2014 Chinese Grand Prix team radio transcript

2014 Chinese Grand Prix

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The Chinese Grand Prix gave us some of the most revealing team radio messages of the year so far.

Sebastian Vettel was asked to let team mate Daniel Ricciardo by even though both drivers were on the same tyres. His response was a blunt “tough luck”.

Shortly afterwards he was told Ricciardo was on a different tyre strategy – he would be pitting twice while Vettel might have to make three stops.

Whether Red Bull were seriously considering that possibility for Vettel is no more clear than whether Ricciardo’s pass at the start of lap 26 was because Vettel made a mistake or let his team mate go. Just a few corners earlier Vettel had been defending his position, but because radio messages aren’t played in real time there’s no way of knowing whether the last instruction for Vettel to move aside came after that.

Very soon after Ricciardo had gone by, Vettel was told to stay out and stick to a two-stop strategy.

Vettel wasn’t the only driver holding his ground in the cockpit. Nico Rosberg had a tough race after his telemetry failed on the first lap and had to read out his fuel consumption figures to his team.

It clearly vexed Rosberg to have to broadcast such a sensitive piece of information and in the second half of the race he made it clear he wasn’t going to do it any more.

While Mercedes weren’t getting fuel data from Rosberg’s car, FOM were and it was being displayed during the broadcast. But no information at all was coming from the Williams of Valtteri Bottas.

Here are all the broadcast team radio messages from the Chinese Grand Prix.

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2014 Chinese Grand Prix team radio transcript

