kimi, eight laps to go, you can overtake him, you will overtake him, OK?
50Romain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuNo I cannot I lose all downforce.
50Eric BoullierRomain GrosjeanRomain keep racing like it is.
50Marco SchupbachNico HulkenbergRelease nine and straight back to ten.
50Nico HulkenbergMarco SchupbachDo not copy. Don’t talk three centimetres from braking.
51Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelJust so you know the front-right is still opening up. It was the same last year. There’s not a lot you can do just driving around does it. But for information it’s still opening up on the right-front.
51Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinI’m aware of the right-front.
51Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelUnderstood mate. You’re doing a good job I just wanted to give you as much information as you can, as much as we have.
51Mark TempleSergio PerezFive laps to go. There’ll still be opportunities towards the end of the race. So let’s keep pushing, stay on the attack.
52Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonHamilton tried without success to pass Hulkenbrg for fourth.
It’s unreal how much traction he’s got.
52Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonCopy that Lewis. I know this’ll be hard but cool the car right-hand side where you can.
52Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelFail 22 fail.
52Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinConfirm. 22 fail.
52Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelConfirmed 22.
52Paul DavisonJules BianchiFront minus five, rear minus ten. The tyres look OK.
53Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonHas anyone got any suggestions?
53Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneCome on Jev, got to push now, three laps remaining.
53Dave RobsonJenson ButtonYellow G8, qualifying.
53Jean-Eric VergnePhil CharlesSomething weird happened on the car.
53Phil CharlesJean-Eric VergneOK Jev we’re looking.
54Mark SladeKimi RaikkonenRomain will probably have DRS this lap.
54Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBe careful, OK? You already have fastest lap by some margin, we need to finish this race.
55Marco MatassaDaniel RicciardoWe need to stop the car now. Sorry for that mate, hard luck, but very good effort, good job.
55Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelIt’s still yellow ahead, it’ll stay yellow until the end of the race.
VLChristian HornerSebastian VettelWell done Seb that was a very disciplined drive, well done. Tricky but very well done.
VLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelGood job. Very tidy.
VLSebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinYes boys! Great race. Two phenomenal stops. Very smooth. Thank you guys!
VLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelMark got harpooned by one of the Force Indias and because of that punctured the oil line and that was the end of that.
VLChristian HornerSebastian VettelSebby Slim Tim is coming up to see you and collect the constructors’ trophy today so make sure you look after him.
VLSebastian VettelChristian HornerYes! Thank you. Ah, I’m loving it, guys. But next time do me a favour: the drinks didn’t work so it would quite nice if it worked next time.
VLChristian HornerSebastian VettelI’m surprised you needed a drink the way you were needing to manage the pace.
VLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelRocquelin suggesting Vettel refrain from waving his trademark finger?
OK Sebastian usual procedure: P1, P0. And er… I don’t know. Mexican Wave?
VLSebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinFinger!
VLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelAlright.
VLMark SladeKimi RaikkonenOK mate absolutely superb job thank you very much. Absolutely fantastic.
VLKimi RaikkonenMark SladeYeah thanks everybody. It wasn’t the most easydrive in the car because of the choices that we make.
VLMark SladeKimi RaikkonenI absolutely agree, Kimi, and I think you’ve made more than the most of it. That was absolutely superb. Thank you very, very much indeed.
VL‘Pat’Romain GrosjeanMessage censored by FOM.
Romain, Romain it’s Pat. We’ll talk about this in the office after the race of course but for now big ******* smile on the podium please, big ******* smile.
VLEric BoullierRomain GrosjeanExcellent job, Romain, excellent.
VLAyao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK Romain excellent job all weekend. Just one mistake, one mistake only.
VLRomain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuGood job guys and a good strategy. A bit unlucky with the Safety Car.
VLMarco SchupbachNico HulkenbergWell done Nico, Yes! Nico that was a masterpiece. Thank you.
VLNico HulkenbergMarco SchupbachThank you guys.
VLMonisha KaltenbornNico HulkenbergCongratulations, a fantastic job, great race, vielen dank, Nico.
VLNico HulkenbergMonisha KaltenbornDanke!
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo that’s P5.
VLTony RossNico RosbergApologies for the nose, Nico, otherwise that would have been an easy podium. And just be aware there may be an issue with the clutch so no bite point find and just be cautious pulling up into parc ferme, clutch response may not be correct.
VLDave RobsonJenson ButtonThank you. That’s a great drive Jenson. I need to sit down and work out exactly what happened there but you drove extremely well, looked after those tyres very well. That’s P8 which given where we were after the first few laps is a really very good effort.
VLJenson ButtonDave RobsonYeah, couldn’t hold off Rosberg. The last five laps when the air temperature started cooling down was a big issue. Not just the front but the rear. Yeah a good one considering the front nose damage at the start of the race.
VLDave RobsonJenson ButtonYeah shame about Rosberg but not a bad result given where we were.
VLJenson ButtonDave RobsonYeah shame about Rosberg but as you could see as soon as I dropped out of the DRS zone you can see my true pace which wasn’t quick enough.
VLDave RobsonJenson ButtonYeah, you’re right, that was the true pace, but nonetheless it was a 33-lap old set of tyres that had been hot and cold a couple of times behind the Safety Car so I think nonetheless it was a really good effort, the pace at the end. And the pace when we fitted the first [medium] was really very, very good indeed.
VLJenson ButtonDave Robson33 laps? Cor that is a few isn’t it? Mis-communication with the pit stop though we need to look at that, I got a red light, that’s why I went and stopped.
VLDave RobsonJenson ButtonYep sure we’ll take a look at that. No problem.
VLMark TempleSergio PerezThat was some great driving. We were a bit unlucky there but you did a great job just to finish tenth in the points. I think if it hadn’t been for the timing of the Safety Cars we’d have definitely had another couple of places. Some of the cars in front only made it to the end on two stops because of the Safety Car. Well done, really good job today and yesterday.
VLEsteban GutierrezFrancesco NenciWhich position?
VLFrancesco NenciEsteban GutierrezWe are 11.
VLJonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasP12 Valtteri. Good job, good start and turn one, very unfortunate in turn three which set the rest of the race for you, really. Good tyre management and a good drive.
VLValtteri BottasJonathan EddolllsThanks guys. Got a bit stuck in turn three. Nowhere to go so I lost a lot.
VLAndrew MurdochPastor MaldonadoOK Pastor P13 in the end. Good job and good racing from your side.

