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Unusual impacts with the kerbs were the most likely cause of Rubens Barrichello’s suspension failure in last Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix, according to the Ferrari team.
The left-rear suspension on Barrichello’s F2003 dramatically collapsed less than a third of the way into the Hungaroring race as the Brazilian braked heavily for Turn One.
With Barrichello having made no apparent contact with other cars prior to the incident, the cause of the failure was initially a mystery. However, after careful analysis of the available data and after studying video footage, Ferrari say they have ascertained the most likely explanation.
“When he found himself very close to the car which preceded him, Barrichello twice hit the kerbs at an unusual angle of impact at the chicane between Turns 6 and 7,” reported the team.
“The impacts put excessive stress on the leading arm of the upper wishbone of the left rear suspension. This part then broke under heavy braking on the main straight at the start of lap 20.”
Barrichello was running fifth at the time of the accident, three places above the final race position of team mate Michael Schumacher.
I intially reported a driveshaft failure, but their theory does make sense. Although their suspension should be able to undergo some curb pounding and the early failure still doesnt make sense, the video shows the left rear wheel toe in heavily right before the tyre tore itself away from the car. Thus indicating a front a-arm failure.
The left-rear suspension on Barrichello’s F2003 dramatically collapsed less than a third of the way into the Hungaroring race as the Brazilian braked heavily for Turn One.
With Barrichello having made no apparent contact with other cars prior to the incident, the cause of the failure was initially a mystery. However, after careful analysis of the available data and after studying video footage, Ferrari say they have ascertained the most likely explanation.
“When he found himself very close to the car which preceded him, Barrichello twice hit the kerbs at an unusual angle of impact at the chicane between Turns 6 and 7,” reported the team.
“The impacts put excessive stress on the leading arm of the upper wishbone of the left rear suspension. This part then broke under heavy braking on the main straight at the start of lap 20.”
Barrichello was running fifth at the time of the accident, three places above the final race position of team mate Michael Schumacher.
I intially reported a driveshaft failure, but their theory does make sense. Although their suspension should be able to undergo some curb pounding and the early failure still doesnt make sense, the video shows the left rear wheel toe in heavily right before the tyre tore itself away from the car. Thus indicating a front a-arm failure.