2015 Malaysian Grand Prix team radio highlights

2015 Malaysian Grand Prix

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Since the FIA introduced rules restricting what drivers can be told on the radios, one driver appears to have found this more of a constraint than others.

In Malaysia as in Australia Nico Rosberg was heard asking for information which his race engineer could not pass on to him. “Can’t help you with lines, Nico” he was told when asking for advice on how to drive his final flying lap in Q3.

As we only hear selected radio messages which are chosen for broadcast it’s not possible to be certain that Rosberg is experiencing this situation more than other drivers. And the number of radio messages being played in the television broadcasts and on Formula One Management’s revamped website has fallen since last year, though that may change in races to come.

Here’s a selection of the messages which were broadcast last weekend.

First practice

SessionFromToMessage
FP1Carlos Sainz JnrMarco MatassaOK some early feedback. Drive-ability big, big step forward. Big step forward on drive-ability. And the track very, very dirty.
FP1Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrUnderstood.
FP1Josh PeckettWill StevensManor got both their cars on track for the first time in 2015.
OK Will so you are the only car on track. No traffic, free track. Go to multi position three, gearbox two now, Will. And SA6 please, Will.
FP1Max VerstappenXevi PujolarIt’s really hard for the tyre, now. Out of turn nine I had a lot of traction problems. I lost three or four tenths, there.
FP1Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenUnderstood, we saw it.
FP1Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonHamilton stopped at the turn nine hairpin.
There was a click in the rear and the gears still worked. I just pulled over and stopped as you told me to, I would have made it back.
FP1Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonYeah Lewis we just haven’t got any telemetry mate so we’re just a bit worried as this is as it’s a race engine. We’ve just got to make sure we don’t have ourselves over.
FP1Daniil KvyatGianpiero LambiaseSome pushing under braking, abort the lap, abort the lap.
FP1Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatCopy.
FP1Daniil KvyatGianpiero LambiaseYeah I already lost the power in turn five again.
FP1Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatYeah understood. That’s because we tried two laps in a row there, we didn’t quite recover enough during that final phase of the first timed lap.
FP1Jenson ButtonTom StallardDo you need another lap?
FP1Tom StallardJenson ButtonJenson if you’ve got a good feel we can box, box this lap.
FP1Jenson ButtonTom StallardWell I haven’t got a good feel but I’m not going to get a good feel, I think, with this.
FP1Tom StallardJenson ButtonOK, understood. Will one more lap teach you anything?
FP1Jenson ButtonTom StallardNo.
FP1Tom StallardJenson ButtonOK. Yellow G2 and box this lap.

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Second practice

SessionFromToMessage
FP2Sergio PerezTim WrightI have very poor up shift from second to third, it’s upsetting the car a lot.
FP2Fernando AlonsoMark TempleI don’t need more laps with these tyres if you want to ancitipate anything.
FP2Mark TempleFernando AlonsoOK, let’s push, do one more laps as an in lap, push on that lap so we can get some aero data.
FP2Jenson ButtonTom StallardYeah second to third up shift is very poor, also.
FP2Tom StallardJenson ButtonCopy that Jenson so up shifts and down shifts from second were poor. Barney’s aware, he’s looking at it. Front brakes are hot so cool the brakes on the in-lap please.
FP2Roberto MerhiNicholas PerrinnMerhi’s session came to an end when he spun into the gravel at turn 11.
I did a spin in the corner.
FP2Nicholas PerrinnRoberto MerhiOK, we can see that. Can you switch off the engine.
FP2Sebastian VettelRiccardo AdamiAfter the session resumed Vettel spun in the same place but kept going.
OK box I spun in turn 11.
FP2Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelAre the tyres OK?
FP2Sebastian VettelRiccardo AdamiThey’re pretty flat-spotted. I would change the order so I would prefer to do the long-run on [hards].
FP2Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelOK copy.
FP2Fernando AlonsoMark TempleI cannot see any fuel, only ‘+1000’ all the time. So tell me if I need to change anything.
FP2Mark TempleFernando AlonsoOK, we’re looking into that.
FP2Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsJust the overall grip is really, really poor. And the rear is very snappy. And from this lap onwards, more deg.
FP2Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsThe tyres are not working at all.
FP2Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasCopy that, we see that. Box now. We’ll fit the [medium]. Talk to me about the balance, do you want a front wing adjust?
FP2Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsMinus two.
FP2Will StevensJosh PeckettI’ve got a slight flat spot on my front left.
FP2Josh PeckettWill StevensOK mate, understood, we’ll monitor it.
FP2Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonSome sort of vibration in the car since I’ve been out this last run. It doesn’t feel like it’s in the tyres, could be somewhere else.

