In their last four F1 Grand Prix, the Mercedes F1 team has replaced the internal combustion engine for Valteri Bottas three times, resulting in the Finnish driver, who will leave the team at the end of the season, being sent off three times. There were a lot of conspiracy theories in the paddock, believing that the Trident was suppressing Bottas and fully supporting Louis Hamilton in achieving his 8th world title of his career. Is this really the case?
After the F1 American Grand Prix, Mercedes led Red Bull by 23 points in the constructors' standings, and without Bottas' efforts, the Trident's 2021 Constructors' Championship would have been fine, after all, the gap is very small, and the driver can cut the gap once in the leading position.
Hamilton are 12 points behind in the drivers' standings with five races left this season, the toughest competitive situation Mercedes has faced in recent years. Mercedes still has the heart to suppress Bottas? I don't think the Trident star has that kind of strength now, nor does it have the need to do so, and even if Bottas ignores the team's instructions during the race, the team has many ways to cope.
There may still be car fans who are not convinced, so let's listen to what the parties have to say. The Mercedes F1 team underwent a careful examination to confirm that the internal combustion engine replaced from the Bottas car was in good condition and could qualify for the rest of the season. Theoretically, the Finns don't need to worry about motivation in the next five races. Bottas said: "I can safely go to the rest of the race, the internal combustion engine part of my power unit is fine, the team did not find any problems. ”
But Bottas also stressed: "In such a fiercely competitive championship battle, being sent back 5 places is enough to ruin the game." ”
According to Bottas, all Mercedes F1 power units are subject to reliability tests before loading, and two internal combustion engines have not been tested before, but they are unlucky.
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