Vettel problem confirmed as spark plug - Formula 1 news - GPUpdate.net


Following a post-race car inspection in Bahrain, Red Bull Racing has discovered that it was a spark plug and not an exhaust failure which lost Sebastian Vettel victory in the season-opening race at Sakhir on Sunday.

Having surprised Ferrari to steal pole position on Saturday, German Vettel led comfortably and fought off a stiff challenge from eventual race winner Fernando Alonso before suddenly losing power on Lap 33 of 49.

With Alonso, Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton having relegated Vettel to fourth, the German pulled off the track at Turn 1 on the slowing down lap, with the spark plug failure having been recognised later in the evening.

 

That really was tragic to watch both Ferraris and Hamilton pass him after driving what had been a flawless race. It's always a shame to see a driver lose a race due to mechanical failure and no fault of his own. I hope this isn't a sign of bigger reliability problems to come for Red Bull and, maybe with a little luck, they can repair this engine for future use too.

Despite the significant loss of power, he was still holding his own and was outpacing some of the cars at the back of the field from what I remember.

 

tragic

 

Sucks to hear...He was going great, would have won the race imo. Lets hope better luck to come.

 

Both of the Ferrari team blew right by him and then put distance... and then Hamilton...

What was up with Rosberg catching him with 1.5 laps to go and not being able to pass him? You would have thought with more than a lap and Vettel wounded, he would have had no problem...

 

Bad luck for Seb, that's racing

It is not unusual with spark plug troubles for the power to come on intermittently.

 

It's Nico Rosberg.

 

 

Isn't it crazy that one of the smallest parts can cost you a race win.

 

This was disappointing even though it helped my fantasy team and I wanted Lewis in first. I did want to see him place first after his quali.