The 2024 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix delivered a thrilling spectacle, culminating in Max Verstappen’s fifth victory of the season. However, this triumph was far from a comfortable cruise for the reigning champion. Instead, it unfolded as a strategic masterclass and a test of endurance, with Lando Norris in the McLaren mounting a relentless late-race challenge. Fresh off his maiden Formula 1 win, Norris showcased formidable pace and ambition, pushing Verstappen to the absolute limit in a captivating duel.

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The convergence of the two front-runners in the final phase of the race was a stark contrast to their journeys throughout the 63 laps. Their respective performances, strategies, and the mounting pressures were intricately detailed through the revealing radio exchanges between Verstappen and his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, and Norris with his engineer, Will Joseph. This comprehensive look into their team radio communications offers a unique perspective on how one of the most nail-biting finishes of the season unfolded, highlighting the minute-by-minute decisions and emotional rollercoaster faced by both drivers and their teams.

2024 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Radio: Verstappen and Norris

Jump to:

“We’re worried about the rears…”
“Why are we staying out?”
“I’m trying and he’s a lot quicker…”
“Lando’s found some pace…”
“Leave me to it”

“We’re worried about the rears…”

The race began with immediate drama as Norris experienced wheelspin during the second phase of his start, preventing him from launching an attack on Max Verstappen into the first corner. Verstappen capitalised, maintaining his pole position lead, while Norris settled into second, closely followed by Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari in third. The narrow confines of the Imola circuit, with its single DRS zone, meant that establishing an early gap was paramount for Verstappen to negate any potential overtaking threat from Norris.

Red Bull’s focus was clear: Verstappen needed to be more than a second ahead of Norris by the DRS detection zone on the approach to Rivazza. Failing to do so would arm the McLaren with a crucial advantage, making it exceedingly difficult for Verstappen to pull away in the opening laps. The early radio calls reflect this intense strategic battle for track position and the critical DRS advantage.

Lap: 1/63 VER: 1’22.881, NOR: 1’23.764
Lambiase	Car behind: Lando.
Lambiase	Mode ‘six’. Gap: 0.7.
Lap: 2/63 VER: 1’20.596, NOR: 1’20.673
Lambiase	So, 0.8 across the line.	Joseph	And DRS enabled for next time around.
Lambiase	Okay, DRS is now enabled.	Joseph	Gap ahead close, 0.9. Overtake maybe to help.
Lambiase	Verstappen exits Tosa Another reminder, Max, DRS detection point, on the run to [turn] 17.
Lambiase	Verstappen approaches Rivazza Gap: one second.
Lambiase	Does not have DRS.
Lap: 3/63 VER: 1’20.872, NOR: 1’20.884
Lambiase	Approaching Rivazza 1.1.	Joseph	And Leclerc will have DRS behind you, he’s 1.1. We have Strat 12, strat 12 if you want more deployment at those places.
Lap: 4/63 VER: 1’20.671, NOR: 1’21.205
Lambiase	On pit straight And 0.9.	Joseph	Leclerc will not have DRS.
Lambiase	Main losses, Max: Turn nine, entry speed, 17 and 18.

With a one-stop strategy being the favored approach for most of the grid, tyre conservation was paramount. It wasn’t long before both drivers started receiving urgent instructions regarding the health of their Pirelli rubber. McLaren’s concern for Norris initially focused on the rear tyres, a common challenge in the high-downforce, traction-demanding corners of Imola. Joseph’s fragmented message, eventually clarified, highlighted the team’s early worries about rear axle degradation for the McLaren driver, indicating a delicate balance was required to manage grip and prevent premature tyre wear.

Lap: 6/63 VER: 1’20.868, NOR: 1’20.909
		Joseph	And Lando we see the turn three oversteer on both cars [unclear]
Lap: 7/63 VER: 1’20.868, NOR: 1’20.923
		Joseph	Okay Lando bit of an update for you. So Leclerc, Sainz and Oscar are quite close behind. Then there’s a gap of two seconds to Russell and Hamilton, then a gap to Hulkenberg holding up everyone else up 10 seconds behind.
Lap: 8/63 VER: 1’20.762, NOR: 1’20.997
		Joseph	Suggest strat seven, strat seven. Look after tyres a little bit turn seven, more worried about…
		Norris	Interrupting I can’t hear anything you’re saying, mate.
		Joseph	Clearer Look after the rear tyres a bit more turn seven. We’re worried about the rears more than the fronts at the moment.

While McLaren grappled with Norris’s rear tyre concerns, a different challenge emerged for the race leader. Verstappen began to report issues with his front tyres, particularly the front-left, which was experiencing significant degradation. This divergence in tyre wear dynamics for the two front-runners underscored the varying car characteristics and driving styles, setting the stage for a strategic chess match. Verstappen’s complaints became more frequent as the stint progressed, prompting Red Bull to consider setup adjustments even before a pit stop. The tension in the radio calls intensified as both drivers communicated their struggles, aware that every fraction of a second lost to tyre wear could prove decisive.

Lap: 9/63 VER: 1’20.543, NOR: 1’21.052
Lambiase	Initial update on balance, please, Max?	Joseph	Okay Lando another bit of an update. We’re clearing Hulkenberg at quite a rate. We should clear him and everyone else in the mid-teens. So building a gap to Leclerc is good for us. Do you think we’re racing who we expect?
		Norris	Yeah, I think so. Just struggling with rears.
Lap: 10/63 VER: 1’21.093, NOR: 1’21.272
Verstappen	Yeah, all okay. Just managing front end, here. But the offset is okay.	Joseph	And Lando some cars at the back beginning to pit, doesn’t affect our race. Both you and Oscar complaining about the rears too. And main areas for rears are turn, seven, turn 13, turn 15.
Lambiase	Copy that, that’s a purple lap. 2.6 behind.
Lap: 12/63 VER: 1’21.287, NOR: 1’21.438
Verstappen	My fronts really start to get [unclear] a little bit.	Joseph	Okay Lando overtaking is as expected. The undercut power on the hard does not look strong right now. Gap to Hulkenberg 16.0.
Lambiase	Okay. Let’s have diff ‘6’ and mid ‘6’, Max. Display ‘5’, position ‘3’ for more front in high speed, Max. And the gap is 3.3.
Lap: 13/63 VER: 1’21.073, NOR: 1’21.735
Verstappen	What is this mode ‘5’ again? For high speed?	Joseph	Lando suggest red A5, red A5, and use left-hand paddle where you need it, left hand paddle when you need it.
Lambiase	Display ‘5’, position ‘3’. Gap: 3.9.	Norris	Down one, for sure.
		Joseph	Understood Lando.
Lap: 15/63 VER: 1’21.323, NOR: 1’21.666
Lambiase	So torque ‘6’ or mid ‘6’, Max, to help your apex.	Joseph	Norris has a snap of oversteer in Rivazza 2 So Lando Hulkenberg pitted…
Verstappen	Exiting Tamburello Yeah, out of here is also not a holiday…	Norris	Yeah, shitty last corner because of rear. I’m starting to struggle with it.
Lambiase	Okay, understood. Just be careful about your slips on that front-right tyre, that’s all. That’s our main concern at the moment.	Joseph	So after the Mercedes we’ve got Perez 20, then Stroll 23 and Ocon 26.
Lap: 16/63 VER: 1’21.362, NOR: 1’21.523
Verstappen	[???] have understeer when I take it [???]. There’s not much you can do.	Joseph	Lando, a question for you. Stroll is currently doing 22.4s, he’s on a medium. Do you think you’d pass him?
Lambiase	Yep, understood, Max. Actually, I think Lando’s complaining more about his rear axle.	Norris	Yeah.
Lap: 17/63 VER: 1’21.328, NOR: 1’21.565
Lambiase	Strat ‘6’, when you can. Strat ‘6’.
Verstappen	Yeah, just keep an eye on that left-front, guys. Won’t be another 20 laps.
Lambiase	Understood, Max.
Lambiase	I’ll take a front wing update, please, Max.
Verstappen	Yeah, maybe two clicks more?
Lambiase	Understood, plus-two clicks.

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“Why are we staying out?”

