2014 Malaysian Grand Prix team radio transcript

2014 Malaysian Grand Prix

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The Malaysian Grand Prix was again marked by a row over team orders where one driver refused to follow instructions from the pit wall.

Last year it was Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull, this time it was Felipe Massa. The Williams driver wasn’t having any of it when his team told him to let Valtteri Bottas through.

Bottas had followed Massa for much of the race after being told to hold position early on. Almost 50 laps later Williams decided to let Bottas go by in order for him to have a chance to attack Jenson Button.

On lap 45 Massa closed to within a second of Button. Bottas soon joined the pair of them, lapping four to five tenths of a second quicker than his team mate on tyres that were two laps fresher.

But despite repeatedly ordering Massa to get out of the way, which appeared to include an instruction from higher up the chain of command were forced to give up on the idea.

After the race Massa said that as Bottas was unable to pass him he was unlikely to be able to overtake Button. But at the end of the race Bottas was sure he could have overtaken the McLaren.

Elsewhere during the race Daniel Ricciardo could not hide his disappointment afters his race was ruined by a botched pit stop, while Romain Grosjean brought out Sebastian Vettel’s sarcastic side by failing to allow the world champion through to lap him at his earliest convenience.

But the Mercedes pair had no such troubles. Leading every lap of the race, Hamilton had more than enough time in hand to ask the team if he could take any extra precautions with reliability – just as Rosberg had in Australia.

Here’s how the Malaysian Grand Prix played out over the team radio.

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2014 Malaysian Grand Prix team radio transcript

