Mercedes says Formula One points leader Lewis Hamilton is “likely” to take an engine grid penalty at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, per multiple reports.
The Briton suffered a series of power unit-related issues at the start of the season, which have made taking extra components and incurring a grid drop inevitable at some point this year.
Mercedes has been weighing the options as to hamper Hamilton the least in his title race, and initially said it would prefer his driver to suffer the penalty in Monza next weekend.
However, several reports now indicate that the reigning Constructors’ champions are prepared to use new components on Hamilton’s engine at Spa-Francorchamps.
Current power units are made up of six main parts - the internal combustion engine (ICE), MGU-K, MGU-H, energy store (battery), turbocharger, and control electronics.
Each driver can use five of each of the above components during a championship season and any combination of them may be fitted to a car at any one time. The first time a driver uses a sixth of the above six elements a 10-place grid place penalty will be imposed. Every sixth part of the remaining elements used after that point means a five-place grid penalty.
Hamilton has already used five turbochargers and MGU-Hs, with Mercedes contemplating a double grid penalty for the Briton in Belgium in order to minimise the impact of taking new components.
Toto Wolff previously said the team also needs to take into account the upcoming engine evolutions out of fairness for its two drivers, who are once again fighting for the championship this year.
Hamilton currently has a 19-point lead over Rosberg but the triple world champion has already claimed he does not really feel like he is leading the champioship due to the penalties he will have to serve.
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