As the race progressed, Verstappen began to incrementally extend his lead, albeit at a modest pace. However, his precision was compromised by repeated excursions beyond the white lines at corner exits, particularly at the Rivazza turns. This led to two track limits strikes in quick succession, placing the championship leader under scrutiny and adding an unwelcome layer of pressure.

Meanwhile, McLaren orchestrated Norris’s sole scheduled pit stop. At the end of Lap 22, he switched to the hard compound tyres, hoping for a long, consistent stint. The strategic calls highlight the teams’ careful balancing act between tyre wear and track position, with McLaren aiming to unleash Norris on fresh rubber at a critical juncture. The radio dialogue during this period reveals the intensity of the pit stop decision-making, emphasizing the importance of precise execution to maximize the undercut potential and manage traffic, particularly Sergio Perez.

Lap: 18/63 VER: 1’21.411, NOR: 1’21.617
Lambiase	And the first track limits strike at turn 18, Max.	Joseph	Lando how are tyres? The last few laps look better.
		Norris	Yeah it’s because I’m doing a better job with the toys but I need more help with this kind of stuff.
		Joseph	And Lando both Safety Car windows are open. Please confirm.
		Norris	Confirm.
Lap: 19/63 VER: 1’21.517, NOR: 1’21.793
		Joseph	And Lando we suggest red A6, red A6.
Lap: 20/63 VER: 1’21.550, NOR: 1’21.883
		Joseph	And Lando main time loss to Leclerc and Verstappen is the exit of turn 15. Exit turn 15.
Lap: 21/63 VER: 1’21.608, NOR: 1’21.855
Lambiase	Okay, that is 20 laps complete, Max. Twenty laps. Gap: 6.2.	Joseph	And Lando suggest green F1, green F1. So Perez is on a hard tyre. A few laps ago he went off. The gap to him is now 26.8, 26.8. Last lap he did a 21.8.
Verstappen	Front-left is not good…
Lap: 22/63 VER: 1’21.763, NOR: 1’26.107
Lambiase	That’s correct, Max. You’re still happy with plus-two?	Joseph	Lando Perez last time 22.2. Do you think you would pass him?
Verstappen	Yeah.	Joseph	Lando Russell has just pitted.
Lambiase	Okay, you’ve had a second track limits warning, Max. That was turn six [Villenueve] on the previous lap. So that’s two warnings.	Norris	I think I would, yes.
Verstappen	I mean, you take it, the white line. I mean…	Joseph	100% pace, 100% pace.
		Joseph	And Lando we are box this lap, box this lap.
		Norris	Confirm.
		Joseph	Box now. Box now. Launch map, launch map, launch map. Stint two and out lap two. Undercut power not great. Perez just over the start finish line now, we’ll be close at exit, press overtake.

Norris’s frustration after emerging behind Sergio Perez was short-lived, as he swiftly dispatched the Red Bull driver with the aid of DRS on the pit straight. However, more significant trouble brewed for Verstappen. As Norris diligently worked to bring his fresh hard tyres into their optimal operating window, Verstappen’s agitation grew concerning his own rapidly deteriorating tyres, which offered minimal grip. Compounding his woes, he incurred a third track limits strike, earning a black-and-white warning flag. This put him on thin ice for the remaining 40 laps, adding immense psychological pressure. His exasperated radio message, “The tyre is fucked! Why are we staying out?!” vividly conveyed his desperation and the perilous state of his machinery. Red Bull’s immediate reaction to box Verstappen highlights the critical nature of the situation and the abrupt shift in strategy triggered by his tyre issues and warnings.

