Unheard radio messages from the Singapore Grand Prix reveal why Daniel Ricciardo made the early pit stop which compromised his race.

Meanwhile Sergio Perez found it so hard to fight for positions he asked his team whether there was a problem with his Red Bull.

At Ferrari, Carlos Sainz Jnr and Charles Leclerc carefully managed a swap of positions to ensure both got the best of their very different strategies. Here’s how those moments and more played out on the radios.

2024 Singapore Grand Prix radio highlights

Jump to:

Norris takes control
Brake problem forces Ricciardo in
Sainz pits early
Norris grabs fastest lap
Perez lacks power
Leclerc chooses his battles
Sainz lets Leclerc by
Ricciardo pits again
Alonso chases Sainz home
Magnussen forces out
Russell resists Leclerc
Norris loses fastest lap
Ricciardo’s final chequered flag

More:

Norris takes control

Norris was never headed as he took his third win

For the first time in Formula 1, Lando Norris kept his lead from pole position at the start. From there he drew clear from Max Verstappen as he pleased, and was able to wait until after the Red Bull driver pitted before making his own tyre change.

Lap: 2/62 NOR: 1’38.480
Joseph He does have DRS.
Joseph And you’ve broken DRS.
Lap: 4/62 NOR: 1’38.446
Joseph Okay mate the gap is increasing slowly. So now 1.7. If we can keep on doing this, this is good.
Lap: 10/62 NOR: 1’36.830
Joseph Okay Lando this place is really good. Just avoid the snaps and avoid the wheelspin. Gap to Hulkenberg is 15.9. He’s in sixth.
Lap: 11/62 NOR: 1’36.651
Joseph The first car, Ricciardo, has pitted. Might start the cascade. Doesn’t affect our race yet.
Lap: 13/62 NOR: 1’36.670
Joseph And Lando overtaking looks difficult as expected. Undercut power looks strong, maybe two seconds.
Norris Confirm.
Lap: 14/62 NOR: 1’36.832
Norris A little bit of R3.
Joseph Okay, understood.
Joseph Lando this gap is good. No need to push the tyres quite as hard, let’s cool them down a bit. Sainz has pitted as well.
Lap: 17/62 NOR: 1’37.008
Joseph How are the tyres?
Norris All good. Fairly consistent on the minute.
Lap: 18/62 NOR: 1’37.068
Joseph Hamilton is pitting. Doesn’t affect our races.
Lap: 20/62 NOR: 1’36.887
Joseph Lando, Oscar is thinking of pitting to undercut Russell, so that might trigger things behind. But Lando, for our race, we just want to go as long as possible. So if we need to look after tyres we will, we just don’t want to be the first person to pit between you and Max.

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Norris had a scare, however, brushing a barrier at turn 10 just before half-distance.

Lap: 24/62 NOR: 1’37.527
Joseph Lando just suggest backing off turn 18, 19 a little bit, it’ll look after both axles.
Lap: 29/62 NOR: 1’41.878
Norris Front wing damage, maybe. Maybe front wing damage.
Lap: 30/62 NOR: 1’47.073
Joseph Stay out for now, please, stay out for now.
Joseph Lando, how does the car feel to you?
Norris Yeah, fine.
Joseph Lando, we’re going to suggest box this lap, box this lap. Verstappen’s pitted.
Norris Confirm.
Lap: 31/62 NOR: 1’58.408
Joseph Out-lap free, stint free. We see a small issue with the front wing, nothing serious. Oscar’s just out of the final corner now. And Lando gap to Verstappen 21.

Brake problem forces Ricciardo in

Daniel Ricciardo, RB, Singapore, 2024
Ricciardo’s race engineer Pierre Hamelin suspects a problem with his brakes

Daniel Ricciardo was one of only two drivers who started on the hard tyre compound, the other being Lewis Hamilton. While he was always likely to pit early, he had to come in even sooner than planned as his team believed he had a problem with his brakes.

