2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix team radio transcript

2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

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The development which settled the 2014 drivers’ championship for good was captured in a series of team radio messages in the middle of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Nico Rosberg was already in a weak position as far as the championship was concerned having fallen to second place at the start, but the ERS problem which developed on his Mercedes shortly before half-distance killed off what remained of his championship hopes.

As his car slowed, Rosberg urged his team to find a way to limit the damage so he could be in a position to finish fifth and take the title if Lewis Hamilton retired – but it was to no avail.

Meanwhile Hamilton was increasingly worried about suffering the same fate as Rosberg. At one stage he told his team not to “turn my car up” as he was concerned about reliability.

This is potentially confusing as pit-to-car telemetry which would allow a team to make changes on their car has been banned for several years. However a subsequent message indicates Hamilton had been told to change a setting on his car, and he may simply have been unsure of its effect.

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Fernando Alonso didn’t think much of the new arrival to the grid, Caterham’s Will Stevens. It wasn’t clear from the broadcast what led Alonso to remark that Stevens had a “lot to learn” – as the two were racing for position and the Caterham driver wasn’t obliged to let Alonso through.

Both Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button had some kind words for their teams as they prepared to part company (though Button’s rumoured departure remains unconfirmed). But if Alonso had any parting words for his Ferrari crew on the radio they weren’t broadcast.

Another driver who got hot under the collar was Nico Hulkenberg, who exchanged some terse words with his race engineer after a questionable penalty, but was happy with his evening’s work by the time the flag fell.

By then Hamilton was assured of the championship and Mercedes had invited a special guest onto the pit wall to celebrate. Paddy Lowe wasn’t sure how to introduce Henry Mountbatten-Windsor – better known as Prince Harry – and before handing over a headset asked him: “Who shall I say you are?”

Hamilton was also told to switch to the mode ‘driver default 44’ – which caused the image below to appear on his steering wheel display:

