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REPORTS: Mercedes ‘Engine War’ Forces Honda’s Hand to Help Red Bull F1
Mercedes and Red Bull are involved in an intense battle for the 2021 championship. Currently, the Milton-Keynes-based squad leads the driver’s championship courtesy of Max Verstappen. While in the constructor’s championship, the Silver Arrows have an edge over the Raging Bulls.
However, the Toto Wolff-lead team are willing to sacrifice reliability to get more performance to turn the tables in the driver’s championship; aiding Hamilton to steal the lead from Verstappen.
Mercedes are considering sacrificing reliability for more power
The staff in Brixworth who are responsible for making the F1 M12E Performance power units are evaluating how depleted are the engines used by Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are.
After the United States Grand Prix, the information which was attained looked promising. Hence, they are willing to risk the reliability to get more performance out of the car.
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 24, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton leads into the first corner at the start of the race ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen REUTERS/Mike Blake
If the Knight can match the pace of his arch-rival, the Silver Arrows won’t hesitate to bring a new engine; taking his tally up fives power units used this season.
However, as reported by Motorsport.com, there are talks in the paddock that Red Bull won’t back down either, and will use a new engine to fight for the title.
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What does Wolff have to say as they prepare for the Mexican GP?
After tasting defeat in Austin, Team Principal of Mercedes, Toto Wolff is still optimistic about the upcoming race. The Austrian has stated that the morale is high in the team garage, but admits the track in Mexico is a bit challenging for them.
He said, “Mexico was traditionally a track that was difficult for us, but this season everything can change because we’ve seen that [they have performance at tracks that were] traditionally our strong ones… and vice versa so I think it’s really race by race and [a mission to] keep the spirits up.”
Formula One F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit – Portimao, Portugal – April 30, 2021 Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff talks in the Team Principals Press Conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
“I think the morale is high. We are right there, we can win every race, and it’s about avoiding the DNFs. They are the killers. And therefore we are taking this [Bottas’s five-place] grid penalty with the engines, but it’s just good fun for everybody and there is pressure – but it’s positive pressure,” added the Mercedes boss.
What are your predictions for the Brackley-based squad for the next race on the F1 calendar? Let us know in the comments below.
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