MERCEDES HITS REVERSED GEAR ON GEARBOX DESIGN
Mercedes’ latest Silver Arrow might be the fastest 2017-spec car on raw pace, as highlighted by the eight pole positions gleaned out of 10 grands prix so far, the W08 has not enjoyed an equally strong record reliability wise.
Across the past two events, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have both been handed a five-place grid penalty for the same reason: a gearbox change before it had completed its mandatory six races.
With the problem due to an aggressive shift setup first used during last month’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Mercedes reverted to older and more reliable versions, which were installed one week apart.
