Mercedes say their recent flurry of engine penalties have been forced amid a fear of a “catastrophic” failure in their title fight against Red Bull.
Mercedes, F1’s seven-time champions and usually the most reliable team on the grid, have taken more Power Unit components and subsequent grid penalties than any of their rivals this season.
The changes has become a disruption Mercedes efforts so far and a potential concern for 2021’s final five races.
Valtteri Bottas fitted a sixth new engine at the United States GP, double what is permitted, and that only raised suspicions that Lewis Hamilton, who is on his fourth PU may have to take another penalty .
Hamilton trails Max Verstappen by 12 points in the championship but Mercedes are however 23 points ahead of Red Bull in the team standings.
The next race goes to the Mexican grand prix on 5th of November 2021.