Lap*FromToMessage
PRAyao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanRadio check, Romain.
PRRomain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuYeah, radio check is OK. I could hear you and Gav on the radio Just a quick one for you guys – when I did the static bite-point at the end of the pit lane, the brake pedal is moving on its own. When the engine RPM goes up, the brake pedal does two things. So just for you to know.
PRAyao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK, copy that Romain. It’s OK that you can hear. I was talking to Gav. OK, so clutch seven, please. Clutch seven. And then you’re going to do a static bite-point for the formation lap. After the start, we will go to torque seven please. Torque seven is more MGU-K release. And the procedure for the start is – two rolling bite-points, so one before turn 15, one in turn 15 and four burnouts starting from the exit of turn 15.
PRAyao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanAfter you’ve finished the burnouts, I’ll ask you to go to fuel one, OK? That’s the one for race start creeping, if you see what I mean?
PRAyao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK Romain, correction. We’ll go to fuel one now, please. So that you don’t have to do it after burnout.
PRNico RosbergTony RossThe rubber is coming off a little bit here on the steering wheel. Someone check the steering wheel, please?
PRLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonFeels like there’s quite a lot of [?] today.
PRPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonAffirm. Well we can always reduce it if we wish to, so –
PRLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonQuite a lot of wheel spin on power.
PRPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonEr, ‘BMIG-4’ and ‘BMIG-5’ are always available.
PRLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonFor this formation lap, do I need to go to one… err, HPP-1?
PRPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonNegative, Lewis, negative. We will be using the brake magic. I will tell you when to turn it on. It’ll be after you’ve done the start, after you’ve turned RS modes off.
PRMarco SchupbachAdrian SutilEverybody on [mediums].
PRBrad JoyceNico HulkenbergNico, all drivers are on medium. Apart from Perez, from the pitlane.
FLMark TempleKevin MagnussenFormation lap is underway
No weaving until clear of the grid.
FLBernadette CollinsJenson ButtonOK Jenson, that’s good. Keep warming the brakes. Warm the brakes.
FL?Lewis HamiltonUnidentified voice.
Gears are learnt. Brakes are good now, brakes are coming up straight away. And tyres are good now.
FL?Sebastian VettelUnidentified voice.
We need a good job on engine until turn 14, please. Good job on engine until turn 14.
FLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonStrat mode four. We’re going to do three burnouts.
FLBrad JoyceNico HulkenbergOn arrival to your grid after burnouts, stop on the grid, select neutral, mode two, torque-3.
1Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonCancel RS. Cancel RS when you can.
1Jean-Eric VergneXevi PujolarVergne has hit Maldonado at turn four
Stupid Marussia. I think I broke my front wing.
1Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneCopy that.
1Jean-Eric VergneXevi PujolarI have absolutely no power. Nothing at all.
1Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergnePower is coming back. Temperature problem. Can you confirm on the front wing, Jev?
2Kimi RaikkonenAntonio SpagnoloMagnussen clips Raikkonen’s right-rear, puncturing it
I have a flat rear tyre.
2Antonio SpagnoloKimi RaikkonenOK, we see. Box, box.
2Kimi RaikkonenAntonio SpagnoloI don’t know what happened to the tyre, because I didn’t touch anybody.
2Antonio SpagnoloKimi RaikkonenFrom the data, it went off immediately. Like debris, or something like this. We pit for medium, new medium.
4Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneOK Jev, watch the white line on the exit. Track is clear. Keep your head down. Nothing is over, here.
4Jean-Eric VergneXevi PujolarWell, you better have a better engine because otherwise I can tell you I’m not going to go far. It’s really slow.
4Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneOK Jev. You have hard tyres. You have also Raikkonen coming behind, he’s in turn two.
4Tony RossNico RosbergInterrupted.
Vettel is the…
4Nico RosbergTony RossReally struggling with the rears at the moment.
4Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, Nico struggling with rear tyres. Make sure you look after them.
5Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasWe need to allow Felipe to overtake Magnussen, for info.
5Mark TempleKevin MagnussenOK Kevin, we can see some damage to the front wing. You’re doing a good job, keep it going until the first pit stop.
5Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBe ready, line one. Be ready, line one. And charge map 12 – one-two. Charge map 12, one-two.
6Felipe MassaAndrew MurdochBottas is pressuring his team mate ahead
Did you see what he did? He touched me!
6Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaCopy that, we’ll look into it now.
6Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasDon’t attack Massa. Don’t be aggressive to Massa, we need to let him go through Magnussen and then we’ll just follow through.
6Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsWell tell him to go through. I have more pace.
7Mark SladePastor MaldonadoOK Pastor, we need to box the car to retire at the end of this lap.
7Pastor MaldonadoMark SladeCopy.
8Tony RossNico RosbergSo, rich eight at the end of the lap.
8Nico RosbergTony RossThat’s a lot of laps. Rear degredation is high.
8Tony RossNico RosbergCopy.
8Mark SladePastor MaldonadoOK Pastor. Stop on the marks, idle for five seconds and then switch off please.
9Tony RossNico RosbergSo gap to Vettel, 3.4. Let us know if you need a flap adjust at the stop.
9Nico RosbergTony RossErm… down point four on the front flap.
9Tony RossNico RosbergCopy. When you can, let us know a tyre update on HPP.
9Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneOK Jev, we need to look after tyres. Turns six, ten, eleven
10Mark TempleKevin MagnussenOK Kevin box this lap, box this lap, confirm.
10Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo just easy on traction, turn two and turn 15. Nothing to worry about, though.
10Kimi RaikkonenAntonio SpagnoloVery slippery overall.
10Marco SchupbachAdrian SutilHard tyre. Hard tyre.
11Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, you’re doing a great job. Managing the fuel really well, so just keep on pushing on. You’re doing a great job of managing the tyres, just look after them.
11Marco SchupbachAdrian SutilOK Adrian, we go hard tyre and we go six clicks down on the front wing. We do two more than we thought.
11Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaMagnussen has been given a 5-second penalty for contact with Raikkonen
Magnussen has a penalty. Magnussen in the McLaren.
11Antonio SpagnoloKimi RaikkonenLap times are in line with the front people.
12Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelDefault map 13. Default, one-three.
12Mark TempleKevin MagnussenThe first round of pit stops has begun.
OK Kevin, we are on plan B. Plan B. Let’s focus on consistent driving through the rest of the race – that’s tyres and fuel. Nice, steady, consistent drive.
12Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo Lewis, two tenths faster last lap. We’re just waiting for the window to open.
12Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelAnd push, Sebastian. Push.
12Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelCharge six. Charge six.
13Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoBox, Daniel. Box this lap. Torque one for the pitlane.
13Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK, box Romain. Box. You’re going to be very close to Magnussen at the exit.
13Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasSo, this is the time to push, Valtteri. We’re staying out a few more laps. This is the time to push.
13Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinFront flap, minus four. Front flap, minus four.
13Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelCopy.
14Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBox, box, box. Torque map one and box.
14Dave RobsonJenson ButtonOK Jenson, Yellow G3. Yellow G3 and box this lap.
14Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, one tenth faster last lap. Gap at 6.6.
14Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneOK Jev, if you get close to Chilton, OK to use overtake. Overtake for two laps. Get close to Hilton- Chilton.
14Tony RossNico RosbergSo box, box, box.
15Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, you’re good on fuel, so you can start to push. It won’t be long.
15Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelFuel map five. Fuel five. Rosberg in the pits. Rosberg in.
15Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo box at the end of this lap.
15Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneOK Jev, we’ll need another six laps. Another six laps on these tyres.
16Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, so it’ll be a similar length stint for the next tyre. So it’ll be medium – no flap adjust.
16Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelHarvest plus two. Hamilton in. Recent tyre phase and charge ten, one-zero.
16Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe have two second lap advantage, use overtake if you need it.
16Gary GannonMax ChiltonYou’re doing a good job, Max. Good job. Keep those cars behind you, we’re racing them. Keep them behind you.
16Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, so just look after these tyres. Gap to Nico, 7.6 seconds.
17Dave RobsonJenson ButtonOK Jenson. ‘R’-switch, please. Please reset the ‘R’-switch. And you could be racing Hulkenberg at the exit.
17Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel, we suggest you drop back a little more to look after the tyres. Aim for two seconds to Vettel. Alonso three seconds behind you.
18Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieThe Merc’s getting closer, though. If something goes on, I want to be a part of it.
18Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel, understood.
18Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieI’ll be sensible with the tyres, but I won’t lose any unnecessary time.
18Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK mate, understood.
19Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergSo, just manage this pace, Nico. Manage the pace.
19Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceI’m not really pushing.
19Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergOK, that’s good mate. We’re looking good. Just look after them between turns nine and 14.
19Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelOK Sebastian, you’re +2.5 Ricciardo. Be mindful of the gap to Rosberg. Do not hurt your tyres.
19Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoFrom the inflection this sounds like a reply to an earlier, unbroadcast comment from Ricciardo.
OK Daniel, it is a lot better for energy. So you’ll get less ‘K’ clipping if you keep this setting. We’ll get more ‘K’ release if you keep this setting.
19Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieUnderstood.
20Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneVergne retires
OK Jev, it will be box and head straight into the garage.
21Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaOK Felipe, we need to start looking after the tyres in turns two, three and turn six. Look after the rear tyres.
21Mark TempleKevin MagnussenOK Kevin, you’re doing a really good job with fuel and tyres. We can afford to push the tyres a little more, so pace minus two.
21Tony RossNico RosbergEr, gap to Vettel is currently 2.5. We’d like to increase the gap and then we’ll go to more savings.
21Nico RosbergTony RossDifficult to go faster.
21Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBe ready, line one.
22Tony RossNico RosbergSo rich-9 at the end of this lap.
22Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe’re going to look after this engine. We’re just going to turn it down a little bit. It’ll be HPP2 to position two. That’s for both cars.
22Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonJust make sure I’ve done that right?
22Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonCopy, that’s correct.
23Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelSo if you think it’ll help you, harvest zero is available.
23Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinNegative, harvest zero. Negative.
23Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonIs there any more I can do to look after this engine?
23Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonNope. You’re doing a very good job at the moment, Lewis. We’ll let you know, but just keep doing what you’re doing. And Nico, half a tenth faster last lap – he’s just trying to pull a gap to Vettel.
24Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK, think about rear slip on exit.
24Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, you are in your Safety Car window.
25Mark TempleKevin MagnussenAnd Kevin, remember to drink. Drink.
25Tony RossNico RosbergGap to Vettel 3.6, we’d like to get it to at least 5 please.
26Tony RossNico RosbergAnd let us know if you need a flap adjust at the stop.
26Nico RosbergTony RossNo change, no change.
26Dave RobsonJenson ButtonOK Jenson, Yellow G3. Yellow G3 and box this lap.
26Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinFront wing minus three.
26Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelLoud and clear. Understood.
27Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel, what do you think about front wing? And charge five. Charge five. Do you want to change front wing setting?
27Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieAre we still on 3-3-3?
27Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoYeah, confirm.
27Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieI think we can go up a couple of clicks.
27Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoUnderstood.
27Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonBlue flags, please.
27Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, so you’ve got a group of six cars ahead, all traffic. They’re getting blue flags. Just be careful trying to get through.
28Andrea StellaFernando AlonsoOK Fernando, so box now. Box.
28Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaOK Felipe, box. Box Felipe.
