Minardi Not Blaming Tyres for Problems
Minardi believe that the tyre failures that Christijan Albers and Patrick Friesacher suffered during the French Grand Prix were caused by mechanics failing to refit tyre valve caps at pitstops, rather than an inherent problem with Bridgestone rubber
With events at Indianapolis still fresh in everyone's mind, both drivers were worryingly forced out of the race with left rear tyre failures - with Albers coming off worst as he suffered a grazed hand in a high-speed impact with the barriers at the long Estoril corner.
"Before the tyre problem, I had been pleased with my race pace, as I believe Jordan was also on a three-stopper today, and my lap times were almost the same as Karthikeyan's," said Albers. "All we can do now is focus on Silverstone and aim for a better result there."
Team boss Paul Stoddart said the team would now work in co-operation with Bridgestone to investigate the valve problem and try and find a solution so that it does not happen again.
"It's disappointing that both cars retired today as the result of the valve caps not being refitted to the left rear tyres after the drivers' second pitstops," he said.
"In co-operation with our tyre partner, Bridgestone, we will be investigating the issue further, to understand why it happened and to ensure there is no repeat of the problem."
Alonso showed championship credentials on F1 debut - ex-Minardi boss
Alonso showed championship credentials on F1 debut - ex-Minardi boss Alonso showed championship credentials on F1 debut - ex-Minardi boss
Top 10 Minardi F1 drivers ranked: Alonso, Webber, Badoer and more
Top 10 Minardi F1 drivers ranked: Alonso, Webber, Badoer and more Top 10 Minardi F1 drivers ranked: Alonso, Webber, Badoer and more
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari
Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari
Martin "wouldn't have won" wet Japan MotoGP race "thinking about championship"
Martin "wouldn't have won" wet Japan MotoGP race "thinking about championship" Martin "wouldn't have won" wet Japan MotoGP race "thinking about championship"
McLaren eager to avoid any more Norris/Piastri F1 team orders
McLaren eager to avoid any more Norris/Piastri F1 team orders McLaren eager to avoid any more Norris/Piastri F1 team orders
BTCC leader Motorbase changes its name for finale
BTCC leader Motorbase changes its name for finale BTCC leader Motorbase changes its name for finale
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
How football has posed difficult questions for F1
How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.