Three teams could skip practice sessions
"If we have to use a clutch for an entire weekend..."
Three teams are warning they could sit out practice sessions as a result of the new ’sprint qualifying’ trial that is set to debut at the British GP.
Due to the format change, parce ferme conditions will be pushed forward to Friday - and some teams are warning that their cars’ clutches will not cope with having to tackle the full race weekend.
Auto Motor und Sport claims Aston Martin, Alpine and McLaren typically change or service their clutches ahead of normal Saturday qualifying.
"These clutches were built for a different purpose," confirmed Aston Martin’s team manager Andy Stevenson.
"They need new washers and maintenance after 300 kilometres. If we had known what to expect before the season, we would have made a different clutch.
"If we have to use a clutch for an entire weekend, we cannot guarantee that it will hold up."
It is believed the early feedback from the FIA is that the concerned teams should simply do fewer practice starts during a weekend.
"This has nothing to do with the number of starts we do," insisted Alpine’s operations boss Alan Permane.
"It’s just wear and tear. The clutch is used constantly. The problem is not the starts, the problem is the gear changes."
The affected teams intend to raise the matter with the governing body once again this weekend in Austria.
"If the FIA doesn’t give in, we might have to skip a practice session, which I can’t imagine was the intention of the regulator," Permane warned.
Alpine F1 Team - Renault
Ocon to leave Alpine after 2024 season
Indycar option emerges for Mick Schumacher
No ban for Ocon as Briatore eyes Alpine F1 role
Monaco could cost Ocon his entire F1 career
More on Alpine F1 Team - Renault
Aston Martin F1 Team
Aston Martin no longer a top-5 F1 team - Alonso
Binotto could replace Krack as Aston Martin boss
Aston Martin will not scrap Imola car upgrade
Aston Martin progress at risk of stalling - Alonso
Alonso’s advisor says Aston Martin ’going backwards’
More on Aston Martin F1 Team
McLaren F1
Three-team battle shaping up for Monaco GP victory
’Air getting thinner’ as Red Bull dominance fades
Media ’overestimated’ Ferrari upgrade - Sainz
McLaren needs another big upgrade to catch Red Bull
McLaren, winner Norris, defend Trump’s Miami GP visit
More on McLaren F1