28Dave RobsonJenson ButtonOK Jenson, some switch changes for rear temperatures – so Purple-C13 position one. Purple-C13 position one.
29Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaOK Felipe, we need to look after the rear tyres in this stint. We need to make them last. Back to standard mode, standard mode.
29Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasHow many laps are left at this pace in the tyres from your side? How many laps in the tyres?
29Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsTwo or three.
29Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonCan you keep me up to date with the pace?
29Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, pace is still good. Half a second faster than Nico last lap. Gap is 10.5, you’re doing a great job.
29Tony RossNico RosbergAnd bite-point eight.
30Tony RossNico RosbergJust be advised there is rain in the area, not absolutely imminent, but we are seeing it on the radar.
30Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo Gutierrez has blue flags.
30Marco SchupbachAdrian SutilAdrian, is stability an issue everywhere, or is it high-speed, low-speed?
30Adrian SutilMarco SchupbachIt’s only low-speed.
30Marco SchupbachAdrian SutilOK, OK.
31Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, there are clouds forming away from the circuit. Possible threat of rain before the end of the race – we’ll keep you updated. If you could give us a balance check?
31Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo zero to Nico last lap, gap – 10.2.
31Tony RossNico RosbergSo still target one, Nico. Still rich one.
32Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBox, box, box. Torque map one and box.
32Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, we’re going to try and stretch these stints as long as we can – protect ourselves against some rain.
32Nico RosbergTony RossTyres are finished.
32Tony RossNico RosbergBox, box, box.
32Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel, target -0.05. Target -0.05.
33Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, so box at the end of this lap. Push, push. We’ll come down half a turn on front wing, let us know if you want more.
34Esteban GutierrezCraig GardinerHow does it look for the other guys at the front?
34Craig GardinerEsteban GutierrezThey look very similar, so it’s more up to you to tell us what you prefer.
34Esteban GutierrezCraig GardinerThe feeling at the balance of the front is better, it’s a bit more understeer.
34Craig GardinerEsteban GutierrezCopy. For us, it looks very similar, so consider front-wing change and let us know what you want. I think it’ll also depend on when we pit, Esteban.
34Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceI’m really losing the rear now.
34Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergCopy that, Nico. Torque five. Torque five. Pits this lap, pits this lap, pit confirm.
35Kimi RaikkonenAntonio SpagnoloIt’s raining a little bit on the back of the circuit.
35Antonio SpagnoloKimi RaikkonenOK, so we stay out. We see how it develops, the weather.
36Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoRed Bull drivers get an audio ‘beep’ telling them when to lift the throttle approaching corners to save fuel.
OK Daniel, just hit the beeps. Hit the lift-off beeps. Fuel is OK, hit the beeps.
36Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonAdrian Sutil has stopped at the exit of the final corner
I can see very small droplets of rain on my visor, out of turn nine. What can I do to look after the car a little bit more?
36Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, you’ve got double waved yellows at the last corner. Marshalls on track, so lose half a second. So the rain we see on the radar is very, very light. So nothing to worry about at the moment, but just keep us updated. Nico 0.1 seconds slower – gap at 11 seconds.
37Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinRosberg seems to lose either oil or water for the last couple of laps already.
37Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelUnderstood. It’s raining in turn nine and ten – there are some drops in nine and ten, in case that’s where you’ve seen it. Kobayashi ahead, traffic. Copy message.
38Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelAnd Sebastian, we have to use second gear in one, two and nine.
38Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieWhat tyre is Alonso on?
38Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoMedium. Alonso on medium.
38Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoUpdate tyre rotary when you can.
38Antonio SpagnoloKimi RaikkonenRaikkonen is behind Kobayashi in the Caterham.
Use DRS.
39Marco MatassaDaniil KvyatBlue flag, Daniil. Do not impede Hamilton. Blue flag for him.
40Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelSebastian, there are spots in the air, turn 14.
40Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinRocky, speak up when you talk. Speak up and repeat.
40Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelCopy. There’s rain in the air, and drops in turn 14, but the track is dry.
40Dave RobsonJenson ButtonBox this lap. This is the Hard tyre and I’m going to go down one turn.
41Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoBox Daniel, box this lap.
41Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieRicciardo is sent out with the left-front wheel not secured
Left-front’s not on.
41Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK, stop. Stay as you are.
41Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, so you were two tenths slower than Nico last lap. The gap is at 11 seconds. Or if you want to keep some flexibility towards the end of the race in case this rain comes along.
42Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel. We’re going to tighten that wheel up. We’re going to go on the same set. Do a normal pull away from the pit stop, please.
42Andrea StellaFernando AlonsoFollowed by a brief message in Italian.
OK Fernando, it will be box at the end of this lap. Use the ‘K-2’ button, ‘P’ button on.
43Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinVettel is trying to lap Grosjean.
Can you ask Charlie to get him blue flag?
43Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieRicciardo is cruising with front wing damage and a puncture
I’ve got a front-right puncture. What should I do?
43Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoPressures still look OK Daniel… if you think you’ve got a puncture, come in.
43Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieYeah, it’s a big cut.
43Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK, understood.
43Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieIt’s still got air, but it’s about to go, I think.
43Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoMode six. Mode six. Alonso now eight seconds behind you. Box this lap, box this lap. We are changing tyres and front wing.
44Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo you are your Safety Car window. There is debris on the track, I will let you know where.
44Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinVettel is still behind Grosjean.
If you could ask Charlie to tell him in French, maybe then he understands.
44Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelUnderstood. Fuel map four. Respect the fuel.
45Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelOK Sebastian, we’d like to avoid going on the [hards] too early. So stay out, do your pace.
46Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceHulkenberg is committed to a two-stop strategy.
There is not much grip on these tyres and no rear support. Do you think it’s OK if I slide them a bit more?
46Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergCopy that, give it all. Lock the diff and keep pushing.
47Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel, we have a drive-though penalty, sorry, a stop-go penalty.
47Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieMight as well just call it a day.
47Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel, we’re keeping going. There may be some weather in the area. We may still get some rain. Keep it up mate.
48Tony RossNico RosbergSo situation is – there are nine laps remaining in the race. We still need to swtich to Hard tyres, we are still waiting for strategy.
48Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOil transfer, when you can.
49Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieShould I just create space and do a few laps clean? Otherwise I’m just sitting in his gearbox.
49Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelOK Sebastian, for the front wing, exit turn 14 kerb is the problem. Exit turn 14 is the corner you need to look after. Drive on normally for the rest. Turn 14, focus.
49Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, looks like everyone’s holding out for this rain. Just keep managing the tyres, you’re doing a great job.
49Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelOK Sebastian, we need a small bit of fuel. So 1-73.
50Gary GannonMax ChiltonNo blue yet, Max. No blue yet. I don’t know why they’re waving flags.
50Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBox, box, box. Torque map one and box.
50Tony RossNico RosbergSo bite point seven when you can. Box, box, box.
50Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo the next tyre will be the [hard]. We’ll go down two turns. Let us know if you want anything different. Ericsson ahead is traffic, he has blue flags.
51Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonI’ve got a couple more laps left in these tyres. Couple more laps.
51Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK copy that Lewis, message understood. OK Lewis, Nico in the pit this lap.
51Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, so box box, box box.
52Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaOK Felipe we need engine mode position eight for temperatures.
52Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoWe are retiring, box this lap please, box this lap. OK Daniel so stop in the box and switch off. Just stay in the car for a minute, please, stay in the car.
53Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaMassa is seventh, less than two seconds behind Button but with Bottas less than a second behind
OK Felipe. Valtteri is faster than you, do not hold him up. Valtteri is faster than you, do not hold him up.
53Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasYou’re faster than Massa, overtake him. You’re faster than Massa, overtake him. You’re faster than Felipe, overtake him now.
53Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelVettel gets another message to save fuel.
Sebastian we need more on fuel. Target one seven two.
53Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinOK understood.
53Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaOK Felipe, Valtteri’s faster than you, he’s got fresher tyres, do not hold him up.
53Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaOK Felipe, Valtteri has got better tyres, we need to let him go.
54Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK Romain continue to use overtake button.
54Romain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuI’ll do my best, it’s getting worse and worse.
54Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanYeah, understood Romain, understood.
54?Felipe MassaUnidentified voice.
Felipe you’re slower than Valtteri, let him past. You’re slower than Valtteri, don’t hold him up.
54Felipe MassaAndrew MurdochGetting quicker.
55Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasPull to the right to cool the engine on the straight, pull to the right.
55Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsI have more pace but if he’s releasing full every atraight there’s no chance I can get through.
55Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasCopy that, we’re racing him.
55Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaFelipe we need you to cool the car for temperatures.
55Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaOK we need to lift and coast to cool the car, we need you to lift and coast to cool the car.
55Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis you are the fastest man on track, we can back the pace off a little bit. Just look after the car.
55Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo 1.3 faster than Nico last lap, gap 14.7, Ericsson ahead is traffic.
55Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonOK man I hear you.
55Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonIf we can just keep the rpm a little bit higher on downshifts, that will be good.
56Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis you’re on your final lap, take no risks.
56Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaOK Felipe we’ll hold position, Valtteri will not attack you, Valtteri will not attack you. Just cool the car, keep cooling the car. Valtteri will not attack you, just cool the car.
56Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsI can get him in the next lap. Can I get?
56Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasWe really need to cool the engine. Negative on the overtake.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonAwesome race, Lewis. Awesome race. Faultless weekend. You’ve done the job there, pal.
VLLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonReally grateful for the job, guys. Thank you so much.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonStrat mode eleven. Just look after it, bring it home, brings the revs home. Did an epic job there Lewis.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonThat’s a one-two for Mercedes. P3 we’ve got Vettel. Then Alonso, Hulkenberg, Button, Massa, Bottas, Magnussen, Kvyat. Awesome job. So pick up what you can.
VL?Lewis HamiltonUnidentified voice.
Yeah well done there Lewis, made it look easy.
VLTony RossNico RosbergGood job Nico so remember pick up rubber, just look after the engine revs on the in-lap.
VLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelGood job mate. You fought hard, we didn’t have the pace, we did a good job. Well done.
VLSebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinThanks boys. Well executed race. We are not yet there where we want to be. There’s a lot of stuff we still need to improve, but we’ll get there.
VLChristian HornerSebastian VettelWell done Sebby. You did the best with what we had available, well done.
VLJonathan EddollsValtteri BottasSo you finished P8. Great job, we knew there was more positions there, we’ll have a chat afterwards.
VLValtteri BottasJonathan EddollsThanks guys, well done. I’m just hundred percent sure I could have got the McLaren.

