Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2021: Race team radio
114 radio messages were recorded during race at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2021, across 20 drivers. 110 of them have a transcript; the rest are audio only. Lewis HAMILTON had the most, with 24.
These are transcripts of real team radio audio, produced by speech recognition and presented as an archive rather than as edited prose. Radio is clipped and noisy, so wording can be imperfect. Each message is attributed to the driver or their engineer, and the original audio is playable in the archive.
Who was on the radio
- Lewis HAMILTON · Mercedes · 24 messages
- Max VERSTAPPEN · Red Bull · 17 messages
- Fernando ALONSO · Alpine · 12 messages
- Carlos SAINZ · Ferrari · 7 messages
- Valtteri BOTTAS · Mercedes · 6 messages
- Esteban OCON · Alpine · 6 messages
- Charles LECLERC · Ferrari · 5 messages
- Daniel RICCIARDO · McLaren · 4 messages
- Mick SCHUMACHER · Haas · 4 messages
- Pierre GASLY · AlphaTauri · 4 messages
- Lance STROLL · Aston Martin · 4 messages
- Nikita MAZEPIN · Haas · 3 messages
- Nicholas LATIFI · Williams · 3 messages
- Antonio GIOVINAZZI · Alfa Romeo · 3 messages
- Sergio PEREZ · Red Bull · 2 messages
- George RUSSELL · Williams · 2 messages
- Kimi RAIKKONEN · Alfa Romeo · 2 messages
- Yuki TSUNODA · AlphaTauri · 2 messages
- Lando NORRIS · McLaren · 2 messages
- Sebastian VETTEL · Aston Martin · 2 messages
Every message, in the order it happened
Nikita MAZEPIN: drinks pipe is again too long and it's going inside my seat same as Qatar copy
Engineer: that message
Engineer: Minimize the clutch usage please, that's an urgent message, thanks, thank you.
Engineer: So any issues with the car? No, not good. Lovely.
Engineer: Was everything okay to the grid max?
Max VERSTAPPEN: Yep.
Engineer: And wind update, very calm, similar to P2.
Engineer: On the labs to the grid, wind confirmed to be nothing, we're just measuring the swirl.
Lewis HAMILTON: Mad Dog, you happy with the stuff? Hey
Engineer: from Lewis, all good. We just worked the tires in the formation lab, they should come to us.
Audio only, no transcript available for this message.
Engineer: Okay, your Funk 4 is set. Have a good race. Have fun.
Mick SCHUMACHER: Thank you.
Engineer: Could be a wild one. Let's go for it. Yeah, let's go fishing
Nicholas LATIFI: I got bumped off by the Haas. One of the Haases hit me.
Esteban OCON: Contact with Trinidad, but I think everything is OK. Prophet, check though.
Engineer: Copy that, we're looking. All looks OK so far.
Engineer: Brakes are really hot, we need to manage where you can, sorry it's not easy.
Nicholas LATIFI: The car feels very unstable at the rear end, more than I would have thought for a first lap.
Engineer: What's going on with Stroll? Are we going to stop the position or not? They're looking at it, yeah, copy, they're looking. OK, he'll give you the position back, Stroll will give you the position.
Engineer: Good job. Good job
Fernando ALONSO: yeah I don't get it how I can lose the next DRS activating the DRS in the straight before
Engineer: Let us know if you're not happy with the space and if you think you're under threat.
Valtteri BOTTAS: Good do with 10-bit fog up in front.
Engineer: I don't have a second more piece of it. No, Lewis, that's not what we need. Just a couple of tenths above Valtteri. He was 33.6.
Engineer: Good job Antonio
Audio only, no transcript available for this message.
Fernando ALONSO: Yeah, we don't have deployment mate
Esteban OCON: Are the temps normalising?
Engineer: Yeah, we're nearly there. All looking good so far.
Mick SCHUMACHER: Piedrake, Piedrake, Piedrake
Engineer: has
Mick SCHUMACHER: next connected.
Engineer: Are you okay, Mick? Are you okay?
