“Nothing to Worry About?” Uncovering Jeddah’s Best Unheard Team Radio

While the 2024 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix might have presented a seemingly straightforward outcome, often described as less thrilling from an outsider’s perspective, a closer look beneath the surface reveals a race brimming with intricate strategic plays, unexpected challenges, and revealing team radio exchanges. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with its high-speed corners and unforgiving walls, played host to a captivating second round of the season, where every decision, every penalty, and every whispered instruction over the radio carried significant weight.

From drivers navigating potential penalties and engaging in intense strategy debates with their engineers to moments of palpable frustration for eventual winner Max Verstappen, the 50 laps of the race were far from uneventful. For those keen to understand the deeper layers of Formula 1 racing, the candid conversations between drivers and their teams offer unparalleled insight into the pressures and complexities of competing at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Here, we delve into some of the pivotal moments and fascinating snippets of team radio that might have gone unnoticed during the high-octane spectacle in Saudi Arabia, offering a fresh perspective on the strategic battles and human drama that unfolded.

Norris Navigates a Jump Start Scare and Strategic High Stakes

Before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix had even officially commenced, McLaren driver Lando Norris found himself embroiled in an early moment of drama. As the starting lights extinguished, Norris’s car clearly moved in its grid slot, an incident that immediately raised suspicions of a jump start. Such an infringement typically results in a time penalty, a dreaded scenario for any driver aiming for a strong finish. The tension was palpable, not just for Norris but for his team, as they awaited clarification from Race Control.

Norris himself seemed acutely aware of the potential implications, taking the first opportunity during an early Safety Car period to seek reassurance from his race engineer, Will Joseph, on whether he had “nothing to worry about.” This exchange underscores the constant communication and trust between driver and engineer, especially when critical decisions or potential penalties hang in the balance.

Lap: 7/50 NOR: 2’07.025
Norris	Pace feels pretty fast…
Joseph	‘Yellow flag at turn 22-23, Stroll’s in the barrier. Safety Car deployed. Safety Car deployed.
Norris	Is he good?
Joseph	Haven’t seen. I’ll get an update. Yes, he’s all good and out.
Norris	And. Everything else is all good?
Joseph	Everything else is all good.
Norris	So I’ve got nothing to worry about?
Joseph	Not currently. I’m not worried.
Norris	We staying out?
Joseph	And you are the second car. So Lando you’d give up places to six cars, coming out ahead of Hulkenberg behind the group of Tsunoda, Bearman, Magnussen…

Ultimately, Norris escaped a penalty, a significant stroke of luck that allowed him to focus on the race ahead. However, the Safety Car deployment for Lance Stroll’s crash presented McLaren with a critical strategic dilemma. Along with Lewis Hamilton, Norris was one of the few front-runners who opted to stay out on track while the majority of the field dived into the pits for fresh tires. This decision, while potentially offering track position, meant Norris would have to manage significantly older tires for a considerable portion of the race.

The immediate realization of the challenge ahead was evident in Norris’s subsequent radio communications. He quickly grasped that he would face a tough battle once the race resumed, managing tire wear while defending against cars on fresher rubber. This strategic gambit highlights the fine margins and high-pressure decisions made by teams in Formula 1.

Lap: 8/50 NOR: 2’54.005
Norris	I guess everyone boxed? So I wouldn’t have lost…
Joseph	‘And there’s a recovery vehicle on-track. So Hamilton stayed out and Hulkenberg stayed out. The others fitted the hard. And the recovery vehicle is on track.
Norris	Okay, so let’s have a clear plan. Do we have a target? I need to judge everything off the target, so.
Joseph	Yeah. I’ll get back to you. So we’re thinking plan a target plus five. Plan A target plus five.
Norris	Yeah okay. It could start to be tough if I’m going to just get overtaken, which is quite likely. So depends what that does to us.
Joseph	Yeah. Understood. It could change as we go through, but that’s what we want to aim for, for now. The cars behind you I’ll give you an order. It’s Verstappen, Hamilton. Perez, Leclerc, Oscar, Alonso behind Oscar.
Norris	Do you not think it’s better just to push as hard as I can just to create a gap? Or do you want the tyre delta.
Joseph	I’ll come back to you.
Norris	Because honestly, I feel like it’s just going to be both. I’m going to have to push to stay ahead of these cars behind.