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.

Additional transcription by @keithcollantine.

Malaysian Grand Prix data

Image © Williams/LAT

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Will Wood
Will has been a RaceFans contributor since 2012 during which time he has covered F1 test sessions, launch events and interviewed drivers. He mainly...

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75 comments on “2014 Malaysian Grand Prix team radio transcript”

  1. I can foresee the Massa-Bottas situation happening again and Williams losing patience. I hope Bottas can do some good qualifying sessions – i think he could be the real deal. His professionalism is impressive.

    1. I was in fact surprised that Williams used team orders, the same team that had so many internal fights in the past (Reutemann-Jones, Piquet-Mansell, Montoya-R. Schumacher). Still, I tend to agree with those who say the poor choice of words only enraged Felipe.

      1. It’s clear that wasn’t a Frank’s decision.

    2. I’m thoroughly impressed by Bottas too. I think his talent is matched by his professionalism in the car, as well as in the interviews.

  2. I believe this was Rod Nelson… or at least the Felipe Massa website states it as such.

    54 ? Felipe Massa Unidentified voice.
    Felipe you’re slower than Valtteri, let him past. You’re slower than Valtteri, don’t hold him up.

    1. Perhaps if Rob Smedley had picked up the microphone instead of Rod Neslon and told the same stuff to Massa “Felipe you’re slower than Valterri, let him past” , Massa would have easily moved over just because of the sheer habit !!!!! LOL

  3. Tony Ross Nico Rosberg Copy. When you can, let us know a tyre update on HPP.

    What is HPP?

    1. HPP simply means High Possibility of Puncture. ;)

    2. Well the team at Brixworth is “Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains”, so presumably it is that.

    3. From the transpcript, I think it’s a dial on the steering wheel. I think they spoke of both HPP-1 and HPP-2.

    4. @egorov @geemac @joetoml1n Ncedi is correct. It’s a multifunction dial on the Merc steering wheel: http://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/news/2014/2014-tech-guide-steering-wheel/

  4. During the race when they telecast the team radio messages, the driver name is displayed. It would be better if FOM could also provide the name of the other person, so that we can have information on:

    1. Who is he talking to (name of the person)
    2. Who is he taking to (engineer or team principle or random guy)

  5. 12 Guillaume Rocquelin Sebastian Vettel Default map 13. Default, one-three.

    Interesting.

    1. Good thing Dan picked number 3 for his car, and not 74 or something…

    2. Vettel was ahead by two seconds when the default 13 message was given. Riccardo wasn’t catching him up at all. Red Bull gave Riccardo the pitstop preference right after which brought him into DRS range again. Both Ricciardo and then Vettel were told respectively to keep a 2 secs gap to look after tyres. Are we sure default map 13 is what people think it is? There’s a ‘charge map 12, one-two’ order prior to that. For it to be a team order there had to be a similar message on Riccardo’s side and FOM wouldn’t have let it slip given the huge attention from the public?

  6. And this is good news in that Rosberg was not holding back too much so fight for title might actually be on:

    21 Tony Ross Nico Rosberg Er, gap to Vettel is currently 2.5. We’d like to increase the gap and then we’ll go to more savings.

    21 Nico Rosberg Tony Ross Difficult to go faster.

    1. It also means that Vettel might have indeed have had a slight chance to overtake had it not been for the yellow flags due to Sutil’s retirement.

      1. Difficult, but not impossible.. Probably due Rosbergs setup that was worse than expected.. Hamilton was more comfortable and a long way up the road

    2. I doubt this very much. This was Tony Ross’s reply – which indicated that Merc had an answer. They simply switched on to a “rich” engine mix. This would explain Rosberg subsequently pulling away.
      Lap 22: Tony Ross – So rich-9 at the end of this lap.

  7. mattshaw85 (@)
    2nd April 2014, 12:48

    Think if Bottas was 100% sure he could get the McLaren then Massa shouldn’t have been a problem?

    1. I guess the problem was the Williams cars being highest in the speed traps, and at times Massa having DRS as well (from Button in front) but to defend from Bottas.

    2. Massa’s was the fastest car in a straight line, and according to Bottas he was giving it everything on the straights. Add to that a bit more caution about taking out your team mate than a rival and I can see how it would be difficult to get past him.