Mick SCHUMACHER: Yeah, I'm okay. Sorry about that.
Engineer: So we are going to box box
Engineer: It's okay. Just catch your breath there and then remember P1 and P0. Sorry, buddy.
Mick SCHUMACHER: That was on me. On me. Sorry about that.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Valtteri is driving massively off the pace
Engineer: I agree, it's a ****, absolutely **** That
Max VERSTAPPEN: shouldn't be allowed, what he does
Kimi RAIKKONEN: Box, box, box, box. What? It's okay. I asked you earlier. We had a half a lap time to decide.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Can this safety car go faster? We're driving a hundred.
Engineer: Yes,
Lewis HAMILTON: safety glass served in the last one.
Engineer: OK, copy. I'm not sure how long this is going to take. I imagine I've got to do a bit of barrier replacement.
Engineer: Just keep an eye on those callip attempts. I know you've got a bit of a split, but yeah, just keep an eye on that front right. Thanks for
Lewis HAMILTON: reminding me.
Lewis HAMILTON: Does this not mean you can change tyres?
Engineer: Unfortunately Lewis, yes it does.
Yuki TSUNODA: I got a hit in the right rear for a pre-check at the start.
Engineer: Yeah, we are checking.
Engineer: It's
Lewis HAMILTON: a red flag, doesn't the tie wall look fine?
Engineer: Find
Lewis HAMILTON: out what the reason for a red flag is.
Engineer: Affirm, Lewis.
Lewis HAMILTON: Have they said what the reason is?
Engineer: Not heard anything yet.
Lewis HAMILTON: Tire wall looks fine. James, that was a big gamble that they just took, because we were right behind them on the SCU, that doesn't even make sense. Does it make sense to you?
Engineer: It's a gamble because they stopped Perez and most people stopped in the top ten. Not 100% sense, no. It's a risk we knew with that red flag, but we didn't think it was going to happen. We have potential, I'll come down and see you, there's still possibilities for us.
Fernando ALONSO: Yeah, red flag. Ah,
Engineer: that's rubbish.
Fernando ALONSO: Yeah, I can't believe it, you know. F***ing all season unlucky.
Engineer: It's
Fernando ALONSO: a long way to go. Anything can happen, let's stay focused. Yeah, I know mate, but...
Engineer: F***,
Fernando ALONSO: every decision we take, it was the other one.
Engineer: OK, Formation Lap Procedure in effect would be similar to the original Formation Lap Max as the original Formation Lap product is in between the sides of the throttle and then once the safety car has come back into the pit lane, you take up your standing start. Um, a static bite point or not? Just one row before the Mercedes-Benz pit wall, two long burnouts, and a little brake application delay, and then the extra ramp for other stations down into your position. Could
Max VERSTAPPEN: be a static bite point or not?
Daniel RICCIARDO: Do I need to do ACS again? Out of turn 10 or something?
Engineer: Yes, please. Just the same as last time. Everything the same as last time.
Lewis HAMILTON: So James, what's
Engineer: the
Lewis HAMILTON: scenario now, what have we got to do?
Engineer: Hi Lewis, main thing is this, everyone's going to go to the end of the race on these hard tyres now, but you had car pace at the beginning and there's a few options we can throw in there with additional VSCs and safety cars. Main thing for now is pressure him, you had car pace.
Engineer: So during this roller round lap, we can talk to you and I will let you know standing start or rolling start. Just check the panels anyway. RS SS
Engineer: So for the race start, assuming you're standing, we'll be going to scenario one and recharge off. They'll be the only changes. Again, we can guide you through all that. Think of this as a formation lap where you've got me bothering you.
Engineer: 30 seconds select strap mode 1 and yep Verstappen on brand new hards
Lewis HAMILTON: He just did a start from the pit lane, no that's his start from the pit lane right? He did a practice start.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Wait, why is this safety car driving so slow? We cannot hit the tires.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Wait, why is this safety car driving so slow? We cannot hit the tires.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Mate, Louise is leaving way more than 10 cars, and she's not okay.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Wait, it's still more than 10 cars. This is not allowed
Engineer: Are you okay, Maz? Are you okay?