Third practice

SessionFromToMessage
FP3Kimi RaikkonenDavid GreenwoodRaikkonen felt Grosjean was holding him up.
This guy has just tried to go inside of me when I try to pass him, he just turned in.
FP3Max VerstappenXevi PujolarAnd also traction compared to yesterday very poor.
FP3Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenOK. What do you think the level of stiffness and balance compared to yesterday?
FP3Max VerstappenXevi PujolarI don’t like it.
FP3Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenCopy that.
FP3Jenson ButtonTom StallardInitial pick-up on the throttle is not easy.
FP3Tom StallardJenson ButtonYeah we can see that in the data. It also looked like the snap oversteer in turn 11 mid-corner was caused by a dab on the brakes so just watch out for that.
FP3Daniil KvyatGianpiero LambiaseWe made a step back. Is there a chance to come back on set-up and give it another go?
FP3Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatWe’ll talk about it back in the garage, Danny.
FP3Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrLet’s keep the position, keep the position to Ricciardo, don’t let him by.
FP3Carlos Sainz JnrMarco MatassaIs Ricciardo in a push lap?
FP3Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrYes but keep the position.

Qualifying

SessionFromToMessage
Q1Max VerstappenXevi PujolarI had a lot of rear locking and traction problems.
Q1Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenCopy that.
Q1Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceOh I can see the thunder is very close to us. Going to chuck down soon.
Q1Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergCopy that Nico.
Q2Nico RosbergTony RossRain was imminent as Q2 began.
How urgent to do a fast out-lap?
Q2Tony RossNico RosbergVery urgent, Nico, important, first lap will be it.
Q2Tony RossNico RosbergRosberg seems to have been given this message on his flying lap, probably on the straight before the last corner.
So there’s good chance of slippery surface last corner. You’re up, so just take it easier.
Q2David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenOK so unfortunately Kimi we are P11. Obviously now with the rain it’s going to be impossible to improve on that position.
Q2Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonYou guys got me out, got us out too far behind everyone.
Q2Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonYeah Lewis engine didn’t fire up for some reason. We’ll investigate afterwards.
Q3Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsWe need to be in the last lap on the inter, make sure. New inter in the last lap.
Q3Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasCopy.
Q3Romain GrosjeanJulien Simon-ChautempsGrosjean hadn’t driven the new Lotus in the rain conditions before. He started the session on full wet weather tyres then switched to interediates but ran out of time to set his flying lap on them.
Now box?
Q3Julien Simon-ChautempsRomain GrosjeanYes, yes, track 2, torque 12. Box this lap.
Q3Romain GrosjeanJulien Simon-ChautempsOK, nox this lap. Very strange.
Q3Alan PermaneRomain GrosjeanRomain we’ll explain it after, this is the way to go for sure, I promise you.
Q3Nico RosbergTony RossNot for the first time, Rosberg coes up against the limits of what drivers can’t be told on the radio under the current rules.
The guy who’s on first, is he doing dry lines nearly anywhere? Even braking?
Q3Tony RossNico RosbergCan’t help you with lines, Nico.
Q3Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelWell done, really happy…
Q3Sebastian VettelRiccardo AdamiNot again! Not again, after last year, same! One tenth! Really happy guys. Great reaction in difficult conditions.
RPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonNice work Lewis, P1 mate, you did it with that first lap.

2015 Malaysian Grand Prix

SessionFromToMessage
RLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonFor future reference, be good to have someone, something to try and keep my steering wheel cool. It’s roasting.
RNico HulkenbergBrad JoyceWoah, mega first lap so far!
RLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonWhat’s the scenario up ahead in terms of positions and tyres?
RPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK so you are currently P6. You are the first [hard] runner, the first guy to stop, obviously, so you have Vettel, Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Sainz, Perez all on [medium] tyres ahead.
RPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis so Vettel the car ahead, you are P2, he’s ten seconds up the road, he is yet to stop.
RNico HulkenbergBrad JoyceI’m in the cleanest air you can possible have and these guys are all over us.
RKimi RaikkonenDavid GreenwoodOK Kimi race situation we are P6, Massa and Bottas infrotn,we expect them to stop soon, we still have a good chance of fourth. Pace is very, very good. Very good pace.
RRiccardo AdamiSebastian VettelUpdate on tyre appearance: Tyre appearance in first stint was good, it’s looking positive.
RXevi PujolarMax VerstappenOK do not fight with Raikkonen, look after tyres. You think you can do five more laps?
RMax VerstappenXevi PujolarI don’t know.
RXevi PujolarMax VerstappenCopy that.
RVarious voicesSebastian VettelYes, yes, great drive, well done. Numero uno, top class. Ferrari’s back. Fantasico, grande Seb.
RSebastian VettelRiccardo AdamiWoohoo! Yes! Si, ragazzi. Grazie mille ragazzi. Forza Ferrari! (Thanks very much boys, forward Ferrari!)

