Ferrari vs Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton highlights major hybrid deployment deficit after Austria. Lewis Hamilton puzzled by ADUO as Mercedes power unit shines in Austria.

The British Ferrari driver believes Mercedes still enjoys a clear power unit advantage despite the current ADUO balancing system.

Does Mercedes really have the strongest engine?

Within the Formula 1 paddock, it is widely believed that Mercedes still has the strongest power unit on the grid, even though this has not been officially confirmed by the ADUO engine balancing system.

As is well known, the FIA only measures the internal combustion engine (ICE) component of each power unit when determining ADUO performance levels. Based on those measurements, the governing body has identified the Red Bull power unit as the benchmark. In fact, Mercedes was placed in the first ADUO adjustment category, which applies to manufacturers whose engines are at least two percent below the reference level.

However, the Austrian Grand Prix once again strengthened the view held by many inside the paddock that Mercedes continues to possess the most competitive overall power unit package. Among those sharing that opinion is Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton’s observations

Speaking in comments reported by RacingNews365, Lewis Hamilton focused less on outright horsepower and more on the difference in power delivery between the Ferrari and Mercedes power units.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion explained:

“For one reason or another, it was all about deployment. At the end of the straight I was falling behind, while the Mercedes just kept pulling away. They undoubtedly have the best engine. I don’t understand how the ADUO ended up suggesting exactly the opposite.”

Lewis Hamilton had a close-up view of Mercedes’ greatest strength throughout the Austrian Grand Prix.

“They have incredible power at the end of the straights. This weekend it was much more noticeable than anyone else. I don’t know where all of that comes from. Is it the battery? Is it simply because of higher or lower speeds? Or is it down to the smaller turbo? And in this race we were also competing at high altitude.”

Lewis Hamilton’s detailed technical observations therefore shed light on the complex battle for engine supremacy in the current regulations. While the official ADUO metrics suggest a different performance hierarchy on paper, the real-world track data from Austria indicates that Ferrari still has significant ground to make up in hybrid energy management. As the season progresses, minimizing this straight-line deployment deficit against Mercedes will be crucial for the Scuderia’s championship aspirations.