2017 Spanish GP team radio transcript

2017 Spanish Grand Prix

Posted on

| Written by

Lewis Hamilton’s Spanish Grand Prix victory owed a lot to the strategic calls which played out on the radio as well as a well-timed pit stop during a Virtual Safety Car period.

Here’s what the drivers and their teams had to say during the Spanish Grand Prix.

Go ad-free for just £1 per month

>> Find out more and sign up

2017 Spanish Grand Prix team radio transcript

Lap*DriverMessage
PRTo Daniil Kvyat

All OK for temperatures, Danny.
PRFrom Lewis HamiltonRicky I need some info on wind direction because it’s in different places.
PRTo Lewis Hamilton

Confirm it’s quite strong, looks tailwind into nine most of the time.
2From Felipe MassaI touched my corner, I don’t know if I have a problem. I think I have a problem. Puncture.
2To Felipe Massa

OK, copy that, box.
2To Max Verstappen

Checking the tyres mate at the moment. I will keep you posted.
2From Max VerstappenIt’s the suspension.
2To Max Verstappen

OK if you have suspension damage then… Can you bring it home Max?
2From Max VerstappenYep.
4To Stoffel Vandoorne

Pace is good Stoff you’re matching Magnussen, he’s P8.
4From Nico HulkenbergI think I could go faster but the dirty air is crazy.
6From Kimi RaikkonenOK somebody hit me from the rear and I broke steering.
7From Lewis HamiltonIt’s not easy to keep up with him.
7From Lewis HamiltonTag two right now.
7To Lewis Hamilton

OK, copy.
7From Lewis HamiltonIt’s not easy to keep up with him, though.
8To Fernando Alonso

Fernando, how much do you think you are being held up?
8From Fernando AlonsoYeah, a lot.
9To Valtteri Bottas

So Valtteri, the most important thing at the moment is if we can pick the pace up.
10To Lewis Hamilton

OK Lewis you are target minus five. Current lap: nine.
10To Jolyon Palmer

Try to pick up the pace a bit Jo if you can.
10From Jolyon PalmerI’m pushing.
12To Lewis Hamilton

OK Lewis this is a critical time of the race, give it everything you’ve got. I know you’re pushing hard.
12From Lewis HamiltonLeave me to it, Bono.
12To Sebastian Vettel

Hamilton has been told to push at the limit.
13To Kevin Magnussen

Come on you’re doing a very good job so far.
13To Lewis Hamilton

Give us a balance check when you can.
13From Lewis HamiltonOK.
14From Lewis HamiltonWhat’s going on guys?
14To Lewis Hamilton

We’re just keeping an eye on our pit wondow. Just keep doing what you’re doing, need that gap as small as possible, you’re doing a great job.
15To Fernando Alonso

And 100% pace.
15From Carlos Sainz JnrHe pushed me off.
15To Carlos Sainz Jnr

We have seen it. He pushed you.
16To Sebastian Vettel

Very good lap, keep your head down.
16To Lewis Hamilton

This is the opportunity Lewis, give it everything you’ve got.
17To Kevin Magnussen

We saw what happened in the garage. We have reported to the stewards. Give us more details Kevin.
17From Kevin MagnussenHe just went on the grass. He’s crazy. He could have taken us both out.
17To Kevin Magnussen

Yeah understood calm down, calm down, please calm down. We are reporting to the stewards. We saw everything. It’s pretty clear.
18From Nico HulkenbergWhat kind of strategy are we on now? A?
18To Nico Hulkenberg

Plan A, still plan A.
19From Lewis HamiltonCan give it more if you need, but…
19To

Surely this is not a good time.
19To Lewis Hamilton

We are creating opportunities later in the race, Lewis.
20From Lewis HamiltonThe rears are loose, for sure. Possibly coming back a little bit but rears are the weak point, fronts are OK.
20To Lewis Hamilton

OK, copy, thanks for the info.
21To Valtteri Bottas

So currently thinking target plus eight.
21From Valtteri BottasYeah I can do plus eight but it’s going to be really slow. Front-left is going.
21To Valtteri Bottas

Copy the message.
21To Sebastian Vettel

Hamilton lap time 26.4. Reporting his rear tyres are going off a little bit.
22To Daniel Ricciardo

Let’s get stuck into this set.
23From Lewis HamiltonHow far ahead is Vettel?
23To Lewis Hamilton

Vettel currently seven-and-a-half seconds ahead. We’re on the medium tyre, we’re going to have opportunities at the end.
24From Lewis HamiltonIs this a longish or short stint? Let me know.
24To Lewis Hamilton

