Lewis Hamilton will be penalized at Spa

La threat loomed on the world champion, and recent statements from a Mercedes spokesperson, relayed by Sky Sports, left little doubt. Lewis Hamilton confirmed this Thursday at a press conference that he should observe penalties on the starting grid for the Belgian Grand Prix this Sunday, for use of a sixth element on its Power Unit Mercedes.

The Briton had already used his fifth turbo and his fifth MGU-H previously in the season after several problems at the start of the championship, and the use of a sixth element will necessarily lead according to the regulations to a sanction on the grid. It remains to be seen how Mercedes will proceed with the engine block of the No. 07 W44 Hybrid, and the quantity of changes that will be made.

“As far as I know, we will take the penalty this weekend, Hamilton said during the face-to-face meeting with journalists. I don't see it as incompetence (of the team). If I make a mistake, or there is a technical problem, we win and we lose together. »

The old pilot McLaren recognizes, however, that a comeback to try to play for victory will be more than complicated. “Winning is always the goal, but it will be very hard. The gap has narrowed with the others. So it will be hard to get back into the peloton, but I will do everything I can. This is mainly to minimize the impact of this penalty. »