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.

Follow F1 Fanatic Live on Twitter for team radio highlights during all live F1 sessions.

Korean Grand Prix data

Image © Lotus/LAT

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

Got a potential story, tip or enquiry? Find out more about RaceFans and contact us here.

74 comments on “2013 Korean Grand Prix team radio transcript”

  1. Rocquelin suggesting Vettel refrain from waving his trademark finger?

    Interesting. It does rub some people in the wrong way, doesn’t it?

    1. Finger!

    2. That’s the sole point in it @silence ;)

      1. @vettel1 Yup, I like the fact he is aware and doing it out of spite now :)

    3. The finger is just another excuse that Vettel’s critics use to rationalize their hate. Malaysia, the finger, Newey’s car… Bottom line, they’re angry that he keeps winning, but they can’t just say it like that, so they make up excuses.

      1. I used to be angry that he kept winning, but I think I’m over it now. He’s gone through the graining phase.

        1. Just saw this. Nice!

    4. Watching F1 for 20+ years I’ve reached the point where I wanna see Seb win every race for the rest of the season and show the finger just to annoy the folks who still try to find excuses why he isn’t that good or why he’s unlikable.

    5. I’m surprised you needed a drink the way you were needing to manage the pace.

      Oh my.

    6. Seb used a lot of less finger that weekend than usual. Straight out of the car it was the fist, not the finger – both quali and race.

    7. He should start doing a Mexican Waive, just to stir a bit the finger critics.

  2. lap 16 Sutil was a bit straightforward to say the least, wasn’t he? I guess eithr he has already lost the seat for next year, or he has just lost it because of this comment… Or maybe the team wil understand his frustration (nay they won’t probably).
    Anyway thanks for the script, was great to read!

    1. @ganajman
      Well considering Di Resta crashed out for 3 races in a row I’d say Sutil is definitely still in it

    2. My candidates for “Quote Of The Race” are:

      Adrian Sutil

      The car’s ******* slow. I can’t go faster. It’s a piece of ****.

      Lewis Hamilton

      Has anyone got any suggestions?

      Eric Boullier

      Romain you are quicker than Kimi, eight laps to go, you can overtake him, you will overtake him, OK?

      1. @jcost The last one is from Komatsu, not Boullier.

  3. 4AM Sunday – Epic rugby match between the All Blacks and Springboks featuring two teams playing at the limit of their physical and mental capabilities.

    7PM Sunday – Tyres tyres tyres.

    9:30PM Sunday – Epic NRL grand final between Manly Sea Eagles and the Sydney Roosters featuring two teams playing at the limit of their physical and mental capabilities.

    Thank you Pirellii/FIA for making me a part-time viewer of the”pinnacle of motorsport”.

    Hello 2014 USCR and WEC.

  4. I think Lewis is not getting on with his engineer, I guess it’s not the same he had at Mclaren.

    1. Yeah they seem to argue every race. It’s actually Button’s old engineer (and Schumi’s after).

    2. Well, It’s not like he has gotten along that well with his old race engineer at McLaren…

    3. @mantresx I didn’t find that message confusing at all. They told him he would come in a lap earlier so he could push now. Might seem counterintuitive but the choice of lap on which to pit might have been due to strategy.

      1. maarten.f1 (@)
        10th October 2013, 11:14

        @mike-dee Perhaps there has been more conversation that has not been aired on the pit lane feed/main feed. @keithcollantine Any idea what the percentage is of how many messages are broadcasted publicly compared to the actual number of messages?

        1. @maarten-f1 A huge amount of chatter goes on not just between the driver and his team, but crew members at different levels and even going out to the teams’ factories where there are often more people working on strategy (in McLaren’s famous “mission control” room, for example, and their rivals’ equivalent departments).

          A large extract of Renault’s team radio from the notorious Crashgate episode in 2008 was published and gives a better idea of the true extent of communication going on. Part of it was recently published here:

          Crashgate’s shadow still lingers five years on

          And the full extract is available as a PDF here.

  5. Boy, Smedley sure drives that car for Massa, doesn’t he?

    1. exact same thought i had when reading it.

    2. @lordhesketh eh? It doesn’t sound that much different of what we’ve seen from many other drivers before.

    3. I especially liked to hear so much from Alonso as well. I guess next season we won’t hear much at all from Ferrari, italian discussions won’t be broadcast and Raikkonen won’t become much more talkative either.

  6. Mark Webber: But the Q1 set would have been better. Sorry, the… Anyway, yeah, whatever.

    He was already annoyed with Pirelli huh?

    Would be great to see a picture of Rocky and Simon together during the race. Everything from Rocky’s side is so calm and easy, yet Simon has it all tsunamis coming at him with problems everywhere !

    1. LOL tsunamis, when I read that I just imagined a mini tsunami hitting Mark’s side of the garage in Suzuka, with the luck hes’ been having lately it’s not such a stretch

    2. Hopefully Michelin tyres will do him good in 2014.

    3. @fer-no65 But why did they not use the medium set used in Q1? I questioned that as well.

    4. I don’t think he was annoyed with Pirelli, I think it was his team that he was annoyed at.

  7. I think the finger comment was to give Seb a hard time, sort of like how Seb said to reporters they had traction control. Just screwing with others’ dumb opinions.

    1. I would have been hilarious if he had said to Seb over the radio “don’t forget to turn the traction control off”

  8. Guillaume Rocquelin –Sebastian Vettel :Remember the fronts coming back only means the right-front is worn, so be careful.

    Describing how the tyres worked to perfection. Interesting RBR knew that in the way the tyres work it could cause the kind of accident that Checo had.

    Guillaume Rocquelin– Sebastian Vettel: Rocquelin suggesting Vettel refrain from waving his trademark finger?OK Sebastian usual procedure: P1, P0. And er.. Idon’t know. Mexican Wave?
    Sebastian Vettel– Guillaume Rocquelin: Finger!
    Guillaume Rocquelin Sebastian Vettel Alright.

    Keep doing the finger Seb… And sorry for Massa and Smedley, but I love me some Seb and Rocky show.

    1. Seb and Rocky show

      Sounds like an 80s sitcom :-)

  9. I like how the Hulk was commenting on the downforce of the Merc (given how hard lewis rode him in sector 2) and busted his engineers balls for giving instructions “3cm from braking” haha. Dude is a star. I could hear how nervous he was “this is 110%, #$%% that mercedes has a lot of downforce” makes me think of david and goliath kind of thing :)

  10. So much tyre management going on this year, Pirelli really have screwed up 2013.

    I get what they say they were asked to do but this year they have gone way over the top with how sensitive & fragile the tyres have been. We saw a fair bit early 2012 but this year its seemed 100x worse at just about every single race.