Lap*FromToMessage
PRPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonAnd yeah just have a think about this front wing angle. If you think you’ve got the scope as we said use the diff, use the [unclear] to manange the balance in the cockpit, and also it’ll be easier for you to manage the exits, whereas the front graining that’s something we’re going to struggle with. Plus half one [edit] happy with it if you’re happy with it.
PRGianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezMagnussen to the left of you ahead is the only car starting on [medium].
FLBernie CollinsJenson ButtonLaunch map off and yellow G10.
FLUnknownNico RosbergCancel RS. We have no telemetry so feedback on the start please.
FLNico RosbergUnknownIt was a perfect start, just right.
FLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelWe still need gearbox sync when we can. Engine looks good, engine is on target. So sync up to eighth gear.
FLJonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasEight burn-outs: Three before 16, five after.
FLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelRemember to park on the right. Stay within the box, but on the right.
FLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonRS modes on, please.
FLBernie CollinsJenson ButtonLast cars forming up.
1Felipe MassaAndrew MurdochAlonso and Massa banged wheels on the way into turn one.
He crashed me, Fernando. Crashed my car.
1Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneRemember to look after the front-left.
2Kimi RaikkonenAntonio SpagnoloWhat the hell is happening on the straight, why? There was no power whatsoever. The switches are in the right position?
2Antonio SpagnoloKimi RaikkonenSwitches are OK.
2Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasThat’s a good move, Valtteri.
2Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasSo we don’t have telemetry, is everything OK with your car? Let us know if you need to come in.
2Valtteri BottasJonathan EddolllsCar’s feeling OK.
2Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasCopy that.
3Kevin MagnussenMark TempleIt feels like I’ve got damage at the front wing or something.
3Mark TempleKevin MagnussenOK understood, we’ll keep looking into it. It’s OK to keep going how bad is it?
3Kevin MagnussenMark TempleI don’t know but it feels alright.
3Mark TempleKevin MagnussenOK just keep going, you’re doing a good job, we’ll keep monitoring it.
4Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergBottas has passed the Lotus behind so we need to get into the DRS train if we can.
5Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceFront-left graining starts.
5Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergCopy that.
5Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoHow is the balance?
5Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieLittle bit limited on the left-front at the moment. Traction not great.
6Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonGive us some updates on tyre wear.
6Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonSo far tyres seem to be OK.
6Tony RossNico RosbergWe have no telemetry, we’re not expecting to have any in the race. So we will get you to start looking at the fuel later, it’s OK at the moment.
7Fernando AlonsoAndrea StellaLeft-front graining.
7Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneOne click rearwards hydraulic brake balance for temperatures. To the rear with the brake balance.
7Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonTyres are looking quite good. Small graining at the front but not causing any problems.
8Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasJust letting you know Valtteri we don’t have telemetry so just confirm you’re blend one.
8Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelThe ‘beeps’ are heard by the drivers heading in to braking zones to let them know when to lift off the throttle to optimise their fuel saving. The last part of the message seems to be a contradiction or correction.
Respect the beeps. Target plus zero zero two. Target plus zero two.
9Max ChiltonGary GannonTyre is graining a lot.
9Gary GannonMax ChiltonUnderstood, Max, understood.
9Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinOK I start to have some serious graining on the front left.
9Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelUnderstood, Sebastian. There are no good gaps behind.
10Kevin MagnussenMark TempleUndersteer, high speed, medium speed. I need more front wing.
10Mark TempleKevin MagnussenOK, understood.
10Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieIf we were to go out again with this set, I’d go at least four clicks up.
11Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelSebastian some cars are pitting. Massa in.
11Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoCars behind are starting to pit.
11Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaMassa’s pit stop went badly wrong when his team got his left and right rear tyres mixed up.
Can you select neutral.
12Gianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezJust to confirm white engine six position three.
12Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinWe have to go up on front wing, probably four to six clicks.
12Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelUnderstood.
13Nico RosbergTony RossCome to the pit wall and check my front wing and everything.
13Tony RossNico RosbergThat’s possibly rubber in the front wing.
13Nico RosbergTony RossHow many laps to go?
13Tony RossNico RosbergRich four at the moment Nico. Correction Nico, will be rich five. Let us know how the tyres are again.
13Nico RosbergTony RossGot some graining on the right-front now.
13Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Danny we’re looking at two or three more laps.
13Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieUnderstood
13Marco MatassaDaniil KvyatWe stick on the plan. Think about flap adjust for this set.
13Daniil KvyatMarco MatassaOne or two turns up.
13Marco MatassaDaniil KvyatOK, OK.
13Tony RossNico RosbergBox, box, box.
14Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoWe do not need to save fuel.
14Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinWhich brake bias map is for [mediums], again?
14Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelMap five. Bias five.
15Mark TempleKevin MagnussenWhere energy is low we can afford to push the fronts harder.
15Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonRicciardo the only car in our pit window at the moment, you were four tenths a lap faster than him last lap.
16Gianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezAnd overtake. OK, nice work. OK let’s break his DRS. Good job.
16Tony RossNico RosbergYou’re close with Ricciardo on the pit stop window so pushing three out of three, please.
16Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinWe are too slow on the straights, we won’t pass him. Do you think it’s worth backing off?
16Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelConfirmed. It’s worth backing off.
16Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonSurprisingly the front tyres still feel really good, as well as the rears.
16Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK copy that Lewis, we’re just discussing.
17Gianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezUse more road on the exit of turn three and turn four for a better exit.
17Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonBox this lap. We’re going to go for the [medium] tyre. Make the standard adjust.
18Mark TempleKevin MagnussenThis is [soft], we’ve added max front wing. Racing cars at the exit, stay right of the white line.
18Tony RossNico RosbergSo it’ll be rich 19 Nico. When you cross the start/finish line, can you read the number on the lower-left of the dash, it’s fuel remaining.
18Nico RosbergTony Ross71.9, 71.9.
18Tony RossNico RosbergCopy. You have more fuel at this point than neutral target so fuel is good.
19Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergHulkenberg, however, does need to save fuel and is told to do so at the place where the most gain can be made – the braking zone which marks the transition between the fastest and slowest parts of the lap.
We’re after 20 metres lift and coast in turn 14 only.
20Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaOK skip DRS for Chilton, you should get DRS for Chilton.
20Tony RossNico RosbergJust consider using lower gears in slow speed for understeer.
20Daniil KvyatMarco MatassaI can overtake him now.
20Marco MatassaDaniil KvyatOK overtake him, do it now, DRS, DRS.
20Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceGraining is kicking in again.
21Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonNine-tenths last lap. Gap at 5.4. Your tyres are six laps newer than Alonso’s.
21Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoPace looks… Only the Mercedes are quicker than you. You are quicker than Alonso and Vettel
21Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieUnderstood. Keep me posted.
22Mark SladePastor MaldonadoOK to use power paddle as qualifying for one lap.
23Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonThe blue light’s coming on for my brakes.
23Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonLooks like the fronts are getting cold into turn 14, they’re OK the rest of the lap, so it’s just turn 14.
23Tony RossNico RosbergSo that’s a really good effort Nico, just think about your strat mode now.
23Gianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezSome good pace, Checo. That’s a good pace for us at the moment. Let’s make light work of Grosjean haead if we can, save the tyres. We can’t really afford to follow too much.
24Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelSebastian let Ricciardo through, let Daniel through please.
25Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinWhich tyre is he on?
25Guillaume RocquelinSebastian Vettel[Mediums], but he stopped later than you.
25Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinTough luck.
25Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK close up to him and overtake him.
25Mark TempleKevin MagnussenAnd last lap wear energy’s good.
26Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonLittle bit of rear locking into turn 14 so just think about using ‘B bell’.
26Angel BaenaMarcus EricssonBlue flag, Alonso.
26Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelSebastian, Daniel is on a two-stop, Daniel on a two stop.
26Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinThink about boxing.
26Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelUnderstood. We’re looking at gaps.
27Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoBoth Mercedes very quick. You are three-tenths quicker than Alonso, he is ten seconds ahead of you.
28Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelShortly after Vettel let Ricciardo by he is given the instruction to stay out, indicating he is staying on a two-stop strategy.
Sebastian stay out, it helps us, please stay out. We are aware.
28Romain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuI don’t have any fourth gear.
28Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK we are looking.
28Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK Romain we’ve got a problem with fourth gear. Try to use fourth gear as little as possible.
28Romain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuI cannot!
28Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanYeah we have to try Romain otherwise it’s just DNF.
28Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneWe need a few more laps on that set, keep pushing like this.
28Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonHow’s my pace compared to people behind Fernando?
28Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonPace is good, Lewis. .75 faster than Nico last lap.
29Romain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuStage three.
29Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK, copy that.
29Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK box Romain, box, we’re going to retire the car.
30Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonThis tyre doesn’t feel as good as the last one. Starting to get graining on the left-front.
31Nico RosbergTony RossUp .7 on the aero balance for this tyre.
32Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonImpressively, based on their data Mercedes are able to estimate how much Hamilton’s rubber build-up is affecting his car’s balance.
We’re seeing some rubber build-up in the front wing, equivalent to about two turns, so don’t worry about the understeer.
32Antonio SpagnoloKimi RaikkonenWe’re thinking to stop at the end of this lap. Front wing?
32Kimi RaikkonenAntonio SpagnoloThe front wing is OK I’m losing the rear and the front so it’s… I just don’t have the grip. Just understeering, I have to change the front a lot. We can try half a turn [unclear] front wing.
33Tony RossNico RosbergPush hard now, pass Alonso.
34Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonAlonso in the pit lane now. Nico the car behind, 17.9.
34Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergYou need to do a better job looking after these tyres, they’re going to do more laps. Do a better job than you did on the first set. It’s onlyBottas that we’re racing and we’re 1.3 seconds ahead of him.
34Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelWhile some have wondered whether ‘default 13’ is this year’s ‘multi 21’ for Red Bull, this message indicates it isn’t because at this point Vettel (1) was around six seconds behind Ricciardo (3).
Still default 13, default map one three, still.
34Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinVettel is unhappy about the Caterham of Kobayashi ahead of him.
Are you kidding, honeslty? I mean tell him to get out of the way. He’s got… unbelievable. He’s got new tyres, of course he’s quicker. He’s got two laps and then he’s off.
34Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelUnderstood. He’s getting blues.
35Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBox, box, box. Torque map one and box.
35Tim WrightKamui KobayashiKamui you have to pull away from Vettel. You will keep getting blue flags unless you pull away.
38Craig GardinerEsteban GutierrezDespite this tip from the pit wall Gutierrez was easily passed by Maldonado in the DRS zone.
Multi-performance three to defend on the straight.
39Lewis HamiltonPeter Bonnington[Unclear] about one or two more laps with these tyres.
39Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonI might be able to take a little bit more front wing. There is more understeer now than there was before.
39Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis box, box. We will clean the front wing. It should give you the equivalent of one turn of balance.
39Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonGot it.
39Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelThe primary objective is stint length.
39Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoTyres will be good to the end.
40Tony RossNico RosbergLet us know on the fuel number, Nico.
40Nico RosbergTony Ross33.5. It really annoys me to do that so I need to stop doing that now.
40Tony RossNico RosbergCopy that, Nico.
41Craig GardinerEsteban GutierrezKill the tyre.
41Paul DavisonJules BianchiWe have two more laps of clear air, let’s try and build temp again.
41Craig GardinerEsteban GutierrezBox this lap Esteban we’ll be [soft tyre], front wing plus two.
41Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasRead the value on the left-hand side when you cross the start/finish.
41Valtteri BottasJonathan EddolllsNothing comes up with that too. If you want to know the fuel it’s ten four.
42Gary GannonMax ChiltonLet’s keep him behind us, he’s on [softs].
43Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoAlonso and Rosberg fighting ahead of you, you are still catching Alonso at one second a lap.
44Dave RobsonJenson ButtonEvidently Button said something prior to this which wasn’t broadcast.
OK Jenson understood, still we’re looking into it. And Jenson default X1C, please.
44Jenson ButtonDave RobsonYou’ll have to explain to me how many pushes of each button.
44Dave RobsonJenson ButtonOK Jenson so one push on the left and thirteen on the right.
44Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe’ll just manage the pace. Look after these tyres instead of a late Safety Car.
45Marco MatassaDaniil KvyatWatch for front-left in turn eight, it’s the most critical part, save tyre there.
45Tony RossNico RosbergFuel is fine to the end.
45Nico RosbergTony RossWhat is the gap to Lewis?
45Tony RossNico RosbergGap to Lewis is 15 seconds.
46Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonCars still good.
46Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK, we got the update.
47Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoYou are +12 Vettel. You can catch Alonso.
47Max ChiltonGary GannonMid-corner oversteer.
47Gary GannonMax ChiltonGo up diff mid, up on diff mid.
48Marco MatassaDaniil KvyatCome on Dany, very good job.
49Jenson ButtonDave RobsonButton is unable to attack Kvyat
He seems to be using power all the time, he seems to be using the ERS power all the time.
49Dave RobsonJenson ButtonOK Jenson understood. As you can tell we are having some difficulties with it, I don’t think there’s much we can do at the moment.
50Gary GannonMax ChiltonIn now Max.
50Max ChiltonGary GannonWhere’s Marcus?
50Gary GannonMax ChiltonWe should come out ahead, we will come out ahead.
50Gary GannonMax ChiltonYou have a blue flag, blue flag for Vergne.
51Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneChilton ahead will get blue flag, blue flag for you.
52Gianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezSo at the moment we’d just like to bring this home. We have a pit stop window on the Toro Rosso behind, for your info.
52Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoFive laps to go, keep going.
52Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasFive laps to go. Risk from behind very low, 17.3 seconds to Raikkonen. Push a bit harder if you can.
54Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergPush in turns seven, nine and ten.
55Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasThat’s good Valtteri, six tenths on that lap, you’re catching him, good work.
56Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonBecause Hamilton was incorrectly shown the chequered flag a lap early the race result was declared based on the running order on lap 54.
I just got the chequered flag.
56Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonNo, negative, keep pushing.
VLMarco MatassaDaniil KvyatYes Dany, yes. P10. Bravissimo! [More congratulations in Italian]
VLGianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezWell done mate, well done, P9. I think that’s a valiant effort from where you started. A lot of cars to get through and yeah, that’s a good job, something to take away.
VLKimi RaikkonenAntonio SpagnoloI don’t understand why we have to save fuel when [unclear] because we were close to finish
VLAntonio SpagnoloKimi RaikkonenWe see some problem, some movement on the fuel system.
VLJonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasP7 Valtteri, good job today, another solid weekend. Good push at the end there as well. Shame about being pushed wide in turn one but the car held together, you kept your head down, did a good job, nice one.
VLValtteri BottasJonathan EddolllsThanks guys, well done. Was not easy race for you guys without telemetry. In the last lap I felt my front end go. I was hoping to get at him but we just needed a bit more time.
VLBrad JoyceNico HulkenbergWell done Nico, great job mate, very good job P6.
VLNico HulkenbergBrad JoyceJust mechanically we are having a lot of understeer. And all the low-speed corners I’m losing shit loads of time because we can’t rotate the car. And at exit you have a lot of steering angle, and when you go power you get snaps. So that was quite penalising.
VLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelOK Sebastian good job, I’m sure it wasn’t very enjoyable but good job, these are good points.
VLSebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinOK. Yeah not the best Sunday afternoon but great job. Fantastic pit tops, guys and it will take time but we’ll get there.
VLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelThanks mate, that’s the attitude, good job mate.
VLChristian HornerSebastian VettelHorner explains Vettel’s strategy considerations.
Yeah absolutely Seb, chin up, still a long, long way to go, that was a tough afternoon. We switched the cars because at that point we were looking at three-stopping the better route to you to the end of the race, going [soft soft]. Then as the gaps weren’t opening up that nicely behind and whatever the two stopper was actually the better race for you. That’s how we ended up where we were. But as I say chin up, keep fighting, we’ll work our way back into it.
VLAndrea StellaFernando AlonsoGrande, Fernando. Grandissimo.
VLTony RossNico RosbergExcellent drive Nico, excellent drive P2.
VLUnknwonNico RosbergGreat job Nico, great recovery.
VLNico RosbergTony RossThank you buddy.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonGet in there Lewis. Excelent drive there. Absolutely epic.
VLUnknwonLewis HamiltonWell done Lewis, great
VLLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonReally amazing job guys this weekend. Really happy with all of the effort. And what a great race, thanks so much.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonYeah great stuff Lewis, made it look easy again.
VLLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonAnd also the guys back in the factory.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonCheers for that mate, they appreciate it. Bite point check and then switch off. We’ll see you up there.

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

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Chinese Grand Prix data

Image © Renault/DPPI

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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...

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36 comments on “2014 Chinese Grand Prix team radio transcript”

  1. The Red Bull hint at a 3-stopper for Vettel, closely followed by a ‘stay on a 2-stopper’ message is still somewhat suspicious for me.

    Of course, their radio is clear of any sign of bait, and Horner did provide a well-suited explanation, so this will surely remain a suspicion forever.

    That’s as far as ‘against’ is concerned, but I’d like to point out a ‘for’ for Red Bull.

    Looking at the race chart, it is clear that while Vettel was fighting with Rosberg and Ricciardo, his gap to the leader (and I reckon his fuel usage and tyre wear) notched up a fair bit, so it is quite probable that if he’d had continued to put up a fight against his teammate and succeeded, he would have had to switch to a 3-stopper indeed. But not because of gaps not emerging for a stop at those moments.

  2. When Horner needs to get a message to Vettel to just justify the Ric overtake 3 or 2 pit stops, i think is all just said.
    Don’t get me wrong, i think for know RIC is the most solid driver at RBR, and i know that in the past Vettel had the same protection from the team in the past, but for me it’s more honest to say, Vettel, just move Ric is better…that to give this poor image….If told like that Vettel will just try and mantain the place (like Massa did).
    I recon that for the future it’s better for RBR to avoid this 3rd degree encounters beetween VET and RIC because it will got them problems…

    1. I agree I think RIC is the more solid guy right now. I’m interested to see how it goes as the car evolves over the year.

      However I don’t think they can avoid these encounters if Vettel is struggling. I’m looking forward to watching Vettel’s temperament if Daniel keeps it up.

  3. Nico Rosberg: What is the gap to Lewis?
    Tony Ross: Gap to Lewis is 15 seconds.
    Nico Rosberg: *Swallows*

    Jenson Button: You’ll have to explain to me how many pushes of each button.
    Dave Robson: OK Jenson so one push on the left and thirteen on the right.

    You mean they can’t come up with another way of effecting the same action, or am I getting it wrong.
    Unless he’s doing that on the very long straight.

    1. Yeah, it does seem excessive regardless of where he is on track>

      I wonder if Default X1C is like Default (button) Times (X) 1 (one, hahaha) 3 (C being the third letter).

      I’m tired, don’t know why i’m thinking about this…

      1. C also being 13 in hexadecimal….

        1. scratch that, it’s 12. doh!

    2. “Nico Rosberg: *Swallows*”

      lol

    3. this seemed absolutely bizarre to me too. imagine doing that at monaco – “10, 11, 12, aaaaaah, lost count!”

      i wonder if they could manage all this complexity if they were driving absolutely flat out (i.e. in the refuelling days). part of me thinks they could – these guys just seem to have an extra brain for that kind of thing.

      1. They are all intelligent racing drivers of course but the routine that you develop while using the simulator sure helps a lot. Maybe thats the reason why Kimi is struggling a lot this year. He sounds like he is completely lost:”Kimi: The front wing is OK I’m losing the rear and the front so it’s… I just don’t have the grip. Just understeering, I have to change the front a lot. We can try half a turn [unclear] front wing.” ANd we all know that he is bloody fast when he is settled.

        1. Seems to me Kimi knows what is wrong with the car, but is unable to get the help he needs from the team to fix it. Lotus were able to react to his needs within a couple of races, including building him a custom steering wheel.

          Ferrari, generally, seem to be woefully bad at managing things during the race, on the fly. Admittedly Alonso just gets on with it, to his credit, and has been with the team much longer etc.

          But I have never been very impressed with Scuderia on race day when they have to deal with anything other than a confident driver in a car that suits them, and no drama around the pit stops or with strategy.

