2015 Chinese Grand Prix team radio transcript

2015 Chinese Grand Prix

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Nico Rosberg’s radio messages during the Chinese Grand Prix revealed his frustration at being held up by Lewis Hamilton during the middle of the grand prix.

Hamilton led Rosberg home for a Mercedes one-two but at one stage the team warned Hamilton if he did not pick up his pace they were prepared to hand Rosberg a strategic advantage which could have won him the race.

Also during the race Fernando Alonso struggled with a recurring handling imbalance on his car which McLaren tried to solve by cleaning his rear wing.

Considerably more team radio was broadcast during the Chinese Grand Prix than in the previous two races, and as many readers have expressed a preference for a longer transcript of what was said, here’s a review of the conversations heard during the Chinese Grand Prix.

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2015 Chinese Grand Prix team radio transcript

Lap*FromToMessage
FLUnknownLewis HamiltonTyre temps 100 front, 97 rear. The field is quite spread so we need to bunch them up a bit.
2Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatDanny, all OK with that car?
2Daniil KvyatGianpiero LambiaseYeah all OK at the moment.
2Carlos Sainz JnrMarco MatassaDon’t talk me in the corners, please.
3Tony RossNico RosbergSo just confirmation expect rear to feel weak initially before the front starts to grain.
3Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrSainz spun at the turn one.
OK Carlos no problem, no problem, stay calm, we are faster of the car ahead of us. The race is long, we have 55 laps.
3Daniil KvyatGianpiero LambiaseI’m really struggling for the grip.
3Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatYep, copy. Things will improve in the next couple of laps, it will settle down, don’t worry.
4Tim WrightSergio PerezTwo cars ahead are four-tenths quicker but Kvyat is struggling.
5Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieLosing a bit of time. Should we box?
5Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoUnderstood, mate, we are looking into other strategies. Stay out, stay out.
5Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatKvyat let Ricciardo past on lap six.
OK Danny you have Daniel behind, Ricciardo behind. Do not fight him. We are on different strategies.
7Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieHe’s left me open then cut me. He’s got to let me by.
7Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatDanny we are on different strategies to Daniel, OK?
7Daniil KvyatGianpiero LambiaseYeah he has to get in the tow.
7Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatDo not hold, do not hold Daniel.
7Tom StallardJenson ButtonJenson we’re considering plan B. How are the tyres?
7Jenson ButtonTom StallardTyres are OK, rears going away first.
7Tom StallardJenson ButtonJenson Red Bull are about to swap positions, be useful to stay close if we can, there may be opportunity.
8David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenTyre temps look very, very good Kimi. Everything looks on target to be able to do the length of stint we need.
8Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasGive us feedback on the tyres when you can.
8Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsStill consistent, it’s no problem.
9Mark TempleFernando AlonsoOK Fernando we need to try and get past if we can. We’re on plan A still, target minus five.
9Mark SladePastor MaldonadoMaldonado overtook Nasr on the main straight.
Well done Pastor, good move.
9Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergFeedback on the tyres?
9Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceThey’re not in great shape to be honest.
10Mark TempleFernando AlonsoWe’re not sure about [medium] tyre pace at the moment they may not be great. How many laps can you do on this set? Can you do five?
10Fernando AlonsoMark TempleYes, yes.
10Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceI lost the gearbox, Something bad happened.
10Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergOK copy that. Find a safe place to park the car. Unlucky, Nico.
10Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceThink something went really wrong there. It’s a big bang.
10Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergRight, OK, understood.
10Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceI’ll switch it off.
11Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieI say we get off this tyre as soon as we can, it’s not getting any better.
11Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoUnderstood mate, we are looking at the difference between the tyres.
12Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoDaniel, update is [medium] is not looking great. I know you’re struggling on the [soft] but the [medium] does not look good.
12Tony RossNico RosbergSo attack if you want.
12Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonThe balance is quite good so what you plan?
12Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe’ll just stick to the plan.
