Unheard radio from title rivals’ latest fight · RaceFans
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris came to blows on-track for the second weekend in a row at the United States Grand Prix.
Their controversial lap 10 clash ultimately meant both drivers spent most of the race well apart from each other, each trying to salvage the best from the time lost early on. Here’s how their races unfolded on their radios.
Verstappen and Norris’ Mexican GP radio messages
Verstappen beat pole-winner Carlos Sainz Jnr to turn one and forced him off the track at the exit. When Sainz rejoined in front of him, Verstappen was quick to point out the position should be his, and Sainz duly let him by.
The Safety Car was deployed soon afterwards due to the collision between Yuki Tsunoda and Alexander Albon. Verstappen kept his lead at the restart, but couldn’t shake Sainz off:
Lap: 1/71 VER: 1’45.059, NOR: 1’49.304
Verstappen
I was ahead.
Lambiase
Yep, understood.
Lap: 6/71 VER: 2’04.357, NOR: 2’01.270
Lambiase
Safety Car in pit lane.
Lap: 7/71 VER: 1’21.442, NOR: 1’21.885
Lambiase
Think about your bias offset. Currently minus one.
Lambiase
So will be mode four, mode four exit turn 11.
Lambiase
Gap 1.5.
Verstappen offered no defence when Sainz passed him shortly after the restart, but got his elbows out when Norris tried to take second place off him. The stewards took a dim view, eventually handing him a pair of 10-second penalties:
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Lap: 8/71 VER: 1’21.475, NOR: 1’21.724
Lambiase
Gap 1.0.
Joseph
DRS enabled.
Lambiase
DRS enabled.
Lambiase
Has DRS.
Lap: 9/71 VER: 1’24.027, NOR: 1’22.413
Lambiase
Gap 0.8.
Joseph
Leclerc will have DRS.
Lambiase
And mode seven.
Lap: 10/71 VER: 1’24.675, NOR: 1’24.863
Joseph
Lando, Max is complaining about a lack of battery so maybe try [message cuts out].
Norris
I was ahead the whole way through the corner.
Joseph
Understood. We’re looking at it now.
Norris
This guy is dangerous. I just had to avoid a crash. It’s the same as last time, mate.
Joseph
Yep we’re on it, mate.
Norris
I’m going to end up in a wall in a minute.
Norris
Yeah, but it’s two different incidents.
Lap: 11/71 VER: 1’21.710, NOR: 1’22.047
Lambiase
Inside DRS.
Joseph
We understand Lando. Two separate incidents. Hamilton will have DRS behind.
Norris
Yep. He overtook off the track and pushed off the track.
Joseph
Yep. Suggest strat 10.
Joseph
Lando the turn eight incident has been noted.
McLaren kept Norris apprised of the stewards’ decisions on Verstappen’s driving:
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Lap: 12/71 VER: 1’21.712, NOR: 1’21.803
Lambiase
Mode six, mode six.
Joseph
Suggest using left-hand toggle turn one, turn four.
Joseph
Push-and-hold available.
Lap: 13/71 VER: 1’21.884, NOR: 1’21.935
Lambiase
Gap 1.1. Does not have DRS.
Joseph
Okay Lando the turn four one has also been noted. And the turn eight one. So both turn eight and turn four are under investigation.
Lap: 14/71 VER: 1’21.758, NOR: 1’21.988
Lambiase
So Max, for info, you’ve been given a 10-second penalty for forcing Lando off-track at turn four. So head down.
Joseph
And so far, Verstappen’s been given a 10-second penalty. I’m not sure which one yet.
Verstappen
Ten? That’s quite impressive.
Lambiase
There was a lot of whingeing. A lot.
Lap: 15/71 VER: 1’22.051, NOR: 1’22.146
Lambiase
Gap at 1.2.
Verstappen
My left-rear’s not very good. I don’t know with the others how they look.
Lambiase
Understood.
Lap: 16/71 VER: 1’22.080, NOR: 1’21.981
Norris
Pace okay I think, just dirty air. A little bit front-limited, high speed.
Joseph
Okay mate understood. We’re obviously looking ahead to the Ferraris so if you can pass Max safely, take it.
Lap: 17/71 VER: 1’22.017, NOR: 1’22.332
Norris
Yeah. At the moment my tyres don’t feel too good honestly. I think the pace is reasonable. Maybe not as good as the Ferraris.
Joseph
Understood. And Lando we think less graining than Friday and your tyres similar to the people ahead.
Lap: 18/71 VER: 1’22.340, NOR: 1’22.271
Verstappen
Tyres are running super-hot. Can’t lean on the rear.
Lambiase
Understood, same pace as the leader.
Lap: 20/71 VER: 1’22.357, NOR: 1’22.352
Joseph
And Lando, Verstappen has been given a second 10-second time penalty.
Lap: 21/71 VER: 1’22.325, NOR: 1’22.137
Norris
Tyres still not looking very good.
Joseph
Okay, on our end they look consistent for now. Suggest using strat nine.
