Mercedes double engine failures not on Hamilton's mind

40

Lewis Hamilton insists the engine failures that befell Mercedes' customer teams at Spa aren't on his mind ahead of this afternoon's Belgian Grand Prix.

Both Racing Point's Sergio Perez and Williams' Robert Kubica suffered breakdowns of their upgraded power units during free practice.

The failures were undoubtedly a cause for concern for the German manufacture, but Hamilton refused to be bothered by ruptures, the causes of which were unknown to him.

Spa Speed Trap: who is the fastest of them all?

"I don't know the details of why the engines have gone, so I have nothing to worry about currently because I don't know anything about it really," said Hamilton who will line up third on Sunday's Belgian GP grid.

"I'm sure they're trying to analyse it and they'll give us a bit of an idea – but still, I've just got to keep my head down and do what I do and what will be will be.

"There's not much I can do about it, so there's no point worrying about it."

While Ferrari - and Charles Leclerc in particular - were in a league of their own in qualifying, Hamilton believes the red cars' straight-line speed, and the advantage it has brought to the Scuderia, will be less of an ally during the race.

"I think in the long run we can at least give them a bit of a challenge," he said;

"I think a bit of the straight speed, which is where generally all the [Ferrari] speed is, it's usually not there so much in the race.

"So hopefully we'll be there or thereabout with them and can put in maybe some interesting strategies, we'll see."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.