The discussions on the Ferrari pit wall that led to crucial decision that cost Fernando Alonso the world championship have been revealed.
The exchange of messages between Alonso and his race engineer Andrea Stella, which was not broadcast during the race, shows the team’s preoccupation with Alonso’s position compared to Webber.
It also shows how Alonso urged the team to use Felipe Massa to hold Webber up.
The radio transcript, published by Corriere della Sera, shows how Ferrari made the mistake of reacting to Webber’s pit stop instead of keeping Alonso out.
Lap 9
Alonso is 1.7 seconds behind Jenson Button and 1.4s ahead of Webber, who is 0.8s ahead of Massa.
Andrea Stella: “You gained three tenths on Webber. Felipe is closing in too.”
Lap 12
Webber pits.
AS: “Webber has stopped and Vettel is also losing ground on Hamilton.”
Fernando Alonso: “If you see that Felipe can overtake him in a lap call him in.”
AS: “We are thinking about it, concentrate on Button.”
Lap 14
Massa pits.
FA: “How did it work with Felipe?”
AS: “He came out behind Webber”
Lap 15
Ferrari tell Alonso to pit on lap 16.
AS: “OK, come in [to the pits] now.”
FA: “OK”
AS: “You will come out close to Webber. You are in front”.
Lap 17
Alonso is 1.1s ahead of Webber and 1.5s behind Vitaly Petrov.
FA: “What’s the situation?”
AS: “We have to overtake the Renault in front, he won’t stop any more. After that it’s Rosberg.”
Lap 22
Alonso is 0.5s behind Petrov. None of the cars that were in front of him before he pitted have come in yet.
AS: “I know you are giving everything but it’s critical to overtake Petrov.”
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2010/11/1...-pit-messages/
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