Hamilton gets more powerful engine
Brit says new unit ‘feels clean and fresh’, McLaren express interest in Ricciardo
>> LE CASTELLET: Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was given a French Grand Prix boost on Friday when his Mercedes team finally introduced the new engine they had held back in Canada two weekends previously.
The Briton promptly set fastest laps in both practice sessions and said it felt good, even if not yet operating at full power.
“The new engine feels clean and fresh, but we won’t really know its full potential until tomorrow when everyone gets to turn their engines up,” he said of qualifying for France’s first Grand Prix in a decade.
“I’m grateful for the hard work that everyone put into it back in Brixworth. They’ve been pushing so hard to get this engine and do it in the right way, so a big thank you to everyone back at the factory.
“I hope that we can do something great with it.”
The latest specification engine was postponed due to concerns about an unspecified “quality issue” but Mercedes said Hamilton’s new one now had some “added goodness” as a result of the delay.
“Since Canada, they [the engine side] have reworked six race units plus spares,” a spokesman said. “We plan to continue running these power units for the rest of the weekend.”
Four times world champion Hamilton is a point behind Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel after seven races, with other engine manufacturers bringing their upgrades in Canada.
Drivers are allowed only three engines a season before penalties are applied, and Hamilton and Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas were always going to get fresh ones in France having completed the lifespan of the ones they started the season with.
The only question was whether it would be the planned upgrade or the same specification as the previous one, which would mean being locked into that for the next seven races.
The other Mercedes-powered cars are those of Force India’s Mexican Sergio Perez and Frenchman Esteban Ocon as well as Williams’ Russian Sergey Sirotkin and Canadian Lance Stroll.
Meanwhile, McLaren openly expressed an interest in Australian Daniel Ricciardo on Friday, but Red Bull boss Christian Horner was confident the Australian Formula One driver would be staying with his team.
The 28-year-old has won two races so far this season but is out of contract at the end of the year and considering his options.
“Obviously we love Daniel, I personally have known him for many, many years. He is doing a good job with Red Bull,” McLaren racing director Eric Boullier.
“As long as a driver of that calibre is on the market you look if there is any discussion possible, but at this time of year it’s still too early to talk about our driver line-up for the future, so just a normal, gentle discussion,” he added.
Media reports have talked of a potential US$20 million bid by McLaren, but team sources would not confirm any figures.