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Lewis Hamilton has said that he may take a double grid penalty to create a pool of engines to aid his title charge.
The three-time world champion has already used five turbochargers and five MGU-Hs this season, meaning one more of each component will see him serve a grid penalty.
It is thought that changing these parts before they fail will give the Brit more of a chance to compete later on in the season.
"That’s a solution I’ve come up with myself,” Hamilton told Autosport. "That would definitely be something that could be done."
"I’m definitely going to be taking another engine. It’s a question of when I take it," he continued. "The strategists will be looking at all the races and saying ‘This is a track where it is easier to overtake’."
“Ultimately it’s my decision because I’m the one who actually knows where I’ll be able to do the best job from last place."
"So I have to be strategic in how I decide that, but yeah, it would be nice to get a few engines in the pool at the same time. I hope at some stage I’m able to get some fresh ones, but the one I’m driving right now, hopefully, that will hold together for as long as possible."
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Replies (5)
Login to replyPosts: 185
So if he takes the double penalty, does that mean he can deliberately go out in Q1 and save tyres for the race?
Posts: 8,527
Yes, but he will also be behind lots of cars, and might risk losing lots of points. Mercedes wont have it as easy as they did last year, when they could start from p20 and still end up within the top 5 with ease. Their cars suffer greatly whenever they follow other cars, and their opponents are stronger this year. Spa will fit Ferrari and Red Bull, so he will have a hard time getting by them.
Posts: 185
Will Rosberg need a new gearbox this weekend? If so wouldn't it make sense to take the PU at the same time, and fall down the grid with him?
Posts: 8,527
Its possible, I have not heard anything on that, but its possible that it took enough damage last race for that to happen. In any case, Hamilton is almost forced to take a new unit, and it'll likely happen pretty soon.
Posts: 284
"That’s a solution I’ve come up with myself,” yeah right... it's Red Bull's solution from last year