Source: Official Team Post via X
Hamilton Calls for FIA Intervention Over Engine Power Disparity
Lewis Hamilton has urged the FIA to tackle issues of engine power disparities and 'clipping' that hinder overtaking, as revealed by untelevised team radio from the Mexican Grand Prix. The exchange highlights Hamilton's concerns about the Red Bull engine's superiority on the straights.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen continue their on-track rivalry, with the latest chapter unfolding during the Mexican Grand Prix. Untelevised team radio has surfaced revealing Hamilton's frustration at being unable to overtake Verstappen due to the formidable power of the Red Bull engine. In a candid moment, Hamilton admitted to his race engineer that passing Verstappen seemed an impossible task, despite having overtake mode and boost at his disposal.
The issue came to light after Hamilton jokingly remarked to Verstappen in the cooldown room that Red Bull's power on the straights was overwhelming. Verstappen, never one to shy away from a quip, retorted that he needed such power to counter Ferrari's cornering speed. This playful exchange belies a serious concern for Hamilton, who believes the FIA should address these power imbalances and the issue of 'clipping' that hampers overtaking.
After a heated battle with teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton found himself unable to challenge Verstappen effectively, finishing just 0.799 seconds behind the Red Bull driver after a late red flag reshuffled the race order. Post-race, Hamilton called on the FIA to reconsider the engine settings that lead to clipping, a phenomenon where cars lose power on the straights due to energy harvesting, making overtaking a rare sight.
Hamilton expressed his frustration in the press conference, suggesting that the final corner in Mexico could be altered to encourage more overtaking. He lamented the 'silliest' engine settings that restrict speed on the straights, arguing that they diminish the quality of racing. According to Hamilton, the current engine profiles do not allow drivers to capitalize on slipstreams effectively, leading to processional races with limited passing opportunities.
The Mercedes driver noted that while the race starts were exciting, the track's characteristics, compounded by clipping, made following and overtaking nearly impossible. As the conversation around engine regulations and track modifications continues, Hamilton's call for change highlights the ongoing challenges drivers face in their pursuit of competitive racing.