The drive to victory in Brazil which put Max Verstappen within touching distance of the world championship earlier this month was a masterpiece of wheel-to-wheel combat and wet weather skill.
But in contract, the performance which secured his title in Las Vegas last weekend was all about restraint and discipline. This was a drive in which he actively avoided getting into fights with his rivals while keeping both eyes fixed on the state of his tyres.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix was widely tipped to be a one-stop race. On paper, that was the quickest way to the chequered flag, if drivers could stop their tyres from graining.
But in the cool night conditions, the medium compound tyres almost everyone started on went off very quickly. From that moment on a two-stop strategy was likely for the entire field.
Verstappen lined up fifth, one place ahead of the only driver who could beat him to the title, Lando Norris. As the race unfolded Red Bull knew they had two priorities: To keep their tyres alive and to stay ahead of the McLaren. This selection of Verstappen’s radio chatter with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase shows how they did it.
Verstappen’s Las Vegas Grand Prix radio messages
Jump to:“This won’t take long”
“You want me to match that?”
“Norris and Piastri do have problems”
“How can I give the front more life”
“Don’t lose sight of our aim”
“Think about what I said at turn 11”
“You want me to keep them behind?”
“Norris at 11.8”
“Another lovely season in the books”
“This won’t take long”
Verstappen saw Leclerc head for the pits as early as lap eight as his medium rubber started to grain, and warned his team he would be in the same trouble soon:
| Lap: 10/50 VER: 1’40.064 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | They are starting to open up a little, mate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay, look after them. Can I have a front flap setting for the next stint please, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Er, one… well. Equivalent to this tyre would be one or two clicks more. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Yeah maybe just one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Understood. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 12/50 VER: 1’55.018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | This won’t take long. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | I’m also degging now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Understood, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay we’ll box this lap. It’s going to be close with Carlos. Box this lap. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“You want me to match that?”
Lambiase made sure Verstappen understood the team’s priority wasn’t to try to chase down race leader George Russell:
| Lap: 14/50 VER: 1’38.376 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So main limitation was front-right. So let’s look after it. Into management please, mate, turn three, 10 and 11. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 17/50 VER: 1’38.055 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So, Russell 38.3. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | You want me to try and match that? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Er, no, not for the moment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 18/50 VER: 1’37.956 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So just watch any inside wheel pinch into turn five, Max. Previous lap deficits to Carlos were exit turn three, 10-11 and braking turn 14. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 20/50 VER: 1’37.846 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So Max for info Russell ahead managing slightly less in 10 but more 11. Also managing through turn six, but then keeping his braking point quite aggressive for turn seven. It’s net neutral on lap time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So Checo has pitted now for his medium tyre. Our strategy options remain open at this stage. So we’re just monitoring. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Norris and Piastri do have problems”
While Verstappen was having trouble with graining, his team could at least offer the consolation that his championship rival Lando Norris appeared to be in even bigger trouble. However McLaren unlocked more pace from their car in his third stint:
| Lap: 27/50 VER: 1’43.108 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | My right-front doesn’t look good. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Yep, understood. Are you sure we’re still happy with front flap? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 28/50 VER: 1’54.746 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Yeah. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay. So Sainz could be suffering with a similar issue here. But Norris and Piastri do have problems. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 30/50 VER: 1’37.549 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | We’re expecting Carlos in this lap, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Okay. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Box and pit confirm, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So car behind Hamilton, three seconds, Max. Still 23 laps remaining. So, again, front-right limited Max, so turn 11 please mate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“How can I give the front more life”
Verstappen doesn’t often ask for guidance from the pit wall, but on this occasion he was trying everything possible to prolong the life of his tyres:
| Lap: 31/50 VER: 1’37.996 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | How can I give the front more life under braking without killing the rear on late entry? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay Max, let’s have B-bal eight and minus two on the offset. Try that for now. B-bal eight, minus two. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 32/50 VER: 1’37.714 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Lewis is pushing really hard, right? Which guys are in front? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 33/50 VER: 1’37.579 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | That is Lando ahead. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Don’t lose sight of our aim”
When a very rapid Lewis Hamilton appeared on Verstappen’s tale, Lambiase warned his driver not to get involved in a tussle with his former championship rival. Verstappen complied, Hamilton passing him easily in a DRS zone:
| Lap: 34/50 VER: 1’37.484 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Okay so Leclerc yet to pit, 38.4 ahead. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Hamilton closes on Verstappen Max just don’t lose sight of our aim today here. |
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| Verstappen | Yeah, yeah I’m doing my race. Hamilton passes Verstappen into turn 14 |
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“Think about what I said at turn 11”
Red Bull were especially keen for Verstappen not to over-stress his tyres through the few quick corners on the track, notably turns 10 and 11. His approach to those corners was a regular topic of discussion:
| Lap: 35/50 VER: 1’37.243 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Are you happy with turn 11? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Car behind, Sainz. Max I think you could probably lift earlier for turn 11, but just hold partial throttle, perhaps try to hold 40 to 50% throttle towards turn 12, but lift earlier. Might limit the damage. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 37/50 VER: 1’36.720 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Max, think about what I said at turn 11. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 38/50 VER: 1’36.979 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Yeah I’m trying it’s [unclear] crazy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | So there’s still 16 laps to go. Your middle stint was 16 laps. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | That was better at 11. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 39/50 VER: 1’36.344 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Sainz last lap 36.6. The losses, Max, were turns one, seven and 14 exit. Just back out the very late entry apex at 14, focus on the exit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 40/50 VER: 1’36.495 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Main loss last time around Max was two-tenths braking turn five. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 41/50 VER: 1’37.522 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Yeah if I brake later I’m going to fuck my tyres. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Understood, that’s just info. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Think about the pull toggle, turn five, Max | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Yeah I have no grip there, front and rear. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“You want me to keep them behind?”
