Max Verstappen’s plight became clear in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when he caught championship rival Lando Norris and Williams driver Alexander Albon after his pit stop.
While his Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase urged him to pass the pair “quickly”, it soon became clear Verstappen couldn’t pass them at all. Once Norris pitted, Red Bull gave Verstappen all the help they could to resist the McLaren but were powerless to prevent him taking what became fourth place.Adding insult to injury, Verstappen’s last-ditch attempt to claim the bonus point for fastest lap was ruined when his team mate was involved in a crash which caused a Virtual Safety Car period. That was the final act in a tough afternoon for the world championship leader. His radio exchanges with his team reveal how it played out.
Verstappen’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix radio messages
Jump to:
“We are braking earlier than Checo”
“You’ll be racing Bearman and Ricciardo”
“Try to clear Lando and Alex as quickly as possible”
“My brakes are not working”
“I’m not holding this”
“You’re the fastest car on-track”
“Try and find another tenth or two”
“There’s an accident ahead”
“We are braking earlier than Checo”
Verstappen’s race got off to a promising start as he overtook George Russell and moved up to fifth.
But for once Sergio Perez was more comfortable in the RB20. As Verstappen began to struggle with his brakes his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase gave him some pointers on how his team mate was managing them.
| Lap: 7/51 VER: 1’48.797 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Struggling with the rears. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 8/51 VER: 1’48.643 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So Max compared to Checo you are braking later into one but then carrying less speed at the apex. We are braking earlier than Checo at turn two. Earlier than Checo at turn seven and we are [cuts out] at turn eight. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 9/51 VER: 1’48.448 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Let’s start cancelling the lift at 13, please, Max. And [unclear] brake application rate. So you’re heavy on peak, braking later, but looking for that late entry for the lap time. Brake application ‘race’. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 10/51 VER: 1’49.448 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Where? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | All braking zones. 47.8, Leclerc and Checo. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | If I don’t hit the peak I’m not stopping the car. I have zero bite in the car. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Yeah, tyres are going now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Er, which axle, please, Max? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | [Unclear] you’re suffering from and front flap update. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Everything. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“You’ll be racing Bearman and Ricciardo”
Eager for the opportunity to pit before those ahead of him, maximising his opportunity to attack, Verstappen came in on lap 12. Russell behind followed him.
| Lap: 11/51 VER: 1’49.645 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay front flap update for the next stint. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay keep your head down, we’re monitoring the gaps. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 12/51 VER: 1’54.511 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Rear tyres fucked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Box, pit confirm. Strat 12 in pit lane. You’ll be racing Bearman and Ricciardo. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 20/51 VER: 1’47.890 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Piastri has just overtaken Leclerc at the front. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Try to clear Lando and Alex as quickly as possible”
Lando Norris and Alexander Albon delayed their pit stop and ran ahead of Verstappen at this stage. Red Bull expected their driver would be able to pass them, but he stayed behind both until they pitted, Albon on lap 31 and Norris six laps later.
Lambiase tried to help Verstappen’s efforts to attack them, advising him where he could turn up his engine in the final sector approaching the crucial flat-out blast from turn 16 back to the start/finish area.
| Lap: 21/51 VER: 1’47.903 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | That’s Lando and Alex ahead. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 22/51 VER: 1’48.679 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Pace up front, Max, is a 47.8. So all is not lost yet. You’ve got some pace on this compound. Try to clear Lando and Alex as quickly as possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Also got enough for a click of the overtake here, Max, into turn 15 if you need it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 23/51 VER: 1’48.908 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | That might actually be useful into turn 16 the next time around when you feel you need it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | As I say, click of the overtake into 16 if you want it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Verstappen gets in Norris’ slipstream and attacks him on the outside approaching turn one, but cannot pass. Does he have DRS? |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Negative. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“My brakes are not working”
As Verstappen continued to press the cars ahead, his brakes began to overheat. He was also told he couldn’t use maximum power for sustained periods.