Later in the race, Norris’s strategy came to its decisive moment. With Hamilton pitting from behind to attempt an undercut, McLaren was forced to react swiftly. Despite what was described as a “slow stop” by some, Norris emerged from the pit lane just ahead of the Mercedes, a testament to the team’s quick thinking and the driver’s precise out-lap. This direct battle for track position highlighted the razor-thin margins that define modern F1.

Lap: 37/50 NOR: 1’36.675
Joseph	Hamilton has pitted. He’s put a soft on. He was four seconds back.
Joseph	And Lando minor white H4 position four. 100% pace.
Norris	Fuck.
Joseph	Lando we think we need to go this lap for a soft tyre. Still happy?
Norris	Yes, I know. Yes.
Joseph	Box this lap.
Lap: 38/50 NOR: 1’50.849
Joseph	This will be close to Hamilton at exit. Hamilton approaching it’ll be close.
Norris	You think fastest lap or not?
Norris	Already said no…
Joseph	Yeah we want Alonso, 13.1. let’s go for it.
Joseph	I know you know, Hamilton with DRS.

Perez’s Pit Lane Misstep and Penalty Management

Sergio Perez started his Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with a determined drive, having been narrowly beaten to the front row by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in qualifying. An early battle for second place saw him initially rebuffed by Leclerc through the opening corners, but Perez soon found a way past the Ferrari to secure P2. His race then mirrored that of his Red Bull team mate, Max Verstappen, as he also pitted under the Safety Car. However, it was during his pit stop that a critical error occurred.

As Perez was released from his pit box, the red light indicating a clear exit was still active, leading to a near collision with the approaching Fernando Alonso. Alonso’s frantic radio messages immediately highlighted the dangerous incident, a clear case of an unsafe release, which is strictly penalized in Formula 1. The immediate reaction from Alonso and his Aston Martin team, confirming they had “reported it,” set the stage for the stewards’ inevitable decision.

Lap: 7/50 PER: 2’04.615
Perez	Copy what’s the pace for Max?
Bird	34.0, 33.6 this lap.
Perez	Are we boxing?
Bird	Okay so box Checo, strat 12 in the pit lane. Max also boxing, roll into the pit box.
Lap: 8/50 PER: 3’07.369
Bird	Traffic. Traffic. Strat eight. Strat eight.
Perez	Yeah good job there, guys.
Lap: 8/50 ALO: 3’05.292
Alonso	Woah I nearly crashed with a Red Bull. So close.
Cronin	Just focus on pit exit. Okay. Just keep an eye on your delta now. You can go back to cool and run switch cool.
Alonso	I had to lock all four tyres I think.
Cronin	Copy, understood, we’ve reported it.

Perez was subsequently handed a five-second time penalty for the unsafe release. Despite this setback, the seasoned Red Bull driver demonstrated his capability to manage a race under pressure. He focused on building a sufficient gap to Charles Leclerc in third place, ultimately ensuring that the penalty would not impact his hard-earned second-place finish. This incident highlights the critical role of the pit crew and the unforgiving nature of F1 regulations, where even minor errors can carry significant consequences.

Lap: 18/50 PER: 1’33.282
Bird	For another step in the high speed it’s display five, position one. Display five, position one. Minus four. Norris at 1.3. And a race update we’ve got a five second penalty for an unsafe release in the pit stop.
Perez	What position you want?
Bird	Display five. Position one. Display five. Position one. That’s minus one from here.
Lap: 19/50 PER: 1’33.545
Perez	What’s the penalty for?
Bird	Unsafe release at the pit stop.
Perez	Is mode 10 efficient?
Bird	Mode 10 is good.

