P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Bottas: Sauber’s F1 pitstop issues may not be fixed until after China
The Sauber team has arrived at Suzuka for the 2024 Japanese GP, following pitstop problems during the first three races of the season. The issues stem from wheelnuts getting crossthreaded, leading to adjustments in procedures. Despite progress, the problem reoccurred at Bottas’s stop in Melbourne, resulting in a 30s delay and a fine later on in Australia. Sauber has been working tirelessly to resolve these pitstop issues, with modifications made to procedures and materials. Although not fully fixed, extra measures have been taken for the Suzuka race, with a 100% fix planned for China. Bottas emphasized the importance of consistent, error-free stops for the pit crew’s confidence, acknowledging the disappointment of recent delays. The team is determined to address these issues as a top priority to avoid further setbacks.
