Mercedes makes power unit part changes after Bottas failure
Mercedes has changed the control electronics on the power unit of both its Formula 1 cars in response to Valtteri Bottas’ part failure at the Eifel Grand Prix.
Bottas was forced to retire from the race at the Nurburgring two weeks ago after suffering a loss of power due to an issue on his power unit.
Mercedes initially believed the fault was related to the MGU-H, but confirmed earlier this week that it had defined the issue as being electrical. Mercedes confirmed ahead of Friday’s practice running for the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao that the failure had been further diagnosed within the control electronics on Bottas’ PU.
As a result, both of its cars will take a new control electronics for this weekend’s running in Portugal.
“Valtteri’s failure in Germany was located to a failed electrical component in the control electronics,” a Mercedes spokesperson confirmed on Thursday evening. “Both he and Lewis will take new modules this weekend, and we have made calibration changes, too, in order to avoid a repeat.
“It’s the second module for both drivers, so within the permitted allocation.”
As it is only the second control electronics component used by both drivers this season, there will be no grid penalty for the change as they are under the season limit. However, it is not yet confirmed if the issue will force a replacement of the control electronics on all of the Mercedes power units throughout the F1 grid. Racing Point and Williams are also powered by Mercedes.
Racing Point drivers Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll are both already on their season limit of two control electronics, as is Williams’ Nicholas Latifi. It means that any new part for these three drivers would trigger a grid penalty.
The setback for Bottas at the Nurburgring dealt yet another blow to his fading F1 title hopes as team-mate Hamilton scooped up his 91st grand prix victory.
The retirement caused Bottas’ deficit to Hamilton to grow to 69 points with six races remaining in the season, prompting the Finn to concede he needs a “miracle” to turn things around.
Share Or Save This Story
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
F1 Dutch GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
George Russell shares details of summer break proposal to partner Carmen Montero Mundt
The shocking aspect to Kimi Antonelli's rapid F1 title-contending transformation
Franco Colapinto reveals details of Milan car robbery during F1 summer break
F1 Dutch GP: Saturday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Mick Schumacher on IndyCar future: "I know where I’m going to be"
Max Verstappen: Red Bull still lacking grip and balance after F1 Dutch GP sprint qualifying
The hidden benefit of Max Verstappen’s new F1 deal that Red Bull wants to exploit
The themes to watch for the rest of F1 2026
Why the Dutch GP is ending despite F1 wanting Zandvoort to stay
What Max Verstappen’s big deal means for his future, Red Bull and F1
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments