SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium -- Ferrari is confident it still has plenty of potential to develop its current power unit concept as it looks to gain an edge in outright power over main rivals Mercedes.
After spending three years off the pace of the German manufacturer following the introduction of the current engine regulations in 2014, Ferrari has finally closed the gap to Mercedes this season. Plenty of attention has been given to improvements on the chassis side under F1's new aero regulations for 2017, but Ferrari technical director Mattia Binotto says power unit development should not be forgotten.
"If we look compared to previous years the rate of development is still quite constant, but there has still been a very big impact on performance from the power unit development itself [this year]," he told ESPN.