United States Grand Prix 2021: Race team radio
147 radio messages were recorded during race at the United States Grand Prix 2021, across 20 drivers. 145 of them have a transcript; the rest are audio only. Max VERSTAPPEN had the most, with 27.
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
- Max VERSTAPPEN · Red Bull · 27 messages
- Lewis HAMILTON · Mercedes · 16 messages
- Fernando ALONSO · Alpine · 11 messages
- Sebastian VETTEL · Aston Martin · 11 messages
- Lance STROLL · Aston Martin · 10 messages
- Carlos SAINZ · Ferrari · 9 messages
- Sergio PEREZ · Red Bull · 8 messages
- Esteban OCON · Alpine · 7 messages
- Daniel RICCIARDO · McLaren · 7 messages
- Pierre GASLY · AlphaTauri · 6 messages
- Valtteri BOTTAS · Mercedes · 6 messages
- Nicholas LATIFI · Williams · 5 messages
- Lando NORRIS · McLaren · 5 messages
- Kimi RAIKKONEN · Alfa Romeo · 4 messages
- Charles LECLERC · Ferrari · 4 messages
- Antonio GIOVINAZZI · Alfa Romeo · 3 messages
- George RUSSELL · Williams · 2 messages
- Yuki TSUNODA · AlphaTauri · 2 messages
- Mick SCHUMACHER · Haas · 2 messages
- Nikita MAZEPIN · Haas · 2 messages
Every message, in the order it happened
Nicholas LATIFI: Want me to do another BPF because I'm here, waiting? You did one, you can do another one, yes.
Engineer: All right, let's fill the balance, sync gears and radio check on the way round, please.
Esteban OCON: Copy that.
Engineer: Clutch drop 35%, very good.
Engineer: Nice and steady in the pit lane please, again lots of people about.
Esteban OCON: Copy.
Engineer: And Daniel, feedback that was 2% deep and initial throttle can be earlier.
Daniel RICCIARDO: Okay, roger.
Engineer: So get a feel for the balance through 16-17 and then we'll have a front wing update before your next lap.
Engineer: Mode 12, mode 12, and cool the brakes in the last sector please.
Engineer: So plenty of PU cooling now and box box for another start
Engineer: Ok, your feedback on balance please, and you can go to P0 after that.
Pierre GASLY: Yeah, didn't feel so great in high speed, but just more like overall grip. In low speed I would say the balance was ok, didn't have so much problem.
Engineer: Ok, copy that, we are aligned with your feedback, and we see a bit of tailwind on rear looking in turn 11, so we'll have to watch out for this. So P0 when you can, see you on the grid.
Engineer: So test your drink.
Sergio PEREZ: It doesn't stop leaking. I will need to change the balaclava. It's leaking a lot.
Engineer: OK, Saman, let's cool the car please and go to the grid. Mind the low brake energy after turn 12, please.
Esteban OCON: Copy that. Car, pull a bit to the right into turn 11. Not from where I was.
Engineer: Copy that, we'll have a look. There's a little bit of brake temp asymmetry. I think it's probably just that, but we'll check everything over.
George RUSSELL: Let's review clutch target following that final start, that was good
Engineer: OK, you can cool the car, cool the car, and stop back of the grid, cool the car, stop back of the grid.
Yuki TSUNODA: OK, I think I felt, like I confirmed that, I have understood, similar feeling of FP2, I think because it comes from especially the wind, tailwind, turn 6 meter is quite worse, so we can look at that, sector 3 I feel good, it's OK.
Engineer: Copy, someone is steering the iceberg. And feedback, turn 11 braking was at the limit of both axles, so that is the very limit.
Yuki TSUNODA: Yeah, I pushed too much, but yeah.
Lewis HAMILTON: Mad Dog, what's your thoughts?
Engineer: Hi Lewis, I think everything is as we expected. There was a little bit more margin there with the soft, but it'll come back to our target with the medium. So, the driver is doing a lot better as well.
Kimi RAIKKONEN: Yeah, I don't know about the day if we should stay with the front wing or go up as we said.
