diffuser wrote: ↑10 Jul 2022, 22:09
Weird, it wasn't that the pit crew that made a mistake. The new Mediums the went onto had a big vibration. They pitted again to put another set of new Mediums.
The crew didn't made a mistake, but it was a failure of some part having to do with the front left wheel. I saw the onboard. IMO Alonso knew something was wrong and that probably some wheel wasn't fitted properly. He wasn't sure but he knew. He was very smart avoiding saying it or suggesting it on the team radio to avoid a penalty. When he was asked whats the issue by his mechanic, he was just replying we need to box again. Nothing more. At some point his mechanic is realizing whats going on and he said ok, box this lap. While entering the pit he said check front left. Team changes all tires.
In the aftermath, Alonso said he couldn't see the rim, which is true, but he felt vibrations. The catch here is that he never reported vibrations either when asked about what's the issue. He was telling only, we need to box again. He was smart. he didn't say anything to suggest the wheel might not be fitted properly.
When asked about the "check front left" message by the FIA he said that it was getting worse while turning right, so he knew something was going on in the front left.
FIA concluded that the wheel was fitted and tightened properly and that the failure occurred at some point exiting or after exiting the pits. It wasn't until just before turn 3 that the wheel slightly disengages from the car, while all the retention systems worked as designed.
So the FIA cleared them and didn't deemed this a "release in an unsafe condition".