Lap: 22/71 VER: 1’22.574, NOR: 1’22.311
Lambiase
So Max, update: You’ve been given another 10-second time penalty. That’s for leaving the track and gaining an advantage at turn eight.
Norris
Yeah, I agree. I think my pace is better than him, not the Ferrari. Just dirty air’s too bad.
Lambiase
And Lando how’s the balance? We suggest coming up one for the next tyre.
Verstappen
How about him then in four? That’s fine then? That’s silly, man.
With 20 seconds of penalties hanging over him, Verstappen was in a risky situation if the Safety Car appeared. More pressingly, his tyres were also fading, so Red Bull brought him in, and Norris finally had some clean air ahead:
Lap: 23/71 VER: 1’22.229, NOR: 1’22.290
Joseph
Lando just be careful with that much apex kerb at turn 12.
Lap: 24/71 VER: 1’22.455, NOR: 1’22.062
Joseph
Lando push-hold overtake here.
Norris
I’ve got DRS, all good.
Joseph
Okay.
Lap: 25/71 VER: 1’22.621, NOR: 1’22.535
Lambiase
Okay that’s 0.8.
Verstappen
My tyres are not holding on, guys. It’s getting hard.
Lap: 26/71 VER: 1’25.562, NOR: 1’22.630
Lambiase
0.7.
Lambiase
So Max box and pit confirm, box and pit confirm.
Lambiase
Strat 12 in pit lane, Max. Can you switch the engine off, P1 and back to P2. I’ll let you know when to fire up.
Norris followed Verstappen soon afterwards, but his rival’s 20-second penalty meant the McLaren driver didn’t have to worry about dropping behind him:
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Lap: 27/71 VER: 2’01.898, NOR: 1’22.185
Joseph
Okay Lando let’s use this clean air. Gap to Leclerc is 6.8, it’ll be plan A, look to extend.
Joseph
Last lap Leclerc did a 22.3.
Lap: 28/71 VER: 1’22.325, NOR: 1’22.676
Joseph
Lando, minor, white H4 position four. Leclerc struggling a bit, did a 22.7.
Norris
Yeah, it’s not much better now for me either, so.
Lap: 29/71 VER: 1’22.280, NOR: 1’22.735
Joseph
Lando balance-wise do you think we should add more front wing at the next stop?
Norris
Tough to say.
Lap: 30/71 VER: 1’21.252, NOR: 1’26.051
Norris
My front-left is really fucked. Think I need to box, it’s getting quite a bit worse.
Joseph
Do you want to do it now, Lando? Lando if you think they’re gone, happy to box this lap.
Norris
Exit of turn 16 Box now. Lando pit lane.
While Verstappen made progress through the midfielders, Norris conserved his pace initially:
Lap: 33/71 VER: 1’21.804, NOR: 1’20.859
Lambiase
Okay Max so Hamilton is 6.3 ahead.
Joseph
And Lando, Sainz also pitted, and we will have to follow the dash.
Lambiase
So Colapinto head, pace 22.6.
Norris
Yeah, I’ve got nothing on my dash. It’s fine, it’s fine.
Lap: 34/71 VER: 1’22.154, NOR: 1’20.881
Verstappen
I struggle a lot braking into corners. Just no grip.
Lambiase
Understood, Max.
Lap: 36/71 VER: 1’21.803, NOR: 1’20.703
Lambiase
So Russell 21.6.
Verstappen
Tyres are not working. They don’t grip.
Lap: 37/71 VER: 1’22.440, NOR: 1’21.008
Joseph
Lando, when ready, gap to Russell the car behind is 14.3.
Lap: 38/71 VER: 1’21.111, NOR: 1’20.868
Joseph
And Lando we’re happy to reduce the amount of [lift-and-coast] into turn one.
Lap: 39/71 VER: 1’21.580, NOR: 1’20.710
Lambiase
Okay, so car ahead is Piastri, pace 22.3. Mercedes pace 21.4.
Norris
What lap time is Charles doing?
Lambiase
And happy to reduce [lift-and-coast] into turn 12 as well.
Joseph
20.5.
Several drivers briefly wondered if rain was about to hit the track as a shower passed nearby:
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Lap: 40/71 VER: 1’21.448, NOR: 1’20.845
Verstappen
It’s getting really dark.
Norris
Yeah I don’t have his pace at the minute.
Lambiase
Nothing going to hit the track at the moment, Max.
Joseph
His pace is going up and down. Sometimes 20.8, he did a one-off 20.5.
Lap: 41/71 VER: 1’21.712, NOR: 1’20.768
Lambiase
That’s 31 laps remaining. Main losses turn three and 12.
Lap: 42/71 VER: 1’21.596, NOR: 1’20.451
Verstappen
I have no grip.
Lap: 44/71 VER: 1’21.161, NOR: 1’20.385
Norris
What time did he do the last couple of laps?
Joseph
The last two, 2.5. Lando the gap to Russell is now 18.
Lap: 45/71 VER: 1’21.266, NOR: 1’20.370
Joseph
And Lando there are the smallest of drops in the pit lane but we’re not expecting anything else so don’t worry.
