Things could be set to go from bad to worse for Lewis Hamilton with the prospect of a grid penalty looming at the next Grand Prix. The Brit’s power unit is now being investigated following the collision with Fernando Alonso in Belgium, which took him out of the race.
If the engine has suffered significant damage, the 37-year-old will have to use a new one which would result in a grid penalty at the Dutch GP this weekend. A Mercedes spokesman confirmed to Motorsport.com that the power unit has been returned to Brixworth for examination and to decide whether it can be used again, noting that the V6's status was "definitely a concern."
Just over 30 seconds after the impact with his old team-mate Alonso, Hamilton was told by his engineer Peter Bonnington: "Back off, no full load, part throttle, part throttle." Hamilton had used just two V6 engines this season before taking his third on last Friday for Spa, and for it to be already under inspection for potential damage is a huge blow for the Silver Arrows.
It is all the more concerning considering the engine was expected to run for approximately seven race weekends - and potentially enable Hamilton to make it to the end of 2022 without further changes. Mercedes have revealed Hamilton is still able to use his earlier power units, but they will have run a high mileage and at this point in the season are typically saved for the Friday practice sessions.
The seven-time world champion’s gearbox also took a hard hit when the car landed after the collision with Alonso, and the gearbox carrier was cracked. The internals are also subject to a damage inspection and, if they are no longer usable he will have to take a third set in Zandvoort, which will not incur a penalty.
Hamilton and Alonso were battling for second place at the time of the incident, which caused Hamilton's retirement after less than a lap and made the Spaniard drop to fourth after he had moved up from third to second at the start. Alonso fumed after taking a hit, blasting his former teammate as an “idiot” who “only knows how to drive from first place.”
Hamilton said the incident was "definitely my fault", adding: "Just didn't leave quite enough space. Wasn't intentional. Just happened."
His Mercedes went up on two wheels and Hamilton said he "nearly broke my back coming down".
He added: "I remember just looking at the ground so I knew I was quite high. Definitely high. Grateful to be alive and in shape."
