Hamilton faces penalties on return of Formula One after summer break
LEWIS Hamilton returns to work at the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend knowing he faces the prospect of grid penalties in the next few weeks that could dent his prospects of a fourth world championship.
After a four-week break for the European summer holidays, the defending three-time champion seeks his fifth consecutive victory for Mercedes and third at the majestic Spa circuit (the race starts at 7pm on Sunday, Cambodian time) in the hope of increasing his 19-point lead with nine races to go.
But he knows that he is virtually certain to take penalties in the upcoming races for using more than the permitted number of power unit components after a string of mechanical failures in the opening months of the season.
The 31-year-old Briton reached his permitted maximum of five turbochargers and MGU-Hs at the Austrian Grand Prix, resulting in him having to nurse his engines, when possible, through recent races.
The regulations allow drivers five penalty-free changes of six different components before grid penalties of up to 15 places are handed out – a situation that could mean Hamilton starts from the back of the grid in pursuit of his Mercedes teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg.
‘Ups and downs’
“The first half of the season was a bit of a rollercoaster for me and there will be more ups and downs to come,” said Hamilton ahead of t his weekend’s race at a track where he and Rosberg have “some histor y” hav ing collided acrimoniously in 2014.
“But the last few weeks have been so good for British sport – wit h t he Olympics and then Cal Crutchlow becoming the first British MotoGP winner in more than 30 years – that I will do my best to keep the flag flying.
“I’ve had ups and downs before, but I think this has definitely been harder because it hasn’t felt so much like fault from me not being focused, or me not training, or taking the time. It’s more other things, outside things, but it’s been a really good experience – and I honestly feel stronger now and able to handle whatever is going to be thrown at me.”
Hamilton was 43 points behind Rosberg after five races, but re- versed t hat situation wit h si x wins out of seven while the German struggled to regain his consistency and momentum.
He and the Mercedes team face a decision on t heir strateg y for Hamilton. They may seek v ictor y in Belgium and then take his new power-unit components – and the penalties – in Ita ly, a week later where his outright pace makes it likely t hat he can rescue a result from t he back of t he grid.
Or, as has been suggested by paddock insiders close to Mercedes, he may take all the new parts in Belgium where the length of the lap and the circuit characteristics would reduce the impact of a bad grid spot and help him recover points.
Rosberg’s chance
Whatever the decision, Rosberg will see Hamilton’s misfortunes as a chance to regain the initiative and reduce his teammate’s lead in the title race, while both Ferrari and Red Bull will aim to mount a fightback against Mercedes domination at one of the most spectacular venues of the season.
Rosberg departed his home German Grand Pri x at the end of July in a downcast mood after being soundly beaten again by Hamilton and he needs a confidence-boosting display to keep his tit le challenge a live.
On Friday, he will also become the latest driver to test the cockpitprotection “Halo” in opening free practice for Sunday’s race, which is expected to attract a big crowd to the Ardennes.
Mercedes is the latest team to trial the safety system devised after the death of Jules Bianchi from head injuries sustained in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2014 to enhance driver head protection and keep the sport open cockpit.
Ferrari and Red Bull have already trialled the system as ruling body the FIA aims to get a better understanding of any potential problems before Halo is introduced in the 2018 season.