2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix team radio transcript

Lap*FromToMessage
PRLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonTrack’s going to drop in temperature in you think the next 10 or 15 minutes or so?
PRPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo the track is two degrees [C] hotter compared to this time yesterday. But because we ran – this time on Friday – but because we ran the [super-soft] later, it’s actually more like six, seven degrees hotter.
PRLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonHamilton plans what turned out to be a superb start, which got him ahead of pole sitter Rosberg from second on the grid.
Sitting here it actually feels like more of a slope than usual. Shall I point left?
PRJock ClearLewis HamiltonVery slightly wouldn’t do any harm, yeah.
PRAyao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanOK procedures, just one static bite point for the formation lap start. After turn 19 we go to scenario six. And from the Safety Car line oen we either do four burn-outs or as many as possible. And on actual race start, no static bite point.
PRSimon RennieDaniel RicciardoRicciardo is advised how to tweak the brightness settings on his screen for low-light conditions.
OK if you want to change the brightness [unclear], now’s the time to do it, if you want to turn the brightness down it’s multi 12. Think you ran multi 12 position 10 in Singapore.
PRMarco SchupbachAdrian SutilWe have the two Red Bulls, the two Force Indias, Magnussen, Vergne on [soft]. The rest on [super-soft].
FLTony RossNico RosbergBrakes are cold.
FLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonFeedback on the start.
FLLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonRPM dropped low but grip is very high, felt very good.
FLBernadette CollinsJenson ButtonAll gears are good, warm the brakes. Purple C2 position 11. Yes that’s good, thank you Jenson.
FLGianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezDoing a good job with the brakes and tyres.
FLSimon RennieDaniel RicciardoThe Red Bull drivers started from the pit lane, Ricciardo in front of Vettel, having been excluded from qualifying.
Drive straight to the pit exit. When you stop, make sure you can see the red lights at the pit exit.
1Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoRace has started, watch for the green light.
1Sergio PerezGianpiero LambiaseVergne pushed me out.
1Gianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezOK, give it back, Checo.
2Kevin MagnussenMark TempleI’ve got suspension damage. Right-front.
2Mark TempleKevin MagnussenAnd we’ll box this lap, have a look.
2Tony RossNico RosbergOK just think about the tyres. Right front graining possible and then rear degradation.
2Gianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezJust push up to Hulk, we don’t want to lose the DRS train.
2Mark TempleKevin MagnussenAnd Kevin we’ve checked everything out, it all looks OK to us.
3Marco SchupbachAdrian SutilCome on mate, keep pushing.
4Marco MatassaDaniil KvyatTyre phase.
4Daniil KvyatMarco MatassaStill OK to stay with Ferrari.
4Tom StallardJenson ButtonGreat start. Red Bulls not making great progress. We are aiming at target lap.
5Valtteri BottasJonathan EddolllsSmall graining, rear tyres.
5Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieStruggling with the traction compared to them at the moment.
5Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK, understood.
5Fernando AlonsoAndrea StellaAlonso has just passed team mate Raikkonen which is likely to have given him first call on strategy.
L’ho passato [I have passed him], In this lap.
5Andrea StellaFernando AlonsoOk, these tyres are going, pit now, box.
6Tom StallardJenson ButtonAlonso has pitted. How’s the tyre?
6Jenson ButtonTom StallardStarting to grain the front right.
6Tom StallardJenson ButtonOK Jenson we’re box this lap. Push now.
7Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasMode seven, this pace is good, keep it up for another couple of laps.
8Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasThis is great. All other cars pitting are in traffic. This is where we’re going to make our day.
9Fernando AlonsoAndrea StellaAfter his pit stop Alonso emerged in 18th position behind newcomer Stevens.
Who is this Caterham?
9Andrea StellaFernando AlonsoIt’s the new boy. A lot to learn for him.
9Fernando AlonsoAndrea StellaA lot, a lot to learn.
9Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonIt may be very soon, just waiting for the window to clear, we have the Williams inside there at the moment.
10Tony RossNico RosbergNico we’re going to extend this stint now, will be three more laps.
10Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaPace is still good. We’re still making good gap on the cars behind us.
10Marco MatassaDaniil KvyatRear tyres slightly on the high side.
10Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonBox, box, pit confirm.
11Tony RossNico RosbergRich one, push hard now.
11Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelBottas in the pits, will come out behind us.
12Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergNico we’ve got a 5 second penalty at the pit stop. So you need to push now, we need to find this five seconds.
12Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceSo is that for Magnussen or what? That guy was pushing me wide.
12Tony RossNico RosbergSituation is Lewis has obviously stopped on [soft] tyres. He’s just in front. Hulkenberg next car behind, four seconds, he’s not stopped yet on [soft] tyres. Massa is still out on [super-softs].
