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#52127
From F1 Live:

A meticulous joint investigation into the cause of Heikki Kovalainen's Barcelona crash has finally got to the bottom of why the McLaren driver was pitched into the barriers during the Spanish Grand Prix.

It was originally speculated that the Finn's accident was caused by a sudden, catastrophic, structural failing of the left-front wheel rim.

McLaren Chief Executive Martin Whitmarsh later added that, based on initial trackside evidence and speculation, stones or debris coming into contact with the wheel could have triggered the structural damage.

At the same time, an exhaustive investigation, in collaboration with wheel supplier Enkei and the FIA technical team, was launched.

"The investigation not only involved thorough scrutiny of the telemetry data and a microscopic analysis of the surviving components, but also a simulated reconstruction of the event back at the McLaren Technology Centre," Whitmarsh said at the Silverstone test this week.

He explained that the investigation showed that a central area of the rim had been left unmasked before being sprayed with lacquer - a common practice to improve the efficiency and longevity of components.


The resulting lacquered surface significantly reduced lock-hold on the wheel rim.

This meant that the wheel and axle on Kovalainen's MP4-23 began to move apart under high cornering loads, leading to rubbing against the brake drum, fatigue, and a failure of the rim's inner lip.

"We now thoroughly understand how the failure occurred; not, as was originally reported, as a result of a wheel failure but by the incorrect application of a lacquering process which was beyond the control of our wheel supplier, Enkei, with whom we have enjoyed a fantastic relationship for more than ten years," Whitmarsh added.

He said procedures have been put in place to ensure the incident cannot repeat.
#52136
poor Kovalainen, hes had a ruff season and seems to get the bad luck. hopefully he can fight hammy for the rest of the season(even tho mclaren wont let him)
#52137
You do know they got that story off Forumula1.com don't you?

Chris actually got an exclusive interview with Whitmarsh for Forumula1.com over the event, the full text of which is here:
Clicky and they just "loosely" rewrote Chris's words.

Keep an eye on the homepage because Forumula1.com's had loads of exclusives already(such as this interview with Ferrari --> Click), with lots more to come ;)
#52146

ohh "we can beat everyone anywhere" says Ferrari

imagine the fallout if Lewis had said that :rolleyes: no one seems to care though :wink:


Thats comparing apples to oranges though dont you think as the team said it not one of its drivers?
#52149

ohh "we can beat everyone anywhere" says Ferrari

imagine the fallout if Lewis had said that :rolleyes: no one seems to care though :wink:


Thats comparing apples to oranges though dont you think as the team said it not one of its drivers?


so its alright for a spokesperson from a team to be cocky and not a driver of a team? :laugh:
#52152
You do know they got that story off Forumula1.com don't you?


Very nice :thumbup: I have been noticing, lately there's been a couple of really good exclusives.


imagine the fallout if Lewis had said that no one seems to care though


It was not Kimi or Massa... not even the testers who said it. So its not the same. Unless... our suspicions are true: Lewis IS Mclaren's spokesman :)

“We have shown that we can beat everyone everywhere,” Ferrari’s team spokesman told Forumula1.com as he left the track. “It is a matter of getting it right,” he added, alluding to races such as Monaco and Canada where bad luck and wrong choices hampered the team.
#52160
You do know they got that story off Forumula1.com don't you?


Very nice :thumbup: I have been noticing, lately there's been a couple of really good exclusives.


imagine the fallout if Lewis had said that no one seems to care though


It was not Kimi or Massa... not even the testers who said it. So its not the same. Unless... our suspicions are true: Lewis IS Mclaren's spokesman :)

“We have shown that we can beat everyone everywhere,” Ferrari’s team spokesman told Forumula1.com as he left the track. “It is a matter of getting it right,” he added, alluding to races such as Monaco and Canada where bad luck and wrong choices hampered the team.


you can try and cover it up but look above i did say it was a spokesman :wink: but a driver would have more clout and more right to talk bullish than a spokesman wouldnt you think eh?

i stand by what i said if Lewis had said this there would be a 4 page thread already :rolleyes::laugh:
#52167
i stand by what i said if Lewis had said this there would be a 4 page thread already :rolleyes::laugh:

Yes I agree bud but your still missing the point trying to be made, it was the team and not a driver who said it so your arguement is rather futile dont you think? Anyway once again a thread has been taken off-topic so can we PLEASE get back to the topic at hand!
#52168

ohh "we can beat everyone anywhere" says Ferrari

imagine the fallout if Lewis had said that :rolleyes: no one seems to care though :wink:


Thats comparing apples to oranges though dont you think as the team said it not one of its drivers?

So?? Driver, team principal, mechanic, engineer, cheif designer. Arrogance is arrogance, you cant condone it with one hand and slate it with the other
#52169

ohh "we can beat everyone anywhere" says Ferrari

imagine the fallout if Lewis had said that :rolleyes: no one seems to care though :wink:


Thats comparing apples to oranges though dont you think as the team said it not one of its drivers?

So?? Driver, team principal, mechanic, engineer, cheif designer. Arrogance is arrogance, you cant condone it with one hand and slate it with the other


thank you 8)
#52170

ohh "we can beat everyone anywhere" says Ferrari

imagine the fallout if Lewis had said that :rolleyes: no one seems to care though :wink:


Thats comparing apples to oranges though dont you think as the team said it not one of its drivers?

So?? Driver, team principal, mechanic, engineer, cheif designer. Arrogance is arrogance, you cant condone it with one hand and slate it with the other

I am not condoneing anything just stating it was the team and not a driver and bringing Lewis into the topic was pure bullpoo.
#52173
I am not condoneing anything just stating it was the team and not a driver and bringing Lewis into the topic was pure bullpoo.


youve had no quams on the other countless threads taken off topic in regards to lewis bashers inserting Lewis :laugh: and i would argue this is not off topic as a moderator inserted a link to a story with the headline "we can beat everyone anywhere" i think its ontopic actctually :D

but i stand by my view that if a driver or spokesperson whatever the position makes a cocky statement their position is irrelevant they both represent their team!

personally i dont mind the Ferrari dude saying it, i think its healthy in a sport to be cocky

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