During the latter part of the race, the rear-facing camera on Esteban Ocon’s A523 captured the wing oscillating dramatically at high speeds.
Lando Norris from McLaren, who closely trailed behind the Alpine car, expressed concerns about the safety implications of this situation.
According to the current policy of the FIA, in cases where there are issues with components like loose bodywork, it is the responsibility of the team to determine whether it is safe to continue.
Alpine evaluated the situation and concluded that it was safe for Ocon to proceed, allowing him to finish in eighth place.
When questioned about the wing by F1 Flow.com, Szafnauer commented, “It’s easy to look back and make judgments. However, the wing did not fail. It remained intact. As the designers and manufacturers of that wing, we were familiar with its failure modes. We were confident it would not detach.”
“We conduct extensive testing during research and development, including tests related to its mounting. Therefore, we are able to identify and understand such oscillation patterns and determine if detachment is likely. Based on our thorough testing, we were satisfied that the wing was secure.”
Alpine communicated with race control during the event to discuss the matter. Szafnauer added, “The FIA approached us, mentioning that the rear wing appeared to be moving. We assessed the situation and were confident that, with a couple of laps remaining, everything would be fine.”
Ocon finished the race behind Alex Albon, who made only one pit stop compared to Ocon’s two. Szafnauer firmly believed that if they had adopted the same strategy as Williams (a one-stop strategy), Ocon would have finished ahead.
He explained, “Williams opted for a different strategy by making a single stop like Albon. It was challenging to predict if their tires would last until the end. Williams had nothing to lose as they wouldn’t have scored any points with an additional stop. In hindsight, considering their strategy and our pace advantage, we would have done the same and finished a few places ahead.”
Additionally, Pierre Gasly’s race was negatively impacted by an untimely tire change just before a safety car period, which allowed his competitors to pit at a reduced cost. He ultimately crossed the finish line in 12th place.
“Pierre’s race was compromised because we decided to pit him early to secure clean air due to his strong underlying pace. Unfortunately, the safety car emerged right after, resulting in everyone else pitting within a shorter time frame. This situation significantly affected his race,” explained Szafnauer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about race safety
What was the issue with Ocon’s rear wing during the Canadian GP?
In the closing stages of the race, Ocon’s rear wing was observed oscillating dramatically at high speeds.
Did McLaren view Ocon’s rear wing issue as a safety concern?
Yes, Lando Norris from McLaren expressed his concerns about the safety implications of the wobbly rear wing.
Who decides whether it is safe to continue racing when there is an issue with the car’s bodywork?
According to the FIA’s current policy, the team is responsible for determining whether it is safe to continue racing when there are issues with components like loose bodywork.
How did Alpine ensure the safety of Ocon’s rear wing?
Alpine designed and manufactured the wing, and they were familiar with its failure modes. They conducted extensive testing during research and development to ensure its stability and confirmed it was safe based on those tests.
Did Alpine communicate with race control regarding the rear wing issue?
Yes, Alpine had discussions with race control about the wobbly rear wing during the race.
How did the rear wing issue affect Ocon’s race position?
Despite the rear wing issue, Ocon finished the race in eighth place. However, the team believed that if they had followed the same one-stop strategy as Williams, Ocon could have finished higher.
What impact did the tire change and safety car have on Gasly’s race?
Gasly’s race was compromised when the team decided to pit him early for clean air, but the safety car period occurred shortly after, allowing his rivals to pit at a reduced cost. He ultimately finished in 12th place.
1 comment
McLaren was right 2 worry bout safety, Ocon’s wing was a real wobbler! But Alpin knew it’d hold, dey did the testin n all. Gd job Ocon!