P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes are still unsure what exactly caused Lewis Hamilton’s power unit failure during the Australian Grand Prix.
Mercedes technical director James Allison disclosed that the team is still uncertain about the cause of Lewis Hamilton’s rare power unit failure during the Australian Grand Prix, leading to his retirement. The seven-time world champion had to stop on Lap 17 due to a sudden loss of power, leaving him at the back of the field. This type of failure is not common for Mercedes, although George Russell also suffered an engine failure in Melbourne last year. To investigate, Hamilton’s damaged power unit has been sent to Mercedes’ engine facility in Brixworth for analysis. Allison explained that without knowing the cause, the team is prioritizing the engine’s safe examination to prevent similar issues in the future. Despite the setback, Mercedes remains focused on their car’s performance rather than reliability, as they aim to address any potential risks swiftly and maintain a competitive season.