This is a long stint, we’re going to be target plus 15. Valtteri has stayed out, Vettel tucked up behind him at the minute.
27To Sebastian Vettel

Very good lap, keep it there, keep your head down.
27To Stoffel Vandoorne

Good lap, Stoff, good lap.
27From Lewis HamiltonWhat time did he do, Vettel last.
27From Lewis HamiltonDo I need to hold on to him?
27To Lewis Hamilton

Yep you should be able to match his pace and then tyre deg will help you close in.
27From Lewis HamiltonUnderstood.
28To Stoffel Vandoorne

How is the tyre? Is this pace sustainable?
28From Stoffel VandoorneIt’s OK. The rears are going away but we have tyo see. I’ll try my best.
30To Daniel Ricciardo

OK for info starting to get more tailwind now now heading into turn four.
30From Daniel RicciardoThanks for the heads-up on the wind.
31From Nico HulkenbergThe Sauber will be a problem.
31To Nico Hulkenberg

Yep we need to pass that car.
31To Lewis Hamilton

So need to be matching Vettel’s time and then we need to be closing the gap.
31From Lewis HamiltonHow am I going to close the gap with this tyre, guys?
32To Lewis Hamilton

Vettel will be on the medium at the end of the race so you’ll be inverted on tyres. Just do what you can.
32From Lewis HamiltonI’m trying, man.
33To Lewis Hamilton

25.5, he’s coming up on five backmarkers.
34From Lewis HamiltonHey man these guys need to be careful. Guys let me past in a safe place.
34To Lewis Hamilton

OK copy.
34To Lewis Hamilton

OK Lewis if you cancel the RS magic we’ll use it later in the race.
35From Felipe MassaWell unbelievable he pulled the car over on me man. That’s crazy.
35To Felipe Massa

Yep understood. Everything OK with the car?
35From Felipe MassaI don’t know. Felt a bit strange.
35From Stoffel VandoorneI crashed with Massa. Sorry.
35From Daniil KvyatYeah it’s way too slow the Safety Car.
38To Nico Hulkenberg

OK you pulled one second on the cars behind, there, good job.
38From Lewis HamiltonThat was dangerous.
38From Lewis HamiltonI was more than half alongside him, he pushed me wide.
39To Daniel Ricciardo

OK Daniel it’s yellow turn five and six, Bottas has stopped on track. He is on the track sideways. Caution turn six.
40To Fernando Alonso

Nice lap, keep the pace up.
41From Valtteri BottasI’m out of power.
41To Valtteri Bottas

So stop, stop, stop.
42To Sergio Perez

Last lap Esteban three-tenths quicker. He’s eight second behind, in free air.
42To Lewis Hamilton

Still good for overtake.
42From Lewis HamiltonLeave me to it, Bono, please.
42To Lewis Hamilton

Copy.
43To Carlos Sainz Jnr

OK Carlos try your best to overtake Wehrlein.
43From Carlos Sainz JnrOK leave me along now.
44From Sebastian VettelNo chance. Like a train.
44To Sebastian Vettel

Don’t give up. He will struggle with the tyres.
44To Lewis Hamilton

Nice work, Lewis. Get in there.
46From Lewis HamiltonI’ve got to get a certain distance away from him because he’s going to be quicker at the end.
46To Lewis Hamilton

Go up on the diff, just think about looking after…
46From Lewis HamiltonIt’s a long way to go on this tyre guys. I need some advice, do I pull the gap or do I cool down. The rear’s already oveheating.
47To Sebastian Vettel

His rear tyres are overheating,
47From Sebastian VettelThat could have happened a few laps ago when he was behind me.
47To Sebastian Vettel

Understood. Keep your head down, Sebastian.
47To Fernando Alonso

This is good pace, let’s keep closing up on Ericsson.
48From Lewis HamiltonIt’s not easy to pull away from him.
50To Fernando Alonso

Option and prime are closer in pace than expected. So we think Plan A still.
50From Fernando AlonsoIf I have blue flags soon maybe we can take benefit.
50To Pascal Wehrlein

Pascal we got a five second penalty. The gap 3.7 seconds so we have to push to stay ahead of Magnussen.
50To Kevin Magnussen

Tell us about car balance. What can we do to go quicker?
50From Kevin MagnussenJust let me drive.
51To Sebastian Vettel

How about switching to Plan C?
51From Sebastian VettelWell, I don’t know. His tyres, doesn’t look like he’s pushing all out. But I guess there’s nothing more to do.
53From Jolyon PalmerYeah rear tyre overheating. Stuck behing Perez.
53From Lewis HamiltonWhich sectors look weak for me?
53To Lewis Hamilton

