Sauber’s team has touched down at Suzuka for the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, hoping to put behind them the pit stop woes that marred their performances in the opening rounds of the season. The persistent issue of cross-threaded wheelnuts during tire changes has plagued the team since the start of the year.
Following incidents at the first three races, particularly notable during Valtteri Bottas’s pit stop in Melbourne where adjustments were attempted, but resulted in a costly 30-second delay, the team has been diligently refining their procedures. Despite a successful second stop for Bottas in Australia, a rogue wheelnut rolling across the pitlane incurred a €5000 fine for Sauber.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Sauber’s representative, acknowledged the team’s tireless efforts back at their Hinwil headquarters to rectify the pit stop issues. Bottas confirmed progress with modifications to procedures and materials, though conceded the problem remains unresolved. He expressed hope for a definitive solution ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.
Bottas emphasized the collaborative effort within the team, acknowledging Sauber’s apology for the Melbourne delay, which dashed hopes of scoring their first points in 2024. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, he stressed the priority of resolving the issue promptly.
With pit stop concerns lingering, Bottas stressed the importance of consistent service over speed in Suzuka. He believes steady stops would boost the pit crew’s confidence, even if it means sacrificing a fraction of time.
Reflecting on the genesis of the problem, Bottas noted its emergence primarily in Bahrain, where Sauber grappled with new pit equipment amid temperature fluctuations. He speculated that temperature variations might play a role in exacerbating the issue, hinting at the complexities underlying the technical challenge.
