Top 10 Radio Messages of 2023

With the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season soon approaching, let’s look back at the top 10 radio messages of the 2023 season!

10. “Alright! Alright! Haha! … Cool! Haha! Enchante Mon Ami” – Daniel Ricciardo, Mexico

After regaining a seat in Formula 1 following the dismissal of Nyck de Vries at Silverstone, Daniel Ricciardo didn’t have the smoothest introduction. He broke his metacarpal in seven places two races later in the Dutch FP2 forcing him to miss four races. When the Aussie returned to the AlphaTauri he earned his first points in 2023 when he finished 7th in the Mexico Grand Prix after qualifying fourth the day prior. By the sound of his post-race radio message it seems like even the honey badger himself was a little shocked!

9.       “Vivaaaaa Las Vegas” – Max Verstappen, Las Vegas

In true Vegas style, the three time World Champion concluded the Las Vegas Grand Prix with a short rendition of Elvis’ classic ‘Viva Las Vegas’! Despite not being an initial fan of the circuit the Dutchman was happy when he crossed the line in first and joked with his team principle how he needs “some singing lessons from Geri [Halliwell]”.

8.       “Which position is Lance? Great move into 1” – Fernando Alonso, Miami

Whoever thought drivers couldn’t enjoy the race from a watchers on perspective was proved wrong by Fernando Alonso in Miami. Not only is the Spaniard able to control his car at over 200mph, but he is also a pro at watching his teammate on the big screen and even managed to compliment Lance Stroll’s driving round the streets of Miami.

7.       “Looking forward to some maple syrup on my pancakes” – Lance Stroll, Spain

When you think of Canada, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Well myself and Lance Stroll have very similar ways of thinking… maple syrup! After finishing 6th in the Spanish Grand Prix, come the checkered flag the first thing the Canadian was thinking about was how much he was looking forward to having maple syrup on his pancakes, but honestly who can blame him! Although, unfortunately for him the sugar didn’t help on the track as he fell back to finish 9th in his home race.

6.       “Tell me we have it!” “Yes we have it” “Vamos! Grazie Ricky, Dai!” – Carlos Sainz and Riccardo Adami, Italy

The pure joy Carlos Sainz felt was clear after securing pole in Italy in front of a home crowd after beating Verstappen by 0.013’s of a second! The conversation between the Spanish driver and his race engineer Riccardo Adami, was very wholesome as the pole was confirmed to the driver. This was Sainz’s fourth career pole and just a week later he managed to secure another in Singapore where he became the only non Red Bull driver to win a race in 2023!

5.       “Lewis the car is bad we know. Please drive it” – Toto Wolf, Austria

It was a tough season for Mercedes becoming the first winless season since 2011 and the least podiums since 2012, yet they still finished second in the Constructors Championship. Despite consistently finishing above his teammate, George Russell, and in the top 10, Lewis Hamilton was often very vocal about his concerns with the Mercedes-AMG F1 W14. This just proves how ambitious he is regardless of his seven World Championships.

4.       “Get in there! Let’s go boys! Woo! Haha! Oh my god, it feels so good! Thanks so much for all the hard work guys” – Lewis Hamilton, Hungary

In complete contrast to the previous message, you can again hear the enjoyment in Lewis Hamilton’s voice when securing pole in Hungary by just 0.003 of a second. This was the Brits first and only pole since 2021’s penultimate race in Saudi Arabia. As always Hamilton was sure to thank his team following the great achievement.

3.       “There is a lizard again on the track. A smaller one this time” “Okay understood. Maybe Godzilla had a kid” – Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase, Singapore

Cast your mind back to 2016, this was the first time Max Verstappen met a lizard aka ‘Godzilla’ on track … seven years later he met Godzilla’s potential child! This time around his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase was much less shocked when Max announced the lizard’s appearance, it seems as though they are fans of the Singapore track! Thankfully both sightings were during practice sessions, so no lizard was harmed at the Singapore Grand Prix!

2.       “Good weather for… a duck” – Valtteri Bottas, Canada

With rain predicted for the whole weekend in Canada. Rain, indeed was what they got! Late in FP2 Valtteri Bottas took to his radio to say what everyone in attendance was thinking. As the heavens above opened it was fantastic weather for ducks. Who doesn’t love a bit of rain to make things exciting!

1.       “Is anyone else reporting rain? I think it’s sweat from the inside of my helmet” – George Russell, Spain

And last but by no means least, my personal favourite, George Russell mistaking sweat for rain! The Mercedes driver took to his radio twice to comment on rain before realising it was in fact his own bodily fluids on his visor. This could’ve been the first time in F1 history that sweat made a team change a whole strategy and what a way to finish this top ten that would’ve been!

Honourable mention: “Yeah, ay, ay! Podium in my home race! Podium in our home race! Woooooo!” – Lando Norris, Britian

The honourable mention has to go to Lando Norris’ radio message after his home Grand Prix. Once again the pure happiness is something you can’t help but smile when listening to. McLaren had a tough start to the season, but after the upgrades in Austria the Woking based side went from strength to strength with Norris coming 2nd at Silverstone being just the start!

Comment below what your favourite radio message of the 2023 season was!