According to the Italian press, Mercedes is suffering constant exhaust failures due to the vibrations suffered within the engine, which would be a cause for concern as we are less than one month away from the start of the preseason testing.
The beginning of the year is usually a calm and relaxed period in Formula 1. But as always, when there’s calm, there’s wild rumours —some with more foundation than others— which must be paid attention to. The latest speaks of the exhaust system of the new Mercedes W09’s engine which, according to the Italian press, has failed repeatedly.
The Corriere dello Sport details the exhaust problems and explains this is something that has happened on the test bench. Allegedly, the engine would have suffered strenuous vibrations on the gearbox that would have caused the failure when testing the whole power unit.
Mercedes has redesigned their gearbox for 2018, seeking a better adaptation to a much more compact transmission. Less than one month away from the teams’ shakedowns and the start of the preseason testing in Barcelona, such a problem would put Mercedes on the back foot.
The engine problems took the spotlight during certain points of the 2017 Formula 1 season. Ferrari suffered the worst part, after fighting with Mercedes for most of the year before suffering several failures during the Asian part of the season —particularly in Malaysia and Japan— which led to the end of their title hopes.
Toto Wolff announced recently that the W09 had started its engine for the first time inside the team’s factory but if news from Italy are to be believed, Mercedes would have a big problem. The reason being that in 2018, teams will be able to use only three power units per car and will suffer penalties if they exceed the number.
