2015 Russian Grand Prix team radio transcript

2015 Russian Grand Prix

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Nico Rosberg’s race ending throttle failure was the moment his team mate’s championship chances began to look like a near-certainty. The drama unfolded in a series of radio messages which revealed the difficulty he was having with his car in the braking zones which swiftly led him to park up.

It wasn’t a trouble-free day for Lewis Hamilton either – but Rosberg would have surely swapped his team mate’s minor problems with tyre temperature and the W06’s rear wing for his terminal defect.

Button made sure the stewards were on to Sainz
As in Japan the McLaren drivers were struggling with an uncompetitive car. Fernando Alonso found humour in the idea he was able to race with the likes of Felipe Massa, and Jenson Button was under no illusions about the car’s shortcomings at Sochi.

Button had other things on his mind as well. He made sure the stewards were aware Carlos Sainz Jnr had broken a rule and even asked why his rival hadn’t been penalised at one stage. Button’s team mate, meanwhile, was on the receiving end of FIA justice having been warned about corner-cutting early in the race and voiced doubt over whether the call was correct.

Perhaps the most surprised driver on the radio in Russia was Sebastian Vettel. No driver expects to see someone standing on the track in front of them, but it’s now happened to Vettel twice in the last three races. At least the marshal who was collecting a piece of debris last Sunday had a reason to be there, unlike the Singapore track invader.

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2015 Russian Grand Prix team radio transcript