Later in Verstappen’s second stint the Ferrari drivers appeared in his mirrors. Red Bull told him he could push his tyres a little harder in order to keep them behind, but both were able to overtake him.
| Lap: 42/50 VER: 1’36.489 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | How far is Lando behind? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Currently 16 seconds. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | You want me to try and keep them behind or not? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | I think you should, yeah? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 43/50 VER: 1’36.248 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | That means I have to push a bit more, though. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Yeah, you can reduce your lift in 10, Max. Reduce your lift in 10. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 45/50 VER: 1’36.394 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Gap? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | 0.5. Sainz passes Verstappen at turn 14 |
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| Lap: 46/50 VER: 1’36.929 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Leclerc attacks Verstappen on the outside at turn one Leclerc 0.8. |
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| Lambiase | Eight laps remaining. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Norris at 11.8”
While the Ferraris came past Verstappen, Red Bull were keeping an eye on Norris’ progress. By this stage in the race McLaren appeared to have solved their graining problems and Norris was closing on the championship leader, but not quickly enough to catch him by the end of the race.
| Lap: 47/50 VER: 1’36.736 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Leclerc at 0.8. For info, Max, Norris at 11.8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 48/50 VER: 1’36.922 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Leclerc 0.8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 49/50 VER: 1’37.016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Leclerc 0.6. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | How many laps are remaining? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Five remaining, Max. Leclerc 0.5. Leclerc passes Verstappen at turn 14 |
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| Lap: 50/50 VER: 1’37.210 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | Four laps remaining, Max. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Another lovely season in the books”
After 50 laps, Verstappen crossed the line in fifth place. It was far from his best result of the season, but it was enough to secure his fourth consecutive world championship. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner came on his radio to offer congratulations.
| Chequered flag | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | For info, Max, Norris pitting this lap. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | That is four in a row, Max. Four in a row. Congratulations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horner | Max Verstappen, you are a four-time world champion. That is a phenomenal, phenomenal achievement. You can be incredibly proud of yourself, as we are. Amazing. Well done. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Oh my God, man, what a season. Four times. Thank you. Thank you, guys. Thank you to everyone. I mean, it’s a little more difficult than last year but we pulled through and we gave it all. Thank you so much guys. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horner | Take it all in, mate. You deserve it, you really deserve it. You’ve driven like a lion this year. You’ve been absolutely outstanding. And you’ve demonstrated the class that you are as a driver and as a person and we couldn’t be more proud of you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | Yeah thank you very much Christian. We keep pushing and… unbelievable. I never thought this was possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lambiase | I’ve been a bit quiet, mate, on the radio. Didn’t want to embarrass myself like you with the stuttering. But you’ve done brilliant. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verstappen | You too, mate. Another lovely, lovely season in the books. A lot of challenges but we came out on top and that’s the most important. Well done, mate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team radio transcripts
- Tributes and cheeky doughnuts: How departing F1 drivers signed off on their radios
- Red Bull left it as late as possible to tell Verstappen about his latest penalty
- “Am I dead last now?” Unheard radio from Hamilton’s disastrous Qatar GP
- Verstappen was fighting tyre graining, not his rivals, in title-winning drive
- ‘Being nice f**** me over’: Leclerc’s radio anger and Sainz’s criticism explained
2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix
- Vowles clarifies Colapinto’s claim he was concussed in Las Vegas crash
- Norris lost title because McLaren weren’t competitive enough early on – Stella
- Ferrari are now in their longest-ever championship drought
- F1 “was trying too hard” in first year at Las Vegas – Sainz
- 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend F1 driver ratings
Alex
26th November 2024, 1:33
It is all about tyre management nowadays. I ask myself if it is worth forcing so talented drivers to look for their tyres like they were bus drivers trying to save some paper. I mean, it requires a lot of talent too, but is it as good to watch as it was back then in the Schumacher crazy push lap days?
Matthijs (@matthijs)
26th November 2024, 11:02
I agree with you, I would like the tyre management to be less of a factor. On the other hand, tyre management is always a vital part of racing. Go slower now so that you can go faster later. Tyre management is a vital part of Le Mans for instance, and it is still one of the most desired races for talented racers. You are right, tyre management and driving consistent requires a lot of talent, it is just not as entertaining to watch.