Clutch malfunction compromises Mark’s race at Spa
From third on the grid Mark was hoping to finish on the podium in his last Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. But his chances of achieving such a result were over almost immediately when a clutch problem emerged as he exited the pits.
“On my way to the grid I did two practice starts at the exit of the pitlane,” says Mark. “Both were pretty diabolical which wasn’t particularly encouraging. We had a meeting on the grid to decide what the best damage limitation was and we went with that. But, it wasn’t much better at the start for real. The clutch bite point was all over the place and I lost a couple of rows immediately.”
Nico Rosberg beat Mark into La Source for the first time and he then got swamped by the pack on the run up the hill to Les Combes. After all the hard work of practice and qualifying, both of which were rain-affected, Mark was left playing catch-up for the remainder of the 44-lap race.
“Once the car was up and running,” says Mark, “it performed pretty well. But when you’re stuck in traffic you end up taking more out of your tyres and I had other issues like gear ratios to contend with as well. I’d expected to run in clear air during the race and had set my top gear accordingly, which meant I didn’t have the top speed to pass people.”
Mark completed two pitstops during the race; he started on the medium compound rubber that he used in qualifying before swapping onto the hard tyre on lap 13 and then making a return to the medium rubber on lap 29.
“Two pitstops was the quickest way to complete 44 laps of Spa,” says Mark. “One guy (Romain Grosjean) got to the end with one stop, but he finished 22s behind me. At one point I thought I could challenge the Mercedes’ in front of me, but I ran out of rubber after spending a few laps behind Nico [Rosberg].”
In the end Mark crossed the line seven seconds ahead of sixth-placed Jenson Button and he was 3.9s behind fourth-placed Nico Rosberg.
“Had I not lost those positions at the start, I think a podium would have been possible on my last visit to Spa. But that wasn’t to be. Onto Monza, which is another classic track on the calendar to mark the end of the European season.”
// ends
33 Comments
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emily
on August 26, 2013unlucky mark… frustrating race afetr a great job in qualy… hope things perk up a bit as you head to monza… all the best form oz mate
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stu
on August 26, 2013Certainly one that got away from your team Mark. Not something to be expected after the good starts of most of the recent races. Maybe the clutch guy needs a bit of one on one attention!! Go Webber!!
*** SITE MANAGER *** Ha! The team did precisely that – they sent the Controls guy to the podium to collect the team’s winning trophy! -
jay
on August 26, 2013I wondered what would happen to yur car in this race…so many things to choose from, to make go ‘wrong’.
Actually, it wasn’t my first thought, being knobbled, it was when they pulled you in when you were running second to Vettel, who, curiously, had a perfectly set up car, and could run all day on his last set of tyres.
What luck eh?
Maybe you should change your name to von mercedes or some such, and you’d get a better deal?
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John
on August 26, 2013Mate,
This is getting beyond ridiculous. These f**king clowns at redbull are blatantly sabotaging you.
Please just retire now and come out with a statement saying you cannot race under these conditions.
Its plain ridiculous. I knew way back in 2010 something was up and 3 years down the track things have become far worse than i could have imagined.
Cheers
John
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PeterMAs
on August 26, 2013So Red Bull continues to supply Mark with a less than perfect car. What hope will Daniel have with Red Bull’s complete concentartion on Seb. One hopes that Mark will have at least one perfect race with a perfect car prior to leaving for Porsce. We are still cheering from Oz so keep up teh Aussie grit.
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john
on August 26, 2013same old same old Mark.
Your “mate” has all the team support and max spend of the infrastructure $ after that comes your car!!!
Been proved time and again better off away from this lot,all the best
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Mark
on August 27, 2013Mark, mate all I can say after watching yet another boring race win by finger boy is that somewhere some time when you have the time and the clarity to write your memoirs, I really hope you confirm what everybody secretly thinks about how things were really handled at RB. I think that to have some type of problem every time you race is beyond luck or logic and points squarely to a biased team that has the points in the bag and do not really care about your plight.