Lap*FromToMessage
PRTim WrightSergio PerezCheco just a reminder: In the last minute we’re not allowed to speak to you. It’s just gone three minutes to go so once the car’s fired up we won’t be able to speak to you any more.
PRDave RobsonFelipe MassaMessage was cut.
Felipe just a reminder about that revision of turn two. So the marker and the bollard and the line have gone and it’s just a…
FLSimon RennieDaniel RicciardoWind very low but it is a bit of a tail wind turn two, now.
FLLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonBig under-engagement.
2Romain GrosjeanJulien
Simon-Chautemps
Front wing!
2Julien
Simon-Chautemps
Romain GrosjeanOK, copy that.
2Romain GrosjeanJulien
Simon-Chautemps
Check on the data what’s happening.
2Julien
Simon-Chautemps
Romain GrosjeanOK we’re checking, keep pushing. What happened, Romain, what happened?
2Romain GrosjeanJulien
Simon-Chautemps
Hulkenberg turned in to me in the turn one I think he clipped my front wing.
2Julien
Simon-Chautemps
Romain GrosjeanOK.
2Romain GrosjeanJulien
Simon-Chautemps
Perez, I don’t know. Perez, I think.
2Max VerstappenXevi PujolarFront tyre’s flat.
2Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenAre you OK to continue?
2Max VerstappenXevi PujolarYeah it’s the tyre. I couldn’t do anything about it the car just came spinning to me.
2Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenWhat is the damage on the car, Max?
2Max VerstappenXevi PujolarLeft-rear, the tyre.
2Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenOK, what about bodywork?
2Max VerstappenXevi PujolarI can’t see any damage. Maybe a little bit the left-rear, the floor, but I can’t see it.
2Fernando AlonsoMark TempleIt was quite messy into turn two. I had to avoid the accident of the Force India.
2Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceHulkenberg and Ericsson collided at turn two at the start.
I think that’s it.
2Brad JoyceNico HulkenbergOK. Can you get back? Are you sure you can’t get it going?
2Nico HulkenbergBrad JoyceNo, we’re really stuck into each other.
3Tony RossNico RosbergReminder on debris turn two and three. Anything now in terms of tyre warming will be helpful. If the debris is gone, Nico, it’ll probably go this lap, so it’ll be worth just getting some temperature into everything.
3Tom StallardJenson ButtonJenson the Safety Car is in this lap. You’re doing the right thing to start warming the brakes.
3Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasRemember overtaking from the Safety Car line.
4Tom StallardJenson ButtonFor the restart you should go to Yellow G6. When you do that you will automatically get the Red Button mode.
4Jenson ButtonTom StallardCorrection: You won’t get the Red Button mode automatically. You need to push the Red Button for Red Button mode. And Yellow G6.
4Tom StallardJenson ButtonJenson Red Button again, Red Button please.
4Jenson ButtonTom StallardYeah it’s still cutting off.
4Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasBottas passed Raikkonen at the restart.
Excellent move, nice one.
5Nico RosbergTony RossMy throttle pedal is broken. Advise. If it sticks, what do I do?
5Tony RossNico RosbergNico it will kill on brake pressure.
5Nico RosbergTony RossAm I able to go to zero percent pedal on braking?
5Tony RossNico RosbergIt’s not going there at the moment, Nico.
5Tony RossNico RosbergIt did the last event.
5Tony RossNico RosbergSo for turn ten it didn’t, for turn nine it did.
6Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenPace is good, both one second faster than group ahead.
7Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrWell done Carlos, P13, keep pushing. 1.91, focus on that, please.
7Nico RosbergTony RossRosberg’s throttle problem forced him to retire.
Have a think, have a think, what can go wrong now. Am I charging enough, is there anything I need to do?
7Tony RossNico RosbergCopy, copy, battery’s good. So Nico just need to adapt to the situation, we’ll try and let you know if there’s anything else that we can think of. There’s quite a lot of brake/throttle overlap there, better then.
8Nico RosbergTony RossIt’s pushing whilst I’m completely off the pedal so I’m boxing.
8Tony RossNico RosbergOK. Bite point for please Nico.
8Tony RossNico RosbergSo gents we’ve switched off at the moment. I’m not sure if there’s anything we can do to sort the problem out.
8Nico RosbergTony RossSo the pedal has popped back completely towards me but it’s riding the throttle even when I’m not pushing the throttle.
9Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis good job let’s settle into a rhythm, set a pace.
10Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonWho’s the car behind?
10Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK Lewis last lap Bottas 42.9. Gap is at two seconds now so you can cut some of the fuel saving, you’re doing too good a job. We can start to use a bit of that fuel, build the gap.
10Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo Lewis your team mate has retired so let’s refocus, get one with this race.
11Julien
Simon-Chautemps
Romain GrosjeanOK Romain so lap time is competitive with the other [soft] runners. So we are P13, it is a long race, everything can happen.