| Lap: 24/51 VER: 1’50.602 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | And mode seven when you can. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Verstappen drives onto the run-off on the inside of turn 15 My brakes are not working. |
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| Lambiase | Strat five. It’s just temp-related, Max. We’re going to have to cool them for a few laps. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 25/51 VER: 1’48.356 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | One more lap, please, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 26/51 VER: 1’49.021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Mode six or not? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Negative, Max, we will let you know when. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 27/51 VER: 1’49.092 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Mode nine please, Max, mode nine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“I’m not holding this”
Russell floundered at first on his hard tyres at the beginning of the stint, but once they improved he gained on Verstappen and reclaimed the position he lost on the first lap.
| Lap: 29/51 VER: 1’49.216 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So info, Russell also on DRS behind now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 32/51 VER: 1’48.392 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Mode six. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | 1.3 ahead. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | At turn 15 Click the overtake. |
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| Verstappen | I have no rear grip. The car is just jumping up on the rear, losing contact. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 33/51 VER: 1’48.299 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Russell on DRS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | I’m not holding this. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay. Russell at 0.6 on DRS. Russell passes Verstappen |
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“You’re the fastest car on-track”
Soon afterwards Norris headed for the pits, finally releasing Verstappen. For a single lap – the 37th tour – he was the quickest driver on the track, but when Norris emerged from the pit he was frequently one-and-a-half seconds quicker than his rival.
| Lap: 37/51 VER: 1’47.403 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay, so Lando’s pitted this lap. There will be 14 racing laps remaining. You are now one of the fastest cars on-track… the fastest car on-track, by four tenths. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 38/51 VER: 1’47.282 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Strat seven. Strat seven. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Seven, yeah? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Seven, please, yeah. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So the gap to Lando 15 seconds and there’s 13 laps remaining next time around. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Try and find another tenth or two”
Norris quickly erased Verstappen’s lead. Once he got within range, Lambiase asked Verstappen whether he wanted to optimise his power use for the fastest possible lap time or to maximise his speed approaching turn one, where he would be most vulnerable to Norris. Verstappen chose the latter, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Norris sailing by in the DRS zone as soon as he caught the Red Bull.
| Lap: 40/51 VER: 1’47.136 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay, that’s 12 laps remaining. The gap is 13.5. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 41/51 VER: 1’47.525 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | The gap is 12 seconds. 11 laps remaining. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 42/51 VER: 1’46.798 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | 10.6, 10 laps remaining. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 43/51 VER: 1’47.147 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Nine laps and gap is at 9.1. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 44/51 VER: 1’47.149 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay, eight laps remaining, the gap is 7.4. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 45/51 VER: 1’47.184 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Seven laps remaining, gap 5.8, let us know if we can help you out at all. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 47/51 VER: 1’47.721 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Try and find another tenth or two, Max. Just stem the attack a little bit. Keep it going. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Five laps remaining. Gap is 3.3. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Max, just thinking ahead, mode switch, do you want the energy to turn one or optimum? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Er, to turn one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 48/51 VER: 1’47.749 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stallard | Copy that. We’ll have mode nine, then. Mode nine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | And gap 0.5. Norris passes Verstappen approaching turn one. |
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“There’s an accident ahead”
Wasting no time, Red Bull summoned Verstappen into the pits for a fresh set of soft tyres so he could attempt to set the fastest lap of the race and take the bonus point for it away from Norris.
But his team mate inadvertently cost him the chance to do that. While Verstappen was up on the jacks, Perez tangled with Carlos Sainz Jnr at the exit of turn two, the pair spinning into the barriers. As Verstappen headed for the pit lane exit Lambiase informed his driver there was a crash ahead of him.
After checking both were alright, a dejected Verstappen had little else to say as he drove back to the pits.
| Lap: 49/51 VER: 1’52.022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Mode eight. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So Max, box pit confirm, we’ll come out two seconds ahead of Alonso. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | We’ll have strat 12 in pit lane, please. Box, pit confirm. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 50/51 VER: 2’37.677 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Strat 10. There’s an accident ahead, Max. Double yellows from here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Are they okay? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Yes, they’re okay, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Strat five, please. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Virtual Safety Car, dash positive. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 51/51 VER: 2’33.336 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | The Medical Car is also on-track now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
- Verstappen: “Important” for FIA to clarify legality of McLaren’s ‘mini DRS’ wing
- Hamilton explains suspension set-up change behind “miserable” Baku weekend
- Piastri needs “crazy” results to become title contender despite Baku win
- FIA taking new look at flexing bodywork amid intrigue over McLaren’s rear wing
- Norris knew Verstappen broke VSC rules in Baku because he did the same in Melbourne
David
17th September 2024, 13:28
Something has gone very wrong at Red Bull. Max’s car performance has dropped so much. Does beg the question of whether they have been forced to make a change, or whether they have just reached the limit of their current design concept and are simply losing pace in their last ditch attempts at finding it.
