P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin has explained that Lewis Hamilton likely would have got a puncture during the Qatar Grand Prix even without Valtteri Bottas hitting Alexander Albon’s wing mirror.
Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin disclosed that Lewis Hamilton was at risk of a puncture in the Qatar Grand Prix before Valtteri Bottas collided with Alexander Albon’s wing mirror, causing debris on the track. This led to Hamilton and Carlos Sainz experiencing deflated tyres, prompting the deployment of the safety car, despite the damage already done. Analysis of video and on-car data suggests Hamilton was already losing pressure in the left-front tyre before the incident, implying a possible correlation rather than direct causation. Shovlin emphasized the need to await Pirelli’s findings and detailed checks on tyre wear and performance, especially in light of the high-speed, high-load conditions at the Lusail International Circuit during the race.
