Mercedes’ Error: Why Russell Was Disqualified In Belgium | Jolyon Palmer’s F1 TV Analysis | Workday

FORMULA 1

30 Jul 202406:02

Summary

TLDRThe video script discusses George Russell's disqualification from a race due to his car being 1.5 kg under the minimum weight limit after the race. It explores whether tire degradation contributed to the weight loss, comparing Russell's situation with other drivers who managed to stay within limits. The script questions Mercedes' strategy and weight management, suggesting they may have underestimated the weight loss from a long tire stint. It also touches on the small advantage such weight loss could provide per lap and clarifies that car weight is checked post-race, not pre-race, with teams needing to account for various weight shedding factors during the race.

Takeaways

🏎️ Russell's car weighed exactly 798 kg at the end of the race, which is the weight limit, but it was underweight as it had no fuel in it.
📏 The scrutineering team initially assumed Russell finished the race with fuel, but after draining the car, 2.8 liters of fuel were missing, resulting in a 1.5 kg underweight, leading to disqualification.
🔍 Tire degradation could have contributed to the weight loss, as running tires can lose rubber, which affects the weight.
📊 George Russell did many laps on hard tires, which could have worn down and contributed to the weight loss, but it's not the sole reason.
🏁 In races, drivers often drive over 'marbles' (rubber debris) to put back on weight lost from tires, but this wasn't possible in this case due to the race format.
🤔 Fernando Alonso's performance on hard tires suggests that tire wear alone might not fully explain the weight discrepancy.
🛠️ Mercedes may not have adequately balanced the car to meet the weight limit, and other teams managed similar strategies without issues.
🔢 A 1.5 kg weight difference on an 800 kg car is a minor advantage, roughly half a second per lap at Spa.
🏁 The car's weight is typically checked after the race, not before, which means teams must account for potential weight loss during the race.
🛑 Teams are expected to build in a buffer for weight loss due to various factors, but Mercedes' calculations slipped, resulting in the underweight issue.
🏆 Despite Russell's disqualification, Mercedes still secured a victory with Hamilton, but the incident cost them points for the Constructor Championship.

Q & A

What was the weight limit for cars at the race mentioned in the script?
-The weight limit for cars at the race was 798 kilograms.
Why was Russell's car disqualified after the race?
-Russell's car was disqualified because it was found to be 1.5 kilograms underweight after the scrutineering team drained the fuel from the car.
What is the role of tire degradation in the weight of a Formula 1 car?
-Tire degradation can cause a car to lose weight as the rubber wears off during the race. This was suggested as a possible factor in Russell's car being underweight.
How does tire wear impact the car's weight during a race?
-As tires wear, they lose rubber which contributes to a reduction in the car's weight. This was a point of discussion regarding Russell's car being under the minimum weight.
What is the purpose of an in-lap in a race?
-An in-lap is when a driver collects rubber by driving over the 'marbles' or debris on the track, which helps to put back some of the weight lost from tire wear.
Why was the in-lap procedure not followed in the race discussed in the script?
-The in-lap procedure was not followed because the lap at Spa is too long, and it would take too much time to come back through, so the teams hurry up proceedings.
What was Fernando Alonso's strategy during the race, and how did it compare to Russell's?
-Fernando Alonso completed 31 laps on hard tires and managed to stay within the weight limit, unlike Russell, who was 1.5 kilos under.
What is the significance of the 1.5 kilograms weight difference in the context of the race?
-The 1.5 kilograms weight difference is relatively small, equating to under half a second per lap advantage, which is marginal but could be significant in a closely contested race.
How is the car's weight typically checked before a race?
-The car's weight is checked after the race with the scrutineers. Teams do groundwork on Thursday to get the car down to the scales and make sure it's calibrated, and they double-check after Friday's running.
What factors might contribute to a car shedding weight during a race besides tire wear?
-Factors that can contribute to weight loss during a race include burning through fuel, loss of fluids, and potential plank wear.
What was the final outcome for Mercedes in the race despite Russell's disqualification?
-Despite Russell's disqualification, Mercedes still managed to secure the victory with Hamilton, who was behind Russell, stepping in to keep the race win.

Outlines

00:00

🏎️ Disqualification Due to Underweight Car

The first paragraph discusses the disqualification of George Russell's car after it was found to be 1.5 kilograms under the minimum weight limit of 798 kilograms post-race. The car initially met the weight requirement without fuel, but after draining 2.8 liters of fuel, it was discovered to be underweight. The discussion explores whether tire degradation could have caused the weight loss, referencing Fernando Alonso's similar experience with hard tires. It also questions if Mercedes failed to account for a safety margin, suggesting that tire wear alone might not fully explain the weight discrepancy. The paragraph concludes with the implications of this error for the Constructor Championship and the importance of teams balancing their cars to meet the weight limit.

