Mercedes hopes to avoid engine change for Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton had come close to abandoning at Interlagos after the manifestation of an engine problem on his Mercedes W09. The concern was such that the breakage was expected at any moment before the star's engine engineers found the appropriate solutions.

The loss of performance had caused Hamilton to slip behind Max Verstappen but the five-time world champion regained control to win following the collision between the driver Red Bull et Esteban Ocon. 

At the start of Free Practice 1 at Yas Marina, Mercedes announced through its spokesperson that “ the Interlagos problem was due to a failure of the variable intake system which resulted in unstable combustion. The settings have been modified to reduce the risk of breakage and maximize racing performance. 

We have also made part changes outside of FIA sealed parameters and are using this engine (the 3rd in our pool of the season) this Friday. After studying the data from the two free sessions, we ensure that everything works ».

If Mercedes were to introduce a 4th engine for Hamilton, the latter would exceed his annual quota and would then receive a penalty synonymous with a step back on the starting grid.