Front wing failure likely cause of Hamilton-Alonso crash

April 7, 2008

Formula 1.com is reporting that McLaren have confirmed that Lewis Hamilton’s front wing broke immediately prior to his running into the rear of Fernando Alonso’s Renault on lap two of Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

The unusual nature of the accident – both drivers were accelerating on a straight section of track – prompted cynics to question whether Alonso had ‘brake tested’ his former team mate. Renault’s telemetry suggested otherwise, and McLaren say they have no suspicion of any wrongdoing on the part of the Spaniard.

Such a failure would have robbed Hamilton’s car of not only downforce, but also drag, giving it an unexpected burst of acceleration, explaining the unlikely impact.

I have to say that I am suprised, as I thought Hamilton just simply ran into Alonso when they both moved to the right.

Posted in Bahrain Grand Prix, McLaren, Renault