Source: REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
[Saba Sports News] Ahead of the F1 Japanese Grand
Prix, it has been confirmed that Lewis Hamilton’s engine issue during the
Australian Grand Prix has been identified. The investigation conducted by the
Mercedes team revealed that the bottom end of the engine had sustained damage.
The team’s technicians concluded that the problem was a result of quality
process issues rather than a design flaw. They emphasized that this specific
bottom end failure was an isolated incident. The damaged power unit has been
discarded, leaving Hamilton with only three power units available for the
remainder of the year. It is possible that he may need to utilize additional
power units later in the season, which could incur a grid penalty. According to
FIA regulations, the first instance of exceeding the usage limit of each power
unit component results in a 10-place grid penalty for the race. Subsequent
instances of overuse (with the same specification of the component) lead to a
5-place grid penalty. Some fans have remarked that Hamilton’s retirement from
the Australian Grand Prix further exacerbated Mercedes’ challenging start to
the season. The 2024 W15 car has struggled particularly in high-speed corners
and has not demonstrated the expected progress.