Sauber F1 driver Ericsson blames brakes and tyres for Monaco crash
Marcus Ericsson said brake problems and low Formula 1 tyre temperatures were to blame for his crash behind the safety car in the Monaco Grand Prix
The Sauber driver was one lap down when the safety car was called for F1 team-mate Pascal Wehrlein's collision with Jenson Button on lap 60.
Having caught the safety car, Ericsson was waved around to rejoin at the back of the queue four laps later but crashed at Sainte Devote while trying to pass it.
"I had some issues with the brakes," he told Autosport.
"Before the safety car period started, the brakes were overheating quite a bit.
"Under the safety car, and going really slow, they went really hot.
"The brake pedal started to get longer and longer and longer and I couldn't use the brakes.
"When I got the call to overtake the safety car, my brakes were not really working and my tyres were stone cold.
"That in combination with going around the safety car at Turn 1 - it was like slow motion - I couldn't stop the car and turn it."
Ericsson said the challenge of getting heat into the 2017 generation of Pirelli tyres had exacerbated the problem.
"I've had that a bit this year, with the tyres being on the conservative side," he said.
"We've seen this weekend, every time you slow down a bit, you lose temperature so much.
"Then you need to work hard with the brakes to keep the temperature with the tyres.
"I couldn't use the brakes for three or four laps.
"Your temperature disappears completely.
"It meant that combination with the brake problem and the tyres being so cold made it what happened."
Ericsson and Wehrlein were running 16th and 18th before their respective incidents, which capped a miserable weekend for Sauber after scoring its first points of 2017 at Barcelona.
"We've been lacking in general a second a lap on the lower part of the midfield so it's been tough for us," Ericsson added.
"We were a bit better in the race on pace but too far off to do anything about it.
"We did what we could in the race, it was looking alright but it didn't end so good."
Previous article
Ferrari didn't orchestrate Vettel's Monaco F1 win - Toto Wolff
Next article
Was Raikkonen sacrificed for Vettel?
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
Who should Alfa Romeo sign for 2022's F1 season?
OPINION: With Valtteri Bottas already signed up for 2022, all eyes are on the race for the second seat at Alfa Romeo next year. Antonio Giovinazzi is the current incumbent, but faces a tough competition from appealing short and long-term prospects
The "forced break" that was key to Ricciardo's Monza excellence
OPINION: Daniel Ricciardo has long been considered one of Formula 1’s elite drivers. But his struggles at McLaren since switching from Renault for 2021 have been painful to watch at times. Yet he’s recovered to banish those memories with a famous Monza win – built on a critically important foundation
How Verstappen is ruining his F1 title battle with Hamilton
OPINION: The Italian GP clash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen followed a running theme in the 2021 Formula 1 title fight. Their close-quarters battles have often resulted in contact - and although Hamilton has shown a willingness to back off, Verstappen must learn to temper his aggression
Italian Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Two drivers produced maximum-score performances as, for the second year in a row, Monza threw up an unpredictable result that left several others ruing what might have been
Why Ricciardo was set for Monza F1 triumph even without Verstappen/Hamilton crash
The clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton was the major flashpoint the 2021 Italian Grand Prix will be remembered for. Yet by this point, race leader Daniel Ricciardo had already done the hard work that would put him in position to end his and McLaren's lengthy win droughts, on a memorable afternoon in Monza
Why Italian GP success is on for McLaren even if Verstappen dominates
For the second time in 2021, McLaren will line up for the start of a grand prix from the first row. It knows it has the chance of “glory” if things go well for Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris at the start of the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, but even if they just maintain their grid positions, signs from the rest of the Monza weekend suggest success is very possible for Formula 1’s other orange army
