Mercedes explains Hamilton's engine failure

The investigations carried out by Mercedes concerning the engine damage experienced by Lewis Hamilton on the Sepang track last Sunday led to a first explanation revealed on the sidelines of the Japanese Grand Prix.

The world champion team indicated that the engine (which had at that time covered 618 km) seemed to have suffered a problem with a connecting rod bearing. A loss of oil pressure at turn 15 (the last corner of the Malaysian track) preceded this failure.

The old pilot McLaren then dominated the Malaysian Grand Prix, and was heading towards another victory before this problem which now relegated him to 23 points behind Nico Rosberg before the Suzuka event.

Pierre Tassel