McLaren have confirmed they knew at an early stage in the Las Vegas Grand Prix their cars were experiencing unusually high levels of ‘porpoising’.
The team said this caused the damage to their plank assemblies on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s cars which caused their disqualifications.
McLaren also confirmed they tried to limit the damage during the race. “We realised relatively soon that this level of porpoising was causing a high level of skid wear energy and this is the reason why both drivers started to take remedial actions in various parts of the circuit,” said team principal Andrea Stella.
This might not have been immediately obvious to anyone watching their drivers’ onboard feeds during the race. At no point did either driver’s race engineer refer to concerns over their plank, floor, skid blocks or similar.
Why was this the case? It’s possible – but very unlikely – that there were such messages but they weren’t broadcast. Formula One Management can silently censor drivers’ radio messages on its onboard feeds. This is done without ‘beeping’ them so it is not always possible to know if a message has been hidden.
However this normally happens either immediately following a crash, due to concerns over a driver’s condition, or if the driver is particularly agitated and FOM suspect they could be about to use strong language. Neither case applies here.
Based on what was broadcast of Norris and Piastri’s messages, at no point was either driver told the team was concerned about the state of their planks. However Stella confirmed those fears existed and they were the reason why the drivers backed off in places.
“The porpoising condition that the car developed in the race was also a difficult one to mitigate,” he explained, “as even a reduction in speed – an action that, in theory, should increase clearance to the ground – was only effective in some parts of the track but in others was actually counterproductive.”
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As the transcript of their messages below (a portion of which was published here previously immediately after the race) shows, both drivers were told to reduce their speed at various points around the lap.
Stella said they discovered early on the bouncing was worse than expected. As early as lap six Norris was told to reduce his speed more in turns six and 11. These are both left-hand corners where more damage would be caused to the right-hand side of the plank: Norris was eventually disqualified due to the right-hand side wear at two points on the rear of his plank assembly, and the vast majority of Piastri’s damage was also on the right-hand side.
An example of the “counterproductive” change in driving technique Stella referred to appeared to occur for Norris on lap 43. He reported backing off in turn 10 created a “worse” sensation.
The messages were not consistent between the two cars which is likely because the pair had very different races. Norris was usually in free air while Piastri spent a lot of time in traffic and therefore would have had less downforce due to the turbulent air from cars ahead.
Of course teams also tell drivers to manage their pace or alter their lines for reasons other than to avoid plank wear, such as to manage fuel consumption, cool the car and control tyre temperatures and graining. And when teams tell their drivers to manage their pace, it’s not unusual for them to omit the reason for doing so.
Ferrari, for example, have routinely told their drivers to lift-and-coast this year. They don’t want to give away potentially useful information to their rivals, either for tactical reasons during a race or to avoid a post-race protest.
McLaren’s plank wear problem would also have been more difficult to track than other problems. Had their concern been fuel consumption, the team has sensors which can track this, and they could have kept the drivers well informed about whether they were saving enough. But predicting plank wear is much more difficult – there is no sensor showing how thin a plank has become.
Finally, it remains unclear exactly when McLaren realised they had a serious problem. Did they spot it in the data after the reconnaissance laps and warn the drivers before the race? Stella’s explanation does not exclude that possibility, which would also explain why no one needed to tell either driver about the problem with their planks. Alternatively, the seriousness of the situation may have only become clear when it was already too late.
