Hamilton: The end of qualifying modes, “a compliment” for Mercedes

Besides the imminent departure of the Williams family from Formula 1, this is the other subject that animates the paddock on the eve of the Italian Grand Prix: the disappearance of engine modes specially dedicated to qualifying. Or rather the obligation for teams to use only one map between qualifying and the race.

The FIA ​​made this known in a technical directive sent to teams after the Spanish Grand Prix last month. The regulatory body justifies this decision by its desire to better control the V6 turbo hybrids, while observers have also interpreted this measure as an attempt to curb the outrageous domination of the W11s, untouchable in qualifying this season. 

« I find this whole story quite amusing, commented Lewis Hamilton from Monza. The FIA ​​tells us they want to monitor what everyone is doing with their engines and then Red Bull went there in his verse by affirming that they had demanded the measure.

In the end, several different reasons are given. I think that’s a compliment to the guys who work hard at the factory. They are doing a wonderful job on our engine. It will be interesting to see how the weekend goes with this new element to consider ».

His teammate Valtteri Bottas warns competition by affirming that the disappearance of qualifying methods could well make Mercedes even more competitive in the race without penalizing the Flèches Noires on Saturday afternoon. 

« I don't think there will be any big differences in qualifying., confided the Finn. In the race however, I hope we can push the engine for longer. The team succeeded in optimizing the new situation ». 

The problem for Bottas is that no federal measure can counter the Lewis Hamilton mode...