Valtteri Bottas is running a new Mercedes internal combustion engine and MGU-K at the British GP following his retirement in Austria it was confirmed on Friday.
Having only introduced the Phase 2.1 unit the week before in France, the German manufacturer suffered their first double retirement due to mechanical issues since returning in 2010 at the Red Bull Ring.
A hydraulics problem was deemed the problem for Bottas, with teammate Lewis Hamilton later suffering a fuel pressure issue, but while the Briton is able to continue using the same engine at Silverstone, Mercedes have taken no chances with the Finn.
“It’s a precautionary measure as PU2 suffered high temps from heat soak after retirement in Austria so might carry some risk,” a team spokesman said.
“He [Bottas] is taking a fresh one here then we will run the other one again in Hockenheim to check it properly.”
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The problem now facing Bottas is the likelihood of at least one race with a grid penalty as he is at the limit on most of the elements allowed. With a further upgrade likely after the summer break though, it will be upto Mercedes to decide whether to take the penalty hit.