05:01

🔍 Analyzing Mercedes' Weight Calculation Error

The second paragraph delves into the factors that could have led to Mercedes' weight calculation error, which resulted in Russell's car being underweight. It mentions the need for teams to account for various weight loss factors during a race, such as tire wear, fluid loss, and plank wear. The paragraph suggests that while teams typically build in a buffer to account for these variables, Mercedes may have miscalculated, possibly due to Russell's long stint on hard tires. It also raises the possibility of an unidentified issue contributing to the weight discrepancy and emphasizes the importance of accurate weight management for competitive advantage.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Weight Limit

The weight limit refers to the maximum allowable weight for a Formula 1 car, set by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile). In this video, the weight limit is 798 kilograms without fuel. The concept is central to the theme as it discusses how George Russell's car was disqualified for being underweight, which is a critical error in the context of racing regulations.

💡Scrutineering Team

The scrutineering team is responsible for ensuring that all cars meet the regulations set by the FIA, including weight limits. They are mentioned in the script when they initially assume that Russell's car had fuel in it, which is why it met the weight limit at the end of the race. Their role is vital in maintaining fairness and adherence to the rules in Formula 1 racing.

💡Disqualification

Disqualification in this context means that a car is deemed ineligible to participate in the race due to not meeting the required regulations. The script discusses Russell's car being disqualified for being under the weight limit, which is a significant event affecting the race outcome and the team's championship points.

💡Tire Degradation

Tire degradation refers to the wear and tear of tires as they are used in a race, losing grip and performance over time. The script explores the possibility that tire degradation could have contributed to Russell's car being underweight, as worn tires are lighter than new ones, affecting the car's total weight.

💡Hard Tires

Hard tires are one of the tire compounds used in Formula 1, known for their durability but less grip compared to softer compounds. The script mentions that George Russell did many laps on hard tires, which could have contributed to the weight discrepancy due to the loss of rubber from the tires.

💡Checker Flag

The checker flag is a signal at the end of a race, indicating that the race is over. In the script, it is mentioned in the context of what happens after taking the checker flag, such as the in-lap where drivers collect rubber to put weight back on the tires, a strategy not applicable in this race due to the lap's length.

💡Constructor Championship

The Constructor Championship is a title awarded to the most successful team over a season, based on the combined points of both cars from each race. The script discusses the impact of Russell's disqualification on the Constructor Championship, highlighting the importance of each race and its points to the overall standings.

💡Safety Margin

A safety margin refers to the additional weight teams add to their cars to ensure they meet the minimum weight requirement even after accounting for potential weight loss during the race. The script suggests that Mercedes may not have included a sufficient safety margin, leading to Russell's car being underweight.

💡In-lap

An in-lap is a lap driven by a driver after the checker flag to cool down the car and tires. The script explains that in this particular race, there was no in-lap due to the track's length, which affected the teams' strategies for managing tire weight.

💡Weight Buffer

A weight buffer is the extra weight teams plan for to account for potential weight loss during a race, such as from tire wear or fuel consumption. The script implies that Mercedes may have miscalculated their weight buffer, resulting in Russell's car being under the weight limit.

💡Advantage per Lap

Advantage per lap refers to the performance gain a driver might experience due to factors like car weight. The script calculates that being 1.5 kilograms underweight could give a driver a slight advantage of under half a second per lap, which, while small, could be significant in a closely contested race.

💡Post-Race Weight Check

A post-race weight check is when the car's weight is verified after the race to ensure compliance with regulations. The script mentions that while teams check their car's weight before the race, the final verification happens after the race, which is when the issue with Russell's car was discovered.

Highlights

Russell's car was disqualified for being under the minimum weight limit of 798 kilograms after the race.

The scrutineering team assumed Russell finished the race with fuel, but the car was underweight by 1.5 kilograms after fuel was drained.

Tire degradation could have contributed to the car's weight loss, but it's unlikely to be the sole reason.

Mercedes may not have accounted for enough safety margin in their weight calculations.

Fernando Alonso managed to finish within the weight limit despite a similar long stint on hard tires.

Hamilton and others completed long stints on hard tires without falling under the weight limit, suggesting Mercedes' strategy may have been flawed.

Being 1.5 kilograms underweight could provide a slight advantage, roughly half a second per lap at Spa.

The weight advantage from being underweight is minimal and not a decisive factor in race outcomes.

Car weight is checked after the race, not before, leaving room for potential discrepancies.

Teams are expected to build in a buffer for weight loss during the race due to various factors.

Mercedes may have made a calculation error, not accounting for the long stint on hard tires.

Other teams managed similar strategies without falling under the weight limit, indicating a possible oversight by Mercedes.

Spa is a unique circuit where weight management is crucial, and teams must adapt their strategies accordingly.

Mercedes accepted responsibility for the disqualification and are likely investigating the cause.

The incident has implications for the Constructor's Championship, with significant points lost.

Despite the disqualification, Mercedes still managed to secure the race win with Hamilton.