Ferrari says "positive feedback" from its dyno work at Maranello indicates that the Italian outfit has solved the engine reliability issues it encountered last season.
Ferrari's units, including those supplied to Alfa Romeo and Haas, suffered several failures last season that proved cost for all three teams.
Formula 1's current regulations have frozen engine development, however specific work is permitted on the grounds of improving reliability.
"Preparation work for the new season is usually one of the busiest times of the year and this winter was no exception," explained Ferrari engine boss Enrico Gualtieri.
"Actually PUs have been frozen since last year, including fluids, so oil and fuel. And the only modifications allowed are those related to reliability.
"In fact, reliability was our Achilles heel last season. And so we worked over the winter to solve our main problems to try and reach the desired level of reliability.
"That was our aim for 2023. And our work this winter was based on this."
Gualtieri underscored his department's focus on the engine's assembly process and on specific components to help improve its unit's durability.
"We worked mainly on those areas that gave us the most trouble last season.
"So we focused on the internal combustion engine and the electric motors. However, at the same time, we tried to capitalise on the experience gained on track last season.
"And so we looked at all the feedback and signs of weakness from the PU components were used. Clearly, this involves various design areas of some components.
"But at the same time, we also revised when necessary our assembly procedures. The work involved all the PU personnel as well as our colleagues in the supply chain and our suppliers.
"We worked on all areas trying to understand the root causes of the problems we encountered on track and used all our available tools to try and solve them," added the Scuderia's engine chief.
"In fact, the work involved all areas from design to experimentation, including the assembly process, to try and test new solutions in a very short space of time.
"We also made the most of the experience gained in the second half of last season and then further evolved some of the components where necessary. The work never ends, based on continuous improvement of the components to try and reach the required level of reliability.
©Ferrari
"We've had some positive feedback on the test bench on some of the changes we've introduced. But as usual, the track will tell us if we've done a good job."
At the team's launch this week, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur highlighted the importance of the Scuderia achieving rock-solid reliability at the outset.
"At this stage of the season, if you don't have the reliability, you are not able to do the three days, and then you start on the wrong foot," he said
"We did the mileage that we have to do on the dyno, we are all optimistic, but only Bahrain will tell us where we are in terms of reliability and performance. So far, I would say that it's all OK."
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