If the car won’t even keep all 4 wheels on the ground when it’s supposed to there is a big issue somewhere.
Even with Lando dropping points, the Red Bull performance is so far off the front that I can’t even see Max getting a podium for the rest of the season. Lando could easily take 15 points off Max every weekend and take the title at a canter.
Jogo
17th September 2024, 21:19
“Red Bull performance is so far off the front”
Wait, wasn’t Red Bull just behind McLaren and Ferrari almost whole race? Wasn’t Norris holding Perez so Piastri could stay ahead?
“I can’t even see Max getting a podium for the rest of the season”
What if Max wins next race and then another one, what will you say then, Red Bull is dominating again, championship over?
anon
17th September 2024, 22:01
David, there was a claim around the time of the Miami GP that the FIA had undertaken an inspection of the suspension system of the RB20 and ordered Red Bull to change the design of the suspension.
More recently, the allegation is that Red Bull had integrated nitrogen gas reservoirs into the damper units as a method of storing and releasing energy that was intended to recreate some of the performance advantages of the hydraulic systems that all of the teams had been using up until 2022, when the FIA decided to change the regulations.
The allegation is that the FIA objected to that damping system as a form of illegal ride height control and instructed Red Bull to remove it from the car, resulting in Red Bull having to use more conventional damper systems. That, combined with the compromises resulting from the suspension geometry Red Bull adopted, is claimed to have resulted in Red Bull having to run with sub-optimal suspension set ups to compensate, and in particular are having to run higher ride heights than they previously did.
There has been plenty of speculation about the RB20, with some wilder theories being thrown about this season, but we’re unlikely to get a definite answer on the matter. That said, if anything were modified on the car, then it might make more sense that the drivers would then complain about poorer performance over bumpier surfaces and instability when riding over kerbs if Red Bull did have to modify the suspension and is now having to run a sub-optimal set up.
MacLeod (@macleod)
18th September 2024, 8:07
@anon your story is the first i heard about the suspension. Now the FIA can’t say a lot about Suspension as they approved it before the season so it’s something Red Bull added later?
pcxmac (@pcxmac)
17th September 2024, 22:01
Red Bull changed everything back to the beginning of the year, and still the tires do not work. Hint, they are not the only ones talking about this. The whole rhetorical device known as an upgrade, is just used to help mediate people’s perceptions, sure, their are good design implementations, but I assure you the commentators only use it as a point to manage the ‘fans’ expectations. Max can’t win, because if he did ratings would plummet and there would be no nail biting end to the season. This is all managed and garbage.
Mayrton
18th September 2024, 7:26
It certainly looks the part. I am never one for conspiracy angles.. but since the 2021 season I think it is fair to assume some kind of meddling by FIA/Liberty taking place. That season was so rigged, it was a joke and a disgrace. It is well known Liberty doesn’t give a toss about the sport, are entertainment specialists and are just in it to create return on investment and shareholder value. That 8 year Mercedes streak is still fresh in their memory as ‘something to never repeat again’ since they lost large numbers of viewers/audience. There are many vehicles/buttons to push to mix up the field, the Pirellis being one that is quite easy to influence and with great effect. All drivers are talking about it as well.
Patrick (@anunaki)
17th September 2024, 14:00
They made a bad setup choice with Max’s car. If you look at Checo a win might’ve been possible for Max.
MadMax (@madmax)
17th September 2024, 14:39
True. The car was capable of being in the mix for the win. But Max together with his team chose a bad setup.
The Dolphins
17th September 2024, 14:46
Max and Checo favour a different setup, it may well be that Checo’s setup worked well for him at that track and there is no guarantee that Checo’s setup would have made a significant difference in Max’s performance. I do believe there’s an element of Adrian Newey missing here, many credit him as this aero guru but his ability to make all aspects of the car work in harmony is a true gift and it seems vehicle dynamics is struggling in his absence.
