Engine Problem - Solution

[mach11]

Hey all,

I was watching the Canadian Grand Prix the other day and in the final stages of the Race there was a radio conversation between Vettel and his race Engineer Rocky.

Vettel was asking if he could still keep pushing to catch the leaders and ahis race engineer told him to forget about that cause he had an engine problem and he was asked to "short shift, slowly, at low revs"

I would like to know,

1. What causes such a problem in the engine???
2. If this was one of the solutions then what are the other psssible remedies to solve this issue??

3. How is such a decision taken during the race when it might lead to a bad result if the solution did not work out??

Thanks.

[marcush.]

more than one victory was dropped by trying to nurse an engine that had no problem at that time...Illmor first indy engine springs to my mind .that one had a rpm related resonance inside the usable range that could kill it and did ...
lets hope Renault and RedBull are well aware of what they are asking from their pilots to nurse an engine that shows unusual signs in operation.
Not everything will be easier for an engine if you reduce revs.. I could imagine..

[WhiteBlue]

I remember that Vettel was actually nursing a potentially sick gear box that day. Both Red Bulls were in trouble with gear boxes around that time but RBR never released the reason for that. Webber already had incurred a five grid slot penalty because they had to change the box on his car. The two Red Bulls were racing each other at the time when the radio conversation took place. I think that Red Bull simply told both their drivers to hold station to avoid any possible risk of more gear box failures while the problem was investigated and solved.

[mach11]

yep... vettel did have an engine problem that did not seem to be a very big concern...

so it is the rpm related resonanace that causes such an issue????