05/10/2006
NEWS STORY
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Ahead of this weekend's all-important Japanese Grand Prix, Renault has opted to reshuffle its pit crew.
Other than a (tyre) strategy error during the first pit stop in Shanghai, Fernando Alonso's race - and possibly title - chances were seriously damaged during the second pit stop, when the right-rear wheel nut mechanic didn't realize that the nut had fallen from his gun whilst removing the wheel. Consequently, when he went to replace the wheel nut on the new right-rear wheel, it wasn't there, and a replacement had to be found, costing the team ten vital seconds.
However, before the alarmists start claiming that this is a knee-jerk reaction from the French team, it should be pointed out that this is the nineteenth time the pit crew has been reshuffled in seventeen races.
"It isn't something unusual," a Renault spokesman told Pitpass. "This reshuffle is a consequence of what happened in China, however it should be taken in context, this is the 19th reshuffle in 17 races. We are constantly learning, hence the changes.
"There is no shame, there's nothing sinister," he added, "however, we clearly don't want another incident."
The spokesman was also keen to point out that the same pit crew carried out two of the fastest pit stops of the race, though both involved Giancarlo Fisichella's car.