13Kamui KobayashiTim WrightProblem with the front locking, I have too much front locking. Cannot drive this time [unclear].
13Felipe MassaAndrew Murdoch[Unclear] last sector now at the rear.
13Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaCopy that Felipe. Box now.
14Jean-Eric VergneXevi PujolarI can make this tyre last longer but I’ve been pushing too hard.
14Tony RossNico RosbergMassa just pitted so just think about conserving the tyres, gap to Lewis.
14Adrian SutilMarco SchupbachHow many laps else? How many more laps than this?
14Marco SchupbachAdrian SutilAround ten.
14Adrian SutilMarco SchupbachI don’t think I make it. The tyres are all over the place.
15Valtteri BottasJonathan EddolllsCan you tell Caterham to take the pit board off the racing line? Entry of turn one, pit board is on the track.
16Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaOK this race for us now is just about managing these tyre sets for us, just managing this tyre set.
16Gianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezThey tyres looked in good condition on that stop. No graining observed. So just think about how you bring them in on this stint.
17Daniil KvyatMarco MatassaKvyat retired with a power unit failure.
I’m losing power guys. Feels like… Oh no I’m losing everything now.
17Marco MatassaDaniil KvyatOK Dany, stop the car. Sorry for that. P0.
18Tony RossNico RosbergSo Nico plan is quite simple. Keep the gap to a manageable proportion to Lewis. We’ll plan to go longer than him.
18Romain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuThe rear deg is bigger than expected.
18Ayao KomatsuRomain GrosjeanRomain because of that we are thinking plan B. What do you think?
18Romain GrosjeanAyao KomatsuYeah I think it’s right.
18Tom StallardJenson ButtonJenson this is fuel three. Fuel one would be enough, but I think you’re doing the right thing.
19Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergThis exchange gives the impression of having been edited, as Hulkenberg’s question changes.
Perez on the same strategy ahead. Pit [unclear] ready.
19Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceNo. Are you going to let me by or not?
19Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceI was so much faster in the first stint, you’ve got to let me by.
19Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceBrad, when I’m asking something, please give me an answer, yeah?
19Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergOK, I didn’t understand.
19Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceGive me an answer now.
19Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergWhat is the question, what is your question?
19Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceWhy did I get that [censored by FOM] penalty?
19Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergLap one, turn six with Magnussen, it was a stewards’ decision.
20Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK mate Bottas behind is a few tenths quicker than us. He’s not really our race, don’t make it easy for him, it’s not really our race.
21Kevin MagnussenMark TempleThe tyres are holding on very well. They’re still very good.
21Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinRears are going off.
21Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelCopy.
22Tom StallardJenson ButtonWhite H7 position one. More power.
22Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoHulkenberg is doing 48.4s. If we box now we’ll be right on top of him. We need to find a few more tenths.
23Kevin MagnussenMark TempleHow is the pace of the [super-softs] compared to my [softs]? How are the [super-soft] runners compared to my [soft] runs?
23Mark TempleKevin MagnussenKevin new [super-softs] is around seven-tenths faster than new [softs], start of stint.
24Tom StallardJenson ButtonGap to Alonso 1.4 and we’re now target minus one.
25Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieNot sure how much longer I can keep this pace up. A couple more laps I think.
25Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK status nine. We want to extend this stint.
25Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieOK. Let me know how much you want me to find.
25Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoLike I said we’re not really racing him, it won’t help our race if you hold him up, don’t make it too easy.
25Nico RosbergTony RossThe first sign of Rosberg’s car problem came when he ran wide at turn 17 under braking.
Strange lack of engine power out of turn 14. Losing engine power.
25Tony RossNico RosbergYep copy Nico we can see it.
25Nico RosbergTony RossAnything I can do to keep it going? Anything to do differently?
25Tony RossNico RosbergWe’re trying to solve it, Nico. At the moment just keep pushing. We’ll keep an eye on rear brake temperatures, we may have a problem with those.
25Tony RossNico RosbergOK Nico so at the moment ERS has failed so we’d like you to go brake balance forwards and B-mag – oops, it’s restarted again.
25Nico RosbergTony RossDid not copy the last part.
25Tony RossNico RosbergOK so brake balance forwards and go down on B-mig for the moment.
25Nico RosbergTony RossIs there enough…
25Tony RossNico RosbergInterrupting and talking over him.
Strat two. No, nothing with gears, just go strat two.
26Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaRosberg is losing power ahead, we made up three seconds on him in the last lap.
