Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsHonda

Honda, Ferrari introduce power unit upgrades

Both Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso will be thrilled to have some extra horses at their disposal next weekend in Montreal, a typically power-hungry circuit.

McLaren's engine partner Honda has announced that it has dipped into its development token allocation for the Canadian Grand Prix, exploiting two extra tokens although it remains unclear which components will have benefited from the performance upgrade.

"Canada is a power circuit, so we need more power," commented Honda F1's engine chief Yasuhisa Arai. "But it is also a heavy stopping circuit, so braking and energy recovery is very important. I know that we need more power, but it is not so easy to get that. So it is how to deliver the MGU-K power for that kind of high-speed circuit.”

Ferrari has also spent three development tokens for the upcoming Canadian race, a technical directive sent out to all teams by FIA race director Charlie Whiting has revealed.

Defending champions Mercedes and Renault have confirmed that they have yet to use any of their engine development tokens, which can spent during the season after teams found a loophole in the regulations.

Here is an update on each Power Unit supplier's token allocation:

Renault: 12
Mercedes: 7
Ferrari: 7 (3 used)
Honda: 7 (2 used)

Click here for a look back at Robert Kubica's only Formula One victory in Canada

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.