Nikita MAZEPIN: Yeah, mate. I'm sorry, but I couldn't avoid this.
Charles LECLERC: All okay on the car? Question? I think so.
Engineer: From data everything is fine.
Lewis HAMILTON: Can't cross the whole curve Just retook me over outside the white line
Engineer: Roger loose, yep we're on it It's
Lewis HAMILTON: clearly ahead going in man Yeah
Engineer: copy, we're on it
Daniel RICCIARDO: If they do another standing start, I think there shouldn't be a safety car because the pace is too slow for the formation lap.
Engineer: We have to
Lewis HAMILTON: avoid the collision now.
Engineer: Are you okay, Maz? Are you okay?
Nikita MAZEPIN: Yeah, mate. I'm sorry, but I couldn't avoid this.
Engineer: Copy that, mate. Copy that. Okay, if we can't continue... Yeah, okay, go P1, wait three seconds, then P0, mate. We've just seen the video. It looks like you were a passenger in that, mate. Not your fault.
George RUSSELL: And then absolutely inevitable.
Engineer: Roger.
George RUSSELL: Yep, that's
Engineer: it.
George RUSSELL: Brilliant. Copy. Stupid.
Engineer: I got hit there by my Leclerc, I think. Yeah, we saw it, Trekker. Nothing you can do.
Charles LECLERC: Paris forgot about me being here, I think.
Engineer: So on this procedure, once it goes green at the end, Max is going to pull to one side, you and Esteban are going to pull away, and then he's going to slot in behind you.
Lewis HAMILTON: How long is the race? What's the reason we didn't put on the new medium?
Engineer: We've got 35 laps remaining Lewis and this is the correct tyre.
Lewis HAMILTON: how long is it a race we've got what's the reason we didn't put on the new medium
Engineer: yeah we've got 35 laps remaining lewis and this is the correct tire
Carlos SAINZ: Vettel is leaving huge space behind.
Engineer: And Lando, they have confirmed it will be a standing start. Unclear on position yet.
Lando NORRIS: I need to know soon.
Engineer: Yep, I know. Nothing has come through as yet. Lando, we'll have to assume that we're starting where we are.
Lando NORRIS: Still tell me if there's anything.
Engineer: Yep, of course I will then.
Esteban OCON: A bit about the front wing.
Engineer: We're looking.
Esteban OCON: Feels completely fine.
Engineer: Yeah, looks okay to us.
Engineer: A good job with science, let's get as close as we can.
Engineer: It's a
Lance STROLL: little draggy, man.
Engineer: Yeah, copy. Riking in 0.7 behind. Keep doing what you're doing.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Lack of power guys.
Engineer: Ok, battery is just topping up at this stage Max.
Engineer: We believe cars in front are a second slower than us, the race will come to us, look after your tyres.
Engineer: What you're doing with the tires is good?
Carlos SAINZ: Less radio.
Engineer: Copy.
Engineer: All okay?
Fernando ALONSO: Yep.
Sebastian VETTEL: Come on guys
Engineer: if
Sebastian VETTEL: something falls off it's not the nicest place to do so oh it's not great to drive so we think that the sparks behind us stop now so don't think anything's dropping yeah but i think i have no grip in high speed
Engineer: Good sock selection head down
Engineer: A
Pierre GASLY: lot of vibration.
Engineer: Copy, we are checking.
Pierre GASLY: Engine vibration.
Fernando ALONSO: I mean there is a lot of debris inside of 6 and inside of 10. Same.
Engineer: Yeah, copy that.
Engineer: So still a debris at 10-8 onwards, small stuff.
Fernando ALONSO: Yeah, we need a safety car. I don't know if Michael is hitting or not, but the circuit is in the worst condition of the weekend, mate. I mean, we put the red flags, 100 red flags, and now we are racing at 300 kph with the circuit like this.