Lap: 4/62 RIC: 1’39.545
Ricciardo I don’t know how it is up front but pace doesn’t feel too slow at the moment. The actual race pace.
Hamelin Copy that. Norris is pushing at the front. And it’s a very tight cars all the way up ’til Gasly.
Lap: 5/62 RIC: 1’39.585
Hamelin Main loss to Albon is braking turn seven, one tenth.
Lap: 6/62 RIC: 1’39.223
Hamelin Okay Daniel the top four cars pushing on, and then it’s still a very tight group all the way up to P6.
Lap: 7/62 RIC: 1’39.598
Ricciardo Understood. Yeah, pace feels quite high.
Hamelin When you can, strat one, currently in two. Albon ahead just reported one second of management compared to what he could do.
Lap: 8/62 RIC: 1’39.615
Ricciardo Understood. Yeah, I don’t have that much.
Hamelin Okay Daniel heads’ up: We are looking into a potential issue with front brakes. We may have some debris, we are checking temperatures. We’ll keep you posted. And compared to Albon it’s just turn seven braking and everything else is just down the straights. And we are just digging through some pictures Daniel to have a look at those front brakes. We’ll keep you posted.
Lap: 9/62 RIC: 1’39.598
Ricciardo Understood. Yeah rear’s my limitation at the moment.
Hamelin Okay Daniel we have seen the debris now, we can see what’s going on there. We’ll keep you posted on the plan.
Lap: 10/62 RIC: 1’47.680
Hamelin Okay Daniel box box, box box. We’ve got to clear that issue. Box box.
Ricciardo Understood.

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Sainz pits early

Carlos Sainz Jnr, Ferrari, Singapore, 2024
After crashing in qualifying, Sainz had a lot of work to do

Ferrari, meanwhile, went in opposite directions with their drivers on strategy. They brought Carlos Sainz Jnr in early, while Charles Leclerc had to sit tight and be patient.

Lap: 4/62 SAI: 1’39.105
Adami Lando is not managing the pace.
Lap: 6/62 SAI: 1’39.221
Sainz I’m in a DRS train but I have a lot of pace.
Adami Understood.
Lap: 7/62 SAI: 1’39.349
Sainz Okay I’ll push the tyre now. Try and overtake.
Adami Yeah tyres are ready, confirm, happy to push.
Lap: 13/62 SAI: 1’47.072
Sainz I cannot pass.
Adami Understood.
Sainz Get me free air.
Adami Some [lift-and-coast].
Adami And box, Carlos, box, opposite Tsunoda.
Lap: 24/62 SAI: 1’39.011
Sainz Do I need to pass this guy quickly?
Adami Yeah, that’s the target, with priority still tyre manage ’til in the end. But priority is pass, also.

Norris grabs fastest lap

From early in the race it seemed unlikely anything would detail Norris’ bid for victory. The team therefore advised him on when to make a bid for the fastest lap of the race to maximise his points haul.

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Perez lacks power

Nico Hulkenberg, Haas, Singapore, 2024
Hulkenberg kept Perez behind with little difficulty

Having failed to reach Q3, Sergio Perez had a battle on his hands to come away with a decent points score.

A good start put him on course for 10th place, but he got stuck behind Nico Hulkenberg after his pit stop, and found it so hard to attack the Haas he asked if he had an engine problem.

Lap: 42/62 NOR: 1’36.404
Joseph And Lando the gap to Verstappen is 23. If there was a Safety Car, we think we would take it for a soft.
Norris Yeah, confirm.
Lap: 47/62 NOR: 1’36.567
Joseph Lando the fastest lap is currently a 35.6 done by Leclerc. We’re happy to give it a go, but with no risk. Our biggest concern would be front locking, front under-rotation. If you want a go you can used red button into the final corner. And we’d use strat nine, strat nine. But zero risk if you want to do it.
Joseph It’s now a 35.9, 35.9 by Leclerc.
Norris 35.9?
Joseph Now 35.3, 35.3.
Lap: 49/62 NOR: 1’36.060
Joseph Norris sets the fastest lap
Okay so full concentration now, take a drink.
Lap: 30/62 PER: 1’39.589
Wood That’s Gasly ahead of Hulkenberg. Gasly is yet to box on medium tyre.
Lap: 32/62 PER: 1’38.407
Wood Okay mate that was two-hundredths of getting DRS. Let’s get him, he’s isolated here.
Lap: 34/62 PER: 1’37.992
Perez Fuck, I cannot even get close.
Wood Copy. Think about wider line turn 13. Wider line turn 13. Better traction.
Lap: 35/62 PER: 1’37.858
Perez I can’t even get close. Is all okay with the engine?
Wood Yep, all okay with engine.

Leclerc chooses his battles

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Singapore, 2024
Leclerc had a long opening stint on the medium rubber

While Leclerc ran long on his original set of tyres, other drivers who had pitted came up behind him. Ferrari urged him not to try to keep them behind, as doing so would cost him time and compromise his finishing position.

Once he pitted, Leclerc was easily able to pick off Fernando Alonso and, soon afterwards, Hamilton.

