Ferrari may now have the most powerful engine in formula one. For the whole of the 'power unit' era since 2014, Mercedes has clearly led the way and won every world championship. But Auto Motor und Sport claims that Ferrari has caught up in 2018.
"GPS measurements show that in terms of engine performance, Ferrari has caught up with Mercedes," the report said. "Mercedes increased mileage from 5,000 to 8,000 kilometres (per engine), but Ferrari found even more power over the winter," Auto Motor und Sport added.
Sebastian Vettel confirmed: "On the straights, we're not losing time to Mercedes." The German magazine claims Mercedes this year went back to an oil specification that it used in 2016, as the FIA clamped down on a rule about oil consumption.
Boss Toto Wolff said: "The measurements are not precise, so if you're on the limit, you risk sometimes going over it." Auto Motor und Sport, however, said Ferrari is pushing ahead with a "full risk" strategy regarding the oil consumption rule. (GMM)
It's still early days. We won't really know until we see how durable they are. Ferrari could very well have turned everything up to 11, but if a PU only lasts for 5 races, that'll come back to haunt them late in the season.
But with all things being equal it does seem like the Ferrari is stronger, or at very least on par with the Mercedes PU. Looking at Force India and Williams, it's pretty obvious that the Merc engine is not what it once was.
Yes, they will have the most powerful enginer RIGHT up until the 2021 engine regulations are fixated and then Mercedes will re-install the ECU firmware from winter testing .... the one they left on Hamilton's car accidentally during Melbourne qualifying.
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C. Sainz jr
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calle.itw
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Same, and also Im suspecting that Merc' is more conservative.