Engineer: Yeah, copy that. I'm sure he's listening.
Kimi RAIKKONEN: VSC follow the delta mode SC so okay, but now we stop if we want to change it right now If you want to change the front wing or something We can't do anything on your floor Kimi stay
Engineer: out there
Carlos SAINZ: Yeah, I see a bit of greening on my front right.
Pierre GASLY: The other thing we need to put for next time to review the safety car laugh because it makes no sense. Yeah,
Engineer: we'll have a look why that's happening.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Why is Kimi not speeding up?
Charles LECLERC: Ah, I'm getting ill with all of these zigzagging for so long.
Lance STROLL: Okay, when north gets close, tell me. Until then, I want to focus.
Esteban OCON: Very strange clipping, this straight and the other one.
Engineer: Copy that, we saw. Okay, that won't happen again this time.
Engineer: That
Lewis HAMILTON: guy's crazy, man.
Engineer: Max, so let's give the position back to Hamilton, obviously do that strategically, give the position back.
Engineer: He just brake-tested me! He's off.
Lewis HAMILTON: I've just hit him, man. My wing's broken.
Engineer: No, it's okay. It looks okay. He's been told to give you the position. He just
Lewis HAMILTON: brake-tested me, dude.
Engineer: I didn't know what was going
Lewis HAMILTON: on.
Lewis HAMILTON: It's just dangerous driving dude
Engineer: So race control have instructed them to get the place back. I don't know if Verstappen has had that message yet
Engineer: We didn't quite need to do that max
Engineer: The
Fernando ALONSO: vibrations are big now.
Max VERSTAPPEN: I've
Engineer: got
Max VERSTAPPEN: eyes are gone.
Engineer: Okay Max, at the moment we cannot bet because the gap to Opon is insufficient.
Engineer: Just be careful on the kerbs, so just careful on the kerbs Lewis.
Engineer: Gap 1.6
Engineer: negative he is trying to bring his tires home he's in trouble
Engineer: So now it's three laps to go maximum push now
Audio only, no transcript available for this message.
Engineer: Get in there Lewis! That has got to be the craziest race I remember. The cool head won that out And the icing on the cake Valtteri P3
Lewis HAMILTON: Great job guys. Great job That's more like it. Come on. Let's keep pushing man
Engineer: Lewis obviously the cherry on top of that cake is fastest lap for you. Well done mate
Engineer: Hard luck with that. Not sure I agree with all those decisions, but good effort.
Max VERSTAPPEN: It is what it is mate. I tried at least.
Engineer: It is indeed. Don't worry. Still in the lead of the championship. Yeah, good effort Max. I don't know why he'd run up the back of you like that. It made no sense at all.
Lewis HAMILTON: How far was Alti behind?
Engineer: 27 and a half seconds, yeah, he got P3 by about a foot.
Lewis HAMILTON: Mega job.
Engineer: Yeah man, the king of cool won it today.
Yuki TSUNODA: Really sorry guys, really sorry.
Engineer: Ok Juki, it will be a nice one, the next one, the pace was ok at the end and a good couple of overtaking and just to let you know we have a 5 seconds time penalty for that incident with Vettel.
Audio only, no transcript available for this message.
Engineer: Alright mate, that was a tough one, unlucky. Fortunately Esteban also just missed out on P3 there, on the start-finish.
Fernando ALONSO: Yeah mate, everything was on the wrong side today, but anyway, one more to go.
Engineer: Ok, that's a reset for next week and we'll have a good one next week.
Max VERSTAPPEN: I think someone's got your back here, Max, because you've been voted driver of the day. If it's not the FIA, somebody else has got your back.
Engineer: Max Verstappen, congratulations. You've been voted driver of the day. The fans seem to like what you did out there today. Reflect on your performance for me, please.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Yeah, luckily the fans have a clear mind about racing because what happened today is unbelievable. I'm just trying to race and this sport is more about penalties than racing. So, for me, this is not Formula One, but at least the fans enjoyed it and I gave it all today, but yeah, clearly not quick enough. Clearly not quick enough, but still happy with second.