Engineer: OK, formation lap procedure, so same mode 12 for the thermogrid launch and the rest of the formation lap, pit limiter can be off, and a satisfied 1.5 on the cars on the ground.
Engineer: carry out your nudge to gear 3 and then work the tyres and generate as much temper as possible however, be honest with your throttle pedal as well to inform you of that before the engine sets down and as you come back round to the grid from P15, which is right against this lot and it's between Alpine and Ferrari pit walls completely overtaken, two long burnouts and as that does, perform the extra run rather than coping down into your start position
Engineer: Okay, so start with usual reminders. One thing to notice is that the wind has increased slightly, as was forecasted. The direction is still the same.
Engineer: OK, Daniel, tyre information. So cars with a free choice are all starting on medium tyres. Vettel is on a used medium, as is Ocon.
Daniel RICCIARDO: OK, understood.
Engineer: And final reminder, so you've got red button available for the formation lap and left hand toggle is available if you need it for first lap.
Daniel RICCIARDO: OK, I'm going to start in torque two for first lap. Just remind me to get out of that after the first lap.
Engineer: Yeah, understood, Daniel.
Engineer: Ok, no much to lose from here, let's be aggressive, have fun and see what we get.
Fernando ALONSO: Yeah, not a good weekend so far but let's do a perfect race, let's see what result we can get.
Lance STROLL: I got hit from behind. Copy. Checked damage.
Engineer: Ok Esteban, we think we've got front wing damage, do you feel the same? We can see a lot of sparking. You don't feel it?
Esteban OCON: No, I don't feel it, no.
Esteban OCON: So look
Max VERSTAPPEN: He's sliding a lot
Engineer: Understood
Engineer: Okay Valtteri, we need to give the position back to Gasly, we need to do it now, otherwise we're gonna get a penalty
Engineer: Niki, do you think we can keep going? We see some damage, but hard to see if it's drivable or not.
Nicholas LATIFI: I don't know, man. It's a lot of understeer, I feel.
Engineer: Ok, you need to be goal-raised, single-press HPP. You need to make a decision. No, on IRO, it's hard to say. We see some damage, but it's not good. Do one more lap. Copy. One more lap. I'm close to pit wall. Tyres are ok. Tyres are ok. That's
Nicholas LATIFI: definitely damaged.
Engineer: Do you have any idea of how much you're losing? Is it drivable or not?
Nicholas LATIFI: It's drivable, but I can try and go to the first pit stop. I don't know. I mean, so long as I'm with the pack, we might as well stay out. Yep, stay out. Stay out, please.
Nicholas LATIFI: Sandwich by the f***ing horse, man. You just sent it from Wicked Average.
Engineer: Brake balance plus two, brake balance plus two, you're three tenths quicker than Alonso, let's apply some pressure.
Engineer: So Russell ahead will not have DRS, Russell 0.6, Alonso 0.5.
Engineer: And that's blue 2 position 3 please. Copy.
Nicholas LATIFI: I can't keep the surface temps under control right now, with the imbalance. Just four wheels sliding everywhere.
Engineer: Understood.
Lance STROLL: I have no grip in the high speed corners
Engineer: Copy, let's watch the slip in the low seat. Which axle? Which axle is the issue? Rear
Engineer: Okay, that first trap limit was exceeded at turn 19 last lap
Engineer: Okay, 41.6 for Hamilton and 41.4 for Max.
Engineer: Verstappen at 0.9, traction metrics below 5,000.
Engineer: When you can, Max. Strat 11, position 3. Strat 11, position 3.
Engineer: It's quicker than me right now. Copy loose.
Engineer: Ok Pierre, keep the head down, your team with the soft should be hitting a cliff much earlier than us Yeah I can, when can we stop?
Pierre GASLY: I'm f***ing the tires, when can we stop?
Engineer: We have to overtake sorry
Pierre GASLY: Yeah,
Engineer: I can see that straight three available for sector one one step down again
Max VERSTAPPEN: He's sliding a lot and I have a lot more pace, so I just want to tell you.
Engineer: Yeah, understood, thank you.
Engineer: Carlos, we have been instructed by race director to give position to Lando for turn 12 lap 1, I'm afraid.