Adami’s Steadying Advice for Rookie Bearman

The 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix marked an unforgettable and unexpected grand prix debut for 18-year-old Oliver Bearman. Stepping into Carlos Sainz Jnr’s Ferrari at the eleventh hour on one of the calendar’s most demanding tracks, Bearman faced immense pressure. However, throughout the entirety of his maiden Formula 1 race, he benefited immensely from the calm, consistent encouragement and expert guidance of Ricardo Adami, who typically engineers Sainz. Adami’s role was crucial in helping the young Briton navigate the complexities of F1 racing, from managing tires to optimizing race craft.

Adami’s advice ranged from general encouragement, reminding Bearman to keep his “heads down” and praising his “good job,” to specific technical instructions aimed at improving his lap times. He offered precise guidance on braking and throttle application at particular corners, and even fine-tuning differential settings to enhance car balance. Such detailed coaching is invaluable for a rookie, especially on a circuit like Jeddah where precision is paramount and mistakes are severely punished.

The communication also extended to strategic awareness, keeping Bearman informed about his pace relative to competitors like Russell and assessing potential threats from drivers like Norris. This constant stream of information and support allowed Bearman to perform beyond expectations, showcasing his talent while learning on the fly.

Lap: 20/50 BEA: 1’34.828
Bearman	Mate he’s so slow.
Lap: 21/50 BEA: 1’34.368
Adami	Good job. Lap 20 completed. Heads down.
Lap: 22/50 BEA: 1’34.559
Adami	Focus on brake release and early throttle turn 16 to carry more speed into 17.
Lap: 23/50 BEA: 1’34.128
Adami	And diff mid plus one to help you for balance. Diff mid plus one. Mid.
Lap: 24/50 BEA: 1’33.966
Adami	The pace is good. Matching Russell or faster than him.
Lap: 41/50 BEA: 1’32.691
Bearman	At this pace will Norris catch us or not?
Adami	Yeah we believe so, in four laps.
Adami	We believe Lando will come to us and perhaps we have a chance to stay in front of Hamilton. Let’s focus on our fastest race to the end.

Alonso’s Unanswered Call for a ‘Plan B’

While Fernando Alonso expertly avoided a potential collision with Sergio Perez in the pit lane, his race on track was a different story. The Aston Martin driver found himself struggling to match the pace of the leading Red Bulls, Ferraris, McLarens, and Mercedes-AMG of Lewis Hamilton. This performance gap led Alonso to question his team’s strategy, lobbying his race engineer, Chris Cronin, for a “Plan B” – a common term in F1 for an alternative strategic approach, often involving a different tire compound or pit stop sequence, to change the race outcome.

Alonso’s frustration was evident in his radio messages, where he explicitly stated, “They are in another league,” referring to the faster cars ahead. He sensed an opportunity might be needed to alter his race trajectory. However, Aston Martin, guided by their data and strategic models, did not share his optimism for a radical change. They opted to stick with their pre-determined plan, assessing that an alternative strategy, such as another stop for medium tires, would not yield a better outcome or was too risky given the race circumstances and Safety Car windows being closed.

This exchange highlights the tension between a driver’s instinct and the team’s data-driven strategy. Alonso, known for his aggressive and innovative approaches, was clearly searching for a way to gain an advantage, but the team’s analysis suggested otherwise. This ultimately saw “Plan B” dismissed, leaving Alonso to manage his current tires and position, focusing on optimizing his car settings as instructed by his engineer.