Transcript: McLaren’s messages to Norris and Piastri
Start – lap 5
Laps 6-10
Laps 11-15
Laps 16-20
Laps 21-25
Laps 26-30
Laps 31-35
Laps 36-40
Laps 41-45
Laps 46 – Finish
Start – lap 5
| Lap: 1/50 NOR: 1’44.165, PIA: 1’46.777 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Double yellow flags in turn one. | Piastri | I don’t know about damage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Car looks okay so far. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 2/50 NOR: 2’12.717, PIA: 2’13.563 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Track clear, DRS enabled. | Stallard | DRS enabled. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And gap ahead 1.4, gap behind 1.0. Minor, purple C7 position one. Purple C7 position one. Sainz does have DRS. And Virtual Safety Car deployed, Virtual Safety Car deployed. | Stallard | Track shown slippery, three-four. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | There’s double yellow flags turn one [unclear]. | Stallard | Bearman behind one point two. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | VSC, VSC, delta positive, recharge on. Oscar they’re currently showing double yellow in one to four. I believe they’re moving that debris. Expect this to be a short VSC. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Blue mode one, blue mode one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Suggest strat seven for the restart. Strat seven. You should use the overtake button. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 3/50 NOR: 1’40.573, PIA: 1’39.781 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Still double yellow flags turn one to turn four. | Stallard | Double yellows, turn one four. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And still double yellows from turn one to turn four. | Stallard | VSC ending, recharge off, recharge off and overtake button reminder. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 4/50 NOR: 1’37.491, PIA: 1’37.628 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Track clear in turn one and… yeah, track… Virtual Safety Car ending, Virtual Safety Car ending, get on the delta. The race restart |
Stallard | Suggest orange torque four to help turn nine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And DRS is enabled. Sainz does not have it behind. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Sainz behind will not have DRS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 5/50 NOR: 1’36.965, PIA: 1’37.624 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And suggest slightly more lift, turn six, turn 11. | Stallard | Suggest red mid three, green shape two. Red mid three, green shape two. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Laps 6-10
| Lap: 6/50 NOR: 1’36.777, PIA: 1’37.098 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And minor, purple C2 position nine, please. Purple C2 position nine. | Stallard | Car behind is now Leclerc. Suggest earlier deeper lift in turn 10 if possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And opportunity, pace through turn three. | Stallard | Let me know if there’s any changes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Yeah, they feel fine now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 7/50 NOR: 1’36.777, PIA: 1’37.098 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando how’s the tyres, how’s the pace? | Stallard | Good step, turn five, Oscar. Good step turn five this lap. Remember we want to be using the brake. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yeah pace three, maybe. Just [unclear] front still. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 8/50 NOR: 1’36.966, PIA: 1’36.741 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando strat seven, please, strat seven. Ideally do a small lift in turn 17, turn five, turn 12, please. | Stallard | Opportunity turn nine, lower peak brake pressure, roll more speed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | That was a good job in turn nine. So Leclerc behind, he’s running a bigger wing. He looks good in turn nine. He’s slow on the straights. Gap currently 1.8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Opportunity turn one, wider line in exit so you can carry more speed without more understeer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 9/50 NOR: 1’36.856, PIA: 1’37.553 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Minor: ACS button press. | Stallard | Gap to Leclerc is now 1.1. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Okay Lando, opportunity turn three, a little bit more to gain. Try and be more exit-biased if possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 10/50 NOR: 1’36.439, PIA: 1’36.834 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando, Bearman is in P8, he’s currently 11.4. | Piastri | Suggest green shape one. Green shape one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Much better in turn three, keep it up. And Lando suggest coming down on the silver D switch next. So silver D5, please silver D5. | Stallard | Front-right looks like it’s starting to grain a tiny bit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Copy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Leclerc 0.8, suggest orange torque three, orange torque three. Leclerc passes Piastri on the next lap |
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Laps 11-15
| Lap: 11/50 NOR: 1’36.345, PIA: 1’36.705 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando suggest green F2, please green F2. So, picture behind you: there’s a group of four cars, Sainz, Hadjar, Oscar, Leclerc. They start at four seconds back. Then there’s Bearman, there’s a group of six cars with Bearman back to Albon at 17 seconds. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Minor: how’s tyres, how’s pace? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yeah, I mean the fronts are looking a little bit worse. That’s still what I’m afraid of. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 12/50 NOR: 1’36.264, PIA: 1’38.447 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando, we think you’re in a similar position to Verstappen. Russell, if anything, slightly better, but only a small amount. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Front or rear? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Front. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 13/50 NOR: 1’36.298, PIA: 1’37.290 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando, you’re currently the fastest car on track. If possible, slightly bigger lift, 17, five and 12, please. | Stallard | Diff bal minus one, Oscar, diff bal minus one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Suggest silver entry three. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 14/50 NOR: 1’35.962, PIA: 1’37.579 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Lando, we’re currently thinking plan B plus five. Plan B plus five. | Stallard | Hadjar will not have DRS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yeah, confirm. | Piastri | Track slippery, debris, centre track into 14. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And picture behind: Gap to Bearman is 16.5. He’s leading a group of five cars close together. The last of those is Hamilton at 21.8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And the size of lift in turn 11 is good. Just a little bit earlier, please. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 15/50 NOR: 1’36.087, PIA: 1’37.099 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando both Safety Car windows are open. Please confirm. | Stallard | That debris still there in 14, mid-track. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Confirm. | Stallard | Suggest red mid four orange torque two. Red mid four orange torque two. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Lando there’s a possible deputy between 13 and 14, we think on the left-hand side. If you can close up to Russell, we would do. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | The D switch is more powerful than the A right now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Laps 16-20
| Lap: 16/50 NOR: 1’58.262, PIA: 1’58.898 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | That’s Virtual Safety Car deployed. Virtual Safety Car deployed. | Stallard | VSC, VSC. Recharge on, delta positive. Suspect this is to move that debris. And we are in the window, both kinds of Safety. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | I guess we’re gonna take it. If it’s not done in time. I mean graining’s picking up a little bit now. I think pace is good, but, yeah, there’s a bit of graining front left, front right. | Stallard | ACS button, ACS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | There are double yellow flags from turn 13 to turn 14. And Lando, if we were to fit the hard tyre we’d come down one, happy? | Stallard | Oscar, are you [happy] with front wing? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yeah I think so. | Stallard | Er, yes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Let’s stay as close to the delta as possible. | Stallard | VSC ending, recharge off, recharge off, reminder for overtake. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Virtual Safety Car ending, Virtual Safety Car ending. So if it’s ended by the time we come past, we stay out. | Stallard | Piastri passes Hadjar Nice restart. Well done. |
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| Norris | It’s going to be gone. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Yep. The race restarts |
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| Joseph | Confirming we stay out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Confirm. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 17/50 NOR: 1’35.706, PIA: 1’36.339 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And gap to Bearman is 20.1. Hulk is 20.1. 21.1. | Stallard | Hadjar 0.5. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yeah, we are quick, so… yeah. | Stallard | Fronts are a bit grained now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Copy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Hadjar 1.1. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Oscar this is a plan B. We’re looking at plan B. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | And purple C6 position seven. Purple C 6 position seven. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Russell ahead has just pitted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 18/50 NOR: 1’35.591, PIA: 1’36.282 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Okay, this is our chance. Try and pick up the pace. | Piastri | Leclerc last lap, 36.4. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yeah, no, I am. Clean air is just miles better, so … | Stallard | Starting to struggle in turn nine with understeer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Confirming, we’re just gonna stay out, please. | Stallard | Copy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Confirm. | Stallard | Suggest orange torque one, orange torque one. Oscar when possible, li-co into five, li-co into five and diff in 11. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 19/50 NOR: 1’35.769, PIA: 1’36.426 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Suggest orange E7, orange E7. | Stallard | Matched Leclerc, Sainz 36.7. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando, the undercut power looks low. They’ve told Russell to manage his tyres with the target B… Sorry, panl B target plus 10, plus 10. | Stallard | Suggest bal minus one, bal minus one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | And Oscar with the li-co, there’s an opportunity of braking turn five. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Opportunity turn 14, phase one to two pressure. Stop the car for late entry. Plan B target plus 10. Plan B target plus 10. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 20/50 NOR: 1’35.680, PIA: 1’36.707 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Lando, we need to start doing those lifts in 17, 5 and 12, again, please. | Stallard | Suggest silver entry two. Silver entry two. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Laps 21-25
| Lap: 21/50 NOR: 1’36.320, PIA: 1’40.682 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yep, pace will go. | Stallard | Box to overtake Leclerc, box to overtake Leclerc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Front’s going a bit more. | Stallard | Copy, box. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Okay. Understood. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando how are the tyres again? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yeah, just graining front, they’re going away. But… yeah. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 22/50 NOR: 1’41.141, PIA: 1’51.292 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And we can have strat six, strat six. Box this lap, box this lap. | Stallard | Piastri pits Clinical onto the marks, Oscar. Clinical onto the marks. |
