Full Las Vegas GP Team Radio Transcript: Leclerc, Sainz, and Ferrari
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Full transcript of the team radio between Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, and Ferrari during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, highlighting key moments of the race and the tension between the drivers.
Revealed: The Full Las Vegas GP Radio Transcript Between Leclerc, Sainz, and Ferrari
The Las Vegas Grand Prix saw tense moments between Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, culminating in a heated exchange over team instructions. Sainz ultimately finished ahead of Leclerc in third place, with Leclerc expressing frustration over the situation. The full team radio transcript reveals key insights into the communication between the drivers and their engineers during the race.
Leclerc and Sainz’s Tense Battle on Track
The Las Vegas Grand Prix proved to be a challenging race for both Ferrari drivers, with the two men often inseparable on track. Leclerc initially got ahead of Sainz after Turn 1 as the Spaniard struggled to hold off Alpine's Pierre Gasly. However, Sainz quickly retaliated, taking advantage of Leclerc’s tire degradation while attempting to overtake Mercedes’ George Russell for the lead.
But as the race progressed into the second stint, it was Sainz who began to suffer tire graining while Leclerc and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton caught up. The timing of the final pit stops resulted in the two Ferrari drivers merging on track, where Sainz appeared to defy team instructions by overtaking his teammate. This move led to a heated exchange between the two drivers, culminating in Sainz holding the position to the end of the race.
The Team Radio Transcript: Key Moments
Below is the complete team radio transcript between Ferrari’s race engineers, the drivers, and their communication during the critical moments of the Las Vegas GP.
Lap 3:
BB: Consider Mode TS, priority on tyres, Mode TS.
Lap 5:
RA: Switch position yellow, and Mode X, Mode X, for one lap to see.
Lap 9:
Sainz pits to swap his medium tyres for hards.
Lap 10:
BB: Charles, if we stop, we finish behind everyone, then we need to make it through.
CL: [Unclear]… I’m telling you it’s like having a puncture.
BB: Box Charles, box, box Charles, box, flap update.
Lap 10:
Leclerc pits to swap his medium tyres for hards.
Lap 11:
BB: Tyres is a priority, save in the corners we discussed.
Lap 15:
CS: Correct me if I’m wrong but it feels more like [unclear].
Lap 19:
CS: Is it going to be Plan C, because it changes everything?
RA: Give us two laps, I will come back to you.
Lap 22:
RA: Still the preferred for now is Plan A for now, Plan A, unless graining kicks in.
Lap 25:
RA: We’ll go plan C.
Lap 26:
Sainz leads Leclerc and Hamilton, with Sainz given his instruction to release Leclerc.
RA: Do not slow down Charles.
CS: If you want, we can box this lap.
RA: Copy, understood.
CS: Let’s get off these tyres.
RA: And let Charles by. And staying out for this lap. Still opening on Tsunoda.
BB to CL: We will swap cars into last corner.
Lap 27:
BB: He said into Turn 5 now.
RA: Careful, Hamilton right behind Charles, he’s half a second behind.
CS: Copy.
CL: Nice swap, amazing.
Lap 28:
Sainz pits to take another set of hard tyres.
CS: What happened?
RA: We were not ready.
CS: Wake up guys! Come on!
BB: So Hamilton boxed, and Verstappen boxed. You are now P2, Russell P1.
Lap 31:
Leclerc pits to swap his mediums for hards.
BB: Watch the white line. Watch the white line, and box Charles, box.
RA: Charles is boxing.
RA: Do not put him [Charles] under pressure.
Lap 50 (Chequered Flag):
CL: Was that the chequered flag?
BB: Yes. Pick up [marbles], please.
CL: Yes, whatever you want, as always.
BB: Charles, you did your job, OK. Thank you.
CL: Yeah yeah yeah I did my job but being nice f**ks me over all the f**king time, all the f**king time. It’s not even being nice, it’s just being respectful.
BB: Charles, Charles.
CL: I know I need to shut up but at one point it’s always the same, so… oh my f**king god.
BB: OK. But, anyway, you did the right thing for the team. And pick up please.
CL: Yeah yeah f**king pick up what the f**k we want… S**t, s**t, s**t, the radio is on. I’m sorry, that was on me.
CL: And where were McLaren at least?
BB: McLaren were P6 and P7, and we finished P4. Sainz P3, Verstappen P5.
Conclusion: A Tense and Controversial Las Vegas GP for Ferrari
The Las Vegas Grand Prix was marked by intense on-track battles and behind-the-scenes tension between Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Despite their differences, the team managed to secure a podium finish, with Sainz taking third place ahead of Leclerc in fourth. The radio transcript showcases the high-pressure moments, unclear instructions, and frustration from both drivers as they navigated the challenging race. Ferrari’s strategy and communication will undoubtedly be a key area of reflection as the team moves forward in the season.
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