13Max VerstappenXevi PujolarI’m behind Carlos, guys.
13Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenYes, he will let you go.
13Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrMax on new tyres and different strategy. Let him through now.
14Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOther people are experiencing the same thing as you. You are on the same pace as the Williams at the moment.
15Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo gap to Nico 2.5. Let us know what you think about going to [soft] next stint for a longer stint.
15Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonThese tyres are fine. These tyres are lasting pretty well.
15Mark TempleFernando AlonsoWe need good pace now, we’ve almost got the pit gap to Kvyat. Let’s push.
15Tony RossNico RosbergBox, box, Nico. We are going to [soft] tyre. Confirm you want to keep the same flap setting for the next [soft].
15Nico RosbergTony RossConfirm, the same.
15Tony RossNico RosbergCopy, flap the same.
17Daniil KvyatGianpiero LambiaseAnother Renault power unit problem ended Kvyat’s race.
No power.
17Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatStand by.
17Daniil KvyatGianpiero LambiaseOK I’m on fire.
17Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatOK. Position P0 if you can, mate. Jump out. Jump from the chassis.
17Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonYellow into turn six, look for oil down on the entry.
17Fernando AlonsoMark TempleMassive oversteer. Do we have a problem? [Unclear] Friday?
17Mark TempleFernando AlonsoFernando we can see similar issues to Friday. We’re keeping an eye on it. I’ll let you know if things get worse. Use the toys as much as you can.
18Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoRicciardo passed Sainz.
Nice job, mate. Let’s get after Ericsson. Let’s do him.
18Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrHow many laps on these tyres, you think?
18Carlos Sainz JnrMarco MatassaThe less possible. Three maximum. They are not working.
19Tony RossNico RosbergSo Nico gap to Lewis in front 2.6
19Nico RosbergTony RossOK Tony need to reduce the communication, please, I can see Lewis, I know what I have to do for now.
19Josh PeckettWill StevensThe race leader is seven seconds behind.
20David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenPace is good, last lap six-tenths quicker than Hamilton, looks like they might be managing their tyres for this stint.
20Nico RosbergTony RossLewis is driving very slow so get him to speed up.
20Tony RossNico RosbergPreceding message not broadcast
Copy that
21Nico RosbergTony RossIf I go closer I destroy my tyres like in my first stint, that’s the problem.
21Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonHamilton did a 1’43.9 on lap 20, 1’43.7s on the next two laps, then a 1’43.8 after which his times fell to 1’43.7 or less.
OK Lewis we’d like to pick the pace up a little bit. Target 43.7. Let us know if that’s possible.
21Mark TempleFernando Alonso[Soft] tyre deg looks lower than expected. We’re still on plan A target lap but we’re thinking of a change to [soft] tyre final stint. How’s the balance on this set?
21Fernando AlonsoMark TempleOversteer.
21Mark TempleFernando AlonsoOK understood that’s probably our Friday issue, we’ll see what we can do in the pit stop. We want to try and close on Jenson at the end of the stint, he will have to run [medium] at the end. We may have opportunities there.
21Fernando AlonsoMark TempleMaybe they need to work three stops, we see how many laps people do in the soft and don’t stop too early in our last stint and make it too long.
21Mark TempleFernando AlonsoAbsolutely. We’ve got good data from the first stint. We’ll keep an eye on the others, though.
23Mark TempleFernando AlonsoAnd Fernando we’re not sure the fuel dash is working correctly. Can we have multi H 13 position two.
23Tony RossNico RosbergSo wear information from the first set, Nico: left-front most worn, 30 remaining. Rears look in reasonable condition.
24Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenYou’re closing the gap with the guys ahead, the two Lotus, so keep it like this and look after the tyres.
25Carlos Sainz JnrMarco MatassaNo gearbox. Nothing is happening
25Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrSainz slowed at the start of the main straight, then picked up speed again.
Stand by. I will let you know. Upshift, clutch upshift.
25Carlos Sainz JnrMarco MatassaNothing, nothing. No.
25Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrOK.
25Romain GrosjeanJulien Simon-ChautempsThe rear end is weird.
25Julien Simon-ChautempsRomain GrosjeanOK Romain we can’t see anything wrong. Keep pushing. Suggest diff entry six.
26Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrThe race is not finished. Let’s push to the maximum, let’s see what we’ve got. Come on.
26Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel it’s going to get pretty tasty ahead of you. Nasr at the front of the group is one [medium], Perez is on [soft].
27David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenFirst stint tyre wear was good. Rear pressures are now much more under control. So it must be possible to go longer this stint.
27Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonFrom lap 27 Hamilton’s lap times were 1’43.6, 1’43.6, 1’43.2, 1’43.0, 1’42.2 and 1’42.3, after which he pitted. Had Mercedes carried out their threat to bring Rosberg into the pits first it’s likely he would have jumped ahead of Hamilton into the lead.
OK Lewis so minimum target lap time 43.3, otherwise may have to stop Nico first.
28Mark TempleFernando AlonsoHow are the tyres?
28Fernando AlonsoMark TempleDifficult to know with the oversteer we have in the car. I have destroyed the rears as well. So high speed turns the car is not working.
29Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelCan you go faster tham this, Seb?
29Sebastian VettelRiccardo AdamiNot much. Not by much. I’m on the limit. The problem is the closer I get the more I’m in the dirty air.
29Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelOK, copy.
30Nico RosbergTony RossMy front-left is becoming a problem.
30Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelOK push now and box, Sebastian, box.
30Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis that’s good, target lap time. Just stick to the plan. It’ll turn out good.
31Tony RossNico RosbergSo Nico box, box, box, push hard now.
31Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis so pushing hard, I know you are.
32Dave RobsonFelipe MassaOK Felipe this still looks good relative to the cars around us. This is still good and we are looking at target plus three.
32David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenAfter Vettel pitted early to try to undercut the Mercedes, Raikkonen in the other Ferrari was brought in later to try to attack the leaders with fresher tyres.
OK Kimi so plan is to try and go longer on this tyre and have a shorter stint at the end.
32Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieOK any info on the [medium]?
32Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoRange doesn’t look fantastic. Ericsson has to do 28 laps on his [medium].
33Tim WrightSergio PerezPerez passed Alonso.
Good job Checo, keep pushing.
33Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis box box. Let us know on flap adjust. We are going to go three turns unless we hear from you.
33Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonInformation: Nico went down four turns, we are going to go three.
33Jenson ButtonTom StallardFront-left is shot, front-left is struggling a lot.
33Tom StallardJenson ButtonOK Jenson box this lap.
34David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenThis is good, Kimi, keep it up.
35Mark SladePastor MaldonadoPastor, do we need a front wing?
35Pastor MaldonadoMark SladeMaldonado went off at the pit lane exit.
No, no. I didn’t touch. Sorry about that.
35Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonHamilton had complained about his seat overheating on more than one occasion earlier in practice and qualifying.
Seat’s getting hot again.
37Mark TempleFernando AlonsoTyre debris stuck to the rear wing and affecting the airflow may have been the ‘Friday problem’ McLaren referred to earlier.
And Fernando box this lap, confirm. OK that’s good. We’re going to have a longer stop than normal, possibly we’re going to try and clean the rear wing so just be aware of that.
38Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonHow’s the pace of the Ferraris?
38Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonVettel 43.9, Kimi 43.3.
39Dave RobsonFelipe MassaThe situation ahead is that Raikkonen is quite a long way ahead but he’s currently lapping 1’43.5s and is saving his tyres. We are happy with the tyres so we can push on.
41David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenSafety Car window is open. It would be a free pit stop. We would stay in the same position.
41Mark SladePastor MaldonadoAny damage, Pastor?
41Pastor MaldonadoMark SladeNo.
42David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenThis is good, Kimi. Alonso will be a blue flag. Just keep closing the gap.
42Fernando AlonsoMark TempleLooks like a message intended to be heard by the race director with the aim of preventing Alonso from getting a blue flag which would delay him.
Raikkonen is not catching up so I cannot drop that much.
42Mark TempleFernando AlonsoUnderstood Fernando we can see Raikkonen is not catching up.
43Jenson ButtonTom StallardWho are the two cars behind me and are we racing them?
43Tom StallardJenson ButtonJenson the car behind is Maldonado. You are racing Malaondo. He spun, he is on [medium] as well.
43Kimi RaikkonenDavid GreenwoodCome on, get that McLaren out of the way.
43David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenWe are on to Charlie [Whiting, race director] now.
45Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoRenault drive-ability problems resurface for Ricciardo.
OK charge six, we see the problem. Charge six, we see you’ve got some clips.
46Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK mate let’s knuckle down. I’ll give you Nasr’s lap times, he’s doing 44.5 ahead of you.
46Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieWhat am I doing?
46Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoYou can do 43.9 in clear air.
46Kimi RaikkonenDavid GreenwoodCome on, get these two cars out of the way.
46David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenCopy, understood.
47Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel pace is good. You are catching Nasr half a second a lap at least, good job.
48Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel this pace is very good. Keep it up, people will struggle at the end.
49Tom StallardJenson ButtonButton collided with Maldonado.
Jenson how’s the car, is there damage to the car?
49Jenson ButtonTom StallardYeah there is to the front wing. Have to see how it is.
50Mark SladePastor MaldonadoAny damage, Pastor? On our side everything looks OK, Pastor. Tyre pressures are good.
50Pastor MaldonadoMark SladeI have a failure in the brakes.
51Tom StallardJenson ButtonOK Jenson we can see some aerodynamic loss. How’s the balance?
51Jenson ButtonTom StallardIt’s OK to stay out.
51Tom StallardJenson ButtonCopy that, stay out.
52Mark SladePastor MaldonadoOK cool the brakes, Pastor. We are boxing this lap. To retire.
54Mark TempleFernando AlonsoWe still see the Friday issues have come back so don’t take any risks, let’s make sure we get to the end.
54Max VerstappenXevi PujolarVerstappen retired with an engine problem. His car stopped on the pit straight which brought the Safety Car out.
Problem, problem. Oh man…
55Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonAre they not going to move that car?
55Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe’ll see what happens there, Lewis. Two laps remaining.
56Jenson ButtonTom StallardWe’re supposed to try and catch the Safety Car, right?
56Tom StallardJenson ButtonJenson the Safety Car was deployed after Fernando passed SC1 [Safety Car Line One] we believe, so he still has to drive to the delta for this lap, do not try to overtake him.
56Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonSo we’re going to finish behind the Safety Car?
56Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonAffirm, Lewis. Looks that way.
56Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo there will be no overtaking.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonGreat stuff Lewis, great stuff. Stellar weekend, mate. That’s a full house.
VLPaddy LoweLewis HamiltonGreat job, Lewis, fantastic win.
VLLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonGreat job all weekend, guys. Woo! Yeah, man!
VLPaddy LoweNico RosbergGreat job Nico, one-two for the team. Not good for you but good for the team result.
VLRiccardo AdamiSebastian VettelYes, P3. Well done, mate. Another podium, good effort.
VLSebastian VettelRiccardo AdamiGood job, guys. Just a bit too quick today. I think on the [softs] we were more competitive but on the [mediums] it was a bit more difficult. But grazie ragazzi [thanks boys]. Grande lavoro [great effort]. Un altra podio [another podium].
VLDavid GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenOK good job Kimi.
VLKimi RaikkonenDavid GreenwoodThank you.
VLFelipe MassaDave RobsonYeah we did the best of the race. Unfortunately we couldn’t get the Ferraris but it was a good race. Thank you guys.
VLDave RobsonFelipe MassaCheers Felipe, nice job, another good, solid race. Good performance, looked after the tyres well, two good stints on the [medium] there.
VLJonathan EddollsValtteri BottasP6, good job. Beaten by cars that were quicker today.
VLJulien Simon-ChautempsRomain GrosjeanWell done mate, good job, first point of the season.
VLRomain GrosjeanJulien Simon-ChautempsGood job guys. Not easy on the second stint but this is for you and a little bit for Jules.
VLCraig GardinerFelipe NasrThat’s P8. Well done that was a solid race and good pace also.
VLFelipe NasrCraig GardinerSo P8 for us then?
VLCraig GardinerFelipe NasrConfirm, P8.
VLFelipe NasrCraig GardinerOK. Good job guys, We had no chance early on in the race. Anyway, still some good points.
VLCraig GardinerFelipe NasrYep, worked out well.
VLSimon RennieDaniel RicciardoWe were in with a good shout there mate, bit of a shame about the Safety Car for us, you were doing a great job in that last stint.
VLErik SchuivensMarcus EricssonOK Marcus well done. We’re P10, Felipe managed to get P8, Ricciardo in between. Think you showed a good fight, good overtaking, good defending. It wasn’t too easy, think we picked up a bit too much understeer actually. Maybe the track picked up some grip and the rear end gained more than the front end.
VLMarcus EricssonErik SchuivensI was struggling a lot in the low speed with the front tyres not working at all. Slow and medium speed was difficult, Anyway we got some points, that’s good. Or one point!
VLMark TempleFernando AlonsoOK Fernando that is the end of the race. We finished P12, got both cars home. That’s a good step forward. Had a few difficulties during the race but hopefully had a fight at times.
VLFernando AlonsoMark TempleYeah it’s OK guys. First race really for me so good to bring the car home. We know soon we will have a little bit more fun.
VLMark TempleFernando AlonsoAbsolutely.

