Abu Dhabi GP: Mercedes says Lewis Hamilton had wishbone failure
Lewis Hamilton's spin on his final run in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was caused by a lower right-rear wishbone failure
Hamilton, who qualified fourth but potentially had the pace to be on the front row, reported something had broken after he spun at the exit of Turn 13.
Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn revealed the suspension problem had been found, although the team has yet to isolate the cause.
"It was a little bit of an unusual event because Lewis had got out of the corner when he lost control of the car," said Brawn.
"When we got the car back, we had fractured a wishbone so that's why he lost control of the car.
"It's a circuit where there is a lot of grief over the kerbs and so on and we're going back through the data to understand what may have provoked it.
"It's a system we have had for a long time with no problem so it may be an issue with that particular part or it may be an issue with the way that we are taking some kerbs or some particular event.
"I don't think there is any high risk for tomorrow and we should be able to fix it in parc ferme and race OK tomorrow."
Brawn stressed that Hamilton drove the Turn 12/13 right/left combination no different on the lap the failure occurred than he did previously.
But he did not rule out the possibility that his drivers will have to adapt the way they are hitting certain kerbs to eliminate the risk of a repeat failure.
"He was off the circuit on the kerb when it failed," said Brawn.
"It's a part of the corner where he had always used that part of the kerb, but it's pretty violent, a fast left-hander on the kerb at full throttle, so it's a pretty serious event.
"We are looking through the data to try and see where we may have induced the problem and then we can advise the drivers to avoid that if it is a particular event."
Previous article
Abu Dhabi GP: Force India qualifying quotes
Next article
Abu Dhabi GP: Ferrari qualifying quotes
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Lewis Hamilton |
| Teams | Mercedes |
| Author | Edd Straw |
Albert Park Circuit Modifications Project
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: Bahrain GP Race Debrief
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How crucial marginal calls will decide the Red Bull vs Mercedes battle in F1 2021
The longer Red Bull can maintain a performance edge over Mercedes, the better the odds will be in the team’s favour against the defending world champions. But as the Bahrain Grand Prix showed, many more factors will be critical in the outcome of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