      2. Theres a +1 button and a +10 so 13 is just 4 button presses.

        1. @spinmastermic There’s a Button in the car pressing buttons ;-)

          1. Buttons everywhere.

  4. LOL, Massa seems so lame !

    “Fernando crashed my car ! Why ?!?! Uauahahahahahahaaaa !” Because Fernando “is faster and stronger than you !”

  5. I would have loved to hear Massa say something during that botched pit stop. He looked so frustrated on video, I wonder if any words were actually said.

  6. Is it just me that Massa sounds too paranoid for his own good?

    1. No actually he straightened the car and thought Fernando had seen him in his mirrors. So when there is even the slightest of contacts , there is always reaction . He must also be full of adrenalin . So , yeah , an outburst initially in the radio is okay as long as it doesn’t become permanent and Pastor-ish .

  7. Are you kidding, honestly? I mean tell him to get out of the way. He’s got… unbelievable. He’s got new tyres, of course he’s quicker. He’s got two laps and then he’s off.

    The funniest moment of the season so far for me. It was just the sheer cheekiness of Kobayashi to dive down the inside to unlap himself.

    1. Yeah I agree :D. Crazy Kamui, and this is why we love him. And Vettel should pull his act together as he is starting to sound a bit too frustrating race after race. I guess there are lot of changes in his life at work with Daniel and the new rules, but maybe also at home with the baby (everyone whos having a kid knows how tough it is when you try to balance between job and family).

    2. Well , Kamui proved one thing . He is absolutely on par with vettel as far the amount of cheek in him.
      That was a LOL moment

    3. GB (@bgp001ruled)
      24th April 2014, 6:12

      are lapped cars allowed to do that???

    4. Best overtake of the Race :D

    5. Does anyone know if Kamui stayed ahead for a few laps, or was he unable to pull away so had to give back the place?

      @bgp001ruled Yes lapped cars are allowed to overtake if they are faster. Have to say, it can lead to some dumb situations and screw up the leaders’ race. I remember one a few years ago where Hamilton had pit issues (probably 2012 then!) and was a lap down, unlapping himself against Vettel i think, and costing him a lot of time. Was quite funny, but i thought pretty unfair too. What’s to stop a team having a 2nd driver run a lap down just to interfere with their rivals?

      On the other hand, if a lapped car had to sit behind a slower, leading car, then their race could effectively be over as they couldn’t run their own pace. And they could still be in the points, so i can see why the rule is there.

      1. @keithedin
        Vettel ran behind Kobayashi for a lap or two and then pitted.

        I can see both sides of the story but ultimately I think unlapping should only be allowed in exceptional circumstances as ultimately the lapped driver is interfering with the driver in front, and the driver in front is more likely to be fighting for points.

        1. Whoever is the faster driver should be the driver in front. There were races in the long distant past where drivers unlapped themselves and ended up winning the race.

  8. Mercedes team is perfectly tuned racing machine right now. They know how the car reacts and in what condition is at every moment (except of course when it got a problem like Hamilton in Australia). It’s not just a performance of the car. It’s the whole coordination of the team. I don’t know how much time they spent developing this car and organise the whole team (courtesy of Brawn of course) but they will pick the fruits from it for a looooong time. If the rules stay stable for a longer period than they’ll dominate even more, for sure (as Felipe would said it :)).

  9. Tyres,tyres,tyres, bluddi tyres ! Can we have some racing please?

    1. Amen to that. A few races into the new era and they’re already becoming the dominant factor again. Not just because of grip, also the rubber on the track, the rubber on the front wings, and so on.

  10. Funny enough if Kobayashi wouldn’t overtake Vettel he would probably not be able to overtake Bianchi on the last lap. He was faster than Vettel so he did and Vettel really sounds some times like a big cry baby.
    It’s a pity though that the place was taken from the Japanese driver.

    1. And how he had to be consoled after the race by Horner. You’re the team principal Horner, you don’t owe your driver an explanation.

  11. These are great ut my favourite was on Brundle’s grid walk. Horner when asked regarding the contract saga, replied to a Ron Dennis comment about good sense and honour by saying that such accusation coming from Dennis was completely empty. Horner had my respect but that comment earned my sympathy.

  12. A great read, as always

  13. The default message to Vettel came through on the timing app and it was “Default 31” not 13.
    I am 100% certain what I heard.
    My theory is that where a Multi 31 would be an instruction, Default 31 is the expected prediction on current strategy. This is where I believe Vettel was told by the team that Ricciardo was expected to finish ahead of him.

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