Lap: 14/50 ALO: 1’34.877
Alonso	Yeah. Any chance of plan B? Because, I mean, they are in another league.
Lap: 24/50 ALO: 1’34.033
Cronin	Fernando, Russell has been told to push for the last few laps. He’s been trying to push to get on to you. But you’re doing well. At this point, the Safety Car windows are closed. Would you take a medium back on or stay where you are? Are these tyres feeling okay?
Alonso	Yeah. I mean, very low grip, mate. Let’s see.
Lap: 25/50 ALO: 1’33.890
Alonso	How is the race unfolding behind us? Apart of Russell, this whole phase?
Cronin	So obviously Norris and Hamilton still need to stop. If they get a Safety Car now, Norris would probably be just on top of you. And behind Russell you’ve got Bearman, eight seconds behind you, same strategy, same stop as us. That’s Bearman eight seconds back from you. And Bearman’s in a completely free air and he’s same pace as us, same pace.
Lap: 26/50 ALO: 1’33.841
Alonso	Plan B is out of the question.
Lap: 27/50 ALO: 1’33.580
Cronin	So plan B is a ‘no’ at the moment, plan B is a ‘no’.
Lap: 28/50 ALO: 1’33.863
Alonso	Copy. Any suggestions?
Cronin	Click forward on brake balance. One click forwards brake balance.

RB’s Persistent Grip Woes and Strategic Roadblocks

The RB team (formerly AlphaTauri) faced a challenging Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with both Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda pitting under the early Safety Car. However, their races diverged significantly thereafter. Tsunoda found himself embroiled in a lengthy and often frustrating battle with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen, who, having received a penalty, strategically held up a train of cars to assist his teammate. This tactic created a bottleneck, making it extremely difficult for Tsunoda to progress through the field despite having a faster pace.

The team radio exchanges reveal Tsunoda’s frustration, initially reporting Magnussen’s off-track overtake, which led to an investigation and ultimately a significant 20-second time penalty for Magnussen. Despite the penalty, Magnussen’s slowing tactics continued, forcing Tsunoda and his engineer, Spini, to strategize on how to overtake him without taking “zero risk,” underscoring the delicate balance between aggression and caution on a high-speed street circuit.

Lap: 17/50 TSU: 1’37.603
Tsunoda	He [Magnussen] overtook me off-track.
Spini	We are on it.
Lap: 20/50 TSU: 1’35.060
Spini	Magnussen is under investigation, Yuki.
Lap: 22/50 TSU: 1’35.698
Spini	Magnussen has 20 seconds time penalty. We need overtake him to more forward but take zero risk.
Lap: 24/50 TSU: 1’35.882
Spini	Yuki let’s try to overtake Magnussen. Either before 27 or prepare very well the exit.
Lap: 34/50 TSU: 1’34.768
Spini	Yuki, Magnussen picked up the pace now. He was slowing down the pack. So we can put more if you can.

Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo endured a far more solitary and challenging race at the rear of the field, consistently reporting a severe lack of rear grip. This “super-twitchy” feeling in the car would have significantly hampered his confidence and ability to push on the edge, especially on a circuit that demands unwavering stability and precision. His engineer, Hamelin, tried to provide encouragement and strategic information, mentioning other drivers receiving penalties and the potential for Ricciardo to capitalize on mistakes.

The struggle for rear grip is a fundamental issue for an F1 car, affecting everything from cornering speed to tire degradation. Ricciardo’s repeated complaints underscore a deeper car balance problem that the RB team needs to address. Despite the challenges, the engineers continuously tried to find solutions, even pinpointing specific corners like Turn 13 as a “main limitation,” indicating their detailed analysis and efforts to assist the driver during the race.

Lap: 13/50 RIC: 1’36.337
Ricciardo	I got no rear grip at the moment. Super-twitchy.
Lap: 24/50 RIC: 1’34.935
Hamelin	Magnussen is P12 but he has a penalty and he’s trying to help his team mate.
Hamelin	There’s a number of people with penalties for track limits. Magnussen has a penalty and Albon is very close to getting one.
Lap: 30/50 RIC: 1’35.608
Ricciardo	Is everyone on hard?
Hamelin	Confirmed. So let’s get into that fight. People are making mistakes.
Lap: 35/50 RIC: 1’34.658
Hamelin	Okay Daniel turn 13 is our main limitation, two-tenths compared to the cars ahead. How can we help in turn 13?
Lap: 48/50 RIC: 1’43.781
Hamelin	Okay Daniel we’re checking everything.
Ricciardo	Understood. I gave it too much kerb turn one.

