Ferrari introduces new engines, Mercedes changes electronics

Following technical problems on Valtteri Bottas’ car at the Eifel Grand Prix, the reigning world champion team Mercedes have decided to change the electronic unit on both F1 cars.

Bottas was forced to retire from the Eifel Grand Prix due to power unit-related issues. After the team found out that the issue was down to the electronics of the car, it has decided to change both the control electronics and the energy store on both W11s. Drivers are allowed to use two ES and CE units during the season and with both elements being only the second unit for both Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, they will not be affected by sporting penalties for the change.

Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris and Esteban Ocon will also complete the 17th Portuguese Grand Prix with a new energy store and a fresh control electronics. George Russell will also join the group of drivers with a fresh CE for this weekend.

When it comes to the internal combustion engines, four drivers are set to race with a fresh unit at Algarve. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Racing Point’s Sergio Perez, Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Räikkönen and Haas’ Romain Grosjean will roll out on the track with a brand-new ICE on Saturday. All four drivers have used two ICEs so far with the Sporting Regulation providing all drivers with an allocation of three units.
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The Monegasque and the Mexican drivers will also be given a new turbocharger for the event. For both of them, that will be the third unit for the season which is the maximum allowed number of TCs. Perez and Räikkönen will also receive a fresh MGU-H which will be their third unit for the 2021 season.