Renault unsure of alternator failure's root cause
Renault have confirmed that it was an overheating alternator that caused both Grosjean and Vettel's retirements in Valencia, but they are still unsure as to why that problem occured. They also said that the slower speeds during the safety car period had actually prevented Vettel's failure from happening earlier. They are now considering either a modified design for Silverstone, or reverting to a 2011 model.
2 Jul - Source
mschumi
Michael Schumacher
No rush with the fix there lads, it's been quite enjoyable to see a few other people getting the bad luck for a change.
sbstnvtl
Sebastian Vettel
Haha, I didn't really like it Michael, it's not fun when your race is turned to shit.
mschumi
Michael Schumacher
Part of being a champion Seb. I always found it useful to mix in one or two retirements between winning streaks, it maintained the illusion that I was human like the rest of them.
wibbah
Mark Webber
Fair go mate, we need a fix pronto, or I'll be stuck with the same bodgy engine as Seb, and I've got no flamin' championships to fall back on.
Horner
Christian Horner
Indeed Mark, as promised we endeavour to supply you with equal machinery, and we are currently investigating where those procedures broke down and erroneously allowed you to finish the race in Valencia.
ej
Eddie Jordan
I'd just like to add, if I may, that this whole situation is really being overblown, these things are bound happen once in a while in the highly competitive competitiveness of F1 and I'm sure the more than competent Renault guys are on top of it. In the Jordan days, mechanical failures were part and parcel of the sport. But the crux of the matter here really is that this exposes a deep-seeded weakness in the Renault engine department, who, let's be honest, just haven't been up to par over the last few seaons, and appear to be in somewhat of a crisis at the moment.
fernando
Fernando Alonso
As far as I recall, mechanical failures were but one of the Jordan team's extensive portfolio of failure modes.
hammy
Lewis Hamilton
What's all this frickin' feeling sorry for Vettel and Grosjean? I'm the victim here too guys, who needs a busted alternator when you've got to frickin' dodge Maldonado and Massa every weekend.
fernando
Fernando Alonso
It's probably that thing called karma Hamilton, sometimes you have to be on the receiving end.
bestofbritish
Jenson Button
Ooh, I'm always willing to be on the receiving end Fernando. My "little thing" isn't called karma, but whenever you get lucky, it still comes back to bite you in the ass.
mschumi
Michael Schumacher
Have to say that karma thing is working out fine for me. For example, I retired in Canada due to my DRS being stuck open, which is probably why I got away with keeping it well and truly open under yellow flags in Valencia.
rossbrawn
Ross Brawn
Umm... I believe the official line is that you slowed down in that section Michael.
mschumi
Michael Schumacher
Oh that's right. Anyway, I don't see the problem really - the place was crawling with marshals, imagine the damage if one of them had hit my rear wing.
rossbrawn
Ross Brawn
Interesting Michael, so you think it would hurt less to be hit by an open rear wing than a shut one?
mschumi
Michael Schumacher
Well, yes... it wouldn't do half as much damage to the car. It's not just air that goes through the wing easier when the flap is open, marshals are surprisingly malleable at 150 mph.
jackie
Jackie Stewart
It is imperative for elite racing drivers to understand the immense power of their racing vehicle and the devastation that can result from its improper usage, especially when such usage could be construed as reckless or excessively negligent.
mschumi
Michael Schumacher
Relax Jackie, I'd never use my car in any way that would endanger another human being, who isn't a racing driver.