Toto Wolff Issues Surprising Lewis Hamilton Update Amid Engine Penalty F1 Saga

This season, Lewis Hamilton finds himself in one of the most difficult title defenses in recent history. Although he dominated opponents with Mercedes over the years, the Briton has stiff competition from Max Verstappen and his red-hot Red Bull this year.

During the season, the rules specify a driver can only use a maximum of three power units. However, various events in the season force the need for an additional power unit in the future for some drivers. While Red Bull admitted Verstappen would need one, Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff admitted Hamilton may not face the same issue.

Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff believes Lewis Hamilton can finish the season on three power units

If a team needs to fit a fourth power unit, they will take a grid penalty in the race they decide to make the change. At the Italian Grand Prix, Mercedes did this with Valtteri Bottas, who started from P19 despite winning the sprint race.

Verstappen will need a fourth power unit after he lost one in a high-speed crash at the British Grand Prix. On the other hand, Hamilton seemed like he would also need an additional power unit after he suffered a failure during practice in the Dutch Grand Prix.

However, Wolff revealed making that change might not be necessary at this stage. He said, “We have no absolute obligation to upgrade to a fourth power unit as the current one is still well within the mileage limit. It is a decision that can be taken at any time, but at the moment it does not seem necessary.” (Translated by Google Translate)

READ MORE: Who is Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, the Man Behind the Success of Lewis Hamilton

Wolff: It depends on how the next races go

Although the Austrian looked confident, he acknowledged the unpredictability of F1 in his response. He said, “Does this mean that we will only be using three engines this year? I do not know. It all depends on how the next races go.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton hoped for good fortune to smile upon him in the races that remain. He said, “At the moment I still have two power units available and I am not expected to have a fourth. At least that’s what I hope!”

Although Mercedes dominated opponents with pace, they also held a psychological edge at times. Could this be another ploy from the Silver Arrows to force Red Bull to blink first? Or could this be a major advantage in the championship battle?

WATCH STORY: Lewis Hamilton: Ranking His F1 World Titles From 2008 to 2020