Lap: 23/63 VER: 1’21.988, NOR: 1’44.693
Lambiase	Okay, Max, so Lando in the pitlane this lap. Lando is in pit lane. For reference, the gap was 6.7.	Joseph	Perez passes Norris as the McLaren leaves the pits Perez coming past you.
Verstappen	After understeering through Tosa My tyre is fucked. Left-front’s fucked.
Lambiase	Understood. At the moment, Lando is immediately behind Checo.
Verstappen	Yeah, there’s no rotation for me.
Lambiase	Understood, Max.
Lap: 24/63 VER: 1’26.212, NOR: 1’20.468
Lambiase	Okay, Max, that was a third track limits warning: turn 17 [Rivazza]. That’s now a black-and-white flag. No more.	Joseph	Okay mate well done. Gap to Leclerc 24.5. Settle in, plan A.
Lambiase	You still think plus-two is enough, Max?
Verstappen	The car- it’s fucked! The tyre is fucked! Why are we staying out?!
Lambiase	The question was on the flap – do you still think plus-two is enough?
Verstappen	Oh, fine!
Lambiase	Then box and pit confirm, please. Box and pit confirm.
Lambiase	Strat ’12’ in pit lane, please Max.
Lap: 25/63 VER: 1’43.602, NOR: 1’20.977
Lambiase	Verstappen leaves pit box Strat ‘6’. Strat ‘6’. A reminder; no more track limits.	Joseph	And Lando Verstappen has pitted. Just leaving the pit lane now. Suggest red A5, red A5. We came down two-and-a-half holes, down two-and-a-half.
Lambiase	Verstappen leaves pits So Norris, car behind. Gap: five seconds.	Joseph	And Lando Leclerc has pitted. He will come out behind us. And Lando. We think this is now plan A for everybody. So that becomes our priority.
Lambiase	Correction: gap 4.2.
Lap: 26/63 VER: 1’20.482, NOR: 1’20.899
		Joseph	Suggest silver B5, silver B5.

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“I’m trying and he’s a lot quicker…”

With both leading drivers now on hard tyres, the middle stint of the race unfolded as a delicate balancing act. Verstappen, having just pitted, was focused on settling his new tyres and managing the strict track limits warnings. Norris, meanwhile, was under instructions to manage his hard tyres, which initially led to a slight drop in his pace, causing him to fall further behind Verstappen. This conservative approach, while strategic, allowed Charles Leclerc to close the gap to Norris, adding a new layer of pressure for the McLaren driver.

Norris’s radio messages conveyed his frustration at the perceived lack of pace compared to his rivals, especially Leclerc. He was pushing, but his engineers emphasized the long-game strategy: conserving tyres now would pay dividends later. They also provided intricate details on where Leclerc and Verstappen were finding their pace, particularly at turn 15, to help Norris refine his driving. The mid-race period was a test of patience and precise execution, as McLaren gambled on their tyre management strategy to outlast their competitors.

Lap: 28/63 VER: 1’20.709, NOR: 1’21.077
Lambiase	So Lando pace – four laps in – ‘21.0.
Lap: 29/63 VER: 1’20.615, NOR: 1’20.933
Lambiase	So Lando last lap was a ‘21.1.
Lambiase	Obviously you’re looking at a 39-lap stint here, Max. So do look after the tyres where you can, please: [at turns] five, nine, 11.
Lap: 30/63 VER: 1’20.571, NOR: 1’20.720
		Joseph	ACS button press, please. Verstappen 6.4 ahead, did a 20.6 last time. Leclerc 3.3 behind, he’s fighting with Oscar, he’s using the tyres much more than us.
Lap: 34/63 VER: 1’20.760, NOR: 1’20.776
		Norris	Why am I so much slower than the guys behind?
		Joseph	Lando they’re using their tyres a lot more than we are. And also exit…
		Norris	Interrupts Yeah but I have no pace.
		Joseph	…exit kerb [unclear].
		Norris	What’s he doing in turn 15?
Lap: 35/63 VER: 1’20.800, NOR: 1’20.687
		Joseph	Lando they’re just pushing the slips harder at the exit of turn 15, which is why they’re using their tyre a lot more than you.
		Joseph	Lando it’s the later on-throttle phase they’re pushing, not the early bit.
Lap: 37/63 VER: 1’20.484, NOR: 1’20.714
		Joseph	Okay, Lando, suggest holding seventh into turn 14. Gap to Leclerc is 2.8. You’re currently quicker than Verstappen ahead and Leclerc behind. The hard tyre looks a difficult one. People had a lot of deg on it, so it’s tricky. It’ll be about tidying up the details in every corner.
Lap: 38/63 VER: 1’20.366, NOR: 1’20.458
		Joseph	And suggest left-hand pedal in turn nine.