Lap: 46/71 VER: 1’21.284, NOR: 1’20.221
Joseph
Just be careful of the high late steer lock in turn seven.
Norris
I am.
Lap: 48/71 VER: 1’21.116, NOR: 1’20.443
Norris
What time did he do last lap?
Joseph
20.5, same as you.
Norris began to close on Leclerc but both drivers encountered delays in traffic as they picked their way past Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson and Lance Stroll:
Lap: 49/71 VER: 1’21.052, NOR: 1’20.638
Joseph
Lando purple default four nine please. He did a 20.6. Minor purple C3 position three.
Norris
Yeah, I need a backmarker out the way.
Lap: 50/71 VER: 1’21.023, NOR: 1’20.545
Lambiase
Press and hold the overtake, Max. Three seconds.
Joseph
So Lando those changes we made was such that you could use more fuel. We’re happy from a tyre perspective so less [lift and coast] is okay. The dash will update next time around.
Lap: 51/71 VER: 1’21.160, NOR: 1’20.405
Norris
Yeah I’m just losing now.
Joseph
I know. We can’t do anything unless you get close enough.
Joseph
15 laps complete, Max, 21 remaining.
Lap: 52/71 VER: 1’21.119, NOR: 1’20.474
Joseph
Suggest left-hand paddle through the high speed.
Lap: 54/71 VER: 1’21.218, NOR: 1’20.667
Norris
I don’t know what to do. It’s just ruining my race now. I know I have to get closer, but I can’t.
Lap: 55/71 VER: 1’20.995, NOR: 1’20.398
Joseph
Lando his pace is dropping back. Suggest we use some battery in order to get the blue flags.
Joseph
And minor, white H4, position five.
Lap: 56/71 VER: 1’21.013, NOR: 1’20.509
Lambiase
Engine eight, position 12. Engine eight, position 12.
Lap: 57/71 VER: 1’20.902, NOR: 1’20.271
Lambiase
Engine nine position one. Engine nine position one.
Joseph
Colapinto is being a bit naughty. Push and hold overtake.
Lambiase
Engine 11 position five. Engine 11 position five.
Lambiase
Strat 11 when you can, strat 11.
Lap: 59/71 VER: 1’21.091, NOR: 1’20.163
Joseph
Push-hold for DRS.
Over the final third of the race Verstappen was lapping by himself with no realistic chance of catching the Mercedes drivers ahead, even as they lost time fighting each other.
Norris was spared a fight with Leclerc over second place as the Ferrari driver suffered a snap of oversteer at turn 17 on lap 62 and skidded wide, an incident which passed without comment:
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Lap: 60/71 VER: 1’21.052, NOR: 1’20.272
Lambiase
Minor, white H2 position one, white H2 position one. That’s attack-defend.
Lap: 61/71 VER: 1’21.332, NOR: 1’20.045
Lambiase
So Max reduce the lift-and-coast. Struggling for rear surface temp.
Lap: 64/71 VER: 1’21.160, NOR: 1’20.494
Joseph
Looks like the wind speed has increased a bit. Sainz is 7.8, he did a 20.5.
Lap: 65/71 VER: 1’21.247, NOR: 1’20.194
Lambiase
And you can push the bias rearward as another click if you need to.
Joseph
Lando minor, white H2 position three, white H2 position three. So that’s the standard deployment.
Norris held the fastest lap at one stage, then lost it to Lawson, and finally Leclerc pitted to ensure he claimed the bonus point.
Lap: 66/71 VER: 1’21.257, NOR: 1’20.274
Lambiase
So six laps remaining. Gap behind 4.9.
Joseph
Five laps to go. Just be careful with that much kerb in turn four.
Joseph
Sorry Lando correction, it’s five laps after this one, my bad.
Lap: 67/71 VER: 1’21.197, NOR: 1’19.972
Joseph
Potential debris turn 12 to turn 13. Not sure where. And Lando there is also debris turn two to turn three off-line. For your awareness you currently have the fastest lap.
Lap: 71/71 VER: 1’21.570, NOR: 1’20.363
Lambiase
This is the final lap.
Joseph
Lando you can use push-and-hold overtake if you want but Leclerc has pitted to try it.
Joseph
Exit turn three Push and hold here.
Having said little over the second half of the race, Verstappen reiterated his concern over his car’s pace, while team principal Christian Horner came on his radio to commiserate:
Chequered flag
Lambiase
Fail 84 please Max. Hard luck. We’ll have a look at that, particularly that second stint.
Joseph
Lando keep recharge off. White H11 position 12. White H11 position 12. Well done, mate.
Verstappen
Yeah the medium as well felt really shocking.
Norris
Yeah. Couldn’t have asked for a lot more. It was a good race. Just, yeah, interesting one. Well done, good points everyone, thank you.
Horner
A frustrating race today, Max, but you gave it everything. And I thought the penalties were definitely on the harsher side.
Joseph
And Lando you will stop the car at turn 13, there will be boards waiting for you there.
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