Ferrari explains Leclerc's lengthy F1 Belgian GP pitstop
Ferrari has provided extra insight into the power unit pneumatic valve issues that delayed Charles Leclerc in the Formula 1 Belgian GP and impacted the strategy of Sebastian Vettel
When the safety car came out after the Antonio Giovinazzi/George Russell accident, those in the second half of the field had the opportunity to pit on that lap, and Leclerc duly came in.
However, the team knew that it would be a slightly longer long stop, as the Monegasque driver had an issue with his pneumatic valve system, which needed an air refill - a procedure that all teams practice and are prepared for.
"Both drivers were very near Turn 17 and therefore close to the pit lane entry," said Ferrari head of strategy Inaki Rueda.
"Ideally we wanted to bring them in on the same lap and do a double stop, as we did in the second Silverstone race.
"However, there was an unknown factor to consider, namely the fact that the engine's pneumatic valve system on Charles' car was using too much air.
"His stop would therefore have to be longer, as topping up the system normally adds three seconds."
"F1 engines use air to operate the valves which, as is the case with the oil, can occasionally consume more than normal.
"The air bottle on the car can be topped up by connecting it to the compressed air system and in the case of the SF1000, the connector is on the left-hand side.
"That's why on TV we saw a mechanic attach to the car a sort of jack with a compressed air bottle.
"These things happen from time to time and we practice these procedures over the course of the race weekend."
This ultimately meant Ferrari couldn't double stack its cars during the round of stops under the safety car, forcing Vettel to complete an extra lap.
"A double stop would have penalised Sebastian, which is why he stayed out for one more lap," Rueda added.
"It meant that Charles lost a place to [Kimi] Raikkonen because of topping up the air, so that Seb was now in front of his team mate."
Leclerc was told of the delay when he drove into his pit box, and he expressed his frustration when he left, saying "Ah come on, for fuck's sake!", without realising that his radio was still on.
Both Ferrari drivers were given hard tyres and were thus able to run to the flag, but eventually the team opted to give Leclerc a second stop for fresh tyres so that the pneumatic system could be topped up again.
Steiner: No satisfaction for Haas fighting Ferrari at F1 Belgian GP
Ferrari: Party mode ban could change F1 order at Italian GP
How studying Schumacher helped make Coulthard a McLaren F1 mainstay
Winner of 13 grands prix including Monaco and survivor of a life-changing plane crash, David Coulthard could be forgiven for having eased into a quiet retirement – but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, in fact he’s busier than ever, running an award-winning media company and championing diversity in motor racing. Not bad for someone who, by his own admission, wasn’t quite the fastest driver of his generation…
How Red Bull found more downforce for Hungary
Red Bull initially feared it would be on the back foot at Formula 1’s Hungarian Grand Prix, with the team seemingly less comfortable at high downforce circuits than previous years.
Russell: Hungary pole justifies faith in Mercedes F1 car concept
George Russell believes Mercedes’ pole position and double podium finish in Hungary last weekend justifies its decision to stick with its current Formula 1 car concept.
Alpine confident it will beat Aston Martin while Alonso is there
Alpine Formula 1 boss Otmar Szafnauer believes that his team can continue to outperform Aston Martin during Fernando Alonso’s tenure at the Silverstone squad when he switches camps for 2023.
How studying Schumacher helped make Coulthard a McLaren F1 mainstay
Winner of 13 grands prix including Monaco and survivor of a life-changing plane crash, David Coulthard could be forgiven for having eased into a quiet retirement – but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, in fact he’s busier than ever, running an award-winning media company and championing diversity in motor racing. Not bad for someone who, by his own admission, wasn’t quite the fastest driver of his generation…
Could F1 move to a future beyond carbonfibre?
Formula 1 has ambitious goals for improving its carbon footprint, but could this include banishing its favoured composite material? PAT SYMONDS considers the alternatives to carbonfibre and what use, if any, those materials have in a Formula 1 setting
How Russell has proven he deserves to be Hamilton's Mercedes heir
He’s fast, he’s smart, and he’s already shown he’s not going to let Max Verstappen intimidate him. George Russell won’t say it, but LUKE SMITH says he’s ready to take the lead at Mercedes when Lewis Hamilton moves on to a quieter life. And – whisper it – Mercedes and Lewis are starting to think so too
The traits that fuelled Alonso's unexpected Aston Martin move
Fernando Alonso’s bombshell switch to Aston Martin sent shockwaves through Formula 1, not least at Alpine that finds itself tangled in a contract standoff with Oscar Piastri. Not shy of a bold career move and with a CV punctuated by them, there were numerous hints that trouble was brewing
The elements Ferrari must resolve to first save face, then win championships
OPINION: Ferrari's Formula 1 title hopes look all but over after another strategic blunder in last week's Hungarian Grand Prix denied Charles Leclerc the chance to fight for victory, while handing it to chief rival Max Verstappen. The Scuderia now faces intense scrutiny over what it must now do to finally become a genuine factor in championship battles
The clues about Hamilton’s F1 retirement plans revealed after Vettel’s decision
OPINION: Sebastian Vettel is set to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2022 and will, rather shockingly, be replaced by Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin. But what about the final chapter of the other driver that defined the post-Michael Schumacher era? In Hungary, Lewis Hamilton spoke about his future in the context of Vettel’s upcoming departure, which offered clues on how long it will last
Why all signs point to F1’s Monaco special relationship continuing
OPINION: With more potential venues than there are slots in future calendars, rumours have been circulating that the Monaco Grand Prix could be a casualty of F1’s expansion into new markets. But MARK GALLAGHER thinks this is highly unlikely
Hungarian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
The Hungarian Grand Prix race result, after a dry race held without safety car conditions, bore little resemblance to what was anticipated after qualifying. While certain drivers were nullified by some iffy strategy calls, others shone to grasp opportunities afforded to them in the last F1 race before the summer break