Jul.24 (GMM) Ferrari’s car became 2 kilograms heavier ahead of the Hungarian grand prix weekend.
Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that a turbocharger failure at the Silverstone test resulted in the housing being penetrated.
Reportedly, the FIA demanded that – on safety grounds – Ferrari must beef up the housing for Hungary, resulting in 2 kilograms of extra weight and located in a position that compromises the centre of gravity.
It has been another difficult weekend for the Maranello team, amid the Italian press’ characterisation of a ‘crisis’ of performance, reliability and management.
Sebastian Vettel was just fifth in qualifying, with McLaren-Honda’s Fernando Alonso claiming that if it wasn’t for his spin, “I could have been ahead of him”.
Kimi Raikkonen, meanwhile, is a miserable 14th on the grid, but team boss Maurizio Arrivabene played down Saturday’s results.
“We made a mistake with Kimi,” he is quoted by Finland’s Iltalehti.
“As for Seb, he was again faster than the two Red Bulls but unfortunately the yellow flag disrupted the end of his lap.”