For a significant portion of the mid-race, Norris’s primary concern was not the distant Verstappen but the rapidly approaching Charles Leclerc. Red Bull’s communication to Verstappen even started referencing Leclerc’s pace, indicating that the Ferrari driver was perceived as a more immediate threat to the leading positions. This shift in focus underscores the dynamic nature of Formula 1 races, where priorities can change instantly. Norris’s frustrated admission, “I’m trying and he’s a lot quicker,” perfectly encapsulated the struggle of managing tyres while fending off a charging rival, all while hoping to maintain enough performance for a late-race push on the leader.

Lap: 39/63 VER: 1’20.547, NOR: 1’20.591
Lambiase	Lando last lap: ‘20.4. Leclerc: ‘20.2.
Lambiase	There are three blue flags between yourself and Lando and Charles..
Lap: 40/63 VER: 1’20.645, NOR: 1’21.025
Lambiase	How’s the balance on this tyre compounds, please Max?	Joseph	Lando, opportunity. Suggest later lift turn 11. Last couple of laps, Leclerc tried to push on a bit…
Verstappen	Just low grip… front and rear.	Norris	Interrupting Speak up.
Lambiase	Okay.	Joseph	Suggest a later lift into turn 11. Leclerc tried to speed up a bit. The lap before he did a 21, last lap 20.5, so he’s trying.
		Norris	Yep. Me too. I’m trying and he’s a lot quicker.
Lap: 41/63 VER: 1’20.675, NOR: 1’21.102
Lambiase	Gap: seven. Lando: ‘21.0. Charles: 20.5.	Joseph	Suggest red A4, red A4. And Leclerc is 1.6.
Lap: 42/63 VER: 1’20.832, NOR: 1’20.828
Lambiase	Gap: 7.4.
Lap: 43/63 VER: 1’20.757, NOR: 1’20.838
Verstappen	Low grip, turn two. Easy to lose the rear.	Joseph	Leclerc will have DRS.
Lambiase	Understood.	Joseph	Suggest strat 12, strat 12.
Lambiase	The push toggle is available at turn two, Max. Push toggle, turn two.
Lap: 44/63 VER: 1’20.834, NOR: 1’20.708
		Joseph	Lando possible suggestion. So into turn 14 potentially avoid the kerb, don’t push the entry to 14 as much, to get a better exit from 15.
Lap: 45/63 VER: 1’21.364, NOR: 1’20.339
Lambiase	Okay, so the gap’s 7.4. Norris: 20.7. And Leclerc is now on Lando’s tail.

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“Lando’s found some pace…”

Despite the looming presence of Leclerc in his mirrors, Lando Norris’s strategic tyre management began to pay off. A crucial error by Leclerc at Variante Alta alleviated the pressure from behind, allowing Norris to shift his focus entirely towards Max Verstappen ahead. This was the turning point, as Norris, now unshackled, started to systematically chip away at Verstappen’s lead. The radio messages from this phase reveal Red Bull’s dawning realization of McLaren’s surging pace, with Lambiase explicitly stating, “Lando found some pace last lap.” This was the moment the hunt truly began.

Verstappen, increasingly vocal about his degrading hard tyres, found himself in a defensive battle he hadn’t anticipated. His car’s balance was suffering, leading to reduced grip and slower lap times. McLaren, on the other hand, was now actively encouraging Norris, confirming Verstappen’s struggles and urging him to maximize his advantage. The gap began to tumble rapidly, transforming the race into a high-stakes pursuit where every tenth of a second mattered. The contrasting emotions—Verstappen’s growing desperation and Norris’s focused determination—became palpable through their radio exchanges.