It’s middle sector, a tenth off.
54To Lewis Hamilton

Good job, keep building that gap. OK that’s a good target lap time. Gap now 2.7.
54From Lewis HamiltonWhat’s your thinking?
54To Lewis Hamilton

Two backmarkers ahead, we need to get through the quickly. We think Vettel might go for a three-stop so we need the gap to protect against it.
55To Daniil Kvyat

OK Wehrlein still have five seconds penalty. Now they have opened the gap, we are above. We need to close the gap.
55From Daniil KvyatOK, leave me alone now.
55To Romain Grosjean

You’re half second quicker than him first sector, we’re still struggling in the third sector.
55From Romain GrosjeanOK mate at the moment it’s the best I can do.
55To Romain Grosjean

OK dude understood.
57To Lewis Hamilton

OK Lewis we need to keep this gap. This prevents Vettel from converting to three-stop, we can get to the end.
59From Carlos Sainz JnrYeah as soon as I push one lap the tyres go away.
59From Carlos Sainz JnrI have less power now.
59To Carlos Sainz Jnr

Carlos we are on it.
61From Sebastian VettelWhy does it have to be Massa all the time?
61From Felipe MassaI think he must be afraid of me, man.
61To Fernando Alonso

Nice work, let’s keep the pace up until the end
63To Nico Hulkenberg

Scenario two please Nico.
63From Nico HulkenbergReally? It’s not the right time now.
65To Daniil Kvyat

Potential puncture for Magnussen.
65From Daniil KvyatYes.
65To Daniil Kvyat

OK, bring it home.
VLTo Lewis Hamilton

Get in there, Lewis. What a race mate. That was an awesome drive.
VLFrom Lewis HamiltonGuys, what can I say, fantastic job this weekend. Thanks you so much. Strategy was on point, pit stops, just all weekend. Really appreciate all the hard work, and back at the factory.
VLTo Lewis Hamilton

Thanks Lewis, awesome drive today mate, really good moves.
VLTo Sebastian Vettel

And P2 Sebastian. Strong race.
VLFrom Sebastian VettelGrazie a tutti. Thanks.
VLTo Daniel Ricciardo

Nice job mate that’s P3. Good driving today.
VLFrom Daniel RicciardoThanks guys. Honey badger will take what he can get. Cheers.
VLTo Daniel Ricciardo

Well done mate. Looked a bit lonely out there. Hopefully we’ll see more of the opposition in the coming races. Well done.
VLTo Sergio Perez

Well doen Checo great job. P4 and P5, well done. Take the pick-up.
VLFrom Sergio PerezGood job guys. It’s been a hard weekend but good job, awesome job.
VLTo Esteban Ocon

Well done guys. Awesome. Really good job for us. Congrats.
VLFrom Esteban OconWell done Esteban. P5. Good job mate.
VLTo Nico Hulkenberg

Well done Nico, excellent job, well done mate.
VLTo Carlos Sainz Jnr

Good job Carlos, P7.
VLFrom Carlos Sainz JnrYeah we took our chances there. Good job. Great job on the second one so congratulations for the mechanics. I have a surprise for you: [Speaks in Italian].
VLTo Pascal Wehrlein

P8 at the end Pascal. Great race. Super.
VLFrom Pascal WehrleinGood job. This was [unclear] with the car. Thank you very much. Perect strategy. Woohoo!
VLTo Pascal Wehrlein

Only talk to us when it’s important! Great race.
VLFrom Pascal WehrleinJust a shame about the pit stop but I was too late. I expected already something.
VLTo Pascal Wehrlein

Yep no problem. Was a good job to beat Magnussen and the group behind.
VLTo Daniil Kvyat

Very good job, I’m very happy about that point.
VLFrom Daniil KvyatIt’s two points, no?
VLTo Daniil Kvyat

Yeah it is.
VLFrom Daniil KvyatThanks man, I am proud of you.
VLTo Daniil Kvyat

Yep very good. I’m really happy. So the gap unfortunately was a bit too at the end. Wehrlein pushed at the end and opened the gap up. Never mind.
VLTo Romain Grosjean

So P10, good job getting to the end.
VLFrom Romain GrosjeanGood job everyone, good point. Difficult on the last set. Keep working, good job.
VLTo Romain Grosjean

Good job.
VLTo Marcus Ericsson

P11. The brake issue we’ll have to investigate.
VLFrom Marcus EricssonWell done. Congratulations for the point.
VLTo Marcus Ericsson