11Tim WrightSergio PerezCheco the Red Bulls do not have any pressure on them at the moment. Cars behind Red Bulls are also slower than you.
12Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrOK Carlos well done. Now focus on pace.
12Tim WrightSergio PerezBox this lap, box box, pit confirm.
13Julien
Simon-Chautemps
Romain GrosjeanGrosjean crashed heavily at turn three. No response broadcast.
Romain, all OK?
13Sebastian VettelRiccardo AdamiIs he OK?
13Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelYeah he is OK, he jumped out. Was a big shunt.
13Jenson ButtonTom StallardButton saw Sainz cutting the pit lane entry line.
The car in front just crossed the entrance line, he crossed the line at pit entry.
13Mark SladePastor MaldonadoPastor confirming Romain’s absolutely fine, he walked away from the car no problem.
14David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenFor info Kimi one of the reasons why we think Grosjean might have gone off is he lost it on the marbles in turn three. Just for info.
15Mark TempleFernando AlonsoOK Fernando so situation is we’ve fitted a set of [super-softs]. If we can we’ll try and go to the end on it but obviously we don’t want to have to back off to do that so drive for best pace. If we have to make an extra stop, we will.
15Tom StallardJenson ButtonOK Jenson so eight cars have not pitted. Top six are all on [super-soft] but Massa and Maldonado on the [soft] have also not pitted.
15Jenson ButtonTom StallardI felt that tyre was wearing relatively quickly.
15Tom StallardJenson ButtonOK Jenson we’re checking the tyres now.
15Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonI think this is the slowest the Safety Car has ever gone, can’t keep the temperature in the tyres.
15Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonOK copy that Lewis we are talking to them. Just do what you can do.
15Tim WrightSergio PerezCheco behind you is Ricciardo, he’s stopped, he’s on the same tyre, same age as you. Then Verstappen behind him is on the same tyre but plus 11 laps.
16Dave RobsonFelipe MassaOK Felipe this is good. We’re currently P7, obviously the lead [soft] runner. Key now is Nasr ahead. Get past him and we are quicker than the Red Bulls.
16Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasSo for info Hamilton in front is complaining a lot about tyre temperatures with the pace of this Safety Car so he may struggle at the restart. Race update: The key in the second half of the stint is to gain as much of a gap on the Ferraris as possible so we’ve got track position and we can react to anything that they do.
17Kimi RaikkonenDavid GreenwoodRaikkonen went off at turn two while trying to keep Vettel behind.
Do I have to let him past or not?
17David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenJust finding out. I’ll let you know as soon as I can.
17Kimi RaikkonenDavid GreenwoodOK I’ll let him past. I have no speed in a straight line on those restarts, they just drive past me every time.
18Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelOK you’re good there, keep pushing, well done.
18Mark SladePastor MaldonadoOK Pastor watch your pedal stiffness, watch the brake pedal stiffness.
19Josh PeckettWill StevensStevens had to make an extra pit stop after flat-spotting his tyres.
OK Will let’s get our head back into the game, a lot can happen in this time. We’re back on the [super-soft] tyre. Let’s consider diff switches to help with that.
19Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrKeep pushing, you’re doing an awesome job.
19Max VerstappenXevi PujolarI feel a strange vibration.
19Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrCopy that, we’ll have a look.
20Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonAnd Lewis you are in your Safety Car Window, not VSC.
21Max VerstappenXevi PujolarThe tyres have no grip any more.
21Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrCopy that Max. We need to keep going with these tyres.
21Josh PeckettWill StevensOK Will from what we’ve seen going to the end on this set seems to be possible. Other cars are trying the same.
22Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasSo for info car behind is now Vettel, he is starting to close the gap. He’s a little bit quicker than us at the moment. Give me feedback on the tyres.
22Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsTyres consistent. Could be some deg soon, that’s my feeling.
22Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel so Maldonado ahead is on the [softs] he started the race on. He does have to fit [super-softs] at some point but he might go a long way yet.
23Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonThe cars behind having deg?
23Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe’re not seeing much on lap time profile, Lewis, just an offset, so you’re doing a good job.
24Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonIs the car looking OK?
24Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonEverything looks OK to us at the moment.
24Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasHow many laps left on this tyre?
24Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsThere is quite a lot left but every lap is going to be slower.
24Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelIt’s a very good lap again, keep pushing like this, you’re doing well, very good lap.
25Mark TempleFernando AlonsoAlonso later received a five second penalty for cutting turn 16.
OK Fernando we’ve been given a warning about cutting the apex of turn 16.
25Fernando AlonsoMark TempleAre they sure? With four tyres? I don’t think so.
25Mark TempleFernando AlonsoOK Fernando FIA have warned us so we must be careful there.
26Jenson ButtonTom StallardSainz was given a five-second penalty for cutting the pit lane entrance line.
Why is Sainz not getting a penalty? Is Sainz getting a penalty for crossing the white line on entrance?
26Tom StallardJenson ButtonStand by Jenson, I’ll investigate.
27Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasJust keep doing what you’re doing, this is good, very good.
27Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsPresumably ‘Bangkok’ – if that is what is being said – is a code word.
Guys the tyres are dying.
27Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasBangkok, do you need a front wing adjust? Bangkok,
27Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsNegative.
27Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasCopy.
27Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonJust keep an eye on my front tyre temperatures. It’s the fronts that are looking to go off, I feel.
27Josh PeckettWill StevensOK Will the tyres from the first stint suggest that we can go to the end on this tyre. Come on, we can make this work.
27Mark TempleFernando AlonsoFernando if we have to pit again what’s your preference? [Soft] or [super-soft]?
27Fernando AlonsoMark TempleLeave the same whatever.
28Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelOK Bottas is having traffic so it’s good, keep pushing like this, keep your head down, crucial phase of the race.
29David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenOK Bottas is in traffic so keep pushing Kimi, a podium’s still possible.
29Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK so Sainz behind is getting the DRS, suggest closing up the gap a little bit to help you defend.
30Kimi RaikkonenDavid GreenwoodOK I’m losing my tyres.
30David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenWe don’t quite have the emerge on Bottas yet but he is still in traffic. Keep going as we are, Kimi.
30Tom StallardJenson ButtonHow are the tyres, and do you have a preference on compound?
30Jenson ButtonTom StallardI would say this tyre. But the tyre’s still good.
30Mark TempleFernando AlonsoAnd Fernando this is lap 29. How do you think the tyres are? Will they make it until the end?
30Fernando AlonsoMark TempleYeah I guess so. We try, no?
31David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenOK Seb is in this lap, we’ll be in the lap after, just hold on to it as much as you can, Kimi.
31Carlos Sainz JnrMarco MatassaI think we’re plan B at the moment.
31Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrUnderstood.
31Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo Vettel in the pits now. We expect another two laps, let us know you’re happy to do that.
31Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonOK.
31Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonGood man.
31Daniil KvyatGianpiero LambiaseThat’s it, I start losing a bit of front bite.
31Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatCopy Dany, thank you.
32Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasBottas lost a place to Vettel in the pits but stayed in front of Raikkonen.
Raikkonen’s in so we’ll be racing him, he’s going to be much closer.
32Jenson ButtonTom StallardHow is the wear looking now?
32Tom StallardJenson ButtonJenson still looks OK.
33Gianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatOK box and confirm Dany. Let’s have a clean stop, we’ll be racing Button.
33Mark TempleFernando AlonsoAnd Fernando we are going to be caught soon by cars who have made an extra stop. If we can get to the end on this set we are racing them to the end.
33Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelOK well done mate, well done.
34Jenson ButtonTom StallardThe shifts are very bad.
34Tom StallardJenson ButtonUnderstood Jenson, we’re looking at it.
34Jenson ButtonTom StallardIt’s not every shift.
34Mark TempleFernando AlonsoAnd Fernando we are racing Massa behind to the end.
34Fernando AlonsoMark TempleI love your sense of humour.
34Mark TempleFernando AlonsoWell maybe we can have some fun trying, anyway.
35Craig GardinerFelipe NasrWatch the white line pit exit, fight everyone.
36Tim WrightSergio PerezCheco you’re currently looking P3 on track. Ricciardo is keeping Bottas and Ricciardo behind.
36Mark SladePastor MaldonadoOK Pastor we need to pick up the pace, we need to target 42.3.
37Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel, bit of scrapping going on behind you. If you can catch up to Perez and get DRS it’ll help us out.
37Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasRace update: Ricciardo and Perez in front are on 24-lap-old [softs], they’re likely to go to the end.
38Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenHow is the balance now?
38Max VerstappenXevi PujolarGetting a bit better again.
38Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenCopy.