  11. Lewis seemed a bit sassy with his comments over the radio, didn’t he? Seems par for the corse thought , every other race he says something quotable (“I can’t drive any slower” anyone?).

  12. Romain lied again when he claim the radio was bad.

    Just like german gp where he held up Kimi for 5 laps because he claim the radio is bad.

    Jeez, the real Romain beneath his all smiley face is creepy.

    1. Oh noes a driver that doesn´t like team orders when they are to the gain of his teammate, I have never seem this before…. ;)

      1. Chris (@tophercheese21)
        10th October 2013, 6:10

        Germany, yes. But Korea no. He made the mistake on the final corner and Kimi punished him for it.

        Romain’s engineer was telling him they were racing, so it’s far from a team order.

    2. Candice, it’s pretty obvious you’re either a Raikkonen fan and/or an avid Grosjean critic to put it mildly but tell me, what do you have to say about Webber ignoring team orders in Silverstone 2011 or worse still, 2012 Interlagos? Almost anyone would have pretty much done the same thing in Grosjean’s place, unless they’re as whipped as Massa so please, enough of the thinly-veiled insults towards Grosjean because they’re totally uncalled for and unjustified.

      1. David, I think what Candice means is how Grosjean keeps on telling about team orders he hasn’t even obeyed. It’s one thing to say out loud that ‘I will not follow any team orders’ than bringing up them and pretending that he followed them.

        1. Purple, except that he obeyed them. Reluctantly, but duh, who wouldn’t be reluctant, unless you’re like Massa who’s so whipped.

          1. David, take Kimi for example. He has never been told to give way to his teammates, yet he did it immediately in 2008 without any extra drama. But if RG was so reluctant to give way to Kimi in Germany, why was he so angry at the team for them hesitating with giving Kimi an order, because that’s what it sounded like. I just don’t think that RG is in a position to cry in public about how he has given way earlier, especially since KR always said that he would had passed RG with or without a team order. Anyway, this is not relevant anymore. Next season they are not in the same team anymore.

          2. Purple, that’s because Massa was a genuine WDC contender, you cannot compare their situations. Your line doesn’t exactly make sense, you say he’s angry at the team for hesitating to give Raikkonen an order but like hello, of course he would be considering they had no qualms with giving Grosjean orders twice before. He became angry and I can see where he’s coming from, especially when it’s a spur of the moment thing.

      2. Additionally, he would have been clearly ahead of Räikkönen without any SCs in those races, so it’s a bit understandable to hear those frustrated comments.

  13. Hamilton: the tyre is dead
    Bonnington: do you need an autopsy on that tyre? or a funeral?

  14. Mercedes needs to work on their comunication.
    And their strategies.

  15. I just wan’t to add that I love these transcripts.
    Thanks @keithcollantine great job.

    M

    1. @torort You’re welcome :-)

      1. F1 for me is in this sequence: Qualify, Race, Podium speec, rumors and THIS transcripts! Thanks!

  16. The rapport between seb and rocky is scintillating !

    Meanwhile :

    Nico 1.7 faster last lap, 7.5 seconds behind.

    My dear Bonnington , it is difficult to do math at 300 Kmph . What Lewis expected was ‘ at this rate he will catch you in 4 laps ‘

    At the end :

    “we are P5 , Lewis ”

    Lewis :-|

    LOL

    1. 100% agree, his reply was so cryptic. Any driver needs clear concise replies leaving maximum concentration for actually driving.
      I could never imagine Rob Smedley being so difficult.

    2. @hamilfan
      I don’t know about that. Bonnington’s first answer “Nico the car behind, 7.5 seconds” wasn’t good, because it doesn’t tell how fast Nico is catching Hamilton. But his second answer was in my opinion a lot more informative than your alternative.

      I could instantly say (without really calculating it) that Nico will catch Hamilton in 4 to 5 laps if Hamilton doesn’t speed up and I’m sure that Hamilton was able to do the same. The drivers deal with seconds and tenths all the time, so I’m sure they don’t have to use any effort to solve such an easy calculation.

