Breaking news
Formula 1 Russian GP
Ferrari considers bold engine update plan for Russian GP
Ferrari is considering spending its first engine development tokens in time for the Russian Grand Prix in a bold bid to get its season back on track, Motosport.com can reveal.
Roberto Chinchero
Edited: Apr 22, 2016, 10:50 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Despite having shown strong pace in the first three events, Ferrari is yet to fully capitalise on that form and deliver a victory it so seeks.
But now, despite an engine failure for Sebastian Vettel in Bahrain that means he is already on his second powerunit, the Maranello outfit is weighing up a radical idea of introducing an updated third engine already.
Sources have revealed that Ferrari had unlocked horsepower improvements on the dyno and is willing to spend three of its remaining nine development tokens to bring the combustion updates to track already.
It is thought that both Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will get the new engine if the team decides to go ahead with its plan.
No downside
Although it would seem strange to have Vettel already put on to his third power unit of the five he is allowed this season, the reality is that a rotation system means there would be little downside.
That is because 30-40 percent of engine mileage is done in free practice sessions, where Ferrari can deploy the older specification of engines.
Furthermore, there are events – like the Monaco and Singapore Grands Prix – that are not so power critical so the newer units may not be so essential to be used there.
On the other hand, Russia is a power-sensitive track thanks to its long straights – and it is this situation that has made Ferrari consider a change to its plan.
Marchionne hint
Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne dropped a hint about the scheme in China last weekend when he suggested the team was ready to bring forward developments.
Reflecting on the season, he said: “Things are going in the right direction. We have set ourselves important objectives, but we must learn to know a completely new car, so mistakes are understandable.
“Despite everything we could have won in Australia, and in general I am happy with the progress.
“But we have much work ahead of us, and we will bring forward an important development. Also, we know that Mercedes will not stop developing, so we have no illusions that they will be easily beaten.”
Additional reporting by Jonathan Noble
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Red Bull: F1 should push on with 2017 rule changes
Next article F1 poised to raise fuel limit for 2017
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Roberto Chinchero
McLaren retains Leonardo Fornaroli in F1 as Italian adds WEC programme for 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
McLaren retains Leonardo Fornaroli in F1 as Italian adds WEC programme for 2027
More from
Kimi Raikkonen
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
More from
Ferrari
How Mercedes can win F1’s world constructors’ title at Brazil GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
3 h
How Mercedes can win F1’s world constructors’ title at Brazil GP
Charles Leclerc blames Mexico GP clash on track layout - Fred Vasseur disagrees
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Charles Leclerc blames Mexico GP clash on track layout - Fred Vasseur disagrees
Latest news
Sebastien Ogier tipped for partial WRC 2027 programme
WRC
WRC WRC 1 h
Sebastien Ogier tipped for partial WRC 2027 programme
Max Verstappen jokes about key difference with Kimi Antonelli at 20: “He speaks Italian!”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Max Verstappen jokes about key difference with Kimi Antonelli at 20: “He speaks Italian!”
Kimi Antonelli almost had to retire in Mexico due to an oil leak
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
Kimi Antonelli almost had to retire in Mexico due to an oil leak
How Mercedes can win F1’s world constructors’ title at Brazil GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
3 h
How Mercedes can win F1’s world constructors’ title at Brazil GP
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe