Otmar Szafnauer has revealed that everything indicates that Fernando Alonso’s non-participation in the sprint race of the Austrian Grand Prix originated in the standardized electronic control unit supplied by McLaren’s technological subsidiary, Applied Technologies.
At the last Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso and Alpine They missed out on a golden opportunity to score big points in the overall standings again when the Spanish driver’s #14 car refused to start on the grid for Saturday’s sprint race.
This not only made him lose any chance of scoring that day, but also condemned Fernando Alonso to start from the last row of the grid on Sunday. A day in which he, despite everything, managed to score points after a spectacular comeback while Esteban Ocon, his teammate, finished fifth.
“It is not that we are failing Fernando. There are a variety of reasons why he is not scoring points »
Now, so far, Alpine had offered no explanation as to what might have happened, except that the problem seemed to be electrical. Now, Otmar Szafnauer has shed some more light on the matter.
“It’s something that can happen to anyone,” begins the director of Alpine. “I don’t think it’s an Alpine problem. Everything indicates that the ECU failed. So it’s not something we designedIt’s not something we make, it’s something we buy, it’s a standard part.”
This standard part is supplied by McLaren Applied Technologiesthe technological subsidiary of the British brand that also owns McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing. This electronic switchboard it is the same for all Formula 1 teams since 2008.
That a company related to a team that competes in the category supplies a standardized component is possible because Applied Technologies operates as an independent company of McLaren Racing.
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Alpine is not against Fernando Alonso
This situation has encouraged Otmar Szafnauer to come out in defense of Alpine after Fernando Alonso’s criticism of the team for the fact that his car is more prone to mechanical failure than Esteban Ocon’s.
“When things like that fail, it can happen to anyone.. I don’t think it’s an Alpine problem”, points out the Romanian engineer regarding the problem on Saturday in Austria. A Szafnauer who has already experienced a similar situation in the past.
With Takuma Sato in the mid-2000s with Jenson Button as his partner. We had a lot of engine failures with Honda when he was in points positions, and it always happened to him. So I’ve seen it before.”it states.
“It is not that we are failing Fernando. There are a variety of reasons why he is not scoring points. I remember Mick Schumacher hitting him and the pontoon coming loose. I remember the defense in Canada against Bottas and the penalty, or the penalty in Miami. There are all kinds of things,” Szafnauer reiterates.
In addition, the director of Alpine insinuates that Fernando Alonso is happy in Alpine because he sets realistic goals. «I have not worked with him in the past, this is my first year, but from what I see he still likes racing. He is a great competitor, he loves to compete and I think that in life, in general, you are happy when you exceed expectations ».
“So If your expectations are realistic and you exceed them, you are happy in life.. Not only Fernando, I think all of us”, concludes Szafnauer.
Font: motorsport.com
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Photos: Alpine F1 Team