Yuki Tsunoda was on the right track for his greatest results of the 2023 System 1 season to this point within the Monaco Grand Prix earlier than a brake drawback despatched him tumbling down the order and left him two laps down on the end.
The AlphaTauri driver spent all however one of many first 66 laps operating in ninth place and was on the right track to attain factors in Monaco for the primary time in his profession.
Nonetheless after rain hit the monitor within the latter portion of the race, Tsunoda started to expertise hassle with brake glazing. This happens when the brake pad hardens as soon as it goes past its working temperature vary. That reduces stopping energy, then when the brake returns to usable temperatures it might probably then lock the wheel.
“Till the rain began it was good,” Tsunoda instructed media together with RaceFans. “However I had a brake situation and all of a sudden couldn’t push in any respect, and simply tempo was actually, actually poor, so it was actually robust
“The crew mentioned to push the brake extra as a result of the temperature will come up, so the brake shall be within the regular vary,” he defined. “So ‘okay, I recognize it and see the way it goes’. And I went instantly into the wall.”
With crew mate Nyck de Vries solely ending twelfth, AlphaTauri have scored simply two factors from the primary six grands prix of the season.
“I’m so upset,” mentioned Tsunoda. “I can’t describe with a phrase, however simply till the till the center of the race it was such an excellent automotive and such an excellent tempo. The whole lot went effectively, so it’s exhausting to simply accept what occurred ultimately.”
Advert | Turn out to be a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free
Williams driver Alexander Albon skilled the same brake drawback through the race and introduced his automotive residence a lap down in 14th.
“The issue [occurs] while you go from sizzling to chilly, while you go from dry to moist,” Albon defined. “I feel Yuki had this drawback, the place the brakes glaze.
“You may assist it, however then as you’re braking in the midst of the braking zone, all of a sudden the brakes hearth up and you then get an prompt lock.
“Should you preserve altering it, after a couple of laps you get the rhythm, so you understand when it begins to seize. So midway by way of your braking zone, you may leap off.
“However should you change the place and it is available in a bit earlier, you’re then out of sequence so it’s a must to preserve adapting. In order that’s the bit the place I mentioned ‘simply depart it the identical in order that I’ve the rhythm of the brake’.”
Bringing the F1 information from the supply
RaceFans strives to deliver its readers information instantly from the important thing gamers in System 1. We’re ready to do that thanks partially to the beneficiant backing of our RaceFans Supporters.
By contributing £1 monthly or £12 per 12 months (or the equal in different currencies) you may assist cowl the prices concerned in producing authentic journalism: Travelling, writing, creating, internet hosting, contacting and creating.
We now have been proudly supported by our readers for over 10 years. Should you get pleasure from our impartial protection, please contemplate turning into a RaceFans Supporter as we speak. As a bonus, all our Supporters may also browse the location ad-free.