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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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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22 comments on “2015 Chinese Grand Prix team radio transcript”

  1. Mark Temple is Alonso’s engineer where Tom Stallard is Jenson’s.

    1. @ambroserpm Not sure how those got transposed but have swapped them back – thanks!

    2. About Alonso’s engineer, what happened to Andrea Stella?

      1. Different role. Don’t know what.

        1. I think he’s still in the race engineering team for now.. Probably more senior.. When he joined the statement was that we was to transition into a more broad role in the organisation.

  2. “Pastor, do we need a front wing?”

    Lotus should put that on a t-shirt.

  3. “43 Kimi Raikkonen David Greenwood Come on, get that McLaren out of the way.”

    “46 Kimi Raikkonen David Greenwood Come on, get these two cars out of the way.”

    Ultimate Kimi :D :D

    Another thing I noted is how much of Alonso’s radio being telecasted now when he is in Mclaren, whereas in Ferrari there were hardly any radio conversation of him being telecasted.

    Also there is not much of Vettel’s radio. Is it that FOM deliberately don’t broadcast most of the messages transmitted to Ferrari drivers?

    1. P.S. Thanks @keithcollantine for full race transcripts :)

  4. From lap 27 Hamilton’s lap times were 1’43.6, 1’43.6, 1’43.2, 1’43.0, 1’42.2 and 1’42.3, after which he pitted. Had Mercedes carried out their threat to bring Rosberg into the pits first it’s likely he would have jumped ahead of Hamilton into the lead.

    Rosberg was actually pitted first, as can be seen from the transcripts around lap 30. Hamilton then put in the two laps in the 1’42s and pitted afterwards.

    Things weren’t as close in China as they were in Bahrain.

    1. Thanks Mark,

      i thought the same thing, and was wondering why the speculative narrative was added to the communications in this particular case.

  5. Ah, this is the format we’ve grown to love.

    So insightful – and clear, whereas in the previous format I’ve felt as if someone had taken the full transcript away from me, torn it into pieces and then threw selected pieces of it at me without much regard to coherence.

  6. Unknown to LH, first lap:

    The field is quite spread so we need to bunch them up a bit.

    There’s your answer Nico.

    1. Scrub that! FL = formation lap, right? Duh.

  7. Great job Nico, one-two for the team. Not good for you but good for the team result.

    Nico; Thanks Paddy….

  8. Love reading these – thanks for posting them, Keith.

    Just curious, is this the entire broadcast or are there messages that the public doesn’t see?

  9. Thank you @keithcollantine for bringing this back! This articles belong to my favourite ones :)

  10. keith this transcripts are the best! Great! ;)

  11. ‘Hamilton had complained about his seat overheating on more than one occasion earlier in practice and qualifying.
    “Seat’s getting hot again.”‘

    Looks like they forgot to remove the seat warmers from the car ;)

  12. Thanks!

  13. Top job on the extended transcript. Interesting reading Alonso’s chatter that Raikkonen wasn’t catching him. It looked a lot like he did from what I remember watching it.

    1. @philipgb He was catching him like you said. The point to be noted by Alonso is that he is being lapped and not passed because of being in an alternate strategy. He should give way even if it means coming to a crawl. I don’t think he was fighting any car at the point to be worried about losing places as well.

      Also China being difficult for cars to follow the ones in front, I doubt Kimi would want to destroy his tires closing up to him.

  14. Kvyat: “OK I’m on fire.”

    This made me chuckle.

Comments are closed.