Lewis Hamilton provides update on Mercedes engine issues ahead of Mexico GP

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Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes are confident he won’t be hit with another engine penalty, with the seven-time world champion hopeful that they won’t have to take a fifth component. Mercedes were forced to take a sixth fresh engine for Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas ahead of the United States Grand Prix, triggering a five-place grid penalty for the Finn at the Circuit of Americas.

It meant Bottas started in ninth place, despite qualifying fourth, having already been hit twice this season in both Italy and Russia, after taking more engines than the allocated three that are permitted across a season.

Hamilton found himself with a ten-place grid penalty due to an engine change in Turkey, with team principal Toto Wolff reporting of “unusual noises” coming from the seven-time world champion’s engine before the change.

And with five races remaining, and Hamilton’s main title rival leading the way by 12 points, Mercedes will be keen to not hand any advantage to Red Bull.

Speaking on Thursday during the Mexican Grand Prix press conference, Hamilton said: “I believe our engines are strong, and as far as I am aware we’re hopefully going to the end.

“That’s not going to be an issue for us hopefully.”

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Bottas, who has been hit by engine concerns more than any other driver on the grid, was also keen for Mercedes not to take any more changes.

“I really hope we’re done for now,” said Bottas.

“Having both of the engines that are good in my engine pool, they seem to be OK – we haven’t detected any issues in either.

“Fingers crossed I can go to the end now without penalties, because with a close championship when you get put back five places, it really compromises your race.”

Bottas recovered to finish sixth in Austin with Mercedes taking a 23-point lead to Mexico, but with another engine change in Texas, questions were raised about if Hamilton would be hit again.

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Adding to the explanation, Mercedes Motorsport Strategy Director James Vowles said it would be “catastrophic” for the team and Hamilton if they were hit with penalties.

“The reason is that we are balancing performance versus reliability to the end of the season,” said Vowles.

“One failure to finish a race be at because of a chassis or power unit fault would be catastrophic for the championship and as a result of that, we are managing that in the best way possible to the end of the year and in the case of Valtteri.

“That meant taking one further ICE to make sure we had absolutely the best compromise.

“As to whether it improved his performance, yes, a small amount but it is more about the balance across the remainder of the season than one event.

“So, this change, as painful as it was during the Austin Grand Prix, will actually pay dividends across the next few races.”

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