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Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 23, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen after qualifying in pole position as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton who qualified in second place, walks by REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Reuters
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 23, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen after qualifying in pole position as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton who qualified in second place, walks by REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Defending champion, Lewis Hamilton, is starting to lose his grip on Max Verstappen as the points gap between the duo is steadily expanding. And it is only a matter of time before the alarms go off at Mercedes AMG. Yes, it doesn’t seem as significant, with the difference now being 12 points.
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Hence, Hamilton is well within the striking distance of the Dutchman. However, there is a downfall awaiting the 7-time world champion, possibly in the upcoming Mexican GP or later in the middle-east. Hamilton, unlike others on the grid, only opted to switch to a new ICE rather than an entire power unit.
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Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 23, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action during qualifying REUTERS/Brian Snyder
So, it will be almost impossible for the Briton to carry on with the same engine until the end of the season. Instead, he will have to take up another 5-place grid penalty in exchange for an ICE.
Former F1 driver and present commentator, Martin Brundle, too mentioned the same to Sky Sports, as he felt that Hamilton might soon drop further back in the championship fight after having to take the new ICE.
Lewis Hamilton might soon attract a 5-place grid penalty: Brundle
Writing to Sky F1, Brundle sounded convinced that Hamilton’s impending penalty and Red Bull’s potential dominance in Mexico and Brazil could leave Mercedes under immense pressure over the final 3 Grand Prix weekends.
“There are five races to go in six weekends and we expect Lewis may have to take another internal combustion engine which will attract a five-place grid drop. The next two are at altitude which tends to favour the Honda unit turbo architecture in the back of the Red Bull but let’s wait and see,” he reported.
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Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 24, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the race with second place Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton REUTERS/Brian Snyder
“After that we have two new tracks in Qatar and a very high-speed Saudi Arabia layout which may well suit the Mercedes. The final round is in Abu Dhabi, a well-known venue of course and dominated by Red Bull last year, but the track has changed and is expected to be 10 seconds per lap faster.”
Overall, the odds are very firmly lying on Verstappen clinching the title this season. And Mercedes’ only way to prevent that is to out-race their rivals in Mexico and Brazil, two of their strongest suits. But, will Mercedes manage to do so?
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