27Tony RossNico RosbergSo Nico currently still no ERS so all the brake energy is coming from the rear brakes. So we’re happy with…
27Nico RosbergTony RossBut it feels like there’s more than that. It’s literally only the brakes on the rear or something.
27Nico RosbergTony RossSo invetigate that now please and tell me what I can do.
27Tony RossNico RosbergOK, copy that.
27Nico RosbergTony RossIt’s not just ERS that’s not there, it’s actually holding back too.
27Tony RossNico RosbergOK, copy that.
31Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonWhat else can I do to look after the car?
31Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe’re just reviewing whether we need to turn the car up again, you let us know.
32Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelAhead of you is the two Force Indias and Daniel on the same strategy as you. The two Force Indias stopped earlier than you, Daniel later. Behind you, you’ve got…
32Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinWhat’s their pace?
32Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelTheir pace is 48.5 ahead. Behind you, you’ve got Button and the two Ferraris. They are going to the end, they’ve pitted for [softs] and are going to the end from there.
32Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinAnd what’s their pace?
32Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelLow-to-mid 47s.
33Tony RossNico RosbergNico you can use the lower gears we think it’s helping you with the turbo lag. And with no K we’re OK with the gears.
33Tony RossNico RosbergWell Nico, question – erm, you can let Lewis go – in terms of rear tyres, we think we try and go to the end. What do you think?
33Tony RossNico RosbergIt sounds as if Rosberg gave a reply which wasn’t broadcast.
So when we had this failure before in Montreal we reduced the wear…
33Nico RosbergTony Ross…yeah, it’s like traction control at the moment so… I don’t know, I can’t judge it.
33Tony RossNico RosbergOK, alright.
33Nico RosbergTony RossRosberg wants to get to at least sixth place so that if Hamilton in front retires he will be able to take the title.
Just get me in the top six or five or whatever it is as safely as possible.
33Tony RossNico RosbergCopy that, we’ll do our best.
33Tony RossNico RosbergI’d like to get the brake balance forward now, rear brakes starting to get hot.
34Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonMassa currently P1, 15 seconds ahead. Bottas has just passed Nico behind.
34Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonBottas behind, four seconds.
34Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonWhat do I need to do? Do I need to pick up my pace? Let me know what I need to do.
34Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo low 47s is your target lap time. Laps just like that, Lewis.
35Tony RossNico RosbergMercedes clearly gave up on the possibility of completing Rosberg’s race without a further pit stop in order to save time.
So brake temps back under control so box, box. You’ll need to do a manual pull-away, Nico.
35Nico RosbergTony RossDo not copy that, I mean tell me what that is.
35Tony RossNico RosbergOK so go RS, but don’t drop the levers. Just pull away as you would do leaving the garage. So engine power will be lower because you have no turbo. So just be aware completely different procedure pulling away. It will be difficult to pull away. Use the same revs but just more throttle. Yo won’t have the boost to help you away.
35Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonFeel some heat coming on my left
35Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis, that’s sometimes something we see but we’ll look into it.
36Gianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezMaximum push now please Checo.
36Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Bottas has boxed, you’ll be just ahead of him at pit exit.
37Nico RosbergTony RossHow am I looking for that position finish that I need in case Lewis drops out?
37Tony RossNico RosbergIt’s not good at the moment Nico.
37Nico RosbergTony RossWell what the hell doe that mean, what do I need to on pace?
37Tony RossNico RosbergJust drive flat out. That’s all you can do Nico. The tyres are fine. 19 laps remaining at the end of this lap.
38Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonHamilton was unwilling to risk increasing his pace to keep Massa from jumping ahead of him, though as a later message shows he may have been uncertain whether Massa was going to pit again.
So Massa 46.8 last lap. Need to pick the pace up a little bit.
38Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonI’m not racing Massa any more.
38Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK copy that Lewis. So rears not a limitation, plenty of life left on those. Front-right was the limitation last set but they’re still good enough to go to the end, no worries there.
38Jonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasSo for infor Ricciardo needs to stop again to fit the [super-soft] tyre. So just look after our tyres to the end of the race. He’s got to stop so he needs to make a good 20 seconds up on us.
39Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergSo the guys in front are on on soft tyres: Raikkonen, Vergne, Alonso, we need to push through them if we can.
39Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonMassa still has to pit?
39Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonBonnington tells Hamilton that if the Safety Car comes out Massa might be able to make a pit stop and come out ahead of him, but if he pits under green flag conditions Hamilton will comfortably regain the lead.