Lap: 46/63 VER: 1’20.700, NOR: 1’20.546
Lambiase	6.3. Lando found some pace last lap: was a ‘20.3.	Joseph	Lando ACS button please and suggest eighth gear into turn 17.
Lap: 47/63 VER: 1’20.909, NOR: 1’20.816
Lambiase	So gap: 6.2. Pace behind: ‘20.5.	Norris	Does he have DRS?
		Joseph	Yes. They’re deploying to turn 17 to get it.
Lap: 48/63 VER: 1’20.923, NOR: 1’20.803
		Joseph	Leclerc went wide through turn 15, gap 1.6.
		Joseph	And you can use eighth into turn 17. Okay Lando gap to Leclerc 2.3. If there was a Safety Car, you would lose out to potentially Leclerc, Oscar, Sainz. We think they might take it. Would you, if you came out behind them?
Lap: 49/63 VER: 1’20.823, NOR: 1’20.485
Lambiase	Fifteen laps remaining, Max. Gap: six seconds.	Norris	I think so, yeah.
Lap: 50/63 VER: 1’20.817, NOR: 1’20.039
Lambiase	Gap: 5.6. Main losses to Lando: turn two and turn six.	Joseph	Lando blue B7. Blue B7. Last lap, Verstappen did a 20.8.
Verstappen	Yeah, my tyres don’t work, mate.
Lambiase	Just for information, that’s all.
Verstappen	Yeah, same for me.

The final quarter of the race intensified dramatically as Verstappen’s complaints about grip became more urgent and frequent. His used hard tyres were clearly struggling, allowing Norris to close the gap at an alarming rate. Both teams were now in full coaching mode, guiding their drivers through every corner and technical adjustment to mitigate their respective weaknesses. Lambiase reminded Verstappen of the critical track limits, emphasizing that any further infractions could lead to a penalty, a crushing blow given Norris’s proximity. McLaren, sensing an opportunity, continued to push Norris, offering detailed advice on how to optimize his lines and apply pressure. The airwaves buzzed with tactical instructions, energy management updates, and the raw, unfiltered emotions of two drivers locked in a high-speed battle for supremacy.

Lap: 51/63 VER: 1’20.736, NOR: 1’20.367
Lambiase	So, gap: 4.9. Lando: ‘20.0.
Lap: 52/63 VER: 1’20.556, NOR: 1’20.582
		Joseph	And Lando Verstappen is complaining about…
		Norris	I see, I see, I see. All good. I’m pushing mate.
Lap: 53/63 VER: 1’20.638, NOR: 1’20.141
Lambiase	So I guess the main thing to focus on now, Max, is as the gap is less than five seconds, we really can’t afford any track limits. So focus on that, mate.	Joseph	Lando suggest strat seven, please, strat seven.
Lambiase	And engine ’13’, engine ‘1-3’, position ‘6’, when you can. Position ‘6’.
Lap: 54/63 VER: 1’20.918, NOR: 1’19.994
Lambiase	Gap: 4.0. Pace: ‘20.1.	Joseph	Okay Lando opportunity is still the mid corner of turn 15. So just give up a little bit of entry to help.
Verstappen	Nah, turn seven [Villeneuve], the car doesn’t turn.
Lambiase	Okay, understood. Stand by.
Lambiase	So try the left hand button at turn seven. Left hand button.

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“Leave me to it”

The climax of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was a nerve-wracking affair. With the gap to Norris dropping below five seconds and then rapidly decreasing, Max Verstappen found himself under intense and sustained pressure. Despite running on significantly older tyres, Norris’s relentless pace and the McLaren’s late-race performance meant he was now a genuine threat for the lead. The challenge was compounded for Verstappen by navigating lapped traffic, with his exasperation evident after an encounter with Yuki Tsunoda, whom he felt didn’t yield efficiently enough. This added another layer of mental strain to an already grueling race.

In the closing laps, as the McLaren loomed ever larger in his mirrors, Verstappen’s focus became absolute. His curt “Leave me to it” message to Lambiase was a clear indication that he needed to concentrate fully on extracting every last ounce of performance from his struggling car without distraction. The tension was almost unbearable. Ultimately, Verstappen’s mastery and the Red Bull’s resilience allowed him to hold Norris just outside of DRS range as they began the final lap. This critical margin proved decisive, denying Norris the best opportunity to overtake on the pit straight. Verstappen crossed the finish line a mere seven-tenths of a second ahead, securing a hard-fought victory that prompted a rare display of raw emotion from the typically composed world champion. Both drivers and their teams echoed a mix of relief, frustration, and pride in their post-race radio messages, reflecting on a truly epic duel.

