Vettel hopes new Ferrari engine will make a difference

The Maranello squad has used development tokens to introduce engine upgrades for this weekend as it bids to close down the gap to championship leaders Mercedes.

And although there has been no official statement from the team about its plans, insiders suggest that the intention is for the power units to be used.

Closing the gap

Even though the new engines are not expected to deliver a dramatic uplift in power, they should at least allow a step forward in form. 

Vettel said in Montreal on Thursday that he was upbeat the gap to Mercedes can be closed.

"The challenge to catch them is huge, but we are trying to make everything possible to try to close the gap, and hopefully we can be a little bit closer this weekend," said Vettel.

When asked what he expected the updated engine to bring, he said: "Hopefully performance. Obviously I can't tell you how much. One, because I can't, and two because I haven't been on the track, so I guess that's the answer.

"The target is to be closer, but it also depends on what other people are doing."

Late decision

Ferrari's plans to upgrade the engines was first revealed in a document that the FIA sent to teams earlier this week.

The decision to make the step in Montreal was, however, made only after the Monaco Grand Prix, where team principal Maurizio Arrivabene had suggested the team was going to stick with the current specification.