Affirm, Massa still has to pit. He’s on our Safety Car window, but 6.3 seconds safe to a pit stop.
40Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergPerez is on your pit window so you need to push.
40Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoBottas has been told to look after his tyres, he knows we need to stop again. I think we’ll be quicker if you stay in front of him, see what you can do.
40Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieI agree.
41Nico RosbergTony RossRosberg experiences a further problem.
Advise what’s going on. The car switched off and now the throttle is all over the place. And brake pedal is long but brake balance is the same right? Turbo is…
41Tony RossNico RosbergAffirm. We had a momentary loss of power, Nico.
41Nico RosbergTony RossGet my brake pedal back, please.
41Tony RossNico RosbergStandby.
41Tony RossNico RosbergNico driver default ten on and off again, please. That’ll get your brake pedal back.
42Jenson ButtonTom StallardHow far ahead are the cars we’re racing?
42Tom StallardJenson ButtonOK Jenson, Vettel and Perez right in front of you, you’re racing them, they have to pit again. Ricciardo has to pit again to fit a super-soft, but he is absolutely on our pit gap.
43Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonYou’re doing a great job, you’ve got the pace to win this one. Nico currently down in eighth position with that problem.
43Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonPlease don’t turn up my car, I’m comfortable. I can pick up the pace if I need to. Don’t turn up the car please.
43Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonThis message indicates Hamilton was given an instruction to change one of engine settings, which was not broadcast on the radio and which he did not necessarily understand that consequence of.
No this is actually helping us as well, Lewis, don’t worry this is a non-risk change
43Jenson ButtonTom StallardLooks like Vettel is struggling.
43Tom StallardJenson ButtonYep we expect Vettel to pit soon.
43Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaBox now, confirm.
44Tom StallardJenson ButtonNo need to save tyres in turn eight. Vettel still needs to run super-soft.
44Jenson ButtonTom StallardCan you have a look at the hairpin because I feel like I’m getting single wheelspin. At turn seven, just have a look.
44Tom StallardJenson ButtonYes Jenson we’re looking at that.
44Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo gap to Massa behind 10.8 seconds, he’s fitted the super-soft. There are 12 laps remaining. Massa has fitted the super-soft, let’s keep the pace up.
45Kamui KobayashiTim WrightKobayashi retired after reporting this problem.
I have a vibration when I brake. It’s getting worse.
45Tim WrightKamui KobayashiOK box, pit confirm. OK Kamui we will inspect the car, stop in the pit box.
45Tim WrightKamui KobayashiOK engine off, P1.
45Nico RosbergTony RossWhat position am I heading for?
45Tony RossNico RosbergPossibly P5 if you can keep Hulkenberg behind you behind. He is on [super-soft] tyres so will start to degrade.
46Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaYour lap time pace is one second faster than Hamilton, he’s still ten seconds in front.
46Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelGood job Sebastian, Alonso 47.9.
46Sebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinOK I can’t keep this pace for long.
46Guillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelUnderstood. You’re pulling away at the moment, it’s working for us, we’ll monitor your pace. Keep us up-to-date as well.
47Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonNine laps remaining. Gap to Massa: 9.3.
48Andrew MurdochFelipe MassaThe gap is down to eight seconds and there’s eight laps to go.
49Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieCan we catch anyone?
49Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoBottas is the next car ahead. We are P4. Bottas about 20 seconds aheda of you. Button six seconds behind. Think we’re pretty settled on fourth.
49Jenson ButtonTom StallardNeed a bit more information. Need more information what’s going on behind.
49Tom StallardJenson ButtonCar behind is Hulkenberg, he’s on 11-lap-old new [super-softs], but he’s still one second a lap faster than us.
50Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonHamilton was lapping Gutierrez.
Blue flags.
50Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK, we’re on it, he’s getting them.
50Gianpiero LambiaseSergio PerezOK let’s push to the end.
51Fernando AlonsoAndrea StellaI have not the normal poewr, check.
51Andrea StellaFernando AlonsoOK Fernando we are checking. Six laps to go.
51Fernando AlonsoAndrea StellaThere’s something going on with the K, maybe.
51Andrea StellaFernando AlonsoFernando we see that, let’s carry on.
51Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonNico looks to not be a threat now so we can fight for this.
52Tony RossNico RosbergSo you have DRS, driver default ten on and off. Ten on, ten off to get back brakes.
53Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonGap to Massa 3.5. Three laps to go.
54Tony RossNico RosbergMercedes told Rosberg to retire his car shortly before Hamilton came around to lap him.
So Nico box, box, box.Too many problems with the car.
54Nico RosbergTony RossI would like to go to the end.
54Tony RossNico RosbergStandby.
