Vettel plagued with further alternator issues during the race

Sebastian Vettel’s Italian Grand Prix was brought to a premature end on lap 47 by yet another alternator issue on his Renault-powered Red Bull RB8, the same kind of issue which plagued the reigning World Champion at the European Grand Prix earlier in the year, and also during final practice on Saturday.

The Italian Grand Prix was one to forget for both Red Bull drivers, after Sebastian Vettel’s team-mate Mark Webber joined the German in retirement several laps later after severely flat-spotting his tyres in a spin on the exit of turn 10. Sebastian Vettel’s race was dealt a severe blow beforehand, after incurring a drive-thru penalty for forcing Championship leader Fernando Alonso off the track through turn 3. Sebastian Vettel remained coy on his views with regards to the penalty, which initially dropped the German down to order.

“I found out I had a problem roughly 300 meters before I stopped the car. It was an alternator problem, similar to the one we had yesterday morning.” Explained Sebastian Vettel, after his second retirement of the season due to an alternator issue. “The drive-through incident was decided and happened, so there’s not so much to say about that. It had been a good race for us given the lack of pace. There are not so many long straights at the next couple of circuits, so we can challenge there.”

Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner was very disappointed by the team’s first double DNF since the 2010 Korean Grand Prix, and is eager to make sure the issue is targeted and dealt with before the next race in Singapore. Red Bull’s lead over Ferrari has been shortened to only 29 points, as the Championship now moves swiftly on to Asia for the Singapore Grand Prix later this month.

“A hugely disappointing race – our first non-points scoring race since Korea 2010.” Said Christian Horner, “It was a repeat failure on Sebastian’s car with the alternator and we need to look into it and work with Renault to ensure it doesn’t happen again. It’s already cost us a victory in Valencia and now a points-finish again here in Monza. It’s important we address it for the remaining seven races.”

Whilst Red Bull remain in the lead of the Constructors’ Championship, both Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber have dropped further down the order in the Drivers’ Championship, with the duo now sitting 4th and 5th respectively. A competitive result next time out at Singapore is imperative for Red Bull, who are striving to defend both their Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.

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