F1 News: Bad News For Lewis Hamilton As Mercedes Engine Destroyed
In a significant setback for Lewis Hamilton, the Mercedes team has confirmed the total loss of the power unit used by the seven-time world champion in the Australian Grand Prix. This comes after an in-depth analysis revealed the cause of the failure.
Key Takeaway
The Mercedes F1 Team faces a challenging period following the untimely retirement of Lewis Hamilton during the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. The incident, which saw Hamilton’s engine fail early in the race, prompted a thorough investigation by the Mercedes team. Initially flown back to the Brixworth engine facility for analysis, the team was initially unsure of the unit’s future usability. However, as the Japanese Grand Prix approaches, it’s been confirmed that the engine suffered a bottom-end failure, rendering it irreparable and out of Hamilton’s allocation for the season according to Motorsport.
This conclusion was reached after identifying the failure as stemming from a “quality process issue”, rather than a design flaw, indicating that it was an isolated incident. Nonetheless, the repercussions for Hamilton’s season are significant. With each driver limited to only four power units per season, losing one so early in such a long season increases the likelihood of the Briton requiring an additional unit later on, which would carry a grid penalty.
As expected, Mercedes has sieved through the remaining power units of Hamilton and teammate George Russel’s. and no similar issues have been uncovered.
Hamilton’s premature exit from the Australian GP adds to Mercedes’ troubled start to the 2024 season. The team’s new W15 car has shown severe vulnerabilities, although the soon-to-be Ferrari driver is happier with his 2024 machinery than he has been over the last two years.
The car seems to be showing more potential, although still exhibits rear-end stability issues and not to mention tyre overheating struggles. Despite these challenges, Hamilton’s outlook remains optimistic, with the driver hunting a more usable setup.
