Mercedes confirm "brand new" chassis available to 'calm Lewis Hamilton's mind' - Toto Wolff

Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton in French GP practice — Photo: © LAT Images

French Grand Prix

Mercedes confirm "brand new" chassis available to 'calm Hamilton's mind' - Wolff

Hamilton and Bottas have swapped chassis since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Sam Hall

Friday 18 June 2021 17:20

Toto Wolff has confirmed Mercedes has a "brand new" spare chassis available for Lewis Hamilton following a swap with team-mate Valtteri Bottas for the French Grand Prix.

Wolff has confirmed it was always the plan for Hamilton and Bottas to trade chassis this weekend after the seven-time F1 champion complained of issues during Friday practice.

In both sessions at the Paul Ricard circuit, Bottas led the Mercedes charge as he topped practice one and finished second in FP2, just 0.008secs behind Max Verstappen.

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On both occasions, Hamilton trailed the Finn by one position, finishing second fastest in FP1 and third quickest in second practice.

Although confirming the two chassis should be identical, Wolff conceded if Hamilton is unhappy with his car, the team has the ability to change.

“We swap parts around all of the time and this is part of the planning as these are carried-over chassis [from last year]," said Wolff.

"They are being run for a second season so we are not accumulating millions of miles on one and that is part of the plan.

“But it is good to get the feedback and if it calms the driver’s mind, we have a spare chassis which is a brand new one. We can always do that.”

Hamilton French GP chassis "splendid" in Monaco

Whilst Bottas is enjoying the chassis Hamilton has raced in each of the first six grand prix of the year, the seven-time champion complained in FP2 there was "something not right with the car", although later denied it was due to the change.

Commenting the chassis was "splendid" in Monaco, Wolff conceded: "You listen to the engineers that say it is all tested and it is all stiff and there shouldn’t be any different.

"But if the driver feels it is not then it is definitely not worth trying to make a point here. You just need to change.”