Ferrari confirm cause of Vettel crash

Matthew Scott Thursday 28 February 2019 10:29

Ferrari have confirmed that Sebastian Vettel's crash on the second day of the final pre-season test was down to a broken rim on his front left wheel. According to the team, Vettel's wheel was damaged by debris just before he skidded through turn three of the Circuit de Catalunya and into the barriers.

The crash caused significant damage to the SF90 and effectively ended Ferrari's day, with Charles Leclerc managing a solitary installation lap before the chequered flag fell.

Article continues under video

The incident prompted Ferrari to alter their schedule for the remainder of the test, with Leclerc given a full day's running on Thursday and Vettel resuming duties on the final day.

Brake damage and suspension failure had been mooted as potential reasons for Vettel's crash, but Ferrari have now given their reason for the incident.

A spokesman said: "After thorough checks we found that Seb's off yesterday was due to a rim issue.

"The rim had been damaged a few seconds before by an impact with a foreign object."

The crash was Ferrari's first setback in pre-season, with the red cars having previously put in impressive programmes.

Both Mercedes and Red Bull have pegged Ferrari as the team to beat in F1 at the start of the season, although none of the top teams have shown their true hand in terms of pace.

MORE: Vettel: Ferrari have ‘all the ingredients’ to win a championship
VIDEO: Vettel crash footage emerges

Latest News

Lewis Hamilton

New Hamilton TEAM SWITCH announcement rescues torrid weekend

36 minutes ago

Latest F1 News

Red Bull 'call for NEW FIA investigation' into F1 rivals

1 hour ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Mercedes star calls for change as champion EMOTIONAL in health update

1 hour ago

F1 News & Gossip

Mercedes star calls for MAJOR F1 change

2 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Audi F1 target speaks out over 2025 signing

3 hours ago

Brazilian Grand Prix

Red Bull chief slams FIA 'unfairness' after DRAMATIC Brazilian GP

Today 09:12

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP ITALY 17 - 19 May

Max Verstappen

GP MONACO 24 - 26 May

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY