Ferrari identifies cause of Fernando Alonso's DRS fault in Bahrain
Ferrari says it has identified an unprecedented mechanical failure that caused Fernando Alonso's DRS problem in the Bahrain Grand Prix
Alonso was running second when his DRS flap jammed open early in the race.
He pitted for the issue to be rectified, but although Ferrari felt it had been fixed, it reoccurred as soon as he tried to deploy DRS again.
Alonso subsequently ran without DRS to the finish, eventually recovering to eighth.
A Ferrari statement said the cause of the failure had now been identified and resolved.
"Analysis revealed that the problem was caused by the breakage of a mechanical component within the system," it said.
"It's the first problem of its kind on this system seen in the three years during which it has been used.
"The failure is not something that causes concern for the long term, however, paying great attention to reliability must always remain at the highest level."
Team boss Stefano Domenicali said the problem was a reminder that while Ferrari had started the 2013 Formula 1 season with a quicker car than for several years, it could not afford to drop the ball on reliability.
"We believe in our ability to be in the fight for the titles right to the end and this time, we have been in that fight since the start, which has not been the case for a while," he said.
"At the same time, we must be aware that in order to achieve our objectives, we have to be perfect in every area."
Previous article
Dealing with a fiery young team-mate
Next article
Mercedes insists difficult Bahrain GP not a sign it is on the slide
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Fernando Alonso |
| Teams | Ferrari |
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
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