54Tony RossNico RosbergOK so just be aware Lewis coming through now, three seconds behind. Massa is directly behind him, racing him. We’re happy for you to continue.
54Jean-Eric VergneXevi PujolarThe front-right tyre is massively grained.
54Xevi PujolarJean-Eric VergneCopy, keep pushing.
55Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergTwo laps to go. 2.9 behind Button. 8,7 ahead of Perez. Fuel is good. Tyres are good.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonGet in there Lewis! Eleven race wins – 2014 world champion.
VLJock ClearLewis HamiltonGreat job, Lewis, great job from Jocky, brilliant stuff mate, world champion.
VLPaddy LoweLewis HamiltonCongratulations Lewis, 2014 world champion – first Mercedes-Benz champion since Fangio! And I’m going to hand you over to Prince Harry.
VLPrince HarryLewis HamiltonLewis, thank you very, very much for not letting or making the British public sweat. You are an absolute legend well done mate.
VLLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonWoohoo! World champion! Oh my god! Can’t believe it. Thank you so much guys! Woo!
VLPrince HarryLewis HamiltonLewis well done, you’re an abolsutel legend. Yes Lewis, you’re allowed to do doughnuts.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonGo driver default 44, let’s have that on the dash.
VLTony RossNico RosbergSo sorry about that. Could have been different without the problems.
VLNico RosbergTony RossCan I do doughnuts?
VLTony RossNico RosbergThe guys would rather not, I think it’ll be a safety issue.
VLPaddy LoweNico RosbergHi Nico it’s Paddy. Sorry it didn’t work out today. Very sorry about that. But you drove like a champion all year. We’ll come back next year and have another go.
VLNico RosbergTony RossNo problem. It wouldn’t have made a difference today anyway. Thank you for this year, it’s been amazing. And congratulations to Lewis for a fantastc year, well-deserved win.
VLTony RossNico RosbergThank you Nico, it’s been fantastic working with you.
VlAndrew MurdochFelipe MassaGreat job mate, great race.
VLRob SmedleyFelipe MassaAye not too bad for an old man, eh? Good lad. Well done.
VLJonathan EddolllsValtteri BottasGreat job Valtteri, P3. Mode 12 now, pick up rubber, save fuel. Well, wasn’t an easy start to our day but ultiamtely we achieved everything we wanted to.
VLValtteri BottasJonathan EddolllsThanks guys. We got what we came here to get so that’s perfect. Really good job a sa team this year and just looking forward to next year, there’s more to come.
VLSimon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK nice job mate. Very good from the pit lane today, P4. Very good pace, looked after the tyres very well, excellent job.
VLDaniel RicciardoSimon RennieCheers mate, thanks boys. Not a bad end to the season. Had a lot of fun this year, thank you.
VLChristian HornerDaniel RicciardoGreat job Dan, really good drive from the pit lane to P4, pretty impressive recovery. Great season, brilliant drive.
VLTom StallardJenson ButtonGreat stuff Jenson, P5, well done mate.
VLJenson ButtonTom StallardThank you Stallard. Well, we weren’t quick enough today but we made the best of what we had and that’s what you’ve got to do these days. When you’re not fighting for a win you make the best with what you have. Like we’ve done today.
VLTom StallardJenson ButtonYeah well done mate.
VLJenson ButtonTom StallardWhatever happens over the next few weeks it’s definitely been an honour, guys. Been an amazing five years, hopefully many more, hopefully many moreguys, I want to get back to winning.
VLTom StallardJenson ButtonYeah Jenson well done. And with the Force Indias in sixth and seventh, because you were there we still did enough to stay ahead of them in the constructors’ to that’s really good, well done mate. I think that counts as driving it like you stole it.
VLJenson ButtonTom StallardHope so!
VLNico HulkenbergBrad JoyceYeah thanks, great job from your side too guys. Thanks for bringing me in early, definitely the right call then. Car was strong today so thanks for giving me that opportunity. Was a very good and smooth and flawless race, really. Although with Magnussen, you know, this guy is going for gaps where there aren’t gaps… and I don’t get it but we can discuss later.
VLBrad JoyceNico HulkenbergNo we feel it was harsh as well, Nico, we don’t agree with it, and that’s the way it is I’m afraid. Good job. Good job all season, mate, well done.
VLGuillaume RocquelinSebastian VettelVery good job Sebastian. I’m sure you wanted it to be a bit better than this, we got had over at the start basically, being stuck behind Magnussen, that’s what hurt our race.
VLSebastian VettelGuillaume RocquelinYeah thank you race. Was a [censored by FOM] race but that shouldn’t make the last couple years any less pleasurable so thank you for everything you did and I shall miss you.
VLChristian HornerSebastian VettelWell Seb it’s not just about today so thank you very much for everything thatyou’ve done for the team and for Red Bull in your time. Four world championships, 38 victories, plus the one with Toro Rosso. Unbelievable. It’s been an absolute delight and pleasure working with you and we’ll miss you. Hopefully we can give you a hard time next year.
VLSebastian VettelChristian HornerYeah likewise.
VLGianluca PisanelloWill StevensWill this is Gianluca. Good job, congratulations on completing your first F1 race.
VLWill StevensGianluca PisanelloThanks mate. Thanks again to all you guys for making it happen. Did Lewis win?
VLGianluca PisanelloWill StevensYes! He’s world champion now.

