Brake troubles: Lando Norris ‘guided’ by team radio in last 10 laps of Chinese GP. The Joseph-Norris Team Radios in China.

A Tense Finale
Lando Norris’ second-place finish in the Chinese GP took on special significance due to the major difficulties he encountered in the final laps. Just when the podium positions seemed settled, the #4 car began experiencing brake issues.

The first warning signs appeared nine laps from the end, and from that moment, the situation worsened steadily. This allowed George Russell, who was in third place, to close a gap of over seven seconds to his compatriot in the last three laps. Lando Norris admitted after the race that if the Grand Prix had lasted one lap longer, he would have lost second place.

A crucial role in this critical phase was played by Lando Norris’ race engineer, Will Joseph. From the moment the issue arose, Joseph guided his driver step by step, keeping him updated on the severity of the problem and how to manage it.

The Joseph-Norris Team Radio
Here are the key radio exchanges between McLaren’s pit wall and Norris’ cockpit during those tense moments.

Lap 47/56
Norris: “The brake pedal feels a bit long. Yes, the brake pedal is much longer.”
Joseph: “Okay, it has been progressing all along. We can see that it’s getting longer, yes.”
Norris: “Yes, now it’s much longer. If it was just slightly… but it’s much longer.”
Joseph: “I know. I know, I know. I know, mate.”

Lap 49/56
Joseph: “Okay, Lando, the brake pedal will keep getting longer.”
Norris: “How big is the problem?”
Joseph: “It will get half a point longer per lap.”

Lap 54/56
Joseph: “Three laps to go. The brake pedal is extending. At some point, it will hit the floor. The gap to Russell is nine [seconds]. So, limit brake pressure.”
Joseph: “Lando, the brake situation is getting critical. Manage the peak pressures at Turn 6 and Turn 14.”
Norris: “Yeah, I think the pedal is going to go completely flat.”

Lap 55/56
Joseph: “Two laps to go. We suggest Blue B2. Blue B2. The gap to Russell is eight seconds.”
Joseph: “Lando, the side effect of this brake pedal issue is that it’s shifting brake balance forward.”

Lap 56/56
Joseph: “This is the final lap. Gap to Russell, 5.0.”
Joseph: “3.7 to Russell.”
Joseph: “Russell at 2.6.”

Chequered Flag
Joseph: “Well done, mate. Well done. Sorry about this issue with the brake pedal.”