Engineer: Well, you're going to have to give it all next weekend as well, Max. Congratulations. You are driver of the day in Saudi Arabia.
Engineer: Okay, and that's checkered flag, checkered flag, so you P12, P12, strong race, you kept the gap to stroll, you end up 6th second, you were matching his lap, you didn't get any drop off, so you couldn't catch him, so he was on option, 7th above lap, so it was you.
Nicholas LATIFI: Sorry I didn't have any more guys, you could get everything I had.
Engineer: Unbelievable, unbelievable. Pick a run away, Stroud 1. Well done, well done to Lewis, good stuff. Yeah, well done to both of you, great job this weekend.
Engineer: OK, Lance, that's checkered flag, that's checkered flag, run switching cool, P11, that's P11. OK, Lance, that's checkered flag, that's checkered flag, run switching cool, P11, that's P11. Take the pick up, that was a good, really good consistent stint, well done, that was a tough day, but good job.
Lance STROLL: Yeah, it was a good effort, but
Engineer: just
Lance STROLL: didn't have the pace.
Engineer: Yeah, copy, but stayed out of trouble and really consistent laps at the end, so we'll come back stronger next weekend.
Engineer: No! F***! Joke! F***! Sorry, mate.
Esteban OCON: No straight line speed at the end there. F***! Missed by not much, but... Yeah, sorry, guys. Sorry for that.
Engineer: Look, you gave it everything, and you were setting purple first sectors right until the end. So you should be very proud of yourself. And yes, OK, we didn't quite get a podium, but we still achieved our goal. We beat Gasly by two positions. That puts us in a very good place at the end of the season, all right? Well done. That was a stunning drive. Yeah, copy that. Yeah, thank
Esteban OCON: you very much. Thank you. Good job all weekend. It was amazing. The car was great to drive. Yeah, very pleased with what we've achieved. So thank you for giving me the confidence.
Engineer: Good. Let's take that into the last race as well, then. Let's get some fluids on board. It's been a long one.
Engineer: Okay mate, that's P10, P10. Very unfortunate red flag. Yeah,
Lando NORRIS: what a wonderful race. Really, really, really good race today. Yeah anyway, good job everyone. I mean, we did what we can, good points for Daniel as well, so good job to that side.
Engineer: Yeah it's cool you must have seen then that Daniel finished fifth.
Engineer: So Daniel, that's a great drive today. Really good job. Strategy worked nicely.
Daniel RICCIARDO: Yep, I did.
Engineer: Cheers,
Daniel RICCIARDO: guys. Want to go.
Engineer: Antonio, that's P9. Great job. Good race, Antonio. Well done.
Antonio GIOVINAZZI: Thanks, guys. Yeah. Then I was struggling with the rear, but it was overall a good race. Thank you.
Engineer: MP8, great recovery, well done.
Carlos SAINZ: Yeah, I tried my best guys, but I had no fun right there. Anyway, I nearly crashed three times trying to stay ahead. Couldn't do more.
Pierre GASLY: Aaaaah! Missed like two laps!
Engineer: Yeah, sorry mate. Sorry, it was difficult today with the pace. But a very clean race, no mistake, very good, and yeah, some work to do.
Pierre GASLY: No, I mean, I think we did a good race, like, it was very difficult with all the incidents. So still some good points, but yeah, I mean, quite unfortunate with the... not to get Ricardo at the end, but at least we tried.
Engineer: Anyway, P6, still a good day for you.
Pierre GASLY: I'm really happy, very good job guys. We always want more, but I think at the end of the day, finishing in front of both Ferraris and fighting the McLaren is a good performance, and we'll try to improve.
Engineer: Okay, it was quite difficult, but you have done a good job. Strange race, but good job.
Charles LECLERC: What a shame, pace was there. On the hard, we were very quick, but we didn't use the pace because the start was horrible with these with these hard tires and the flat spot, etc.
Engineer: Copy, we've seen that. You had a good pace. Let's take the positives.
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