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Sebastian Vettel looks set to avoid a grid penalty at Suzuka this weekend. The German had admitted after his bizarre post-race crash with Lance Stroll that he wasn't sure if his gearbox had been damaged. If it needs to be replaced, he would take a five-place grid drop this weekend in Japan.
Sky Italia reports that Ferrari sent the unit back to Maranello where it was found that it "should be (able to be) saved". However, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has admitted that the weekend in Malaysia left him angry and "tearing out my hair".
"It is unquestionable that we could have won, not only there but also in Singapore," he said. "Our problems are due to two things. First, we have a very young team, and second, the quality of the components is not up to the required level. We are intervening now with organisational changes."
Ferrari's two drivers, however, are calling for calm. Vettel is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport: "It is definitely not ideal to have two similar defects on consecutive days. But we also can't complain about our reliability over the entire season. This happens when you operate at the limit." And Kimi Raikkonen said: "There is no reason to blame anyone. We obviously had a very difficult weekend in Malaysia, but I'm sure we will get it under control."
Vettel continued: "The truth is that we have a car that can win anywhere. I think we are faster than Mercedes. It was a difficult weekend, but our speed is promising." (GMM)
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
57 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (10)
Login to replyBarron
Posts: 625
Well, that's good news anyway...
talktohenry
Posts: 362
All the money, they spend and they can't make parts of decent quality, I would say they can't get the basics right...........
LightIsRight
Posts: 113
I think it might have been Chapman that said that if the car doesn't break down completely after crossing the finish line then you over designed it. What would you rather have, a car that was challenging for 2nd and 3rd or a slightly more fragile car challenging for 1st?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
On the contrary, my dear Henry: these current gearboxes are usually very reliable. How often do we have failing gearboxes nowadays? Not very often really, and thats despite them being put under severe stress each race.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Well that was a dodged bullet.
kngrthr
Posts: 203
you shouldn't get a gearbox penalty if someone crashes into it. thats just stupid.
the rule was supposed to force you into making a long lived box to save money.
if it breaks or wears out fair enough but not this.
you could even rig the championship outcome by taking someone out deliberately. not saying this happened but it could.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
They should really add some exceptions. Its the same with power unit parts IMO: parts lost in incidents you didnt cause shouldnt be parts you should be able to be penalised for.
f1dave
Posts: 782
Quoting Sergio Marchionne "Our problems are due to two things. First, we have a very young team, and second, the quality of the components is not up to the required level.
Maybe someone should tell him how long Ferrari has been in F1. Poorest excuse I've heard EVER !!
Xtreme
Posts: 53
He means the Engine team not the entire F1 team.
Savio
Posts: 145
Who it said in TM: Fuc**** Raikkonnen, what a fuc**** idiot!