Italian Grand Prix

Mercedes 'definitely considering' Monza power unit change

Sam Hall Friday 10 September 2021 16:14

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed the team could "play it safe" and introduce a fresh power unit at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in first practice at Monza but after a power unit issue ahead of the Dutch GP, Mercedes could choose to take the fourth system this weekend.

Red Bull also face a critical decision on when to introduce a fourth power unit for Max Verstappen - after doing so at Zandvoort with Sergio Perez - and take the hit with grid penalties.

"We are all struggling on power units, and maybe not only reliability but how much these power units work, how much they are really degrading," said Wolff, speaking to Sky Sports F1.

"And there are thoughts definitely for the weekend but we haven't come to a conclusion yet."

Although a change could result in a points loss for the weekend, Wolff assessed the penalty for an in-race engine failure is far greater.

"We believe, that between P1 and P2 with the fastest lap, that if you have one DNF, it needs the other guy four races to catch up and that is brutal," said Wolff.

"You can afford to finish four times second and therefore you just need to really play it safe whilst not giving up performance."

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Mercedes 'definitely considering' Monza power unit change

Mercedes 'definitely considering' Monza power unit change