Thank you. Good team result.
VLFrom Felipe MassaYeah OK. Very unfortunate, guys. So not so much to say. Again we lost a lot of points.
VLTo Felipe Massa

Yeah we did. Given what happened to the cars in front, absoutely no reason why we couldn’t have finished fourth today. But on to Monaco. A whole different challenge.
VLTo Jolyon Palmer

That’s the chequered flag. You finished in P15. Difficult race.
VLFrom Jolyon PalmerYeah. I don’t get it.
VLTo Lance Stroll

OK so another finish. A tough race, unfortunate at the end there. But another finish. Well done.
VLFrom Lance StrollThe medium was not working I just couldn’t push. I don’t know why. The whole race I had no grip.
VLTo Lance Stroll

There was a group of five or six cars, Wehrlein, Kvyat, Grosjean ahead. During that stint on the medium we were gaining on them three or four tenths, then levelled out. It was pretty even

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.

NB. Only messages heard during the race broadcast are included. Due to a technical problem some messages may have been omitted.

Follow F1 Fanatic Live on Twitter for team radio highlights during all live F1 sessions.

Spanish 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...

    Got a potential story, tip or enquiry? Find out more about RaceFans and contact us here.

    18 comments on “2017 Spanish GP team radio transcript”

    1. I never got the whole ‘lewis had a perfectly timed pitstop during the VSC’. On TV the VSC ended as he got to the end of the pit lane entrance. So the effect must have been negligible.

      1. @sato113 Actually the message on the screen stated that the VSC was ending as Hamilton was entering his pit box. There is a random (up to 15 seconds?) delay from when the message says “VSC ending” to when it actually ends. I suspect that the VSC actually came to an end just when Hamilton was out of the pit box and running towards the pit lane exit.

        1. If you look at the TV when the VSC is on there is a yellow indicator. You will notice that it does indeed end just before he reaches his pit box. So he did not gain much advantage.

      2. He was 7.5 seconds behind Vettel during the VSC. When Vettel came out of the pits 1 lap after VSC ended, they were side by side. I wouldn’t call that “negligible”.

        1. http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/19387487/spanish-gp-fight-triumph-formula-one-2017-rule-change

          Hamilton’s out-lap on his fresh soft tyres was crucial in turning the tide against Ferrari and he delivered with truly awesome times in the middle sector (30.792s) and final sector (28.367). To put those figures in perspective, they were on the sort of pace that would have secured a place in Q3 during qualifying on Saturday despite Hamilton’s car being laden with half a tank of fuel for the rest of the race.

          Unsurprisingly, the two sector times were still the fastest of the race when the chequered flag fell 30 laps later and were nearly over a second quicker than the sector times from Hamilton’s official fastest lap two laps from the end. If they’d been combined with a first sector that didn’t involve exiting the pit lane, Hamilton’s theoretical fastest race lap would have been in the high 1:21s — a genuinely brilliant lap time for a car with that fuel load and one that would have been quick enough to secure pole position at last year’s Spanish Grand Prix.

          I think that the VSC had an effect, maybe 3-4 secs (still not negligible but not enough to decide the race), but the rest was down to a incredible out lap, one which I think was crucial in Hamilton winning the race.

    2. Leave me to it, Bono.
      I loved how Lewis replied to Bono, priceless.
      What can we say about Jolyon really, it feels like he is driving an F2 car in an F1 field, this guy should really improve if he is to stay in F1.

      1. and he still says please

    3. I think it’s time to get rid of radio communication and let the drivers use their own abilities.

      1. Oh god not this again.

        1. Yes Martin

          1. No Fran

    4. I’m missing Stroll’s transcript; “gasp, puff, gasp”

      1. Thats Hamilton

        1. Nah, thats: “huh, waz, wha? This visor is really dark, fell asleep on the straight”.

    5. This is a long stint, we’re going to be target plus 15. Valtteri has stayed out, Vettel tucked up behind him at the minute.

      Does that mean that Mercedes were intending to pit Hamilton just once without the virtual safety car? The fastest 2-stop strategy would have consisted of two longer stints on soft and a short stint on mediums. A long stint on mediums would only make sense if he’d gone for a 1-stop strategy.

    6. What is ‘ rs magic’ ??

      Heard it Durk f the race, brundle sounded intrigued but then then vandoorne side swiped massa and its like they forgot to discuss it.

      Could be nothing but I was curious.

      Lap 34

      1. **during the race

      2. IIRC, it’s a code for race start mode that gives extra boost.

    Comments are closed.