Verstappen’s Late Race Traffic Challenge and Frustration

Even a dominant race leader like Max Verstappen, who was cruising towards his second consecutive victory of the season, can encounter moments of frustration. Towards the latter stages of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen caught up to a compact group of backmarkers, necessitating the delicate task of lapping them. On a narrow, high-speed street circuit like Jeddah, managing traffic requires intense focus and precise maneuvering, as any misjudgment can lead to significant time loss or even a crash.

Verstappen spent several laps navigating this gaggle of cars, a process that, while routine for a leader, can be incredibly annoying when pushing for optimal lap times and trying to maintain rhythm. His race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, meticulously informed him of the traffic ahead, reminding him to “pick your way through these carefully Max” and to ensure the tires didn’t “cool overly.” The exchange highlighted the mental demands of maintaining concentration even with a comfortable lead.

The relief and exasperation in Verstappen’s voice were clear after finally clearing Yuki Tsunoda, exclaiming, “F***ing finally.” This candid moment reveals the underlying pressure and irritation even a seemingly effortless victory can contain, emphasizing that no F1 race is truly without its challenges, no matter how dominant the performance.

Lap: 39/50 VER: 1’31.995
Lambiase	Okay, so ahead there’s a train of six cars.
Lap: 41/50 VER: 1’32.491
Lambiase	So the first car ahead is Daniel.
Lap: 42/50 VER: 1’33.013
Lambiase	Just pick your way through these carefully Max. But don’t let the tyres cool overly in this.
Verstappen	I’m trying. It’s hard to follow.
Lap: 47/50 VER: 1’32.784
Verstappen	[After lapping Tsunoda] Fucking finally.

Leclerc and Russell Report ‘Bad Vibes’ in Closing Laps

For Charles Leclerc, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was a relatively solitary affair after losing second place to Sergio Perez early on. Despite having a clear track ahead for much of the race, the Ferrari driver faced an unexpected concern in the closing laps: a reported “high engine vibration in the straight.” Any unusual sensation in a high-performance F1 car can be a cause for alarm, potentially indicating a tire issue, suspension problem, or even something more critical with the powertrain. His engineer, Marcos Padros, immediately acknowledged the report and began checking the data.

Despite the vibration, which Leclerc later attributed to the tires, the Monegasque driver demonstrated his unwavering commitment by pushing for the fastest lap of the race. Successfully securing it on the final lap, it provided a small but significant consolation point, underscoring his relentless pursuit of performance even when facing minor technical anomalies. Post-race, Leclerc also expressed some difficulty with consistency and praised Oliver Bearman’s debut, showcasing his team spirit.

Lap: 48/50 LEC: 1’33.364
Leclerc	Some high engine vibration in the straight.
Marcos Padros	Okay. We are checking.
Leclerc	I think it’s coming from the tyres. Now just slowed down.
Marcos Padros	So we are still checking. Overall you are doing a good job and two laps to go when you cross the line, okay.
Chequered flag
Leclerc	What’s the fastest lap?
Marcos Padros	You’ve got the fastest lap?
Leclerc	Yes!
Marcos Padros	Good job. Well managed.
Leclerc	For some reason, I really struggled to be consistent. Let’s, speak about it.
Marcos Padros	Yeah copy that.
Leclerc	And huge congrats to Ollie. Amazing job.
Marcos Padros	Yeah copy.
Vasseur	Good job Charles you had the fastest lap.

George Russell also experienced a similar, albeit ultimately harmless, scare in the dying moments of the race. Having spent most of the Grand Prix in a relatively isolated position – behind Alonso but ahead of Bearman – Russell suddenly reported a “bit of vibration on the fronts” and specifically questioned his “front-right tyre pressure.” The concern was significant enough for him to explicitly ask his engineer, Dudley, to check the data, even mentioning that the “sidewall looks a little bit funny.”