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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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix data

Image © Daimler/Hoch Zwei

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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 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix team radio transcript”

  1. Oh that is golden from Mercedes, putting that onto the steering wheel :)

    1. @psynrg Yeah @bbudna put it in the Sunday in Tweets article but I thought it was worth repeating!

      1. @keithcollantine wonder if Lewis switched to driver default 6 later, just for a laugh…

        1. @fer-no65 I wonder if they did have a driver default 6 – that number is probably low enough that it might already be used for something?

          And an amusing thought; imagine the red faces if Mercedes later realised that their special “driver default 6” accidentally introduced an ERS debilitating bug into the system?

    2. What a treat.

  2. I don’t know why but Nico words made my heart tears out. Especially the message he said to Paddy and “I would like to go to the end”

    1. @deongunner I haven’t been a big fan of Rosberg this year but the fact he wanted to keep going and limp to the finish line really gave me a bit more respect for him, as did his behaviour in going to congratulate Hamilton afterwords.

      I suspect that Rosberg has known for some time that Hamilton is the better driver, but he has had no choice but to give his best fight and keep saying the right things in public (and hoping that luck would go his way).

    2. Indeed. Very sad. But he was very composed, to the point he wanted to do doughnuts!

      In fact it would be cool if the whole field did some doughnuts.

    3. It looks to me as if the team were a bit worried he might do something stupid as HAM lapped him and wanted to avoid that by pitting him

  3. Just for the sake of completeness, in the lap Alonso passed Raikkonen, before “In this lap” he says, in italian and in a rush, “L’ho passato, l’ho passato” (“I passed him, I passed him”).

    1. @stefanauss Ah I didn’t hear that when I did the transcript, thanks! Will add it.

