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

Summary

The 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.