By Renault F1
December 6 2006

What follows is the transcript of the radio conversations between the Renault F1 Team pit-wall and its drivers during the decisive 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix. Where required, explanations of events have been provided.

Transcript: Renault F1 Team race radio, 2006 Brazilian GP

 

 Part 1.

 

What follows is the transcript of the radio conversations between the Renault F1 Team pit-wall and its drivers during the decisive 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix.

Where required, explanations of events have been provided.

 

FB: Flavio Briatore

PS: Pat Symonds

SN: Steve Nielsen, Sporting Manager

RN: Rod Nelson, Chassis Race Engineer to Alonso

AP: Alan Permane, Chassis Race Engineer to Fisichella

RT: Rémi Taffin, Engine Race Engineer to Alonso

FL: Fabrice Lom, Engine Race Engineer to Fisichella

Other: General team members on the radio

 

At 13:59, one minute before the formation lap, the engines of both cars are fired up. The team removes the tyre warmers, and the cars remain stationary on the uphill slope of the Interlagos grid, until the final set of red lights is extinguished.

 

SN: Remember the fifteen second rule [NB: no mechanics can touch the car less than 15s before the start].

RN: Muy buena suerte.

RN: 20 seconds… 15 seconds… 10 seconds…

The drivers make their practice starts, and complete the formation lap.

AP: Giancarlo, that practice start was perfect, same again please.

PS: Gavin [Hudson, race team chief mechanic]. There is a lot of rubbish on the circuit, paper bags and the like. Please be aware of duct cleaning at the pit-stops.

GH: OK Pat.

RN: Fernando, your start settings are fine. Remember to go to fuel mixture 5 and revs 7.

[NB: the drivers adjust fuel mixture and rev settings throughout the race according to the strategic

situation]

AP: Revs 8 please, revs 8.

The race starts and both drivers make a clean get-away. Fernando is running fourth behind

Massa, Raikkonen and Trulli. Giancarlo crosses the line sixth, behind Barrichello, but passes

the Brazilian on the brakes into turn 1.

AP: Beautiful mate, beautiful. There is a yellow flag somewhere, I will let you know where.

Nico Rosberg has just destroyed his Williams against the barrier in turn 14, leaving debris all

over the circuit. There may also be debris in turn 4 after a collision between the two Williams.

 

AP: There is a Williams off somewhere, there may be debris on the track. We don’t know where

yet.

ALO: Safety Car?

AP: Safety Car! Safety Car! Mixture 1 please.

RN: Safety car is out. We are not in the window, do not pit.

RN: There is a lot of debris about, we are not sure where it is though… (Pause) It’s in turn 14,

turn 14.

ALO: OK.

RN: OK mate, I think this will be quite a long one. Michael is in P6 just behind Fisi. Race order is

MAS RAI TRU ALO FIS MSC BAR RSC.

On the pit-crew channel, a radio check is conducted to make sure that all the mechanics can

hear the instructions that are given to them during the race.

Graham Tingey: Pit crew, show of hands please.

RN: Fernando, you are doing a nice job of keeping the rear pressures high, keep it up.

The lights on top of the Safety Car go out on lap 6.

RN: Safety Car is in this lap.

AP: Safety car in this lap. Try and get some temperature in the rear tyres please.

RN: Mix 5 and Revs 7 for the restart.

AP: OK Giancarlo, Mix 5 and inhibit cruise at the restart. Revs 8. Michael is right behind you

mate, so think about Turn 12 as well.

FIS: OK.

Giancarlo keeps the charging Schumacher behind for as long as possible, but the German dives

round the outside of the Renault into Turn 1 at the start of lap 9 – after crossing the line just

0.010s ahead of Fisico. Into Turn 2, it becomes apparent that the Ferrari has a left-rear

puncture.

RN: Fernando, Michael is now behind you. [Rod has not yet seen Michael is slowing]

AP: Revs 6 please Giancarlo. Michael has a puncture, you need to push as hard as you can.

RN: Revs 4 please. [The engine is turned down as soon as the team spots Michael’s puncture]

 

RN: Michael is going very slowly, very slowly indeed. He has a flat tyre, he’s changing the tyre,

he will switch to one stop now.

ALO: Where is Michael?

RN: He’s P19, P19 at the moment. He has done his stop, and he’s going to lap 53. He is 63

seconds behind you.

The first stint unfolds without incident. The drivers consolidate their position, and try to maintain

close to the cars in front ahead of the upcoming pit-stops.

AP: Giancarlo, tell me about the car. How is it?

FIS: It’s poor grip, and I have some understeer.

RN: Fernando, you are target +2 now mate. [The Safety Car has allowed Fernando to save fuel

and he is now running 2 laps beyond his original pre-race target lap]

AP: Giancarlo, you need to get away from Barrichello. You are 2.4s in front, and he is lapping in

1:14.0.

RN: How is the car mate?

ALO: It’s OK, low overall grip, but OK.

AP: Revs 7, and push push Giancarlo. Barrichello is lapping in 1:13.6 now. [With the pit-stops

approaching, the team increases the available revs to allow Fisico to build a cushion]

AP: Giancarlo, do you want more front aero at the pit-stop?

FIS: Yes, yes.

AP: [To the pit-crew] When Fisi stops, please go 1 turn up on each side of the front wing Fisi.

[The team will increase the angle of the front wing by one turn, giving Fisico more front

downforce to cure the understeer]

AP: In now please, in now [It is lap 21]

AP: [To the pit-crew] 30 seconds.

Nozzle check. [Before every stop, the team ensures the nozzle of the fuel rig is functioning

correctly]

AP: 15 seconds guys, 15 seconds.

The pit-stop goes smoothly and Fisico rejoins the race ahead of Barrichello.

RN: Are you still OK with the balance Fernando?

ALO: Yes OK, OK.

AP: Revs 7 please Giancarlo. Keep pushing, this is looking good.

RN: Pit now please mate. 30 seconds. [It is lap 26]

ALO: OK.

Nozzle check.

RN: 15 seconds, that’s 15 seconds.

Fernando comes to a halt in the pit-lane.

RN: Brake and revs, brake and revs.

Fernando pulls away from the pit box after a successful stop.

RN: Limiter, limiter.

 

(continued on part 2)