38Will StevensJosh PeckettThese fronts are starting to go by the way/ You can see front graining on both tyres.
38Josh PeckettWill StevensOK mate understood let’s try to manage it as best we can.
39Josh PeckettWill StevensOK Will there are 15 laps to go. Do you think you can make it to the end on this set?
39Will StevensJosh PeckettWell it’s worth a go, isn’t it?
39Josh PeckettWill StevensIt’s the fastest thing to do. Let’s stay out, let’s keep going.
39Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrRemember to look after your front brakes.
39Carlos Sainz JnrMarco MatassaWe are still critical, more under control. You need to look after your brakes.
40Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK Daniel you’re doing a very good job, mate. So we are P4 at the moment. Nobody around that needs to stop again.
40Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasSo to confirm Ricciardo and Perez in front are going to the end, they’re on very old [softs].
40Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe’ll just up the pace a little bit. 41.0 is the target lap time.
40Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonI’m in traffic.
40Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonYeah sure thing, just steady pace, 41.0, free air.
42Tim WrightSergio PerezCheco you’re still P3 but to make it work we’ve got to have maximum management on the front.
42Sergio PerezTim WrightYes, it’s what I’m doing man, I cannot do any more.
42Sergio PerezTim WrightWhich is the worst tyre, man? I cannot do more.
42Tim WrightSergio PerezCheco, right-front.
43Tim WrightSergio PerezManagement this lap was good.
43Riccardo AdamiSebastian VettelNine laps to go, you are the fastest out there. Hamilton lap time 1.1.
43Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo gap to Vettel 12.2 now, Vettel picking up the pace a little.
44Mark SladePastor MaldonadoOK Pastor good job, let’s see if we can get after the Sauber in front.
44Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasTen laps to go. Perez is starting to struggle badly. We can still get this podium.
45Dave RobsonFelipe MassaThis is good. Tyres are good so we can push to the end. There are a lot of cars ahead on old [soft] tyres and we can have them.
45Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoThere may be still opportunities ahead if you can catch up with Bottas and Perez.
46Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasBottas passed Ricciardo.
Brilliant stuff. So let’s get Perez who’s starting to struggle with his front tyres.
46Tim WrightSergio PerezBottas is through on Ricciardo, it took him 17 laps to get past.
47Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonFeels like the car is sliding through braking for turn one. Turn two, sorry.
48Carlos Sainz JnrMarco MatassaSainz retired.
OK, brake finished. I will box. The engine is doing something strange also.
48Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrBox, box. Slow the car down, box. Pit confirm.
48Carlos Sainz JnrMarco MatassaYeah, now brakes are gone. Lost in turn 13.
48Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrCome in very, very slowly the rear wing is damaged. Stay offline.
48Carlos Sainz JnrMarco MatassaOK, OK.
48Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrPark the car now, park off-line, yes, park the car.
48Marco MatassaCarlos Sainz JnrEngine off, engine off now.
49Sebastian VettelRiccardo AdamiA marshal ran onto the track to retrieve part of Carlo Sainz’s car.
OK now it’s clear but we’ve got a very brave Russian running across the track. Track is clear now.
50Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenOK Max let’s try to push.
50Max VerstappenXevi PujolarI’m already pushing the whole race.
50Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieRicciardo retired
Are the brakes OK?
50Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoYes, all looks OK. What is the problem with the brakes?
50Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieJust got [unclear] something. Definitely something strange at the front.
50Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK understood. Temperature are OK.
50Daniel RicciardoSimon RennieSomething’s broken. Suspension or something.
50Simon RennieDaniel RicciardoOK park on the right-hand side of the track. Park on the inside of the track.
51Lewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonOK Lewis three laps remaining. Still seeing some suspect performance from the rear wing so just be mindful…
51Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonYeah I can feel it.
51Peter BonningtonLewis HamiltonSo we suggest if you get DRS not to use it.
51Tom StallardJenson ButtonOK Jenson three laps to go. Fuel down to the last lap minus one, well done mate.
52Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasMode one, we’ve got one lap only.
52Nicholas PerrinnRoberto MerhiSo Roberto there are two laps remaining. This has been a long stint on these tyres. Let’s be extra-careful on them.
53Max VerstappenXevi PujolarForget it, my tyres are completely dead.
53Xevi PujolarMax VerstappenYes we can see that Max. {Unclear] 12, just bring it home.
53Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasExcellent we’ve got one more lap, stay in this mode. One more lap.
53David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenLast lap Kimi, last lap, all or nothing.
53David GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenRaikkonen collided with Bottas.
So no puncture, Kimi, bring it home.
53Valtteri BottasJonathan EddollsWhat the [censored by FOM] did he do?
53Jonathan EddollsValtteri BottasCopy. Kill the engine.
53Dave RobsonFelipe MassaOK Felipe, Raikkonen ahead has a problem, Raikkonen has a problem, let’s go get him, let’s go get him. Come on, Felipe. Raikkonen has a puncture, let’s get him.
53Mark TempleFernando AlonsoFernando we’re in the points, Bottas has crashed. Let’s focus now, we’re in the points.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWell done, Lewis. Great job mate. Another great, fantastic, managed drive there.
VLLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonGuys thank you so much for everything you do. The car was really, my car was really special to drive today. I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of this team. Thank you.
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonWe appreciate it, Lewis. Thanks for your comments, mate.
VLPaddy LoweLewis HamiltonYeah great job Lewis, fantastic drive, well done.
VLRiccardo AdamiSebastian VettelWell done Sebastian, well done.
VLSebastian VettelRiccardo AdamiGrazie ragazzi, grande gara. Que bella machina.
VLMaurizio ArrivabeneSebastian VettelGrazie Seb, grande gara. Fantastico.
VLRiccardo AdamiSebastian VettelWas some action behind you so Perez got the podium, Massa P4, Kimi had a crash with Bottas in the last lap for position and he finished P5, Kimi. Then Kvyat is sixth, Nasr P7.
VLSebastian VettelRiccardo AdamiGrande l’amoro, grande. Thank you guys all weekend. Obviously Friday was not a lot we could do. But then very focused from Saturday onwards. The feeling of the car was good and in the race it just kept getting better so great job.
VLTim WrightSergio PerezP3 Checo well done you deserve it mate. Well done, take the pick-up.
VLSergio PerezTim WrightWoo! Well done guys. Wow that was very hard man. I had no rubber left at all. Very good job guys. OK guys let’s enjoy the moment, well done guys.
VLTim WrightSergio PerezWell done Checo, good job mate, we’ll come and see you at the podium.
VLLewis HamiltonPeter BonningtonDid you guys get the constructors’?
VLPeter BonningtonLewis HamiltonNot just yet, mate.
VLDave RobsonFelipe MassaOK Felipe finished P4, that’s a great recovery.
VLFelipe MassaDave RobsonOK guys, sorry for Valtteri but I’m happy for the result,. Yeah, thank you very much.
VLDavid GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenOK Kimi you gave it your best job, mate.
VLKimi RaikkonenDavid GreenwoodYeah I mean, we tried…
VLMaurizio ArrivabeneKimi RaikkonenKimi good, drive.
VLKimi RaikkonenDavid GreenwoodI thought that he’s seen me when I went there but obviously not, so…
VLDavid GreenwoodKimi RaikkonenUnderstood mate, understood, we know you were racing.
VLKimi RaikkonenDavid GreenwoodYeah.
VLGianpiero LambiaseDaniil KvyatSo that’s sixth in the end, Dany.
VLDaniil KvyatGianpiero LambiaseWell cheers, of course, but the car was a bit different the last stint, we will analyse that for sure. But thank you guys for a nice day. I think it’s good to grab some points at home and keep working. Yeah I would like to look through the strategy a bit as well I think. I think we could learn something from there. But nevertheless you learn something new every day.
VLCraig GardinerFelipe NasrYou’re P7.
VLFelipe NasrCraig GardinerWoah great, thank you guys. Great job.
VLCraig GardinerFelipe NasrReally good race, Keep it slow. Save fuel.
VLFelipe NasrCraig GardinerThanks Paul! Not bad for a first one, eh?
VLCraig GardinerFelipe Nasr[State of Charge] 2. Keep SOC 2. Well done Felipe that was a great race, I’m really stoked about that, it’s really good. Well done.
VLFelipe NasrCraig GardinerThank you. The super-soft tyres were going really good.
VLMark SladePastor MaldonadoOK Pastor, there you go, P8. Better reward than we expected at the end. It’s been difficult weekend. Good job there.
VLPastor MaldonadoMark SladeYeah not bad guys, thank you.
VLTom StallardJenson ButtonJB that is P9, Bottas crashed with just over a lap to go. No, the final lap. That puts you up to P9. Well done, mate. Great job at a circuit we didn’t think would suit us.
VLJenson ButtonTom StallardYeah, well, it didn’t! (Laughs) But I think we did a good job there managing everything. Yeah, quite fun with Fernando as well. Yeah, good job guys, I know that we expected a double points finish today so it’s positive. We did everything right and that’s all we can ask for. So good job, guys.
VLMark TempleFernando AlonsoOK Fernando nice job, P10. That’s much better than we expected. Kvyat… Sorry, Bottas retired, Raikkonen was able to just keep going so we got tenth, well done.
VLXevi PujolarMax VerstappenOK that’s it Max. Nearly. Was good job from you, very compromised with the damage.
VLMax VerstappenXevi PujolarYeah was not the best race but anyway, we tried.
VLRoberto MerhiNicholas PerrinnOK thank you guys, good job.
VLNicholas PerrinnRoberto MerhiYeah well done mate that is P13. Really great drive, well done.