You are such a great driver and RB just exploits the fact that due to your immense talent and determination you accumulate the points they need anyway.
I hope in your case that the saying ‘what goes around, comes around’ applies to finger boys car for the remainder of the season. I would also add, that if finger boy gets near you on the track, please do give him the hardest time he has ever had and make sure he knows you are number 1 and that the car and the whole RB team is just carrying him whilst you do the real mans work of racing the wheels of your car.
Cheers mate, lets see you on the top step a few more times, ok mate.
Mark
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stuart hearn
on August 27, 2013I am MK,S biggest fan
But clearly none of you understand how these machines work, the electronics controlling the hydraulics controlling the mechanics
Come on please Nuff of this nonsense -
Mark
on August 27, 2013stuart hearn POSTED August 27th, 2013
I am MK,S biggest fan
But clearly none of you understand how these machines work, the electronics controlling the hydraulics controlling the mechanics
Come on please Nuff of this nonsenseIt might be nonsense to you, but why then does finger boys wheel never fall off, pit stops get mucked up, kers fail, clutch fail, his car is never under fueled, need I go on? Why was he not punished for Malaysia or the remarks he made after the race? Come on mate biggest fan or not, that doesn’t change any of these facts which, just this season alone have occured, not even counting when finger boy drove into the side of Mark’s car in 2010 at Turkey. Why was he not punished for that?
Mark
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Wendy
on August 27, 2013Frustrating and unlucky for you. Hoping for better things at Monza. Fingers crossed you get a few more wins before you say goodbye to F1 for good.
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bruce
on August 27, 2013Can’t stop the conspiracy theories when small problems just seem to happen to just one of an identical a pair of cars. But it will not be the last time this happens to a driver. You may have noticed how Rosbergs car is now, after a very good start against Hamilton car now losing its edge.
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bruce
on August 27, 2013As others have said
Mark, one day when you call its time, write the book and sail close enough to the wind to cover yourself legally but let those interested in the sport know the ins and outs of being a F1 driver. -
ClutchPoint John
on August 27, 2013You would have to think there is a technique to coat the pressure plate with clutch plate material so there is maximum grip at the bite point……exactly like what drag cars do before a start, they lay down some rubber into the bitumen so there is rubber to rubber grip for the start. One would think this analogy applies to the clutch plate and the clutch…….lay down some clutch plate material onto the pressure plate so the bite point is clean and at maximum grip…..I am suspecting the issue you experienced was insufficient clutch material was laid down onto your pressure plate and hence you had an inconsistent bite point…..trick is what is the best way to lay down the clutch material…….murdering it in the first few practice starts or gently gently….or a combination….guess you have to try a few different approaches.
Good luck for the remainder of the season and enjoy.
John
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Susan fm Oz
on August 27, 2013Firstly to your comments Stuart I’ve followed F1 for 37yrs and I do know a lot of the mechanics/electronics/haudraulic setups etc. No-one could possible think RBR aren’t biased. SV does not have any issues with his car/pit stops/tyres falling off/lack of fuel and so forth – and hasn’t for some time. I think Mark’s crew are 2nd rate or there are deals going on behind the scenes. Whichever way you look at it race after race MW’s car has a problem. If ever someone deserved a championship and didn’t secure one in his career this is it. Mark has shown time and time again what a tenacious driver he is and displayed poise and good character under the most difficult of circumstances. I would have preferred Daniel R go to another team because heaven help him if he truly becomes competitive to SV. Cheers:)
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Simon
on August 27, 2013Hang in there Mark. 2nd place at the end of the season is obtainable with a few good finishes.
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Lesley
on August 27, 2013Keep your chin up Mark and never mind Golden Boy. You are still the BEST in all our eyes. We all love you and support you. Good Luck for Monza! HAPPY BIRTHDAY for today as well! Enjoy your day mate. Xxx
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Roberta
on August 27, 2013Happy Birthday Mark!!! 🙂 🙂
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christine (tasmania)
on August 27, 2013Happy birthday Mark. Hope you have a great day and plenty of the good stuff to celebrate. I,m sure you,ll have a win before the season ends and hope it will be Singapore as I,ll be there cheering for you. You,re the greatest.
