The Dutchman led four remaining Grands Prix by 19 points, only that Hamilton defied a starting penalty at Interlagos, started in tenth and still stormed through the field to claim a memorable victory.
The Briton then won races in Qatar and Saudi Arabia and was much faster at Yas Marina before a late-night safety car gave Verstappen the opportunity to pit, put on fresh tires and overtake him on that sensational final lap .
The shift in superiority was largely attributed to the new internal combustion engine that Hamilton deployed in Sao Paulo, later referred to as the “rocket engine” because of the thrust it apparently received in relation to straight line speed.
However, Mercedes also supplies three other teams – McLaren, Aston Martin and Williams – and would not have been able to supply customers with inferior engines under F1 rules.
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And McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl has apparently expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the unit, with his team noticing any notable changes.
“When I look at the data and we compare the data of other teams, I don’t see that there was ever an extraordinary, sharp engine,” said Seidl, quoted by FormulaRapida.net.
“In the end we were satisfied with what we got from Mercedes all year round.
“It is clear that it is the same for every aggregate manufacturer. Whenever you install a new engine versus a high mileage engine, there will be a difference in performance due to the natural degradation of the engines. That can cost a few tenths. “
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McLaren used four internal combustion engines for both Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo in the 2021 season, but the German didn’t think this gave his team any significant advantage over others.
“I see the same thing across the grid. But I don’t see anything spectacular or special about teams or aggregate manufacturers there, “he added.
From 2018 to 2020, McLaren had switched to Renault engines before switching back to Mercedes before last season, with the team finishing fourth in the constructors’ championship behind the Silver Arrows, Red Bull and Ferrari.
However, they achieved their first double victory in 11 years when Ricciardo Norris took home the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