Lap: 30/62 LEC: 1’39.543
Bozzi Verstappen behind you, hard, don’t lose time. It’ll cost you race time.
Bozzi Verstappen passes Leclerc
And keep driving like this.
Lap: 31/62 LEC: 1’39.214
Bozzi Next car behind is Russell on three-lap new hard lapping in 37.0.
Lap: 32/62 LEC: 1’38.505
Bozzi These laps are crucial. Keep driving like this.
Lap: 33/62 LEC: 1’38.187
Bozzi And we should not lose time with Russell as well. Keep driving like this.
Bozzi Alonso lap time 38.4, you did a 38.5. We need to keep matching these lap times for a few laps. Let me know if you can do it.
Leclerc Yes but speak less.
Lap: 36/62 LEC: 1’47.084
Bozzi And we box now and we’ll finish just in front of Hulkenberg. Box, box, box and flap update.
Bozzi It will be very tight with Hulkenberg.
Lap: 37/62 LEC: 1’57.168
Leclerc Charles pit lane.
Bozzi It’s tight.
Leclerc Why is deg going?
Bozzi Repeat, Charles.
Leclerc Where is the deg going on the hard?
Lap: 38/62 LEC: 1’36.556
Leclerc I need to know for the slow introduction. Please reply. Look at Carlos.
Bozzi So generally stable, quite slightly towards oversteer.
Bozzi So we can do a state four to the end. You’re 1.5 seconds faster than Alonso.
Lap: 40/62 LEC: 1’37.480
Bozzi Leclerc passes Alonso
And well done. Next car is Carlos, he should let us through.

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Sainz lets Leclerc by

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Singapore, 2024
Sainz made way for his team mate

Sainz put up no fight when Ferrari told him to let Leclerc by, even offering his team mate a choice of which corner they would swap places at.

Lap: 39/62 SAI: 1’37.802
Adami Still our target to optimise this stint ’til the end. Struggling a bit with tyres, possibly at the end of the race.
Sainz Yeah I can feel it’s going to be tough but I will try.
Lap: 40/62 SAI: 1’37.965
Adami Let’s focus on managing the tractions.
Lap: 41/62 SAI: 1’38.236
Adami Charles is at 3.1 behind.
Lap: 42/62 SAI: 1’39.534
Adami Can let Charles by, let Charles by, he’s 1.2 behind.
Sainz Into turn seven next lap. Or I can try maybe turn 16 if he agrees.
Adami Okay, 16.
Sainz Copy.
Lap: 43/62 SAI: 1’38.602
Adami 20 laps to go, 20 laps to go. Alonso 4.5 behind.

Ricciardo pits again

Daniel Ricciardo, RB, Singapore, 2024
Ricciardo’s final race turned into a three-stop grind

Ricciardo began to struggle on his medium compound tyres and facing the threat of losing time with blue flags, RB called him in for a second pit stop. His race was ruined from then on, even more so when he was unable to un-lap himself from George Russell, whom his team expected he would be able to pass. That delay meant he was blue-flagged again, for Leclerc, losing more time.

Lap: 35/62 RIC: 1’40.666
Hamelin And you know what’s coming so let’s make the good work pay off. Overtake available.
Lap: 44/62 RIC: 1’38.963
Hamelin Heads-up: Ocon is defending against Magnussen directly behind you.
Hamelin Entry eight. And if we can, try to save a little bit more the front tyres to help to balance the rear.
Lap: 45/62 RIC: 1’43.383
Ricciardo [Unclear] for the tyres.
Hamelin Copy that. If we pit we won’t get back into that position.
Lap: 46/62 RIC: 1’50.550
Hamelin Box, box.
Lap: 47/62 RIC: 1’59.494
Hamelin Okay Daniel let’s not overdo it the first two laps. And then we go catch Gasly and the two Saubers.
Hamelin Russell is three ahead and he will be slower than you, so when we get there, we get by.
Lap: 51/62 RIC: 1’36.765
Hamelin On this lap we lost three tenths braking turn 10. 1.5 tenths.
Lap: 54/62 RIC: 1’40.450
Hamelin Okay Daniel anything we can help you with to catch Russell’s DRS?
Ricciardo Er, no, nothing really. Balance isn’t too bad just losing overall.
Hamelin And Leclerc is 1.4. I’ll keep you posted.
Ricciardo slows to let Leclerc lap him
Lap: 55/62 RIC: 1’38.263
Hamelin Offset three.
Hamelin Okay consider EB12. Okay Leclerc is 3.5 away now, let’s get back into the rhythm.
Lap: 57/62 RIC: 1’36.357
Hamelin Okay Daniel head down push on.

