Haas cars fitted with Spec-2 Ferrari power for Monaco

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Haas' Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen will both have Ferrari's updated power unit bolted to their cars for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

In a bid to bridge the gap with the dominant Mercedes squad, Ferrari introduced in Spain its first engine upgrade of the season.

The update was initially planned for Canada, so fast-tracking its implementation meant that Ferrari customer teams were not equipped with the Spec-2 unit.

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner confirmed in Monaco that the US outfit would be running the new engine this weekend in the Principality.

Monaco compounds should help Haas uphold Barcelona form

"We’re running number two," said Steiner, quoted by Crash.net.

"We'll now get the same spec introduced for Ferrari in Barcelona. I don’t know how much the power difference is and how much better the drivability is.

"It’s not only power, it’s energy management and all that stuff. I don’t know the maps. But for sure, it will not be worse."

Once again, Haas will be attentive to its tyres in Monte-Carlo, a chronic temperature issue having undermined the performance of its VF-19 this season, although the problem was alleviated in Spain thanks to warmer temperatures and the track's layout.

Steiner admits he's neutral on the team's prospects in Monaco, at least until the first session kicks off on Thursday.

"I would say I am not afraid, but I’m not optimistic," said the Italian.

"Here the thing is, by using the soft family of tyres, going down to the softest, the C5, it could be we can get it into the window but I don’t know yet. We have to wait until tomorrow.

"I’m 50-50 on it. If they work, it will be fine, if they don’t work, we’ll have to make the best of it and just wait until they come to us, like Barcelona, Spielberg is coming, and Paul Ricard.

"But it could be that we’re OK tomorrow, depending on whether we can get C5 working in qualifying.

"If we can do qualifying well here, we’ll be fine. The race is a different story."

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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.