Lewis Hamilton points finger at FIA as Valtteri Bottas reveals threat F1 rule change poses
Lewis Hamilton isn't surprised qualifying modes are set to be outlawed by the FIA.
Spanish Grand Prix preview at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Lewis Hamilton claims the FIA are "always" trying to slow Mercedes down after plans to effectively ban special engine modes utilised in qualifying were revealed. Motorsport's governing body is set to shake up F1 rules so engine modes must be consistent in qualifying and Grands Prix themselves.
Teams will therefore be forced to abandon the amped up settings which allow them to lay down sensational flying laps as they impact reliability and engine lifespan if used for too long.
The rule change - which all 10 F1 teams have been informed of - is set to be enforced at the Belgian Grand Prix later this month.
LATEST LIVE SPORT TV DEALS
Get Sky Sports for just £25 per month for 3 months
And it might mean Mercedes are reined in having seen their pole-sitter qualify more than a second faster than the third-fastest car at four of the five races so far this season.
Hamilton - who coined the term 'party mode' in reference to the special settings - reckons the move is the latest attempt to have an impact on Mercedes' dominance of F1.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton would trade seventh title for equality in F1
However, he insists he's not worried by it, particularly since Mercedes have managed to stay on top when previous challenges have gone their way.
"I mean, it’s not a surprise," said Hamilton. "They’re always trying to slow us down. But it doesn’t really change a huge amount for us, so it’s not a problem.
"The guys at our team have just done such a great job with the engine. It’s obviously to slow us down but I don’t think it’s going to get the result that they want. But that’s totally fine if they do."
Hamilton will be out to secure a fourth win of 2020 at Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix - where he's secured victory for the past three years.
LATEST IN F1
Ross Brawn sends Sebastian Vettel message to Ferrari chief
Sergio Perez speaks out after missing Silverstone Grands Prix
Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc warned by Ralf Schumacher
His Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas thinks the incoming rule change may be bad news for F1 as it might threaten the wheel-to-wheel racing which fans tune in for.
"Every team, obviously, they have different modes, how much they want to risk in terms of wearing the engine," said Bottas. "Also in terms of strategic things... many times we’re using different kind of modes whether we are defending, attacking.
"From my side it feels like if it would be the same engine mode for everyone all through the race, there could be less overtaking because everyone is just running the same modes instead of playing with them."
Hamilton and Bottas currently sit first and third respectively in the World Drivers' Championship standings, with Mercedes top of the constructors' table.
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently, see more details here.