Loose drain cover responsible for Barrichello crash

Posted by Euan on May 22, 2010 | No Comments

Rubens Barrichello’s spectacular crash in the Monaco Grand Prix was caused by a loose drain cover, it was revealed by F1 team Williams. After conducting a review into the crash they found that it was not a mechanical failure as first thought, but a loose drain cover coming into contact with Barrichello’s left front tyre.

The crash left the driver out of the race with significant damage to the car, and also led to the calling of the second safety car of the race. Williams have issued this statement on the incident: “The car was badly damaged in the ensuing crash which ended Rubens’ race.”

The Monte Carlo race circuit’s drain covers were called into question during the race, with the third safety car being called out due to fears by stewards over the state of another drain cover around the track. It is now expected that the FIA will conduct its own investigation into the crash and the drain covers at Monte Carlo. They could make recommendations on improvements that need to made to the welding of the various drain covers around the track.

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