Follow F1 Fanatic Live on Twitter for commentary during all live F1 sessions.

Malaysian Grand Prix data

Author information

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

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50 comments on “2015 Malaysian Grand Prix team radio highlights”

  1. I think there is some race chatter missing.

    1. @philipgb indeed, I was especially looking out for the messages given to Rosberg and Hamilton during the race saying they would catch Vettel.

      1. @philipgb As it says in the article, this is a selection of the messages which were broadcast.

        1. @keithcollantine Does that indicate there is a separate article on the way on what happened at Merc?

          1. @crammond That was covered in some detail on Sunday – in fact all three of the regular data articles had a Mercedes angle which is pretty unusual:

            Mercedes couldn’t sustain their Ferrari-beating pace
            How Mercedes’ Safety Car strategy backfired
            Mercedes’ race problems began in qualifying

            And as I say there was far less radio traffic broadcast to begin with so there isn’t the scope to do something like this article after Bahrain last year:

            How Mercedes made it a fair fight between Hamilton and Rosberg

          2. @keithcollantine I wanted to show to some people that there was hard proof Rosberg was indeed going for a one stop, prime/prime, after the SC because his engineer told him so. Not really bothered with reading every sentence though…

        2. @keithcollantine

          Ah, I thought it was just an over site missing out the actual ‘highlights’ with Hamiltons qualifying message accidentally being included in the race transcript :-)

    2. Yes. Including all the messages where Merc-engineers told their drivers they were on plan for winning.

      1. @crammond I want to see where Rosberg is being told he’s going to do a one stop after the SC pitstop going prime/prime.

      2. I wanted to hear the discussion meant for Rosberg that was open-miked to Hamilton, the explanation of which in turn ticked off Hamilton mightily. That wasn’t clear from the NBC broadcast. But it’s hard to complain about this summary considering the work that goes into it and how interesting it is.

    3. @philipgb @crammond @xtwl @dmw Are you interested in seeing more of the messages which were included in the main race broadcast, regardless of whether you’ve heard them already? I tend to not bother with a lot of those on the assumption that everyone’s already familiar with them, but if that’s not the case it’s no problem to include more of them in future articles.

      1. Michael Ingraham
        2nd April 2015, 12:49

        Yes, at least for the race. Perhaps qualifying too. I think the “off line” radio transmissions can give some insight to what was happening in the race.

      2. I´ve now assembled those through the various articles, so I don´t think bothering for this particular race would be worthwile. On a general note I do like it to have them all accessible in one place, as as far as I remember it has been before this race. I do appreciate you asking, though.

  2. Red Bull was suppose to act like Renault’s factory team but it’s Toro Rosso that is making better use of (though under-powered) Renault PU… overall, TR package is looking stronger than RB.

    1. The very first comment Carlos Sainz makes is that the driveability is a big step forward. I read it that Renault made a big step forward regarding driveability. If so, Red Bull must have felt that too?

    2. @jcost In all fairness Caterham’s package was stronger than RBR’s during testing last year.

      OK, Race 2 is hardly a testing weekend, but surely the same principles do apply?

  3. The Mclaren drivers seem to be having some really depressing conversations with the pitwall

  4. I’m in the cleanest air you can possible have and these guys are all over us.

    Lol, is that Hulkenberg describing holding up a long line of cars?

    It’s like that joke of the old people towing a caravan hearing on the radio that there is a traffic jam on their road and they can’t see it.

    1. @patrickl
      I think this was his way of describing to the team how badly they need to improve the car, as he did manage to get into an excellent track position, but then realised that practically everyone else was faster than him. Even Jenson Button noticed that while catching up on cars that were held up by Hülkenberg.

  5. I’m so sad about how few messages they gave us. I love these radio articles you put together for us Keith… The new F1.com is disappointment after disappointment. Honestly they old one was totally fine and didn’t feel outdated to me at all. They could easily have squeezed another 3-4 years out of it.

