In the incident in which Alonso and Hamilton collided on the first lap last weekend, the Briton’s Mercedes was thrown into the air and measured a 45G impact that immediately caused his engine to suffer a hydraulic loss, leaving liquid refrigerant in the path of the cars they saw from behind, including the Asturian.
The German team was quick to order Lewis Hamilton to stop on track and retire from the race without even returning to the pits, as they were concerned that the power unit would be damaged by rapidly rising internal temperatures.
Subsequently, an investigation was launched at the star structure factory to examine whether the power unit could be repaired or whether the Briton would have to mount a new engine in Zandvoort, where the Grand Prix of the Netherlands.
As the Spa-Francorchamps engine was brand new, in fact Hamilton ‘s fourth power unit so far this season, any additional parts the Mercedes driver had to fit would require him to take a grid penalty, such as many of his rivals who have already been forced to start from behind on one or several occasions this course.
During Thursday’s session at Zandvoort, Hamilton acknowledged that he hoped that the Spa engine could be repaired and used soon, although he added that he would not use it this weekend even if he could, as the investigation is still ongoing in the division of Mercedes High Performance Power Units at Brixworth .
“They have checked the whole car and are now working on the engine, to make sure we can use it,” said Hamilton, whose retirement at Spa marked the first time he had not crossed the checkered flag so far in 2022.
“I think we’ll be able to use it [again]. But we won’t use it this weekend because they’re still repairing some parts of the car. So we’ll know soon enough.”
Asked if he was physically okay following an accident that triggered the activation of the car’s sensor that requires drivers to visit the circuit’s medical centre, Hamilton replied: “I feel fine.”
“I’ve been doing physical therapy and some stretching and luckily I’m fine.”
The Briton received a warning from the FIA stewards for initially refusing to visit the medical center at Spa, after the governing body grew frustrated that other drivers were doing the same after some serious accidents earlier this year. year.
