Mercedes F1 director Shovlin increases Lewis Hamilton’s chances in Saudi Arabia

Mercedes has really taken a big step since the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton has dominated the races in both Brazil and Qatar after putting in a new engine. But Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin mentioned that they used a weaker engine in Lewis’ car in Qatar.

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Only two races left in the championship, Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton have an engine advantage over Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Shovlin mentioned that they can use the new Brazil engine in Saudi Arabia as the track suits their car.

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We have a more powerful engine in the car for Lewis: Andrew Shovlin

As reported by Motorsport Turkey, the Mercedes Engineering Director at the track mentioned that they can run the Brazil engine at the Saudi Arabia GP with higher settings. The Jeddah circuit is said to be the F1’s fastest street circuit with long straights. The track layout will favor Mercedes’ top speed.

“We’ve seen some fluctuations in performance in the last few races, but if you look at the Saudi track I think it should suit us. We have a more powerful engine in the car for Lewis, which will give him a useful engine, ”said Shovlin.

SINGAPORE – SEPTEMBER 16: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff (R) and engineer Andrew Shovlin speak in the pit lane before the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 16, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Charles Coates / Getty Images)

Andrew Shovlin explained why in Qatar the weaker engine was used instead of the new one in Brazil.

“We compete with two drive trains. Due to the nature of the track, we used the less powerful of the two engines in the car. So that side of things is in a good place now, ”Shovlin said.

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Mercedes engineer is still suspicious of the Red Bull threat

But the Mercedes track engineer is careful with his expectations before heading to Jeddah. The last time they were clear favorites on a track in the US and Red Bull beat them. Shovlin insisted that they have to do everything right to win in Saudi Arabia.

Formula 1 F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – November 19, 2021, Valtteri Bottas from Mercedes in action during the REUTERS / Hamad I Mohammed practice

“The track would suit the car, but we might as well have thought at the time that we could probably set it up right in Austin and fight Red Bull. But they were better than us. So we don’t go to a race and think that everything will work out for us, we are always careful, ”said Andreas.

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With only two races left, neither team can afford to slip up as it would definitely cost them the championship. But with a powerful engine in the back, it looks like Hamilton and Mercedes are ahead.

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