The impact of Hamilton at Spa measured 45 G
Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes suffered a 45 G impact after the contact with Fernando Alonso during the first lap of the Belgian Grand Prix, after the Kemmel straight.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion was involved in a battle with Alonso from Alpine as the duo fought at the entry of the Combes turn. Hamilton suffered a sudden loss of water pressure after taking off and landing in the run-off area. Mercedes then forced Hamilton to stop shortly after the incident.
The impact also triggered the FIA’s medical warning light, which requires a visit to the medical center. The British driver did not attend the visit, subsequently receiving a warning from the stewards for disregarding the regulations.
His power unit was then sent back to the Mercedes factory in Brixworth, where it is still being examined. The V6 engine had just been installed for the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, and if it can no longer be used, Hamilton will have to take a fourth unit and therefore face a grid penalty, possibly at Zandvoort. The gearbox was cracked and the interior is also being examined.
“It was a very very big impact,” said James Vowles, Mercedes’ strategy director. “It was measured at 45 G on the car’s recorder, which is very significant for a vertical load.”
After a long summer break, Mercedes seems to have once again distanced themselves from their rivals. Especially in qualifying, where they found themselves far behind Red Bull. Nevertheless, the race pace remained decent. The return to competition for Lewis Hamilton is a nightmare, with a car that is not fast enough to fight for victory, and a possible penalty for the next Grand Prix…