Fortunately for Russell and Mercedes, immediate data checks showed everything to be “okay,” and post-race inspections confirmed no actual problem with the car or tire. This incident highlights how critical a driver’s sensory feedback is and the meticulous approach teams take to ensure safety and performance, examining every reported anomaly no matter how minor it eventually turns out to be. It’s a testament to the intense pressure and the fine line between optimal performance and potential disaster that F1 drivers operate on.

Lap: 50/50 RUS: 1’35.145
Russell	Bit of vibration on the fronts.
Dudley	Yeah understood, it doesn’t looks bad on data. One lap remaining.
Russell	Check front-right tyre pressure, front-right tyre pressure.
Dudley	Looks okay. Looks okay at the moment.
Russell	Something not right, front-right.
Dudley	Front wing looks okay. Pressures look okay. Gap behind four seconds.
Dudley	Chequered flag is out.
Chequered flag
Russell	Yeah, affirm. Just couldn’t get quite close enough though the high-speed.
Dudley	Yeah I think the pace was good just couldn’t get close enough to actually do the pass.
Russell	Yeah. Let’s discuss it when we get back. Lots of work to do.
Dudley	Affirm.
Russell	Thanks for your efforts everybody. Let’s keep on pushing.
Dudley	And George do you still feel anything on that front-right?
Russell	Yeah something doesn’t feel quite right with it. Like I can even see the sidewall looks a little bit funny.

Bearman’s Only ‘Fault’: A Malfunctioning Drinks Button

In what was an otherwise remarkably flawless Formula 1 debut, Oliver Bearman’s performance at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was met with widespread acclaim. After skillfully keeping his Ferrari on track, away from the unforgiving walls of Jeddah, and navigating the complexities of a 50-lap race, he crossed the finish line to earn a well-deserved seven points, finishing seventh – an extraordinary achievement for an 18-year-old on his first F1 outing. His debut was a masterclass in controlled aggression and maturity, earning him praise from his team, including Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur, and undoubtedly boosting his future prospects in the sport.

However, in a lighthearted moment that underscored the human element in a technologically advanced sport, Bearman revealed the one thing that truly went wrong for him all evening: his drinks button. His radio message, “The drink is going everywhere except in my mouth,” provided a humorous anecdote to cap off an otherwise stellar performance. It was a reminder that even at the highest level of motorsport, simple mechanical issues can arise, making the intense physical demands even more challenging. This minor “fault” only served to highlight the perfection of his driving, as it was the only thing he had to complain about after an otherwise sensational race.

Lap: 50/50 BEA: 1’32.186
Adami	Russell may have an issue in front. Russell four seconds in front.
Chequered flag
Adami	And P7. Awesome job, mate. And mode slow.
Vasseur	Mega good job Ollie, congratulations.
Adami	And charge off and mode slow. Charge off and mode slow and pick up.
Bearman	Not bad, I think. I would have liked to go a bit longer with that soft at the start because it felt good. Just difficult to overtake. But the was mega today so thank you. I really enjoyed it. It was so much fun out there. Thank you for Fred and everyone for the opportunity.
Vasseur	Enjoy it, enjoy it.
Bearman	The drink is going everywhere except in my mouth.
Adami	Okay, we need to fix it then. You are the driver of the day of there, good showing.
Bearman	Ah, thanks everyone.

More from the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

• Bearman’s 2024 Jeddah debut performance makes him ‘feel like an absolute idiot’
• Vowles being patient with Sargeant but expects to see “progress”
• “So I’ve got nothing to worry about?” – The best unheard team radio from Jeddah
• “Shock” of poor start to season showed need for change at Alpine – Famin
• “My tyres are dying”: Stroll’s short-lived struggle until he hit the wall

Browse all 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix articles