Fuel vacuum caused Red Bull’s Bahrain double retirement
It was the team’s first double retirement since the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix
25 March 2022 - 14:53
byAbhishek Takle
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Max Verstappen in action at the Bahrain GP.
Picture: REUTERS
Formula One team Red Bull said a vacuum in their fuel system that caused a drop in fuel pressure led to the problems that put both their cars out of last weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
World champion Max Verstappen retired from the race three laps from the end while on course for a second-place finish behind Ferrari winner Charles Leclerc.
His Mexican team mate Sergio Perez followed him into retirement on the final lap while running third.
“Both cars suffered from a lack of fuel pressure last weekend,” said a spokesperson for the team ahead of Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“The correct amount of fuel was in both cars but a vacuum prevented the pumps from drawing fuel and delivering it to the engine.
“We’ve taken the necessary steps to correct this issue and we expect no problems this weekend.”
Perez told Reuters on Thursday that the problem had stemmed from a standard-issue part but that Red Bull’s fuel system had not worked as expected.
The issue, described by team boss Christian Horner as the team’s worst nightmare, gave the Milton Keynes-based squad their first double retirement since the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
FORMULA ONE
Fuel vacuum caused Red Bull’s Bahrain double retirement
It was the team’s first double retirement since the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix
Formula One team Red Bull said a vacuum in their fuel system that caused a drop in fuel pressure led to the problems that put both their cars out of last weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
World champion Max Verstappen retired from the race three laps from the end while on course for a second-place finish behind Ferrari winner Charles Leclerc.
His Mexican team mate Sergio Perez followed him into retirement on the final lap while running third.
“Both cars suffered from a lack of fuel pressure last weekend,” said a spokesperson for the team ahead of Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“The correct amount of fuel was in both cars but a vacuum prevented the pumps from drawing fuel and delivering it to the engine.
“We’ve taken the necessary steps to correct this issue and we expect no problems this weekend.”
Perez told Reuters on Thursday that the problem had stemmed from a standard-issue part but that Red Bull’s fuel system had not worked as expected.
The issue, described by team boss Christian Horner as the team’s worst nightmare, gave the Milton Keynes-based squad their first double retirement since the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix.
Reuters
Hulkenberg to step in again for Vettel at Saudi Arabian GP
Carlos Sainz celebrates Bahrain F1 podium finish, but knows he has work to do
China's first F1 racer is one in more than a billion
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.