Lap: 55/63 VER: 1’20.962, NOR: 1’20.182
Lambiase	Okay, gap: 3.1. Pace: ‘19.9.
Verstappen	After lapping Tsunoda on the run up to Piratella Can he let me by even more stupid?
Lap: 56/63 VER: 1’20.490, NOR: 1’20.168
Lambiase	Okay, so 2.3.
Verstappen	[???]
Lap: 57/63 VER: 1’20.511, NOR: 1’20.105
		Joseph	And Lando happy to push turn nine a little bit more.
		Norris	I’m pushing as much as I can mate.
Lap: 59/63 VER: 1’20.367, NOR: 1’20.489
Lambiase	Five laps remaining. Five laps.	Joseph	Suggest strat 12, strat 12.
		Norris	Yeah I’m just losing too much grip.
Lap: 60/63 VER: 1’20.637, NOR: 1’20.239
Lambiase	Strat ‘5’. Strat ‘5’.
Verstappen	I was clipping more.
Lambiase	Strat ‘6’. Strat ‘6’.
Lap: 61/63 VER: 1’20.698, NOR: 1’20.502
Lambiase	Strat ‘5’ again please, Max. Strat ‘5’.	Joseph	Lando his pack is almost empty. Use some of yours.
Verstappen	Battery is almost empty.
Lambiase	If we want to top up the battery, it’d be mode ‘7’, Max. But you will clip more in mode ‘7’.

The final laps of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix encapsulated the brutal demands of Formula 1. Verstappen, battered by tyre degradation and track limits warnings, relied on sheer driving skill and strategic energy deployment to fend off Norris. The McLaren driver, having meticulously preserved his tyres, mounted a charge that was almost successful, highlighting the exceptional performance McLaren has achieved. The post-race radio conversations offered a poignant insight into the drivers’ feelings – Verstappen’s raw relief and Norris’s bittersweet frustration. This race will undoubtedly be remembered as a testament to both drivers’ talent and the tactical prowess of their respective teams, shaping the narrative of the 2024 season.

Lap: 62/63 VER: 1’20.753, NOR: 1’20.564
Verstappen	The gap is 1.2. Two laps remaining.	Norris	How many laps to go?
		Joseph	One. That’s one after this one.
		Joseph	Early press out of 15.
Lap: 63/63 VER: 1’21.035, NOR: 1’20.743
Verstappen	Gap?
Lambiase	Okay, final lap. Gap is 1.1. Does not have DRS.
Verstappen	Lambiase opens the radio but closes before speaking Leave me to it.
Chequered flag
Lambiase	Okay. Well done, Max. Close call, but did it in the end. Nice job.	Joseph	White H11 position 12, please and leave recharge off.
Verstappen	Fucking hell, mate! I had to work for that! Woo! Well anyway, we did a great race, considering how the weekend started, you know? I had to work hard for that.	Norris	Unlucky. Almost. I just lost too much in the beginning. But another amazing weekend, well done everyone. A lot of points tonight, another trophy. Let’s keep it up.
Horner	Well done, mate! That was a very, very, very strong drive. That’s two wins for you in a day, I think. So, we are definitely stronger on the medium and perhaps a bit weaker on the hard today. But really, really impressive drive. Really impressive weekend.	Joseph	And driver of the day as well, mate.
Verstappen	Yeah, that’s [unclear]. Had to go flat out.	Norris	One or two more laps there, that’s all I needed. Well done guys. Oh, it’s frustrating not to win. It feels more painful now. Do I go in the pits or the grid, mate, you want to tell me?
Lambiase	Plenty of pick up on the way in, please Max. Pick up on the way in.	Joseph	In the pits mate, same as yesterday.
Lambiase	You’re coming into the pit lane, Max. Coming into the pit lane.
Horner	It was just really strange how their pace came to them in the last third of the race. Before that, you had them totally covered on the medium and everything.
Verstappen	Yeah, the hard tyre just had no grip for me. So I don’t know. I think the medium was very strong. I guess the hard tyre was just a bit out of the window for us.

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