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| Norris | Confirm. | Stallard | Piastri leaves the pits And launch map off, launch map. |
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| Stallard | What you’ve done with the toys looks good. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | An Oscar reminder for the introduction, Sainz and Leclerc are currently on your pit window, but we do need good pace to the end of the race. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Those cars are fighting, could be an opportunity, could be an opportunity, Oscar. They are just behind your pit window. Oscar, let’s strat six, strat six. Be close with Sainz and Leclerc at pit exit. Leclerc has stayed out, just Sainz at pit exit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 23/50 NOR: 1’51.904, PIA: 1’35.921 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Norris arrives in the pits Stopping position. |
Stallard | How much do I need to push to Leclerc? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Norris leaves his pit box Launch map, launch map, launch map. It’s gonna be out-lap three, stint two, careful of white lines at exit. |
Stallard | So Leclerc gap is 19 seconds currently. I’m happy with that. Leclerc is doing, assume, 1’36.0, and I’ll keep you updated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Suggest red A4, red A4. | Stallard | Copy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Alright, you got to tell me two things: am I doing my race or am I trying to go forwards? | Stallard | Correction, Leclerc 1’36.7. Leclerc 1’36.7. You just need to match that. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | So Lando, we think this is plan B for everyone. We want to go forwards, but the way to beat Russell will be at the end. We want better tyres than him at the end. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 24/50 NOR: 1’35.860, PIA: 1’36.118 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | So the lifts into 5, 11 and 17 will help save those tyres. | Stallard | So strat seven, strat seven. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Suggest strat seven. Strat seven. | Stallard | Okay, Leclerc pit lane, is pitting, close at exit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 25/50 NOR: 1’35.733, PIA: 1’35.418 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Suggest silver entry two, silver entry two. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Laps 26-30
| Lap: 26/50 NOR: 1’35.603, PIA: 1’35.226 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Lando minor: purple C3 position five, purple C3 position five. And then use back-right toggle turn 11. | Stallard | Oscar you can phase out the lift in 10, but keep the lift in 11. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 27/50 NOR: 1’35.624, PIA: 1’35.521 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | So Lando keep using the toggle in 11, but do the lift as well. | Piastri | Ocon ahead on medium from the race start. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando everything you did in 17, 5 and 11 this lap is good, keep doing it. | Stallard | Turn three, earlier lifts to protect the fronts. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 28/50 NOR: 1’35.375, PIA: 1’35.074 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yeah, but we’re just slow because of it. | Stallard | Bit of li-co into five please, the bump. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Lando, our biggest opportunity is still turn three, focusing on the exit like before. I know it’s bad for tyres, but… | Stallard | Do you want me to keep lifting at all into turn 17 or not? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Into 17, yes, 11 yes, 10 only if you want it. Also li-co into five. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Torque switch is too much for turn nine, use orange torque seven instead. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 29/50 NOR: 1’34.948, PIA: 1’35.135 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Car ahead is Antonelli on hard from the end of lap one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Oscar, Antonelli also has a five-second penalty, but he may try and go to the end on this tyre. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 30/50 NOR: 1’35.074, PIA: 1’34.895 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Turn one, focus on early throttle and still suggest earlier lift turn three to avoid generating any understeer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Laps 31-35
| Lap: 31/50 NOR: 1’34.693, PIA: 1’35.138 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Oscar earlier lift in 11 please as you change direction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Turn one was very good this map. Turn one very good. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Pace overall very good Oscar, matching all the lead cars here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Turn 12 with that extra lift, just make sure you brake hard enough, don’t carry too much late entry. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 32/50 NOR: 1’34.442, PIA: 1’35.433 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Has George grained or what? Did he complain? | Stallard | Purple C6 four, purple C6 four, Leclear 1.2. And Oscar for turns seven to nine, use both top right and top left. Use both toggles turn seven to nine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | They’re struggling. They’re being asked to do more saving. Try and get in his DRS. That’s both Mercedes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 33/50 NOR: 1’34.845, PIA: 1’34.873 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | You want me DRS or overtake? | Stallard | Leclerc 1.2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Overtake him. Overtake him. We’re going to go get Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 34/50 NOR: 1’34.834, PIA: 1’34.684 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And early overtake is available. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Terrific mate. Right, let’s go get Max but continue with 17, 5 and 11. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 35/50 NOR: 1’34.437, PIA: 1’34.848 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And George does have DRS. | Stallard | More li-co turn five when possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Oscar, how’s the tyre now? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Feels okay. Doesn’t feel like there’s any deg or graining. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Okay, good. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Laps 36-40
