Lewis Hamilton is of the opinion that a proposal to stop teams with qualification-specific engine modes is aimed at reducing Mercedes, but says it will not have the desired effect.
The FIA wrote to teams this week noting that it plans to ban high-powered engine modes reserved for qualifying and very short bursts in the race. The change could be introduced by the next race at Spa-Francorchamps and would likely see teams needing to use their engine qualification settings for a certain percentage of the race.
Last year, Ferrari had a significant engine advantage in qualifying, but the team has since said its superior performance of the power unit has been offset by changes to regulations over the winter. Meanwhile, Mercedes has taken an important step with its engine performance, suggesting that any change in the rules would handicap Mercedes and level the playing field among all engine manufacturers.
“It’s no surprise, they always try to carry us,” Hamilton said ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. “But it doesn’t really change a large amount for us, so it’s not a problem.”
Mercedes has maintained a significant performance advantage in qualifying this year, which rivals suspect is linked to its use of high-power engine modes. But Hamilton does not think a change in regulations will reflect Mercedes’ return.
“The guys on our team have done just such a good job with the engine,” he added. “It’s obvious to slow us down, but I do not think it will get the result they want. But that’s perfectly fine if they do.”
The change in the mid-season would likely be tied to parc-farm regulations, which require teams to perform the same specification of parts in qualifying as in the race. The rule has existed since 2003 and was aimed at stopping teams developing specific parts for qualification only.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, who drives a Honda-powered car and is Hamilton’s closest rival in the championship, said it was a logical step in regulation.
“I think in a way maybe it’s good because we do not really allow the car to reach the qualification except that kind of thing, engine modes,” he said. “So probably, if you still want to walk everywhere by not running into the car, I think it’s good that you might want to get rid of that as well.”
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s car does not have a specific engine mode for qualification.
“To be honest, on our part, I don’t think it will affect us that much,” he said. “I think it can only be positive for us.
“How much will it be beneficial? It remains to be seen, but for us I can say that we have nothing but qualification after the race, so for us it will not change anything.”
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