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Alonso chases Sainz home

Sainz had to manage worn tyres towards the end of the race, but successfully resisted the charging Alonso.

Lap: 44/62 SAI: 1’37.870
Sainz And if we box for soft in a Safety Car, which I come out?
Adami We believe everybody will take it at that stage, we’ll take it.
Sainz And if they don’t? Give me a position…
Adami Four positions, four positions. Also, if we stop now, losing four positions.
Lap: 52/62 SAI: 1’38.499
Sainz Let me know when I can push ’til the end.
Adami Copy.
Adami And we are happy what you are doing ’til the end with tyres. Fernando 3.9 behind. Will be tight but should be do-able, hopefully, 10 laps to go.
Lap: 60/62 SAI: 1’38.838
Adami SOC four. Flashing blues for Ricciardo in front.
Sainz Where are the blues?
Adami Ricciardo in front, flashing blues.
Sainz He’s going for fastest lap, no?
Adami Yeah.
Chequered flag
Sainz It’s a shame because the start was quite good, but then someone did a banzai move in turn one.

Magnussen forced out

Lewis Hamilton, Kevin Magnussen, Singapore, 2024
Magnussen had little to celebrate on his return from his ban

Kevin Magnussen retired shortly after damaging his car when he clipped the wall at turn eight.

Lap: 57/62 MAG: 1’48.409
Slade Box Kev box, please confirm.
Magnussen Box, box.
Lap: 58/62 MAG:
Slade Stop outside the front of the garage, please. Stop outside the front of the garage.
Magnussen Sorry about that, man.

Russell resists Leclerc

The charging Leclerc met his match when he caught Russell and found the Mercedes’ acceleration was too much.

Lap: 60/62 LEC: 1’38.166
Bozzi Three laps to go.
Lap: 61/62 LEC: 1’38.326
Bozzi Two laps to go.
Leclerc Traction is too good for them.
Lap: 62/62 LEC: 1’38.726
Bozzi And last lap, last lap.

Norris loses fastest lap

Norris’ perfect evening was slightly soured when he was told someone had pinched his fastest lap at the end.

Chequered flag
Norris Lovely jubbly. Amazing car all weekend. Thank you very much, everyone. One of many, let’s keep pushing
Joseph Well done. Oscar just came in P3 and I think you got fastest lap too.
Joseph Ah, apologies. Someone pitted at the very end and grabbed it from you. Anyway, P1. Well done, mate.

Ricciardo’s final chequered flag

Daniel Ricciardo, RB, Singapore, 2024
Ricciardo bowed out with a fastest lap which provoked much debate

RB gave Ricciardo a third set of fresh tyres for a late assault on the fastest lap time. Although it seems Ricciardo knew this would be his final race, there is no indication he wanted to take another fresh set of tyres to make a final ‘glory run’ bid for fastest lap.

Lap: 58/62 RIC: 1’44.940
Hamelin Ricciardo is told to make an attempt to set the fastest lap
Daniel we are on diff exit two for fastest lap.
Hamelin Box box, box box. Just ahead of Sainz pit exit. Keep the pace up.
Lap: 59/62 RIC: 1’58.881
Hamelin Okay you’re just ahead of Sainz pit exit. [Unclear]
Hamelin Keep pushing. Keep pushing.
Hamelin Okay Daniel heads up. After turn 14 we will go charge ‘on’, start 12, mode one. Sainz 2.5.
Hamelin Charge on, strat 12, mode one. Sainz 2.4. Offset one, one click rearwards. Strat 12, charge off.
Lap: 60/62 RIC: 1’34.486
Hamelin And push toggle turn 13.
Lap: 61/62 RIC: 1’39.550
Hamelin Strat two when you can.
Hamelin Mode 10, mode 10. This is last lap.
Lap: 62/62 RIC:
Hamelin Okay charge on, fail 84 please. Obviously we tried and nothing happened out there so it didn’t work out.
Hamelin But I’m glad we tried. I think that was a very well-managed stint on the medium. Very well managed. You’ve done all the right things there, and you’ve got the fastest lap.
Ricciardo Understood. Yep. Thank you, guys. Thank you.
Hamelin Okay, so that’s Norris, Max, Piastri top three, Russell P4, Leclerc P5, Hamilton P6, Sainz P7, Alonso in P8, Hulkenberg P9 and Perez P10 he’s been trying most of the race to get by Hulkenberg, didn’t manage. And Yuki finished P12 behind Colapinto. Okay mate, thanks again for the hard work. We will stop at the bridge, P1 and full car switch off, P0 and everything else.

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