    1. And the app is useless. It crashes if you look at it funny.

    2. Totally agree on F1 .com!
      They are just pushing F1 Access.

  6. What’s the point of the column “Sesson”?

    1. It provides a link to each specific comment, for example here’s Kvyat saying Red Bull went backwards on set-up on Saturday morning.

  7. @keithcollantine I wish we had more transcripts from the race. I was particularly interested in what was being said between Massa, Bottas and their engineers on the last 3 laps of the race.

    1. @lubhz Perhaps less is being broadcast at the moment simply because they’ve just put all these new systems in place and they’re still bedding in, in which case it will improve as the season goes on. If not I agree it would be a shame.

  8. I was right! Stella isn’t Alonso’s engineer? Why though? Is he on gardening leave from Ferrari?

    1. That’s a bit strange I’m sure I’ve seen him on the McLaren pitwall

    2. @mashiat I’m pretty sure he is there with him.

      1. @xtwl Maybe as a performance engineer? Or in a higher position despite moving to another team because of their driver like Massa and Smedley at Williams.

  9. Thank’s for the article, Keith, but this just seems poor compared to last year. I know it’s not your fault, but I’m very disappointed.

    I loved the detailed transcripts from last season. They gave a great insight into what was going on behind the scenes. It’s such a shame they aren’t available…

  10. @keithcollantine I thought Vettel “sang” blue flags at one point?

    1. @davidnotcoulthard He did. And got a grammy for it.

      1. The biggest album of 2015: Paddock Blues by Sebastian Vettel, featuring the hit single “Blue Flags.”

      2. “It’s not fair”, Hamilton was heard to complain, “I’m a much better singer than he is!”

  11. “Forza Ferrari” is better translated as “Ferrari force” maybe not literally but sounds better ;)

    1. @mantresx The real question is, does it need translation…

    2. I think “Go Ferrari” is better. “Ferrari force” doesn’t even make much sense.

    3. I’m Italian, “Forza Ferrari” doesn’t mean “Ferrari Force” at all, it means “Come on Ferrari!”, or “Go Ferrari!” as @toiago said

  12. Isn’t “nice work Lewis, P1 mate” part of qualifying? Or is he being congratulated for lining up on the grid or something?

  13. @keithcollantine
    is there going to be a more comprehensive version of race radio chatter as you published in previous years?

  14. Does anybody know what is going on with that conversation where they tell Carlos Sainz not to let Ricciardo through?

    “Let’s keep the position, keep the position to Ricciardo, don’t let him by.”
    “Is Ricciardo in a push lap?”
    “Yes but keep the position.”

    Is that a big deal (especially since the Toro Rosso boy’s are not supposed to get in the way of the Red Bulls)? Or is there nothing strange here?

  15. Joey of the Bacons
    1st April 2015, 22:44

    Why can’t we have the full radio transcripts anymore?

    1. (Also to @ifelix) We could, but the simple fact is at the moment a transcript of all the messages which were broadcast during the race would not add up to much of an article. At a guess I’d say we’d be looking at about 50 messages, whereas last year that number was consistently much higher. That’s why I’ve decided to expand it from just the race to the entire weekend, in order to give the article more substance. As I said, I don’t know why FOM have been broadcasting so much less radio traffic since the season began.

      I also felt the previous articles got quite repetitive in terms of the messages that were in them – we’d regularly have the same stuff about start procedures and tyres going off which often wasn’t particularly enlightening.

      I should also point out that we have previously had the problem that people assumed the previous articles contained every single radio message, rather then just those which were broadcast in the first place. This revised format makes it clearer that wasn’t the case to begin with and isn’t now either.

      1. Can anybody theoretically get access to all radio transcripts? I mean somebody not inside the F1 and not related to F1 anyhow, just ordinary people who watch F1 on TV.

        1. The transcripts were written by F1 Fanatic based on what was broadcast, they weren’t supplied by anyone.

          1. Yes, I know that. You doing great job, I like it, thank you very much.
            I mean whether it is possible to get all radio transcripts for people like you and me? If you will receive it, you can add it here in full and it will be very interesting.
            (sorry for my bad english, it is not my native language)

  16. Looking at the race section, it would appear as if there was a radio ban for the race! Again, the first entry within the race section actually belongs to qualifying I guess: “Nice work Lewis, P1 mate, you did it with that first lap.”

    1. @zenren Thanks, have moved it.

Comments are closed.