Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas was compelled out of the Eifel Grand Prix after simply 18 laps with an influence unit problem – an issue Mercedes have subsequently confirmed was with the MGU-H system on his W11. However regardless of the Finn’s retirement on the Nurburgring, the crew are hoping that they’ll be capable to keep away from any energy unit-related grid penalties for Bottas within the remaining six races of the season.
Polesitter Bottas reported a lack of energy on Lap 18 of 60 at the Nurburgring, with Mercedes opting to retire him quickly after to protect the ability unit. “It is vital to grasp what really occurred,” mentioned Staff Principal Toto Wolff within the aftermath of the race. “We launched new energy items this weekend and there is nonetheless six races to go, so we have to get on prime of the issue.”
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And talking a number of days after the Grand Prix, Mercedes’ Chief Strategist James Vowles confirmed that Bottas had suffered an MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit – Hybrid) failure – however revealed the crew’s hopes that they’d be capable to make it by to the top of the season with out taking any engine penalties.
“We may see on the information that the MGU-H, the hybrid component that produces electrical energy but in addition turbo management, wasn’t working accurately,” mentioned Vowles, talking on Mercedes’ personal YouTube channel.
“We tried a number of swap adjustments with Valtteri which can convey these methods again – so by the steering wheel, he can put a default code during which could convey again elements of the system. It was clear, although, that it had failed utterly, even after the swap adjustments, and in consequence, we boxed the automotive and stopped it.
“The rationale why we did that’s we felt the system failure wasn’t {hardware} however really digital, and the earlier you cease it, the much less injury you’re going to do to any of the methods, and the extra likelihood that we are going to take no penalties with Valtteri in consequence. We’ve acquired a whole lot of checks to do and we’ll verify the methods in Portimao. However hopefully no additional penalties will come on account of this failure.”
Vowles additionally revealed what had precipitated Lewis Hamilton to complain of motion in his steering wheel on his laps to the grid – an issue which Hamilton was compelled to drive round en path to his record-equalling 91st win at the Nurburgring.
“He had play throughout the steering column and the entire system was transferring backwards and forwards only a small quantity,” mentioned Vowles. “This can be a efficiency issue, as a result of as you’re cornering, you’re attempting to really feel the restrict of the tyres, and having any motion within the steering column in anyway will trigger you to not be certain if that’s the automotive transferring, the tyres transferring or one thing else.
“Nevertheless, it wasn’t a security concern, and at no time did we have now any concern in anyway for the system. It’s one thing we seen on Saturday, however the parc ferme rules state that until the element is damaged, you’ll be able to’t exchange it, which is why Lewis needed to race with it – and he did a fantastic job contemplating the quantity of inauspicious situations we had in that race.”
Bottas’ retirement mixed with Hamilton’s victory meant that Hamilton stretched his lead over his crew mate to 69 points in the drivers’ standings – or practically three wins’ price – with simply six races remaining this season.
