F1 News

Clever trick with internal combustion engine Mercedes can make big profit

18 November 2021 at 15:23
Last update 18 November 2021 at 15:49
25
  • GPblog.com

With the Qatar Grand Prix just around the corner, Max Verstappen discusses a potentially clever trick that Mercedes can still use in the coming races. The power boost from a new combustion engine seems to wipe out the five grid places.

Possible clever trick for Mercedes

In Brazil, Lewis Hamilton 's speed seemed from another planet. A major cause of this was the Briton's new combustion engine. The seven-time world champion had ten grid places after changing the engine part, but his new power easily cancelled that out.

Let alone when it is only a five place grid penalty. F1 journalist Ronald Vording and Max Verstappen discuss an interesting scenario. Vording: "Mercedes could in theory put in a new combustion engine every GP, take five places penalty and benefit from the power boost."

Verstappen: "That's something to watch. The first time it results in ten penalty spots, illogical that after that it's only five. You always go over the same limit so I think it should always be ten spots." According to Verstappen, a penalty of five spots hurts very little.