Un-broadcast radio messages from last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix reveal how Aston Martin blamed Carlos Sainz Jnr for the collision between Lance Stroll and Daniel Ricciardo, how Haas played a strategic masterstroke at the start, why Pierre Gasly was frustrated with his team’s tactics and more.
Plus, why did it take so long for the race to restart following the two Safety Car periods, and how Zhou Guanyu was unaware Formula 1 planned a special post-race celebration for him.
Hulkenberg’s early stop
Whoever was first into the pits stood to claim an advantage by getting onto fresher tyres before their rivals. Haas made sure Nico Hulkenberg pulled it off with a very late call for him to pit – so late, in fact, he admitted he anticipated it.
| Lap: 8/56 HUL: 1’49.064 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gannon | Box now, Nico, box now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hulkenberg | Fucking hell! Bit late. I just second-guessed there, that was too late. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“We’re racing Ferrari, no?”
Early in the race, McLaren discovered to their surprise their pace was strong compared to rivals Ferrari. Lando Norris encouraged his team to forget about covering off rivals such as Fernando Alonso and George Russell and focus on out-running the Ferrari pair. It paid off.
| Lap: 13/56 NOR: 1’41.805 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yeah pace is good. The pace seems strong. Let’s maximise our race. Let’s not get too hung up on the people who boxed. We’re in a good position. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Lando we agree the pace looks good. Last lap Leclerc did a 41.9, Sainz did a 42.6, we think we’re racing them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 16/56 NOR: 1’41.795 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Lando just a bit of a question for you. Alonso’s 27.3, If we pitted ahead of him and gave them free air Ferraris might just extend, I’m not sure. Or we’d have to come up behind Alonso and pass him later. Alonso on a hard tyre. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 17/56 NOR: 1’41.700 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | We’re racing Ferrari, no? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | We understand that. Just trying to think how best to beat them. In terms of clean air ahead of Alonso or extend similar to them? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | I think extend with them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Understood. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 20/56 NOR: 1’42.167 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Lando, question: How are the tyres? Gap to Alonso 24.4, Russell 27.1. Would you be happy behind one car? Would you be happy behind two cars? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | I think I’d overtake both. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Understood. And tyre update please. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
When Valtteri Bottas came to a stop, Norris was braced to pit if a Virtual Safety Car or Safety Car period began. To his frustration, the VSC was called moments after he passed the pit lane entrance.
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