    3. mattshaw85 (@)
      2nd April 2014, 14:04

      Ah I see your points. Fair enough, perhaps mature driving from Bottas not slinging one up the inside.

    4. Lap time wise, Bottas was about 3.5 – 5 tenths faster than Massa and Button in the last ten laps. Also, the speed traps from qualy shows that Massa could be about 5km/h faster than Button, still he couldn’t overtake him. And also, what JimG said.

  8. I think it should be Jonathan Eddolls, not Jonathan EddoLLLs :)

  9. If you could ask Charlie to tell him in French, maybe then he understands.

    That’s a gem right there…

    1. Yeah, mega rude.

    2. Good one from Seb .

  10. Does anyone know what this was about?

    48 Simon Rennie Daniel Ricciardo Oil transfer, when you can.

    Oil transfer… To my mind it could either be a manual setting to “top up” oil lost, or possibly moving oild around the car to improve weight distribution, but I’ve never heard of such systems before.

    1. The cars have a second oil tank containing a smaller amount of oil.. After a certain distance, the driver transfers oil from the secondary tank to the main resevoir – as a top up as you suggested.

      1. Thanks, that clears it up :)

  11. RIC saying ‘We might aswell call it a day’. Didn’t saw that coming.

    1. @ardenflo: No, it sounds a bit lacking in tenacity.

      1. I’m not sure about that, I mean a lot went wrong in a very short space of time…he must have been frustrated.

        I mean we’ve heard Alonso say “I give up” and he’s definitely the last person I would ever expect to do so…

      2. @ardenflo @jimg Don’t forget how precious engine, sorry, power train components are this year. They’re only allowed five of each, so they need to be really particular. It makes more sense to call it a day and save putting any unnecessary stress on the engine parts this season if you think your afternoon is effectively over.

        1. @magnificent-geoffrey: True. And I don’t remember hearing that particular message, so I don’t know how Dan sounded: was he giving up, or beating a tactical retreat?

  12. That was the worst drivers managing by Williams engineers. They could simply told Massa that Bottas is at different strategy and that he is chasing Magnusen instead of telling him that he is “faster than you”!!! It is frustrating for any driver to hear that kind of thing while fighting for positions. And they shouldn’t ask Bottas to attack Massa without confirmation from Massa that he will actually drop his guard at let through Bottas. That was bad management from the team. And another thing. It seems that Massa is too nervous right now and needs to relax a bit. I know that he thinks that this is his last couple of years in F1 but still. That’s why he was keen to retain his position. I think that even Alonso wouldn’t react that way cause he is comfortable with his results and reputation, while Felipe…. Maybe Im wrong?

      1. @bullfrog :D I hear you mate.

    1. @nidzovski

      And they shouldn’t ask Bottas to attack Massa without confirmation from Massa that he will actually drop his guard at let through Bottas.

      Whaatt?? Are you seriously saying that teams should wait for the slower driver’s permission before allowing the faster driver to overtake?

      “Okay Felipe, is it okay if Valtteri overtakes you coz he is quicker? But if you object, we can tell him not to coz we really dont care about the championship points.”

      1. @1abe ” Are you seriously saying that teams should wait for the slower driver’s permission before allowing the faster driver to overtake?”
        No I don’t think that the team should ask anything from their drivers in the first place, because of the fact that they are racers employed to race everybody and gain positions. But if you inform Bottas to attack Massa because he is faster at the moment it would be wise to say at least that Massa is not willing to let go that position so that Bottas would know the risk. I never liked team orders and I go to extremes by saying that there should be a one team with one driver only, but that is my ideal world I guess. I’m just saying that if there are team orders in the first place, they should be better organized and sounding like you are giving up of something but to sound like you are doing the best for the team, and Massa wasn’t doing that at all.

        1. The last part should be written like this:
          ” I’m just saying that if there are team orders in the first place, they should be better organized and NOT sound like you are giving up of something but to sound like you are doing the best for the team, and Massa wasn’t doing that at all.”
          Sorry for my English and damn I need that edit button! :)

  13. Seems to be a light error here, Keith Collantine – I presume you meant “chain”. Even with that correction, the sentence still does not read right grammatically.
    “appeared to include an instruction from higher up the change of command were forced to give up on the idea.

  14. What is clear, is that despite the way it looks on screen, there is still far too much tyre saving going on, and the drivers are simply pushing within the limits of these artificially created constraints; hence they are NOT pushing to their full capabilities. I thought we were saved from these wretched tyres this season.
    What is the point of all these fuel saving or tyre saving malarkey? Of what use is this “skill” to racing drivers? To show they are “intelligent”?? Or they are doing their bit for the planet? Save tyres. Save fuel. Save the engine. Save the car. What will they be saving next? Themselves?? What silly nonsense!

