Red Bull’s advisor Dr Helmut Marko claims Mercedes is suffering from engine problems as a direct result of the fight for the 2021 championship title with Red Bull.
There are reports that Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton will be starting the Turkish GP at the back of the grid this weekend because of an unscheduled engine change. However, according to reliable resources from a Mercedes insider, the engine change for Hamilton this weekend at Istanbul will not be happening. It is likely to happen during United States or Mexican Grand Prix.
“It probably won’t happen in Turkey unless Lewis has a problem there, we expect a close race against Red Bull,” the source said.
“But then it (the engine change) has to be done. We’re trying to do it on a track where we are either particularly strong or weak or when it rains.”
“Mexico will be a Red Bull circuit because of the altitude, and maybe also Interlagos.”
According to Marko, Mercedes has been plagued by the engine issues as a result of the close and intense battle for the championship with Red Bull.
“Mercedes used to have an easy time,” the 78-year-old said. “They accelerated in the first few laps and then turned the engines down. That is no longer possible.”
“Now they have to drive more often and for longer in a higher mode. And then the problems come,” he added.
Through Red Bull sources, Mercedes’ engine problem comes from the crankshaft and the valve seats which affect the horsepower when the engine mileage continues counting.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolf said there is a high possibility that Hamilton’s engine will be changed.
“It’s small things but unfortunately they’re always different. There is no clearly recognisable pattern.”