Carlos SAINZ: No, no, I gave it to Ricciardo back in turn 16, I did that on purpose, it was not Lando.
Engineer: Oh
Pierre GASLY: yes! I'll use him one more time in a second around.
Engineer: so we are going plan B and we need to keep the gap to Ricciardo behind at the moment gap to him is 3.2 and you are doing a good job with the tires keep doing it like this
Engineer: Gasly is struggling with his tyres as some cars are starting to stop, so we're going to go long. I
Valtteri BOTTAS: have a feeling Gasly will also go long, so I'm going to be stuck behind him.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Tires are really hot and I don't think we are particularly quick.
Engineer: OK, understood Max.
Engineer: Lando box to overtake this lap box to overtake box to overtake, please confirm
Lando NORRIS: Confirm
Engineer: And suggests back right for turn 19, back right for turn 19.
Audio only, no transcript available for this message.
Engineer: The
Sergio PEREZ: rear end, but I have a lot of understeer in
Engineer: the
Sergio PEREZ: high speed in sector 1.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Maybe you should force Hamilton not to go long with Chekhov.
Engineer: OK, Max, Hamilton has stayed out. So, again, just manage the peaks early in this stint. Manage the peaks early in this stint, mate.
Engineer: So box, check out box.
Engineer: OK, Treco has hit it, you're now effective P2 on track, currently gap to Hamilton is 16 seconds, his last lap was a 42.0, 42.0, so just sensible during these stints for these guys.
Engineer: So we are looking at extended and Apple II, so we're looking at extended and Apple II.
Sebastian VETTEL: Why not more?
Engineer: Yeah, we're watching.
Pierre GASLY: Ok, problem, problem, problem
Engineer: at the back Ok, is it engine, is it suspension, what's happening?
Pierre GASLY: Suspension!
Engineer: We lost the rear suspension
Engineer: So Verstappen 40.4, this lap a 40.8 we'll try and match that
Engineer: strat 4 everything you got
Engineer: Overtake available, Räikkönen 0.7 behind.
Engineer: You are doing a good job on tires, Pérez in front, 40.8, I will keep you updated on Ricciardo Ricciardo, 42.0
Fernando ALONSO: A right-hander overtook me outside stand 1. I need a position quickly. Copy.
Engineer: Okay, let's have strat 11 strat 11. That's the custom deployment should give more deployment on the straights So Daniel, we're still looking for plan a target lap plan a target lap
Daniel RICCIARDO: Understood
Kimi RAIKKONEN: Sure, last time I went second fastest right away, but it's impossible to f***ing out today. Copy that, copy that, we come back to you. I'm fine to let him pass when it comes to that. If I cannot make any progress, I don't give a f*** about it.
Fernando ALONSO: Hey, I need a position quickly. What are they doing? They're looking into it. There is nothing to look at.
Engineer: Okay, so if we can keep our pace up, get up to Lutie if you'll get past it would be helpful for the pit window of the Saubers that are in front of us, they'd come out behind in that case.
Audio only, no transcript available for this message.
Engineer: Okay, so the main deficits to Hamilton are turn one and then slightly more time management in turn 17
Carlos SAINZ: I cannot get the RS
Engineer: Copy that
Engineer: So Alonso ahead of Russell is getting held up by Giovinazzi who's on a medium. Giovinazzi is 11 lap old medium. He pitted early.
Fernando ALONSO: Oh, yes
Antonio GIOVINAZZI: Come on guys, you overtook me!
Engineer: And for staffing at 40.8, we need to target low 40s.
Fernando ALONSO: That's better
Engineer: Okay, understood Okay, we need to have game five please game five the seven o'clock on a multi-function game five
Sebastian VETTEL: Special, just take aero balance check now while you're in free air. I'm down a quarter. I'll give or take where we are.
Engineer: Copy.
Engineer: It's been requested to give the place back to Gimanazzi or we will get a five second penalty
Engineer: OK Lando, I know you'll hate everything I say, but this is when we need your talent to shine.
Lando NORRIS: Yeah, I'm going for it. Face zero.