Love Christine -
Stu F
on August 27, 2013Have agree with most comments above, especially the 2010 Turkey incident, which cost that yrs championship! SV knows you are better than he his, just hope the mechanics sort themselves out.
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Mercè
on August 27, 2013Hi Mark.
For many years. I am a fan of yours, to say I am Mercedes and Catalan.
We came Circuit of Catalonia (Barcelona), thanks to my daughter, because I come from money and Laia my daughter, paid entries. Laia my daughter thought that fold and also part of it for many years.
When I know that I let go, he know how to truly sorry, because you would be much longer. It is your decision and I respect you.
You are a piece of home with all the senses, as we say in Catalonia, as a person 10 to 10 pilot and 10 as a physicist.
For me it will always be number 1.
I will try to follow. Good luck in your new stage.
What Have a nice day with your loved ones.
Good luck in the race of Monza and in the next race as well.
A hug and a kiss.
Goodbye. -
Karin
on August 28, 2013Happy Birthday, Mark!!! Hope you have the chance to celebrate it with your loves ones and a big cake. 🙂
Cheers
Karin -
Patty
on August 28, 2013Happy Birthday Mark. Hope you have a wonderful day. Sending you a hug from the United States.
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Jill and Brian
on August 28, 2013Firstly Happy Birthday Mark have a good one.
Well what can you say that has not been said over the last months. We were at Spa and it appeared everything was well with Marks car until we saw him on screen minutes before the start with his face like thunder! Yeah it’s happened again – what the hell is going on, just lost now for words to describe the utter contempt shown to Mark, God knows how he must be feeling its sickening.
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wassa
on August 28, 2013Mark, got to ask this!
Why is it always your car> -
Mariella
on August 28, 2013A toast for you from Chile!!!
Mil gracias por todos los buenos momentos que nos has hecho pasar. Me costó acptar que dejas la F1, pero ya está. Felicidades. Eres un hombre brillante y resaltaras donde sea que estes.
Besos. -
Aki
on August 28, 2013Happy belated Birthday, Mark!!
I hope you had a great day. -
Petra
on August 29, 2013Hi Mark, Happy Birthday and all the best wishes for your future
at Porsche:-))
Thinking about the last race…hm …it’s truly frustrating for you and your fans.
I was sitting there speechless and demotivated. Gosh…your Aussie fans almost convinced me with their statements !
Hugs & kisses from Germany -
Sax
on August 30, 2013Ah finally after messing your car for three years RBR or Mr … have realized that you are losing valuable points. Everybody knows that if there is same equipment for both cars you are the winner mate. You are a true gentleman mate and very calm. Since 2010 your car has been so much inferior. Wish you best of luck for next year F1 will surely miss a gentleman and champion. Bring on WEC where you will surely have respect. Good luck
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psycho budgie
on August 30, 2013Great recovery from a troubled start and as always it was exciting watching you race. Best for the next one. 🙂
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Ryan
on August 30, 2013I’ve said it many times, you’re being sabotaged by your own team. EVERYTIME you start near to or in front of Vettel you have a terrible start,and it’s your own “team” doing it, ruining your race and keeping you just far enough behind Vettel so he can win everything. What happens in the race when your pace is enough to beat Vettel??? Your KERS fails! How many times has Vettel’s failed?… Not once.
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Laurie Nichols
on August 31, 2013Mark, happy belated birthday mate, If not for your input back in the Jaguar days and onto Redbull Vettel wouldn’t have the car he has today, so in my book you are a world champion.
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Ian
on August 31, 2013Who wants a Renault when you can have a PORSCHE !!!!
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Billy
on September 2, 2013You are a better man than me Mark Webber?
I dont know how you do it,race after race they try and kill you with their tweaking!
But,good race mate,I cant wait until you are outta there Mark,be better for your head at least,how frustrating…
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