| Lap: 36/50 NOR: 1’34.980, PIA: 1’34.637 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | What do you mean get Max? We’re just slow. | Stallard | Oscar in turn seven if you don’t want top-right toggle, let’s go back to C6 one, purple C6 one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | They’ve told Max to reduce all management. And we’re not slow. Our last lap was faster than him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 37/50 NOR: 1’34.216, PIA: 1’34.743 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando would like to do a late overtake press into turn 14 every single lap please. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 38/50 NOR: 1’34.209, PIA: 1’35.581 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Lando, opportunity. If we can carry more minimum in turn one to allow us to open the line in turn three, it might help the throttle on the exit of three. And reminder overtake 14, every lap. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 40/50 NOR: 1’34.399, PIA: 1’34.570 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And just be careful the late brake into 14. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Lando, the gap to Russell is six, the gap to Antonelli is 16.7. So we’d still default to the hard. You still happy with the same number of laps on the soft as we said before? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yep. But now we [unclear]. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Laps 41-45
| Lap: 41/50 NOR: 1’33.965, PIA: 1’34.643 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And reminder about overtake. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 42/50 NOR: 1’34.081, PIA: 1’34.641 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And suggest silver D4 silver D4, the fronts look more robust on this tyre. And reminder, overtake. | Stallard | Turn 14, careful mid late entry speed, focus on exit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Let’s just do whatever we got to do, please, so tell me whatever I got to do. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Okay, in which case just do more. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 43/50 NOR: 1’34.271, PIA: 1’34.499 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | What do I do with 10? Because sometimes I lift more, it just feels worse. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Overtake. Whatever you do in 10 doesn’t make much difference. It’s more 11 and 12. The next thing you can do is earlier into 17. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 45/50 NOR: 1’34.179, PIA: 1’34.548 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Turn 12, stop the car so you can drop the brake and get on power. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Turn 12 was good. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Piastri | Five laps to go from here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Laps 46 – Finish
| Lap: 46/50 NOR: 1’35.534, PIA: 1’34.588 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And overtake. And happy to try a lift in 10. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | That’s four laps to go. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 47/50 NOR: 1’36.128, PIA: 1’34.086 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | You’re happy with everything? Need more or what? | Stallard | Suggest bal minus one. Bal minus one. Three laps to go. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | So Lando still do overtake into 14. We can do an earlier lift into 17, bigger lift into 11. Happy to lose two seconds in the three laps remaining. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 48/50 NOR: 1’37.702, PIA: 1’34.165 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Overtake and then that lift. | Stallard | So good lap, mate, good lap. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | When outside DRS use late overtake press into turn 14. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 49/50 NOR: 1’37.734, PIA: 1’34.466 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And Lando you can reduce what you’re doing a small amount. The fuel looks okay now. | Stallard | Late overtake reminder, that helped. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | One lap to go. If you can’t get closer to Antonelli, bring back the lift in five, eleven. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chequered flag | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Okay, we’re gonna leave recharge off please. ACS button press and white H11 position 13, white H11 position 13. | Stallard | Oscar chequered flag, chequered flag. And leave recharge off. White H11 thirteen, white H11 thirteen. And ACS button. ACS button. Finished P4. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | What press? ACS press? | Piastri | Yeah, obviously not an easy start. Yeah, if we did any mistakes, I’m sorry about that, but pace was good ’til we got to Antonelli, so at least we had that. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Yes, ACS button press. And it’s white H11 position 13, please, white H11 position 13. | Stallard | Yeah, agree, agree. Pick up if there is any, Oscar. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norris | Yeah, I’ve done that already. | Stallard | Oscar message from the FIA, we’re coming back into the pit lane, but you need to be very slow in the pit entry road ’cause there’ll be a lot of stacking cars. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | Cool, thank you. And Lando, if there’s any pick-up please. | Stallard | Back into pit lane, caution, caution in pit lane. And when you get there and they park you up, remember you need to turn the car fully off. Kill the engine, wait five seconds and then switch fully off. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph | And we return to the pit lane, just be cautious in pit lane. They’re expecting cars to back up. | Stallard | Well done, dude. Not the not necessarily the result we wanted, but the pace is there. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix
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