    1. Who can be the best robot basically. Qualifying is still quite good though… Still some love there.

  15. On FL to LH “Strat mode4” can this be referring to charge stratification, can it be possible that they have multiple options for something that must happen in nano=seconds?
    If so this is a serious advance in fuel/power management.

    1. “Strat” is one of the dials on the Mercedes steering wheel, and it refers to “strategy”.

  16. I’d love a count of the number of times they say “OK” over the radio during a weekend or even an entire season. Must be astronomical…

    1. For sure

      1. haha, i see what you did there

        1. it fine movement .for me in the race section .
          i am very happy in the @ present move movement …….

    2. OK, Box box box. Push push.

    3. Sounds like a drinking game coming up!

  17. I dont understand a single thing from Vettel and Rocky’s converstaion except few things in english..makes me laugh on this…tell him in French..speak up man speak up..and there is a leak in Ros car..

    He has the talent..even the slow car he managed the podium..whomever says the car brought him WDC has to think..Merc never tried to race anyone..just managed the pace and race.

    1. Vettel asking Charlie to tell Grosjean in French was hilarious! I wish that would have been on the broadcast! I think Vettel thought Rosberg’s car was losing oil because he may have gotten drops of something, probably rain, on his visor. I remember in Singapore 2012 when he said “Hamilton’s car is losing oil” right before Lewis retired.

      It will be interesting to see if people start to say it’s the car that is winning the races if Lewis wins more by a large gap.

  18. Well, reading all these transcripts I am convinced that Alonso does not exist. Really strange as I saw his car on footage.

    About team orders in Williams: it doesn’t matter which words they used. There is a team and you have to conform with the rules in your team. Massa was not fighting for a win. So, he should have let Bottas through.

  19. Valtteri Bottas – Thanks guys, well done. I’m just hundred percent sure I could have got the McLaren.”

    That is a ridiculous statement.

    To Bottas be so sure that he would be able to overtake Button he also should be able to overtake Massa without any team order.

  20. I think this is very strange: “Stupid Marussia”.

  21. Fantastic to relive the race from Williams’ point of view. Also, weird that Raikkonen didn’t even know Magnussen hit him.

    Get close to Hilton- Chilton.

    Is that really what he said? Pretty funny :)

      1. @willwood From now on I will officially refer to him as Hilton-Chilton :)

        1. @andae23 I should clarify. He wasn’t actually referring to him as “Hilton-Chilton” like some sort of funny nickname, it was just an amusing slip of the tongue. ;)

          1. @willwood Ah OK, copy :)

  22. Ok, everyone, I think we can add ‘Ok’ to every ironic line about drivers using ‘for sure’ and ‘obviously’ a lot..

  23. Tony Ross has the most boring way of saying “Box… Box… Box…”

    Rocky’s “Box, box, box. Torque Map 1 and Box” is bar far the most entertaining. Always mouth the words when I see it coming :P

  24. Mag got asked to drink, anyone think he was the one who fainted? Or reading too far into it..

    1. McLaren still use this radio message, not quite sure what it is about.

  25. Does anyone have a link to a video clip showing what happened between Bottas and Massa early in the race when Massa said “Did you see what he did? He touched me!”.

    I want to see if Bottas was really doing something wrong of if Massa was asking for team orders himself.

    1. Actually it was quite funny reading the “excuses” that Williams told to Massa. “Cool the engine” “LIFT and COAST the car”. Really? Massa is not an easy driver anymore. If I were Massa I would just laugh in the face of my engineer.

  26. Did anyone notice the subtle reply Riciardo gives when asked to fall back . Beautiful ! Top man Ricciardo .
    Also , Williams have obviously not discussed this situation earlier as a possible scenario.
    Whoa ! I never thought hit the beeps would be a radio conversation in f1 ;-)
    Thanks a lot f1f for this feature . Top job !

    1. ric didn’t hold pace for long.

  27. “Felipe, a gp2 car behind you is faster then you, do you copy, please let him through”

  28. 6 Valtteri Bottas Jonathan Eddolls Well tell him to go through. I have more pace.

    So, if I understood correctly, Valtteri is ordering his engineer to talk to Massa’s engineer so he can order Massa to overtake Magnussen.
    Valtteri needs to chill down, me thinks, and learn that if he really has all that pace he must be able to overtake by himself or remain silent.
    In any case, i think that to issue team orders at the SECOND race of the season when the drivers are 7º and 8º, must be some sort of world record…

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