Arrived 13th in the Bahrain Grand Prix, Nico Hülkenberg was disqualified on Sunday evening due to a non -compliant car. In question, too pronounced wear of the floor, for which the Stake Sauber stable is still looking for an explanation. This is already the second time this season that the commissioners must intervene for such a case, Lewis Hamilton having been disqualified from the China Grand Prix for the same offense.
“Apparently, the measurement of the skates was less than 9 mm”explains Beat Zehnder, director of operations within the future Audi team. “We did the EL1, the EL2, and the EL3, by measuring each time, and we have references. So we really do not know why we are under 9 mm. Perhaps only having done a few rounds in EL3 with Nico [sept, NDLR] had an impact, and that we lacked a reference. But it shouldn’t happen and it shouldn’t happen anymore. “
Of course, the bumpy character of Sakhir’s track was able to play a role in the too advanced wear of the floor but it is not a criterion that a team can claim to ignore. Stake Sauber therefore does not seek the slightest excuse and pleads guilty for having made a technical error.
“You have to take into account the fact that it is a circuit on which the car bounces a lot, and where we take a lot of vibrators”souligne Beat Zehnder. “This is a mistake on our part. Of course, there has never been no intention to break the regulations. Imagine if we had finished in the points and that we had lost them next?”
Already back in the last place
Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Nico Hülkenberg in Bahrain.
Photo of: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Stake Sauber has to look at the problem, especially since he only presented himself on only one of his single -seaters. However, Gabriel Bortoleto used quite different settings from those chosen by Nico Hülkenberg, with less aerodynamic support.
This is one more file at the agenda of a stable which, if it has perfectly benefited from the rainy conditions in Melbourne to register six points, is already already red lantern of the manufacturer championship with a rather worrying level of performance.
“The qualifications are crucial and then it depends on which train we meet in the race”Beat Zehnder judge as to the opportunities to be seized. “Finding yourself in the open air makes a huge difference. Today, you need 1” 2 to 1 “5 margin in front to be able to attack. The dirty air does a lot of trouble, while having the free field is healthier for the tires.”
“We know that we must quickly find two or three tenths, desperately, in order to qualify a little higher on the grid. Nico is one of the best in qualifying among the pilots with whom I worked, and that makes a big difference according to if we leave 13th or 16th.”
Interview by Filip Cleeren
