© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
With the news that Valtteri Bottas will be fitted with his third engine in the last four race, questions are naturally being asked if the same fate awaits Lewis Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton took on his fourth Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) at the Turkish Grand Prix, which meant he had to endure a ten-place grid penalty on race start.
With Valtteri Bottas now on his sixth engine of the season, Toto Wolff was asked if there was a possibility that Hamilton will also need another unit.
“I can’t say whether we will be taking one and what the percentage is, but obviously the risk is still there,” the Austrian said.
“What is difficult to evaluate is, do you want to pre-empt the situation and take another penalty and take the hit, or do you want to really run it and then possibly risk a DNF.
“That is a discussion that is happening as we speak and we haven’t come to the right answers yet.”
If you like SilverArrows.Net, consider supporting us by buying us a coffee!
Wolff says Mercedes’ quest for performance is what caused increased engine swaps.
“I think when you look at Monza for example, Valtteri had to start from the back and we are losing points on the way.
“We are trying to push the performance every year and this year we’ve come to a point where that has cost us points.
“But over the last seven or eight years that mindset has won us races and championships.
“I would have hoped for fewer penalties and use less engines, but this year it has really hit us hard and McLaren and Aston Martin [Mercedes’ customer teams] were more fortunate in that respect.
“We just have to take it on the chin and do the best possible job,” concluded Mercedes’ team boss.
