Mercedes' Costa minimizes 2019 power unit issues

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Mercedes engineering director Aldo Costa has played down a troubling comment made recently by Toto Wolff about the team's 2019 engine development programme.

The Silver Arrows squad will be aiming for its sixth consecutive title in 2019, and will be pushing the boundaries on all fronts to do so.

Speaking about the ongoing work of Mercedes' engine department in Brixworth, Wolff alluded to a set-back encountered by the manufacturer's engineers.

Mercedes admits 2019 engine development hit by 'small setback'

"I think it was a bit misunderstood," Costa told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"When you put a new engine with new concepts on the bench, there may be something that doesn't work. But it's nothing dramatic."

The Italian engineer, who will relinquish his full-time role at the end of the year but remain an advisor to Mercedes, believes Ferrari will once again deliver a big challenge to the German team's reign in 2019.

"Ferrari will obviously be there to fight with us, and I am also expecting Red Bull, considering that they always speak good things about the new Honda engine," he said.

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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.