Former British driver recently dropped a bombshell about Mercedes, claiming the team hit major problems with their new power unit during early testing.
According to him, the engine wouldn’t even start when they first installed it in the car.
This revelation comes at the worst possible time for the Brackley-based team. Their power unit is already under intense scrutiny following rumors about a controversial “compression trick” that caught the FIA’s attention.
Teams and officials are set to meet on January 22 to discuss the matter.
In completely separate news, Mercedes seems eager to help Max Verstappen with his racing schedule outside Formula 1.
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius and F1 team principal Toto Wolff have personally reached out to organizers of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) – Germany’s famous endurance racing championship.
They’re pushing for a schedule change to the season opener on March 14.
Why? The current date clashes with the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, preventing Verstappen from competing in both events.
The German manufacturer is throwing its weight behind Verstappen’s request, showing unusual support for a driver who currently races for rival team Red Bull.