Engineer: Attorney, you have to give the position to Alonso. But he pushed me out! Give position back now. No discussion. Give position back.
Engineer: And Ricciardo reported that this is his pace, he cannot go any faster, for info.
Carlos SAINZ: Copy. They are good in sector 1, there's a problem.
Engineer: Understood.
Carlos SAINZ: I'm struggling to pass.
Engineer: Copy, understood. Maybe try to give a breather to the tires and attack later.
Carlos SAINZ: Yeah, that's what I'm doing. Copy.
Engineer: Car ahead is Russell, doing 44.1. Tyres are going to come back in a couple of laps. You're still faster than him. Think about plus one on torque if you need more rear. Plus one on torque for more rear end. I
Lance STROLL: feel like I'm taking a lot out of the tyres.
Engineer: Copy. Rear right is hot. Take it easy in seven.
Engineer: Hamilton last lap 41 to BSC deployed max virtual safety car deployed give you dash positive that's positive
Engineer: And life for this set of tires, better than expected.
Sebastian VETTEL: remember this lap for turn eight
Engineer: copy that we'll make a note I can see what you mean yeah
Sebastian VETTEL: we speak after copy
Engineer: that
Max VERSTAPPEN: The right front vibration is picking up and she's losing vehicle
Engineer: Understood
Engineer: Oculus, we'll go target plus six, target plus six.
Engineer: Rando, question. Do you think the undercut power on the first stop was influenced by Stroll?
Lando NORRIS: The what? Repeat, the what?
Engineer: Was the undercut power influenced by Stroll?
Lando NORRIS: Yeah, maybe half a second or so, but that's it.
Engineer: Good message, thank you.
Engineer: Okay Sights had a slightly slow stop so push we can box this lap and cover
Max VERSTAPPEN: How many laps did I do on him?
Engineer: 19 laps last stint Looking for 27 on this stint
Engineer: Okay, Mick, leader Verstappen, 1.5 behind. He'll be a blue soon. Okay, blue flag Verstappen, blue flag Verstappen.
Sergio PEREZ: What I got to do is he's
Engineer: got a decent gap at the moment
Carlos SAINZ: OK, now we need to think about the free-stop, we want to pass the Ricciardo
Engineer: Understood
Engineer: Lewis you're racing for the win
Max VERSTAPPEN: What is this laptop 40
Engineer: .8
Engineer: Yeah copy that Lewis, we'll still be target plus six maybe seven if we can manage it
Carlos SAINZ: Ok, so you want me to push, yeah?
Engineer: We need to know how much space you have in hand.
Carlos SAINZ: Right now? One second.
Engineer: Suggest Orange Torque 4, Orange Torque 4.
Daniel RICCIARDO: Yeah, I need it for rotation. Understood. Particularly turn 11.
Engineer: OK, we're going to take a blue to Hamilton soon. He's got Räikkönen behind him on new hard tyres, so we need to let Hamilton through and then when we get the blue. But watch for Räikkönen behind him.
Engineer: And a staff unpredicted at 40 points. So much traffic! Yeah, copy.
Engineer: So you could consider left toggle for turns 13 and 15 for stability, left toggle for turns 13 and 15.
Engineer: So no need to take anything off the tires now, 5 seconds ahead, sign Cerricciardo, you're going to race them to the end for P5.
Engineer: The staff have predicted a 40.5. He's six seconds inside our window.
Engineer: Sebastian Hamilton is still seven seconds back car ahead is Mazepin he's a lap down he will get blue flags and Lance has just pitted
Engineer: There's no management on these tyres, you can push, you can push.
Engineer: So how many more laps have you got at this pace do you think? 5 to 10 Copy that, copy
Engineer: Hamilton is in the slot.
Engineer: We just need to bring these tyres in nice and steady, just like you did with Stint 2.
Engineer: If science makes an extra pit stop he'll drop behind Lando and Bottas. He's likely to try and get to the end
Daniel RICCIARDO: Okay
Engineer: Okay Lance, you're half a second quicker than Giovinazzi, he's going to have some lapping events ahead so we can get him.