  4. VL Nico Rosberg: Can I do doughnuts?
    VL Tony Ross : The guys would rather not, I think it’ll be a safety issue.

    Nice question to ask when you are driving a dying car :-D

  5. Next year, if Nico gets to Abu Dhabi fighting for the title who will be “his Prince Harry”?

    a. Prince Albert
    b. Angela Merkel
    c. Sauli Niistö
    d. All of the above

    1. *Sauli Niinistö

  6. Nico was very graceful in defeat, kudos to him! He kept Lewis honest all year, and hopefully next year he’ll have another go at it (although I do hope they’ll have a bit stronger competition from the other teams as well).

  7. Again Keith, well worth the wait!
    Thank you very much for your hard work!

  8. ”Aye not too bad for an old man, eh? Good lad. Well done.”

    It’s another smedley-massa kind of radio !

  9. It is amazing how much Hamilton could pick up pace even with slightly slower mode.

    Also before this I did not know pit crew could turn up or down the settings on car. That must be unfair.

    1. The pit crew cannot turn up the settings. Read @keithcollantine comment below this message. It was a response to an unbroadcasted message.

    2. @nin13

      I did not know pit crew could turn up or down the settings on car.

      They can’t do so directly, as it says in the article. They have to tell the driver to make the change.

      1. Okay sorry missed that.

  10. Congrats to Lewis. I hope his old man stays on the job because (from my perspective) Ham is more balanced out of the car when his dad’s around.

    I hoped Nico could get the win; no toys thrown from his pram when things don’t go his way unlike LH, FA and SV. Very honourable behaviour although defeated.

    Drive of the race went to the driver of the year, Duncraig Dan; I hope he is #1 next season!

    1. nico wasnt happy after losing out to lewis in hungary,thats why he made that stupid move in spa.also nico was hoping lewis would have car problems in the final race,it backfired.and lets not forget he probably cheated in monaco.

      1. re “lets not forget he probably cheated in monaco”; utter tosh. repeating speculation / the lie doesn’t make it factual.

  11. You got to have some respect for Will Stevens – at the end of his first ever F1 race he had the perspective to realise it wasn’t all about him:
    Team radio transcript – “Thanks mate. Thanks again to all you guys for making it happen. Did Lewis win?”
    That’s a really mature question for someone who must have been mentally and physically exhausted. Kudos.

    1. Yeah I liked that too, he did a solid job considering, maybe he’ll be back again.

  12. I was struck by Will Stevens at the end. thanks the team but then wants to know how Lewis got on. That’s a real fan for you!

  13. I missed that conversation between Button and his engineer in qualifying when they send Jenson on the track without sufficient amount of fuel in the car and told him to come back after installation lap :D

  14. can someone explain alonsos reaction to will stevens about “having a lot to learn” When i was watching the race i didnt notice him do anything wrong when alonso passed

    1. @ctidave Stevens went wide presumably trying to defend, Alonso was probably just annoyed because it slowed them both down when they weren’t really racing each other.

  15. I notice a lot of people wondering whether Hamilton would have taken defeat as graceful as Rosberg.

    I’m pretty sure Rosberg also knows that if he would have won then he would have been “lucky”, and that if Hamilton wins that it’s “normal” because of the differences on wins and DNF’s (Rosbergs last DNF excluded)

    It would still be deserved by Rosberg if he would have won, but we all know that Hamilton deserved it more, so a Hamilton losing the Championship would be much harder to take (for Hamilton) than it would be for Rosberg to lose the championship. (as proven by his awesome reaction)

    1. @moneyr

      I agree while i loved his sportsmanship if he was 17 ahead and was leading the race and that happen’d would he do it? Ros aint silly he know’s reliaility is what helped him most of the season untill he had his bad fair share of bad luck.

  16. Can Rob engineer Felipe full time again? haha!

  17. That WAS the image displayed on Hamilton’s screen? I thought it was a joke.

  18. Quite a lot of typos Keith (I only read the parts in bold). It would be nice to fix them if you’ve got some time. Nice transcript though, thanks :)

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