Hamilton: “They’re always trying to slow us down”

In addition the return of Sergio Pérez to the paddock after his negative Covid-19 screening, this was the big topic of this media day in Barcelona ahead of the Barcelona Grand Prix: the announced ban on engine modes specifically designed to release the maximum performance of the powertrain in Q3.

Prohibition is probably a bit of a strong word because the FIA ​​is actually considering only allowing one mode between Saturday's timed practice and Sunday's race. Mechanically, this excludes the famous “party modes” which are too resource intensive and therefore risky in terms of reliability. 

This standardization of maps could take place as early as the next Grand Prix in Belgium in two weeks (August 28-30). 

It will have escaped no one's attention that all the pilots powered by Mercedes did not welcome the news with enthusiasm, when their opponents propelled by a block Ferrari, Honda, or Renault, did not really hide their satisfaction. 

Mercedes has again become the untouchable reference this season in terms of engines after being pushed to its limits by Maranello last year. The domination of the Black Arrows is such that Lewis Hamilton et Valtteri Bottas can afford to reduce the constraints placed on their V6 turbo hybrid to manage their lead. 

« It's not really a surprise because they always try to slow us down, whispered Hamilton, referring to the upcoming federal measure. But that doesn't change our situation. ». 

« It's always difficult to know precisely the additional performance that each engine manufacturer is able to unlock in Q3, added his teammate Valtteri Bottas alongside him. There is no panic on our side. If this rule is put in place, it will be for everyone ». 

The Finn also points out the fact that the adoption of a single engine mode risks making races monotonous since drivers are used to playing with their maps in order to attempt an overtake or repel an attack.  

The pilots Williams and Racing Point, which have a star engine on the back of their car, did not go that far in their statements but they also regret the ban on party modes. 

« That would be a shame, said George Russell at Williams. This is part of the charm of qualifying where everything is on the limit. And then between the sprint on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday, it seems wise to have several speeds at your disposal ». 

• Satisfaction among Mercedes rivals

In the camp of other engine manufacturers, the analysis was logically different. At Ferrari, Charles Leclerc claimed that the measure could not be “ only positive for us since it will have no effect on our level of performance. There is currently no difference between the use of our engine in qualifying and racing. ». 

Dominant last year, the Maranello engine brings up the rear today, far from the 3 other V6s in the field. Some see this as a direct or indirect consequence of the secret agreement between the FIA ​​and Ferrari at the start of the year regarding the 2019 version of the transalpine powerplant, the legality of which did not fail to agitate the paddock last year.

« If your engine is designed to withstand greater stress over a certain mileage, or to operate at increased power for a given period, this is probably not the best news. ", added Hag For its part.

Main rival of Mercedes this season, Max Verstappen has never yet managed to approach, let alone beat, the W11 in qualifying. The pilot Red Bull, last GP winner, has often declared that he does not really have a “party mode” on his Honda powerplant, hence the significant gaps observed on Saturday, generally around full second.

« This would be good news because we would be following the current logic of not having the right to touch the car between qualifying and the race, except for the engine maps. », reacted the Dutchman about the potential disappearance of qualifying modes. 

Whatever Mercedes' rivals say, and as Bottas points out, the measure will apply to all engine manufacturers. It cannot therefore be ruled out that the German manufacturer will maintain its gap over the competition, or even increase it. Recent history teaches us that Mercedes is often one step ahead of its little comrades.

« Our team has done such an exceptional job on the engine that I'm not sure they can slow us down. », warns Hamilton.