P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Verstappen’s Melbourne F1 brake failure more than just finger trouble
Verstappen retired in the opening stages of the last race in Melbourne due to brake overheating, potentially caused by a caliper issue that Red Bull has not fully explained. The theory suggests a critical screw might not have been tightened properly, affecting the brake caliper’s operation. Verstappen hinted at a procedural problem rather than a design flaw, stating changes would be made to prevent a recurrence. Red Bull’s chief engineer, Paul Monaghan, described a chain of events leading to the failure, with short-term fixes implemented for the Japanese GP and long-term solutions planned. Monaghan expressed confidence that a repeat issue is unlikely, indicating ongoing work to prevent future problems.
