3
Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes' power unit reliability issues during pre-season testing is a concern ahead of the 2020 Formula 1 season.
At the second day of week two in Barcelona last week, Hamilton was forced to stop on the circuit with a problem relating to the power unit.
Mercedes discovered that the dilemma related to the oil pressure, which ended the team's day of running on Thursday.
MORE: The statistics after week two of pre-season testing
Williams, who has competed with Mercedes power units since 2014, also suffered a handful of breakdowns during the two weeks.
“Is it a concern? For sure,” Hamilton said, as quoted by Formula1.com. “Normally in pre-season testing, we've got much more confidence in the reliability, so it's not been perfect for us.
“But I have every confidence in the Mercedes factory that they'll analyse and do the best they can over the next two weeks to make sure that we'll start off, again, on the right foot.”
In 2019, Ferrari appeared to possess the best power unit on the grid, as its straight-line speed was unmatched by rivals.
MORE: FIA reaches settlement with Ferrari following power unit investigation
Hamilton says that it has been a difficult winter for the power unit team, who he says are working at the Brixworth factory to rectify the problems.
“It was a difficult winter [for the power unit team] last year and I think it's been a difficult winter this year,” Hamilton added.
“The engine is actually very good, and an improvement from last year. It's just not quite where we want it to be reliability-wise. But I'm sure they're back at the factory now working as hard as they can to rectify whatever those issues are.”
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
454,325 comments on Mercedes
64 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Lewis Hamilton
154,644 comments on Williams 38 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Williams
G. Zhou
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Its official! Hamilton is a drama queen.