Bottas' stuck wheel nut: who's to blame?

When Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) does not finish on the third step of the podium in 2021, he gives up. A proven observation at Imola after a accident with George Russell (Williams) then to Monaco where a stuck wheel nut forced him to dismount.

You have to feel for Valtteri #MonacoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/VaHomPT2pr

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 23, 2021

The first thought would be to invoke chronic bad luck for the Finn, while his teammate Lewis Hamilton continues world titles. After all, never before had a wheel nut seized up to the point where it remained securely attached to the wheel, even the day after the race!

It seems that Valtteri Bottas attracts all possible trouble. His boss Toto wolff cleared the work of the mechanics during this incident. “In fact, the mechanic who had the gun in his hand is one of the best and most capable in terms of pit stop speed on the team. It’s never just one person’s fault. There are always several factors », explains the Austrian.

Nearby German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Toto Wolff let slip one of the possible causes of his driver's retirement: a bad location on the stand. « Valtteri stopped a little too early. This meant that the mechanic had to apply the gun to a different angle (than usual. Editor’s note). This angle damaged the lug nut and we couldn't get it out. »

The main team also announced that the nuts will be modified in the coming weeks, in order to avoid reliving these embarrassing moments. “There are always many factors that contribute to such a catastrophic failure and in this case we need to re-design the part. We need to review the material of our nut. »

In the championship, Valtteri Bottas is fourth with 47 points.