Source: REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
[Saba Sports News] In the first three races of
the 2024 F1 season, Sauber’s drivers have encountered pit stop errors on four
occasions, making the team’s tire changing operations a unique sight in the F1
field this season. The team’s maintenance area and mechanics have even received
extra attention with additional on-site footage provided by the director.
Recently, Xevi Pujolar, the track engineering director of the Sauber team,
addressed their “pit stop problem” in an interview with the media. He
explained that the issue is systemic and cannot be resolved in a matter of
days. According to Pujolar, the mechanics faced problems with bolts during tire
changes in the first two races. This was a completely new issue that was not
identified during free practice or winter testing. In the Australian Grand Prix
last week, Zhou Guanyu’s car experienced gearbox problems. When entering the
pit, the car went into anti-stall mode; however, the anti-stall function did
not activate properly, resulting in the engine stalling. The team is currently
collaborating closely with the factory to find a solution. The problem appears
to be hardware-related, and they need to ensure they have enough time to
acquire the necessary parts. Their aim is to resolve these issues before the
Japanese Grand Prix. It is speculated that the Sauber team will introduce new
upgraded parts at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan to address these challenges.