Lewis Hamilton: F1 trying to slow down Mercedes with rule change

Lewis Hamilton claims Formula One is trying to slow down Mercedes amid plans to ban the use of high-power modes in qualifying, though the world champion is not concerned.

A ban on powerful engine settings used specifically for qualifying has been flagged, with the FIA warning teams it intends to clamp down on the mode from the next round of the championship – the Belgian Grand Prix.

As Hamilton, who has won three races this season to be 30 points clear in the drivers' championship, prepares for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, the defending champion addressed the change.

"It's not a surprise, they are always trying to slow us down," Hamilton said. "But it doesn't really change a huge amount for us, so it's not a problem.

"At the end of the day the guys at our team have done such a great job with the engine.

"This is obviously to slow us down but I don't think they will get the result that they want. But that's totally fine if they do."

View this post on Instagram

Took the day off on Tuesday, a day for myself and no phone, no training, just me and Roscoe on the water. I had time to reflect on where we are in the world today, everyday I see something upsetting happening, people being abused, people suffering, volcanos erupting, explosions, oceans and forest’s being destroyed. 2020 is such a heavy year. But it gives me hope seeing people come together, fighting for justice, people cleaning up oceans and just generally doing more for our planet and the people in it. I’m sending you all positive waves, keep pushing and inspiring those around you.

A post shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton) on Aug 13, 2020 at 8:31am PDT

FIA secretary general Peter Bayer wants engines to run in a single mode throughout the race, removing the adjustability of power between practice and qualifying.

Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas added: "We are not panicking about it. The first thing that came to my mind was that in races every team has different modes how much they want to risk [the engine].

"If there was the same engine mode for everyone there could be less overtaking because everyone is just running same modes rather than playing with them and sometimes using more or less power."