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
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17 comments on “2015 Russian Grand Prix team radio transcript”

  1. ColdFly F1 (@)
    14th October 2015, 12:45

    If I could I would nominate Alonso for COTD:

    34 Mark Temple Fernando Alonso And Fernando we are racing Massa behind to the end.
    34 Fernando Alonso Mark Temple I love your sense of humour.
    34 Mark Temple Fernando Alonso Well maybe we can have some fun trying, anyway.

    1. I agree, that was pretty good for Fernando. I’d expect that kind of comment from Jenson.

      Also, this one

      Last lap Kimi, last lap, all or nothing.

      Think Kimi took that a bit too literally.

    2. I actually LOLed at this… =)

      and Jenson’s radio was actually pretty good also [‘Great job at a circuit we didn’t think would suit us.’ ‘Yeah, well, it didn’t! (Laughs)’]… signs of clearer skies at McLaren???

  2. I presume on VL Vettel said “grande lavoro“, meaning great job.

    1. “Che bella macchina” as well

      1. I suspect the person who wrote the transcripts knows a bit French/Spanish, but not Italian :P

  3. BRIAN MAKDADDY
    14th October 2015, 15:23

    interesting comment from lewis. “Did you guys get the constructors”

    lets discuss, 25 marks

    1. It seems like the sort of perfectly innocuous comment some people will choose to read far too much into.

      1. :D Now I remember Claire Williams talking about “helping their engine supplier to win the constructors” before the race. It’s on CNN.

    2. Yeah Freudian slip there, no surprise at all really. It is quite amusing though, especially after all the gushing praise going both ways only moments earlier. This isn’t a criticism, F1 drivers are supposed to be selfish. Still, interesting. Go TEAM Mercedes and also TEAM Hamilton :-)

  4. Roberto Merhi’s race engineer is not Nick Perrin, by the way

  5. The McLaren drivers seem to enjoying their part-steward, part-driver, part-comedian roles.. Don’t they?

    Some wisecracks, some fault finding of others and good driving.. What a sea change compared to the radio we heard in Japan.

  6. Now I understand Sainz needs some attention too, but calling him Max isn’t the right kind of attention (lap 21).

    1. ColdFly F1 (@)
      14th October 2015, 20:26

      Both are very good IMO – thus easy to confuse.

      The message was actually Pujular->Max, I recall it from the race (was surprised that his primes had gone after only 20 laps – now understand that his car was damaged causing the extra tyre wear)

  7. Are they now allowed to give information on fuel management? I remember more than a couple of times on radio when fuel levels were discussed.

    1. I think the ban was only on asking about other car’s fuel levels

  8. So was Kimi told to let Vettel pass? Did he just think they wanted him to let Vettel pass on the restart as Vettel attacked really strongly?

    It’s all rather confusing in the transcripts. From what Vettel said, he thought they were just racing.

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