Ferrari customer teams take new engines in Melbourne

Ferrari customer teams Haas and Alfa Romeo have both been supplied with fresh engines in Melbourne, another sign that the Italian manufacturer's unit may be suffering from reliability issues.

In Saudi Arabia last time out, Charles Leclerc was hit with a 10-place grid penalty as a result of his team adding a third control electronics to his pool of hardware.

The Monegasque had already encountered a CE issue in the opening round in Bahrain.

Read also: 'No fundamental issue' with new Ferrari, insists Sainz

As a precautionary measure, Ferrari also supplied both Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz with new Internal Combustion Engines in Jeddah.

While new components were added to the Scuderia's hardware inventory in Melbourne, Ferrari's customer teams – Alfa and Haas – were supplied with new ICE's for both outfits' drivers.

It's therefore the second of three ICEs authorized by the rules for the duration of the 2023 season.

The changes have not warranted any penalties as all teams remain within their annual allowance, but swapping engines as early as the third race in a 23-round season is worrying for Ferrari.

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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.