Alonso's Traction Control to blame for spin!

By role
September 13 2003

Spanish driver Fernando Alonso will start tomorrow last on the grid due to an electric failure that caused the traction control to go off. The system went off just as he was starting his timing lap and terefore he was not able to maintain the car on the first chicane.

Alonso was obvioulsy dissapointed after the qualification knowing that his chances of a podium at Monza were all but gone:

"There's not much to say really. I went into the first chicane as normal, but the car spun on the exit because the traction control was not working. As you would expect, I am disappointed, but tomorrow is another day. We know it is possible to score points starting from the back, so it’s not over yet.” He said.

Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering, explained what happened on that lap:

"Fernando, on the other hand, was extremely unlucky. It appears there was a major electrical failure on his car as he started the timed lap, which effectively knocked out all the control systems. Without warning that this had happened, he lost control of the car as he exited the first chicane." He added.