P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The Mercedes Formula 1 power unit that triggered Lewis Hamilton’s premature retirement from the Australian Grand Prix is unsalvageable, Toto
Almost two weeks ago at Albert Park, a sudden power unit shutdown forced Hamilton into retirement on Lap 17 while he was battling for points. The Technical Director, James Allison, revealed that a rapid loss of oil pressure led to the engine shutdown to prevent further damage. The power unit was deemed irreparable and had to be discarded by Mercedes’ team principal, Toto Wolff. The failure was attributed to a bottom-end issue affecting critical components like the crankshaft and pistons. This setback reduced Hamilton’s power unit allocation to three for the season, impacting the team’s performance early in the 2024 season. Despite the challenges, Hamilton expressed optimism after a positive practice session at Suzuka, indicating potential improvements for Mercedes moving forward.