      Bonnington’s second answer is also more informative than your alternative, because it tells Hamilton how many more laps he’ll have ahead Nico if he speeds up for instance 0.3 seconds or 0.7 seconds.

  17. **** that Mercedes has got some downforce. I just hope we don’t fall off like bananas at the end of the race.

    Great radio message from the Hulk! :)

  18. Just so you’re aware, he’s won race before last weekend :)

  19. Slim Tim is coming up to see you and collect the constructors’ trophy today

    Who is this ‘Slim Tim’, what’s his real name?

    1. Tim (actually not so slim) Malyon, ‘Seb’s performance engineer.

      1. @Shena Thank you very much!

  20. @keithcollantine
    These team radio transcript articles are getting famous – MTV3, which is the Finnish Formula One broadcaster is using this article as their source!
    http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/f1/uutiset.shtml/2013/10/1817585/nain-grosjean-pyysi-tallimaaraysta—lue-koko-keskustelu

    1. @hotbottoms Interesting how they’ve decided whatever censored word was being said to Grosjean begins with a ‘v’ in Finnish…

      1. @KeithCollantine I think it’s the most popular Finnish swear word that can be used in many combinations. So no matter what exactly ‘Pat’ said to Romain, I’m pretty sure that the translation gives the gist :)

  21. Fascinating insight just searching through (Ctrl-F) Button’s transmissions, discussing the tiers and deciding on what to do (have not read through the others yet) – seems like they are willing to take some risks (they have to I suppose). Shame that Button hasn’t been able to shine this year as the rest of the field have developed their own tire management skills, up to and above what used to be his foray + his wet weather skills.

    I understand the principle that the best driver doesn’t have to be the fastest one, its a shame that he isn’t able to be the latter unless he has someone able to help him setup the car to a perfect level. When he is on form, he really is, its just a shame that he seems to have faded away without the right setup guidance from Lewis and Barrichello.

    I love reading through this, really look forward to it after a race as it offers so much insight. sometimes I leave reading them to the long gaps between race weekends. – perfect reading on the train!

    1. @timtoo The simple fact of the matter is that Buttons car isn’t good enough this season. Same goes for his teammate who also had very impressive tyre management skills last season but has struggled just as much if not more than Button with tyre lifespan this year.

      I don’t think there is any evidence to support your claim that Button can only perform well when he relies on teammates to help him with car setup, nor is there much to support the notion that Hamilton is gifted when it comes to setting up a car.

      1. @panache I think your point is correct. I would not say Hamilton is gifted in setting up the car, he just has the ability to drive around the setup, whereas Button appears to be more sensitive to car setup. Quite often we hear that Button is not happy with the setup for some reason, even if minor. The car has not been good this year which is true, as I really wish we could see a chance for Perez to shine. However I can’t help feeling that if Button can achieve a spot on setup, he could really show us what he is capable of. I know the car has a lot to do with it, but he has had some amazing wins in the past, and proved his skill and I am desperately hoping that he can pull of a podium by the end of the year, they need to go for broke

        1. @timtoo

          . I would not say Hamilton is gifted in setting up the car, he just has the ability to drive around the setup, whereas Button appears to be more sensitive to car setup.

          I think this is a far more accurate assessment. I agree that Hamilton has the ability to haggle performance out of a car by driving “around the setup” whilst Button is more sensitive to car setup in order to extract the maximum from his car.

          However I can’t help feeling that if Button can achieve a spot on setup, he could really show us what he is capable of.

          I think the 2011 season was actually an example of this. Button had a stronger 2nd half of the season than any other driver on the grid besides Vettel who had a dominant car.

          Except from Korea where Button finished 4th, he finished on the podium in every other race in the second half of the season including wins in Hungary and Japan and an impressive drive to 3rd place in the Abu Dhabi GP ahead of Webber despite a failed KERS system.

          His podium in Abu Dhabi was also the only podium in the second half of the year where rivals from a team other than Red Bull finished ahead of him (Hamilton 1st, Alonso in 2nd place).

          It therefore stands to reason that if Red Bull wasn’t so competitive in 2011, Button would have won the majority of the races in the second half of the season.

  22. Was slightly confused when the transcript is headed with

    2013 Singapore Grand Prix team radio transcript rather than Korean

    Assuming some copying and pasting of the format? ;)

  23. Is anyone else curious about the “Remember no part throttle” message to Vettel on the formation lap?

Comments are closed.