MacLeod (@macleod)
18th September 2024, 8:10
Adrian has his aero guru vibe but the last years he was working on the suspension …..
We will know over several years what the problem was……..
SteveP
17th September 2024, 21:04
If you look at the comments Checo made at the start of the weekend, you will note that he said the changes to the car made since the previous race would benefit him more than Max.
That is likely because they have two different driving styles and the changes made match the style of Checo.
Whether it is removal of a feature that Max could handle and Checo could not, or addition of a feature that suits Checo and Max dislikes (unlikely) doesn’t really matter, but the team dynamic has changed to the benefit of Checo.
Mayrton
18th September 2024, 7:28
So much for all the people ranting about the car being developed to suit Max driving style… they are awfully quiet now.
bosyber (@bosyber)
18th September 2024, 18:28
Well, them having changed something in the setup that now makes Perez more comfortable, while it doesn’t help Verstappen very much due to apparently finding out they went into a Verstappen-guided apparent dead-end they now need to get out does more to confirm they have been doing that than anything they could have gone on before, so maybe they are just comfortable to let you dig deeper.
SteveP
19th September 2024, 11:07
AN is on record as saying he designs cars to be fast, then they get tweaked to adapt to drivers.
I would suggest that the base car was tweaked as a result of feedback from the drivers, with probably more attention to one driver.
They either went up a blind alley with that tweaking and now have to go back and follow another path, or some facet of that tweaking isn’t possible because of the forced removal of some other aspect.
There you go, a choice between the dev team without AN following up a blind alley, or reliance on a feature that they have been told to remove. (Dodgy suspension / dodgy brake system)
Ignorance of the base behaviour of the system, or cheating?
Remember: Never attribute to malice that which more easily explained by ignorance.
Coventry Climax
17th September 2024, 17:10
Would be quite something if the King of Baku’s antics would at the end of the season cost Verstappen the championship by just 1 point.
Coventry Climax
17th September 2024, 17:15
I know race control shouldn’t make decisions on who’s to blame based on prior performances, and I’m certainly not asking them to, but Perez has a much, much worse track rate compared to Sainz, where level-headedness and causing collisions is concerned.
asz
17th September 2024, 19:07
Just last year, Sainz hit Piastri twice after a race start. He is only second to Grosjean in his propensity to cut mindlessly across the track regardless of who is in the way.
Coventry Climax
17th September 2024, 21:19
I have no figures to back it up, but this sounds more like your personal perception than the general consensus, which I don’t think puts Sainz in a league together with Grosjean and Perez.
asz
17th September 2024, 22:29
Sorry, I had no idea that this marvellously objective quote reflects the general consensus, of which you are obviously the official voice. (Never mind that I at least mentioned a specific issue regarding Sainz’s driving, which is exactly one more than what you deigned to bring up in substantiating Perez’s “much, much worse” performance.)
SteveP
19th September 2024, 11:17
Well, I wouldn’t put him down as any kind of authority on the subject, but the observation is correct and Perez does have a tendency to “find” other cars and blame the other guy.
In this instance, he got himself into a position of interlocking wheels and then slowed without moving to remove the interlock – guilty of a measure of stupidity. Meanwhile, Sainz drove a standard line, expecting Perez to back off from a situation he couldn’t win.
Ingredients for a classic example of a racing incident.
Mayrton
18th September 2024, 7:29
I would say they are both prone to silly mistakes. Definitely not WDC material.
Nick T.
17th September 2024, 18:46
Well, maybe he shouldn’t have asked for those lowrider hydraulics to be put on the car. Wouldn’t have made for spectacular celebrations had he won though.
An Sionnach
17th September 2024, 22:18
Reading about the difference between how Pérez and Max were approaching the corners, was this an example of a layout that Max doesn’t have a good feel for? The setup changes could also explain it, but braking late and hard into turn 1 so that you carry less speed through seems fairly fundamental. If it was a setup issue, wouldn’t that make is harder to brake later?
Johns
18th September 2024, 3:28
I think he next race will be a telling chapter to the story. Baku is a weird track and I think is a poor predictor of the general competitiveness of the teams.
Mayrton
18th September 2024, 7:31
I don’t think so at all actually, since it is a similar street circuit. Norris or Piastri will win and spot 3 on the podium will be a Ferrari.