Unreliable Mercedes Engines Could Derail Lewis Hamilton’s Michael Schumacher Chase In 2020

Lewis Hamilton Michael Schumacher DKODING

Lewis Hamilton has already won 6 Driver’s Championships and is one shy of Michael Schumacher’s 7. The question is whether he will be able to equal the GOAT before he wakes up from his prolonged coma.

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After winning last season’s driver’s championship, Lewis Hamilton is just one championship away from equaling Schumacher’s 7 titles. Having won 5 of the last 6 driver’s championships, one would imagine Hamilton’s chances are high of winning a seventh title.

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Moreover, to add to that, Mercedes had an excellent preseason. Mercedes recorded the highest number of laps in preseason (903), ahead of Ferrari’s 844. All these stats are in favour of Hamilton winning a 7^th title. However, Mercedes’ reliability concerns may cause Hamilton the 7^th title.

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Highlights! Hamilton to Equal Schumacher:

Mercedes face reliability concerns.
Hamilton yet confident in Mercedes.

Mercedes’ Reliability Concerns

Several cars with Mercedes engines suffered reliability issues. One of them was Hamilton himself as he lost an entire afternoon of testing when his car suffered engine troubles. In another instance, Hamilton’s teammate, Valtteri Bottas, too suffered engine troubles.

Consequently, Mercedes used two power units in the first week of testing. Williams, which uses Mercedes’ engines, too suffered from several issues in pre-season testing. These engine troubles are a serious concern for Hamilton’s 7^th title hopes. But Hamilton is confident that Mercedes can overcome this issue over the season.

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Optimistic Hamilton

Hamilton said in an interview, “I have every confidence in the guys back at the factory, that they will do the best job they can in the next two weeks to make sure we start on the right foot.”

Having won 6 consecutive Constructor’s championships, there seems no doubt that Mercedes can minimize the reliability concerns over the course of the season.

With Hamilton looking to match the great Schumacher, Mercedes too aims to create a constructor record of their own. Mercedes would have won the greatest number of consecutive constructor’s championships if they win the title in 2020.

Considering the high motivation of both the constructor and the driver for their own goals, it seems Hamilton is all set to match Schumacher at the end of this season, despite early signs of reliability concerns.

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