Engineer: So we're still talking plan A, plan A, 39 laps complete, 17 remaining.
Nikita MAZEPIN: I'm also crying inside the car with our feet are burning. It's like they're standing on something very hot. We'll need to investigate. Yeah, copy that.
Engineer: OK, apologies, we need to retire the car. Box now.
Esteban OCON: Copy that, what's the problem?
Engineer: It's something at the back of the car, I'll explain more when you're back in, apologies.
Engineer: So Spencer Geovance is on his own, he's got 12 lap older tyres, and then further ahead is Tsunoda and Raikkonen who we're hoping to get, that'll be P9. So that won't be easy, but I reckon we give it a go.
Sebastian VETTEL: Sure.
Engineer: Strat 5 position 3 please Max, Strat 5 position 3 when you can.
Lewis HAMILTON: Is the rear getting too high?
Engineer: We do see rear overheating but traction metrics look okay.
Carlos SAINZ: I got a bit dirty, but we did it on purpose guys.
Engineer: Understood, we're reporting.
Engineer: Okay then, Schumacher ahead, you'll get blue flags soon. The problem is Daniel and Carlos are fighting a lot, that's the restriction. Do not push as much through turn 17 if we need to get this tyre to the end, a little bit less.
Engineer: So Alonso pitted for an extra set of mediums, he's five seconds behind, one lap new and mediums are new, Giovanazzi 3.2 ahead.
Engineer: okay Lando we don't think we'd get close enough so we like to stay out please so this is still maximum pace to the end okay 13 laps to go let's do this
Max VERSTAPPEN: What is normally the pace advantage you need to pass here?
Engineer: I think regardless of that pace delta max, I think the key will be just having enough rear tires for the DRS zones.
Lewis HAMILTON: You're still pretty quick.
Engineer: Coppoloose, he had a lot of early management. Only loss to him is turn 19, just a tenth there.
Engineer: It's a good lap max, 38.8 for Hamilton.
Engineer: We still believe his surface is overeating, we know it's difficult, try your best. Otas has been told to manage the tyres and have a go later in the race, 9 laps to go.
Engineer: That's your third track limits in turn 9, third track limits, no more, no more.
Engineer: Hamilton only a match that time in Sector 1
Engineer: Six laps.
Fernando ALONSO: Yeah, rear wing broke up. Retire the car. Ok, copy, copy.
Max VERSTAPPEN: How many laps?
Engineer: Six laps.
Engineer: Gap is up to 1.9. Come on, mate.
Engineer: And Bottas 0.99 with the RS. No more strikes at turn 6. No more strikes at turn 6.
Engineer: OK, the car is OK, the car is OK, keep pushing, Leclerc, 4 seconds behind.
Kimi RAIKKONEN: Yeah, but the tyres are gone.
Engineer: The tyre pressure is OK, if the vibration is too much, we can box or stop.
Kimi RAIKKONEN: Let's box, this is our usual tyres. OK, box then, box.
Engineer: I will go plus 3, Kimi, plus 3, box, box, box.
Engineer: And two more laps. It feels like the wind is picking up.
Lance STROLL: Where can I improve, man?
Engineer: I
Lance STROLL: feel like I'm just f***ing nowhere.
Engineer: Turn 4 and 5, turn 4 and 5, and 19 exit. Turn 4 and 5, we can pick up the pace a little bit.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Can this Husker please go out of the way get up to Michael?
Engineer: Yeah, we are on it
Engineer: What a drive, Max. What a drive. Masterful. Well done, mate.
Max VERSTAPPEN: Yes, guys. Unbelievable.
Engineer: Sheer class, Max. That was classy. What a drive. What a drive.
Max VERSTAPPEN: We did it. Great job, guys.
Engineer: Well done Lewis, that's a great drive, absolutely awesome afternoon mate, really well managed. Just not quick enough today, but a really great drive.
Engineer: His tyres were eight laps younger than yours and I didn't think you were going to do that, but fantastic, fantastic job.
Max VERSTAPPEN: To be honest, I like the way we played this strategy. It's good to be aggressive sometimes.
Engineer: Lewis nevertheless brilliant drive, brilliant, brilliant drive, even if we don't like the end result, brilliant.
Sergio PEREZ: Well done, Jacky-O! You have no idea.
Engineer: Well
Sergio PEREZ: done!
Engineer: Great, great
Sergio PEREZ: job! Good job, guys. You have no idea how hard it was for me.
Engineer: I
Sergio PEREZ: had not drink the whole race. Good job, guys. It's
Engineer: hot enough on the pit wall. I can't imagine what it was like for you.
Sergio PEREZ: You have no idea. You
Engineer: should go and enjoy some sparkling wine now. Rehydrate.
Sergio PEREZ: Yeah. Have the rebel ready, please. Hey!
Engineer: I'm close to the
Sergio PEREZ: other side.
Engineer: I'm gonna have to get out of the way.
Engineer: Ok Nikita, difficult one, so when you stop, P143 seconds before you go P030. And
Nikita MAZEPIN: I'm very sorry about the headrest.
Charles LECLERC: good job guys, great pace, really great pace great job
Engineer: nice to see you driving like this Charles, very good today thank
Charles LECLERC: you very much
Engineer: thank
Charles LECLERC: you guys
Engineer: Good job Mick, tricky to manage that rear for us, but you did well with it, did all you could.
Mick SCHUMACHER: Yeah, thank you. Kind of felt good, all of those. Thank you for that.
Engineer: At least we had some decent fried chicken this week. That's
Mick SCHUMACHER: true. Well soon we'll call it Winner Winner Chicken's Dinner, right?
Engineer: There you go. Next year.
Mick SCHUMACHER: That's right. Next year. Thanks boys.
Daniel RICCIARDO: All right. Nice job, guys. Nice job.
Engineer: Yeah, well done, Daniel. So that's P5. P5. Good stuff. Good drive, mate. You controlled that really well. Pace was solid. Obviously, it's a shame we can't quite keep up with Leclerc today. But you controlled science beautifully all race, so happy with that. I
Daniel RICCIARDO: think we got what we could, so we'll obviously try and figure out how to get quicker. But it's good to take a few points away from him, so well done.
Engineer: Yeah, cheers. Good stuff. Good stuff.
Engineer: Lots of goodness in your drive today, Valtteri. Well done. Yeah, I tried, but it's not much more today,
Valtteri BOTTAS: so...
Engineer: Okay, that's check and flag, check and flag, you go in, go in, pickup probe for info, last lap was deleted, track limit turn 9.
Nicholas LATIFI: Copy.
Engineer: P7, P7, good fights out there, you try your best, well done. What
Carlos SAINZ: a s**t race. What happened at the start Ricky, what was the problem?
Engineer: A bit of a procedure to revisit but nothing big.
Engineer: OK, checkered flag, P14 Reichenen 2 ahead by the end Slow on the way in, slow on the way in
George RUSSELL: Good guys Might do an extra
Engineer: Yeah, if they don't
Engineer: OK Kimi, that's the checkered flag, so more charge please, more charge and pick up rubber.
Engineer: Check your flag, check your flag, Yuki. It's P9, P9. Best race you've done this year. Good job.
Yuki TSUNODA: Good job, guys. Very good car. Good comeback from Friday. Mechanics and engineers did a really good job. All of you guys did a really good job. Thanks, guys.
Engineer: And, yeah, thank you, Yuki. And your weekend was strong. So we build up from here.
Yuki TSUNODA: Important points, yeah.
Engineer: Let's check the flag Lance, that's P12 P12. That's a good recovery from the turn one, well done. Take the pick up, take the pick up. Okay Lance, top 10 in front Verstappen, Hamilton.
Sebastian VETTEL: Well done mate, that's a P10. Tough push all the way, but well done. Okay guys, at least we got a point, so yeah, well done. We lost a bit too much in the first stint, and we were playing catch up, but second stint felt good. Last stint struggled again a little bit more, but thank you guys. Howdy.
Engineer: Gatineau P11 at the end, has missed the point, first up 1, Hamilton second, Paris P3, Leclerc P4, then Richardo P5.
Antonio GIOVINAZZI: Copy.
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